Liberals have relentlessly mocked President Trump for being too easy on Vladimir Putin, for accepting the Russian president’s assertion that he had nothing to do with alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Now they’re mocking Vice President Mike Pence for being tough on the former KGB agent.
Pence and Putin met up on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference in Singapore on Friday, where foreign leaders discussed arms control and other pressing issues. As they shook hands — and for a good while after — Pence cast a steely glare at Putin, never breaking eye contact.
“US VICE President Mike Pence was snapped giving Vladimir Putin a cold stare at a summit, as he reportedly warned him not to meddle in American elections,” The Sun reported.
Pence and Putin also spoke briefly at a dinner the night before, but didn’t talk much. “Well, we really didn’t have the opportunity, he was literally across a broad table,” Pence told NBC. “Look, we’ve been very clear about this administration’s commitment to ensure, whether it be Russia or other countries, that there’s no tolerance for meddling in our elections.”
He said the Trump administration has taken “decisive action” to safeguard elections in the future. “‘I know the president has also made that very clear in his meetings with the president in the past,” Pence said.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser John Bolton was also mocked — this time for smiling while meeting Putin.
Giddy? Not exactly. But that was Twitterers’ take.