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Tags: marc short | mike pence | saudi

Marc Short: 'Locked and Loaded' Comment Means Several Things

marc short is shown speaking with reporters
Marc Short, chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence, speaks with reporters at the White House, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP)

By    |   Monday, 16 September 2019 01:52 PM EDT

President Donald Trump's "locked and loaded" comment about Iran in connection to drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities could mean "several things" beyond a threat of war, Marc Short, the chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence, said Monday. 

"One thing that it means, America today under this president is far better prepared to handle these sorts of events," Short told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo. "We are now the net exporter of oil. This is not the 1970s oil embargo or the 1990s when Iraq invaded Kuwait."

Some of the Asian markets import more oil from Saudi Arabia, said Short, but the United States now produces 16 million of oil a day. 

"Much of that has been because of the deregulatory agenda of this administration," said Short. He said there are many of the Democratic presidential candidates are calling for an end to the fracking industry, but fracking is what has enabled the United States to be prepared for attacks like the one on the Saudi facilities.

Meanwhile, Iran has denied the attacks, but Short said it's well known that Iran has been trying to instigate attacks for some time using the Houthi rebels in Yemen. 

"As Secretary (Mike) Pompeo outlined, we have far more direct evidence of their direct involvement this go-around," said Short. "What actions we take, I think, will be coordinated with what our partners in the Middle East want. But again, America is far better protected to absorb shocks (like this.)"

He said he does not want to belittle the attacks, as they will "certainly" affect prices around the world, but "I think the policies this administration advocated to make sure we are more energy dominant, energy independent protect us."

He also rejected claims that have been made that the White House is abandoning its pressure campaign against Iran. 

"They are struggling enormously because their oil exports have diminished dramatically to a small fraction what it was," said Short. "They want oil price shocks, no doubt about that. It goes to reinforce, the policies of this administration are working."

Sandy Fitzgerald

Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics. 

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President Donald Trump's "locked and loaded" comment about Iran in connection to drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities could mean "several things" beyond a threat of war, Marc Short, the chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence, said Monday. 
marc short, mike pence, saudi
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2019-52-16
Monday, 16 September 2019 01:52 PM
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