Today in Shamless Liars

No, it's not Tony Perkins, although I think a Tony Perkins Award is in order:

Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday defended the White House's decision to ban CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins after she asked questions that upset President Donald Trump.

During a pool spray last week, Collins pressed Trump about whether he is disappointed that his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, had released an audio tape proving that the president knew about a hush payment for former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Collins was later told that her invitation to the president's next event had been revoked.

In an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, Pence said he backed the White House's ban on Collins.

"Let me say, this administration believes in the freedom of the press," Pence told Bartiromo. "President Trump and our entire administration have provided extraordinary access to the media. The president answers so many questions. I can assure you we'll continue to do that."

He answers so many questions. The best answers. Lots of people say it.

This is the one that caused hysterical laughter:

We stand for the freedom of the press in this White House.

The horrible part is that Trump's base will have no trouble swallowing that, along with another helping of "enemy of the people."

Here's a little more on how much the Trump White House, and Trump himself, stand for freedom of the press:

In an absolutely unprecedented move, Donald Trump tried to personally black list certain reporters from attending and covering White House events. The Washington Post is reporting that Trump has sought to personally ban reporters he felt asked too many tough questions of him and his administration, you know, those people "doing real journalism." He even inquired about revoking their press credentials - a shocking accusation, if true.

As for Pence himself, a word of caution from Frank Bruni at NYT:

There are problems with impeaching Donald Trump. A big one is the holy terror waiting in the wings.

That would be Mike Pence, who mirrors the boss more than you realize. He’s also self-infatuated. Also a bigot. Also a liar. Also cruel.

To that brimming potpourri he adds two ingredients that Trump doesn’t genuinely possess: the conviction that he’s on a mission from God and a determination to mold the entire nation in the shape of his own faith, a regressive, repressive version of Christianity. Trade Trump for Pence and you go from kleptocracy to theocracy.

Remember, this is the man who signed Indiana's right to discriminate bill.

Via RawStory.