‘Good One, Matt!’: State Dept Spokesman Bursts Into Laughter After Reporter Cracks Joke About U.S. Invading ‘Sovereign’ Countries

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller burst into laughter after a reporter interrupted his claim that the U.S. government does not “dictate to any country what it must do” with the comment, “Unless you invade them.”

During a press conference on Monday about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Miller said:

When it comes to this question of two states, all we can do, and you’ve heard me say this before, is present our vision for peace and security in the Middle East and make clear to the government of Israel, and make clear to the people of Israel, that there is a path forward for lasting security, for better relations with Israel’s neighbors, and they have to take it, and if they’re ready to do it, we are ready to work with them on how to achieve that vision.

A reporter replied, “But you have so much leverage over the Israelis and this is fundamental vision of the president. So you can use all the leverage you want, including weapons that you sell to Israel, to make sure that this plan is at least on the right path for implementation.”

Miller responded, “So, one thing I will say about that that people often tend to forget is that Israel, like other countries in the region, is a sovereign country that makes its own decisions. The United States does not dictate to Israel what it must do, just as we don’t dictate to any country what it must do.”

Another reporter then interrupted, “Unless you invade them.”

Miller proceeded to burst into laughter, before telling the reporter – identified by several social media users as AP diplomatic writer Matt Lee – “Good one, Matt!”

As he continued to laugh, Miller joked, “Stand-up hour in the Briefing Room,” before moving on with his remarks.

Watch above via State Department.