Elites ‘Shocked’ That ‘We Actually Are Going to Protect America,’ Gingrich Says

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) blasted the “elites” who remain “shocked” that “we actually are going to protect America” through President Donald Trump’s policies and actions. He made his remarks during an interview with John Catsimatidis that aired Sunday on AM 970 in New York.

Trump shocked many in political and media circles by announcing last week the U.S. will suspend aid to Pakistan, citing the country’s failure to counteract radical Islamic terrorism. Gingrich said the decision supported U.S. interests and showcased the president’s commitment to shaking up the political Establishment and the status quo in Washington, D.C.

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“It has so thoroughly shocked the elites that we actually are going to protect America, and defend America, and that we’re actually going to render judgment,” Gingrich told Catsimatidis. “That is such a shocking moment for a lot of our elites that they don’t know how to deal with it.”

The Department of State announced last year that the U.S. suspended $255 million in foreign aid to Pakistan because of the country’s failure to adequately address terrorism concerns. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told the press Thursday that all national security assistance would be suspended until the Pakistani government “takes decisive action.”

Trump tweeted on January 1, “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!”

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Gingrich praised Trump’s action and mocked the aghast elites, telling Catsimatidis, “If you kick us in the shin, we’re not going to pay you.”

Politicians and pundits ripped Trump on multiple fronts throughout the first week of 2018, and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders fielded questions during press briefings concerning the president’s mental stability and fitness for office.

Many people are also shocked by some of the so-called revelations in author Michael Wolff’s new book, “Fire Fury: Inside the Trump White House.” The author paints an extremely unfavorable picture of the president. On Friday, Wolff admitted in an interview with Savannah Guthrie on the “Today” show that in terms of getting access to the White House, “I’m a nice guy … I certainly said what was ever necessary to get the story.”

Related: New Wolff Book Is ‘National Enquirer on Steroids’: Former Trump Aide

On Saturday Trump responded on Twitter, ripping Democrats and “their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media,” for “screaming mental stability and intelligence.” Trump insisted he is “a very stable genius,” which earned further mockery from pundits and the press.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was even asked to assess Trump’s mental fitness. When BBC’s Andrew Marr asked May if she believed concerns about Trump’s mental stability were “serious,” she replied, “No. I deal with President Trump. What I see is somebody who is committed to ensuring he is taking decisions in the best interests of the United States,” May said.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo also defended the president during an interview Sunday on “Fox News Sunday.”

“Those statements are just absurd, Chris. I mean, just pure fantasy,” Pompeo told host Chris Wallace.

“We talk about some of the most serious matters facing American and the world — complex issues. The president is engaged. He understands the complexity. He asks really difficult questions of our team at CIA so that we can provide him the information that he needs to make good, informed policy decisions. And I’ve watched him do that,” Pompeo said.

“These are from people who just have not yet accepted the fact that President Trump is the United States president,” Pompeo added.

PoliZette writer Kathryn Blackhurst can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter.

(photo credit, homepage image: Newt Gingrich, CC BY-SA 2.0, by Gage Skidmore)