White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer reportedly hid from reporters behind shrubs on the White House grounds late Tuesday night to avoid questions on President Trump's unexpected decision to fire FBI Director James Comey.
After Spicer issued a statement on the firing around 5:40 p.m., his press staff said he would be silent on the issue for the rest of the night, according to the Washington Post. But as more politicians and reporters demanded answers on what happened, the White House press team appeared on television to defend the president.
Following one interview, Spicer huddled with his press staff behind a tall hedge on the White House grounds. He wanted to get back to his office, but could not do so without passing a crowd of eager reporters.
The press secretary "spent several minutes hidden in the bushes," according to the Post.
Spicer then had one staffer tell the media he would answer questions, but not on camera. He then emerged from the impromptu meeting after several minutes and told reporters to turn off their lights.
"Just turn the lights off. Turn the lights off," he reportedly said. "We'll take care of this ... Can you just turn that light off?"
"Spicer got his wish and was soon standing in near darkness between two tall hedges, with more than a dozen reporters closely gathered around him," the Post reported.
When Spicer began responding to questions, his answers were largely referrals to the Department of Justice and promises to report back with more information involving the timeline of the firing. After 10 minutes of questions, Spicer abruptly ended the gaggle and returned to his office.
Spicer talked to the press, in the dark, standing in the shrubbery. And said it was all someone else's fault. https://t.co/pND49NjB1g
— Pitt Griffin (@pittgriffin) May 10, 2017