Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 25, 2026

[0:05] Good afternoon, everybody. Good to see all of you. Thanks for coming today, as always. [0:10] We're going to start with some scheduling announcements. This evening, President Trump [0:14] will deliver remarks at Union Station for a political dinner. Tomorrow morning, the President [0:20] will host the second Cabinet meeting of the year and the 11th Cabinet meeting of his second term. [0:26] And later tomorrow afternoon, the President will host a Greek Independence Day celebration in the [0:31] East Room. On Friday, the President will celebrate National Agriculture Day alongside nearly 1,000 [0:38] farmers who are coming in from across the country for the first event of the season on the South [0:43] Lawn, so pray for good weather, to highlight the President's successful policies in support of [0:48] America's farmers, including efforts to lower input costs, open new trade markets, bolster the [0:54] farm safety net, double the death tax exemption, end taxes on rural property loan interest, [1:00] and create [1:01] rural opportunity zones. Also, I'm pleased to announce that President Trump's meeting and [1:06] long-awaited meeting with President Xi in China will now take place in Beijing on May 14th and [1:12] 15th. First Lady Melania and President Trump will also host President Xi and Madam Peng for a [1:19] reciprocal visit in Washington, D.C. at a later date to be announced this year. Turning to the [1:25] ongoing military operations in Iran, the United States military continues to decimate the [1:31] terrorist-influenced Iran. The United States military continues to decimate the terrorist-influenced [1:31] Iranian regime's offensive and defensive capabilities. Just over three weeks in, [1:37] it's abundantly clear that Operation Epic Fury has been a resounding military triumph. More than 9,000 [1:44] enemy targets have been struck to date. Compared to the start of the operation, [1:49] Iran's ballistic missile attacks and drone attacks are down by roughly 90 percent. The [1:54] United States is also annihilating the Iranian regime's navy. We have destroyed more than 140 of [2:01] their naval vessels, including almost 50 mine layers. This is the largest elimination of a navy [2:07] over a three-week period since World War II. Again, let me reiterate, this is the largest [2:13] elimination of a navy on the face of the planet in a three-week period since World War II. We are [2:20] systematically dismantling Iran's defense industrial base, which will prevent future threats to the [2:25] region. Our military also remains laser-focused on eliminating the regime's threat to the free flow [2:31] of energy through the Strait of Hormuz. Over the weekend, we dropped several 5,000-pound bombs on [2:37] an underground facility used to store equipment, including anti-ship cruise missiles and mobile [2:43] missile launchers positioned along the coastline of the Strait. Our military efforts grow more [2:48] successful with each passing day, steadily degrading Iran's ability to terrorize merchant [2:53] ships. For all of these reasons, we are very close to meeting the core objectives of Operation Epic [2:59] Fury and this military mission campaign. We are very close to meeting the core objectives of Operation Epic Fury and this military mission campaign. [3:01] continues unabated. From the outset, President Trump and the Department of War estimated it would [3:06] take approximately four to six weeks to achieve this critical mission. Twenty-five days in, the [3:12] greatest military the world has ever known is ahead of schedule and performing exceptionally. [3:18] Day by day, the Iranian regime is being crippled, and their ability to threaten the United States [3:23] and our allies is being significantly weakened. Their ambitions of building a nuclear weapon have [3:28] also been crushed to an even greater degree than the United States and our allies have been. [3:31] They are being crushed to an even greater degree than the United States and our allies have been. [3:35] That's why you're beginning to see the regime look for an exit ramp. They recognize they are being [3:40] crushed. Their ability to attack American and ally forces, as well as their ability to defend [3:46] their own territory, is dwindling literally hour by hour. Following President Trump's powerful [3:52] threat on Saturday evening, it was made clear to the United States that Iran wanted to talk. [3:57] President Trump is willing to listen. As President Trump announced on Monday, the United [4:01] States has been engaged over the last three days in productive conversations, which led the [4:06] President to temporarily instruct the Department of War to postpone planned strikes against Iranian [4:11] power plants and energy infrastructure only. The remaining elements of the Iranian regime [4:17] have another opportunity to cooperate with President Trump, permanently abandon their [4:22] nuclear ambitions, and cease actively threatening America and our allies. [4:26] But the President's preference is always peace. There does not need to be any more death and [4:31] destruction. But if Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to [4:36] understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will [4:41] ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before. President Trump does not bluff, [4:47] and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again. Their last miscalculation [4:53] cost them their senior leadership, their Navy, their Air Force, and their air defense system. [4:58] Any violence beyond this point will be because the [5:01] Iranian regime refused to understand they have already been defeated and refused to come to a deal. [5:07] Here at home, we are now on day 40 of the Democrats' shutdown of the Department of Homeland [5:12] Security. Democrats in Congress are forcing American travelers to wait in hours-long lines [5:17] at airports across the country, robbing TSA officers and other federal workers [5:22] of their hard-earned paychecks that they use to feed their families, [5:26] and causing billions of dollars in damage to our economy. [5:29] A father of three recently told [5:31] CBS News that he felt he had no other choice but to quit his job as a TSA officer and find other [5:37] work as the Democrats' shutdown of DHS continues. This is the quote from the father, and I [5:43] encourage everyone to listen. I think the hardest thing is seeing the struggle that [5:48] my wife was going through and not trying to bring more stress to her, the father of three said, [5:53] but seeing her cry every night, how am I going to feed my family? How am I going to survive? [5:59] For the Democrats in Congress, the cruelty, [6:02] of this shutdown is the point. Nearly 500 TSA officers have quit since the Democrat shutdown [6:08] began. President Trump, to alleviate this pressure, made the decision to send some of [6:13] our amazing ICE agents to help alleviate that stress and address the long wait times. [6:18] And for all of the critics of this solution a few days ago when it was proposed by the President, [6:22] it is yielding results. Wait times have improved since ICE arrived and they are doing everything [6:27] in their power to help their fellow federal service members. But it's important to take a [6:32] step back and remember why is this even happening in the first place? For nearly six weeks, [6:38] Democrats in Congress have kept DHS shut down because they care more about illegal aliens [6:43] than American citizens. You have Democrat elected representatives in states across the country who [6:48] are willing to inflict massive pain on their own constituents to fight for illegal aliens who broke [6:54] our nation's laws to come here. In recent days, we saw the deadly consequence of this deranged policy [7:02] in the United States and the United States of America. In the last few weeks, we've seen [7:07] the [7:17] most violent and violent attacks on our nation's borders in an illegal alien-first agenda. A [7:21] beautiful 18-year-old girl, Sheridan Gorman, she was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday [7:26] morning while walking in a park with friends. The suspect in custody for murdering her is a [7:30] Venezuelan illegal alien who was caught and released at the border by the Biden administration in May of 2023. Why would the Biden administration catch and release a Venezuelan illegal alien? That is not happening anymore under this President. [7:32] But there are still tens of thousands, if not millions, of these illegal aliens in our country [7:37] who seek to do harm to innocent Americans, like this beautiful young woman whose family will now [7:42] never be the same because of her death. To make matters even worse, this monster was also released [7:48] from local custody again after a shoplifting arrest where? In the sanctuary city of Chicago [7:55] in June of 2023. Again, another innocent American citizen had her life stolen from her because [8:02] Democrats embraced reckless open border policies and the 떠�nees and cowboy [8:11] OG consigliere and cure crimes police. How many more Americans have to die before the Democrats [8:14] end this madness? President Trump's position is plain and clear. He wants the federal government [8:20] opened, he wants the Department of Homeland Security fund credit, and he wants the [8:24] shutdown to close a TFK and a federal lovers shelter completely and butter flee every등 [8:25] immediately. The president will also continue to invite Democrat leaders to sag 240and sanctuary [8:30] cities and states like JR2020 n stoolhie AgenciaAirAMCB9. One of욺ll to hold in one of the electionslosesards, except in agencies. The president will be [8:31] wants the presidential system to shut down tunee immediatelyth. Tribal Train juga will nearly outta Raphael. The boulevard is the only place the Democrats, now is Security First, come in as hunck to shut down tunee before grand teacherarea Texas. wow, [8:31] like JB Pritzker where this young beautiful girl was murdered to cooperate with ICE and stop [8:37] releasing illegal alien criminals into American neighborhoods. It is for the safety of every [8:43] American citizen including all of the people in this room. With that I will take your questions [8:47] and here in our new media seat today we have Gabe Fleischer. Thanks Caroline. Thanks for being here. [8:52] Thank you. I have two questions for you. First, if the war in Iran continues past this current [8:57] round of peace talks and with thousands of troops on their way to the Middle East, [9:01] is there a point either a number of ground troops or a number of days at which the President will [9:06] consider seeking authorization? Well as you know right now that formal authorization from [9:11] Congress is not necessary because we're currently in major combat operations in Iran. The Department [9:17] of War and the President, as I said, estimated about a four to six week timeline for the full [9:22] completion of these military combat operations. We're again on day 25 today. And as a [9:28] question to the President, I would like to ask him to give us a few minutes of his time. [9:28] I would like to ask him to give us a few minutes of his time. But courtesy, nevertheless, the [9:29] administration did notify Congress, the Gang of Eight, ahead of the launch of the operation 25 [9:34] days ago. And we've also had our top national security officials go to Capitol Hill to brief [9:39] lawmakers, again, out of courtesy and out of respect for them. So at this moment it's unnecessary [9:45] but of course the President and this administration will always abide by the law. Gabe, do you want to [9:49] have a follow-up? Sure, go ahead. Second question. In my reporting, I speak a lot to young voters, [9:54] many of whom voted for President Trump for the first time in 2024, you know, hoping to have no [9:58] more wars and to have lower prices. Now with the war taking place and with gas prices going up, [10:03] curious what President Trump's message would be to those voters who kind of swung into his [10:06] coalition in 2024 but maybe don't feel the administration's going as they had expected. [10:10] President Trump is doing this for you. He's doing this for young people so that we are no longer [10:15] threatened by a rogue terrorist regime in the Middle East that seeks to kill the brave men [10:20] and women who serve in our country in the Middle East, many of them young people themselves, [10:24] young men and women who serve this country honorably in uniform and have been threatened [10:28] killed and maimed by the rogue Iranian terrorist regime for 47 years. President Trump finally had [10:34] the courage to step up and do what's right by our national security, our homeland security. [10:39] As for the temporary short-term fluctuation in gas prices, the President has said [10:44] once these combat operations are over, this administration is going to continue to unleash [10:49] American energy dominance. We're continuing to do that every day and we're going to see [10:53] prices at the pump go back down just as we have over the past year because of this [10:58] President. And don't think for one second if that the Democrats had their way, gas prices would be [11:04] as they were under the previous administration, the Biden administration, record highs. This [11:09] President is keeping them as low as he can during this short-term combat operation and they're going [11:14] to go right back down when this is over. Thank you, Caroline. [11:16] Thank you, Caroline. Just within the past few hours, Iranian State TV has said that Iran [11:22] has rejected the U.S.'s 15-point plan to end the war. What's the White House's response to that [11:28] and have these talks hit a dead end? They have not. Talks continue. They [11:33] are productive, as the President said on Monday, and they continue to be. [11:37] However, I saw a 15-point plan that was floated in the media. I would caution reporters in this [11:43] room from reporting about speculative points or speculative plans from anonymous sources. [11:48] The White House never confirmed that full plan. There are elements of truth to it, [11:52] but some of the stories I read were not entirely factual. So I am not going to negotiate on behalf [11:58] of the President here at the podium. What I will tell you is these talks are ongoing. We're not [12:02] going to get into the nitty-gritty details that have been exchanged between the United States and [12:07] Iran at this time. Well, yesterday, [12:09] the President mentioned a very big present that the Iranians had given the U.S. He wouldn't go [12:14] into detail, but was it that ship that was carrying two million barrels of oil that [12:18] made it through the state of Hormuz? I'll let the President speak on that [12:21] at the appropriate time. Okay. And then finally, [12:22] Caroline, today, Iraq's government reportedly is planning to lodge a protest. [12:28] With the U.S., according to the Wall Street Journal, there was an attack in Iraq that hit [12:33] a military clinic, killing seven soldiers, reportedly. What's the U.S.'s response to that? [12:38] Was the U.S. responsible for that attack? I'll have to check in with the Pentagon on [12:42] that, and we'll get you an answer. Caroline, too, if I may. Speaker Johnson [12:47] today described the conflict as wrapping up, but the 82nd Airborne Division, they're typically [12:52] deployed at the beginning of conflicts. So does the White House consider this conflict as wrapping [12:58] up, or is it changing shape? As I said, [13:00] at the beginning of my remarks, we are meeting our goals of Operation Epic Fury expeditiously. [13:07] The President likes to maintain options at his disposal. It's the Pentagon's job to provide those [13:13] options to the Commander-in-Chief. For any specifics on troop deployments, though, I would [13:17] point you to the Pentagon. And today, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner reiterated threats [13:22] to potentially arrest ICE agents that were sent in to assist with these historically long TSA [13:30] attacks. He said, quote, the President cannot pardon you. Has the President seen Krasner's [13:34] comments? Does he have any response? The President cannot pardon you for what? [13:37] He's talking to the ICE agents who are handing out water bottles and are helping people move [13:41] through lines at airports. It's a disgraceful comment. The men and women of ICE are great [13:46] people. I would encourage this lawmaker, whose name I don't know and don't care to know, [13:50] to actually sit down and speak with the ICE agents who are on the ground doing this important work, [13:55] not just in our nation's airports, but again, to remove violent, dangerous, [14:00] illegal, alien criminals from our country to protect this individual and all of us in this [14:05] room and Americans across the country from murderers, pedophiles, and rapists who have been [14:10] allowed into our country by Democrat politicians. Mario, good to see you. [14:14] Thank you, Caroline. Good to see you as well. Just given that the President [14:18] postponed his original trip to China because of the war, should we infer that the war will [14:23] be wound down and concluded by the time of that May 15th, 14th visit? [14:28] MS. Again, as I've said, we've [14:30] always estimated approximately four to six weeks, so you can do the math on that, Mario. But we do [14:35] look forward – I know the President looks forward to going to China on May 14th and 15th. And of [14:40] course, as always, we'll provide additional logistical details to all of you in the media [14:44] for that trip, who I know look forward to coming with us as well. [14:47] One follow-up. Was that a precondition? Did the two leaders speak about the conclusion [14:51] of the war? Was that a precondition for them to have this rescheduled meeting? [14:54] MS. No. There was a discussion about the rescheduling of the meeting between the [14:58] President and President Xi. President [15:00] Xi understood that it's very important for the President to be here throughout these combat [15:04] operations right now. He understood, obviously, the request to postpone and accepted it, [15:10] which is why we have new dates on the books, and I'm happy to announce those to you today. [15:14] Jennifer. [15:14] On the negotiations with Iran, are there still face-to-face talks planned, [15:20] perhaps, in Pakistan? And who do you think would probably be going? [15:23] MS. Again, I've seen a lot of speculation and reporting about potential talks that could [15:30] happen later this week. Nothing should be deemed official until it is announced formally by the [15:35] White House. I would not get ahead of our skis on reporting about any talks this weekend until [15:40] you hear directly from us. [15:41] Does the President that all of the allies will go along with whatever the U.S. [15:46] concludes with these Iranians? Are you expecting that Israel and all the other allies will follow [15:51] whatever agreement is made? [15:53] MS. I think the President has shown that he is absolutely the leader of the free world, the head [15:59] of the most powerful military, and I think that he will continue to be the leader of the free world. [16:00] military in the world, and various examples of the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, [16:07] the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, the President has shown a very unique skill at [16:12] getting our allies to get on board with what's in the best interest of the United States [16:15] but also the world in cases of foreign policy like this. [16:18] Ed. [16:20] The Press Thanks, Carolyn. [16:21] So is there a timeframe as to when the first oil tanker can go through the Strait of Hormuz [16:27] freely? [16:28] Ms. It's a very good question, Ed. [16:30] I don't have a specific timeline for you today, but it's obviously something the administration [16:34] is working towards as quickly as we can. [16:36] And with respect to oil, as you know, the administration has taken a number of actions [16:41] to stabilize the markets. [16:42] We directed the U.S. DFC to offer reasonably priced political risk insurance for takers [16:48] through the Strait. [16:49] We issued that temporary waiver to allow countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil to alleviate [16:54] global pressures. [16:56] We're working with the IAEA to coordinate the release of another 400 million barrels [17:00] per liter. [17:00] We issued that 60-day Jones Day Act waiver. [17:03] And then just today, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, if you missed it, in consultation [17:08] with the Department of Energy, announced a temporary emergency fuel waiver to allow nationwide [17:13] sales of E15 gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol to remove all federal impediments [17:19] to selling E10 gasoline across the country. [17:22] The emergency fuel waiver will temporarily waive the summer low volatility requirements [17:27] and blending limitations for gasoline to provide additional fuel. [17:30] So, as far as tankers through the Strait, something we're tracking very closely, but [17:35] obviously the administration is coming up with creative new solutions by the day to [17:39] keep the price of oil stable, something the President wants to see. [17:42] And I know Secretary Besant, Secretary Wright, Secretary Burgum, EPA Administrator Zeldin [17:46] are all working together closely to find ways to do that. [17:49] Q The President gave that five-day timeline for pause in operations. [17:54] Would a tanker going through the Strait of Hormuz be one of the conditions that he would [17:58] extend that? [18:00] MS. [18:01] Well, that's only something the President of the United States can answer. [18:02] I won't get ahead of him. [18:03] Q How about on TSA? [18:04] Can I ask you about the TSA lines? [18:05] MS. [18:06] Sure. [18:07] Q Are the TSA lines, we've all seen the video of that from various airports. [18:09] Is that going to be what ends the stalemate in Congress? [18:11] MS. [18:13] Well, look, it's the Democrats who have led to this stalemate over the past six [18:17] weeks. [18:18] The President and the Republicans' position has been very clear, fund the Department of [18:21] Homeland Security. [18:23] And we have attempted in good faith numerous times, both the President himself and lawmakers [18:28] on the Republican side on Capitol Hill, to go to the Democrats. [18:31] With reasonable offers, with real solutions, they'll ask for something, we'll give them [18:36] that concession, and then they say, oh, wait, that's not enough, actually. [18:39] So I think that's why I said earlier, the cruelty is the point. [18:42] They want this chaos. [18:43] They want to distract, I think, from the success of our military overseas right now, totally [18:47] obliterating the Iranian regime. [18:50] And it's very unfortunate, because there's only – the only people that are suffering [18:54] from this are the American people. [18:56] And I hear that Democrats might be flying out of town tomorrow – how convenient and [18:59] lovely of them. [19:01] But the fact that they get to go to the airport and that they'll get to go home to their [19:04] families when you have families, TSA workers who are suffering, you have people across [19:08] the country who are missing flights for funerals and for work commitments because of Democrat [19:12] politicians on Capitol Hill. [19:13] Mary, in the back. [19:14] Thanks, Caroline. [19:15] I'm glad to see you have a seat now. [19:17] I do. [19:18] Thank you. [19:19] Is the White House satisfied with Republican leadership's efforts on the Save America [19:24] Act? [19:25] I think the President has made it very clear he wants everyone on Capitol Hill to [19:29] move as quickly as possible to the United States. [19:30] Thank you. [19:31] He wants everyone on Capitol Hill to get the Save America Act passed, and he wants [19:33] to see that legislation on his desk as soon as Republicans and Democrats can move to pass [19:39] it. [19:40] But are there any lawmakers in Congress that the President is frustrated with on [19:44] this matter and feels could be doing a better job? [19:46] I think the President wants to see everybody on Capitol Hill move faster all the time. [19:51] He wants everyone in this town to work at Trump's speed like we do here at the White [19:54] House. [19:55] How about you? [19:56] How about you, Karen? [19:58] Two questions on Lebanon, if I can. [19:59] Is the U.S. providing support at this point? [20:00] Is the U.S. providing support at this point? [20:01] No. [20:02] No. [20:03] Okay. [20:04] Is the U.S. providing support at this point for Israel's ongoing offensive in [20:05] Lebanon? [20:06] And is the President concerned that right now there are more than a million people who've [20:09] been displaced and potentially could be for a significant amount of time? [20:12] That's not something I'm in a position to comment on for the first question. [20:15] To the second question, of course that's something that would concern the President. [20:19] I think that's why he's, again, quickly moving to eliminate the threat of the Iranian regime [20:24] in the Middle East, including weakening their proxies like Hezbollah, who have terrorized [20:28] Lebanon for far too long. [20:30] And I know that the President wants to see this. [20:31] Again, I think the President is concerned. [20:32] see this again move as quickly as possible over week as we can over the [20:35] course of the next couple of weeks here if these negotiations are not successful [20:44] is the only option to open to reopen the Strait in boots on the ground given that [20:49] all of our allies have essentially said that they are unable or unwilling to [20:53] help look that's a hypothetical question it's a it's a it's a hypothetical [20:58] question it's also a decision that would have to be made by the commander in [21:01] chief and I'm not gonna get ahead of him what has changed that has made him [21:07] more of an active participant in these negotiations with Iran I don't think [21:12] anything has changed the vice president has always been a key member of the [21:16] president's right-hand man and a key member of the president's national [21:19] security team he's been part of these discussions throughout this entire [21:24] course of the administration with respect again to the 12-day war that the [21:29] president and his national security team [21:31] negotiate with each other and I think that's something that we need to be [21:31] able to negotiate a solution to with respect to the ceasefire between Israel [21:35] and Gaza and the release of the hostages which there was a lot of criticism that [21:39] couldn't get done and it did the vice president has been by the president's [21:42] side every step of the way and any reporting otherwise is just completely [21:46] false I see him in the room again the president seeks his counsel on all [21:50] matters both foreign and domestic who exactly who exactly the u.s. is [21:55] negotiating with in Iran and why the u.s. and this administration trusts that [21:59] person again as I said to Gabe's question [22:01] earlier we're not going to get into the details of these negotiations and [22:04] conversations that continue to take place as of course you can imagine they [22:08] are very sensitive diplomatic discussions and I would reiterate I do [22:12] recall giving all of you the same answer when we were negotiating the ceasefire [22:16] between Israel and Gaza gave you the same answer throughout the 12-day war [22:20] between Iran and Israel gave you the same answer with respect to many of the [22:23] other global conflicts that this administration has negotiated solutions [22:27] to President Trump is going to give his [22:30] diplomats the the freedom that they need to have these sensitive diplomatic [22:34] discussions without negotiating and litigating them through the news media [22:38] Fran because you said that some of the information that's been out there about [22:44] the 15-point plan is inaccurate can you say what is accurate with respect to [22:49] ballistic missiles the nuclear ambitions and the straight of four moves which are [22:54] things that the president has laid out that he wants to see a couple times in [22:57] the past if you've heard it from the President of the United States obviously a [23:01] lot of it's true as well as the objectives of Operation Epic Fury we've [23:04] said repeatedly I've said them from this podium the Pentagon has reiterated them [23:08] that's why we've taken military action to achieve them so of course those are [23:12] goals that we want to see but this full 15-point plan that's been floating [23:16] around in many of your outlets there's a lot of misinformation to that as well and [23:20] again I would caution you from taking things from anonymous sources rather than [23:24] verifying them directly with the White House Christian thanks Carolyn two on Iran [23:31] would the president consider loosening asylum restrictions for Iranians trying [23:36] to flee the country right now again that's a question for the president I [23:39] won't get ahead of him on that I haven't talked to him about that okay and then [23:42] secondly you mentioned at the top that Iran would be hit harder than they have [23:47] been to this point if they don't recognize the fact that they're losing [23:50] this war could those strikes happen before this five-day negotiating window [23:55] closes if the president doesn't think they're negotiating in good faith you're [23:59] asking me to tell you if the [24:01] commander-in-chief would authorize very strong strikes against the Iranian [24:05] regime that's not something I would ever reveal from this podium true or not Phil [24:09] thank you Caroline I was wondering if you would respond to some of this criticism [24:14] of the administration from past allies like Joe Kent who have said that the [24:20] president's red line shifted from Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon to Iran [24:26] cannot pursue nuclear enrichment what is the administration's response to that [24:31] criticism I think the president and I have both strongly responded to the [24:35] criticism by Mr Kent who unfortunately resigned in disgrace and accused the [24:42] president of basically being controlled by foreign countries and foreign [24:45] manipulation which is a ridiculous and laughable assertion so his accusations [24:50] have zero credibility as far as this White House is concerned the pressure [24:53] from the red line shifting from no nuclear weapon issue no nuclear enrichment does is there any substance of that argument I think that's an valid action [25:01] I think the President has been quite clear in what he wants to see from the Iranian regime, [25:04] which is why he chose to launch Operation Epic Fury in the first place. [25:07] Reagan. [25:08] The Press Thank you, Caroline. [25:09] I have a question for you on the SAVE Act, and I'd like to follow up on the DHS shutdown. [25:14] Ms. Sure. [25:15] The Press First, Senator Mike Lee — [25:16] Ms. The SAVE America Act. [25:17] The Press SAVE America Act. [25:18] The President corrected me yesterday. [25:19] That was my fault. [25:20] Senator Mike Lee said it's essentially impossible to pass the SAVE America Act through reconciliation. [25:27] What's your reaction to that? [25:28] Does the President worry that that strategy might fail? [25:30] Ms. I think he's willing to try all strategies. [25:33] I spoke with him about this yesterday, and he said if we can make it work through reconciliation, [25:38] let's absolutely do that. [25:39] These, again, are common-sense policies that are backed by the vast majority of voters [25:44] across this country. [25:46] The only people in this country who don't support them are politicians on Capitol Hill, [25:50] and you all should ask them why they don't want voter ID, why they don't want proof of [25:53] citizenship to vote in our nation's elections. [25:55] Again, these are common-sense proposals. [25:58] They're wildly popular, and the President is willing to use any means necessary to get [26:02] this legislation passed and onto his desk. [26:04] And then on the DHS shutdown, do you expect deportations to decrease while ICE is [26:09] in the airports? [26:10] And what are the tradeoffs of having ICE in the airports right now? [26:13] Ms. Well, to address this obviously short-term problem and the chaos that has been [26:18] sowed by these Democrats on Capitol Hill, to address the lines and to get Americans [26:23] traveling and get them to where they need to be. [26:26] So the President — I think this was a creative solution. [26:28] Again, that was criticized, but we have seen wait times decrease, not as much as we'd like. [26:34] Hopefully they will continue to, but at major airports over the course of the last few days [26:38] as ICE has been facilitating with travelers in these airports. [26:41] Caroline. [26:42] The Press. [26:43] The Press. [26:44] The Press. [26:45] The Press. [26:46] The Press. [26:47] The Press. [26:48] The Press. [26:49] The Press. [26:50] The Press. [26:51] The Press. [26:52] The Press. [26:53] The Press. [26:54] The Press. [26:55] The Press. [26:56] The Press. [26:57] Ms. Yeah. [26:59] The Press. [27:00] Ms. Yeah. [27:01] The Press. [27:02] The Press. [27:03] The Press. [27:04] Ms. Tamaki. [27:05] The Press. [27:06] The Press. [27:07] The Press. [27:08] The Press. [27:09] The Press. [27:10] I think theow obviously believes the United States wants to have someone in leadership [27:11] position in the Iranian regime that willbe much more favorable, that [27:12] will be willing to work withthe United States, that will no longer chant death toAmerica. [27:13] These would obviously be good common sense things for the United States and for our allies. [27:19] And I think that's what the President meant when he spoke [27:24] withreuters that day. [27:25] Go ahead. [27:26] in Iran because the regime has changed in terms of the leadership their entire [27:34] leadership has been killed and nobody has really seen or legitimately heard [27:39] from this alleged new leader so wouldn't you say there's been a change in the [27:43] regime there's been a change in leadership I mean do you feel as though [27:46] leadership which is what the president said so thank you for confirming he was [27:49] right I mean do you feel as though you've you've achieved leadership level [27:56] or the personnel in place right now in Iran that you're satisfied with I mean [28:00] have you think it's too soon to say highly enriched in rain uranium in Iran [28:05] right now is your expectation I mean the stated desire of the president has been [28:09] to prevent nuclear weapons is your expectation that the endgame here is [28:14] that eventually Americans will be in possession of that uranium or you'll [28:18] you'll somehow have some direct control over the highly enriched uranium that [28:23] could be used again this is a point of [28:26] conversation that continues I think you know the means in which the United [28:30] States would have to take in order to achieve that goal and that's a decision [28:34] for the president to make Brian good to see you Brian Glenn good to see you as [28:39] well there's a White House have a comment on a letter that was sent from [28:44] congressman Raskin to the DOJ alleging that the DOJ recklessly released damning [28:53] information in regards to the president and the president and the president's [28:56] documents yes I saw that letter from congressman Raskin this morning who I [29:01] would add has zero credibility and this letter was clearly a cheap political [29:06] stunt what the congressman did here Brian and for everyone in the room who's [29:10] hopefully not reporting on this as fact is that he took untrue and salacious [29:15] claims in a memo that was produced by Jack Smith who has been completely [29:19] discredited for his lawfare and his witch hunts against this president and that [29:25] information was unverified [29:26] it never even made it into the indictment because it was so unverified [29:30] and what happened to that indictment anyway it was thrown out and Jack Smith [29:34] has been proven again to be a prosecutor on a witch hunt against President Trump [29:38] he tried to throw him in jail ahead of the 2024 election the Biden Department [29:42] of Justice was fully on board with this lawfare campaign and in fact this story [29:47] that was concocted by congressman Raskin was so ridiculous I understand his [29:52] communications team reached out to some outlets in this room who responsibly [29:55] said [29:56] we're not going to write this because this is just too much [29:59] however of course MSNOW did write that story this morning because they [30:03] continue to be left-wing propaganda for the Democrat Party but I think Jack [30:07] Smith has been proven to be a liar and a fraud and this is again a cheap [30:11] political stunt from a Democrat on Capitol Hill who I think wants to get [30:14] himself on cable television [30:16] thank you all very much