Washington Examiner – by PETE KASPEROWICZ
The State Department said Monday that it has no records on hand showing that Seddique Mateen, the father of Orlando shooter Omar Mateen, ever met with department officials in Washington.
The elder Mateen posted pictures of himself posing outside of a State Department office, leading to questions about whether he ever met with U.S. policymakers. But State Department spokesman Mark Toner said no meeting ever took place.
“That’s actually in front of our office on Capitol Hill, where we have an office that we work with consular issues for members, as well as their constituents and their staff,” Toner said.
“But we have no records of any meeting with this gentleman and any State Department policy officials whatsoever,” Toner added. “We’re obviously going back through our records, but my understanding of this photo is he’s simply stood in front of the door and took his picture.”
Toner said the department extends its condolences to the victims of the early Sunday morning shooting, in which the younger Mateen took the lives of 49 people. He said condolences have been received from more than 50 nations around the world about the shooting.
“But State Department spokesman Mark Toner said no meeting ever took place.”
“I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”