of ♪ ♪ >> kayleigh: we are moments away from white house briefing the press secretary karoline leavitt. and we will be listening for a lot of updates first on the mid air crash that happened. president trump this morning talking about altitude and the helicopter. sure to be a lot of questions there. then 3:00 p.m. eastern time, president trump will have an interesting and i say interesting because those have become his press conferences. he signed executive orders while simultaneously giving a press conference. fascinating to watch. you won't want to miss it so keep it on the show and now "america reports." ♪ ♪ >> sandra: kayleigh, thank you we will take it from there.

we will hear directly from the white house press secretary karoline leavitt with a deadly crash of american airlines plane and helicopter continues. karoline leavitt expected to take questions, i should say, president trump's plans for tariffs and migrant housing at guantanamo bay. but it's all on the table as we began friday edition of "america reports." i am sandra smith in new york. just be when i am john roberts and this is "america reports." karoline leavitt the second press brief because lots of questions pending as well about the freeze and funds and lifting the phrase. in the meantime friends and families morning for 67 victims of aircraft disaster as reports of alarming air safety failures emerge. we are hearing the faa found air traffic control towers to be short-staffed at reagan national airport. >> sandra: alarming findings. hopefully we will learn more shortly and also at this hour

flight data suggested the black hawk helicopter shown there on the right-hand side of your screen in the orange may have been flying above its allowed altitude. >> john: alexandria hoff is live at the white house with the very latest what is the president expected to say about all of that, alexandra? >> good morning to you, john. we know what the president said today the military black hawk was flying to high i'm on truth social the limit for that quarter, that section of airspace over the potomac. the president acknowledged yesterday that the administration has strong opinions on contributing factors that may have led to this crash, even though exact determination is not yet known here to those opinions include the president's belief that hearing standards by the previous administration they have in place led to deficiencies. those employed for critical positions like air traffic controllers. here is why do habba had to say

on that. >> one is, dei is a major problem in this country and we had unqualified people hired through the programs not on merit that based on your race or checking a box. that is unacceptable! that is one thing he said. now, what he said about this case is he was going to find out what happened with these planes. to this tragedy is absolutely unacceptable. he has no tolerance for your responsibility. speak of the investigation is ongoing and the present stating and him at that investigation. of course we are expecting signing at the executive orders and the president to expand on that this afternoon the president will meet with the ceo of nvidia a leading chip maker the leading ship maker rattled by deepseek, the chinese company that came out and said they had produced their chap but $6 million way below competitors would have dreamed of producing and there is four that ran up the stock market and

so a conversation with ceo of nvidia and artificial intelligence. tariffs potentially tomorrow and at that, mexico, china bracing for those that is that they cannot stop the flow of fentanyl in the country and stop individuals trying to cross over into our country. mall fox business, edward lawrence, he was told by sources leaders in mexico and canada are expressing frustration and not to give exact checklist they must satisfy in order to avoid these tariffs, but trump expected to speak more on that today, back to you, john. >> john: i'm sure they will find out very, very soon, alexandria hoff, sandra. >> sandra: ari fleischer, fox news contributor and white house chief of staff, warning, we will go to that briefing as soon as it begins as you know very well, those are incredibly important the early days of new administration here

to, so we are about to learn a whole lot more about the president's agenda and where things stand right now as you see peter doocy taking his seat at the white house. while this is happening democrats plan to put up a fierce price against president trump's agenda. here is hakeem jeffries in his own words on that. >> we are going to fight it legislatively. we will fight it in the courts and we will fight it in the streets. >> sandra: i will get reaction to that as we are inside the two-minute warning to the white house, go ahead. >> the white house has issued a statement urging him to apologize for saying he will fight the trump administration of the streets. we are in an era where people have to be wise what they say and be cautious and that we don't want to incite anybody into violence. i do have a lot of leeway in my lexicon.

i think these things are said metaphorically and he's not inciting violence. you can make the point that will, you don't need to say it that way. it is better off not to. >> sandra: we will see if she gets questions on that. ari if he will stand by, the press that new mexico tear at the white house. >> press secretary leavitt: the plane crash that claimed the lives of 67 people the reckon national airport. everybody what mourns the victims and keep the friends and families and thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time. first within moments of the collision which of the president and his newly appointed team were in immediate communication. the president was brief on wednesday evening following the crash and again on thursday morning, and he has continued to receive updates as recovery efforts continue on the ground. the president, as you know, took time to adjust the nation yesterday afternoon. to deliver accountability, president trump swiftly signed a

memorandum with the media's assessment of the federal aviation administration to ensure the federal government is maintaining the highest personnel and policy aviation safety standards. the memorandum directs the secretary and the faa administrator to immediately review all hiring decisions and changes to safety protocols made during the prior four years into take all necessary corrective actions to achieve uncompromised aviation safety. the radio will include a comprehensive assessment and reversal of any deterioration in hiring standards at aviation safety standards and protocols during the previous administration. aviation safety was addressed by president trump before this tragic collision even took place. on his second day in office, the president signed a memorandum to immediately stop biden dei hiring programs and return to nondiscriminatory merit-based

hiring. in 28 team during president trump's first term, the department of transportation announced it would put an end at that time to use a biological questionnaire that was introduced by the obama administration, which punished skilled applicants. president trump has long dead on the issue of aviation safety, and he will continue to do so. he will deliver on the promises he made to the american people at record speed. at the senate has already confirmed eight of president trump's exceptional cabinet nominees, including most recently transportation secretary john duffy has you of course know and apa secretary 's lee zeldin and doug burgum to be sworn in later today. we expect the senate to continue quickly confirming the remainder of president trump's well-qualified nominees and the days ahead. earlier this week in the east room, the president proudly signed the laken riley act into law surrounded by her loving

parents and sister. this common sense bipartisan law mandates the federal detention of illegal aliens who are accused of theft, burglary, assaulting law enforcement officer in any kind that causes death or serious bodily injury. like the animal who murdered laken riley in cold blood. this was the first piece of legislation president trump proudly sighed as 47th president of the united states, and it will guarantee that she did not die in vain. as her mother allison, tearfully said during the signing event, president trump said he would secure the borders and he would never forget about her and he hasn't. he is a man at his word and we trust he will fight for the american people. those are the words of laken's mother and we will never forget them. to help lock criminal illegal aliens, president trump signed memorandum to detain them at guantanamo bay. this section will expand the migrant operation center at

naval station guantanamo bay to full capacity to provide critical extra detention space for high priority criminal illegals. our brave i.c.e. agents continued to arrest more and more of these types of individuals every day in communities across the country. and i have more updates for you. on january 27, 2025, i.c.e. chicago arrested a citizen of guatemala convicted of solicitation to meet a child, disturbing, instance 24 months probation. in january 28, 2025, i.c.e. and atlanta arrested south korea resident of nine counts of possession or control of materials depicting minors and sexually explicit conduct. on january 28th, i.c.e. new york arrested a mexican national previously charged by the state of new york for attempted murder and possession of a weapon and assault and on january 28, ice fillet arrested a citizen of

mexico who has been convicted possession of child pornography. our message is simple if criminal illegal alien you will be arrested and deported. on another format or, the nation's report card was released this week and that ms. is not good. it showed u.s. students to make students had low comprehensive scores last year. national school choice week and am part of the president's commitment to education, he just left a round table in the roosevelt room focused on this issue with leaders from across the country. and national report card showed that 70% of eighth graders were below proficient in reading and 40% of fourth graders did not even meet the basic reading levels. this is completely unacceptable to the president. he continues to take aggressive actions to address this education problem in our country. he signed an executive order this week prohibiting federal funding of the indoctrination of

our children, including radical gender ideology and critical race theory in the classroom. the president believes in american education should focus on cultivating patriotic citizens who are ready for the workforce. in this action will help get schools back on track and defend fundamental, parental rights in education. the president also signed a school choice executive order expanding educational freedom and opportunity for families. and in the labor and is, but exciting is, after announcing the briefing room changes on wednesday coach at the white house has received 10,000 submissions from individuals across the country who are eager to join all of you. we might this room a little bit bigger to do that but who want to participate in our new media seat at a future briefing. into the sea we have to ruthless podcast peer to the home i started by entertaining small audiences on capitol hill that after four years, this program s become one of the most

influential podcasts in america. they previously reached number one train on the charts and earn 25 million downloads as they deliver political news with a humorous touch peer to the host josh holmes, michael duncan, comfortably smug antedate josh aspirate so with that, i will take your questions, john, please pick us up. >> reporter: thank you very much, your first briefing to media went after this administration for 14 illegal immigrants that were not criminals. the question is, do you think they are out of touch with americans demanding action on the border crisis? >> press secretary leavitt: the media out of touch? i think the media is certainly out of touch and i think that is proven by a number of things, john. number one, "new york times" poll prior to president trump's inauguration by "the new york times," which of course a legacy media outlet that shows 33% of americans support deporting the individuals you mentioned, illegal immigrant criminals,

especially those who have committed heinous crimes in the interior of our country. i received actually interesting statistic on this map from i.c.e. this week. 97% at the deportation that this administration has made so far are as individuals who had a removal order from the previous administration but were never removed from the interior of our country. so that shows the previous administration was actually defying our laws and this administration is doing is simply following the laws, immigration laws of this great country. thanks for the question, john, anything else? okay, great. peter. >> reporter: did president trump tell us air traffic control towers are staffed with unqualified controllers, eei hire should not have been brought on and it's not safe to fly commercially, is a question or expatriate the president was asked and answered this yesterday and he believes it is still, indeed, safe and

americans should feel safe traveling at the skies. with that said, two things can be true at the same time. we certainly have seen the deterioration of federal hiring standards at the federal aviation administration. the president wants to increase those standards. he wants pilots in the country to have the great responsibility of flying american citizens by the tens of millions every single day to be chosen for that position based on their merits and their skills. so the administration will continue to prioritize this. >> reporter: was the air traffic controller in the dca tower hired or not. at some point because of his or her race? >> press secretary leavitt: that investigation is ongoing. so when we have updates on the exact individuals who were involved in the collision, including air traffic controller, also the pilot don't make pilots at the helicopters, we will confirm those but i don't want to confirm from the m the podium today because we are not in a position to do that. but the president has rightly

pointed out there is problems with the aviation industry over the past several years. this started under barack obama in 2014. >> reporter: when the president says on truth social, the black hawk helicopter was flying too high above the 200 20 women and that is not too complicated to understand, is a qu?is he suggesting that helicor malfunctioned or a crew error or at the crew doing this intentionally question expatriate no, the present is simply stating what he said in the truth social postcode to the helicopter was flying higher than it should have been which is one of the reasons that led to this collision and the other reasons are still being investigating and i will let the investigation play out, kelly. >> reporter: some of the colleagues have obtained a memo from defense intelligence agency that talks about not holding any activities or programming related to black history month to be in line with the president's views on diversity, equity and inclusion. does the present plan to have a

proclamation about black history month in his first term each of the four years of his term he did so and called on those in government to have program activities in celebration? is he going to do that they share question expatriate the president looks forward to sending a proclamation for black history month. i spoke with staff secretary and it is in the works to be approved and ready for the president's signature to signify the beginning of that tomorrow. just before a thin agency is calling those activities in an attempt to be in alignment with the president's views on dei and other things, should they adjust that have those programs and make those celebrations however they see fit in the office? >> press secretary leavitt: the president is leaving at the white house and i will read it to the proclamation he will sign and send, mary, great to see you. >> reporter: that gender executive orders, first of all we know president trump is taking a bunch of steps to protect children from irreversible changes in the

future. the congressional legislation at this point is that trump administration have interest in investigating doctors who reportedly have irreversible procedures on kids such as the set demand boy or girl? >> press secretary leavitt: the president has taken a strong stance on this issue with the signing of executive order. a few executive orders in the space. first, the official policy of the federal government that there are only two sexes male and female and to comply with that policy. as for congressional legislation to support the president's agenda in this space and certainly ending to mutilation of young children, the chemical castration of young children which is a barbaric practice that the vast majority of americans do not support for minor children. certainly, the president would support congress' efforts to make that clear this week. jennifer. >> reporter: on the trip to venezuela to meet with nicolas maduro, can you show the timing on that and what his

agenda isn't the mission at that trip is? >> press secretary leavitt: yes, richard grenell's hand venezuela today. ric grenell is going to venezuela or is in venezuela with two immediate directives from the president of the united states. number one, ric grenell has been instructed to identify a place and ensure that repatriation flights of tren de aragua venezuela nationals who have broken the laws will land in venezuela. as i said at the podium a few days ago, we expect every nation on this planet to cooperate with the repatriation of their citizens. so ric grenell is in ns will lead to ensure that will continue. number two, ric grenell is in venezuela to ensure all u.s. detainees in venezuela or return home. that is his mission and i will provide a readout after this trip. >> reporter: can you tell us if anyone has approached the white house or the president

about pardoning or commutations? >> press secretary leavitt: i have not been a part of those discussions if they have, i am not sure if they have but i will not speculate pardons that may or may not happen. to my awareness the answer is no. just in. >> reporter: friends at reuters are saying the president made a decision on canada and mexico tariffs and whether they want to do it by march 1st. can you confirm that? >> press secretary leavitt: i saw that report and it is false. i was just with the president in the oval office, and i can confirm that tomorrow the february 1st deadline to president trump put into place with a statement several weeks ago continues. the president will be implementing tomorrow a 25% tariffs on mexico, 25% tariffs on canada, and 10% tariffs on china for illegal fentanyl they have sourced and allowed to distribute into our country, which has killed tens of millions of americans. these are promises made and promise is kept by the

president. just before the president said last night he was planning to discuss whether the country would be have oil imports and we be anything offered? >> press secretary leavitt: i don't have an update or read out on the exemptions but those tariffs will probably be consumption 24 hours tomorrow. you can read them them. stephen nelson. >> reporter: thank you very much. i have three questions if that is all right that i would like to ask you. and then a few economic matters. press read on to state you rolled out restrictive bench policy in the white house that lists different and i wanted to ask about biden white house adopted this creamy gimmick screening process with large event spaces with pre-pandemic base and trump open to on-campus. this limited. [inaudible]

as press secretary can commit to abolishing the screening process? >> press secretary leavitt: there were a lot of mysterious processes that my team and i have had to unravel the past two weeks that were implemented by the previous white house in particular, the previous press shop here. i can commit to a greater access and transparency, which i believe we already have by entering the 440 journalists his credentials were revoked will be reinstalled. we look at their credentials if they wish to and of course, a new seat to meet yet and as far as opening press events at the white house if we tell you it is open for us, it is open press. >> reporter: will they work to undo -- >> press secretary leavitt: when we say something is open press, it will be open press. >> reporter: in new york city governor hochul's injection pricing went into effect this month.

parts of manhattan have to pay $9 toll and president trump has made clear the opposition and most impressive tax of women kind and will they block this. the second question is tens of millions of americans voted for president trump. we are excited to do away with tax on tips, over time, so such security benefits. it is uncertain the timing for this. can you clarify when this will happen does president trump want to sign this legislation early if a share. >> press secretary leavitt: to answer your question in one swoop, president trump is committed to lowering taxes for americans and cutting taxes for americans. as for congestion pricing in new york, the president spoke with governor hochul about that. i don't have any actions, so to speak, to read out on that action today. when it comes to no taxes on tips to make tips, social security and made it clear to allies on capitol hill, that is critical piece of

reconciliation package and expex cuts from 2017 that put a lot more money into the american people's pockets, those must be implemented and no tax on tips. to the present is intent on delivering on that promise, and he will get it down. >> reporter: as far as reconciliation? >> press secretary leavitt: yes, share. >> reporter: can you guarantee it will not increase prices at the gas pump and grocery store? >> press secretary leavitt: i think they should be concerned what he did in his first term. he effectively implemented tariffs in the average inflation rate during the first trump administration was 1.9%. in fact when he left office, 1.4%. president trump will do everything he possibly can to cut the inflation crisis that the previous administration imposed on the american people and he will continue to effectively utilize tariffs. >> reporter: increasing prices for americans, will the administration reversed them. >> sandra: that is a type of

gimmick hypothetical question at the president is ensuring effectively implementing tariffs while cutting cost for the american people and inflation. the media has this way of looking everything in a microscope rather than the whole government economic approach that this president is taking. he will effectively implement tariffs. we also as i answered stephen's question committed to tax cuts. he is also clearly committed as evidenced by his executive orders to unleashing the might of their energy industry, which we know will eventually drive down inflation. all the other economic measures the president has made will have a trump economic them just like we saw in the fi first time. >> reporter: has the white house -- justin trudeau, the canadian prime minister said today if the u.s. imposes tariffs, he will respond and not relent until the tariffs are removed. are we starting to see the trade war? >> press secretary leavitt: i don't think so. to the president will implement the tariffs tomorrow and respond

to mr. trudeau's comments in time i am sure. >> reporter: other things have to happen and what did they have to do to avoid those tariffs. >> press secretary leavitt: the tariffs are incoming on canada tomorrow. the reason is both canada and mexico have allowed unprecedented inflation of the illegal fentanyl that is killing american citizens and also illegal immigrants into our country. in fact, right here, canada, mexico, and china written gimmick which i mentioned a 10% tariff on china have allowed illegal drugs to pour into america. the amount of fentanyl seized at the southern border the last two years alone has the potential to kill tens of millions of americans. the president is not intent on doing this and justin trudeau would be wise to talk to president trump directly before pushing outlandish comments to the media. >> reporter: can we go back to the plane crash for one second? >> press secretary leavitt: you are interrupting your colleague and i called on

lindsay. >> reporter: at the president said black hawk caleb care was flying too high. is he basing that on what he learned from investigators? can you offer a window how he is keeping abreast of the investigation? the ntsb briefing separately or in the separation room or what kind of window? >> press secretary leavitt: it's the president base that statement on truth because it is truth, fact and relate to him by authorities overseeing the investigation into this horrific plane creation. at the president, as i said in the opening remarks, continues to be briefed on the collation by everybody across his cabinet. the secretary of transportation, the secretary of defense, ntsb and the commissioner with the oval office yesterday, lengthy, go ahead. lindsay, go ahead. thank you. >> reporter: has the cia actually refilled they do believe covid-19 was from a lab leak in china, and how is the president planning on responding to this additional intel from the cia?

and will it impact how response of tariffs? >> press secretary leavitt: kudos to john ratcliffe to rebuild that fact to the american people, many years too late the biden administration had the chance to let the american people know about that truth that they chose not to for some reason. i would also like to point out that several years ago when i was working in this press shop and president trump would take to the podium to brief the american people on covid-19, he suggested that covid very well may have come from a lab and lujan china. many mock him and saying he was spewing conspiracy theories. we know that to be the truth. it took many years to come out that the president was right in this instance again, sure. >> reporter: i want to ask about the secretary for panama first. what does the conversation look like with president trump on that? the president of panama said it is impossible to negotiate over the canal so what are you expecting from the present?

>> press secretary leavitt: i have nothing present for secretary rubio with over station with president trump about panama canal. i have been present for president trump's own thoughts on the panama canal and you have seen as well in his public statements he has shown. he believes it is unacceptable the canal is essentially run by the chinese communist party. if you look at both ends of the canal, massive chinese communist party link companies run the come out and that is unfair to the american people, many of whom lost their lives many years ago building this canal. to the american taxpayers are paying millions of dollars for the canal. tell the president believe it is in national interest as a nation for secretary rubio to go there megan began discussions and that is exactly why he is doing that. sure. >> reporter: are we on the pulse process of pulling out of syria because the president wanted to do that in his first term as well and got pushback from the pentagon and conquer his spiritual based on what he said, he is going to do that

initial time. >> press secretary leavitt: at the president asked and answered this question yesterday. he has remained her teeth in the claimant to make to employ troops overseas at any time. >> reporter: to questions, kumar no inau. [inaudible] air traffic power and so the hiring of air control workers, are we afraid of different kind could happen? >> press secretary leavitt: the president is intent on ensuring that we are increasing staffing at these agencies. that is why he signed a very strong executive order on his second day in office immediately terminating dei hiring practices at the fda. and also following the tragic and the oval office signed a memorandum directing immediate assessment of the faa to ensure the to federal government with maintaining highest personnel and aviation standards. i would also say there is a

cultural piece to this as well. if you are an american who has spent many years studying aviation and you graduate from school and you are an air traffic controller based on scale in america and you apply for a job and forced to fill out a biographical questionnaire asking you the color of your skin and asking you where you are from, and details that are not relevant at all to the job description, i think that deteriorates the morale of the people and then to speak. if you talk to the people in the industry, they will tell you that. in fact, many filed a lawsuit against the faa a couple of years ago under joe biden's administration because they were denied positions because of this dei hiring practice that was putting identity politics over maritain skills. that is unacceptable. and i think to put a fine point on this because this is the third or fourth question i've answered on the subject, when you are flying on an airplane with your loved ones which everyone of us in this room have, do you pray that your plane lands safely and catch it

to your destination, or do you pray the pilot has a certain skin color question what i think we know the answer to that question and president trump said yesterday it is common sense periods before i would like to follow-up on the last question. has there been an assurance from the faa, that given report is not normal stuff question might. >> press secretary leavitt: absolutely, you had sean duffy at the podium yesterday saying he is on it and we can all trust that he definitely will be. done. >> reporter: thanks a lot, be gimmick karoline. >> press secretary leavitt: as long as your name is john decker. >> reporter: the president's meeting today with the founder and ceo of nvidia. what is that me being concerning and his at that meeting? >> press secretary leavitt: i don't have details on this. it is a private meeting and it will take place 2:30 p.m. i will try to get there in time and let you know after, how is that? >> reporter: on guantanamo bay, can you give details setting up that detention facility? how would that come about and

what is the timing and terms of standing it up question like this has happened before in the clinton administration, detainef cuban and haitian dissent both detained at one guantanamo and are you looking at that model to set up the detention facility? >> press secretary leavitt: secretary had seth was on television answering this question and he said the department of defense is already on it. he has directed his agency to ensure that gitmo is increasing capacity for beds. that is exactly what president trump's executive order did appear to it directed the secretary and also kristi noem to expand migration center at the naval station to provide for this extra detention space and as secretary pete had said said this morning, that operation is underway. sure. >> reporter: karoline coach on the terrace can you clarify whether those will go into effect tomorrow or some lead time? >> press secretary leavitt: yes. >> reporter: they will go into effect. >> press secretary leavitt: has.

>> reporter: is there a scenario mexico and china can offer concessions. >> press secretary leavitt: at this point, the president has made it clear that those tariffs will be implemented if the president at any time decides to roll back those tariffs i will leave that to him to make that decision but starting tomorrow, those between eight will be in place. >> reporter: can you confirm a report by the daily mail the british prime minister will be visiting and the white house in february? and also if i may, do you have any more details on benjamin netanyahu's visit next week. >> press secretary leavitt: sure, have not seen that report about the prime minister. i can check with the national security council and get back to you on that here too i confirm that prime prime benjamin netau will be here february 4th for a working meeting and visit with the president. i am sure you will all be here. very excited to cover that visit. sure. daniel. >> reporter: you're welcome. >> reporter: obviously coach

away does the president feel that is the best location for good location to make sure americans are safe from violent, illegal migrant crime question expatriate that is a good question and the memorandum he signed and the order he signed a previous actions obviously to secure the southern border and deport illegal criminals from the anterior as our country. we know we have an issue with detention space here in the interior, which is a big reason why congress needs to pass reconciliation impact edge as quickly as possible to ensure that dhs and i.c.e. have the funding they need to do obtain the individuals and the administration is swiftly rounding up and deporting or arresting and importing these illegal immigrant criminals. so the president feels it is an appropriate place. taxpayers are funding it in the space is there so why not use it? the secretary of defense is working on that as we speak. >> reporter: thank you so much for having me here to answer a question. i want to talk more about the

success i.c.e. is having finding these criminal illegal aliens and the sexual predators. that my friend, been, the chicago mayor are defending i.c.e. agents from going to jails and prisons against illegal aliens in a maryland, the attorney general has also put out a memo hindering local police cooperation with i.c.e. does the administration have comment on state officials defying i.c.e. and trump's deportation efforts? >> press secretary leavitt: it is very interesting democrat officials and the cities who have been completely overrun and overwhelmed by illegal criminals would refuse support and help to cure this problem that has especially taken over their cities. i guess they don't want to been wrong with sanctuary city policies, i'm not sure, asked them about their intentions. they would be wise to comply with the administration because this administration is hell-bent on enforcing our nation's

immigration laws. this administration will continue to arrest and detain and deport illegal migrant criminals. what we won't do is to fight our nation's immigration laws like the previous administration who have these orders of removal on illegal immigrants across the country and refusing to execute on them. we will continue to remove illegal criminals from our nation's interior. >> reporter: or sanctuary city, are they violating law. >> press secretary leavitt: i would certainly think so and i would have to check which specific law they are violating. that they are not enforcing immigration laws, it sounds like they are breaking the law. i would add to your constituents do not approve of that. you see residence in chicago show up at city council meetings infuriated with their leadership in that city because they are working very hard to provide for their families. they want public safety and law and order and they were officials have abandoned those very basic american principles in the cities. the american people want law and

order. it is an overwhelmingly popular policy to deport illegal criminals from the nation's interior this administration will continue to affect that will. >> reporter: columbia we just interviewed the colombian president and he insist that he is not going to take any colombian deporting from the u.s. if they arrived inside handcuffed. how does this administration -- >> press secretary leavitt: when did he make those remarks? i will share this with the president get back to you with his response. >> reporter: karoline coach out there are more than 150,000 disabled americans who are working today. the president talked a lot yesterday about hiring the best and the brightest to work in the federal government. safety aside, does he believe that disabled people do have a place to work in the federal government? and does he also support the

protections for disabled people working in the private sector as well. >> press secretary leavitt: the president has made it very clear this is a common sense solution to solving some of the problems that we have seen at the federal aviation administration. and also, when it comes to many federal agencies across the government. people should not be hired based on their disabilities and based on their skin color, they are tender, they are raised. none of that matters. what matters to the president is how will you can do your job and the american people agree with that sentiment. it is about competence, scale, and merit coach at the president is focused on ensuring the most competent individuals go to the best and the brightest in this country are in positions this federal government, especially t comes to public safety. i can't over emphasize the importance of those jobs. >> reporter: the question before, president trump is including china on fentanyl by ramping up tariffs. how does president trump plan on

origins. >> press secretary leavitt: i haven't spoken to the present and about the covid origins specifically in regards to any actions he may or may not take when it comes to china. but as i have previewed quite a few times today, he will be implementing a 2% tariffs on china tomorrow. sure. >> reporter: has the president made up his mind about a timeline for tariffs on the e.u.? >> press secretary leavitt: no, he has not. >> reporter: will it be one-size-fits-all, or will it be differentiated among government. >> press secretary leavitt: i won't get ahead of the president on tariffs when it comes to the european union. what i can tell you again, the president will implement 25% on canada, 25% on mexico, 10% on canada repeatedly laid out in this briefing. go ahead. >> reporter: thank you so much. >> press secretary leavitt: the gentleman behind you, yes, james, thank you. >> reporter: two quick questions form policy and one long tedious question.

first, on iran, we have heard very little bit about the president's forthcoming iran policy besides to prevent that nation, achieving nuclear weapons capability. is at the president's objective short of the use of u.s. military force to use the broader to make broad array of his powers to try to hasten the end of the iranian regime. >> press secretary leavitt: i think the president has made his position on iran very clear. he made that clear renegotiations about the cease-fire, which we know is in place and the deadline on the cease-fire continued. he said that hamas and iranian-back terrace will have hell to pay a fat cease-fire did not move forward and quickly afr it did. we do have news on the hostage front which i'm surprised nobody asked about this. but is big news story in the white house applauds the release of eight additional hostages from hamas captivity thanks to

ceasefire by eight president trump. three israeli and five thai nationals reunited with their families and loved ones after being held in unspeakable conditions for over 15 months. the president remains committed to the release of all remaining hostages go to and they should have never been taken by the brutal terrorists group hamas ad the first place. president trump is working to meet with the israeli prime minister next week and emphasizing support for israel in ensuring that brutal terrorists in that region have hell to pay. >> reporter: can i finish the other two questions. >> reporter: first, onto ric grenell a trip, as you know under the previous administration, the u.s. recognized opposition candidate in last year's elections with gonzales now exiled to. as the legitimate president of venezuela. does the president expansion of ambassador grenell to negotiate directly with president maduro

today mean the u.s. now officially recognizes president maduro as the legitimate president of venezuela. >> press secretary leavitt: absolutely not! as i made it clear, farmer and bastrop and now special envoy ric grenell going to venezuela with two very clear directives. make sure tren de aragua members 400 currently in custody are repatriated back to venezuela and all united states detainees return home. thank you very much, guys. >> reporter: on the president's use of language in this room yesterday and without seeking to cast myself as moral example or because it is late in the day to try but nonetheless, this was an event yesterday that began with a moment of silence, the victims that they are crash and the president's own an old invocation of a loving god and then expletive to insult former cabinet officer. it was the same expletive i saw him used in the east room 2020 with trump equated headline. my question is, if you could shed light for us on how the

president receives his use of public profanity, a practice that certainly sets him apart from all of his predecessors. does he regard it as effective communications device as part of his appeal or something that you lapse in inadvertently in times of frustration and later regrets? >> press secretary leavitt: i think one of the things the american people love the most about this president is he often says what they are thinking that sometimes lack the courage to say themselves. i think yesterday at the podium, you heard president trump express great frustration, perhaps tinker with the previous administration's policies, many of which have led to the crises our country is currently facing and that this president is focused on fixing care to think you guys very much. have a great weekend. we will see you next week. >> sandra: she did began by saying this is a white house that continues to mourn the lose crash. the president continues to receive updates on that. john, perhaps some of the

biggest news out of this press briefing just now is confirmation that the p28 will go into place tomorrow for mexico, canada, china. remember this was put into place weeks ago with a february 1st deadline. promises made to, promises kept that will be happening 25% for mexico, 25% for canada, 10% tariffs on china. a market reaction and you see the dow downs of 200 points and you pop up the big board, john, just about the time she confirmed these will begin tomorrow shortly after 1:00 eastern time our. as you saw that dow jones sell-off not a huge sellout that certainly a reaction to that. they went they still have ten hours to try to avoid tariffs before they snap into place 12 oh 1:00 a.m. i would not be surprised if the president hears from canada and here is from mexico and maybe even gets a call from his friend she shaping. i don't know. she also talked a lot about hiring wanted the best and

brightest in the federal government but not specifically talking about staffing at the air traffic control tower at washington dca just ahead of that terrible crash last night. ari fleischer is back with us and do you think these tariffs will actually go into place? >> well, when you listen to what she said you have to think ask the president clearly and her out amick to say deliberately knowing what the impact would be here till the question is, will something happen between now and tomorrow at midnight where canada or mexico says something to president trump that makes him say, they did what i told him to do and now this tariffs will be up for a discount tariffs 12.5%, half off. we will see what happens between now and midnight. >> sandra: that is part of the clarity perhaps reporters and the room were looking for and any in place including tariffs on oil imports still not clear on what those exemptions might be in for what countries. i want to ask about the trip

they kept asking about ric grenell to venezuela. she did confirm that happening, indeed, to identify and reap creation repatriation flights have tren de aragua at the venezuelan gang members. out what are your thoughts on that and the detailed the white house is providing? >> i think it shows that donald trump means when he said we will get rid of these people who are here illegally or criminally, any needs to have those nations in south america that sent them here take them back. he is being smart about sending people and sending messages to make sure they take them back. to if they don't take them back, they will have consequences. let me also add on that, i'm sorry, caroline was asked do you wreck recognized the maduro government of venezuela? she instantly said no. i am so impressed with the way she is substance that literally handling that child. that was a trick question. she made policy for the united states government by saying we don't recognize them.

did she win yet and did she know it? i happen to think she knows and that is a good sign of a press secretary to see these incoming questions and anticipate ricochets and have substantive answers. she is impressive. >> john: as you know from being in the meetings with kayleigh mcenany and the meetings and the fact you were actually in the round and you absorb all this stuff so you naturally know it. i also thought to put a button on it it was interesting to one said gustavo petro the president of columbia, who had to eat crow with president trump a week ago is now saying he will not accept illegals who are returned if in handcuffs. she said i will take that to the president and we will what his responses are to i c imagine wht his response is periods because she didn't just say this is the response. i will go to him and get a response. also a good sign that they press secretary to say i don't know but i will check. >> press secretary leavitt: thank you, ari. >> john: we will see what

president trump has to say about that. have a good weekend. we will be right back. ♪ ♪ things move a little more smoothly. ♪ deposit checks easily and send money quickly. ♪ that's convenience from chase. whether it's your future health, ♪ your future income, ♪ or your future happiness, ♪ becoming an aarp member today can help. join now for just $15 for your first year with automatic renewal. and get a second membership free. plus, you'll receive an insulated trunk organizer. call or go online to join today. because the younger you are, the more you need aarp.

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craig here pays too much for business wireless. so he sublet half his real estate office... to a pet shop. there's a smarter way to save. comcast business mobile. you could save up to an incredible 70% on your wireless bill. so you don't have to compromise. powering smarter savings. powering possibilities. switch and save with comcast business internet and mobile. find out how to pre-order and get the new samsung galaxy s25+ on us with a qualifying trade in. call, click or visit an xfinity store today. >> john: as we await national transportation safety board holding a news conference, there were concerns that helicopter was too high and out of the zone it was supposed to be in as it

was coming towards dca airport. a commercial airline pilot for 30 years and led congressional investigation into the crash of twa flight 800. he joins me now. mike, thank you for being with us. here is what the president put out truth social early today about the helicopter and its attitude appeared to the black hawk helicopter was flying too high by a lot. it was far above 200-foot limit and that is not too complicated to understand, is it? we had this map that we got from the asd b exchange website. this is not official data. a lot of this is input by users but when it shows is that helicopter was coming down core door a and then core door 1 and corridors 4 and runway 33 and you can see the height is 200 feet and exactly where the helicopter was supposed to be 200 feet. it takes a weird child to the right and then back to the let

that stay within 100 feet. the aircraft is coming at 475 and then 400 feet and right on track for approach to runway 33. but look what happens here, the helicopter suddenly increases altitude by 50 feet. by the time in the vicinity of the aircraft as it is dissenting, the helicopter 350 feet. again not an official track coach at that this would indicate that helicopter for some reason was gaining altitude. >> right, john. here is what i think has occurred. as they started down, down in the potomac from the naval observatory and down the route, i believe because of the emission, they were using night vision goggles during the first part of the trip. as you both know it is fairly dark on the potomac up until about the lin lincoln memorial bridge. into at that point, the policy would be to flip up your night

goggles because of the enormous amount of ambulance light around dca and off to the left along the naval facility. my gut feeling that they flipped it off, they lost part of their vacation. and, they were immediately told to start looking for an aircraft. i have not seen similar literally flying an aircraft or helicopter, as you start to look up, you tend to pull back and as she did that the error may clim. ideally they would have another crew chief on board that could have said you are climbing, descend! so that is my thoughts on that. i do have a policy thing, john. i think we need to put points north and south and let ai generate window movement to run between the two relative to traffic. the other thing, if you have to do it at night, do it after

11:00 when you and i know dca is virtually quiet. >> sandra: mike, maybe this is a naive question but i will ask it anyway, based on everything you described, why wouldn't one have night vision on and other not so they can have the space fully covered, especially knowing the congestion right there? in such a busy hour of the evening? >> i don't know. that is one of the human factors that needs to be looked at. as you know, as you both know, two perfectly good aircraft's impact at each other. two perfectly good airplanes is what the president was trying to say, something relative to nonamerica or nonhuman factors occurred to cause two good airplanes to impact. no mechanical issues. they will look at that but neither of them show that. >> john: i want to show the link of chains that determine

whether or not an occurrence happens. the idea is that relative to safety and to procedures and policies ready to go outside of those links, something happens to break those so there is not an impact in the end or just be one might, we have a lot to chew over in the hours i had an ntsb briefing later this afternoon. thank you for joining us. the potomac river is pretty foggy and recovery crews braving gusty winds and rain to recover more victims from the wreckage. what can investigators learn as they examined the black boxes that were recovered? we will ask former national transportation safety board charlie pereira just ahead. we handcraft every stearns & foster® using the finest materials, like indulgent memory foam, and ultra-conforming inner springs,

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