Karoline Leavitt Urgent Briefing on Trump’s Next Moves & Iran War Ceasefire Talks — AC15

[43:37] shot put a little wave in good testing testing 12 audio check testing 12 1 2 3 [43:48] 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 testing audio audio check testing 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 testing [43:58] testing 12 audio check Mike check test 121 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [44:07] mic check testing one two one two three four five six next one just podium all [44:18] of them testing one two one two three four five six seven eight [44:53] testing testing one two three four five six seven eight nine ten testing testing [45:00] one two three four five six seven eight nine ten testing my truck good good [46:20] oh [46:50] Thank you. [47:27] Thank you. [47:57] I don't know how to... [48:28] I don't know how to... [48:58] I don't know how to... [49:28] I don't know how to... [49:58] I don't know how to... [50:28] I don't know how to... [50:58] I don't know how to... [51:29] I don't know how to... [51:59] I don't know how to... [52:31] I don't know how to... [53:02] I don't know how to... [53:32] I don't know how to... [54:19] I don't know how to... [54:49] I don't know how to... [55:19] I don't know how to... [55:49] I don't know how to... [56:19] I don't know how to... [56:49] I don't know how to... [57:49] We need to adjust to you. [58:19] Did you have a nice company? [58:20] He just left a shot in the house. [58:22] We need to come back. [58:23] Yeah. [58:24] Do you know about any, uh... [58:26] Who are you with? [58:27] No, I thought just. [58:28] I'm sorry. [58:29] Everybody? [58:30] Yeah. [58:31] I was with everyone, you know. [58:32] And my wife at the time. [58:33] And I, uh. [58:34] Oh, it's him. [58:35] Oh. [58:36] I'm not sure who it is. [58:37] I don't know. [58:38] I'm going to shoot till he gets there. [58:39] I think it's, uh, he's like, he's like, oh, I'm going to shoot till he gets there. [58:40] Oh, he's like, hey, I'm going to shoot till he gets there. [58:41] He's like, you know, I'm going to shoot till he gets there. [58:42] I'm like, hey, I'm going to shoot till he gets there. [58:49] My wife's from the United States. [58:51] She's from the United States. [58:53] She's from the United States. [58:55] I mean, he's delightful. [58:57] He's great. [59:03] We're in the home stretch before it's between 3K and 0. [59:07] We get everybody excited. [59:09] We're into a neighborhood school. [59:13] We have two blocks in our house. [59:15] It's great. [59:17] We have one . [59:21] So, we're waiting on the . [59:27] Help you there. [59:29] Are you all ready? [59:33] We're 20 more . [59:37] Which way is that? [59:39] Left? [59:41] Excuse me. [59:43] Yeah. [59:45] No, sure. [59:47] Yeah, where he killed the dog? [1:00:09] Oh, okay. [1:00:11] The remains are there. [1:00:14] Thank you. [1:00:15] Thank you. [1:00:16] Thank you. [1:00:17] Oh, I see. [1:00:25] Okay, so that's your border. [1:00:26] I guess you're going from there. [1:00:30] I got a buddy that's my neighbor, [1:00:33] his wife, Amanda Sander. [1:00:37] So he's going to reverse everything. [1:00:47] Okay, sure, sure. [1:00:58] Just an hour of your day. [1:01:00] Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. [1:01:03] You know, he's going to reverse the mess out all the time. [1:01:07] Yeah, you reset everything because it's all, you know, [1:01:12] so what? [1:01:13] You reset it. [1:01:14] Ah. [1:01:16] Definitely. [1:01:16] Definitely. [1:01:16] Definitely. [1:01:16] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:17] Definitely. [1:01:18] Definitely. [1:01:18] Definitely. [1:01:18] Definitely. [1:01:18] Definitely. [1:01:19] Definitely. [1:01:19] Definitely. [1:01:19] Definitely. [1:01:19] Definitely. [1:01:19] Definitely. [1:01:19] Definitely. [1:01:19] Definitely. 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[1:07:22] Thank you. [1:08:08] Thank you. [1:08:41] Thank you. [1:09:31] Thank you. [1:10:02] Thank you. [1:10:32] Thank you. [1:11:07] Thank you. [1:11:37] Thank you. [1:12:08] Thank you. [1:12:58] Thank you. [1:13:28] Thank you. [1:14:07] Thank you. [1:14:38] Thank you. [1:15:11] Thank you. [1:16:18] Good afternoon, everyone. [1:35:46] Could you hear our amen in there? [1:35:48] We just said a little loud prayer as a team. [1:35:51] In this holy week, President Trump and the First Lady are joining in prayer with Christians [1:35:55] celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. [1:35:59] On Wednesday, the President will host an Easter lunch. [1:36:02] in the East Room with faith leaders across the country to celebrate Holy Week. [1:36:07] With respect to the ongoing major combat operations in Iran, [1:36:11] Operation Epic Fury is moving ahead successfully and according to plan. [1:36:16] With each passing day, the United States military is increasing its advantage [1:36:20] over the terrorist Iranian regime. [1:36:23] More than 11,000 enemy targets have been struck to date, [1:36:26] each strike further crippling the regime's offensive and defensive capabilities [1:36:31] and creating a new era of war. [1:36:32] The United States is making more leverage for the United States and our allies. [1:36:36] Compared to the start of the operation, Iran's ballistic missile and drone attacks are down [1:36:41] by roughly 90%. [1:36:43] The United States is also decimating the Iranian regime's navy. [1:36:47] We have destroyed more than 150 of their naval vessels so far, including 92% of their largest [1:36:54] vessels. [1:36:55] The Iranian navy has no vessels operating in major regional waterways and no ability [1:37:00] to project naval power. [1:37:02] Which is why they've been assessed as combat ineffective. [1:37:06] Our military continues to obliterate Iran's defense induction facilities and shipyards [1:37:12] damaged or destroyed thus far, significantly reducing their ability to pose future threats [1:37:18] in the region. [1:37:19] U.S. and Israeli joint forces control the skies and have asserted air dominance over [1:37:24] Iran, completing more than 11,000 successful combat flights thus far. [1:37:31] The trend remains clear. [1:37:32] The United States is now in a state of emergency. [1:37:33] The United States is conducting more intense, targeted strikes with devastating combat power [1:37:37] with each passing day to destroy the threat posed by the Iranian terrorist regime, as [1:37:43] President Trump sought out to do a month ago. [1:37:46] It's no surprise that we are seeing the remaining elements of the regime become increasingly [1:37:51] eager to end the destruction and come to the negotiating table while they still can. [1:37:56] Despite all of the public posturing you hear from the regime and false reporting, talks [1:38:01] are continuing and going well. [1:38:02] What is said publicly is, of course, much different than what's being communicated to [1:38:07] us privately. [1:38:08] As a result, President Trump issued a 10-day pause to postpone planned strikes on Iranian [1:38:14] power plants and energy infrastructure. [1:38:17] This remains a truly once-in-a-generation opportunity for the regime to make a good [1:38:21] deal with the United States, permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions, and stop acting as [1:38:27] the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. [1:38:29] If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the United States will be forced to abandon [1:38:30] their nuclear ambitions and stop acting as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. [1:38:31] If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the United States will be forced to abandon [1:38:32] their nuclear ambitions and stop acting as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. [1:38:33] If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the United States will be forced to abandon [1:38:34] their nuclear ambitions and stop acting as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. [1:38:35] If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the United States will be forced to abandon [1:38:36] their nuclear ambitions and stop acting as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. [1:38:37] If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the United States will be forced to abandon [1:38:38] their nuclear ambitions and stop acting as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. [1:38:39] If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the United States will be forced to abandon [1:38:40] their nuclear ambitions and stop acting as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. [1:38:41] If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the United States will be forced to abandon [1:38:42] their nuclear ambitions and stop acting as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. [1:38:43] If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the United States will be forced to abandon [1:39:02] protect the United States from foreign enemies. Democrats on Capitol Hill have failed to do the [1:39:07] same here at home by keeping the Department of Homeland Security unfunded. Over the past six [1:39:13] weeks, Democrats in Congress have pushed our air travel system to its breaking point and inflicted [1:39:18] massive pain on Americans with their reckless political games. 500 TSA officers quit their jobs. [1:39:25] Thousands more were calling out sick at record rates due to the lack of pay. This resulted in [1:39:30] security wait times exceeding three hours at major airports across the country, creating [1:39:35] nightmares for millions of Americans. Overall morale among TSA staff plummeted as well, all of [1:39:41] this creating an unacceptable heightened security risk. Because of the Democrats' unwillingness to [1:39:47] do their basic job of funding DHS, President Trump determined that these circumstances constituted an [1:39:53] emergency compromising American security. That's why last week he accordingly signed a presidential [1:39:59] memorandum. [1:40:00] President Trump said that he would continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security to [1:40:02] work with the Director of the Office of Management and Budgetable Nexus to TSA operations to provide [1:40:08] TSA employees with the compensation and benefits that would have accrued to them, but for the [1:40:14] Democrat-led DHS shutdown. This bold and necessary action by President Trump will ensure our TSA [1:40:20] workers receive their hard-earned paychecks. It should not have come to this point, but President [1:40:25] Trump will always do what's right by the American people, and he found a way to do that. [1:40:30] To get TSA paid. Ensuring that these federal workers who perform critical public safety [1:40:35] responsibilities can feed their families, pay their rent, and show up to work is something the [1:40:40] President was honored to do. But this moment should be an eye-opening one for the American [1:40:44] people. Let's be clear about what is happening. Democrat members of Congress are more than happy [1:40:50] to put your safety at risk because they oppose the President's administration and his administration's [1:40:55] efforts to enforce our nation's immigration law. [1:41:00] They refuse to fund ICE because they want millions and millions of illegal aliens to pour into the [1:41:04] country just like they were under the Biden administration. They want murderers and rapists [1:41:09] and thugs to remain in your communities rather than be removed by ICE and Border Patrol agents. [1:41:15] The Democrats created this mess. They are the reason for long lines at airports and tens of [1:41:20] thousands of employees going without pay. Once again, President Trump is cleaning up their mess [1:41:25] because he cares more about the American people than destructive, petty, [1:41:29] part of the American people. [1:41:30] With that, I will take your questions today here in our new media seat. We have [1:41:34] Wid Lyman. Thank you for being here. Why don't you kick us off? [1:41:37] Thank you. Happy Easter. [1:41:38] Thank you. You as well. [1:41:39] I have two questions for you. Thank you. There are some concerns the administration [1:41:42] is starting to change its position on deportations, border enforcement, [1:41:46] possibly asylum policies. What would you say to Americans that are [1:41:49] somewhat concerned that the shift has happened? [1:41:52] Sure. Well, while there has, of course, been a change in leadership at the [1:41:56] Department of Homeland Security with former Senator, now Secretary, [1:41:59] Mullen, joining the President's Cabinet, I can assure the American people there has not been [1:42:04] a change in policy. It has always been the policy of this President and this administration to [1:42:09] deport the worst of the worst illegal alien criminals from our communities. That's something [1:42:13] I know Secretary Mullen remains wholeheartedly committed to doing. And it's something that is [1:42:18] overwhelmingly popular with the American people. And it's something that is necessary to protect [1:42:23] our homeland and to prevent deaths of Americans in our country. Just last week, Sheridan Gorman, a young, [1:42:29] young woman in Chicago was shot and killed on the street, walking with her friends outside of her [1:42:34] university by a legal alien from Venezuela who had no right to be here in the first place. And it's [1:42:40] despicable that Democrats are currently defunding the department that's responsible for removing [1:42:45] illegal aliens like that. And I would also add it's despicable that the lack of coverage [1:42:51] of this young woman's case, of her life and the way that it was tragically cut short. [1:42:55] I saw a survey over the weekend that I'd like to bring to all of your attention. [1:42:59] This is the media cuts in 19 seconds between two days when this case was first alerted. [1:43:06] You have CBS, two minutes in one second. You have NBC, 23 seconds spent on the life of a young, [1:43:13] beautiful American woman whose life was taken short by an illegal alien who should have never [1:43:18] been here in the first place when we are in the middle of a battle on Capitol Hill with a major [1:43:23] political party, the Democrat party, who wants to defund the agency that is responsible for [1:43:27] protecting Americans. [1:43:29] I think her life was worth more than 23 seconds on cable television. And I think the people in [1:43:33] this room have a responsibility to report on cases like this because it just exemplifies [1:43:38] why the president believes so strongly in deporting illegal aliens from our communities. [1:43:42] And thank you for the question. [1:43:43] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [1:43:45] The Press Secretary Dasha, I have two questions, one on Iran and one on DHS funding. [1:43:49] On Iran, the president has said that the administration is talking to a new and more [1:43:54] reasonable regime. How confident are you that they are legitimate? [1:43:59] Have enough grip on power? Marco Rubio said earlier that [1:44:03] he's not sure and it's not clear whether they will be in power. [1:44:06] So are you also talking to other factions? As the president is trying to make a deal, [1:44:10] how do you ensure that you're making a deal with the people who can actually implement it? [1:44:14] Well, that's part of the ongoing process that's taking place and the ongoing negotiations. Of [1:44:18] course, anything that they say to us privately will be tested, and we will ensure that they are [1:44:23] being held accountable to their word. And if they are not, the president has laid out the [1:44:27] military consequences that the Iranians have had to go through. [1:44:28] The Press Secretary Dasha, on the other hand, has said that they have enough grip on power. [1:44:28] And Marco Rubio said earlier that he's not sure and it's not clear whether they will be in power. [1:44:28] The Press Secretary Dasha, on the other hand, has said that they are making a deal with the [1:44:29] people who can actually implement it. And if they are not, the president has laid out the [1:44:29] military consequences that the Iranian regime will see if they don't hold true to the words [1:44:32] that we are hearing privately behind the scenes. When the president says more reasonable, again, [1:44:36] these folks are appearing more reasonable behind the scenes privately in these conversations [1:44:41] than perhaps some of the previous leaders who are now no longer on planet Earth, [1:44:45] because they lied to the United States and they strung us along in negotiations, [1:44:50] and that was unacceptable to the president, which is why many of the previous leaders were killed. [1:44:55] So, again, this is another historic opportunity for Iran to do [1:44:58] their job. The Press Secretary Dasha, on the other hand, has laid out the military consequences [1:44:58] that the Iranian regime will see if they do the right thing to rid themselves of their nuclear [1:45:01] ambitions and to come to a deal with this president and the administration, or, again, they [1:45:07] will see the grave consequences of the United States Armed Forces, which they are continuing to [1:45:11] see every day throughout this operation. The Press Secretary Huffman, on DHS, [1:45:14] how long can the administration keep paying TSA without action from Congress? And not to be [1:45:20] hyperbolic, but given the — the airports were really the pain point that was pushing both sides [1:45:26] to talk to each other. I mean, do you see — [1:45:28] Do you see a way for DHS to reopen? Is it possible that this keeps going through the midterms? [1:45:34] Well, we certainly hope so. I mean, of course, the president just can't keep signing presidential [1:45:39] memorandums and proclamations every time Congress fails to do its job and every time Democrats [1:45:44] are holding our entire country hostage, picking and choosing which programs and agencies they want [1:45:50] to fund just because they don't like this administration's policies. That's not how [1:45:54] it's supposed to work. They voted seven times against funding DHS. [1:45:58] DHS over partisan and political reasons. And so, again, the president has stepped in to do the right [1:46:04] thing at this moment in time, but the president is also encouraging Congress to come back to [1:46:08] Washington to permanently fix this problem and to fund and reopen the Department of Homeland [1:46:14] Security entirely. [1:46:15] Caroline. [1:46:16] Stephen. [1:46:17] Thank you, Caroline. Two questions, one on TSA, one on Iran. On TSA, for ordinary Americans [1:46:23] watching the briefing, how long until everything goes back to normal at airports after the [1:46:28] president's action? And then on Iran, on the timeframe, President Trump initially said [1:46:33] about four weeks. Secretary of State Rubio on Friday reportedly said it might be another [1:46:37] two to four. Is two to four the current ballpark that the administration is thinking? [1:46:42] With respect to the timeline, again, the President, Commander-in-Chief, the Pentagon has always [1:46:46] stated four to six weeks estimated timeline for Operation Epic Fury. We're on day 30 today, [1:46:53] so again, you do the math on how much longer we — the Pentagon needs to fully — [1:46:58] to fully achieve the objectives of Operation Epic Fury, which I will reiterate, destroy [1:47:02] the Iranian Navy, destroy their ballistic missiles, dismantle their missile and drone [1:47:07] production infrastructure, significantly weaken their proxies throughout the course of this [1:47:12] operation, and then, of course, preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. [1:47:17] To your first question, Stephen, about TSA and airports, nothing will be truly normal [1:47:22] again until Democrats do the right thing to fund this agency fully. Again, the president [1:47:26] has stepped in in the meantime to do what they can. [1:47:28] And he's doing what's right to end this crisis that we've had at air travel and at airports [1:47:33] across the country in the meantime. But, again, Congress needs to come back, Democrats need [1:47:37] to fund the Department of Homeland Security so we can formally and fully get these great [1:47:42] employees paid long into the future. [1:47:45] Jonathan. [1:47:46] Thanks a lot, Caroline. Two questions regarding the financial costs of the war. Back during [1:47:52] the Persian Gulf War, 1990, 1991, Arab countries paid for the vast majority of the costs of [1:47:58] the war. Do you think that the economic costs of the war have made any difference to the [1:47:59] Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE. [1:48:02] Who's paying for the cost of this war? [1:48:05] Will those Arab countries step up to do just that? [1:48:08] Ms. Well, I think it's something the President [1:48:09] would be quite interested in calling them to do. [1:48:12] I won't get ahead of him on that. [1:48:14] But, certainly, it's an idea that I know that he has [1:48:17] and something that I think you'll hear more from him on. [1:48:19] The Press And then, secondly, the cost of diesel [1:48:22] is averaging at $5.38 a gallon right now. [1:48:26] What's the message from the Trump administration [1:48:29] to truck drivers who are dealing [1:48:31] with those high fuel costs right now? [1:48:32] Ms. Again, we understand, we hear you, we see you. [1:48:35] We are fully tracking this short-term fluctuation [1:48:38] in oil and in diesel prices. [1:48:40] And that's why the President and the administration [1:48:42] have continually announced robust actions [1:48:45] to provide stability in the global energy market. [1:48:48] As you know, political risk insurance, [1:48:50] one of those actions allowing countries [1:48:52] to purchase sanctioned oil just to increase the supply. [1:48:55] The barrels of oil [1:48:56] and refined products as well. [1:48:57] We issued the 60-Day Jones Act waiver. [1:49:00] All of this has with the goal of increasing supply [1:49:03] to create stabilization in the market in the meantime. [1:49:07] But the overall message, as we've repeatedly stated, [1:49:09] as again, these are short-term actions [1:49:12] and short-term price fluctuations [1:49:14] for the long-term benefit of ending the threat [1:49:19] that Iran poses to the United States of America, [1:49:21] our troops and our allies in the region, [1:49:24] and ensuring that this regime can no longer [1:49:26] control the world's free flow of energy [1:49:28] through the Strait of Hormuz, [1:49:29] which is something the administration continues [1:49:31] to tackle day by day as well. [1:49:33] Jennifer. [1:49:35] Just two questions. [1:49:36] What's Jennifer? [1:49:36] I'll go to both. [1:49:39] Go ahead. [1:49:39] So, two questions. [1:49:40] One on China and one on Iran. [1:49:43] On China, ahead of the President's trip to Beijing, [1:49:45] will there be a working-level meeting [1:49:47] with Secretary Fessent, Jameson Greer, et cetera? [1:49:50] And when will that be? [1:49:51] I do expect Cabinet officials to travel to China ahead of time. [1:49:55] I don't have a readout on their schedule. [1:49:56] I don't have a readout on their schedules for you. [1:49:57] But this is something we typically do [1:49:59] with international travel, as you know. [1:50:00] So, I'll talk to the Treasury Department [1:50:02] and the Cabinet myself, and we'll get you that answer. [1:50:04] But we do expect them to move ahead of time. [1:50:07] Okay. And thank you. [1:50:07] And on Iran, if Iran is kind of cherry-picking [1:50:11] what tankers get to go through the Strait now [1:50:13] and contemplating big tolls on those tankers, [1:50:17] is that consistent? [1:50:17] Or how is that consistent, really, [1:50:19] with the President's message about really wanting [1:50:21] the Strait to be fully open? [1:50:22] Like, does the administration support a regime or system [1:50:25] where Iran is going to be able [1:50:26] and is effectively charging tolls [1:50:28] on these vessels to access? [1:50:29] That's not something we support. [1:50:30] And I would reject that they are cherry-picking. [1:50:33] In fact, as you know, these tankers that are moving through [1:50:36] the 10 that were previously announced [1:50:37] and now the new 20, [1:50:39] the announcement of 20 additional tankers, [1:50:41] which we expect to see over the coming days, [1:50:43] are a result of the direct and indirect talks [1:50:46] that are taking place between the United States and Iran. [1:50:48] So, you wouldn't have seen those tankers [1:50:50] if not for the President's diplomacy [1:50:52] and his team engaging on this matter, [1:50:54] which we expect that compliance moving forward. [1:50:56] And it's, again, something that we're working on very closely. [1:50:59] The Press Well, I have a question. [1:51:00] Ms. Sure. [1:51:01] The Press And behind me, in the back right there, [1:51:02] you put up your hand very excitingly. [1:51:05] Go ahead, Hannah from News Nation. [1:51:06] The Press Thank you. [1:51:08] The Press Thanks for taking my question. [1:51:09] I have two for you real quick. [1:51:11] There are reports that Republicans [1:51:13] are weighing cuts to healthcare in order to make way [1:51:16] for that $200 billion for the Pentagon [1:51:18] and Operation Epic Fury. [1:51:20] Is that a tradeoff that President Trump supports? [1:51:22] Ms. I've seen these reports. [1:51:23] I haven't spoken to the President about it, [1:51:25] nor have I heard. [1:51:26] this being discussed in any high-level meetings here at the White House. I don't want to weigh [1:51:30] in definitively because I just haven't heard that being discussed here in the West Wing. [1:51:35] And then secondly, I know President Trump says we're ahead of schedule in achieving his military [1:51:39] objectives in Iran. He laid out that four to six week timetable for this conflict and we're now [1:51:45] within week five. So how do you square kind of those two? Well, I just provided you with some [1:51:51] of the updates from the Pentagon directly and achieving the objectives. And the military has [1:51:57] been enormously successful. I think we should all be very proud of our armed forces for what they [1:52:02] have done over the past 30 days. The mission will continue until the objectives are achieved. And [1:52:06] that four to six week timeline does remain right now. I don't have any updates for you on that. [1:52:12] Like others, one on TSA, one on Iran. On Iran, I know it's tough to engage in hypotheticals, [1:52:20] but I feel like this is one that you could engage in. If the [1:52:22] president does seek or the United States seeks a ground war, does he intend to get congressional [1:52:29] authorization of that march? Look, the president has been asked about boots on the ground or [1:52:35] alleged ground operations various times. He's obviously declined to rule them out. It's the [1:52:40] Pentagon's job to provide maximum optionality to the president. It does not mean he's made a [1:52:45] decision, nor would he ever notify the media of such decision as not to tip off our enemy. [1:52:51] With respect to, [1:52:52] abiding by Congress and the rule of law, that's something the administration will, of course, [1:52:56] always do. And it's something that we have great respect for Congress. The president does with [1:53:02] military operations. In fact, prior to the launch of Operation Epic Fury, as you know, [1:53:09] the administration gave a courtesy notice to Congress in the Gang of Eight. And top level [1:53:13] administration officials and cabinet secretaries have gone to Congress multiple times over the [1:53:18] past 30 days to provide those courtesy briefings to Congress when required. [1:53:22] On TSA quickly, I've been asked by multiple Trump supporters that have said, given the fact that the president on that Friday gave that memorandum informing VHS to pay TSA workers, I know there's a lot of negotiations involved in a shutdown of this size. Why did the president not sooner issue that payment to TSA workers? [1:53:41] Well, it's because of the Democrats voting seven times against reopening the Department of Homeland Security that we came to a place of an existential crisis. I mean, you saw the lines at various major [1:53:52] airports across the country, American travelers really paying the price for Democrats partisan games. And so the president worked with his legal team here at the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to find a solution to take care of the emergency that we were seeing in air travel across the country. And it's because of the president that TSA agents are being paid. But again, he's calling on Congress to do the right thing to come back to Washington and to fund and reopen the Department of Homeland Security fully. [1:54:20] Sure. [1:54:22] Another shout out from The Wall Street Journal. I'm trying to square the four objectives laid out by the administration with the goal of reopening fully the Strait of Hormuz would President Trump declare victory and wind down military operations if the four objectives are met, but still passage remains quite slow through the Straight. [1:54:39] Look, as I've said repeatedly and as the President has laid out, the objectives of Operation Epic Fury are as follows. Destroying the Iranian Navy, destroying their ballistic missiles, dismantling their defense industrial infrastructure that produces those offices, destroying their shipping facilities, and destroying their aircraft. [1:54:48] He's been on that side for a period of time, I'm sorry he's not on that side, he said. [1:54:49] So what is蓬IX's serious concern? [1:54:52] What is wrap stuff that, of course, is protecting war guys from the West seem like really large empty engines in order to rebuild their aircraft and therefore, you know, turn around there? [1:54:52] those weapons that have long threatened the United States and our allies, and then, of [1:54:56] course, preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. [1:55:00] The full reopening of the Strait is something the administration is working towards, but [1:55:03] the core objectives of the operation have been clearly defined for the American people [1:55:07] by the Commander-in-Chief. [1:55:08] Jared. [1:55:09] The Press The President posted this morning about, [1:55:12] you know, his threat that on leaving Iran, he said, we might be blowing up and completely [1:55:17] obliterating all of their electric generating plants, oil wells, hard island, and possibly [1:55:22] all desalinization plants. [1:55:24] Under international law, striking civilian infrastructure like that is generally prohibited. [1:55:29] Why is the President threatening what would amount to potentially a war crime with the [1:55:33] U.S. military? [1:55:34] And how do you square that with the administration repeatedly saying that the U.S. does not target [1:55:37] civilians? [1:55:38] Ms. Look, the President has made it quite clear to the Iranian regime at this moment [1:55:42] in time, as evidenced by the statement that you just read, that their best move is to [1:55:47] make a deal, or else the United States Armed Forces has capabilities beyond their wildest [1:55:52] imagination, and the President is not afraid to use them. [1:55:55] The Press Including potential war crimes? [1:55:56] Ms. That's not what I said, Garrett. [1:55:57] And you're saying the word potential for a reason, because I'm sure some experts are [1:56:02] telling you that in your ear to try to ask me that question. [1:56:06] Of course, this administration and the United States Armed Forces will always act within [1:56:10] the confines of the law. [1:56:12] But with respect to achieving the full objectives of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump is [1:56:16] going to move forward. [1:56:17] He's going to move forward unabated, and he expects the Iranian regime to make a deal [1:56:21] with the administration. [1:56:22] Ms. To that end, which of those objectives would destroying the desalination plant most [1:56:27] help? [1:56:28] The Press Thanks, Caroline. [1:56:29] I want to follow up on Iran. [1:56:30] When you're describing that the Iranians you're in contact with are being more reasonable [1:56:31] this time around in discussions, what specifically are you hearing that is leading you to that [1:56:32] conclusion? [1:56:33] And how are you defining what's reasonable versus unreasonable in that regard? [1:56:34] Ms. I'm not going to detail the private inquiry. [1:56:35] I'm not going to go into that. [1:56:36] The Press Thank you. [1:56:37] The Press Thank you. [1:56:38] The Press Thank you. [1:56:39] The Press Thank you. [1:56:40] The Press Thank you. [1:56:41] The Press Thank you. [1:56:42] The Press Thank you. [1:56:43] The Press Thank you. [1:56:44] The Press Thank you. [1:56:45] Ms. I'm not going to talk in detail the private, insensitive conversations that are [1:56:48] taking place between the United States and Iran right now. [1:56:51] The Press But generally speaking? [1:56:52] Ms. Generally speaking, the President gave you the answer. [1:56:55] What we're hearing from them is more reasonable. [1:56:56] They have agreed to some of the points the United States laid out, as the President said [1:57:00] last night aboard Air Force One. [1:57:02] But again, as for the specifics, as these negotiations are ongoing, we're not going [1:57:06] to broadcast them to the world unless the President chooses to do so, which he has the [1:57:09] full right to do as the leader of the free world. [1:57:12] The Press Thank you. [1:57:13] Ms. Caroline. [1:57:14] The Press Caroline. [1:57:15] The Press Thank you. [1:57:15] The Press So, you said the President had not taken care of any countries that would [1:57:18] send oil to Cuba. [1:57:19] But now, the U.S. is letting this Russian tanker to Cuba. [1:57:22] Is this a policy change, or is he willing to let more tankers into Cuba now? [1:57:27] Ms. This is not a policy change. [1:57:29] There has not been a formal change in sanction policy. [1:57:33] As the President said last night, we allowed this ship to reach Cuba in order to provide [1:57:38] humanitarian needs to the Cuban people. [1:57:40] These decisions are being made on a case-by-case basis. [1:57:43] And as the administration has said, we're not spiritual to Cuba. [1:57:45] has censorship changed but there has been no formal change with respect to sanction policy [1:57:49] so you could expect more tankers to go to cuba again these decisions are being made on a case [1:57:54] by case basis right now thanks carolina you addressed us a little bit in the opening but [1:57:59] just to follow up because americans are sort of seeing these conflicting messages between the [1:58:02] united states and iran i know the president insists that negotiations are underway as you [1:58:07] just mentioned he's also said that iran has agreed to most of the 15 points we just heard from iran [1:58:12] again they're saying no negotiations are taking place they're calling the proposal excessive [1:58:17] unrealistic so how do you square that what what how do you explain that discrepancy between the [1:58:22] two i think the american people are smart enough not to take the word of a terrorist regime that [1:58:27] has chanted death to america for 47 years at their word and i hope the journalists in this [1:58:33] room are wise enough not to take an iranian regime that has repeatedly lied about our country about [1:58:39] our values about everyone in this room frankly [1:58:42] uh for nearly five decades so i think the american public are smart enough to understand that just [1:58:47] to follow up on the objectives you've laid them out but i know the president has set a deadline [1:58:51] for april 6 in just one week what does the president need to see to not move forward with [1:58:57] those strikes by april 6. well i think he said it in his true social post this morning he wants to [1:59:01] see a deal over the next uh 10 days but that timeline is is waning several days left and [1:59:07] we'll see i won't get ahead of it we'll see what happens in the end of the 10-day period [1:59:12] caroline thank you um one on iran one on the shutdown the president continues to say the [1:59:16] u.s is in conversations with a more reasonable regime but there are now hundreds of u.s special [1:59:23] operations forces including navy seals and army rangers in the middle east as well as thousands [1:59:27] of other troops already deployed so is he trying to end or intensify the conflict the president [1:59:34] is focused on achieving the objectives of operation epic fury with respect to forces [1:59:40] that are on the ground in the middle east it's the job of the pentagon up to [1:59:43] create maximum optionality for the commander-in-chief it does not mean the president [1:59:48] has made any additional decisions again he remains focused on ensuring that the pentagon continues to [1:59:53] achieve the objectives of the operation that was launched 30 days ago and we're well on our way to [1:59:58] doing that so if an american sit at home hearing him say i want to talk but i keep seeing them [2:00:05] send troops to that region what are they to make of what's going on there's two tracks here the [2:00:09] president has always said that diplomacy is his number one option and priority [2:00:14] again he tried earnestly in good faith to engage in diplomacy with the iranian regime prior to this [2:00:20] operation being launched in the first place he wanted to strike a deal and he sent his top [2:00:26] negotiators to do so they spent extensive amount of time and effort trying to strike a deal and [2:00:31] unfortunately of the previous regime again many of those leaders no longer with us here on earth [2:00:36] because they faced the consequences of the united states military so but it does not deter him from [2:00:41] focusing on the military objectives that he set out to achieve in the first place and i think that's [2:00:44] something that's really important because i think as we look at this now we all know what the [2:00:47] military's obligations to do is to pay so we have the military employees having to pay for their [2:00:50] daily work and this is a project that we set out 30 days ago and that our military is continuing to [2:00:55] achieve day by day on the shutdown he signed the national national emergency order last [2:01:00] thursday making sure tsa officers will be paid there's still other civilian dhs employees however [2:01:06] who are not being paid he signed something similar to ensure they also get good the president will [2:01:11] always look into ways that we can make sure that the american people are being taken care of and [2:01:13] has to go to the length of working with the legal team [2:01:16] and the Office of Management and Budget to identify these funds. [2:01:19] It is the job of Congress to fund these agencies. [2:01:23] And Democrats in Congress have voted seven times [2:01:26] against funding the Department of Homeland Security. [2:01:28] Congress should come back, and they should get it done. [2:01:31] The President, again, made the decision [2:01:33] to prevent this existential crisis [2:01:35] we were seeing at our nation's airports across the country. [2:01:37] That was only going to get worse, [2:01:39] and that's why he wants Congress to do his job. [2:01:41] The Press I'll go to you as well. [2:01:44] The Press Since you mentioned Easter and prayers, [2:01:47] I wanted to ask you about something [2:01:49] the Pope said yesterday. [2:01:50] So Pope Leo said yesterday, and I quote him, [2:01:53] God does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war. [2:01:57] Can you comment on that? [2:01:58] Ms. I think our nation was a nation founded [2:02:02] 250 years ago almost on Judeo-Christian values. [2:02:07] And we've seen presidents, [2:02:09] we've seen the leaders [2:02:11] of the Department of Homeland Security, [2:02:11] the Department of War, [2:02:12] and we've seen our troops go to prayer [2:02:15] during the most turbulent times in our nation's history. [2:02:18] And I don't think there's anything wrong [2:02:20] with our military leaders or with the President [2:02:23] calling on the American people to pray for our service members [2:02:27] and those who are serving our country overseas. [2:02:30] In fact, I think it's a very noble thing to do. [2:02:32] And if you talk to many service members, [2:02:34] they will tell you they appreciate the prayers [2:02:35] and support from the Commander in Chief and from his Cabinet. [2:02:40] The Press Caroline, thank you. [2:02:41] The Press The President told the New York Post [2:02:42] that a response is coming shortly to Tehran attacking Israel's largest oil refinery. [2:02:49] Is there a timeline on that? [2:02:50] Is that tied to the success or not of the negotiations? [2:02:53] Ms. I don't have any updates for you on the President's comments. [2:02:56] The Press Is there the IRGC in control of Iran? [2:02:59] Ms. Well, look, as Secretary Rubio said today, [2:03:02] the leadership is very fragmented. [2:03:05] We have really neutered their intercommunication systems, and that's part of this process of [2:03:11] diplomacy. [2:03:12] I have to continue figuring out exactly who's in charge. [2:03:15] I know they appointed a new Ayatollah. [2:03:16] I haven't seen or heard much from him. [2:03:19] And so that's part of this diplomatic process that's underway right now. [2:03:22] The Press I'll take a few more. [2:03:24] Solon. [2:03:25] The Press Thank you. [2:03:26] You listed the described humanitarian reasons for allowing that oil tanker to reach Cuba. [2:03:33] Just to clarify, why would you say that? [2:03:36] Ms. Look, again, this was a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case [2:03:39] basis for humanitarian reasons. [2:03:41] But there's been no firm change in our sanctions policy. [2:03:44] The Press The President's China bomb of Mexico also [2:03:46] said that Mexico is exploring different ways to restart some of those shipments to Cuba. [2:03:51] Is the administration okay with that at this time? [2:03:53] Ms. Again, there's been no change in our sanction policy. [2:03:55] We still reserve the right to seize vessels if it's legally applicable that are headed [2:04:00] towards Cuba and that violate the United States sanction policy. [2:04:04] But of course, the President and the administration also reserve the right to waive those seizures [2:04:09] on a case-by-case basis. [2:04:10] The Press Can you clarify, just any more Russian oil tankers going to be allowed to [2:04:14] reach Cuba at this time? [2:04:15] I know you said case-by-case, but for the case of Russia, is it pretty much green light [2:04:19] right now? [2:04:20] Ms. No, that's not what I said. [2:04:21] It's a case-by-case basis. [2:04:22] The Press Sure. [2:04:23] Jeff, go ahead. [2:04:24] The Press Switching topics. [2:04:25] The President has always attended CPAC. [2:04:26] He did not this year. [2:04:27] Why did he not attend? [2:04:28] And does he believe CPAC is becoming less relevant? [2:04:29] Ms. No, I don't think he believes that at all. [2:04:30] In fact, he loves CPAC and has a very good relationship with the United States. [2:04:31] The Press Thank you. [2:04:32] Ms. Thank you. [2:04:33] The Press Thank you. [2:04:34] Ms. Thank you. [2:04:35] The Press Thank you. [2:04:36] Ms. Thank you. [2:04:37] He loves CPAC and has a very good relationship with the great people who run it, Mercedes [2:04:42] and Matt Schlapp. [2:04:43] It was just simply for scheduling purposes this year, with it being in Texas. [2:04:48] It was best for the President's schedule and what he has on his plate right now not to [2:04:51] go. [2:04:52] The Press Carolina. [2:04:53] Ms. Michael. [2:04:54] The Press Thank you, Caroline. [2:04:55] Ms. Michael. [2:04:56] The Press If and when a deal is finalized with Iran, how does the U.S. provide protection [2:04:59] to who it's negotiating with to ensure that they can carry out the President's peace plan? [2:05:03] Ms. Again, that's something I'm sure our national security team is discussing. [2:05:07] I don't have anything for you on that today. [2:05:09] The Press On the ballroom, can you tell us more about this massive military complex underneath [2:05:14] the President's new ballroom? [2:05:15] Ms. I cannot tell you more about that, actually, as a matter of fact. [2:05:20] However, the military is making some upgrades to their facilities here at the White House, [2:05:25] and I'm not privy to provide any more details on that at this time. [2:05:28] The Press Is that Caroline? [2:05:29] Ms. Go ahead. [2:05:30] The Press Thanks, Caroline. [2:05:31] A question on the Middle East, and then a question on Antifa. [2:05:32] Netanyahu said Sunday that he's going to have a meeting with the President of the United [2:05:33] States. [2:05:34] Is that true? [2:05:35] The Press Yes. [2:05:36] The Press Do you have any news that Sunday that Cardinal Pitabala will be able to hold [2:05:37] services for Palm Sunday in the Church of Holy Sepulchre after he was initially blocked [2:05:38] by Israeli police? [2:05:39] Did anyone from the administration or the President call over to Israeli officials to [2:05:40] assist the Cardinal in this? [2:05:41] Ms. Yes. [2:05:42] I did speak with Secretary Rubio this morning, and we did express our concerns with Israel [2:06:00] with respect to these holy sites being shut down. [2:06:03] We want worshipers to be able to access these holy sites. [2:06:05] Of course, safety is a top priority. [2:06:06] But we understand Israel is working on those security measures to reopen the sites throughout [2:06:12] Holy Week. [2:06:13] And that's something that we're appreciative of. [2:06:14] The Press In Texas, nine people have been convicted by [2:06:15] a federal jury on domestic terrorist charges connected to Antifa. [2:06:16] The White House has previously indicated that you guys are investigating Antifa, who's funding [2:06:17] them, who's leading them. [2:06:18] Can you provide an update on how that investigation is going? [2:06:19] And do you think we're going to see more charges against people connected to Antifa? [2:06:20] Ms. Yes. [2:06:21] The Press Yes. [2:06:22] The Press Yes. [2:06:23] Ms. Yes. [2:06:24] The Press Yes. [2:06:25] The Press Yes. [2:06:26] Ms. Yes. [2:06:27] The Press Yes. [2:06:28] Ms. Yes. [2:06:29] The Press Yes. [2:06:30] Ms. Yes. [2:06:31] The Press Yes. [2:06:32] Ms. Yes. [2:06:33] The Press Yes. [2:06:34] Ms. Yes. [2:06:35] The Press Yes. [2:06:36] The Press Yes. [2:06:37] Ms. Well, I do know that there was an entire task force that was set up, an interagency [2:06:41] task force to focus on the threat of Antifa, which as you know, Reagan, this President [2:06:45] declared a domestic terrorist organization, rightfully. [2:06:50] And we will continue to look into it. [2:06:52] I don't have any updates on those specific investigations, but I'd be happy to have my [2:06:55] team get those over to you today as this continues to be of the utmost importance to the President [2:07:00] and his domestic policy agenda. [2:07:02] Ms. Farah. [2:07:04] Farah. [2:07:06] there's been some reporting that American-made landmines [2:07:10] have been spotted on the ground in Iran. [2:07:13] Did President Trump sign off [2:07:15] on using U.S.-made landmines in Iran? [2:07:17] Ms. I don't have any comment on that report today. [2:07:19] The Press I don't have any comment on that. [2:07:23] The Press I don't have any comment on that. [2:07:24] The Press I have one on DHS. [2:07:26] You said that the President is encouraging Congress [2:07:28] to come back to D.C. [2:07:29] You also said yourself. How has he done that? [2:07:31] Has he told leadership [2:07:33] that they should cancel recess and come back? [2:07:34] Ms. He's said it repeatedly. [2:07:36] I think you recall he said that he'll host a big Easter dinner [2:07:39] here at the White House if Congress will come back [2:07:41] and fight the Democrats on this issue, which we should do. [2:07:44] Because, again, Democrat Party is in the wrong here. [2:07:47] They have voted seven times against funding [2:07:50] the Department of Homeland Security, [2:07:52] which is completely egregious [2:07:53] with everything we have going on in the world. [2:07:55] And these brave men and women who served DHS [2:07:58] deserve to get their paychecks. [2:08:00] The President wants to see that happen, [2:08:01] and he wants Congress to come back to get it done. [2:08:03] The Press Thank you. [2:08:06] Thank you.