White House on Iran, Operation Epic Fury & DHS funding

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