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President Trump Thanks Putin For Ordering Expulsion Of U.S. Diplomats From Russia

After the Russian president moved to expel 755 staffers from U.S. embassies and consulates in response to sanctions, Trump said his administration needs to cut the State Department payroll anyway.
President Trump speaks during a security briefing on Thursday at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. / NICHOLAS KAMM / Getty Images

President Trump said Thursday that he was "very thankful" that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered the expulsion of hundreds of U.S. diplomats from the country in response to sanctions — because the administration needs to cut the State Department's budget anyway.

"I want to thank him because we're trying

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