material that is being requested. we have heard some house republicans go so far as to suggest that rod rosenstein should be impeached. rhetoric you are hearing from senate republicans. it is a political fight that is in many ways is reflective of the 2016 campaign, rhetoric youe republicans were so focused on hillary clinton and her emails and they have not let go. host: john bennett, another add-on to the presidential legal team. personout the role this will serve and what he hoped to bring when it comes to special counsel robert mueller's investigation. >> former mayor rudy giuliani last week joined the legal team. he is promising to negotiate a quick end to the miller investigation. sarah: good afternoon. sarah: good afternoon.

welcome back. and the first lady welcomed president emmanuel macron and mrs. mccrone to the white house -- mrs. macron to the white house. it will celebrate the launch and enduring friendship between the president and the united states. discussions will include global issues. the first lady will take -- take an active role in the planning of the visit, including the state dinner. we are forward to a successful state visit. we have three democratic senators who have announced they to confirm mike pompeo, president trump's holly -- highly qualified nominee for secretary of state. ofajority democrat -- democrats continue their pointless obstruction as a willful attempt to undermine american diplomacy. regardless, the president is looking forward to mike pompeo's confirmation so he can continue doing an incredible job on behalf of the american people.

the heroicondone actions of james the shot junior, who saves lives when he wrestled a gone from an active shooter who had opened fire. the president offers condolences to the victims and their families. he is monitoring the situation and the white house is in regular contact with state and local officials. i want to congratulate the duke and duchess of cameras on the birth of their third child, a baby boy. i know the reality of being outnumbered can be very scary and i know she and prince william will continue to be amazing parents. congratulations to them. with that, i will take your questions. reporter: is the president willing to accept anything short of complete denuclearization on north korea before sanctions? the goal is to -- complete denuclearization, and we will continue the maximum pressure campaign to north korea

until we think concrete actions taken toward complete and total denuclearization. reporter: does that mean no sections until that is achieved? sarah: no sections lifted untold we see concrete actions taken by north korea to denuclearize. reporter: the president has tweeted they have agreed to denuclearize. have they already agreed? sarah: in a number of , including become efficiency you referred to, south korean president moon has suggested that north korea has expressed a preference for complete denuclearization. that is the focus of the conversation the united states will have with north korea. what does president trump want to appear from macron -- hear from macron onm this thing? they just landed a few

minutes ago and haven't even arrived here at the white house. i will not even presume what those conversations will look like. i expect that will be a part of the conversation and we will keep you posted. is he still leaning toward decertifying the deal when it comes in on may 12? sarah: the president has been extremely clear he thinks it is a bad deal. that has not changed. reporter: i am following up on what you were asked this morning about michael cohen. you didn't close the door one way or the other on the president pardoning him. what is your read on that? theh: it is hard to close door on something that hasn't taken place. i don't like to comment on hypothetical situations that may or may not happen. i would refer you to personal attorneys to comment on anything specific. we don't have anything at this

point. reporter: i want to ask you about a tweet the president put out last week. sanctuaryking about cities in california, that there was a revolution going on in california, so many sanctuary areas want out of this ridiculous and infested concept. -- crime infested concept. was he making a derogatory remark about latinos in california? sarah: he was talking about the problem growing and getting bigger. reporter: what does that mean? sarah: i have answered a couple. justin? reporter: i was wondering if you presidentialhe tweet that he did ordered dhs not to allow large caravans into the country. can you talk about what specifically was ordered and what that means for people applying for refugee status for the u.s.?

sarah: the president continues to monitor the situation. ace operation -- sovereign nation that cannot defend its borders will no longer be a sovereign nation. president trump is committed to defending the borders within its walls, whether people are part of a caravan or not. we will enforce the law through prosecution of illegal borders. togress will do their job pass legislation to close the legal loopholes and prevent us from securing our borders and protecting americans. what does the president believe his personal attorney might have done to get him in trouble with the government? what has the president done that he is worried -- sarah: the president is clear he

has not done anything wrong. beyond that, i don't have anything to add. >> there has been a number of documented cases in the press recently of epa administrator to be, appearing dishonest about requesting raises for aids and his relationships with lobbyists. -- raises for aides and his relationships with lobbyists. house concerned at all about his testimony before congress on thursday? the arkansas -- continuing to review a number of reports you have mentioned and we will let you know if we have any changes. a signed deal between the u.s. and european powers ealld strengthen the iran d and president trump may not feel comfortable staying in it. president believe anything can be done to fix it in a way he will fill comfortable? not get ahead of

any conversations that could take place over the next couple of days. we will be sure to share with you any policy announcements. saidter: north korea has flatly they've agreed to denuclearization and you have abouthey agreed to talk it. what is the president's definition of complete denuclearization? sarah: i believe that to the president and kim jong-un to walk through what some of those details will like when that meeting takes place. it not to just be mentioned in words, but there have to be concrete actions that take place towards total denuclearization of the peninsula. reporter: [indiscernible] will not get into the negotiations of what will take place and what the agreement will look like. there has to be concrete actions. reporter: president mcclellan -- macron wants to change

of president's mind on a lot different things, including the i run nuclear to a, u.s. troops in syria, and maybe even on the paris climate accord. this he have an open mind on the possibility he will change his mind? i am very confident we have the best negotiator at the table, looking at two leaders good --e an incredibly let me finish -- we have a great negotiator at the table. i was not commenting on 's ability.ent macron i recently commenting we have a great negotiator at the table of the united states. we have leaders who have a great deal of respect for one another and a great friendship and a great deal of interest in doing what is best for the country.

they want to be involved in candid conversations because of the relationship that has existed between the two countries long before either of these individuals arrived on the scene. we will continue that relationship, but we can expect this to be a very productive and positive statement for both countries. i am not going to get ahead of conversations that are going to take place. as we have any policy announcements, you will be the first to know. the president wants to make good deals for this country. if he feels like he can make a good deal that benefits this country, he is going to engage in those conversations. why should north korea believe the united states is honest when the president has said he would like to get out of the deal between the u.s. and iran? sarah: the president has been clear from day one he thinks it is a bad deal. i don't think any deal he would sign and agree to he has

considered a bad deal. the president wants to do what is in the best interests of our country. even in the world. particularly having north korea in the great -- and the korean peninsula free of nuclear weapons is a good thing for everyone and he would be hard-pressed to find something -- >> i want to follow up on that about north korea. what gives you optimism that north koreans are looking to denuclearize, because of the statements they are making, everyone seems to be jumping on the positive aspects of the statements, but they said over the weekend their completion of the nuclear arsenal, which they treasure",powerful firmly guarantees the country security and well-being. sarah: we are not going to make

mistakes from previous administrations. take thet going to north koreans simply after word. we have said many times that the maximum pressure campaign is going to continue until we see concrete actions. we are not naive in this process. we have seen steps in the right direction but we have a long way to go. we have seen a major change in what has taken place i having our allies and partners in the region do much more than they have in the past. china has taken a more active role in putting pressure on north korea. we hope it will do more and we will continue working with them, all at the direction and because of the relationship the president has built with the president of china. reporter: ther eare -- there are reports federal prosecutors have recommended charges against the police officer involved in

eric garner's death, but the justice department has expressed reservations. on whether orake not police officer's will charge him? i would refer you to the department of justice to get further details. usually when we let one -- i would be happy to share that with everyone. >> james comey illegally classify -- illegally declassified documents to the special counsel. is the president indicating the special counsel should be fired? sarah: we have no intention of firing the special counsel. have been beyond cooperated

with them and we are continuing to cooperate, there are over a million pages and documents. -- in documents. it was a false premise this entire thing started on. weaver pete we think the idea of the trump campaign was involved think thellusion -- we idea of the trump campaign was involved in any collusion with russia is a total witchhunt. weekend, aver the fourth house republican called ,or scott pruitt to step down saying he is the wrong fit for the epa. what is your reaction? sarah: we are viewing some of those allegations. administration -- administrator pruitt has done a good job of it -- administrating presidential policies, particularly on regulation and making the united states become more energy independent.

other things are certainly something we are monitoring and i will keep you posted. reporter: andrew wheeler was concerned -- confirmed by the senate, scott pruitt's deputy. easily implement all of the president's agenda if the scott pruitt stepped aside? and the wouldn't be a cloud hanging over the agency? hope the justice department will allow several other hundred very highly qualified individuals to be confirmed and get a lot more people within this administration working. reporter: on the iran nuclear deal, president macron said it don't leave if there is not a better option. the iran foreign minister tweeted, president macron is correct in saying it is either all or nothing.

does the white house believe there is actually a realistic plan be out there? sarah: we think there should be a better deal, one that is positive and works. look to theically leadership in iran to determine what our foreign policy is. i am going to keep moving because we are running out of time. you may not be willing to be specific about the matters that president trump and president macron will negotiate on, but the french finance minister was very specific at the world bank asked the amf spring meeting. he said on friday, france will exemption a "permanent the any trading tariffs united states might want to impose on france.

if they are going to be a partner in dealing with china and other countries, they cannot have the sort of pericles hanging over. strongly which. -- language. sarah: we can agree on that. we expect this to come up in conversation over the next two days. if we have policy announcements, we will let you know. reporter: one on syria. is it fair to say the president agrees with the french president that there is a too quick -- quick removal of america's presence from syria would be damaging to the syrian people? could there be some sort of formal announcement during his time here? the number onebe issue of the president would like mike pompeo to tackle, assuming he is approved today?

sarah: i will talk about the syria question. certainly something that will come up. the president is committed to defeating isis. that is our primary goal and function of being there. the president wants to see partners in the region step up and do more, militarily and financially. that is going to be something i can imagine we will get -- will be raised. when it comes to director hepeo, it is outrageous would not move through quickly. he is extremely qualified for the position. aren'tr of outlets that typically the biggest advocates of this president have said, confirm him already. you have to look back to secretary of state confirmations and bipartisan votes. confirmed was

94-three, hillary clinton 94-2, condoleezza rice, it 85-13, colin powell was confirmed unanimously. pompeo'subts qualifications and his ability to do the job. not only is the white house but all of america should be calling on the senate to do what they are required and expected. that is to help government function and to help the safety and security of our country. this is an incredibly important position and that plays a big role. the nation supports mike pompeo to get that done, and today. it is very hard for members of congress to justify voting in favor of someone voting in favor of john kerry and not follow suit in voting in favor of mike pompeo. president who the considers republicans voting against mike pompeo's nomination to be obstructionist?

what does it say to the rest of the world if mike pompeo cannot get a favorable recommendation? sarah: i don't think those numbers are being helpful. what it says to the world is that the senate has some real problems and they need to figure out how to show up and do their job a little better. has the administration whether to renegotiate the deal back to congress on nafta? --there a chance that changes will need congressional approval? nafta,let me address first. this conversation is ongoing. i don't have any updates for you on that front. reporter: does the president in theave confidence team of negotiators? the president has a great

deal of confidence in a number of members across the board that remain part of his team, his national security team. team. a great group of people. and most of those individuals have been put on the administration for some time. --back to the issue of when i asked you about stephane clarke and the issue of eric garner, you said it was a local issue. the white house has directed that it is a local matter and that ithy it helps up holds up. if that's what's going on -- is that what's going on with this >> we haven't given specific instructions other than to follow the law. there is not a lot we can do.

we want them to be independent and follow the law. >> it was very clear in his statement about the issue. so many. >> the president has recognized this is a major problem and a lot of people, even in california, want to see the issue addressed. >> when you think of breeding, you think of animals breeding. >> certainly i think it can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. i don't have anything else to add. >> there has been quite a number of attacks.

this is the first fighting season. how do you see this decision? >> we are continuing to move forward with the strategy that was announced. i don't have any other policy announcements at this time. just to define -- to be specific he's not talking about invading. i just said i'm not aware of and i will have to ask to be more specific. >> i understand this administration says there is no conclusion. he can be aware of everything not -- everything that went on underneath them.

would he not support those that did wrong, even if he was unaware of it? >> i'm not going to comment on a hypothetical. ,he president has been cleared he and his campaign were not involved in collusion. i'm pretty sure you would have found that out. i'm addressing that. the president would support the law and individuals following the law. what the president doesn't support is a year wasted distracting the world and the country from the great things happening in this country, from talking about issues americans actually care about. with that, we will see you tomorrow. >> the deputy white house spokesman sometimes handles the daily press briefing. c-span recently sat do