White House holds briefing as Iran contradicts Trump on war negotiations

[0:00] day alongside nearly 1,000 farmers who are coming in from across the country for the [0:06] first event of the season on the South Lawn, so pray for good weather, to highlight the [0:10] President's successful policies in support of America's farmers, including efforts to [0:15] lower input costs, open new trade markets, bolster the farm safety net, double the death [0:21] tax exemption, end taxes on rural property loan interest, and create rural opportunity [0:27] zones. [0:28] Also, I'm pleased to announce that President Trump's meeting and long-awaited meeting with [0:32] President Xi in China will now take place in Beijing on May 14th and 15th. [0:38] First Lady Melania and President Trump will also host President Xi and Madam Peng for [0:44] a reciprocal visit in Washington, D.C., at a later date to be announced this year. [0:49] Turning to the ongoing military operations in Iran, the United States military continues [0:54] to decimate the terrorist Iranian regime's offensive. [0:57] The United States military continues to decimate the terrorist Iranian regime's offensive. [1:00] Just over three weeks in, it's abundantly clear that Operation Epic Fury has been a [1:05] resounding military triumph. [1:08] More than 9,000 enemy targets have been struck to date. [1:11] Compared to the start of the operation, Iran's ballistic missile attacks and drone attacks [1:16] are down by roughly 90 percent. [1:19] The United States is also annihilating the Iranian regime's navy. [1:23] We have destroyed more than 140 of their naval vessels. [1:26] We have destroyed more than 140 of their naval vessels. [1:27] Including almost 50 mine layers. [1:30] This is the largest elimination of a navy over a three-week period since World War II. [1:35] Again, let me reiterate, this is the largest elimination of a navy on the face of the planet [1:40] in a three-week period since World War II. [1:44] We are systematically dismantling Iran's defense industrial base, which will prevent future [1:49] threats to the region. [1:50] Our military also remains laser-focused on eliminating the regime's threat to the free [1:55] flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz. [1:56] Thank you. [1:57] Over the weekend, we dropped several 5,000-pound bombs on an underground facility used to store [2:04] equipment, including anti-ship cruise missiles and mobile missile launchers positioned along [2:09] the coastline of the Strait. [2:11] Our military efforts grow more successful with each passing day, steadily degrading [2:16] Iran's ability to terrorize merchant ships. [2:19] For all of these reasons, we are very close to meeting the core objectives of Operation [2:24] Epic Fury, and this military mission continues unabated. [2:26] Thank you. [2:27] From the outset, President Trump and the Department of War estimated it would take approximately [2:32] four to six weeks to achieve this critical mission. [2:35] Twenty-five days in, the greatest military the world has ever known is ahead of schedule [2:40] and performing exceptionally. [2:42] Day by day, the Iranian regime is being crippled, and their ability to threaten the United States [2:47] and our allies is being significantly weakened. [2:50] Their ambitions of building a nuclear weapon have also been crushed to an even greater [2:54] degree than they were in Operation Midnight Hammer. [2:57] And, as we've seen, the Iranian regime is about to see a new era in June 2025. [3:03] That's why you're beginning to see the regime look for an exit ramp. [3:07] They recognize they are being crushed. [3:09] Their ability to attack American and ally forces, as well as their ability to defend [3:13] their own territory, is dwindling literally hour by hour. [3:18] Following President Trump's powerful threat on Saturday evening, it was made clear to [3:22] the United States that Iran wanted to talk. [3:25] President Trump is willing to listen. [3:27] over the last three days in productive conversations, which led the President to temporarily instruct [3:32] the Department of War to postpone planned strikes against Iranian power plants and energy [3:37] infrastructure only. [3:39] The remaining elements of the Iranian regime have another opportunity to cooperate with [3:44] President Trump, permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions, and cease actively threatening [3:49] America and our allies. [3:51] But the President's preference is always peace. [3:53] There does not need to be any more death and destruction. [3:56] But if Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to understand [4:01] that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will [4:06] ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before. [4:10] President Trump does not bluff, and he is prepared to unleash hell. [4:14] Iran should not miscalculate again. [4:16] Their last miscalculation cost them their senior leadership, their Navy, their Air Force, [4:21] and their air defense system. [4:23] Any violence beyond this point will be because the Iranian regime [4:26] refused to understand they have already been defeated and refused to come to a deal. [4:32] Here at home, we are now on day 40 of the Democrats' shutdown of the Department of Homeland [4:36] Security. [4:37] Democrats in Congress are forcing American travelers to wait in hours-long lines at airports [4:43] across the country, robbing TSA officers and other federal workers of their hard-earned [4:48] paychecks that they use to feed their families, and causing billions of dollars in damage [4:53] to our economy. [4:54] A father of three recently told CBS News, [4:55] A father of three recently told CBS News, [4:56] A father of three recently told CBS News, [4:57] A father of three recently told CBS News, [4:58] A father of three recently told CBS News, [4:59] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:00] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:01] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:02] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:03] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:04] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:05] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:06] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:07] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:08] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:09] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:10] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:11] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:12] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:13] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:14] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:15] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:16] A father of three recently told CBS News, [5:17] father of three said, but seeing her cry every night, how am I going to feed my family? How am [5:22] I going to survive? For the Democrats in Congress, the cruelty of this shutdown is the point. Nearly [5:29] 500 TSA officers have quit since the Democrat shutdown began. President Trump, to alleviate [5:35] this pressure, made the decision to send some of our amazing ICE agents to help alleviate that [5:40] stress and address the long wait times. And for all of the critics of this solution a few days [5:45] ago when it was proposed by the president, it is yielding results. Wait times have improved [5:50] since ICE arrived, and they are doing everything in their power to help their fellow federal [5:54] service members. But it's important to take a step back and remember, why is this even happening [5:59] in the first place? For nearly six weeks, Democrats in Congress have kept DHS shut down [6:05] because they care more about illegal aliens than American citizens. You have Democrat-elected [6:11] representatives in states across the country who are willing to inflict [6:14] massive pain on the people of the United States. And they are doing everything in their power to [6:15] fight for illegal aliens who broke our nation's laws to come here. [6:21] In recent days, we saw the deadly consequence of this deranged policy of Democrat open borders [6:26] and an illegal alien-first agenda. A beautiful 18-year-old girl, Sheridan Gorman, she was [6:32] shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with friends. The [6:38] suspect in custody for murdering her is a Venezuelan illegal alien who was caught and [6:43] released at the border by the U.S. Department of Defense. She was shot and killed in Chicago [6:44] last Thursday morning while walking in a park with friends. The suspect in custody for murdering [6:45] her is a Venezuelan illegal alien who was caught and released at the border by the U.S. Department [6:45] of Defense. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:46] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:46] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:47] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:47] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:48] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:48] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:49] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:49] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:50] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:50] friends. She was shot and killed in Chicago last Thursday morning while walking in a park with [6:51] catch and release of a Venezuelan illegal alien that is not happening anymore under [6:55] this president. [6:56] But there are still tens of thousands, if not millions, of these illegal aliens in our [7:01] country who seek to do harm to innocent Americans, like this beautiful young woman whose family [7:06] will now never be the same because of her death. [7:09] To make matters even worse, this monster was also released from local custody again after [7:15] a shoplifting arrest where? [7:17] In the sanctuary city of Chicago in June of 2023. [7:21] Again, another innocent American citizen had her life stolen from her because Democrats [7:27] embrace reckless open border policies and reckless sanctuary city policies, which put [7:33] criminals back into American communities. [7:36] How many more Americans have to die before the Democrats end this madness? [7:41] President Trump's position is very clear. [7:43] He wants the federal government. [7:45] Okay. [7:45] Opened. [7:45] He wants the Department of Homeland Security funded, and he wants the Democrats shut down [7:49] to end immediately. [7:51] The president will also continue to call on Democrat leaders in sanctuary cities and states [7:56] like JB Pritzker, where this young beautiful girl was murdered, to cooperate with ICE and [8:01] stop releasing illegal alien criminals into American neighborhoods. [8:06] It is for the safety of every American citizen, including all of the people in this room. [8:11] With that, I will take your questions. [8:12] And here in our new media seat today, we have Gabe Fleischer. [8:15] Thanks, Caroline. [8:16] Two questions. [8:17] Thanks, Gabe, for being here. [8:18] Thank you. [8:19] I have two questions for you. [8:20] First, if the war in Iran continues past this current round of peace talks, and with thousands [8:24] of troops on their way to the Middle East, is there a point, either a number of ground [8:28] troops or a number of days, at which the president will consider seeking authorization from you? [8:33] Well, as you know right now, that formal authorization from Congress is not necessary [8:37] because we're currently in major combat operations in Iran. [8:41] The Department of War and the president, as I said, estimated about a four to six-hour [8:45] six-week timeline for the full completion of these military combat operations. [8:49] We're, again, on day 25 today. [8:52] And as a courtesy, nevertheless, the administration did notify Congress, the Gang of Eight, ahead [8:57] of the launch of the operation 25 days ago, and we've also had our top national security [9:02] officials go to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers, again, out of courtesy and out of respect [9:07] for them. [9:08] So, at this moment, it's unnecessary, but, of course, the president and this administration [9:11] will always abide by the law. [9:12] Gabe. [9:13] Do you want to have a follow-up? [9:14] Yes. [9:15] Second question. [9:16] In my reporting, you speak a lot to young voters, many of whom voted for President Trump [9:20] for the first time in 2024, you know, hoping to have no more wars and to have lower prices. [9:25] Now, with a war taking place and with gas prices going up, curious what President Trump's [9:28] message would be to those voters who kind of swung into his coalition in 2024 but maybe [9:33] don't feel the administration is going as they had expected. [9:35] President Trump is doing this for you. [9:37] He's doing this for young people so that we are no longer threatened by a rogue terrorist [9:41] regime in the Middle East that seeks to kill the brave men and women who serve in our country. [9:44] In the Middle East, many of them, young people themselves, young men and women who serve [9:50] this country honorably in uniform and have been threatened, killed, and maimed by the [9:54] rogue Iranian terrorist regime for 47 years. [9:58] President Trump finally had the courage to step up and do what's right by our national [10:01] security, our homeland security. [10:04] As for the temporary short-term fluctuation in gas prices, the president has said, once [10:09] these combat operations are over, this administration is going to continue to unleash America's [10:14] American energy dominance. [10:15] We're continuing to do that every day, and we're going to see prices at the pump go back [10:19] down just as we have over the past year because of this president. [10:23] And don't think for one second if that the Democrats had their way, gas prices would [10:29] be as they were under the previous administration, the Biden administration, record highs. [10:34] This president is keeping them as low as he can during this short-term combat operation, [10:38] and they're going to go right back down when this is over. [10:40] Thank you. [10:41] Thank you, Caroline. [10:42] Just within the past few hours, Iranian State TV. [10:44] has said that Iran has rejected the U.S.'s 15-point plan to end the war. [10:50] What's the White House's response to that, and have these talks hit a dead end? [10:55] They have not. [10:56] Talks continue. [10:57] They are productive, as the president said on Monday, and they continue to be. [11:01] However, I saw a 15-point plan that was floated in the media. [11:06] I would caution reporters in this room from reporting about speculative points or speculative [11:11] plans from anonymous sources. [11:13] The White House never confirmed. [11:14] They never confirmed that full plan. [11:16] There are elements of truth to it, but some of the stories I read were not entirely factual. [11:20] So I am not going to negotiate on behalf of the president here at the podium. [11:25] What I will tell you is these talks are ongoing. [11:27] We're not going to get into the nitty-gritty details that have been exchanged between the [11:31] United States and Iran at this time. [11:33] Well, yesterday, the president mentioned a very big present that the Iranians had given [11:37] the U.S. [11:38] He wouldn't go into detail, but was it that ship that was carrying two million barrels [11:42] of oil that made it through the state of Hormuz? [11:43] No. [11:44] I'll let the president speak on that at the appropriate time. [11:46] And then finally, Caroline, today, Iraq's government reportedly is planning to lodge [11:52] a protest with the U.S., according to The Wall Street Journal. [11:55] There was an attack in Iraq that hit a military clinic, killing seven soldiers, reportedly. [12:01] What's the U.S.'s response to that? [12:03] Was the U.S. responsible for that attack? [12:05] I'll have to check in with the Pentagon on that, and we'll get you an answer. [12:08] Sure. [12:10] Thank you, Caroline. [12:11] Two, if I may. [12:12] Speaker Johnson today described the conflict as wrapping up. [12:14] But the 82nd Airborne Division, they're typically deployed at the beginning of conflicts. [12:19] So does the White House consider this conflict as wrapping up, or is it changing shape? [12:24] As I said at the beginning of my remarks, we are meeting our goals of Operation Epic [12:30] Fury expeditiously. [12:32] The president likes to maintain options at his disposal. [12:35] It's the Pentagon's job to provide those options to the Commander-in-Chief. [12:39] For any specifics on troop deployments, though, I would point you to the Pentagon. [12:42] Thank you. [12:43] And today? [12:44] State Department official, U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kennedy. [12:45] The FBI's chief executive attorney, Larry Krasner, reiterated threats to potentially [12:48] arrest ICE agents that were sent in to assist with these historically long KSA lines. [12:54] He said, quote, the President cannot pardon you. [12:57] Has the President seen Krasner's comments? [12:58] Does he have any response? [12:59] The President cannot pardon you? [13:01] For what? [13:02] He's talking to the ICE agents who are handing out water bottles and are helping people move [13:06] through lines at airports? [13:07] That's a disgraceful comment. [13:09] The men and women of ICE are great people. [13:11] I would encourage this lawmaker, whose name I don't know and don't care, to know that [13:12] the ICE agents are not the ones who are helping the people move through lines at airports. [13:13] I would encourage this lawmaker whose name I don't know and don't care to know that the ICE agents [13:14] to actually sit down and speak with the ICE agents who are on the ground doing this important work, [13:20] not just in our nation's airports, but again, to remove violent, dangerous, illegal alien criminals from our country [13:26] to protect this individual and all of us in this room and Americans across the country [13:32] from murderers, pedophiles, and rapists who have been allowed into our country by Democrat politicians. [13:38] Mario, good to see you. [13:39] Thank you, Caroline. Good to see you as well. [13:40] Just given that the President postponed his original trip to China because of the war, [13:47] should we infer that the war will be wound down and concluded by the time of that May 15th, 14th visit? [13:53] Again, as I've said, we've always estimated approximately four to six weeks, [13:57] so you can do the math on that, Mario, but we do look forward. [14:00] I know the President looks forward to going to China on May 14th and 15th, [14:04] and of course, as always, we'll provide additional logistical details to all of you in the media for that trip, [14:09] who I know look forward to. [14:10] Thank you for coming with us as well. [14:11] One follow-up. [14:12] Was that a precondition? [14:14] Did the two leaders speak about the conclusion of the war? [14:16] Was that a precondition for them to have this rescheduled meeting? [14:19] No, there was a discussion about the rescheduling of the meeting between the President and President Xi. [14:24] President Xi understood that it's very important for the President to be here throughout these combat operations right now. [14:30] He understood, obviously, the request to postpone and accepted it, [14:35] which is why we have new dates on the books, and I'm happy to announce those to you today. [14:38] Jennifer. [14:39] On the negotiations. [14:40] With Iran, are there still face-to-face talks planned, perhaps, in Pakistan? [14:46] And who do you think would probably be going? [14:48] Again, I've seen a lot of speculation and reporting about potential talks that could happen later this week. [14:56] Nothing should be deemed official until it is announced formally by the White House. [15:00] I would not get ahead of our skis on reporting about any talks this week and until you hear directly from us. [15:06] Does the President think that all of the allies will go along with whatever the U.S. [15:11] concludes? [15:11] With these Iranians, are you expecting that Israel and all the other allies will follow whatever agreement is made? [15:18] I think the President has shown that he is absolutely the leader of the free world, [15:23] the head of the most powerful military in the world. [15:26] And in various examples, the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, [15:33] the President has shown a very unique skill at getting our allies to get on board with what's in the best interest of the United States, [15:40] but also the world in cases. [15:41] And I think that is a foreign policy like this. [15:44] Ed. [15:45] Thanks, Carolyn. [15:46] So, is there a time frame as to when the first oil tanker can go through the Strait of Hormuz freely? [15:52] It's a very good question, Ed. [15:54] I don't have a specific timeline for you today, but it's obviously something the administration is working towards as quickly as we can. [16:01] And with respect to oil, as you know, the administration has taken a number of actions to stabilize the markets. [16:06] We directed the U.S. DFC to offer reasonably priced political risk insurance. [16:12] For takers through the Strait, we issued that temporary waiver to allow countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil [16:18] to alleviate global pressures. [16:20] We're working with the IEA to coordinate the release of another 400 million barrels. [16:24] We issued that 60-day Jones Day Act waiver. [16:28] And then just today, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, if you missed it, in consultation with the Department of Energy, [16:34] announced a temporary emergency fuel waiver to allow nationwide sales of E15, gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, [16:41] gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. [16:42] to remove all federal impediments to selling E10, gasoline, across the country. [16:47] The emergency fuel waiver will temporarily waive the summer low volatility requirements [16:52] and blending limitations for gasoline to provide additional flexibility to the fuel marketplace. [16:56] So as far as tankers through the Strait, something we're tracking very closely, [16:59] but obviously the administration is coming up with creative new solutions by the day to keep the price of oil stable, [17:05] something the President wants to see. [17:07] And I know Secretary Besant, Secretary Wright, Secretary Burgum, EPA Administrator Zeldin [17:11] are all working together closely to find ways to do that. [17:14] The Press The President gave that five-day timeline for pause in operations. [17:18] Would a tanker going through the Strait of Hormuz be one of the conditions that he would extend that? [17:24] Ms. That's only something the President of the United States can answer. [17:26] I won't get ahead of him. [17:27] The Press How about on TSA? [17:28] Can I ask you about the TSA lines? [17:29] Ms. Sure. [17:30] The Press Are the TSA lines, we've all seen the video of that from various airports. [17:33] Is that going to be what ends the stalemate in Congress? [17:36] Ms. Well, look, it's the Democrats who have led to this stalemate over the past six weeks. [17:41] The President and the Republicans' position has been very clear. [17:44] Fund the Department of Homeland Security. [17:47] And we have attempted in good faith numerous times, both the President himself and lawmakers [17:52] on the Republican side on Capitol Hill, to go to the Democrats with reasonable offers, with real solutions. [17:58] They'll ask for something. [18:00] We'll give them that concession. [18:01] And then they say, oh, wait, that's not enough, actually. [18:03] So I think that's why I said earlier the cruelty is the point. [18:06] They want this chaos. [18:07] They want to distract, I think, from the success of our military. [18:10] Overseas right now, totally obliterating the Iranian regime. [18:14] And it's very unfortunate because there's only, the only people that are suffering from this are the American people. [18:20] And I hear that Democrats might be flying out of town tomorrow. [18:23] How convenient and lovely of them that they get to go to the airport and that they'll get to go home to their families [18:29] when you have families, TSA workers who are suffering. [18:32] You have people across the country who are missing flights for funerals and for work commitments [18:36] because of Democrat politicians on Capitol Hill. [18:39] The Press. [18:40] The Press. [18:41] Thanks, Caroline. [18:42] I'm glad to see you have a seat now. [18:43] I do. [18:44] Thank you. [18:45] Is the White House satisfied with Republican leadership's efforts on the Save America Act? [18:49] I think the President has made it very clear. [18:51] He wants everyone on Capitol Hill to move as quickly as possible to get the Save America Act passed. [18:57] And he wants to see that legislation on his desk as soon as Republicans and Democrats can move to pass it. [19:03] But are there any lawmakers in Congress that the President is frustrated with on this matter [19:08] and feels could be doing a better job? [19:09] I think the President wants to see everybody on Capitol Hill move faster all the time. [19:14] He wants everyone in this town to work at Trump's speed like we do here at the White House. [19:18] I'll go to Karen. [19:20] Questions on Lebanon, if I can. [19:23] Is the U.S. providing support at this point for Israel's ongoing offensive in Lebanon? [19:29] And is the President concerned that right now there are more than a million people who have been displaced [19:34] and potentially could be for a significant amount of time? [19:36] That's not something I'm in a position to comment on for the first question. [19:39] To the second question, of course, that's something that would concern the President. [19:43] I think that's why he's again quickly moving to eliminate the threat of the Iranian regime in the Middle East, [19:49] including weakening their proxies like Hezbollah, who have terrorized Lebanon for far too long. [19:54] And I know that the President wants to see this, again, move as quickly as possible as we can [19:59] over the course of the next couple of weeks here. [20:01] Thanks, Caroline. [20:02] Kristen. [20:03] Thanks, Caroline. [20:04] A question about the straight-up reform, though. [20:07] If these negotiations are not successful, [20:09] is the only option to reopen the Strait boots on the ground, [20:14] given that all of our allies have essentially said that they are unable or unwilling to help? [20:19] Look, that's a hypothetical question. [20:21] It's a hypothetical question. [20:23] It's also a decision that would have to be made by the Commander-in-Chief, [20:26] and I'm not going to get ahead of him. [20:28] In addition to that, when it comes to the Vice President, J.D. Vance, [20:31] what has changed that has made him more of an active participant in these negotiations with Iran? [20:36] I don't think anything has changed. [20:39] He's been a key member, the President's right-hand man, [20:42] and a key member of the President's national security team. [20:45] He's been part of these discussions throughout this entire course of the administration, [20:50] with respect, again, to the 12-day war that the President and his national security team negotiated a solution to, [20:57] with respect to the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza and the release of the hostages, [21:02] which there was a lot of criticism that couldn't get done, and it did. [21:05] The Vice President has been by the President's side every step of the way, [21:08] and any reporting otherwise is just completely false. [21:11] I see him in the room. [21:12] Again, the President seeks his counsel on all matters, both foreign and domestic. [21:16] Can you just tell us who exactly the U.S. is negotiating with in Iran [21:21] and why the U.S. and this administration trust that person? [21:24] Again, as I said to Gabe's question earlier, [21:26] we're not going to get into the details of these negotiations and conversations that continue to take place. [21:31] As, of course, you can imagine, they are very sensitive diplomatic discussions. [21:35] And I would reiterate, I do recall giving all of you, [21:38] the same answer when we were negotiating the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, [21:42] gave you the same answer throughout the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, [21:46] gave you the same answer with respect to many of the other global conflicts [21:49] that this administration has negotiated solutions to. [21:52] President Trump is going to give his diplomats the freedom that they need [21:57] to have these sensitive diplomatic discussions [22:00] without negotiating and litigating them through the news media. [22:03] Fran. [22:04] Just to follow up, though, because you said that some of the information [22:07] that's been out there about the 15-point plan is inaccurate, [22:11] can you say what is accurate with respect to ballistic missiles, [22:14] the nuclear ambitions, and the Strait of Hormuz, [22:17] which are things that the President has laid out that he wants to see a couple times in the past? [22:21] Look, if you've heard it from the President of the United States, obviously it's true. [22:25] As well as the objectives of Operation Epic Fury, [22:28] we've said repeatedly, I've said them from this podium, [22:31] the Pentagon has reiterated them, [22:33] that's why we've taken military action to achieve them. [22:35] So, of course, those are goals. [22:37] Those are goals that we want to see. [22:38] But this full 15-point plan that's been floating around in many of your outlets, [22:42] there's a lot of misinformation to that as well. [22:44] And again, I would caution you from taking things from anonymous sources [22:48] rather than verifying them directly with the White House. [22:51] Christian. [22:52] Thanks, Caroline. [22:53] Two on Iran. [22:54] First, would the President consider loosening asylum restrictions [22:59] for Iranians trying to flee the country right now? [23:01] Again, that's a question for the President. [23:03] I won't get ahead of him on that. [23:04] I haven't talked to him about that. [23:05] Okay. [23:06] And then secondly, you mentioned at the top [23:08] that Iran would be hit harder than they have been to this point [23:12] if they don't recognize the fact that they're losing this war. [23:15] Could those strikes happen before this five-day negotiating window closes [23:20] if the President doesn't think they're negotiating in good faith? [23:23] You're asking me to tell you if the Commander-in-Chief [23:26] would authorize very strong strikes against the Iranian regime. [23:30] That's not something I would ever reveal from this podium, true or not. [23:33] Phil. [23:34] Thank you, Caroline. [23:35] I was wondering if you would respond to some of this criticism [23:38] of the administration from past allies like Joe Kent, [23:43] who have said that the President's red line shifted from [23:47] Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon to Iran cannot pursue nuclear enrichment. [23:53] What is the administration's response to that criticism? [23:55] I think the President and I have both strongly responded to the criticism [23:59] by Mr. Kent, who unfortunately resigned in disgrace [24:04] and accused the President of basically being controlled by foreign countries [24:09] and foreign manipulation, which is a ridiculous and laughable assertion. [24:12] So his accusations have zero credibility as far as this White House is concerned. [24:16] The question of the red line shifting from no nuclear weapon to no nuclear enrichment, [24:22] is there any substance to that argument? [24:25] I think the President has been quite clear in what he wants to see from the Iranian regime, [24:28] which is why he chose to launch Operation Epic Fury in the first place. [24:32] Reagan. [24:35] I have a question for you on the SAVE Act, and I'd like to follow up on the DHS shutdown. [24:39] Sure. [24:40] First, Senator Mike Lee. [24:41] The SAVE America Act. [24:42] SAVE America Act. [24:43] The President corrected me yesterday. [24:44] That was my fault. [24:45] Senator Mike Lee said it's essentially impossible to pass a SAVE America Act through reconciliation. [24:52] What's your reaction to that? [24:53] Is the President worried that that strategy might fail? [24:56] I think he's willing to try all strategies. [24:58] I spoke with him about this yesterday, and he said if we can make it work through reconciliation, [25:03] let's absolutely do that. [25:04] These, again, are common sense policies that are backed by the vast majority of voters [25:09] across this country. [25:10] The only people in this country who don't support them are politicians on Capitol Hill, [25:14] and you all should ask them why they don't want voter ID, why they don't want proof of [25:18] citizenship to vote in our nation's elections. [25:20] Again, these are common sense proposals that are wildly popular, and the President is willing [25:25] to use any means necessary to get this legislation passed and onto his desk. [25:29] And then on the DHS shutdown, do you expect deportations to decrease while ISIS is still [25:33] in the airports? [25:34] And what are the tradeoffs of having ICE in the airports right now? [25:35] Well, to address this obviously short-term problem and the chaos that has been sowed [25:36] by these Democrats on Capitol Hill, to address the lines and to get Americans traveling and [25:37] get them to where they need to be. [25:38] So, the President, I think this was a creative solution, again, that was criticized. [25:39] But we have seen wait times decrease, not as much as we'd like. [25:40] Hopefully, they will continue to, but at major airports over the course of the last [25:41] few days, as ICE has been doing, we've seen a decrease in wait times. [25:42] We've seen a decrease in wait times. [25:43] We've seen a decrease in wait times. [25:44] We've seen a decrease in wait times. [25:45] We've seen a decrease in wait times. [25:46] We've seen a decrease in wait times. [25:47] We've seen a decrease in wait times. [25:48] We've seen a decrease in wait times. [25:49] We've seen a decrease in wait times. [25:50] So, the President, I think this was a creative solution, again, that was criticized. [25:51] But we have seen wait times decrease, not as much as we'd like. [25:52] Hopefully, they will continue to, but at major airports over the course of the last [25:53] few days, as ICE has been facilitating with travelers in these airports. [25:54] Caroline. [25:55] Caroline. [25:56] Caroline. [25:57] Caroline. [25:58] Sure. [25:59] Caroline. [26:00] Thank you, Caroline. [26:01] On March 6th, the President said in an interview with Reuters that the U.S. should have a role [26:02] in choosing Iran's next leadership. [26:03] Now that we're almost four weeks into the election, the President is saying that the [26:04] U.S. is going to be the next president. [26:05] So, I think that's going to be a big challenge for the U.S. [26:06] As I've said repeatedly, I think the President obviously believes the United States wants [26:26] to have someone in leadership position in the Iranian regime that will be much more [26:32] favorable, that will be willing to work with the United States, that will know what to [26:36] do, that will no longer chant death to America. [26:38] These would obviously be good, common-sense things for the United States and for our allies. [26:42] I think that's what the President meant when he spoke with Reuters that day. [26:45] Go ahead. [26:46] The Press. [26:47] The Press. [26:48] The President yesterday said that he had achieved regime change in Iran because the regime has [26:54] changed. [26:55] In terms of — [26:56] MS. [26:57] I mean, has it not? [26:58] Well, the leadership has — [26:59] MS. [27:00] Their entire leadership has been killed, and nobody has really seen or legitimately [27:03] heard from this alleged new leader. [27:05] So wouldn't you say there's been a change in the regime? [27:07] The Press. [27:08] There has been a change in leadership. [27:09] I mean, do you feel as though — [27:10] MS. [27:11] There has been a change in the regime leadership, which is what the President [27:12] said. [27:13] So thank you for confirming he is right. [27:14] The Press. [27:15] I mean, do you feel as though you've achieved a leadership level or the personnel in place [27:22] right now in Iran that you're satisfied with? [27:24] I mean, have you — [27:25] MS. [27:26] I think it's too soon to say. [27:27] The Press. [27:28] In terms of highly enriched uranium in Iran right now, is your expectation — I mean, [27:32] the stated desire of the President has been to prevent nuclear weapons. [27:34] MS. [27:35] Yes. [27:36] The Press. [27:37] Is your expectation that the endgame here is that eventually Americans will be in possession [27:42] of that uranium, or you'll somehow have some direct control over the highly enriched uranium [27:47] that could be used to develop a new one? [27:49] MS. [27:50] Again, this is a point of conversation that continues. [27:52] I think you know the means in which the United States would have to take in order to achieve [27:57] that goal, and that's a decision for the President to make. [28:00] Brian. [28:01] Good to see you, Brian. [28:02] Glenn. [28:03] Good to see you as well. [28:04] Does the White House have a comment on a letter that was sent from Congressman Raskin [28:10] to the DOJ alleging that the DOJ recklessly released damning information in regards to [28:20] President Trump's documents? [28:21] MS. [28:22] Yes. [28:23] I saw that letter from Congressman Raskin this morning, who I would add has zero credibility, [28:28] and this letter was clearly a cheap political stunt. [28:31] What the Congressman did here, Brian, and for everyone in the room who's hopefully going [28:34] to be in the room who's hopefully not reporting on this as fact, is that he took untrue and [28:39] salacious claims in a memo that was produced by Jack Smith, who has been completely discredited [28:45] for his lawfare and his witch hunts against this President, and that information was unverified. [28:51] It never even made it into the indictment because it was so unverified. [28:54] And what happened to that indictment anyway? [28:57] It was thrown out, and Jack Smith has been proven, again, to be a prosecutor on a witch [29:01] hunt against President Trump. [29:03] He tried to throw him in jail ahead of the 2024 election. [29:06] The Biden Department of Justice was fully on board with this lawfare campaign, and in [29:10] fact, this story that was concocted by Congressman Raskin was so ridiculous, I understand his [29:16] communications team reached out to some outlets in this room who responsibly said, we're not [29:21] going to write this because this is just too much. [29:24] However, of course, MSNOW did write that story this morning because they continue to be left-wing [29:29] propaganda for the Democrat Party. [29:31] But I think Jack Smith has been proven to be unverified. [29:32] MS. [29:33] I think he's proven to be a liar and a fraud, and this is, again, a cheap political [29:36] stunt from a Democrat on Capitol Hill who I think wants to get himself on cable television. [29:41] Thank you all very much. [30:26] I am planning to ask who the talks are with, and you toss it in, and then she said [30:29] my name again, and I was like, oh, no. [30:30] MS. [30:31] Sorry. [30:32] I didn't even pay attention to that. [30:33] I was just like, oh. [30:34] Oh, I'm so sorry. [30:35] It was – oh, I'm so sorry. [30:36] I wasn't – I didn't even – oh, no. [30:37] She can read my – oh, no. [30:38] He has friends. [30:39] He has friends. [30:40] He has friends. [30:41] He has friends. [30:44] He has friends. [30:45] He has friends. [30:46] He has friends. [30:48] He has friends. [30:49] He has friends. [30:51] MS. [30:52] I promise you, I didn't even think – I was just like, I have to keep talking [30:53] to get this out. [30:54] You know what I mean? [30:55] Like, I swear to you, I had no idea. [30:56] Hi. [30:57] How are you? [30:58] I don't know. [30:59] I'm so sorry. [31:00] MS. [31:01] Okay. [31:02] Okay. [31:11] Okay. [31:33] Great. [31:34] I'm here. [31:35] MS. [31:36] Yeah. [31:37] Thank you. [31:38] Thank you. [31:39] Thank you. [31:40] Thank you. [31:41] Thank you. [31:42] Thank you. [31:43] Thank you. [31:44] Thank you. [31:45] Thank you. [31:46] Thank you. [31:47] Thank you. [31:48] Thank you. [31:49] Thank you. [31:50] Thank you. [31:51] Thank you. [31:52] Thank you. [31:53] Thank you. [31:54] Thank you. [31:55] Thank you. [31:57] Thank you. [31:58] Thank you. [31:59] Thank you. [32:00] Thank you. [32:01] Thank you. [32:02] Thank you. [32:03] Thank you. [32:04] Thank you. [32:05] Thank you. [32:06] Thank you. [32:07] Thank you. [32:08] Thank you. [32:09] Thank you. [32:10] Thank you. [32:11] Thank you. [32:12] Thank you. [32:13] Thank you. [32:14] Thank you. [32:15] Thank you. [32:16] Thank you. [32:17] Thank you. [32:18] Thank you. [32:19] Thank you. [32:20] Thank you. [32:50] Yeah, I mean, what we got was a lot of what has happened in terms of actual fighting or strikes in the United States, [32:57] but not a lot of where we are going or what the purpose is or what actually happens next. [33:02] She wouldn't confirm any kind of in-person talks. [33:05] We, of course, have reported that there are plans, or at least they're working on plans, to have these talks, [33:10] but maybe in Pakistan the vice president could attend those talks. [33:14] We've also been reporting what we've been hearing from Iranian sources and Iranian state TV, [33:19] that they have basically rejected the 15-point plan and they have come back with their own 5-point plan. [33:24] She said basically not to pay attention to that at all, that there was other stuff happening behind the scenes. [33:30] We didn't get any information on who is negotiating with the United States. [33:35] The other part of my question was why do we trust them? [33:38] How do we know that they have power given the tenuous circumstances in Iran? [33:42] That wasn't answered. [33:43] Yesterday, President Trump talked about this gift that he got from Iran [33:47] that proved that somebody in power was in control and having conversations with the United States, [33:53] and yet we still don't know what that gift was. [33:55] He was asked specifics about whether it had to do with ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. [33:59] She wouldn't answer that. [34:01] This is coming at the same time that we're seeing lawmakers coming out of their briefing with administration officials [34:06] saying they asked questions that they were not able to get the answers to. [34:10] There are so many specific questions, particularly when it comes to boots on the ground, [34:15] and we heard Haley there talking about that. [34:17] This is just there as kind of a backup unit. [34:19] That's kind of how she was alluding to this, giving him all the options. [34:23] But there are Americans who are deeply concerned about how close the United States is [34:27] to actually putting boots on the ground. [34:29] And when I asked another question about what happens if these talks are unsuccessful, [34:33] she said that's a hypothetical. [34:35] Well, Boris, that's not a hypothetical. [34:37] It's a contingency plan. [34:38] A hypothetical would be in some kind of crazy universe. [34:42] We're coming up with different scenarios. [34:44] We're talking about something that has happened repeatedly. [34:47] Between the United States and Iran, even before we launched into this war, [34:51] there have been talks that have fallen apart over and over and over again. [34:55] The only difference now is that we have military waiting on the sidelines, [34:58] and the American people deserve to know if those military units, [35:02] if those Americans are going to be put on the ground there. [35:05] And we just don't have the answers there on what the goal is [35:08] and what exactly is happening here in terms of the buildup, the military buildup, [35:13] and those talks with Iran. [36:18] Hey, guys, am I clear?