RNC Research

Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff Nominee Gen. Joseph Dunford: “[R]ussia Presents The Greatest Threat To Our National Security.” JOE MANCHIN: “And sir, I’m sure you’ve had the opportunity to form opinions on what our threats have been and what our threats are today. What would you consider the greatest threat to our national security?” JOSEPH DUNFORD: “My assessment today is that Russia presents the greatest threat to our national security.” (Committee On Armed Services, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 7/9/15)

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest: “I Think [Gen. Dunford] Would Be The First To Admit That That Reflects His Own View And Doesn’t Necessarily Reflect The View Or The Consensus, Analysis Of The President’s National Security Team.” QUESTION: “The president did sort of mock his rival in 2012, Mitt Romney, for saying that Russia was the greatest threat to the U.S. national security so I’m just curious what he thinks about this person who he’s chosen to be the next Joint Chiefs of Staff saying the same thing today.”  JOSH EARNEST: “Well, obviously, you know, since that time we’ve seen the kind of activities from Russia that makes their activities, you know, somewhat more concerning.  You know, their destabilizing activities in Ukraine, some of their stepped up saber-rattling that we’ve seen from them both as it relates to their nuclear program but also as it relates to some of their military activities near the borders of our NATO allies.  So I think it’s fair to say that these kinds assessments are dynamic based on the—the activity and the situation on the ground.  But again, you know– certainly General Dunford is somebody who has spent a lot of time thinking about these issues and has his own view.  But I think he would be the first to admit that that reflects his own view and doesn’t necessarily reflect the view or the consensus, analysis of the president’s national security team. (Josh Earnest, White House Press Briefing, Washington, D.C., 7/9/15)