 When it emerged that was not the case, Kennedy assembled his foreign policy team for a stormy meeting at the White House with several such as McNamara, Vice President Lyndon Johnson, and CIA director John McCone all spoke for standing with Diem while others like the Undersecretary of State George Ball, W. Avrell Harriman and Roger Hilsman argued for deposing Diem.Much to Kennedy's annoyance, Rusk maintained a stony silence, refusing to take a side.At the end of the meeting, Kennedy exclaimed