and i wants to thank you for and let's start our meeting and to the media and press thank you very much. it.appreciate thank you. you very much. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2017] thank you. >> thanks, guys. rex cretary of state tillerson spoke to reporters at the white house following president trump agencies u.s. with hat the declare north korea a state sponsor of terrorism. told ary tillerson reporters the administration still homes for a diplomatic solution. following his comments white house press secretary took topics s on a number of including north korea, the alabama senate special election

reform efforts. afternoon. thank you guys for being patient with us. i brought a special guest i might be ok if we were a little delayed. as you know the president hosted cabinet oductive meeting this morning and made the news by announcing united states has designated tphroerbg a state sponsor of goals sm and one of the of his recent trip was to pursue the enuclearization of korean peninsula. there will impose increased on north and penalties korea that will continue our progress toward that goal.

a reminder it is that foreclose has supported acts of international terrorism assassinations on foreign soil. the president's position is this. regime must be lawful. it must end its unlawful nuclear and ballistic fremont. secretary of state rex tillerson to answer some of yours questions on this topic. and make a up couple of remarks and take questions on that topic and i that to ack after angles -- answer other news. secretary. >> thank you, sarah. pretsidentdicated the announced it in the cabinet the ng and it is just latest step in a series of are thengoing stems to increase pressure, i call it the peaceful pressure campaign the president pressure he maximum campaign so there is no

onfusion they are one and the same to hold north korea account believe for actions they have months, last several the last year or so. know north will korea was designated as a state so sor of terrorism in 1988 they have been designated before. part as lifted in 2008 as of an effort to negotiate with their orea at the end of nuclear program. that obviously failed because we today. where we are as a result of actions they have s ken including assassination outside of their country and banned confidential -- chemical weapons they are actions that put the public at risk. that with a number of other actions they have taken resulted in their designation now again sponsor of terrorism. the practical effect is we

have many actions in place through the current sanctions. and dissuade some they're parties from undertaking certain activities with north impose it does prohibition on other activities hat might not be covered by existing sanctions. think importantly this continues to point out north korea agencies illicit unlawful internationally and we felt it necessary to reimpoles designation. with the that i'm happy to take questions. sarah referee because i'm no good at refereeing. you, sir. a move to incentivize kim jung un toward negotiation? has been more than 60 days and is that timetable romisening and why wait until we are back in the u.s.? the president said there was

asia and iplomacy in this seems to be counter that. >> we still hope for diplomacy. timing of this is just one of us concluding the process. a very specific designation process that we have to go through at the state to be meetto be able the criteria to make summer a designation. we wanted to ensure we had fully met all the requirements. this is all part of continuing up.urn the pressure we continue it turn the pressure up on north korea by getting countries to join and take actions on their own. and ve had other countries our visit to vietnam they have committed that they are going it activities further with north korea. malaysia has indicated a curtailment. cut off all trade with north korea. the philippines have cut off all deputy secretary of state has been in africa and sudanese gs with the government and they have been buying military weapons from

north korea and they have agreed to halt those purchases. and as it g effect takes effect this continues to kim en the pressure on the regime and all wan intentioni to have him understand this is only to get worse until you are ready to talk. and you don't think -- >> we are hopeful that he quiet period e that. is our objective that he continues to be quiet as well. designation is one that we are required to undertake from ime to time and we have been monitoring the situation. we want to be sure we had ufficient evidence before making the designation. this is a process that started several months ago. >> thank you, secretary. mentioned that you are increasing regional pressure. do you have any indication that working? and if you have not seen the

days ago r indication how long down the path before the administration changes? anecdotal a lot of information that this is working and we have our own intelligence sources. what chinese and others share with us that i think that the is having aef is it significant effect on north korea. e know that there are current shortages of fuel based upon hat we can gather tprr next total willy -- anecdotally and revenues are down because a number of the streams occcurtailed. is this the reason we haven't will a provocative act in 60 days? don't want to suggest to you that i could say. this period will continue. i think the president and his to the general assembly he laid out the case very well to them that he wanted have talks because he wants to deliver a different

future to the people of north korea. >> thank you, mr. secretary. i have a couple. us an example of a third party transaction that is coveredred that was not by the existing sanctions or u. tphfrp skaourpbt? >> there could be equipment that was not covered earned prefer anctions that this would prohibit. i don't want to suggest that the designation is suddenly going to put a new layer of sanctions on because we already have orth korea so heavily sanctioned with the u.n. resolutions. a few re will close additional loopholes. >> you talked about we know about the assassination at the airport. an you give us another example of another assassination on foreign soil? >> i don't have anything that i specifically. you

>> there seems to be more sanctions u.s. against new york on the -- north korea. getting given up on [inaudible] china? >> we have not given up. china we continue to talk with them. first to eventually sure they re fully committed to implementing the u.n. sanctions and though assured us they are. he last round imposed a restriction on finished products. petroleum and jet fuel. -- suggested you feeds the pipeline that their refine richmond you can do that on your own to increase the pressure. doing that or e not we don't know and it is very difficult for us to know whether actions to ing curtail all supplies to them. thatrlier today trump said

the treasury department will be announcing additional sanctions tomorrow. it as a very large one the highest level of sanctions. can you give us insight into that >> i would like to leave it to announce them. they are similar to sanctions we have taken in the past. just going more broadly to more entities. would like to leave it to their announcement. >> do you see the announcement somethingmbolic or as that really does have a lot of teeth to it? > it is very symbolic on one hand because it just points out rogue regime it is how little al and they care for the value of human life. makes a strong statement with the nature of the may e and practical effect be limited but hopefully we are closing off a few loopholes with

there. >> mara liasson. if china doesn't agree it cut could you pments how create enough pressure on them? >> their fuel supplies are quite constrained. e have evidence that there are fu fuel shortages and the civilians fuel e ones who can't get so we see long lines of vehicles stations and certain stations that appear to be out of fuel because they are closed when normally they would be open. so there are indications that fuel supplies are quite tight. know, they only refine a small amount of their fuel needs internally. only have one refinery that perates and they are heavily dependent on import of finished uel products which have been constrained with the u.n. say s

sanctions. do you need china to cut off the shipments? the cutting off of all is the magic wand or that will bring them to the table. what i would say is that the orth koreans have demonstrated they have an enormous capacity to withstand a lot. they will make their people pay an enormous capacity to withstand a lot so i don't want to suggest we think one action is all that it will take to get them to the table. i want to pick up on olivia's questions about the assassinations. how determinative was that in the specific evidence that you the determination and i ambassador haley spent time with the president that meeting out and any substance that came of

that? > on the assassinations, the assassination in malaysia was a significant event that caused us at egin to look carefully what else they might have been doing. that assassination involved the of a chemical agent, a very -- dangerous in agent in a public place. one thing we wanted to ensure is a sufficient certainty in that eir role particular assassination, so we malaysianworking with authorities and wanted to let them have their own process play as well. with respect to a.m. balances oor haley and i we were just both in the cabinet meeting today. too much intoting it there was suggestion from the some korean immediate violence threatened toward the u.s. was that a determining in this decision? >> no.

[inaudible]. you talked about assassination on northern soil. accused of een assassinations on fortune soil. they be considered for the same sort of designation? >> we have to consider every that with take a substance lake that and yours -- ike that and yours it illegally. i don't want to comment on that. secretary, two quick questions for you. how do you balance the impact of sanctions, you talk about the people of north korea paying the price. s this something you are considering we you talk about more sanctions toward the regime of kim jung un? >> it is always a difficult impoles en with you sanctions. the people of north korea enormously under difficult conditions and i think what we are focused on is a north korea's ge trajectory, change their path.

that is the best way we can help the north korea man people is kim jung un reverse his program and allows to engage in activity that will provide a better life for his people. >> do you believe that the running out of diplomatic options to respond to the nuclear threat of north korea? no, i do not. >> we have time for one last question. secretary.ou, mr. you talked about the limited intelligence on north korea and on the regime. is there any evidence of any in pyongyang or possibly reaction against the current other members of the kim family or other to him?s >> i want to be careful about how i answer that. comment on is you are well aware of a number of

occurred that have within his inner circle and many the military people that are close to him. o i will leave it to your own interpretation. mr. secretary. >> thank you. to some more questions. is obviously are lot of interest today. secretary ofain to state for answering questions. to shift gears a little bit on some happier notes, i'm sure a lot of you the across -- the christmas season has arrived. this afternoon the first lady and barron trump will receive a serve as the o

efumb tree and will be presented by jim and diane son, a silent eir night evergreen in wisconsin. winners of the 2017 national christmas tree contest ponsored by the national christmas tee association. he ncta presented the official tree since 1966. he grand champion grower wins the opportunity to present it and we are communicated to have here. as you probably also know we got like thanks and this is our last press briefing holiday e thanksgiving in there room so i want to sure a few things that i'm heavily be nice am it would for you to do so before asking quell questions. obviously you probably know and it is no secret that i'm clearly all of you l for here in the room and i think

that goes without saying. but in all seriousness i'm thankful for my family, my the brave icularly military men of the many away protecting the enjoy.s all of always i'm thankful for the police, firefighters and first who keep us safe and in credib incredible privilege of serving and american people. so, this is how it will work today. i tkrbl herein and since i'm here i think it is fair since i shared what i'm thankful for that you start for.what you are thankful anyone want to be first on what they are thankful for? you have been so eager so i will go with you on what you are most thankful for. for life and my children and 20 years in this job. able tokful for r to be talk to you and question you every single day.

the greatfulness there. >> now my question. passion of elt the my thankfulness. -- sings i didn't get a chance to ask secretary of state is a black n there hole of intelligence when it comes to nearby. it will getng about worse until they are ready to talk. said, the rhetoric is still amping up. is the concern about the intelligence that we don't know. what do we know alleges relates relates to the nuclear of north carolikorea. >> the billingest concern is taaoe take steps to protect that erican people and what the president did and putting that maximum pressure on large orea to put a very focus on denuclearizing the

korean peninsula. that has been the top priority our ill continue to be priority. we want to push until we take from to prevent them getting any further into this process. deep into really specifics on information like that. priority of the the administration is two and partner cans with allies and i think that is actions are seeing in that took place today and you will see tomorrow. forth -- ere back and >> sorry is, april. i'm going to keep moving. one of our t colleagues will happily ask -- he said e the tweet that twice. >> i'm starting to regret calling on you, april. >> i'm thankful for all of us. >> i am but i don't want that to i'm going to move on to one of your colleagues.

francesca. thankful for you calling on me. i will follow your lead and be nor service members, my brother is a service member and thankful for their service. i want to ask today about kellyanne conway said on fox and friend about the race.a senate cut rought up tax cult -- and the democrat wouldn't vote for tax cuts and she didn't irectly endorse the republican that is running roy moore. but she opened the door to a discussed have not which is whether the president ould be supportive of a rite-in contain of luther strange or jeff sessions. >> i think we have addressed this. i addressed it quite a few times. the president was it is up to make ople of alabama it the determination who the next senator will be.

aepblts answered a number of questions and our position hasn't change the over the weekend. the same as i answered thursday. and friday. you said whether he would writt-in campaign. >> he supports the people of alabama deciding who the next should be. >> i'm thankful for my health, i think i live in the best country on the face of the thankful that you address us every day. my question is about the senate in alabama. there is an unusual question because normally we would not about the uestion republican nominee running for office and whether or not the president is supportive of the republican nominee. just that. is would you be pleased if roy race in s his senate alaba

alabama? president wants people both in the house and enate that support his agenda but as i have said and as the prohibits me from going further we think that is something the people of alabama decide and i'm into the going to graphics i am thankful for my wife was pregnant with our third child. sec. sanders: good luck, it only gets harder. taxes asstion is on well. the president seemed to suggest today that democratic health is all but gone for. getou still think you can democrats on board? sec. sanders: we would certainly

like to. i don't know why democrats would not like to support tax cuts for class.dle we would welcome their support if they want to get on board and help that effort. firstm thankful for the amendment. , she was conway today here on the north lawn and she said that -- she warned alabama voters not to be full by doug jones. so is that the position by this white house? voters are better off voting for someone accused of assaulting teenage girls then a democrat? sanders: i've answered this three or four times today as times last week, the position has not changed for the white house. we think the people of alabama should make the decision on who

the next governors should be. sarah, i'm grateful for my daughter and my family. ohio state university. close to michigan. my question is, does the president really regret interfering in the case of the ucla ask about players and what message does that send to other u.s. citizens who may be held captive by a foreign government? sec. sanders: look, the president was certainly very glad to see the release of the chinesehletes by the government and frankly it is very fortunate that the strongnt has built a enough relationship with president xi that he was able to help with the release. whenever the president is able to use his office and those relationships to help american citizens held overseas he is certainly going to do that. certainly the president was happy to intervene and i think

he has made that clear by taking that action upon himself to do and without being asked certainly, something he has done something several times in these brief, short 10 months he is been in office where he is secured the release of several american citizens and brought them home. for survivingul our 12 days in asia. happy to be back here. the president has not made a weekly radio broadcast for more than one month now and so have they been scrapped by this administration end of so, why? sec. sanders: we received quite a few comments and feedback that the weekly address was not being sod to its fullest potential we are looking for different ways to revamp that and make it beneficial and get more information out. we will keep you posted. there will certainly be a thanksgiving message.

i'm not sure on the specifics. i will be happy to follow up. quickave a really question and i want to ask about welfare reform. as the president talk to roy 9 when the november accusations came out? sec. sanders: i'm not aware of any conversations. the president said welfare reform is desperately needed comment needs to be reform reformed. what exactly is he talking about? foodstamp? medicaid? what is he talking about? sec. sanders: i think it is no secret the president has talked about this and his campaign and something that when we have specifics we will certainly announce when we roll it out. anticipated happening of the next couple weeks. we're focused on tax reform and hoping to get it done by the end of the year but this is

something the president has a great deal of interest in the can count on next year seeing more specifics and details coming out. >> on friday the president [indiscernible] -- sec. sanders: you did break the role -- >> i'm thankful. can you tell me why the president thought it was and could you address concerns about the diversity of some of the president's picks. and talk about how the white house values or does not value diversity among the judiciary. valueanders: we certainly diversity not just in judiciary but across the administration and we look for more ways to grow that, improve that. and in terms of the release on friday, the president had not

added any new names in nearly one year and thought it was a good time to do that. there's nothing more to read into it other than expanding the list should there ever be a potential vacancy for us to fail. [indiscernible] -- sec. sanders: i would have to look at the specifics. margaret? >> i am thankful for the first amendment. sec. sanders: i think it is good preparation for everybody for thursday with your family. you have already thought through what you're thankful for so you will be the most prepared. >> can you say whether the president and the white house actively encouraged the justice department to move forward with -- against at&t time warner?

aware ofers: i'm not any specific action taken by the white house. any statemente about that? sec. sanders: not at this time. - >> i am grateful for the opportunity to be able to fill in for our team. i'm grateful we only have one month left. i have a lot to learn. my question is about the basketball players. theident trump, over weekend, he called them "ungrateful." i am just curious because what more would president trump like to see from them? what would satisfy him? sec. sanders: look, i think the president like i said was happy to intervene. i think it was less about the players and the father, having a problem with it. frankly, it seemed the father

did not want the president to intervene and it would've been a sad thing if he had not, must likely. >> did he believe you really should have let the players in jail? sec. sanders: i think if that was the case he would not of taken the action he did. he acted to get those individuals released and brought back to the country. matthew. he feels, is not how then why did he say he should've let them in jail? the sanders: look, president -- it was a rhetorical response to the criticism by the father. again, i think the president was happy to see the release of these individuals and have them back in the united states. one must question. -- last question. -- s thank you, 04 >> i am thankful for my colleagues, my father, 90 years old and going strong. for in full to mike wife

saying "yes" on the fourth request. i have about zimbabwe. i am thankful to my wife for on the fourth request. i have a question about zimbabwe. be any interaction with the new government, specifically about their cutting back on the influence of china theirrth korea in country? sec. sanders: i did not have any announcements on our relationship was zimbabwe at this time but certainly i will posted. again, you want to wish everybody a happy thanksgiving and thank you for participating in this very fun exercise. we will be around today and tomorrow.

thank you. announcer: at&t officials held a news conference following the announcement that the justice department filed a lawsuit to block a proposed merger between at&t and time warner. from new york city, this is when he five minutes. 25 minutes. >> good afternoon. my name is larry solomon with at&t. we have reporters in the room and more than 500 listening on the webcam. we'll have prepared remarks from our speakers then we will open up to questions. are listening on the conference bridge, press star and one and we will get you in for questions. if you're listening or watching on the webcast, click the submit question that man in the upper right-hand