FOLLOW THE SENATE ON C-SPAN2.
THE WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING WHEN IT
STARTS HERE ON C-SPAN.
HOUSE COMING BACK WE THINK AT
ABOUT 4:00 EASTERN OR SO.
WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE WHITE
HOUSE TO GET UNDER WAY, PART OF
THIS MORNING'S "WASHINGTON
JOURNAL."
MS. SANDERS: GOOD AFTERNOON, AS
YOU-ALL SAW THE PRESIDENT
DELIVERED REMARKS AT THE LATINA
COALITION SUMMIT THIS AFTERNOON.
THE PEOPLE IN ATTEND ARE PROOF
THAT THE AMERICAN DREAM IS BACK
STRONGER AND BETTER. LAST YEAR HISPANIC UNEMPLOYMENT
REACHED THE LOWEST LEVEL IN
HISTORY.
IT HAS NOW REMAINED BELOW 5% FOR
THE LONGEST PERIOD EVER
RECORDED.
LATINO OWNED BUSINESSES ARE
THRIVING LIKE NEVER BEFORE
CONTRIBUTING NEARLY A HALF
TRILLION DOLLARS FOR ECONOMY
LAST YEAR ALONE.
WITH THE PRESIDENT'S PRO-GROWTH
POLICIES, THIS IS ONLY THE
BEGINNING.
THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS WE HAVE
BEEN HIGHLIGHTING SENATE
DEMOCRATS HISTORIC EFFORTS TO
OBSTRUCT THE ABILITY OF THE
GOVERNMENT TO FUNCTION. A STUNNING 43% OF THE
PRESIDENT'S HIGHLY QUALIFIED
NOMINEES ARE STILL WAITING FOR
CONFIRMATION IN THE SENATE.
START SCHUMER'S TACTICS HAVE LED
TO 102 FEWER CONFIRMATIONS THAN
THE NEXT CLOSEST ADMINISTRATION.
AS I NOTED BEFORE, BLOCKING RICK
FROM SERVING AS AMBASSADOR TO
GERMANY IS PUTTING OUR NATIONAL
SECURITY IN JEOPARDY.
TODAY I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT IT'S
BEEN ALMOST 150 DAYS SINCE DR.
POBLI TEFMENT HAS BEEN NOMINATED
FOR SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ARMS
CONTROL. SHE WORKED TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE
OF ARMS CONTROL INCLUDING
DISARMAMENT AGREEMENTS AND
MISSILE DEFENSE COOPERATION.
WE NEED HER IN PLACE SO SHE'S
ABLE TO FULLY REPRESENT THE
UNITED STATES AT UPCOMING
INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS TO
DISCUSS SYRIA'S USE OF QUEMS
-SHALL-CHEMICAL WEAPONS.
AND YET SENATOR SCHUMER IS
HOLDING HER UP PUTTING THE
SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE AND FRANKLY THE
ENTIRE WORLD IN DANGER.
SENATOR SCHUMER IS BLOCKING
NOMINEES INDISCRIMINATELY.
HE FORCES TIME WASTING
PROCEDURAL VOTES ON NOMINEES AND
THEN EVENTUALLY VOTES IN SUPPORT
OF THEM.
JUST YESTERDAY THE SENATE HAD TO
WASTE PRECIOUS FLOOR TIME ON A
UNIVERSALLY RESPECTED NOMINEE.
TERRY DODDY, CONFIRMED 98-0.
EVEN SENATOR SCHUMER EVENTUALLY
VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE NOMINEE
YET STILL DEMANDED THE SENATE GO
THROUGH ARCHAIC SENATE PROCEDURE
THAT DELAYS VOTES AND WASTES THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE'S TIME.
IT'S A DISGRACE, DANGEROUS, AND
MUST COME TO AN END.
WITH THAT I WILL TAKE YOUR
QUESTIONS.
RESEARCH ON THE TARIFFS --
REPORTER: SARAH, ON TARIFFS, IS
THE PRESIDENT EXPECTED TO SIGN
THAT TOMORROW.
AND OTHER COUNTRIES ARE THEY
EXPECTED TO HAVE A PATHWAY TO
GET AN EXEMPTION?
MS. SANDERS: WE EXPECT THE
PRESIDENT WILL SIGN SOMETHING BY
THE END OF THE WEEK.
THERE ARE POTENTIAL CARVE OUTS
FOR MEXICO AND CANADA BASED ON
NATIONAL SECURITY.
AND POSSIBLY OTHER COUNTRIES AS
WELL. BASED ON THAT.
REPORTER: SPECIFICALLY WHAT WOULD THEY HAVE TO DO?
MS. SANDERS: AGAIN THAT WOULD BE
A CASE BY CASE, COUNTRY BY
COUNTRY BASIS.
IT WOULD BE DETERMINED WHETHER
OR NOT THERE IS A NATIONAL
SECURITY EXEMPTION.
REPORTER: SO FAR THIS YEAR SIX
TOP WHITE HOUSE STAFFERS HAVE
RESIGNED.
THE PRESIDENT SAYS, WHY ARE SO
MANY PEOPLE LEAVING?
MS. SANDERS: THIS ADMINISTRATION
IS -- HAS HAD A HISTORIC FIRST
YEAR.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO GREAT THINGS.
THIS IS AN INTENSE PLACE.
AS IS EVERY WHITE HOUSE.
IT'S NOT ABNORMAL YOU WOULD HAVE
PEOPLE COME AND GO.
BUT WE'RE CONTINUING TO DO GREAT
WORK. WE'RE CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON THE
PRESIDENT'S AGENDA.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL HERE
TO DO. REPORTER: IT IS ACTUALLY
ABNORMAL. NO ADMINISTRATION IN RECENT
HISTORY HAS HAD THIS MUCH
TURNOVER.
MS. SANDERS: IT'S NOT ABNORMAL
TO HAVE TURNOVER.
REPORTER: IF THIS IS NOT THE
DEFINITION OF CHAOTIC, HOW WOULD
YOU DESCRIBE WHAT'S HAPPENING?
MS. SANDERS: IF IT WAS, I DON'T
THINK WE WOULD BE ABLE TO
ACCOMPLISH EVERYTHING THAT WE
HAVE DONE.
THE ECONOMY IS STRONGER THAN
IT'S BEEN IN AGES.
ISIS IS ON THE RUN.
THE REMAKING OF THE JUDICIARY.
JOBS ARE COMING IN RECORD
NUMBERS.
THERE ARE HISTORIC THINGS THAT
HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE FIRST
YEAR.
SOUNDS LIKE A VERY FUNCTIONING
PLACE OF BUSINESS TO ME.
REPORTER: POTENTIAL CARVE OUTS,
ARE YOU ALSO TALKING ABOUT NATO
ALLIES AS POSSIBLY GETTING THIS
EXEMPTION? MS. SANDERS: IT WOULD -- IT WILL
BE A COUNTRY BY COUNTRY, AND IT
WILL BE BASED ON NATIONAL
SECURITY.
REPORTER: TODAY THE PRESIDENT
TWEETED CHINA HAS BEEN ASKED TO
DEVELOP A PLAN FOR A $1 BILLION
REDUCTION IN THE TRADE DEFICITS.
WHAT'S HE TALKING ABOUT?
DID HE MAKE THIS RECENTLY?
HAS HE BEEN TALKING TO THE
CHINESE? MS. SANDERS: CONVERSATIONS WITH
OFFICIALS LAST WEEK. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THOSE
CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.
THE PRESIDENT'S BEEN VERY CLEAR
THAT HE WANTS TO ADDRESS THE
TRADE IMBALANCE THAT THE UNITED
STATES HAS WITH A NUMBER OF
COUNTRIES. HE FEELS LIKE THE UNITED STATES
HAS BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF FOR
FAR TOO LONG.
AND HE'S NOT GOING TO ALLOW THAT
TO CONTINUE UNDER HIS WATCH.
REPORTER: HAVE THEY RESPONDED?
MS. SANDERS: WE'RE CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.
REPORTER: YOU SAID REPEATEDLY
WE HAVE ADDRESSED OUR FEELINGS
ON THAT WITH REGARDS TO STORMY
DAMAGES. DID THE PRESIDENT APPROVE OF THE
PAYMENT MADE IN OCTOBER OF 2016
BY HIS LONG-TIME LAWYER AND
ADVISOR, MICHAEL COHEN?
MS. SANDERS: THE PRESIDENT HAS
ADDRESSED THESE DIRECTLY.
AND MADE VERY WELL CLEAR THAT
NONE OF THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE
TRUE.
THIS CASE HAS ALREADY BEEN WON
IN ARBITRATION.
ANYTHING BEYOND THAT I WOULD
REFER YOU TO THE PRESIDENT'S
OUTSIDE COUNSEL.
REPORTER: WHEN DID THE
PRESIDENT EXPRESS SPECIFICALLY
THE CAPPED PAYMENT MADE IN
OCTOBER OF 2016?
MS. SANDERS: THE PRESIDENT HAS
DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST
HIM. AND AGAIN THIS CASE HAS ALREADY
BEEN WON IN ARBITRATION.
ANYTHING BEYOND THAT I WOULD
REFER YOU TO OUTSIDE COUNSEL.
REPORTER: DID HE KNOW ABOUT
THAT PAYMENT AT THE TIME?
MS. SANDERS: I HAVE ADDRESSED
THIS AS FAR AS I CAN GO.
REPORTER: DID HE KNOW ABOUT THE
PAYMENT AT THE TIME?
MS. SANDERS: NOT THAT I'M AWARE
OF.
ANYTHING BEYOND I HAVE ALREADY
GIVEN YOU I WOULD REFER TO THE
PRESIDENT'S OUTSIDE COUNSEL.
REPORTER: HAS HE TALKED TO
ICHAEL COHEN ABOUT THAT?
HAS HE TALKED TO MICHAEL COHEN
ABOUT THAT THIS WEEK?
MS. SANDERS: I'M NOT SURE.
REPORTER: THIS ADMINISTRATION'S
NOW IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON NORTH
KOREA AFTER CONYOU'D CLUDING
THAT KIM JONG-UN'S GOVERNMENT
ASSASSINATED HIS HALF BROTHER.
NOW WE HAVE AUTHORITIES IN
BRITAIN ANOURNSED A NERVE AGENT
WAS USED TO TRY TO KILL A FORMER
RUSSIAN DOUBLE AGENT AND HIS
WIFE.
OBVIOUSLY MOSCOW, THE PRIME
SUSPECT.
WHAT DOES THIS ADMINISTRATION
HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS ATTEMPTED
ASSASSINATION IN THE U.K. AND
ARE SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA
LIKELY AS THEY WERE IN THE CASE
OF THE NORTH KOREANS?
MS. SANDERS: THIS IS CURRENTLY
UNDER REVIEW AND I'LL KEEP YOU
POSTED AS WE HAVE FURTHER
INFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENTS.
REPORTER: QUICK CLARIFYING
QUESTION ON THE CHINA TWEET.
IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT IT IF
CHINA DID RESPOND ON THAT
REDUCTION PLAN THAT THAT COULD
ASSUAGE OUR AFFECT THE SHAPING
OF THE TARIFF PLAN?
IN OTHER WORDS, IS CHINA'S PIECE
OF THIS TARIFF THING NEGOTIABLE?
OR ARE WE ONLY TALKING ABOUT
CANADA AND MEXICO AND E.U.
COUNTRIES?
MS. SANDERS: LET ME ADDRESS
THAT. THE PRESIDENT'S BEEN CLEAR THAT
HE WANTS TO ADDRESS THE TRADE
IMBALANCES AND UNFAIR PRACTICES.
AND CERTAINLY WE WOULD TAKE
ANYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION.
BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW WE'RE MOVING
FULLY AHEAD AND ANYTHING THAT
WOULD CHANGE WOULD BE DONE SO ON
A NATIONAL SECURITY BASIS.
REPORTER: OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE
GOING TO TAKE YOUR TIME AND
SPACE ON MAKING THE DECISION,
BUT CAN YOU GIVE US SORT OF A
SCOPE OF THE SHORT LIST AND TWO
NAMES IN PARTICULAR I WANTED TO
BOUNCE OFF YOU IN THIS ROOM.
MONG FRIENDS HERE.
HOW MUCH OF A ROLE IS GARY COHEN
HIMSELF GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE
THE PICK?
MS. SANDERS: I'M NOT GOING TO
GET INTO ANY NAMING OR LIST, BUT
THE PRESIDENT HAS A NUMBER
PEOPLE UNDER CONSIDERATION. HE'S GOING TO TAKE HIS TIME
AKING THAT DECISION.
REPORTER: GAREY COHEN,
REPUBLICAN SENATOR CORN YIRN
SAID TODAY I'M CONCERNED THE
PRESIDENT WILL TERN TURN TO FOR
ADVICE. SHOULD HE BE CONCERNED?
MS. SANDERS: NO.
THE PRESIDENT'S GOT A NUMBER OF
VERY ACCOMPLISHED, SMART,
CAPABLE PEOPLE AROUND HIM.
AND HE'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO
LEAN ON A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE VOTED
OVERWHELMINGLY FOR PRESIDENT
DONALD J. TRUMP, THEY VOTED FOR
HIS POLICIES, AGENDA, AND FOR
HIM TO BE THE ULTIMATE
DECISIONMAKER.
I THINK THAT EVERYONE CAN REST
ASSURED AND THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE'S CHOICE ON THAT FRONT.
AND THAT THEY MADE THE RIGHT
ONE.
REPORTER: THEY ARE TELLING US
YOU BRING IN NEW PEOPLE EVERY
DAY. MS. SANDERS: I REFER YOU BACK TO
THE PRESS RELEASES OF
NOMINATIONS AND PERSONAL
ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT HAVE GONE
OUT.
THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST THREE.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO FORWARD
THOSE TO YOU IF YOU NOT
RECEIVING THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS
RELEASES.
REPORTER: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S
BEING VERY SHREWD IN ITS THREAT
TO RETALIATE AGAINST THE TARIFFS
SAYING THEY WOULD HAVE TARIFFS
ON BED LINENS WHICH WOULD
INCLUDE OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, AND
GEORGIA.
CHEWING TOBACCO, WHICH INCLUDES
NORTH CAROLINA.
CRANBERRY, THE LEADING PRODUCER
IN WISCONSIN.
ORANGE JUICE, FLORIDA.
IS THE PRESIDENT CONCERNED THAT
HE COULD HURT HIS POLITICAL
FORTUNES IN SOME OF THESE SWING
STATES IF HE GOES AHEAD WITH THE
TARIFFS?
MS. SANDERS: THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A
LONG TIME. IT SHOULDN'T COME AS A SURPRISE
TO ANYBODY.
OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE CREATED
UNFAIR TRADE POLICIES FOR
DECADES THAT HAVE HARMED OUR
NATIONAL AND ECONOMIC SECURITY.
THE PRESIDENT WANTS A STRONG
ECONOMY AND A STRONG NATIONAL
SECURITY.
AND A STRONG U.S. ECONOMY
BENEFITS ALL AMERICANS,
PARTICULARLY BY HELPING US
MAINTAIN A STRONG MILITARY AND
HE'S GOING TO CONTINUE EVERY DAY
TO FIGHT FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE
HAVE STRONG BOTH NATIONAL AND
ECONOMIC SECURITY.
REPORTER: HE WAS GOING TO HIT
HIM WHERE IT HURTS.
IS HE PREPARED TO TAKE THE SNIT
MS. SANDERS: THE PRESIDENT IS
PREPARED TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY.
THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
HE HASEGAWA PRESIDENT IS PROTECT
OUR ECONOMIC AND NATIONAL
SECURITY INTERESTS.
TO E HAS-S THE PRESIDENT IS
PROTECT OUR NICK AND NATIONAL
SECURITY.
I'M NOT GOING TO GET AHEAD OF
THE PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT WHO
WILL REPLACE GARY.
REPORTER: FOLLOW UP ON GARY
COHEN. THE PRESIDENT TOUTED THE
STRENGTH OF THE MARKETS.
THERE'S BEEN VOLATILITY TODAY.
THE U.S. MARKETS OPENED DOWN,
THE ASIAN MARKETS.
IS HE CONCERNED ABOUT THE
VOLATILITY IN THE MARKETS?
MS. SANDERS: THE PRESIDENT IS
FOCUSED ON LONG-TERM ECONOMIC
GOALS. THE ECONOMY IS STILL INFINITELY
STRONGER TODAY THAN IT WAS WHEN
THE PRESIDENT TOOK OFFICE. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT
FOR STROCK ECONOMICPOLICY.
JOB GROWTH, WAGE GROWTH, AND
CERTAINLY AN INCREASED NUMBER OF
PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING IN THIS
COUNTRY, AGAIN, SPECIFICALLY
SOME OF THE ACTION THAT IS
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THROUGH THE
ANNOUNCEMENT LATER THIS WEEK. REPORTER: ISN'T THE MESSAGE
FROM THE MARKET THEY ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT GARY COHEN'S
DEPARTURE WHAT IT MIGHT MEAN FOR
THE STABILITY OF THE WHITE HOUSE
AND U.S. ECONOMY? MS. SANDERS: IF YOU LOOK AT THE
OVERALL MESSAGE OF THE MARKETS
IF THAT WERE DOING MUCH BETTER
UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE HE
TOOK OFFICE.
REPORTER: HE CALLED HIM A RARE
TALENT. DOES THAT MEAN HE'S OPENED TO
HAVING HIM COME BACK?
PERHAPS A CABINET LEVEL ROLE?
MS. SANDERS: THEY MAINTAIN A
STRONG RELATIONSHIP AND THEY ARE
GOING TO CONTINUE THAT
RELATIONSHIP AND CERTAINLY
CONTINUE TO -- GARY WILL
CONTINUE TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR
THE PRESIDENT IN A NUMBER OF --
'M NOT CLOSING THE DOOR.
[INAUDIBLE]
REPORTER: THE NEWS REPORT THAT
A NUMBER OF STAFFERS HAVE HAD
THEIR --
MS. SANDERS: I'LL HAVE YOU PICK
YOU LEFT OFF.
REPORTER: YOU SAID THERE IS
ARBITRATION THAT'S ALREADY BEEN
WON? BY WHOM? WHEN?
MS. SANDERS: BY THE PRESIDENT'S
PERSONAL ATTORNEYS.
FOR DETAILS ON THAT I REFER TO
YOU THAT.
REPORTER: YOU ARE AWARE OF
THEM.
MS. SANDERS: CAN I SHARE THAT
ARBITRATION WAS WON IN THE
PRESIDENT'S FAVOR AND I WOULD
REFER YOU TO THE PRESIDENT'S
OUTSIDE COUNSEL ON ANY DETAILS
BEYOND THAT.
REPORTER: TOMORROW THE
PRESIDENT WILL BE MEETING WITH
VIDEO GAME EXECUTIVES.
WHAT DOES HE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH?
WHY IS HE BRINGING THEM IN?
MS. SANDERS: THE PRESIDENT WANTS
TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON
EVERY DIFFERENT AREA THAT WE CAN
TO HELP PROMOTE SCHOOL SAFETY.
I'M NOT GOING TO GET AHEAD OF
THE DISCUSSION THAT THEY ARE
GOING TO HAVE TOMORROW, BUT WE
THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT
DISCUSSION TO HAVE AND ONE THAT
THE PRESIDENT LOOKS FORWARD TO.
REPORTER: DOES HE THINK THAT
VIDEO GAMES ARE TOO VIOLENT?
MS. SANDERS: CERTAINLY SOMETHING
THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT.
AND SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO
HAVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT.
REPORTER: I WAS WONDERING THE
PRESIDENT TWEETED EARLIER BY
AYING THE U.S. -- INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY. SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE
301 REPORT IS IMMINENT?
CAN YOU GIVE US SOME DETAIL
BOUT WHETHER IT MIGHT DAMAGE
HIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY?
MS. SANDERS: SOMETHING CERTAINLY
THAT WE HAVE CONSIDERED AND
TALKED ABOUT EXTENSIVELY.
I'M NOT GOING TO GET AHEAD OF
ANY POTENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
REPORTER: CAN YOU GIVE --
GIVING THE PRESIDENT'S CRITICISM
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE
PAST REFERRING MATTERS TO THE
I.G., DOES HE CONCUR WITH
SEVERAL OF THE G.O.P.
CONGRESSMEN LOOKING FOR ANOTHER
SPECIAL COUNSEL TO LOOK INTO
FISA. MS. SANDERS: THE PRESIDENT HAS
MADE CLEAR HE HAS SIGNIFICANT
CONCERNS ABOUT THE CURRENT FISA
PROCESS. NOTHING MAKES THE PROBLEM OF
MORE CLEAR THAN BOTH THE THE
DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN MEMOS THAT OUTLINED THE F.B.I. USED
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MATERIAL TO
GET A WARRANT TO SPY ON AMERICAN CITIZENS.
THEY FAILED TO DISCLOSE TO THE
JUDGE THAT THE DOSSIER WAS FUNDED BY THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN
AND THE D.N.C. EVEN AS IT WAS
BEING USED TO SPY ON PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRUMP
CAMPAIGN.
OBVIOUSLY THOSE DETAILS ALONE
SHOW THAT THE PROCESS NEEDS TO
BE LOOKED AT CLOSELY AND
REFORMED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO
PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF
AMERICANS.
REPORTER: I WANT TO ASK YOU
ABOUT THE V.A.
DO I WANT TO FOLLOW ON SOMETHING
YOU HAVE SAID TWICE THIS WEEK.
THE PAYMENT TO THE PRESIDENT YOU
SAID, NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.
HAVE YOU ASKED THE PRESIDENT
THIS QUESTION?
MS. SANDERS: I'M SORRY.
CAN YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC?
REPORTER: YOU ASKED ABOUT
WHETHER THE PRESIDENT KNEW ABOUT
THIS PAYMENT, HIS LONG-TIME
LAWYER MADE TO FACILITATE STORMY
DANIELS.
YOU SAID THEN AND TODAY, NOT
THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF.
YOU HAVE ASKED THE PRESIDENT
THIS QUESTION?
SARAH: YEAH.
I'VE HAD QUESTIONS WITH THE
PRESIDENT ABOUT THIS AND AS I
OUTLINED EARLIER, THIS CASE HAD
ALREADY BEEN RUN IN ARBITRATION.
AND THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWLEDGE
OF ANY PAYMENTS FROM THE
PRESIDENT AND HE'S DENIED ALL OF
THESE ALLEGATIONS.
REPORTER: IS THERE A REASON WHY
YOU'RE NOT ANSWERING THE ACTUAL
SUBSTANCE OF THE QUESTION ON THE
PAYMENT ITSELF?
IT'S COME UP A FEW TIMES NOW.
SARAH: I BELIEVE I'VE ADDRESSED
THIS QUESTION PRETTY
EXTENSIVELY. AND ONGOING LITIGATION, I'M NOT
GOING TO COMMENT ANY FURTHER
THAN I ALREADY HAVE.
REPORTER: -- THE NEW I.G. REPORT
COMING OUT, THIS IS AN ISSUE
THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN
PASSIONATE ABOUT.
VETERANS' CARE.
SECRETARY SHULKIN WAS PART OF
FAILED LEADERSHIP AT THE V.A.
SO WHY IS HE STILL A PART OF
THIS ADMINISTRATION?
SARAH: SECRETARY SHULKIN HAS
DONE A GREAT JOB AS I OUTLINED
ON TUESDAY, A NUMBER OF THE
THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED
UPON.
AT THE V.A. UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP.
WE'RE PROUD OF THE WORK THAT
WE'VE DONE AND WE'RE GOING TO
CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN
TO PROTECT THE VETERANS AND HELP
VETERANS IN THIS COUNTRY.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE
PRESIDENT TALKED ABOUT
EXTENSIVELY ON THE CAMPAIGN.
AND HAS DIRECTED DIRECTOR
SHULKIN TO TAKE AN AGGRESSIVE
APPROACH AND HE'S DONE THAT
SINCE BECOMING SEG SECRETARY.
REPORTER: I WANT TO ASK ABOUT --
[INAUDIBLE] --
REPORTER: IMSE ALWAYS POLITE.
SARAH: I DIDN'T SUGGEST
OTHERWISE. I'M SURE THERE WILL BE SOME SORT
OF TERRIBLE COMMENT ABOUT HOW I
WAS ABUSIVE TO THE PRESS
OTHERWISE. GO AHEAD.
REPORTER: ME IN PARTICULAR.
BUT GO AHEAD.
REPORTER: I WANTED TO ASK YOU
ABOUT ELEPHANT TROPHIES.
THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE
SERVICE PUT OUT NEW GUIDANCE ON
EVALUATING ALL PERMIT REQUESTS
ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
THIS COMES DOWN TO THE PRESIDENT
HAS SUSPENDED THE PREVIOUS
GUIDANCE, LIFTING THE TROPHY
BAN. THE PRESIDENT CALLS THE PRACTICE
OF COLLECTING TROPHIES A HORROR
SHOW.
SO I'M WONDERING, WHAT DOES THE
PRESIDENT THINK OF THIS LATEST
POLICY IN RELAXING THE BAN AND
DID HE SIGN OFF ON IT?
SARAH: THE PRESIDENT'S POSITION
ON TROPHY HUNTING REMAINS THE
SAME.
THE FISH AND WILDLIFE'S
ANNOUNCEMENT IS A RESPONSE TO A
COURT DECISION IMPACTING HOW
TROFEY IMPORT APPLICATIONS ARE
REVIEWED.
ANYTHING FURTHER I'D REFER YOU TO FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE.
REPORTER: DOES THE PRESIDENT
WANT THEM TO FURTHER CURTAIL
THAT, GIVEN HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT
--
SARAH: THE PRESIDENT'S BEEN CLEAR WHAT HIS POSITION IS AND
THAT HAS NOT CHANGED.
APRIL, I'M SORRY.
I'M A LITTLE SCATTERED TODAY.
REPORTER: THIS PRESIDENT WAS A
BUSINESSMAN BEFORE HE BECAME A
POLITICIAN.
AND UNDERSTANDING THIS, THE HIGH
TURNOVER IN A BUSINESS IS
CONSIDERED A MANAGEMENT ISSUE.
WHAT'S THE ISSUE HERE?
SARAH: I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS
ONE. THAT'S WHY THE FIRST YEAR OF THE
ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN SO
SUCCESSFUL. AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE OUTLINED,
WE'VE ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED A
GREAT DEAL WHAT HAVE THE
PRESIDENT CAMPAIGNED ON AND SET
OUT TODAY AND WE'VE ONLY BEEN
HERE JUST OVER A YEAR.
SO WE CERTAINLY FEEL LIKE THERE
ISN'T AN ISSUE BUT ACTUALLY A
GREAT DEAL OF SUCCESS AND A
GREAT STORY TO TELL ABOUT THE
PRESIDENT'S FIRST YEAR.
REPORTER: YOU HAVE A LOT OF
PEOPLE, 10 TO 13 PEOPLE, IN TOP
POSITIONS, LEAVE.
SARAH: I THINK THE CONFIDENCE
SHOULD BE IN THE PRESIDENT. AND THE POLICIES THAT HE'S
OUTLINED.
AND THE AGENDA THAT HE'S LAID
OUT.
THAT'S WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
VOTED FOR AND THAT'S CERTAINLY
WHAT WE'VE SEEN ENACTED OVER THE
FIRST YEAR AND A HALF AND I THINK THAT'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS
SUCCESS.
REPORTER: WE HEARD A TAPE OF THE
PRESIDENT WITH BILLY BUSH AND
NOW WE HEAR ABOUT STORMY DANIELS
AND YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT'S NOT
TRUE.
WHAT SHOULD THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
BELIEVE? AND WHAT DOES THIS PRESIDENT
WANT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TO
THAT AFTER HEARING
BEFORE THE ELECTION AND NOW
THIS?
SARAH: THE PRESIDENT'S DENIED
THESE ALLEGATIONS. WE'VE ADDRESSED THIS.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WERE AWARE
OF THIS, VOTED FOR THE
PRESIDENT. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING MORE TO
ADD.
REPORTER: TWO QUICK QUESTIONS ON
TWO SEPARATE TOPICS.
HAS ANY COUNTRIES NOTIFIED THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THEIR INTENT
TO FILE COMPLAINTS WITH THE
W.T.O. REGARDING THE IMP
POSITION OF THESE STEEL AND
ALUMINUM TARIFFS?
SARAH: I'M NOT SURE OF ANY
SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS.
REPORTER: THE OWE OTHER
QUESTION, MICHAEL COHEN HAS
INDICATED THAT HE WAS NOT
REIMBURSED IN ANY WAY BY THE
TRUMP ORGANIZATION OR THE TRUMP
CAMPAIGN FOR THE $130,000 THAT
HE PAID TO STORMY DANIELS.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE'S BEING
REIMBURSED FOR HIS LEGAL FEES BY
THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN.
THEY'VE ALREADY PAID $214,000 IN
LEGAL FEES TO A FIRM THAT'S
REPRESENTING MR. COHEN.
I DON'T WANT TO GET NEW TROUBLE
WITH THE HATCH ACT, BUT DO
HAPPEN TO KNOW WHY IT IS THAT
THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN IS PAYING HIS
LEGAL FEES?
SARAH: I DON'T.
I CAN'T SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE
CAMPAIGN.
I'D REFER YOU TO THEM.
REPORTER: CAN YOU CONFIRM THIS
TRIP TO CALIFORNIA NEXT WEEK AND
WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG FOR THE
PRESIDENT TO VISIT CALIFORNIA?
SARAH: I CAN'T CONFIRM THE
PRESIDENT DOES PLAN TO MAKE A
TRIP TO CALIFORNIA NEXT WEEK.
WHY IT'S TAKEN SO LONG, I THINK
IT'S BECAUSE HE'S BEEN BUSY
GROWING THE ECONOMY, CREATING
JOBS, DEFEATING ISIS, REMAKING
THE JUDICIARY.
I'D BE HAPPY TO NAME OFF SOME
OTHER SUCCESSES.
BUT I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY
ENOUGH.
BUT, YES, I CAN CONFIRM THE
PRESIDENT WILL BE HEADED TO
CALIFORNIA NEXT WEEK.
WE'LL TAKE ONE LAST QUESTION.
REPORTER: JOHN'S QUESTION ON THE
HATCH ACT.
THE WHITE HOUSE IS REASONING
THAT KELLY ANNE CONAWAY DID NOT
VIOLATE THE HATCH ACT WHEN SHE
SAID THAT A CANDIDATE IN ALABAMA
WOULD BE A QUOTE, A VOTE AGAINST
TAX CUTS, WEAK ON CRIME, WEAK ON
BORDERS, STRONG ON RAISING
TAXES. HOW DO YOU SEE THAT AS NOT
ADVOCATING AGAINST A CANDIDATE?
SARAH: SHE DIDN'T ADVOCATE FOR
OR AGAINST THE ELECTION OF ANY
PARTICULAR CANDIDATE.
SHE SIMPLY EXPRESSED THE
PRESIDENT'S OBVIOUS POSITION
SPECIFIC TO POLICY THAT HE HAVE
PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE
WHO WOULD SUPPORT HIS AGENDA.
I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE A
SECRET TO ANYBODY THAT THE
PRESIDENT IS GOING TO WANT
PEOPLE, BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND
SENATE, THAT ARE GOING TO HELP
PUSH FORWARD POLICIES THAT HE
SUPPORTS AND PUSH FORWARD
POLICIES AND HIS AGENDA.
IN FACT, KELLYANNE'S STATEMENT
SHOWS HER INTENTION AND DESIRE
TO COMPLY WITH THE HATCH ACT AS
SHE TWICE DECLINED TO RESPOND TO
THE HOST'S SPECIFIC INVITATION
TO ENCOURAGE THE PEOPLE OF
ALABAMA TO VOTE FOR THAT
REPUBLICAN.
THANKS SO MUCH, GUYS. WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.
[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,
WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.
VISIT NCICAP.ORG]
[CAPTIONS COPYRIGHT NATIONAL ABLE SATELLITE CORP. 2018]
>> TODAY'S WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING,
WANT TO REMIND YOU THE ECONOMIC
ADVISOR, KEVIN HASSETT,
TESTIFYING AT THIS HOUR. THAT'S OVER ON C-SPAN3.
HERE ON C-SPAN, THE U.S. HOUSE
WILL BE GAVELING BACK IN THIS
AFTERNOON.
WE THINK AROUND 4:00 EASTERN.
WHEN THEY RETURN, THE FIRST OF
TWO EMISSIONS BILLS THIS WEEK.
THIS BILL DEALING WITH E.P.A.
EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR BRICK
AND CLAY KILNS.
WE'LL HAVE THAT WHEN THEY GAVEL
BACK IN.
MAJORITY LEADER KEVIN MCCARTHY,
MEANWHILE, SAID THIS WEEK THE
HOUSE NEXT WEEK WILL VOTE ON THE
STOP SCHOOL VIOLENCE ACT OFFERED
BY FLORIDA REPUBLICAN JOHN
RUTHERFORD.
A BILL TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO
TRAIN STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND
SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
THAT'S NEXT WEEK. LIVE HOUSE COVERAGE HERE ON
C-SPAN WHEN THEY RETURN.
IN THE MEANTIME, SENATE
DEMOCRATS FROM EARLIER TODAY
HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE UNVEILING
AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL.
WE'LL SHOW YOU AS MUCH AS WE CAN
UNTIL THE HOUSE RETURNS.