“Maybe it violates my job description as a spokesperson to be speechless, but I think in this case I am,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. | AP Photo White House's Earnest 'speechless' over Carson's claim on Syria intel

White House press secretary Josh Earnest is speechless over Ben Carson’s claim that he has better intelligence than the administration has when it comes to Syria.

Carson was asked about his comments that China has a military presence in Syria during a news conference on Friday. The retired neurosurgeon responded that the White House's denial this week indicates that its intelligence is not as good as the intelligence he has on the matter.


“We actually will be releasing some material on that before the weekend is over," he said. "I have several sources that I’ve got material from. I’m surprised that my sources are better than theirs.”

During the daily White House press briefing Friday afternoon, Earnest was asked about Carson’s assertion. “Maybe it violates my job description as a spokesperson to be speechless, but I think in this case I am,” Earnest said.