Source: The Intercept
State Department spokesperson John Kirby tried to deny that Obama had ever promised not to send “boots on the ground” there. The problem for Kirby was that Obama has repeated the promise at least 16 times since 2013
After reporters pointed out the mistake, Kirby tried to walk back his claim by defining the phrase “boots on the ground” to exclude special forces.
“I’m not disputing the fact that we have troops on the ground, and they’re wearing boots.”