US State Department plays down fallout in spy case
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs labored to show that the arrests were a law enforcement matter -- one not driven by the president  even though President Barack Obama was informed -- and played down any political consequences.
 Obama was asked about the matter by reporters twice Tuesday. He declined to comment both times.
President Barack Obama was informed -- and played down any political consequences.
 Obama was asked about the matter by reporters twice Tuesday. He declined to comment both times.
 Gibbs said Obama was aware of the investigation before he met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the White House on Thursday  although Gibbs said he did not know whether Obama knew then that the arrests were imminent. The two leaders did not discuss the issue  Gibbs said. Another White House spokesman  Tommy Vietor  said Obama did not know the exact timing of the arrests.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs labored to show that the arrests were a law enforcement matter -- one not driven by the president  even though [TGT] was informed -- and played down any political consequences.
 [TGT] was asked about the matter by reporters twice Tuesday. [TGT] declined to comment both times.
[TGT] was informed -- and played down any political consequences.
 [TGT] was asked about the matter by reporters twice Tuesday. [TGT] declined to comment both times.
 Gibbs said [TGT] was aware of the investigation before he met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the White House on Thursday  although Gibbs said he did not know whether [TGT] knew then that the arrests were imminent. The two leaders did not discuss the issue  Gibbs said. Another White House spokesman  Tommy Vietor  said [TGT] did not know the exact timing of the arrests.