Ryan Zinke Mocks Numerous Ethics Probes Against Him: I’ll Be ‘Investigated’ For Saying ‘Merry Christmas’ Next
To change the subject after being asked about his numerous federal investigations into his ethics as a government employee, Department of the s Secretary Ryan Zinke joked to a Fox News host that he’ll likely be “investigated” for saying “Merry Christmas” next.
The Trump administration member made the mocking remark while stumbling through a series of attempted explanations after host Shannon Bream confronted him with emails from a conservation group on the ethics probes into Zinke.
“Zinke’s investigation count now far exceeds his last four predecessors, who collectively were the subject of eleven OIG and OSC investigations,” read one statement from the Center for Western Priorities, who report Zinke has faced 18 probes, one of which — the Halliburton scandal — was referred to the Justice Department.
Zinke responded by claiming he is “10 for 10” in being cleared of these investigations. (Per the New York Times, in “some cases… [Zinke] was cleared,” but other probes were cleared “because of a lack of cooperation.”)
“I’ve been investigated on my socks. I have had been investigated taking jets, which I don’t, completed,” he added. “I’ve had 10 investigations completed, and you know what they all say? Ryan Zinke follows all the rules, all the regulations, all the procedures.”
He went on to call the probes “politically motivated.”
Zinke continued:
“In Montana, we call it ‘BS.’ Organizations like Western Values Project that pretends to be a 501(c)3 — an advocacy group — I would like to see their books. I think everyone would like to see the books, way they’re funded. They are operatives from the Democratic Party. They are hacks. They have always been. And they need to be investigated.”
After Bream mentioned Christmas at the conclusion of the segment, Zinke used a joke about the “war on Christmas” — a meme started by conservatives griping over Barack Obama’s supposed lack of Christmas enthusiasm.
“Well, I’ll say it first. Merry Christmas,” Zinke sneered. “If I should be investigated by saying it, Merry Christmas, America.”
Watch above, via Fox News.
[image via screengrab]
