When President-Elect Trump named Rex Tillerson to serve as his secretary of State, the House minority leader, Nancy Pelosi, cried foul.
And when Trump fired Tillerson, Pelosi cried foul, too.
Pelosi said hiring Tillerson nomination showed Trump's softness toward Russia. Pelosi likewise said firing Tillerson proves Trump's "worship of Putin."
"Our nation has always needed a wise and experienced Secretary of State who has the judgement [sic] and the skill to protect our national security, strengthen our alliances, and advocate for human rights," Pelosi said in a 2016 statement statement. "Choosing an oil executive friendly with Vladimir Putin as Secretary of State sends a disturbing signal about President-elect Trump's priorities. Rex Tillerson's cozy relationship with the Kremlin is especially alarming in light of his attitude toward sanction's over Russia's aggressive behavior in Europe, while at the same time the President-elect continues to side with Russia over the judgment of the U.S. intelligence community."
A little over a year later, Pelosi deployed almost identical language, except in the opposite context. After Tillerson's firing was announced, Pelosi released a statement.
"Secretary Tillerson's firing sets a profoundly disturbing precedent in which standing up for our allies against Russian aggression is grounds for a humiliating dismissal," Pelosi said. "President Trump's actions show that every official in his Administration is at the mercy of his personal whims and worship of Putin."
Here is Pelosi's December 13, 2016 statement:
And here is her statement from March 13, 2018:
Hat tip: Michael Shapiro