Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard appeared Wednesday in a large coat and hat as the FBI raided a Fulton County elections office in Georgia.
It piqued the interest of reporters at a Justice Department press conference on Friday as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke.
"Can you explain Tulsi Gabbard's role in DOJ activity?" the reporter asked.
"What do you mean her role?" Blanche asked.
"It was reported that —" the reporter began before Blanche interrupted her.
"... She happened to be present in Atlanta. I mean, yes, I saw the same photos you did," Blanche said.
"I mean, she's not — she doesn't work for the Department of Justice or the FBI. She's an extraordinarily important part of this administration," Blanche said. "Um, this administration coordinates, um, everything we do [it] as a group. And so I think her presence shouldn't be um — there shouldn't a question, of course. I mean, that's — that's a big part of her, of her job. And so the fact that she was present in Atlanta that day, um, you know, is, it's — it's just something that shouldn't surprise anybody."
Another reporter followed up, asking if he was saying that Gabbard's appearance in Atlanta had nothing to do with the Justice Department actions.
"I definitely did not — I most certainly did not say that," Blanche said. "I said that exactly the opposite. I said this administration works closely together in all kinds of different areas. And so, um, the, the, the, um, I'm not sure if they're surprised ... that the administration is working together on things like election integrity. But if there is surprise, let me unequivocally state we are working together as an administration on election integrity-type issues. Um, that's, that's all I can say about that."