Karoline Leavitt holds briefing as more troops head to Middle East

[0:00] to announce that President Trump's meeting and a long-awaited meeting with President Xi in China [0:05] will now take place in Beijing on May 14th and 15th. First Lady Melania and President Trump will [0:12] also host President Xi and Madam Ping for a reciprocal visit in Washington, D.C. at a later [0:18] date to be announced this year. Turning to the ongoing military operations in Iran, the United [0:24] States military continues to decimate the terrorist Iranian regime's offensive and defensive [0:29] capabilities. Just over three weeks in, it's abundantly clear that Operation Epic Fury has [0:36] been a resounding military triumph. More than 9,000 enemy targets have been struck to date. [0:42] Compared to the start of the operation, Iran's ballistic missile attacks and drone attacks are [0:47] down by roughly 90 percent. The United States is also annihilating the Iranian regime's navy. [0:53] We have destroyed more than 140 of their naval vessels, including almost 50 [0:59] mine layers. This is the largest elimination of a navy over a three-week period since World War II. [1:06] Again, let me reiterate, this is the largest elimination of a navy on the face of the planet [1:11] in a three-week period since World War II. We are systematically dismantling Iran's defense [1:18] industrial base, which will prevent future threats to the region. Our military also remains laser [1:23] focused on eliminating the regime's threat to the free flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz. [1:29] Over the weekend, the United States and the United States have been doing a lot of work to [1:30] combat the Iranian regime. Over the weekend, we dropped several 5,000-pound bombs on an [1:33] underground facility used to store equipment, including anti-ship cruise missiles and mobile [1:38] missile launchers positioned along the coastline of the Strait. Our military efforts grow more [1:44] successful with each passing day, steadily degrading Iran's ability to terrorize merchant [1:49] ships. For all of these reasons, we are very close to meeting the core objectives [1:54] of Operation Epic Fury, and this military mission continues unabated. From the outset, President [2:00] Trump and the Department of War estimate it would take approximately 4 to 6 weeks to achieve this [2:04] critical mission. Twenty-five days in, the greatest military the world has ever known is ahead of [2:10] schedule and performing exceptionally. Day by day, the Iranian regime is being crippled, and their [2:17] ability to threaten the United States and our allies is being significantly weakened. Their ambitions [2:22] of building a nuclear weapon have also been crushed to an even greater degree than they were in [2:27] Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2020. There is no doubt about it, that our military and the Iranian [2:28] military will continue to increase our strength, and that we will continue to improve our military [2:29] and our military operations. Until the day we get to Operation Epic Fury, we will keep fighting to the [2:29] bottom of the river. We are not ready to stop. We are not ready to stop. We are not ready to stop. We are not ready to stop. [2:29] 2025. That's why you're beginning to see the regime look for an exit ramp. They recognize [2:35] they are being crushed. Their ability to attack American and ally forces, as well as their ability [2:40] to defend their own territory, is dwindling literally hour by hour. Following President [2:46] Trump's powerful threat on Saturday evening, it was made clear to the United States that Iran [2:51] wanted to talk. President Trump is willing to listen. As President Trump announced on Monday, [2:56] the United States has been engaged over the last three days in productive conversations, [3:01] which led the President to temporarily instruct the Department of War to postpone planned strikes [3:06] against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure only. The remaining elements [3:11] of the Iranian regime have another opportunity to cooperate with President Trump, permanently [3:16] abandon their nuclear ambitions, and cease actively threatening America and our allies. [3:22] But the President's preference is always peace. There does not need to be any more death [3:26] intervention. There does not need to be any more death intervention. There does not need [3:26] There does not need to be any more death intervention. There does not need to be any more death [3:26] and destruction. But if Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail [3:31] to understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President [3:36] Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before. President [3:41] Trump does not bluff, and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate [3:46] again. Their last miscalculation cost them their senior leadership, their Navy, their [3:52] Air Force, and their air defense system. Any violence beyond this point will be because of the [3:56] the Iranian regime refused to understand they have already been defeated and refused to come [4:01] to a deal. Here at home, we are now on day 40 of the Democrats' shutdown of the Department of [4:07] Homeland Security. Democrats in Congress are forcing American travelers to wait in hours-long [4:13] lines at airports across the country, robbing TSA officers and other federal workers of their [4:18] hard-earned paychecks that they use to feed their families and causing billions of dollars in damage [4:24] to our economy. A father of three recently told CBS News that he felt he had no other choice [4:29] but to quit his job as a TSA officer and find other work as the Democrats' shutdown of DHS [4:35] continues. This is the quote from the father, and I encourage everyone to listen. [4:41] I think the hardest thing is seeing the struggle that my wife was going through and not trying to [4:46] bring more stress to her, the father of three said, but seeing her cry every night, how am I going to [4:52] feed my family? How am I going to feed my family? How am I going to feed my family? [4:54] For the Democrats in Congress, the cruelty of this shutdown is the point. Nearly 500 TSA officers [5:01] have quit since the Democrats' shutdown began. President Trump, to alleviate this pressure, [5:07] made the decision to send some of our amazing ICE agents to help alleviate that stress and [5:12] address the long wait times. And for all of the critics of this solution a few days ago when it [5:17] was proposed by the president, it is yielding results. Wait times have improved since ICE [5:21] arrived, and they are doing everything in their power. [5:24] The Democrats in Congress have kept DHS shut down because they care more about illegal aliens than [5:39] American citizens. You have Democrat elected representatives in states across the country who [5:44] are willing to inflict massive pain on their own constituents to fight for illegal aliens who broke [5:50] our nation's laws to come here. In recent days, we saw the deadly [5:54] consequence of this deranged policy of Democrat open borders in an illegal alien-first agenda. [6:00] A beautiful 18-year-old girl, Sheridan Gorman, she was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday [6:06] morning while walking in a park with friends. The suspect in custody for murdering her is a [6:12] Venezuelan illegal alien who was caught and released at the border by the Biden administration [6:17] in May of 2023. Why would the Biden administration catch and release a [6:23] Venezuelan illegal alien? To what do you mean? To what do you mean? To what do you mean? To what do [6:24] you mean? To what do you mean? To what do you mean? To what do you mean? To what do you mean? To [6:24] alien that is not happening anymore under this president but there are still tens of thousands [6:30] if not millions of these illegal aliens in our country who seek to do harm to innocent americans [6:35] like this beautiful young woman whose family will now never be the same because of her death to make [6:41] matters even worse this monster was also released from local custody again after a shoplifting arrest [6:47] where in the sanctuary city of chicago in june of 2023 again another innocent american citizen had [6:55] her life stolen from her because democrats embrace reckless open border policies and [7:01] reckless sanctuary city policies which put criminals back into american communities [7:06] how many more americans have to die before the democrats end this madness president trump's [7:12] position is very clear he wants the federal government opened he wants the [7:17] department of national security and i'm warning you that it will take more than a year to do what [7:17] you want and that's exactly what this and last month is going ahead with but i don't want to have this [7:17] Department of Homeland Security funded, and he wants the Democrat shutdown to end immediately. [7:22] The President will also continue to call on Democrat leaders in sanctuary cities and states [7:27] like JB Pritzker, where this young, beautiful girl was murdered, to cooperate with ICE and [7:32] stop releasing illegal alien criminals into American neighborhoods. [7:37] It is for the safety of every American citizen, including all of the people in this room. [7:42] With that, I will take your questions, and here in our new media seat today, we have [7:45] Gabe Fleischer. [7:46] Thanks, Caroline. [7:47] Two questions. [7:48] Thanks, Gabe, for being here. [7:49] Thank you. [7:50] I have two questions for you. [7:51] First, if the war in Iran continues past this current round of peace talks and with thousands [7:55] of troops on their way to the Middle East, is there a point, either a number of ground [7:59] troops or a number of days, at which the President will consider seeking authorization from Congress? [8:04] Well, as you know right now, that formal authorization from Congress is not necessary [8:08] because we're currently in major combat operations in Iran. [8:12] The Department of War and the President, as I said, estimated about a four- to six-week [8:16] timeline for the full completion of these military combat operations. [8:20] We're again on day 25 today. [8:23] And as a courtesy, nevertheless, the administration did notify Congress, the Gang of Eight, ahead [8:28] of the launch of the operation 25 days ago, and we've also had our top national security [8:33] officials go to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers, again, out of courtesy and out of respect [8:38] for them. [8:39] So at this moment, it's unnecessary, but of course the President and this administration [8:42] will always abide by the law. [8:43] Gabe. [8:45] Do you want to follow up? [8:46] Yes. [8:47] Two questions. [8:48] In my reporting, you speak a lot to young voters, many of whom voted for President Trump [8:51] for the first time in 2024, you know, hoping to have no more wars and to have lower prices. [8:56] Now, with a war taking place and with gas prices going up, curious what President Trump's [8:59] message would be to those voters who kind of swung into his coalition in 2024 but maybe [9:04] don't feel the administration is going as they had expected. [9:06] President Trump is doing this for you. [9:08] He's doing this for young people so that we are no longer threatened by a rogue terrorist [9:12] regime in the Middle East that seeks to kill the brave men and women who serve in our country, [9:16] in the Middle East, many of them young people themselves, young men and women who serve [9:21] this country honorably in uniform and have been threatened, killed, and maimed by the [9:25] rogue Iranian terrorist regime for 47 years. [9:29] President Trump finally had the courage to step up and do what's right by our national [9:32] security, our homeland security. [9:35] As for the temporary short-term fluctuation in gas prices, the President has said once [9:40] these combat operations are over, this administration is going to continue to unleash American energy [9:46] dominance. [9:47] We're continuing to do that every day and we're going to see prices at the pump go back [9:50] down just as we have over the past year because of this President. [9:54] And don't think for one second if that the Democrats had their way, gas prices would [10:00] be as they were under the previous administration, the Biden administration, record highs. [10:05] This President is keeping them as low as he can during this short-term combat operation [10:09] and they're going to go right back down when this is over. [10:11] Thank you, Caroline. [10:12] Thank you, Caroline. [10:13] Just within the past few hours, Iranian state TV has been reporting that the Iranian state [10:15] TV has been reporting that the Iranian state TV has been reporting that the Iranian state [10:16] has said that Iran has rejected the U.S.'s 15-point plan to end the war. [10:21] What's the White House's response to that and have these talks hit a dead end? [10:26] They have not. [10:27] Talks continue. [10:28] They are productive, as the President said on Monday, and they continue to be. [10:32] However, I saw a 15-point plan that was floated in the media. [10:37] I would caution reporters in this room from reporting about speculative points or speculative [10:42] plans from anonymous sources. [10:44] The White House never confirmed that full plan. [10:45] Thank you. [10:46] The White House never confirmed that full plan. [10:47] There are elements of truth to it, but some of the stories I read were not entirely factual. [10:51] So I am not going to negotiate on behalf of the President here at the podium. [10:56] What I will tell you is these talks are ongoing. [10:58] We're not going to get into the nitty-gritty details that have been exchanged between the [11:02] United States and Iran at this time. [11:04] Well, yesterday, the President mentioned a very big present that the Iranians had given [11:08] the U.S. [11:09] He wouldn't go into detail, but was it that ship that was carrying two million barrels [11:13] of oil that made it through the state of Hormuz? [11:14] I'll let the President speak. [11:15] I'll let the President speak on that at the appropriate time. [11:17] And then finally, Caroline, today, Iraq's government reportedly is planning to [11:22] lodge a protest with the U.S., according to the Wall Street Journal. [11:27] There was an attack in Iraq that hit a military clinic, killing seven soldiers, reportedly. [11:32] What's the U.S.'s response to that? [11:34] Was the U.S. responsible for that attack? [11:36] I'll have to check in with the Pentagon on that, and we'll get you an answer. [11:41] Caroline, too, if I may. [11:42] Speaker Johnson today described the conflict as wrapping up, but the 82nd Airborne Division, [11:46] they're typically the most aggressive. [11:47] They're typically deployed at the beginning of conflicts. [11:50] So does the White House consider this conflict as wrapping up, or is it changing shape? [11:55] As I said at the beginning of my remarks, we are meeting our goals of Operation Epic [12:01] Fury expeditiously. [12:03] The President likes to maintain options at his disposal. [12:06] It's the Pentagon's job to provide those options to the Commander-in-Chief. [12:10] For any specifics on troop deployments, though, I would point you to the Pentagon. [12:14] Thank you. [12:15] And today, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner reiterated that the Pentagon's [12:16] response to the U.S. military attack on the U.S. military is not the same as that of the [12:17] U.S. military. [12:18] He reiterated threats to potentially arrest ICE agents that were sent in to assist with [12:23] these historically long TSA lines. [12:24] He said, quote, the President cannot pardon you. [12:25] Has the President seen Krasner's comments? [12:26] Does he have any response? [12:27] The President cannot pardon you? [12:28] For what? [12:29] He's talking to the ICE agents who are handing out water bottles and are helping people move [12:30] through lines at airports. [12:31] It's a disgraceful comment. [12:32] The men and women of ICE are great people. [12:33] I would encourage this lawmaker, whose name I don't know and don't care to know, to [12:34] talk to the ICE agents who are handing out water bottles and are helping people move [12:35] through lines at airports. [12:36] It's a disgraceful comment. [12:37] The President cannot pardon you. [12:38] Has the President seen Krasner's comments? [12:39] Does he have any response? [12:40] The President cannot pardon you. [12:41] Has the President seen Krasner's comments? [12:42] The President cannot pardon you. [12:43] He's talking to the ICE agents who are handing out water bottles and are helping people move [12:44] through lines at airports. [12:45] It's a disgraceful comment. [12:46] The men and women of ICE are great people. [12:47] I would encourage this lawmaker, whose name I don't know and don't care to know, to actually [12:48] sit down and speak with the ICE agents who are on the ground doing this important work, [12:49] not just in our nation's airports, but again, to remove violent, dangerous, illegal alien [12:50] criminals from our country, to protect this individual and all of us in this room and [12:51] Americans across the country from murderers, pedophiles, and rapists who have been allowed [12:52] into our country by Democrats. [12:53] Thank you. [13:07] Thank you, Carolina. [13:08] Good to see you as well. [13:09] Just given that the President postponed his original trip to China because of the war, [13:10] should we infer that the war will be wound down and concluded by the time of that May [13:11] 15th, 14th visit? [13:12] Again, as I've said, we've always estimated approximately four to six weeks, so you could [13:19] do the math on that, Mario, but I know the President looks forward to going to China [13:34] on May 14th and 15th. [13:35] And of course, as always, we'll provide additional information. [13:37] Thank you. [13:37] logistical details to all of you in the media for that trip, who I know look forward to coming with [13:42] us as well. One follow-up. Was that a precondition? Did the two leaders speak about the conclusion of [13:47] the war? Was that a precondition for them to have this rescheduled meeting? No, there was a discussion [13:52] about the rescheduling of the meeting between the President and President Xi. President Xi [13:56] understood that it's very important for the President to be here throughout these combat [14:00] operations right now. He understood, obviously, the request to postpone and accepted it, which is [14:06] why we have new dates on the books, and I'm happy to announce those to you today. Jennifer. [14:10] On the negotiations with Iran, are there still face-to-face talks planned, perhaps, in Pakistan? [14:17] And who do you think would probably be going? Again, I've seen a lot of speculation and reporting [14:23] about potential talks that could happen later this week. Nothing should be deemed official until it [14:29] is announced formally by the White House. I would not get ahead of our skis on reporting about any [14:35] talks this weekend until you hear directly from me. [14:36] Does the President think that all of the allies will go along with whatever the U.S. concludes with [14:43] these Iranians? Are you expecting that Israel and all the other allies will follow whatever [14:47] agreement is made? I think the President has shown that he is absolutely the leader of the [14:54] free world, the head of the most powerful military in the world. And in various examples, the 12-day [15:01] war between Iran and Israel, the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, the President has shown a very [15:07] good example at getting our allies to get on board with what's in the best interest of the United [15:11] States, but also the world in cases of foreign policy like this. [15:15] Ed. [15:16] Thanks, Carolyn. So, is there a timeframe as to when the first oil tanker can go through the [15:22] Strait of Hormuz freely? [15:24] It's a very good question, Ed. I don't have a specific timeline for you today, but it's [15:28] obviously something the administration is working towards as quickly as we can. And with respect to [15:33] oil, as you know, the administration has taken a number of actions to stabilize the market, and it's [15:35] going to take a lot of time and effort to do that. So, I think it's going to take a lot of time and effort to do that. [15:36] So, I think it's going to take a lot of time and effort to do that. So, I think it's going to take a lot of time and effort to do that. [15:37] Today we ordered an application to stabilize the markets. We directed the U.S. [15:40] DFC to offer reasonably priced political risk insurance for takers through the straight. [15:45] We issued that temporary waiver to allow countries to purchase the sanctioned Russian oil to [15:49] alleviate global pressures. [15:51] We're working with the IEA to coordinate the release of another 400 million barrels. [15:55] We issued that 60 day Jones Day Act waiver. [15:59] And then, just today, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, if you missed it, in consultation [16:03] with the Department of Energy, announced a temporary waiver to Koban. [16:06] Hi. [16:06] Hi. [16:06] emergency fuel waiver to allow nationwide sales of e15 gasoline blended [16:11] with five fifteen percent ethanol to remove all federal impediments to [16:15] selling e10 gasoline across the country the emergency fuel waiver will [16:19] temporarily waive the summer low volatility requirements and blending [16:23] limitations for gasoline to provide additional flexibility to the fuel [16:26] marketplace so as far as tankers through the straight something we're tracking [16:30] very closely but obviously the administration is coming up with creative [16:33] new solutions by the day to keep the price of oil stable something the [16:36] president wants to see and I know secretary Besson secretary Wright [16:40] secretary Burgum EPA administrators Eldon are all working together closely [16:43] to find ways to do that that five-day timeline for pause and operations would [16:50] a tanker going through the Strait of Hormuz be one of the conditions that he [16:53] would extend that that's only something the president United States can answer I [16:57] won't get ahead of him the TSA lines that we've all seen the video of that [17:03] from various airports is that going to be what ends the stalemate in Congress [17:07] well look it's the Democrats who have led to this stalemate over the past six [17:12] weeks the president and the Republicans position has been very clear fund the [17:16] Department of Homeland Security and we've attempted in good faith numerous [17:21] times both the president himself and lawmakers on the Republican side on [17:25] Capitol Hill to go to the Democrats with reasonable offers with real solutions [17:30] they'll ask for something we'll give them that concession and then they say [17:33] oh wait that's not enough [17:34] actually so I think that's why I said earlier the cruelty is the point they [17:38] want this chaos they want to distract I think from the success of our military [17:42] overseas right now totally obliterating the Iranian regime and it's very [17:46] unfortunate because there's only the only people that are suffering from this [17:50] are the American people and I hear that Democrats might be flying out of town [17:53] tomorrow how convenient and lovely of them that they get to go to the airport [17:57] and that they'll get to go home to their families when you have families TSA [18:01] workers who are suffering you have people across the [18:04] country who are missing flights for funerals and for work commitments [18:07] because of Democrat politicians on Capitol Hill Mary in the back thanks [18:12] for a lot to see you have a seat now I do thank you is the White House [18:16] satisfied with Republican leadership's efforts on the Save America Act I think [18:21] the president has made it very clear he wants everyone on Capitol Hill to move [18:24] as quickly as possible to get the Save America Act passed and he wants to see [18:29] that legislation on his desk as soon as as Republicans and Democrats can move to [18:34] pass it but are there any lawmakers in Congress that the president is [18:38] frustrated with on this matter and bills could be doing a better job I think the [18:42] president wants to see everybody on Capitol Hill move faster all the time [18:46] that he wants everyone in this town to work at Trump speed like we do here at [18:49] the White House [18:54] is the u.s. providing support at this point for Israel's ongoing offensive in [19:00] Lebanon and is the president concerned that right now there are more than a [19:04] million people who've been displaced [19:05] and potentially could be for a significant amount of time that's not [19:08] something I'm in a position to comment on for the first question to the second [19:11] question of course that's something that would concern the president I think [19:15] that's why he's again quickly moving to eliminate the threat of the Iranian [19:19] regime in the Middle East including weakening their proxies like Hezbollah [19:23] who have terrorized Lebanon for far too long and I know that the president wants [19:27] to see this again move as quickly as possible over week as we can over the [19:31] course of the next couple of weeks here [19:35] so I have a question about the straight informers if these negotiations are not [19:39] successful is the only option to open to reopen the straight in boots on the [19:45] ground given that all of our allies have essentially said that they are unable or [19:48] unwilling to help look that's a hypothetical question it's a it's a it's [19:53] a hypothetical question it's also a decision that would have to be made by [19:56] the commander-in-chief and I'm not going to get ahead of him in addition to that [19:59] when it comes to the vice president J.D Vance what has changed that has made him [20:03] more of an active participant in these negotiations [20:05] with Iran I don't think anything has changed of the vice president has always [20:10] been a key member the president's right-hand man and a key member of the [20:14] president's national security team he's been part of these discussions [20:18] throughout this entire course of the administration with respect again to the [20:23] 12-day war that the president and his national security team negotiated a [20:27] solution to with respect to the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza in the [20:31] release of the hostages which there was a lot of criticism that couldn't get [20:35] done [20:35] and it did. [20:36] The Vice President has been by the President's side [20:38] every step of the way, and any reporting otherwise [20:40] is just completely false. [20:42] I see him in the room. [20:43] Again, the President seeks his counsel on all matters, [20:46] both foreign and domestic. [20:47] The Press Can you just tell us who exactly [20:49] the U.S. is negotiating with in Iran [20:52] and why the U.S. and this administration [20:54] trusts that person? [20:55] Ms. Again, as I said to Gabe's question earlier, [20:57] we're not going to get into the details [20:59] of these negotiations and conversations [21:01] that continue to take place. [21:02] As, of course, you can imagine, [21:04] they are very sensitive diplomatic discussions. [21:06] And I would reiterate, I do recall giving all of you [21:09] the same answer when we were negotiating the ceasefire [21:12] between Israel and Gaza, gave you the same answer [21:14] throughout the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, [21:17] gave you the same answer with respect [21:18] to many of the other global conflicts [21:20] that this administration has negotiated solutions to. [21:24] President Trump is going to give his diplomats [21:27] the freedom that they need [21:29] to have these sensitive diplomatic discussions [21:31] without negotiating and litigating them [21:33] through the news media. [21:34] Ms. Fran. [21:35] The Press [21:36] Just to follow up, though, [21:37] because you said that some of the information [21:39] that's been out there about the 15-point plan is inaccurate, [21:42] can you say what is accurate with respect to ballistic missiles, [21:46] the nuclear ambitions, and the Strait of Hormuz, [21:48] which are things that the President has laid out [21:50] that he wants to see a couple times in the past? [21:53] Ms. Look, if you've heard it [21:54] from the President of the United States, [21:56] obviously it's true. [21:57] As well as the objectives of Operation Epic Fury, [21:59] we've said repeatedly, I've said them from this podium, [22:02] the Pentagon has reiterated them. [22:04] That's why we've taken military action to achieve them. [22:06] So, of course, those are goals that we want to see. [22:09] But this full 15-point plan that's been floating around [22:12] in many of your outlets, [22:13] there's a lot of misinformation to that as well. [22:15] And again, I would caution you from taking things [22:18] from anonymous sources rather than verifying them directly [22:21] with the White House. [22:23] Christian. [22:24] The Press Thanks, Caroline. [22:24] Two on Iran. [22:26] First, would the President consider [22:28] loosening asylum restrictions for Iranians [22:31] trying to flee the country right now? [22:33] Ms. Again, that's a question [22:34] for the President. [22:34] I won't get ahead of him on that. [22:35] I haven't talked to him about that. [22:36] The Press Okay. [22:37] And then secondly, you mentioned at the top [22:39] that Iran would be hit harder than they have been [22:43] to this point if they don't recognize the fact [22:45] that they're losing this war. [22:47] Could those strikes happen before this five-day [22:49] negotiating window closes if the President doesn't think [22:52] they're negotiating in good faith? [22:55] Ms. You're asking me to tell you [22:56] if the Commander-in-Chief would authorize very strong strikes [23:00] against the Iranian regime. [23:01] That's not something I would ever reveal [23:02] from this podium, true or not. [23:04] The Press Thank you, Caroline. [23:05] The Press Thank you, Caroline. [23:06] I was wondering if you would respond to some of this criticism [23:10] of the administration from past allies like Joe Kent, [23:15] who have said that the President's red line shifted [23:18] from Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon [23:21] to Iran cannot pursue nuclear enrichment. [23:25] What is the administration's response to that criticism? [23:27] Ms. I think the President and I have both strongly responded [23:30] to the criticism by Mr. Kent, who, unfortunately, [23:34] resigned in disgrace and accused the President [23:38] of basically being controlled by foreign countries [23:40] and foreign manipulation, which is a ridiculous [23:43] and laughable assertion. [23:44] So his accusations have zero credibility, [23:46] as far as this White House is concerned. [23:48] The Press The question of the red line shifting [23:50] from no nuclear weapon to no nuclear enrichment, [23:54] is there any substance to that argument? [23:56] Ms. I think the President has been quite clear [23:58] on what he wants to see from the Iranian regime, [24:00] which is why he chose to launch Operation Epic Fury [24:02] in the first place. [24:03] Reagan. [24:04] The Press Thank you, Caroline. [24:05] I have a question for you on the SAVE Act, [24:07] and then I'd like to follow up on the DHS shutdown. [24:10] Ms. Sure. [24:11] The Press First, Senator Mike Lee — [24:12] Ms. The SAVE America Act. [24:13] The Press SAVE America Act. [24:14] The President corrected me yesterday. [24:15] It was my fault. [24:16] Senator Mike Lee said it's essentially impossible [24:19] to pass the SAVE America Act through reconciliation. [24:23] What's your reaction to that? [24:24] Is the President worried that that strategy might fail? [24:27] Ms. I think he's willing to try all strategies. [24:29] I spoke with him about this yesterday, [24:31] and he said if we can make it work through reconciliation, [24:34] let's absolutely do that. [24:35] These, again, are common-sense policies [24:37] that are backed by the vast majority of voters [24:40] across this country. [24:41] The only people in this country who don't support them [24:43] are politicians on Capitol Hill, [24:45] and you all should ask them why they don't want voter ID, [24:48] why they don't want proof of citizenship [24:49] to vote in our nation's elections. [24:51] Again, these are common-sense proposals [24:54] that are wildly popular, [24:55] and the President is willing to use any means necessary [24:57] to get this legislation passed and onto his desk. [25:00] The Press And then on the DHS shutdown, [25:02] do you expect deportations [25:03] to decrease while ICE is in the airports? [25:06] And what are the tradeoffs of having ICE [25:08] in the airports right now? [25:09] Ms. Well, to address this obviously short-term problem [25:13] and the chaos that has been sowed by these Democrats [25:16] on Capitol Hill, to address the lines [25:18] and to get Americans traveling [25:20] and get them to where they need to be. [25:22] So, the President, I think this was a creative solution, [25:24] again, that was criticized. [25:25] But we have seen wait times decrease, [25:28] not as much as we'd like. Hopefully, they will continue to. [25:30] But at major airports, over the course of the last few days, [25:33] as ICE has been facilitating with travelers [25:36] in these airports. [25:38] The Press Thank you, Caroline. [25:42] On March 6th, the President said in the interview with Reuters [25:44] that the U.S. should have a role [25:45] in choosing Iran's next leadership. [25:47] Now that we're almost four weeks into the operation, [25:49] is that still the President's assessment [25:51] of where things should go? [25:52] Ms. As I've said repeatedly, [25:53] I think the President obviously believes [25:56] the United States wants to have someone in leadership position [26:00] in the Iranian regime that will be much more [26:03] favorable, that will be willing to work with the United States, [26:06] that will no longer chant death to America. [26:09] These would obviously be good, common-sense things [26:12] for the United States and for our allies. [26:13] I think that's what the President meant [26:15] when he spoke with Reuters that day. [26:17] Go ahead. [26:18] The Press The President yesterday said [26:19] that he had achieved regime change in Iran [26:24] because the regime has changed. [26:26] In terms of — [26:27] Ms. I mean, has it not? [26:28] The Press Well, the leadership — [26:29] Ms. Their entire leadership has been killed, [26:31] and nobody has really seen [26:34] or legitimately heard from this alleged new leader. [26:36] So wouldn't you say there's been a change in the regime? [26:39] The Press There has been a change in leadership. [26:40] I mean, do you feel as though — [26:41] Ms. There's been a change in the regime leadership, [26:42] which is what the President said. [26:43] So thank you for confirming he is right. [26:45] The Press I mean, do you feel as though [26:47] you've achieved leadership level, [26:52] the personnel in place right now in Iran [26:54] that you're satisfied with? [26:56] I mean, have you — [26:57] Ms. I think it's too soon to say. [26:58] The Press In terms of highly enriched uranium [27:00] in Iran right now, is your expectation — [27:03] I mean, the stated desire of the President [27:05] has been to prevent nuclear weapons. [27:07] Is your expectation that the endgame here [27:09] is that eventually Americans will be in possession [27:13] of that uranium, or you'll somehow have some direct control [27:17] over the highly enriched uranium that could be used to develop it? [27:20] Ms. Again, this is a point of conversation that continues. [27:23] I think you know the means in which the United States [27:26] would have to take in order to achieve that goal, [27:29] and that's a decision for the President to make. [27:32] Brian. Good to see you, Brian. [27:33] Brian Glenn. [27:34] The Press Good to see you as well. [27:36] Does the White House have a comment on a letter [27:39] that was sent from Congressman Raskin to the DOJ [27:42] alleging that the DOJ recklessly released damning information [27:50] in regards to President Trump's documents? [27:53] Ms. Yes, I saw that letter [27:55] from Congressman Raskin this morning, [27:57] who I would add has zero credibility, [27:59] and this letter was clearly a cheap political stunt. [28:02] What the Congressman did here — [28:03] Brian, and for everyone in the room [28:05] who's hopefully not reporting on this as fact — [28:08] is that he took untrue and salacious claims [28:11] in a memo that was produced by Jack Smith, [28:14] who has been completely discredited for his lawfare [28:17] and his witch hunts against this President. [28:20] And that information was unverified. [28:22] It never even made it into the indictment [28:24] because it was so unverified. [28:25] And what happened to that indictment anyway? [28:28] It was thrown out. [28:29] And Jack Smith has been proven, again, [28:31] to be a prosecutor on a witch hunt against President Trump. [28:33] He tried to throw him in jail ahead of the 2024 election. [28:36] The Biden Department of Justice was fully on board [28:38] with this lawfare campaign. [28:40] And in fact, this story that was concocted [28:43] by Congressman Raskin was so ridiculous, [28:46] I understand his communications team [28:47] reached out to some outlets in this room [28:49] who responsibly said, [28:51] we're not going to write this because this is just too much. [28:54] However, of course, MSNOW did write that story this morning [28:57] because they continue to be left-wing propaganda [29:00] for the Democrat Party. [29:01] But I think Jack Smith has been proven to be wrong. [29:03] He's proven to be a liar and a fraud. [29:06] And this is, again, a cheap political stunt [29:07] from a Democrat on Capitol Hill who, I think, [29:10] wants to get himself on cable television. [29:12] Thank you all very much.