Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Briefs Members of the Media, Mar. 30, 2026

[0:07] Good afternoon, everyone. Could you hear our amen in there? We just said a little loud prayer as a [0:12] team. In this Holy Week, President Trump and the First Lady are joining in prayer with Christians [0:18] celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. On Wednesday, the President [0:23] will host an Easter lunch in the East Room with faith leaders across the country to celebrate [0:29] Holy Week. With respect to the ongoing major combat operations in Iran, Operation Epic Fury [0:35] is moving ahead successfully and according to plan. With each passing day, the United States [0:40] military is increasing its advantage over the terrorist Iranian regime. More than 11,000 enemy [0:47] targets have been struck to date, each strike further crippling the regime's offensive and [0:52] defensive capabilities and creating more leverage for the United States and our allies. Compared to [0:59] the start of the operation, Iran's ballistic missile and drone attacks are down by roughly [1:04] 90%. [1:05] The United States is also decimating the Iranian regime's navy. We have destroyed more than [1:11] 150 of their naval vessels so far, including 92% of their largest vessels. The Iranian [1:18] navy has no vessels operating in major regional waterways and no ability to project naval [1:24] power, which is why they've been assessed as combat ineffective. Our military continues [1:30] to obliterate Iran's defense industrial base with nearly 70% of the military's weapons. [1:34] 70% of their missile, drone, and naval production facilities and shipyards [1:39] damaged or destroyed thus far, significantly reducing their ability to [1:44] pose future threats in the region. U.S. and Israeli joint forces control the [1:49] skies and have asserted air dominance over Iran, completing more than 11,000 [1:55] successful combat flights thus far. The trend remains clear. The United States is [2:01] conducting more intense targeted strikes with devastating combat power [2:05] with each passing day to destroy the threat posed by the Iranian terrorist [2:10] regime, as President Trump sought out to do a month ago. It's no surprise that we [2:15] are seeing the remaining elements of the regime become increasingly eager to end [2:19] the destruction and come to the negotiating table while they still can. [2:23] Despite all of the public posturing you hear from the regime and false reporting, [2:28] talks are continuing and going well. [2:31] Thank you. [2:31] What is said publicly is of course much different than what's being [2:34] communicated to us privately. As a result, President Trump issued a 10-day pause to [2:39] postpone planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure. [2:44] This remains a truly once-in-a-generation opportunity for the [2:48] regime to make a good deal with the United States, permanently abandon their [2:52] nuclear ambitions, and stop acting as the world's leading state sponsor of [2:57] terrorism. If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the great [3:01] military in the history of the world continues to stand by to provide President [3:05] Trump with every option available to ensure this regime continues to pay a [3:10] grave price. One way or another, Iran will no longer have the credible ability to [3:16] threaten the United States or our allies, which is of course the overall objective [3:21] admission the President set out when he launched Operation Epic Fury. Unfortunately, [3:26] even as President Trump is working hard every single day to protect the United States from [3:31] foreign enemies, Democrats on Capitol Hill have failed to do the same here at [3:35] home by keeping the Department of Homeland Security unfunded. Over the past [3:40] six weeks, Democrats in Congress have pushed our air travel system to its [3:44] breaking point and inflicted massive pain on Americans with their reckless [3:48] political games. 500 TSA officers quit their jobs. [3:52] Thousands more were calling out sick at record rates due to the lack of pay. This [3:57] resulted in security wait times exceeding three hours at major airports across [4:01] the country, creating nightmares for millions of Americans. Overall morale among TSA staff [4:07] plummeted as well, all of this creating an unacceptable heightened security risk. Because [4:13] of the Democrats' unwillingness to do their basic job of funding DHS, President Trump [4:18] determined that these circumstances constituted an emergency, compromising American security. [4:24] That's why last week he accordingly signed a presidential memorandum directing the Secretary [4:29] of Homeland Security to work with the Director of the Department of Homeland Security to [4:31] help the President and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget here at the White House to use those funds with a [4:35] reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations to provide TSA employees with [4:42] the compensation and benefits that would have accrued to them but for the [4:46] Democrat-led DHS shutdown. This bold and necessary action by President Trump will [4:52] ensure our TSA workers receive their hard-earned paychecks. It should not have [4:56] come to this point, but President Trump will always do what's right by the [5:00] American people and the American people. [5:01] And he found a way to do that to get TSA paid. Ensuring that these federal workers [5:06] who perform critical public safety responsibilities can feed their families, pay their rent and [5:11] show up to work is something the President was honored to do. But this moment should [5:15] be an eye-opening one for the American people. Let's be clear about what is happening. [5:21] Democrat members of Congress are more than happy to put your safety at risk because they [5:25] oppose the President's administration and his administration's efforts to enforce our [5:30] nation's immigration laws. [5:31] Democrats refuse to fund ICE because they want millions and millions of illegal aliens [5:36] to pour into the country just like they were under the Biden administration. They want [5:41] murderers and rapists and thugs to remain in your communities rather than be removed [5:45] by ICE and Border Patrol agents. The Democrats created this mess. They are the reason for [5:51] long lines at airports and tens of thousands of employees going without pay. Once again, [5:57] President Trump is cleaning up their mess because he cares more about the American people [6:01] than he cares about society. [6:02] We're now really waiting for you to realize that the primary element is real estate prices [6:09] and the most stale security in the world. [6:15] There are some concerns the administration is starting to change its position on deportations, [6:23] border enforcement, possibly asylum policies. What would you say to Americans who are somewhat [6:28] concerned that the shift has- [6:29] Sure, I'm shocked by the preaching of Andreas Schwarzer as the chairman of the Democratic [6:30] Committee of the United States and why that part was getting done, though we all know he was beaten almost a million times by an cheers citizens' power. [6:31] Hi, I'm Graham. I'm here for March 28th campaign I'm some time court members of any sex gebeying [6:31] Secretary Mullen joining the President's Cabinet, I can assure the American people there has [6:36] not been a change in policy. [6:38] It has always been the policy of this President and this administration to deport the worst [6:43] of the worst illegal alien criminals from our communities. [6:46] That's something I know Secretary Mullen remains wholeheartedly committed to doing. [6:50] And it's something that is overwhelmingly popular with the American people. [6:53] And it's something that is necessary to protect our homeland and to prevent deaths of Americans [6:59] in our country. [7:00] Last week, Sheridan Gorman, a young woman in Chicago, was shot and killed on the street [7:05] walking with her friends outside of her university by a legal alien from Venezuela who had no [7:10] right to be here in the first place. [7:13] And it's despicable that Democrats are currently defunding the department that's responsible [7:17] for removing illegal aliens like that. [7:20] And I would also add it's despicable that the lack of coverage of this young woman's [7:24] case of her life and the way that it was tragically cut short. [7:28] I saw a survey over the weekend. [7:30] That I'd like to bring to all of your attention. [7:32] This is the media coverage of the case of Sheridan Gorman. [7:35] You have ABC News has spent one minute and 19 seconds between two days when this case [7:42] was first alerted. [7:44] You have CBS, two minutes and one second. [7:47] You have NBC, 23 seconds spent on the life of a young, beautiful American woman whose [7:53] life was taken short by an illegal alien who should have never been here in the first place [7:57] when we are in the middle of a battle on Capitol Hill. [8:00] With a major political party, the Democrat party, who wants to defund the agency that [8:04] is responsible for protecting Americans. [8:06] I think her life was worth more than 23 seconds on cable television. [8:10] And I think the people in this room have a responsibility to report on cases like this [8:15] because it just exemplifies why the President believes so strongly in deporting illegal [8:19] aliens from our communities. [8:20] And thank you for the question. [8:21] The Press Secretary? [8:22] Ms. Dasha, go ahead. [8:23] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:24] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:25] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:26] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:27] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:28] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:29] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:30] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:31] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:32] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:33] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:34] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:35] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:36] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:37] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:38] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:39] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:40] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:41] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:42] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:43] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:44] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:45] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:46] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:47] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:48] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:49] The Press Secretary Dasha, go ahead. [8:50] who can accidentally implement it? [8:52] Ms. Well, that's part of the ongoing process [8:53] that's taking place and the ongoing negotiations. [8:56] Of course, anything that they say to us privately [8:58] will be tested, and we will ensure [9:01] that they are being held accountable to their word. [9:03] And if they are not, the President has laid out [9:04] the military consequences that the Iranian regime will see [9:08] if they don't hold true to the words [9:10] that we are hearing privately behind the scenes. [9:12] When the President says more reasonable, [9:14] again, these folks are appearing more reasonable [9:16] behind the scenes privately in these conversations [9:19] than perhaps some of the previous leaders [9:21] who are now no longer on planet Earth [9:23] because they lied to the United States [9:25] and they strung us along in negotiations, [9:28] and that was unacceptable to the President, [9:30] which is why many of the previous leaders were killed. [9:33] So, again, this is another historic opportunity [9:35] for Iran to do the right thing, [9:37] to rid themselves of their nuclear ambitions [9:40] and to come to a deal with this President [9:42] and the administration. [9:43] Or, again, they will see the grave consequences [9:46] of the United States Armed Forces, [9:47] which they are continuing to see [9:49] every day throughout this operation. [9:50] The Press On DHS, how long can the administration [9:54] keep paying TSA without action from Congress? [9:57] And not to be hyperbolic, but given the — [10:00] the airports were really the pain point [10:02] that was pushing both sides to talk to each other. [10:05] I mean, do you see a way for DHS to reopen? [10:09] Is it possible that this keeps going through the midterms? [10:11] Ms. Well, we certainly hope so. [10:13] I mean, of course, the President just can't keep [10:15] signing presidential memorandums and proclamations [10:18] every time Congress fails to do its job [10:20] and every time Democrats are holding [10:23] our entire country hostage, picking and choosing [10:25] which programs and agencies they want to fund [10:28] just because they don't like this administration's policies. [10:31] That's not how it's supposed to work. [10:33] They voted seven times against funding DHS [10:37] over partisan and political reasons. [10:39] And so, again, the President has stepped in [10:41] to do the right thing at this moment in time, [10:43] but the President is also encouraging Congress [10:45] to come back to Washington to permanently fix this, [10:48] this problem, and to fund and reopen [10:51] the Department of Homeland Security entirely. [10:53] The Press Thank you, Caroline. [10:55] Two questions, one on TSA, one on Iran. [10:58] On TSA, for ordinary Americans watching the briefing, [11:02] how long until everything goes back to normal [11:05] at airports after the President's action? [11:07] And then on Iran, on the timeframe, [11:09] President Trump initially said about four weeks. [11:12] Secretary of State Rubio on Friday reportedly said [11:14] it might be another two to four. [11:16] Is two to four the current ballpark that the administration — [11:18] is thinking? [11:20] Ms. With respect to the timeline, again, [11:21] the President, Commander-in-Chief, [11:23] the Pentagon has always stated four to six weeks [11:25] estimated timeline for Operation Epic Fury. [11:28] We're on day 30 today. [11:31] So, again, you do the math on how much longer we — [11:34] the Pentagon needs to fully achieve the objectives [11:37] of Operation Epic Fury, which I will reiterate — [11:39] destroy the Iranian Navy, destroy their ballistic missiles, [11:42] dismantle their missile and drone production infrastructure, [11:46] significantly weaken their proxies, [11:48] throughout the course of this operation, [11:50] and then, of course, preventing Iran [11:52] from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. [11:55] To your first question, Steven, about TSA and airports, [11:58] nothing will be truly normal again [12:00] until Democrats do the right thing [12:01] to fund this agency fully. [12:03] Again, the President has stepped in in the meantime [12:05] to do what's right to end this crisis [12:08] that we've had at air travel [12:10] and at airports across the country in the meantime. [12:13] But again, Congress needs to come back. [12:14] Democrats need to fund the Department of Homeland Security, [12:17] so we can formally and fully get these great employees [12:20] paid long into the future. [12:24] Jonathan. [12:25] The Press Thanks a lot, Caroline. [12:26] Two questions regarding the financial costs of the war. [12:29] Back during the Persian Gulf War, 1990-1991, [12:33] Arab countries paid for the vast majority [12:35] of the costs of the war — [12:37] Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE. [12:39] Who's paying for the costs of this war? [12:42] Will those Arab countries step up to do just that? [12:45] Ms. Well, I think it's something [12:46] the President would be quite interested in. [12:48] I'm not interested in calling them to do. [12:50] I won't get ahead of him on that. [12:52] But certainly, it's an idea that I know that he has [12:54] and something that I think you'll hear more from him on. [12:57] The Press And secondly, the cost of diesel [13:00] is averaging at $5.38 a gallon right now. [13:03] What's the message from the Trump administration [13:07] to truck drivers who are dealing [13:08] with those high fuel costs right now? [13:10] Ms. Again, we understand, we hear you, [13:12] we see you, we are fully tracking [13:14] this short-term fluctuation in oil and in diesel prices. [13:18] And that's why the President and the administration [13:20] have continually announced robust actions [13:22] to provide stability in the global energy market. [13:26] As you know, political risk insurance, [13:27] one of those actions allowing countries [13:30] to purchase sanctioned oil [13:31] just to increase the supply. [13:33] In the meantime, we've worked to release [13:35] 400 billion barrels of oil in refined products as well. [13:40] We issued the 60-Day Jones Act waiver. [13:42] All of this has — with the goal of increasing supply [13:46] to create stabilization in the market. [13:48] In the meantime, but the overall message, [13:51] as we've repeatedly stated, is, again, [13:52] these are short-term actions and short-term price fluctuations [13:57] for the long-term benefit of ending the threat [14:01] that Iran poses to the United States of America, [14:04] our troops, and our allies in the region, [14:06] and ensuring that this regime can no longer control [14:09] the world's free flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz, [14:12] which is something the administration continues [14:14] to tackle day by day as well. [14:16] Jennifer. [14:17] The Press Just two questions. [14:18] The Press Oh, it's Jennifer. [14:19] The Press I'll go to both of them. [14:20] The Press Go ahead. [14:22] The Press So, two questions. [14:23] One on China and one on Iran. [14:26] On China, ahead of the President's trip to Beijing, [14:28] will there be a working-level meeting with Secretary Besant, [14:31] Jameson Greer, et cetera, and when will that be? [14:33] Ms. I do expect Cabinet officials [14:36] to travel to China ahead of time. [14:38] I don't have a readout on their schedules for you, [14:40] but this is something we typically do [14:41] with international travel, as you know. [14:43] So I'll talk to the Treasury Department [14:45] and the Cabinet myself, and we'll get you that answer. [14:47] But we do expect them to move ahead of time. [14:49] The Press Okay, and thank you. [14:50] And on Iran, if Iran is kind of cherry-picking [14:54] what tankers get to go through the Strait now [14:56] and contemplating big tolls on those tankers, [14:59] is that consistent, or how is that consistent, [15:01] really, with the President's message [15:02] about really wanting the Strait to be fully open? [15:05] Like, does the administration support a regime or system [15:08] where Iran is effectively charging tolls [15:10] on these vessels to access? [15:12] Ms. That's not something we support, [15:13] and I would reject that they are cherry-picking. [15:15] In fact, as you know, [15:17] the new tankers that are moving through the 10 [15:19] that were previously announced and now the new 20, [15:22] the announcement of 20 additional tankers, [15:24] which we expect to see over the coming days, [15:26] are a result of the direct and indirect talks [15:29] that are taking place between the United States and Iran. [15:31] So you wouldn't have seen those tankers [15:33] if not for the President's diplomacy [15:34] and his team engaging on this matter, [15:37] which we expect that compliance moving forward. [15:39] And it's, again, something that we're working on very closely. [15:41] The Press Caroline. [15:42] The Press Sure. [15:43] Behind the back, right there, you put up your hand very excitedly. [15:47] Go ahead. [15:48] The Press Hannah from News Nation. [15:49] Thank you. [15:50] The Press Thanks for taking my question. [15:52] I have two for you real quick. [15:54] There are reports that Republicans [15:55] are weighing cuts to healthcare in order to make way [15:58] for that $200 billion for the Pentagon [16:01] and Operation Epic Fury. [16:02] Is that a tradeoff that President Trump supports? [16:05] Ms. I've seen these reports. [16:06] I haven't spoken to the President about it, [16:08] nor have I heard this being discussed [16:10] in any high-level meetings here at the White House. [16:12] I don't want to weigh in definitively [16:14] because I just haven't heard that being discussed [16:16] here in the West Wing. [16:17] The Press And then secondly, [16:18] I know President Trump says we're ahead of schedule [16:21] in achieving his military objectives in Iran. [16:23] He laid out that four- to six-week timetable [16:26] for this conflict, and we're now within week five. [16:30] So how do you square kind of those two? [16:32] Ms. Well, four- to six-weeks estimated timeline. [16:35] Again, you just said we're on day 30 of the operation. [16:38] I just provided you with some of the updates [16:40] from the Pentagon directly in achieving the objectives. [16:44] And the military has been enormously successful. [16:46] I think we should all [16:47] be very proud of our armed forces [16:49] for what they have done over the past 30 days. [16:51] The mission will continue until the objectives are achieved, [16:54] and that four- to six-week timeline does remain right now. [16:56] I don't have any updates for you on that. [16:58] The Press Carolina. [16:59] The Press Yeah, like others, one on TSA, one on Iran. [17:03] On Iran, I know it's tough to engage in hypotheticals, [17:07] but I feel like this is one that you could engage in. [17:09] If the President does seek- [17:11] Ms. Probably not. [17:13] The Press If the President does seek, [17:14] or the United States seeks a ground war, [17:15] does he intend to get congressional authorization? [17:18] Ms. I don't think so. [17:19] The Press I don't think he's going to get any of that much. [17:21] Ms. Look, the President has been asked about boots on the ground [17:24] or alleged ground operations various times. [17:26] He's obviously declined to rule them out. [17:29] It's the Pentagon's job to provide maximum optionality [17:32] to the President. [17:33] It does not mean he's made a decision, [17:35] nor would he ever notify the media of such decision [17:38] as not to tip off our enemy. [17:40] With respect to abiding by Congress and the rule of law, [17:43] that's something the administration will, [17:45] of course, always do. [17:46] And it's something that we have- We have a lot of work to do. [17:48] Ms. Yeah. [17:48] The Press We have great respect for Congress. [17:49] The President does with military operations. [17:52] In fact, when-prior to the launch of Operation Epic Fury, [17:56] as you know, the administration gave a courtesy notice [17:59] to Congress in the Gang of Eight. [18:00] And top-level administration officials [18:02] and Cabinet secretaries have gone to Congress multiple times [18:05] over the past 30 days to provide those courtesy briefings [18:09] to Congress when requested. [18:10] The Press On TSA quickly. [18:11] I was-I've been asked by multiple Trump supporters [18:15] that have said, given the fact that the President on that Friday [18:18] gave that memorandum informing DHS to pay TSA workers, [18:22] I know there's a lot of negotiations involved [18:23] in a shutdown of this size. [18:25] Why did the President not sooner issue that payment to TSA workers? [18:29] Ms. Well, it's because of the Democrats voting seven times [18:32] against reopening the Department of Homeland Security [18:34] that we came to a place of an existential crisis. [18:37] I mean, you saw the lines at various major airports [18:40] across the country, American travelers [18:43] really paying the price for Democrats' partisan games. [18:46] And so, the President worked. [18:47] He worked with his legal team here at the White House [18:49] and the Office of Management and Budget to find a solution [18:53] to take care of the emergency that we were seeing [18:55] in air travel across the country. [18:57] And it's because of the President [18:59] that TSA agents are being paid. [19:01] But again, he's calling on Congress to do the right thing, [19:03] to come back to Washington, and to fund and reopen [19:06] the Department of Homeland Security fully. [19:07] The Press All right. [19:09] Ms. Sure. [19:09] The Press Hi, Lindsay Ellis [19:10] from The Wall Street Journal. [19:11] I'm trying to square the four objectives laid out [19:13] by the administration with the goal of reopening fully [19:17] the Strait of Hormuz. [19:17] Would President Trump declare victory [19:20] and wind down military operations [19:22] if the four objectives are met, [19:23] but still passage remains quite slow through the Strait? [19:26] Ms. Look, as I've said repeatedly, [19:28] and as the President has laid out, [19:29] the objectives of Operation Epic Fury are as follows. [19:32] Destroying the Iranian Navy, [19:34] destroying their ballistic missiles, [19:36] dismantling their defense industrial infrastructure [19:39] that produces those weapons [19:40] that have long threatened the United States and our allies, [19:43] and then, of course, preventing Iran [19:45] from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. [19:47] The full reopening of the Strait is something [19:49] the administration is working towards, [19:51] but the core objectives of the operation [19:53] have been clearly defined for the American people [19:55] by the Commander-in-Chief. [19:56] The Press The President posted this morning [19:59] about his threat that on leaving Iran, [20:02] he said we might be blowing up and completely obliterating [20:05] all of their electric generating plants, [20:07] oil wells, hard island, [20:09] and possibly all desalinization plants. [20:11] Under international law, striking civilian infrastructure [20:14] like that is generally prohibited. [20:16] Why is the President threatening, [20:18] what would amount to potentially a war crime [20:20] with the U.S. military? [20:21] And how do you square that with the administration [20:23] repeatedly saying that the U.S. does not target civilians? [20:26] Ms. Look, the President has made it quite clear [20:28] to the Iranian regime at this moment in time, [20:30] as evidenced by the statement that you just read, [20:33] that their best move is to make a deal, [20:36] or else the United States Armed Forces [20:38] has capabilities beyond their wildest imagination, [20:41] and the President is not afraid to use them. [20:44] That's not what I said, Garrett. [20:46] And you're saying the word potential [20:47] for a reason, because I'm sure some experts [20:50] are telling you that in your ear [20:52] to try to ask me that question. [20:53] Of course, this administration [20:55] and the United States Armed Forces [20:56] will always act within the confines of the law. [21:00] But with respect to achieving the full objectives [21:02] of Operation Epic Fury, [21:03] President Trump is going to move forward unabated, [21:06] and he expects the Iranian regime [21:08] to make a deal with the administration. [21:10] The Press Haley, go ahead. [21:11] The Press Haley, go ahead. [21:12] The Press Haley, go ahead. [21:13] The Press Thanks, Caroline. [21:14] I want to follow up on that. [21:15] The Press Haley, go ahead. [21:17] The Press Thanks, Caroline. [21:17] I want to follow up on Iran. [21:19] When you're describing that the Iranians [21:21] you're in contact with are being more reasonable [21:24] this time around in discussions, [21:25] what specifically are you hearing [21:27] that is leading you to that conclusion? [21:29] And how are you defining what's reasonable [21:31] versus unreasonable in that regard? [21:33] Ms. I'm not going to detail [21:34] the private, insensitive conversations [21:36] that are taking place between the United States [21:38] and Iran right now. [21:39] The Press But generally speaking? [21:40] Ms. Generally speaking, [21:41] the President gave you the answer. [21:42] What we're hearing from them is more reasonable. [21:44] They have agreed to some of the points [21:46] the United States laid out. [21:47] As the President said last night aboard Air Force One. [21:50] But again, as for the specifics, [21:51] as these negotiations are ongoing, [21:53] we're not going to broadcast them to the world [21:55] unless the President chooses to do so, [21:56] which he has the full right to do [21:58] as the leader of the free world. [21:59] The Press [22:01] The Press On Cuba, the President threatened [22:02] to tear up any country that would send oil to Cuba. [22:06] But now the U.S. is letting this Russian tanker to Cuba. [22:10] Is this a policy change, [22:11] or is he willing to let more tankers into Cuba now? [22:15] Ms. This is not a policy change. [22:17] There has not been a formal change in sanction policy. [22:21] As the President said last night, [22:23] we allowed this ship to reach Cuba [22:24] in order to provide humanitarian needs to the Cuban people. [22:28] These decisions are being made on a case-by-case basis. [22:31] And as the administration has said, [22:33] Cuba's nonfunctional economy cannot be fixed [22:35] unless they undergo dramatic political and leadership change. [22:38] But there has been no formal change [22:40] with respect to sanction policy. [22:42] The Press So you could expect more tankers [22:44] to go to Cuba? [22:45] Ms. Again, these decisions are being made [22:47] on a case-by-case basis. [22:47] Right now. [22:48] The Press Thanks, Carolina. [22:50] You addressed this a little bit in the opening, [22:52] but just to follow up, because Americans are sort of seeing [22:53] these conflicting messages between the United States [22:56] and Iran. [22:56] I know the President insists that negotiations are underway. [22:59] As you just mentioned, he's also said that Iran has agreed [23:02] to most of the 15 points. [23:04] We just heard from Iran again. [23:05] They're saying no negotiations are taking place. [23:07] They're calling the proposal excessive, unrealistic. [23:11] So how do you square that? [23:12] What is it? [23:13] How do you explain that discrepancy between the two? [23:15] Ms. I think the American people are smart enough, [23:17] not to be afraid to say, [23:17] not to take the word of a terrorist regime [23:20] that has chanted death to America for 47 years [23:23] at their word. [23:24] And I hope the journalists in this room are wise enough [23:26] not to take an Iranian regime that has repeatedly lied [23:30] about our country, about our values, [23:33] about everyone in this room, frankly, for nearly five decades. [23:37] So I think the American public are smart enough [23:39] to understand that. [23:40] The Press Just to follow up on the objectives. [23:41] You've laid them out, but I know the President [23:42] has set a deadline for April 6th, in just one week. [23:46] What does the President need? [23:47] What does he need to see to not move forward [23:49] with those strikes by April 6th? [23:51] Ms. Well, I think he said it in his [23:52] True Social post this morning. [23:53] He wants to see a deal over the next 10 days. [23:56] That timeline is waning, several days left. [24:00] And we'll see. [24:01] I won't get ahead of it. [24:02] We'll see what happens at the end of the 10-day period. [24:05] Ed. [24:05] The Press Caroline, thank you. [24:06] One on Iran, one on the shutdown. [24:08] The President continues to say the U.S. [24:09] is in conversations with a more reasonable regime, [24:13] but there are now hundreds of U.S. [24:15] special operations forces, including Navy SEALs, [24:18] and army rangers in the middle east as well as thousands of other troops already deployed [24:22] so is he trying to end or intensify the conflict the president is focused on achieving the [24:28] objectives of operation epic fury with respect to forces that are on the ground in the middle east [24:34] it's the job of the pentagon to create maximum optionality for the commander-in-chief it does [24:39] not mean the president has made any additional decisions again he remains focused on ensuring [24:45] that the pentagon continues to achieve the objectives of the operation that was launched [24:49] 30 days ago and we're well on our way to doing that so if an american sit at home hearing him [24:54] say i want to talk but i keep seeing them send troops to that region what are they to make of [25:00] what's going on there's two tracks here the president has always said that diplomacy [25:04] is his number one option in priority again he tried earnestly in good faith to engage in [25:10] diplomacy with the iranian regime prior to this operation being launched in the first [25:15] time in the first place and he's been doing that for a long time and he's been doing that for a [25:15] long time in the first place he wanted to strike a deal and he sent his top negotiators to do so [25:20] they spent extensive amount of time and effort trying to strike a deal and unfortunately of the [25:25] previous regime again many of those leaders no longer with us here on earth because they [25:30] faced the consequences of the united states military so if there's ever a chance for a deal [25:35] again the president is open to listening but it does not deter him from focusing on the military [25:40] objectives that he set out 30 days ago and that our military is continuing to achieve [25:45] day by day on the shutdown he signed the national national emergency order last thursday making sure [25:52] tsa officers will be paid there's still other civilian dhs employees however who are not being [25:58] paid he signed something similar to ensure they also get there look the president will always [26:02] look into ways that we can make sure that the american people are being taken care of and [26:06] doing what's right by the american people but again it's ridiculous that the president even [26:11] has to go to the length of working with the legal team and the office of management and [26:15] budget to identify these funds it is the job of congress to fund these agencies and democrats in [26:21] congress have voted seven times against funding the department of homeland security congress [26:26] should come back and they should get it done the president again made the decision to prevent this [26:31] existential crisis we were seeing at our nation's airports across the country that was only going to [26:35] get worse and that's why he wants congress to do his job i'll go to you as well since you mentioned [26:45] the national emergency order and i'm going to ask you about something the pope said yesterday so [26:49] pope leo said yesterday and i quote him god does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war [26:55] can you comment on that i think our nation was a nation founded 250 years ago almost on judeo [27:04] christian values and we've seen presidents we've seen the leaders of the department of war and we've [27:12] seen our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation and we've seen [27:15] our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation's history and i don't think [27:16] there's anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the american [27:22] people to pray for our service members and those who are are serving our country overseas in fact [27:28] i think it's a very noble thing to do and if you talk to many service members they will tell you [27:32] they appreciate the prayers and support from the commander-in-chief and from his cabinet carolyn [27:38] thank you president trump told the new york post that a response is coming shortly to tehran [27:43] attacking israel's largest oil refinery the president told the new york post that a response is coming shortly to tehran attacking israel's largest oil refinery [27:46] the president told the new york post that a response is coming shortly to tehran attacking israel's largest oil refinery is there a timeline on that is that tied to [27:49] is there a timeline on that is that tied to [28:16] is there a timeline on that is that tied to um and so that's part of this diplomatic [28:18] um and so that's part of this diplomatic [28:18] um and so that's part of this diplomatic process that's underway right now [28:20] process that's underway right now [28:20] process that's underway right now i'll take a few more [28:22] i'll take a few more [28:22] i'll take a few more thank you um you listed the described [28:26] thank you um you listed the described [28:26] thank you um you listed the described humanitarian reasons [28:28] humanitarian reasons [28:28] humanitarian reasons for allowing that oil tanker to reach [28:30] for allowing that oil tanker to reach [28:30] for allowing that oil tanker to reach cuba [28:31] cuba [28:31] cuba just to clarify why was the administration [28:34] just to clarify why was the administration [28:34] just to clarify why was the administration okay with russia sending that oil to cuba [28:37] okay with russia sending that oil to cuba [28:37] and not other nations look again this was a decision it'll continue to be made on a case [28:42] by case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise but there's been no firm change [28:46] in our sanctions policy president scheinbaum of mexico also said that mexico is exploring [28:50] different ways to restart uh some of those shipments to cuba is the administration okay [28:55] with that at this time again there's been no change in our sanction policy we still reserve [28:59] the right to to seize vessels if it's legally applicable that are headed towards cuba and that [29:04] violate the united states sanction policy but of course the president and the administration [29:08] also reserve the right to waive those those seizures on a case-by-case basis clarify just [29:14] any more russian oil tankers going to be allowed to reach cuba at this time i know you say case [29:18] by case but for the case of russia is it pretty much green light right now no that's not what i [29:23] said it's a case-by-case basis sure jeff go ahead um switching topics the president has always [29:30] attended cpac he did not this year why did he not attend and [29:34] does he believe cpac is becoming less relevant no i don't think he believes that at all in fact he [29:40] loves cpac and has a very good relationship with the great people who run it mercedes and matt [29:45] schlapp it was just simply for scheduling purposes this year with it being in texas [29:50] it was best for the president's schedule and what he has on his plate right now not to go [29:56] michael thank you carolyn if and when the deal is finalized with iran [30:00] how does the u.s provide protection to who it's negotiating with to ensure that they [30:04] can carry out the president's peace plan again that's something i'm sure our national security [30:09] team is is discussing i don't have anything for you on that today can you tell us more about this [30:14] massive military complex underneath the president's new ballroom i cannot tell you more [30:20] about that actually as a matter of fact however the military is making some upgrades to their [30:26] facilities here at the white house and i'm not privy to provide any more details on that at this [30:31] time go ahead reagan thanks carolyn [30:35] question on the middle east and then question on antifa netanyahu said sunday that cardinal [30:40] pitabala will be able to hold services for palm sunday in the church of holy sepulcher [30:46] after he was initially blocked by israeli police did anyone from the administration or the president [30:52] call over to israeli officials to assist the cardinal yes i did speak with secretary rubio [30:59] this morning and we did express our concerns with israel with respect to these holy sites [31:04] that are being shut down we want worshippers to be able to access these holy sites of course safety [31:09] is a top priority but we understand israel is working on those security measures to reopen the [31:14] sites throughout holy week and that's something that we're appreciative of [31:20] in texas nine people have been convicted by a federal jury on domestic terrorist charges [31:24] connected to antifa the white house has previously indicated that you guys are investigating antifa [31:30] who's funding them who's leading them can you provide an update on how that investigation is going to go [31:35] and do you think we're going to see more charges against people connected to antifa well i do know [31:40] that there was an entire task force that was set up an interagency task force to focus on the threat [31:45] of antifa which as you know reagan this president declared a domestic terrorist organization [31:51] rightfully and we will continue to look into it i don't have any updates on those specific [31:56] investigations but i'd be happy to have my team get those over to you today as this [32:00] continues to be of the utmost importance to the president and his domestic policy agenda [32:05] on one question on landmines there's been some reporting that american-made landmines have been [32:13] spotted on the ground in iran did president trump sign off on using u.s made landmines in iran [32:20] i don't have any comment on that report today whether they're being used at all i don't have [32:25] any comment on that i don't know karen you said that the president is encouraging congress to [32:30] come back to d.c you also said yourself how has he done that has he told leaders [32:35] ship that they should cancel recess and come back he said it repeatedly i think you recall he said [32:40] that he'll host a big easter dinner here at the white house if congress will come back [32:44] and fight the democrats on this issue which we should do because again democrat party is in the [32:49] wrong here they have voted seven times against funding the department of homeland security which [32:54] is completely egregious with everything we have going on in the world and these brave [32:59] men and women who serve dhs deserve to get their paychecks president wants to see that happen and [33:04] he wants congress to come back together and he's going to do that he's going to do that he's going [33:05] to do that he's going to do that he's going to do that he's going to do that he's going to do that [33:05] he's going to get it done