White House press briefing: Iran negotiations, DHS funding

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