White House holds briefing as Trump weighs Iran ground invasion

[0:00] With respect to the ongoing major combat operations in Iran, [0:03] Operation Epic Fury is moving ahead successfully and according to plan. [0:08] With each passing day, the United States military is increasing its advantage over the terrorist [0:13] Iranian regime. More than 11,000 enemy targets have been struck to date, each strike further [0:20] crippling the regime's offensive and defensive capabilities and creating more leverage for the [0:26] United States and our allies. Compared to the start of the operation, Iran's ballistic missile [0:31] and drone attacks are down by roughly 90 percent. The United States is also decimating the Iranian [0:38] regime's navy. We have destroyed more than 150 of their naval vessels so far, including 92 percent [0:45] of their largest vessels. The Iranian navy has no vessels operating in major regional water rays [0:52] and no ability to project naval power, which is why they've been [0:55] essentially destroying the Iranian navy. [0:56] as combat ineffective. Our military continues to obliterate Iran's defense industrial base [1:03] with nearly 70 percent of their missile, drone, and naval production facilities and shipyards [1:09] damaged or destroyed thus far, significantly reducing their ability to pose future threats [1:15] in the region. U.S. and Israeli joint forces control the skies and have asserted air dominance [1:21] over Iran, completing more than 11,000 successful combat forces. [1:26] The United States is conducting more intense, targeted strikes with devastating combat power [1:35] with each passing day to destroy the threat posed by the Iranian terrorist regime, as President Trump [1:41] sought out to do a month ago. It's no surprise that we are seeing the remaining elements of the [1:46] regime become increasingly eager to end the destruction and come to the negotiating table [1:51] while they still can. Despite all of the public posturing you hear from the regime, the United [1:56] States is still ready to do what it has to do. [1:58] In false reporting, talks are continuing and going well. [2:01] What is said publicly is of course much different than what's being communicated to us privately. [2:06] As a result, President Trump issued a 10 day pause to postpone plan strikes on Iranian [2:11] power plants and energy infrastructure. This remains a truly once in a generation opportunity [2:17] for the regime to make a good deal with the United States, permanently abandon their nuclear [2:22] ambitions and stop acting as the world's leading state sponsor for nuclear power. [2:26] If the Iranians reject this golden opportunity, the greatest military in the history of the world continues to stand by to provide President Trump with every option available to ensure this regime continues to pay a grave price. [2:41] One way or another, Iran will no longer have the credible ability to threaten the United States or our allies, which is, of course, the overall objective admission the President set out when he launched Operation Epic Fury. [2:54] Unfortunately, even as President Trump is working hard every single day to protect the United States from foreign enemies, Democrats on Capitol Hill have failed to do the same here at home by keeping the Department of Homeland Security unfunded. [3:08] Over the past six weeks, Democrats in Congress have pushed our air travel system to its breaking point and inflicted massive pain on Americans with their reckless political games. [3:18] 500 TSA officers quit their jobs. [3:21] Thousands more were calling out sick at record times. [3:24] This resulted in security wait times exceeding three hours at major airports across the country, creating nightmares for millions of Americans. [3:34] Overall morale among TSA staff plummeted as well, all of this creating an unacceptable heightened security risk. [3:41] Because of the Democrats' unwillingness to do their basic job of funding DHS, President Trump determined that these circumstances constituted an emergency, compromising American security. [3:52] That's why, last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security saying, [3:54] He accordingly signed a presidential memorandum directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget here at the White House [4:04] to use those funds with a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations to provide TSA employees with the compensation and benefits that would have accrued to them but for the Democrat-led DHS shutdown. [4:18] This bold and necessary action by President Trump will ensure our TSA workers receive their hard-earned money. [4:23] It should not have come to this point, but President Trump will always do what's right by the American people, and he found a way to do that to get TSA paid. [4:33] Ensuring that these federal workers who perform critical public safety responsibilities can feed their families, pay their rent, and show up to work is something the President was honored to do. [4:43] But this moment should be an eye-opening one for the American people. [4:47] Let's be clear about what is happening. [4:49] Democrat members of Congress are more than happy to put your safety first. [4:51] Let's be clear about what is happening. [4:53] Let's be clear about what is happening. [4:54] The Department of Labor and the Department of Social Work has long been on the frontlines of bringing the world's public safety at risk because they oppose the President's and his administration's efforts to enforce our nation's immigration law. [5:05] Democrats refuse to fund ICE because they want millions and millions of illegal aliens to pour into the country just like they were under the Biden Administration. [5:14] They want murderers and rapists and thugs to remain in your communities rather than be removed by ICE and Border Patrol agents. [5:19] The Democrats created this mess. [5:21] at airports and tens of thousands of employees going without pay. [5:25] Once again, President Trump is cleaning up their mess because he cares more about the [5:29] American people than destructive, petty, partisan politics. [5:33] With that, I will take your questions today. [5:35] Here in our new media seat, we have Wid Lyman. [5:37] Thank you for being here. [5:38] And why don't you kick us off? [5:39] Thank you. [5:40] Happy Easter. [5:41] Thank you. [5:42] You as well. [5:43] I have two questions for you. [5:44] Thank you. [5:45] There are some concerns the administration is starting to change its position on deportations, [5:47] border enforcement, possibly asylum policies. [5:50] What would you say to Americans that are somewhat concerned that the shift has ... [5:54] Sure. [5:55] Well, while there has, of course, been a change in leadership at the Department of Homeland [5:59] Security with former Senator, now Secretary Mullen, joining the President's Cabinet, I [6:04] can assure the American people there has not been a change in policy. [6:07] It has always been the policy of this President and this administration to deport the worst [6:12] of the worst illegal alien criminals from our communities. [6:15] That's something I know Secretary Mullen remains hopeful about. [6:18] It's something that we're wholeheartedly committed to doing. [6:20] And it's something that is overwhelmingly popular with the American people. [6:23] And it's something that is necessary to protect our homeland and to prevent deaths of Americans [6:28] in our country. [6:29] Just last week, Sheridan Gorman, a young woman in Chicago, was shot and killed on the street [6:35] walking with her friends outside of her university by a legal alien from Venezuela who had no [6:40] right to be here in the first place. [6:42] And it's despicable that Democrats are currently defunding the department that's responsible [6:47] for removing illegal immigrants. [6:47] Thank you. [6:47] I don't think we should be defunding illegal aliens like that. [6:49] And I would also add it's despicable that the lack of coverage of this young woman's [6:54] case of her life and the way that it was tragically cut short. [6:57] I saw a survey over the weekend that I'd like to bring to all of your attention. [7:01] This is the media coverage of the case of Sheridan Gorman. [7:05] You have ABC News has spent one minute and 19 seconds between two days when this case [7:12] was first alerted. [7:13] You have CBS, two minutes and one second. [7:17] 23 seconds spent on the life of a young beautiful American woman whose life was [7:23] taken short by an illegal alien who should have never been here in the first [7:26] place when we are in the middle of a battle on Capitol Hill with a major [7:30] political party the Democrat Party who wants to defund the agency that is [7:34] responsible for protecting Americans I think her life was worth more than 23 [7:38] seconds on cable television and I think the people in this room have a [7:41] responsibility to report on cases like this because it just exemplifies why the [7:46] president believes so strongly in deporting illegal aliens from our [7:49] communities and thank you for the question Dasha go ahead [7:55] the president has said that the administration is talking to a new and [8:01] more reasonable regime how confident are you that they are legitimate and have [8:06] enough grip on power a Marco Rubio said earlier that he's not sure and it's not [8:11] fear whether they will be in power so are you also talking to to other [8:15] factions as a president [8:17] it's trying to make a deal how do you ensure that you're making a deal with [8:19] the people who can actually implement well that's part of the ongoing process [8:23] that's taking place and the ongoing negotiations of course anything that [8:26] they say to us privately will be tested and we will ensure that they are being [8:31] held accountable to their word and if they are not the president has laid out [8:34] the military consequences that the Iranian regime will see if they don't [8:38] hold true to the words that we are hearing privately behind the scenes when [8:42] the president says more reasonable again these folks are appearing more [8:45] reasonable behind the scenes [8:47] privately in these conversations then perhaps some of the previous leaders who [8:51] are now no longer on planet earth because they lied to the United States [8:54] and they strung us along in negotiations and that was unacceptable to the [8:59] president which is why many of the previous leaders were killed so again [9:03] this is another historic opportunity for Iran to do the right thing to rid [9:07] themselves of their nuclear ambitions and to come to a deal with this [9:11] president in the administration or again they will see the grave consequences of [9:16] the United States [9:16] armed forces which they are continuing to see every day throughout this [9:19] operation on DHS how long can the administration keep paying TSA without [9:25] action from Congress and not to be hyperbolic but given the airports were [9:30] really the pain point that was pushing both sides to talk to each other [9:34] we do you see a way for DHS to reopen is it possible this keeps going through the [9:40] midterms well we certainly hope so I mean of course the president just can't [9:44] keep signing presidential memorandums [9:47] and proclamations every time Congress fails to do its job and every time Democrats are holding [9:52] our entire country hostage, picking and choosing which programs and agencies they want to fund [9:58] just because they don't like this administration's policies. That's not how it's supposed to work. [10:02] They voted seven times against funding DHS over partisan and political reasons. And so, [10:09] again, the president has stepped in to do the right thing at this moment in time, [10:12] but the president is also encouraging Congress to come back to Washington [10:16] to permanently fix this problem and to fund and reopen the Department of Homeland Security [10:21] entirely. Caroline. Stephen. Thank you, Caroline. Two questions, one on TSA, one on Iran. On TSA, [10:28] for ordinary Americans watching the briefing, how long until everything goes back to normal [10:34] at airports after the president's action? And then on Iran, on the timeframe, President Trump [10:39] initially said about four weeks. The Secretary of State, [10:42] Rubio, on Friday reportedly said it might be another two to four. Is two to four the current [10:47] ballpark that the administration is thinking? With respect to the timeline, again, the president, [10:51] Commander-in-Chief, the Pentagon has always stated four to six weeks estimated timeline [10:56] for Operation Epic Fury. We're on day 30 today. So, again, you do the math on how much longer [11:03] we, the Pentagon needs to fully achieve the objectives of Operation Epic Fury, which I will [11:08] reiterate, destroy the Iranian Navy, destroy their ballistic missiles, dismantle the [11:12] missile and drone production infrastructure, significantly weaken their proxies throughout [11:19] the course of this operation, and then, of course, preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear [11:23] weapon. To your first question, Stephen, about TSA and airports, nothing will be truly normal again [11:29] until Democrats do the right thing to fund this agency fully. Again, the president has stepped in [11:34] in the meantime to do what's right to end this crisis that we've had at air travel and at airports [11:40] across the country. In the meantime, the President has stepped in in the meantime to do what's right [11:42] as it should be. But, again, Congress needs to come back, Democrats need to fund the Department [11:45] of Homeland Security, so we can formally and fully get these great employees paid long [11:51] into the future. [11:53] Jonathan. [11:55] Q Thanks a lot, Carolyn. Two questions regarding the financial cost of the war. That, during [11:59] the Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991, Arab countries paid for the vast majority of the cost of [12:05] the war, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE. Who's paying for the cost of this war? Will those [12:12] Arab countries step in? [12:13] up to do just that well i think it's something the president would be quite interested in calling [12:18] them to do um i won't get ahead of him on that but certainly it's an idea that i i know that he has [12:24] and something that i think you'll hear more from him on and secondly the cost of diesel [12:28] is averaging at 538 a gallon right now what's the message from the trump administration [12:36] to truck drivers who are dealing with those high fuel costs right now again we understand [12:40] we hear you we see you we are fully tracking this short-term fluctuation in oil and in diesel [12:47] prices and that's why the president and the administration have continually announced [12:51] robust actions to provide stability in the global energy market as you know political risk insurance [12:57] one of those actions allowing countries to purchase sanctioned oil just to increase the [13:02] supply in the meantime we've worked to release 400 billion barrels of oil and refined products [13:09] as well we issued the [13:10] 60 [13:10] 60 [13:10] a jones act waiver all of this has with the goal of increasing supply to create [13:16] stabilization in the market in the meantime but the overall message as we've repeatedly stated as [13:21] again these are short-term actions and short-term price fluctuations for the long-term benefit of [13:30] ending the threat that iran poses to the united states of america our troops and our allies in the [13:35] region and ensuring that this regime can no longer control the world's free flow of energy through [13:40] the strait of her moose which is something the administration continues to tackle day by day as well [13:45] jennifer uh just two questions i'll watch jennifer i'll go to both [13:51] go ahead so two questions one on uh one on china and one on iran on china ahead of the president's [13:56] trip to beijing will there be a working level meeting with secretary pheasant uh jameson [14:01] greer etc and when will that be i do expect cabinet officials to travel to china china [14:06] ahead of time i don't have a readout on their schedules for you but this is something we tip a [14:10] cle do with international travel as you know so i'll talk to our the treasury department and the [14:15] cabinet myself and we'll get you that answer but we do expect them to move ahead of time okay and [14:19] thank you and on iran uh if iran is kind of cherry picking what tankers get to go through the strait [14:25] now and contemplating big tolls on those tankers is that consistent or how is that consistent [14:31] really with the president's message about really wanting the strait to be fully open like does the [14:35] administration support a regime or system where iran is is effectively charging tolls on these vessels [14:40] to access that's not something we support and i would reject that they are cherry picking in fact [14:45] as you know these tankers that are moving through the 10 that were previously announced and now the [14:50] new 20 the announcement of 20 additional tankers which we expect to see over the coming days [14:55] are a result of the direct and indirect talks that are taking place between the united states [15:00] and iran so you wouldn't have seen those tankers if not for the president's diplomacy and his team [15:04] engaging on this matter which we expect that compliance moving forward and it's again something [15:09] that we're working on very closely [15:10] thanks for taking my question i have two for you real quick there are reports that republicans are [15:25] weighing cuts to health care in order to make way for that 200 billion dollars for the pentagon and [15:30] operation epic fury is that a trade-off that president trump supports uh i've seen these [15:35] reports i haven't spoken to the president about it nor have i heard this being discussed in any [15:39] high-level meetings here in the united states [15:40] at the white house i don't want to weigh in definitively um because i just haven't heard [15:45] that being discussed here in the west wing and then secondly i know president trump says we're [15:49] ahead of schedule in achieving his military objectives in iran he laid out that four to [15:54] six week timetable for this conflict and we're now within week five so how do you square kind [16:01] of those two well four to six weeks estimated timeline again you just said we're on day 30 [16:06] of the operation i just provided you with some of the updates [16:10] and i think that's a good one if you're not aware of the military's commitment to the [16:15] army in iran the army has been extremely successful i think it has been really successful and [16:19] i think we should all be very proud of our armed forces for what they have done over the past 30 [16:24] days the mission will continue until the objectives are achieved and that four to six week timeline [16:28] does remain right now i don't have any updates for you on that caroline like others one on tsa one on [16:36] iran um on iran i know it's tough to engage in hypotheticals but i feel like this is one that you [16:41] If the President does seek or the United States seeks a ground war, does he intend to get [16:46] congressional authorization of that march? [16:48] MS. [16:49] Look, the President has been asked about boots on the ground or alleged ground operations [16:54] various times. [16:55] He's obviously declined to rule them out. [16:57] It's the Pentagon's job to provide maximum optionality to the President. [17:01] It does not mean he's made a decision, nor would he ever notify the media of such decision [17:06] as not to tip off our enemy. [17:08] With respect to abiding by Congress and the rule of law, that's something the administration [17:13] will, of course, always do, and it's something that we have great respect for Congress. [17:18] The President does with military operations. [17:22] In fact, when – prior to the launch of Operation Epic Fury, as you know, the administration [17:27] gave a courtesy notice to Congress in the Gang of Eight, and top-level administration [17:31] officials and Cabinet secretaries have gone to Congress multiple times over the past 30 [17:36] days to provide those courtesy briefings. [17:38] So, I think that's something that we have to do. [17:41] MS. [17:42] Thank you. [17:43] And then, on to TSA quickly. [17:44] I was – I've been asked by multiple Trump supporters that have said, given the fact [17:46] that the President, on that Friday, gave that memorandum informing VHS to pay TSA workers [17:51] – I know there's a lot of negotiations involved in a shutdown of this size – why [17:54] did the President not sooner issue that payment to TSA workers? [17:58] MS. [17:59] Well, it's because of the Democrats voting seven times against reopening the Department [18:03] of Homeland Security that we came to a place of an existential crisis. [18:07] I mean, you saw the lines. [18:08] MS. [18:08] I saw the lines. [18:09] At various major airports across the country, American travelers really paying the price [18:14] for Democrats' partisan games. [18:16] And so the President worked with his legal team here at the White House and the Office [18:19] of Management and Budget to find a solution to take care of the emergency that we were [18:25] seeing in air travel across the country. [18:27] And it's because of the President that TSA agents are being paid. [18:30] But again, he's calling on Congress to do the right thing, to come back to Washington, [18:34] and to fund and reopen the Department of Homeland Security fully. [18:38] MS. [18:39] Sure. [18:40] Hi. [18:41] Lindsay Ellis from The Wall Street Journal. [18:42] I'm trying to square the four objectives laid out by the administration with the goal of [18:45] reopening fully the Strait of Hormuz. [18:48] Would President Trump declare victory and wind down military operations if the four [18:52] objectives are met but still passage remains quite slow through the Strait? [18:56] MS. [18:57] Look, as I've said repeatedly and as the President has laid out, the objectives [19:00] of Operation Epic Fury are as follows. [19:02] Destroying the Iranian Navy, destroying their ballistic missiles, dismantling their defense-industrial [19:07] infrastructure that produces those weapons that have long threatened the United States [19:12] and our allies, and then, of course, preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. [19:17] The full reopening of the Strait is something the administration is working towards, but [19:20] the core objectives of the operation have been clearly defined for the American people [19:24] by the Commander-in-Chief. [19:25] Jared. [19:26] The Press. [19:27] The Press. [19:28] The Press. [19:29] The Press. [19:30] The Press. [19:31] The Press. [19:32] The Press. [19:33] The Press. [19:34] The Press. [19:35] The Press. [19:36] I want to come to the point that I intentionally [19:39] remove my previous question, and that's why I have to discuss this more closely. [19:44] Of course, we have to participate in the outcome of the operation on U.S. fighter aircraft [19:48] at the Mousefield saresta in Iran. [19:50] Does the President still want to focus on industries like nuclear weapons and bombs [19:55] remained an important issue in the UN and the mix-up that the United States and Iran [20:00] have had with Portомуja? [20:02] How particular are the U.S. side in the development of weapons and show drunking weapons? [20:06] States Armed Forces has capabilities beyond their wildest imagination and the [20:10] President is not afraid to use them. That's not what I said Garrett and [20:15] you're saying the word potential for a reason because I'm sure some experts are [20:19] telling you that in your ear to try to ask me that question. Of course this [20:24] administration and the United States Armed Forces will always act within the [20:27] confines of the law but with respect to achieving the full objectives of [20:32] Operation Epic Fury, President Trump is going to move forward unabated and he [20:36] expects the Iranian regime to make a deal with the administration. [20:39] With which of those objectives would destroying the desalination plant most help? [20:45] Hayley go ahead. [20:46] Thanks Caroline. I want to follow up on Iran. When you're describing that the Iranians you're in contact with are being more reasonable this time around in discussions, what specifically are you hearing that is leading you to that conclusion and how are you defining what's reasonable versus unreasonable at that point? [21:02] I'm not going to detail the private insensitive conversations that are [21:06] taking place. As I've been saying I've been focusing on Iran as a whole on our [21:06] taking place between the United States and Iran right now. [21:08] The Press But generally speaking? [21:10] Ms. Generally speaking, the President gave you the answer. [21:12] What we're hearing from them is more reasonable. [21:14] They have agreed to some of the points the United States laid [21:16] out, as the President said last night aboard Air Force One. [21:19] But, again, as for the specifics, [21:21] as these negotiations are ongoing, [21:23] we're not going to broadcast them to the world unless the [21:25] President chooses to do so, which he has the full right to [21:27] do as the leader of the free world. [21:29] The Press On Cuba, the President threatened to tear up any [21:33] country that would send oil to Cuba. [21:36] But now the U.S. is letting this Russian tanker to Cuba. [21:39] Is this a policy change, or is he willing to let more tankers [21:44] into Cuba now? [21:45] Ms. This is not a policy change. [21:47] There has not been a formal change in sanction policy. [21:50] As the President said last night, [21:53] we allowed this ship to reach Cuba in order to provide [21:55] humanitarian needs to the Cuban people. [21:58] These decisions are being made on a case-by-case basis. [22:01] But as the administration has said, [22:03] Cuba's nonfunctional economy cannot be fixed unless they [22:05] undergo dramatic political and leadership change. [22:08] But there has been no formal change with respect to [22:10] sanction policy. [22:11] The Press So you could expect more tankers to go to Cuba? [22:15] Ms. Again, these decisions are being made on a [22:16] case-by-case basis right now. [22:17] The Press Thanks, Caroline. [22:20] You addressed this a little bit in the opening, [22:21] but just to follow up, because Americans are sort of seeing [22:23] these conflicting messages between the United States [22:25] and Iran. [22:26] I know the President insists that negotiations are underway. [22:29] As you just mentioned, he's also said that Iran has agreed to [22:32] most of the 15% of the U.S. [22:32] economy, and that's a very good point. [22:34] We just heard from Iran again, they're saying no negotiations [22:36] are taking place. [22:37] They're calling the proposal excessive, unrealistic. [22:40] So how do you square that? [22:42] What is it? [22:43] How do you explain that discrepancy between the two? [22:45] Ms. I think the American people are smart enough not to [22:47] take the word of a terrorist regime that has chanted death to [22:51] America for 47 years at their word. [22:54] And I hope the journalists in this room are wise enough not to [22:56] take an Iranian regime that has repeatedly lied about our [23:00] country, about our values, about everything that we've been [23:02] talking about, about everyone in this room, frankly, for nearly [23:05] five decades. [23:06] So I think the American public are smart enough to understand [23:09] that. [23:10] The Press And just to follow up on the objectives, [23:11] you've laid them out, but I know the President has set a deadline [23:13] for April 6th in just one week. [23:16] What does the President need to see to not move forward with [23:19] those strikes by April 6th? [23:20] Ms. Well, I think he said it in his Truth Social [23:22] post this morning. [23:23] He wants to see a deal over the next 10 days. [23:26] That timeline is waning, several days left, and we'll see. [23:30] I won't get ahead of it. [23:31] We'll see what happens. [23:32] We'll see what happens at the end of the 10-day period. [23:33] The Press [23:35] Caroline, thank you. [23:36] One on Iran, one on the shutdown. [23:37] The President continues to say the U.S. is in conversations with a more reasonable regime, [23:43] but there are now hundreds of U.S. special operations forces, including Navy SEALs and [23:47] Army Rangers in the Middle East, as well as thousands of other troops already deployed. [23:51] So is he trying to end or intensify the conflict? [23:55] Ms. The President is focused on achieving the objectives of Operation Epic Fury with [24:00] respect to forces that are on the ground in the Middle East. [24:03] It's the job of the Pentagon to create maximum optionality for the Commander-in-Chief. [24:08] It does not mean the President has made any additional decisions. [24:12] Again, he remains focused on ensuring that the Pentagon continues to achieve the objectives [24:17] of the operation that was launched 30 days ago, and we're well on our way to doing that. [24:21] The Press [24:22] So if an American is sitting at home, hearing him say, I want to talk, but I keep seeing [24:27] them send troops to that region, what are they to make of what's going on? [24:30] Ms. There's two tracks here. [24:31] The President has always said that diplomacy is the only way to achieve the objectives [24:33] of the operation, and that diplomacy is his number one option and priority. [24:37] Again, he tried earnestly, in good faith, to engage in diplomacy with the Iranian regime [24:43] prior to this operation being launched in the first place. [24:46] He wanted to strike a deal, and he sent his top negotiators to do so. [24:50] They spent extensive amount of time and effort trying to strike a deal, and unfortunately, [24:56] the previous regime, again, many of those leaders no longer with us here on Earth because [25:00] they faced the consequences of the United States military. [25:03] So whatever a chance for a deal, again, the President is open to listening, but it does [25:08] not deter him from focusing on the military objectives that he set out 30 days ago and [25:13] that our military is continuing to achieve day by day. [25:16] The Press [25:17] On the shutdown, he signed the national emergency order last Thursday of making sure TSA officers [25:23] will be paid. [25:24] There's still other civilian DHS employees, however, who are not being paid. [25:28] Did he sign something similar to ensure they also get paid? [25:31] Ms. Look, the President will always look into [25:33] ways that we can make sure that the American people are being taken care of and doing what's [25:37] right by the American people, but again, it's ridiculous that the President even has to [25:41] go to the length of working with the legal team and the Office of Management and Budget [25:45] to identify these funds. [25:46] It is the job of Congress to fund these agencies, and Democrats in Congress have voted seven [25:52] times against funding the Department of Homeland Security. [25:55] Congress should come back, and they should get it done. [25:58] The President, again, made the decision to prevent this existential crisis we were seeing [26:02] at our nation's airports across the country. [26:04] That was only going to get worse, and that's why he wants Congress to do his job. [26:08] The Press [26:09] Since you mentioned Easter and prayers, I wanted to ask you about something the Pope [26:16] said yesterday. [26:17] So Pope Leo said yesterday, and I quote him, God does not listen to the prayer of those [26:22] who wage war. [26:23] Can you comment on that? [26:25] Ms. I think our nation was a nation founded 250 years ago almost. [26:31] We've seen a lot of progress in the history of our nation. [26:34] We've seen a lot of progress on Judeo-Christian values, and we've seen Presidents, we've seen [26:41] the leaders of the Department of War, and we've seen our troops go to prayer during [26:46] the most turbulent times in our nation's history. [26:49] And I don't think there's anything wrong with our military leaders or with the President [26:54] calling on the American people to pray for our service members and those who are serving [26:59] our country overseas. [27:00] And to many service members, they will tell you they appreciate the prayers and support [27:03] from the Commander-in-Chief and from his Cabinet. [27:06] The Press [27:08] Caroline, thank you. [27:09] President Trump told the New York Post that a response is coming shortly to Tehran attacking [27:13] Israel's largest oil refinery. [27:15] Is there a timeline on that? [27:17] Is that tied to the success or not of the negotiations? [27:20] Ms. I don't have any updates for you on the President's comments. [27:23] The Press [27:24] The Press [27:25] The Press [27:26] The Press [27:27] The Press [27:28] The Press [27:29] The Press [27:30] The Press [27:31] The Press [27:32] The Press [27:33] The Press [27:34] The Press [27:35] The Press [27:36] The Press [27:37] The Press [27:38] The Press [27:39] The Press [27:40] The Press [27:41] The Press [27:42] The Press [27:43] The Press [27:44] The Press [27:45] The Press [27:46] The Press [27:47] The Press [27:48] The Press [27:49] The Press [27:50] The Press [27:51] The Press [27:52] The Press [27:53] The Press [27:54] The Press [27:55] The Press [27:56] The Press [27:57] The Press [27:58] The Press [27:59] to reach Cuba. [28:00] Just to clarify, why was the administration okay [28:04] with Russia sending that oil to Cuba and not other nations? [28:08] Ms. Look, again, this was a decision. [28:10] It'll continue to be made on a case-by-case basis [28:12] for humanitarian reasons or otherwise, [28:14] but there's been no firm change in our sanctions policy. [28:16] The Press The President's shinebomb of Mexico [28:18] also said that Mexico is exploring different ways [28:20] to restart some of those shipments to Cuba. [28:23] Is the administration okay with that at this time? [28:25] Ms. Again, there's been no change [28:27] in our sanction policy. [28:28] We still reserve the right to seize vessels [28:30] if it's legally applicable that are headed towards Cuba [28:33] and that violate the United States sanction policy. [28:36] But, of course, the President and the administration [28:37] also reserve the right to waive those seizures [28:41] on a case-by-case basis. [28:42] The Press Can you clarify just any more Russian oil tankers [28:45] going to be allowed to reach Cuba at this time? [28:47] I know you say case-by-case, but for the case of Russia, [28:50] is it pretty much green light right now? [28:52] Ms. No, that's not what I said. [28:53] It's a case-by-case basis. [28:54] The Press Sure, Jeff, go ahead. [28:58] The Press On the hydrogen topics, [28:59] the President has always attended CPAC. [29:01] He did not this year. [29:02] Why did he not attend, and does he believe CPAC [29:05] is becoming less relevant? [29:06] Ms. No, I don't think he believes that at all. [29:09] In fact, he loves CPAC and has a very good relationship [29:12] with the great people who run it, Mercedes and Matt Schlapp. [29:16] It was just simply for scheduling purposes this year, [29:18] with it being in Texas. [29:20] It was best for the President's schedule [29:22] and what he has on his plate right now not to go. [29:24] The Press Carolina. [29:25] Ms. Michael. [29:26] The Press Thank you, Caroline. [29:27] Ms. Michael. [29:28] The Press You said the President [29:29] has finalized with Iran. [29:30] How does the U.S. provide protection to who it's [29:32] negotiating with to ensure that they can carry out [29:34] the President's peace plan? [29:35] Ms. Again, that's something I'm sure our [29:38] national security team is discussing. [29:40] I don't have anything for you on that today. [29:42] The Press On the ballroom, can you tell us more [29:44] about this massive military complex underneath [29:46] the President's new ballroom? [29:47] Ms. I cannot tell you more about that, [29:50] actually, as a matter of fact. [29:52] However, the military is making some upgrades to [29:56] their facilities here at the White House, and I [29:58] am not privy to provide any more details on that at this time. [30:01] The Press Is that Caroline? [30:02] Ms. Go ahead. [30:03] The Press Reagan. [30:03] The Press Thanks, Caroline. [30:04] A question on the Middle East and then a question [30:06] on Antifa. [30:08] Netanyahu said Sunday that Cardinal Pitabalo will be [30:11] able to hold services for Palm Sunday in the Church [30:15] of Holy Sepulchre after he was initially blocked [30:18] by Israeli police. [30:19] Did anyone from the administration or the [30:21] President call over to Israeli officials to [30:24] assist the Cardinal in this? [30:26] Ms. Yes. [30:27] I spoke this week with Secretary Rubio this [30:29] morning, and we did express our concerns with [30:32] Israel with respect to these holy sites being [30:34] shut down. [30:35] We want worshipers to be able to access these holy [30:37] sites. [30:38] Of course, safety is a top priority, but we [30:40] understand Israel is working on those security [30:42] measures to reopen the sites throughout Holy Week, [30:45] and that's something that we're appreciative of. [30:46] The Press In Texas, nine people have been [30:50] convicted by a federal jury on domestic terrorism [30:53] charges connected to Antifa. [30:55] The White House has previously indicated that [30:57] you guys are investigating Antifa, [30:59] disfunding them, misleading them. [31:01] Can you provide an update on how that investigation [31:04] is going? [31:05] And do you think we're going to see more charges [31:07] against people connected to Antifa? [31:09] Ms. Well, I do know that there was an entire [31:11] task force that was set up, an interagency task [31:13] force, to focus on the threat of Antifa, which, [31:16] as you know, Reagan, this President, declared a [31:18] domestic terrorist organization rightfully. [31:22] And we will continue to look into it. [31:24] I don't have any updates on those specific [31:26] investigations. [31:27] I'm just going to have my team get those over to [31:29] you today as this continues to be of the utmost [31:31] importance to the President and his domestic [31:33] policy agenda. [31:34] The Press 1 question on landmines. [31:39] There's been some reporting that American-made [31:42] landmines have been spotted on the ground in Iran. [31:45] Did President Trump sign off on using U.S.-made [31:48] landmines in Iran? [31:49] Ms. I don't have any comment on that report today. [31:51] The Press I don't know whether they're being used at all. [31:54] Ms. I don't have any comment on that. [31:55] The Press I'm Karen. [31:56] The Press 2 on DHS. [31:58] You said that the President is encouraging Congress to come back to D.C. [32:01] You also said yourself. [32:02] How has he done that? [32:03] Has he told leadership that they should cancel recess and come back? [32:07] He's said it repeatedly. [32:08] I think you recall he said that he'll host a big Easter dinner here at the White House [32:12] if Congress will come back and fight the Democrats on this issue, which we should do. [32:17] Because, again, the Democrat Party is in the wrong here. [32:19] They have voted seven times against funding the Department of Homeland Security, [32:24] which is completely egregious with everything we have going on in the world [32:27] and these brave men and women who serve DHS deserve to get their paychecks. [32:32] The President wants to see that happen and he wants Congress to come back to get it done. [32:35] Thank you.