FBI Director James Comey likened impenetrable digital encryption to a "vicious guard dog" Tuesday, as a high-stakes fight between privacy and national security moved from the courts to Congress.

"There's already a door on that iPhone. We're asking Apple to take the vicious guard dog away and let us pick the lock," Comey said before the House Judiciary Committee.

Tuesday's hearing comes amid two significant — and conflicting — court rulings in New York and California on whether Apple can be forced to help the FBI gain access to locked phones.

The hearing, which was also to feature Apple's top lawyer, is providing an extraordinary public forum for the Justice Department and Apple Inc. to stake out competing positions. The company's recent opposition has brought a long-simmering debate over digital privacy rights and national security to the mainstream.

A judge in California two weeks ago directed Apple to help the FBI hack into a locked iPhone used by one of the gunmen responsible for the San Bernardino, California attacks that killed 14 people. But on Monday, a judge in Brooklyn said the Obama administration couldn't force Apple to help it gain access to the phone.

Comey acknowledged Tuesday that either decision could set a precedent for other courts.

The California case involves an iPhone 5C owned by San Bernardino County and used by Syed Farook, who was a health inspector. He and his wife Tashfeen Malik killed 14 people during a Dec. 2 attack that was at least partly inspired by the Islamic State group. The couple died later in a gun battle with police.

FBI Director James Comey likened impenetrable digital encryption to a "vicious guard dog" Tuesday, as a high-stakes fight between privacy and national security moved from the courts to Congress.

"There's already a door on that iPhone. We're asking Apple to take the vicious guard dog away and let us pick the lock," Comey said before the House Judiciary Committee.

Tuesday's hearing comes amid two significant — and conflicting — court rulings in New York and California on whether Apple can be forced to help the FBI gain access to locked phones.

The hearing, which was also to feature Apple's top lawyer, is providing an extraordinary public forum for the Justice Department and Apple Inc. to stake out competing positions. The company's recent opposition has brought a long-simmering debate over digital privacy rights and national security to the mainstream.

A judge in California two weeks ago directed Apple to help the FBI hack into a locked iPhone used by one of the gunmen responsible for the San Bernardino, California attacks that killed 14 people. But on Monday, a judge in Brooklyn said the Obama administration couldn't force Apple to help it gain access to the phone.

Comey acknowledged Tuesday that either decision could set a precedent for other courts.

The California case involves an iPhone 5C owned by San Bernardino County and used by Syed Farook, who was a health inspector. He and his wife Tashfeen Malik killed 14 people during a Dec. 2 attack that was at least partly inspired by the Islamic State group. The couple died later in a gun battle with police.

POOL

Washington - 1 March 2016

1. FBI Director James Comey walking into hearing room

2. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"Thank you for hosting this conversation and for helping us all talk about an issue that I believe is the hardest issue I've confronted in government, which is how to balance the privacy we so treasure, that comes to us through the technology that we love. And also achieve public safety which we also all very much treasure."

3. Cutaway of hearing

4. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

++SOUNDBITE INCLUDES CUTAWAYS++

"Two terrorists in the name of ISIL killed 14 people and wounded 22 others at an office gathering, and left behind three phones - two of which, the cheaper models, they smashed beyond use, and the third was left locked. In any investigation that's done competently, the FBI would try to get access to that phone. It's important that it's a live ongoing terrorism investigation, but in any criminal investigation, a competent investigator would try and use all lawful tools to get access to that device. And that's what you see happening in San Bernardino. The San Bernardino case is about that case. It obviously highlights the broader issue and of course it will be looked upon by other judges and other litigants, but it is about the case."

5. Cutaway of hearing

6. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"There are no demons in this debate. The companies are not evil. The government is not evil. You have a whole lot of good people who see the world through different lenses, who care about things - all care about the same things in my view. The companies care about public safety. The FBI cares about innovation and privacy. We devote our lives to trying to stop people from stealing our innovation, our secrets, and hacking into our devices. We care about the same things, which should make this in a way an easier conversation."

7. Cutaway of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"Sure potentially, because any decision of a court about a matter is potentially useful to other courts, which is what a precedent is. I happen to think, having talked to experts, there are technical limitations to how useful this particular San Bernardino technique will be, given how the phones have changed. But sure, other courts, other prosecutors, other lawyers for companies, will look to that for guidance or to try and distinguish it."

9. Cutaway of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"There's already a door on that iPhone. Essentially, we're asking Apple - take the vicious guard dog away. Let us try and pick the lock."

11. Cutaway of hearing

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus049739

FBI Director James Comey likened impenetrable digital encryption to a "vicious guard dog" Tuesday, as a high-stakes fight between privacy and national security moved from the courts to Congress.

"There's already a door on that iPhone. We're asking Apple to take the vicious guard dog away and let us pick the lock," Comey said before the House Judiciary Committee.

Tuesday's hearing comes amid two significant — and conflicting — court rulings in New York and California on whether Apple can be forced to help the FBI gain access to locked phones.

The hearing, which was also to feature Apple's top lawyer, is providing an extraordinary public forum for the Justice Department and Apple Inc. to stake out competing positions. The company's recent opposition has brought a long-simmering debate over digital privacy rights and national security to the mainstream.

A judge in California two weeks ago directed Apple to help the FBI hack into a locked iPhone used by one of the gunmen responsible for the San Bernardino, California attacks that killed 14 people. But on Monday, a judge in Brooklyn said the Obama administration couldn't force Apple to help it gain access to the phone.

Comey acknowledged Tuesday that either decision could set a precedent for other courts.

The California case involves an iPhone 5C owned by San Bernardino County and used by Syed Farook, who was a health inspector. He and his wife Tashfeen Malik killed 14 people during a Dec. 2 attack that was at least partly inspired by the Islamic State group. The couple died later in a gun battle with police.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus049739

FBI Director James Comey likened impenetrable digital encryption to a "vicious guard dog" Tuesday, as a high-stakes fight between privacy and national security moved from the courts to Congress.

"There's already a door on that iPhone. We're asking Apple to take the vicious guard dog away and let us pick the lock," Comey said before the House Judiciary Committee.

Tuesday's hearing comes amid two significant — and conflicting — court rulings in New York and California on whether Apple can be forced to help the FBI gain access to locked phones.

The hearing, which was also to feature Apple's top lawyer, is providing an extraordinary public forum for the Justice Department and Apple Inc. to stake out competing positions. The company's recent opposition has brought a long-simmering debate over digital privacy rights and national security to the mainstream.

A judge in California two weeks ago directed Apple to help the FBI hack into a locked iPhone used by one of the gunmen responsible for the San Bernardino, California attacks that killed 14 people. But on Monday, a judge in Brooklyn said the Obama administration couldn't force Apple to help it gain access to the phone.

Comey acknowledged Tuesday that either decision could set a precedent for other courts.

The California case involves an iPhone 5C owned by San Bernardino County and used by Syed Farook, who was a health inspector. He and his wife Tashfeen Malik killed 14 people during a Dec. 2 attack that was at least partly inspired by the Islamic State group. The couple died later in a gun battle with police.

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

POOL

Washington - 1 March 2016

1. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"Thank you for hosting this conversation and for helping us all talk about an issue that I believe is the hardest issue I've confronted in government, which is how to balance the privacy we so treasure, that comes to us through the technology that we love. And also achieve public safety which we all very much treasure."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"Two terrorists in the name of ISIL killed 14 people and wounded 22 others at an office gathering, and left behind three phones - two of which, the cheaper models, they smashed beyond use, and the third was left locked. In any investigation that's done competently, the FBI would try to get access to that phone. It's important that it's a live ongoing terrorism investigation, but in any criminal investigation, a competent investigator would try and use all lawful tools to get access to that device."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"There are no demons in this debate. The companies are not evil. The government is not evil. You have a whole lot of good people who see the world through different lenses, who care about things - all care about the same things in my view."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"Sure potentially, because any decision of a court about a matter is potentially useful to other courts, which is what a precedent is. I happen to think, having talked to experts, there are technical limitations to how useful this particular San Bernardino technique will be, given how the phones have changed. But sure, other courts, other prosecutors, other lawyers for companies, will look to that for guidance or to try to distinguish it."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"There's already a door on that iPhone. Essentially, we're asking Apple - take the vicious guard dog away. Let us try and pick the lock."

FBI Director James Comey said Thursday the intelligence community is "not aware of any credible threat" in the U.S. of a Paris-style attack.

He also said they have seen "no connection at all between the Paris attackers and the United States."

Comey said the Islamic State and its supporters put out a lot of propaganda, like the recent videos threatening Washington and New York, but he urged, "that is not credible intelligence."

The FBI Director said in the United States, law enforcement is most concerned about lone-wolf individuals inspired by the Islamic State, and he said post 9/11, the intelligence community has gotten very good at tracking these people down and preventing attacks.

Still, Comey urged Americans to be vigilant and speak up if they see or hear anything suspicious.

"Tell us what you saw and then go on living your life while we do our work," he said.

FBI Director James Comey said Thursday the intelligence community is "not aware of any credible threat" in the U.S. of a Paris-style attack.

He also said they have seen "no connection at all between the Paris attackers and the United States."

Comey said the Islamic State and its supporters put out a lot of propaganda, like the recent videos threatening Washington and New York, but he urged, "that is not credible intelligence."

The FBI Director said in the United States, law enforcement is most concerned about lone-wolf individuals inspired by the Islamic State, and he said post 9/11, the intelligence community has gotten very good at tracking these people down and preventing attacks.

Still, Comey urged Americans to be vigilant and speak up if they see or hear anything suspicious.

"Tell us what you saw and then go on living your life while we do our work," he said.

POOL

Washington, DC - 19 November 2015

1. James Comey and Loretta Lynch walk into news conference

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

" We are not aware of any credible threat here of a Paris type attack. And we have seen no connection at all between the Paris attackers and the United States. ISIL and its supporters put out all kinds of propaganda like videos and magazines, but that is not credible intelligence. Of course we investigate all of those propaganda threats, but instead the threats here focused primarily on troubled souls in America who are being inspired or enabled online to do something violent for ISIL. We have stopped a lot of those people this year, especially leading up to July 4th and there are others we worry about and we cover all across the country using all of our lawful tools."

3. Mid shot of Comey speaking

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"Do not let fear become disabling. That is what the terrorists want. They want you to imagine them in the shadows, they want you to imagine them as something greater than they are. Instead, we hope that you will turn fear into healthy awareness of what's around you. If you see something that gives you a bad feeling, tell someone in law enforcement. Since September 11th, we have really worked to get ourselves organized in such a way that if you walk up and tell any police officer in this country or any deputy sheriff in this country that you saw something, didn't seem right, you heard something that didn't seem right, or you read something online that seemed off, that information will get to the right people immediately. You can count on it. And we will check it out. If it's nothing, no harm done but if it was something, great harm may be avoided. Counterterrorism is what you pay us to do. Tell us what you saw and then go on living your life while we do our work. That is channeling fear into something healthy which is awareness of your surroundings and not something disabling. That's what we hope you will do."

5. Wide shot of news conference

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus042649

FBI Director James Comey said Thursday the intelligence community is "not aware of any credible threat" in the U.S. of a Paris-style attack.

He also said they have seen "no connection at all between the Paris attackers and the United States."

Comey said the Islamic State and its supporters put out a lot of propaganda, like the recent videos threatening Washington and New York, but he urged, "that is not credible intelligence."

The FBI Director said in the United States, law enforcement is most concerned about lone-wolf individuals inspired by the Islamic State, and he said post 9/11, the intelligence community has gotten very good at tracking these people down and preventing attacks.

Still, Comey urged Americans to be vigilant and speak up if they see or hear anything suspicious.

"Tell us what you saw and then go on living your life while we do our work," he said.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus042649

FBI Director James Comey said Thursday the intelligence community is "not aware of any credible threat" in the U.S. of a Paris-style attack.

He also said they have seen "no connection at all between the Paris attackers and the United States."

Comey said the Islamic State and its supporters put out a lot of propaganda, like the recent videos threatening Washington and New York, but he urged, "that is not credible intelligence."

The FBI Director said in the United States, law enforcement is most concerned about lone-wolf individuals inspired by the Islamic State, and he said post 9/11, the intelligence community has gotten very good at tracking these people down and preventing attacks.

Still, Comey urged Americans to be vigilant and speak up if they see or hear anything suspicious.

"Tell us what you saw and then go on living your life while we do our work," he said.

POOL

Washington, DC - 19 November 2015

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

" We are not aware of any credible threat here of a Paris type attack. And we have seen no connection at all between the Paris attackers and the United States. ISIL and its supporters put out all kinds of propaganda like videos and magazines, but that is not credible intelligence. Of course we investigate all of those propaganda threats, but instead the threats here focused primarily on troubled souls in America who are being inspired or enabled online to do something violent for ISIL. We have stopped a lot of those people this year, especially leading up to July 4th and there are others we worry about and we cover all across the country using all of our lawful tools."

(++white flash between bites++)

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) James Comey, FBI Director:

"Do not let fear become disabling. That is what the terrorists want. They want you to imagine them in the shadows, they want you to imagine them as something greater than they are. Instead, we hope that you will turn fear into healthy awareness of what's around you. If you see something that gives you a bad feeling, tell someone in law enforcement. Since September 11th, we have really worked to get ourselves organized in such a way that if you walk up and tell any police officer in this country or any deputy sheriff in this country that you saw something, didn't seem right, you heard something that didn't seem right, or you read something online that seemed off, that information will get to the right people immediately. You can count on it. And we will check it out. If it's nothing, no harm done but if it was something, great harm may be avoided. Counterterrorism is what you pay us to do. Tell us what you saw and then go on living your life while we do our work. That is channeling fear into something healthy which is awareness of your surroundings and not something disabling. That's what we hope you will do."

Congressional members criticized their peers for playing politics after the mass shooting in Orlando.

Others blamed the legislature's inaction on gun control laws, which they said, allowed one gunman to kill 49 people in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, says he wants to explore the potential for a system that would trigger an alert when someone who was previously on a terrorism watch list wants to buy a gun.

The congressional members spoke following a classified briefing with FBI Director James Comey and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Tuesday.

Congressional members criticized their peers for playing politics after the mass shooting in Orlando.

Others blamed the legislature's inaction on gun control laws, which they said, allowed one gunman to kill 49 people in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, says he wants to explore the potential for a system that would trigger an alert when someone who was previously on a terrorism watch list wants to buy a gun.

The congressional members spoke following a classified briefing with FBI Director James Comey and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Tuesday.

Washington - 14 June 2016

1. Cameras waiting in hallway

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Dave Jolly, (R) Florida:

"Shame on members of Congress who use a tragedy in Orlando to play politics and that's on both sides of the aisle and shame on candidates who do the same thing. So a members briefing that immediately turns into questions of partisanship is unfortunate for the American people so listen a tribute to law enforcement, they were doing the best they could in this case. This was someone who was intent on being a terrorist and, unfortunately, he achieved it."

3. Wide of people waiting in hallway

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Dave Jolly, (R) Florida:

"When both sides of the aisle fall back into their partisan trenches we get nothing done. It is as heartbreaking as what we've seen this past week to see people yelling, 'Shame' on the House floor, to see presidential candidates claiming credit or casting blame, to see Harry Reid blame Marco Rubio. This is what politicians do and it's disgusting. This is an American moment where we should not be Republicans or Democrats. We should solve this issue."

5. Jolly leaving

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Adam Schiff, (D) California

"One of the issues that was raised repeatedly during the briefing is the issue of whether someone who has been watch listed but has then been moved off the watch list should nonetheless be subject of a flag when they seek to purchase a weapon like an assault weapon. Such that the FBI could consider whether that warranted a reopening of the investigation."

7. Schiff leaving

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Alan Grayson, (D) Florida:

"The reason why we suffered the worst mass shooting in history is because it was possible for one person to kill so many people so quickly. He couldn't have done it with a boxcutter. He couldn't have done it with a rock. He had to have an automatic weapon to do it. That's what made this tragedy possible."

9. Homeland Security Secretary

10. SOUNDBITE Jeh Johnson, Homeland Security Secretary

"I think we had an informative session many questions about the impending investigation which the FBI director answered. It's important to remember it's still early, this is basically two and half days since the attack in Orlando. I suspect we will be back up here. I know we have a meeting tomorrow with the Senate. There will be opportunties to testify publicly."

11. Johnson leaving

Senior US national security officials say they are worried about the potential for violence at the Republican National Convention to be held in Cleveland next week.

During congressional testimony on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said he's concerned that demonstrations outside the convention hall may get out of hand.

Johnson says he will be inspecting the security around the convention hall during a visit on Friday.

He says there are similar concerns about the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and he will be visiting that site next week.

Johnson told the House Homeland Security Committee there will be 4,000 U.S. government security personnel in Cleveland.

FBI Director James Comey added that anytime there is a large, national event there is concern that radical people and groups may be drawn to it.

Senior US national security officials say they are worried about the potential for violence at the Republican National Convention to be held in Cleveland next week.

During congressional testimony on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said he's concerned that demonstrations outside the convention hall may get out of hand.

Johnson says he will be inspecting the security around the convention hall during a visit on Friday.

He says there are similar concerns about the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and he will be visiting that site next week.

Johnson told the House Homeland Security Committee there will be 4,000 U.S. government security personnel in Cleveland.

FBI Director James Comey added that anytime there is a large, national event there is concern that radical people and groups may be drawn to it.

Senior US national security officials say they are worried about the potential for violence at the Republican National Convention to be held in Cleveland next week.

During congressional testimony on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said he's concerned that demonstrations outside the convention hall may get out of hand.

Johnson says he will be inspecting the security around the convention hall during a visit on Friday.

He says there are similar concerns about the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and he will be visiting that site next week.

Johnson told the House Homeland Security Committee there will be 4,000 U.S. government security personnel in Cleveland.

FBI Director James Comey added that anytime there is a large, national event there is concern that radical people and groups may be drawn to it.

POOL

Washington, DC - 14 July 2016

1. House of Representatives members taking seats at House Homeland Security Committee

2. Various of Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security; James Comey, FBI Director, and others sitting before house panel

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security:

"I am concerned about the prospect of demonstrations getting out of hand. I am concerned about the possibility of violence. We have within DHS (Department of Homeland Security) some 3,000 personnel that will be dedicated to the security of the Republican National Convention, and the Democratic National Convention each, consisting of Secret Service, TSA (Transportation Security Administration), Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection. NPPD (National Protection and Programs Directorate), Coast Guard. I know there will be at least another 1,000 or so US government personnel in both places, a number in Cleveland of the Ohio Guard, as well as probably thousands in terms of state and local law enforcement. We have been planning and preparing for both conventions for over a year, as I mentioned earlier. I plan to inspect the security at both sites, Cleveland tomorrow, and Philadelphia next Friday."

4. Various of of House panel

5. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Director:

"So, anytime there's a national spotlight on a political event in the United States, there's a risk that groups that aspire to do just that - to engage in acts of domestic terrorism - will be attracted. It's a threat we're watching very, very carefully. It's the reason we have hundreds of people focused on intelligence and deployed to Cleveland. I don't want to talk about particular groups here, but there is a concern anytime there's an event like this that people from across a spectrum of radical groups will be attracted to it, so we're watching it very, very carefully."

6. Wide of Johnson, Comey and others sitting in front of House panel

President Barack Obama says his administration's recommendations for gun control executive actions are within his legal authority and consistent with the Second Amendment.

Obama was speaking in the Oval Office following a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials.

The officials presented the president with options for gun control measures he can take without congressional approval.

The president did not specify what actions he planned to take. The steps are expected to include expanding background checks on gun sales by forcing more sellers to register as federally licensed gun dealers.

The president says the measures won't solve every violent crime in the US, but would potentially "save lives and spare families the pain."

President Barack Obama says his administration's recommendations for gun control executive actions are within his legal authority and consistent with the Second Amendment.

Obama was speaking in the Oval Office following a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials.

The officials presented the president with options for gun control measures he can take without congressional approval.

The president did not specify what actions he planned to take. The steps are expected to include expanding background checks on gun sales by forcing more sellers to register as federally licensed gun dealers.

The president says the measures won't solve every violent crime in the US, but would potentially "save lives and spare families the pain."

Washington - 4 January 2016

1. President Barack Obama speaking in the Oval Office

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Barack Obama:

"Before the New Year, I mentioned that I had given the charge to my Attorney General, FBI Director, Deputy Director at the ATF, and personnel in my White House to work together to see what more we could do to prevent the scourge of gun violence in this country."

3. Cutaway of media

4. Cutaway of Attorney General Loretta Lynch

5. SOUNDBITE (English) President Barack Obama:

"And, I have just received back a report from Attorney General Lynch, Director Comey (FBI Director James Comey), as well as (ATF) Deputy Director Brandon about some of the ideas and initiatives that they think can make a difference. And the good news is that these are not only recommendations that are well within my legal authority and the executive branch, but they are also ones that the overwhelming majority of the American people, including gun owners, support and believe in. So, over the next several days, we'll be rolling out these initiatives. We'll be making sure that people have a very clear understanding about what can make a difference and what we can do. And, although we have to be very clear that this is not going to solve every violent crime in this country. It's not going to prevent every mass shooting. It's not going to keep every gun out of the hands of a criminal. It will potentially save lives in this country, and spare families the pain and the extraordinary loss that they've suffered as a consequence of a firearm being in the hands of the wrong people. I'm also confident that the recommendations that are being made by my team here are ones that are entirely consistent with the second amendment and people's lawful right to bear arms."

6. Cutaway of Obama in Oval Office

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus045299

President Barack Obama says his administration's recommendations for gun control executive actions are within his legal authority and consistent with the Second Amendment.

Obama is speaking in the Oval Office following a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials. The officials presented the president with options for gun control measures he can take without congressional approval.

The president did not specify what actions he plans to take. The steps are expected to include expanding background checks on gun sales by forcing more sellers to register as federally licensed gun dealers.

The president says the measures won't solve every violent crime in the U.S., but will potentially "save lives and spare families the pain."

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus045299

President Barack Obama says his administration's recommendations for gun control executive actions are within his legal authority and consistent with the Second Amendment.

Obama is speaking in the Oval Office following a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials. The officials presented the president with options for gun control measures he can take without congressional approval.

The president did not specify what actions he plans to take. The steps are expected to include expanding background checks on gun sales by forcing more sellers to register as federally licensed gun dealers.

The president says the measures won't solve every violent crime in the U.S., but will potentially "save lives and spare families the pain."

AP TELEVISION

Washington - 4 January 2016

1. SOUNDBITE (English) President Barack Obama:

"Before the new year, I mentioned that I had given the charge to my attorney general, FBI director, deputy director at the ATF, and personnel in my White House to work together to see what more we could do to prevent the scourge of gun violence in this country."

++WHITE FLASH++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Barack Obama:

"And, I have just received back a report from Attorney General Lynch, Director Comey (FBI Director James Comey), as well as (ATF) Deputy Director Brandon about some of the ideas and initiatives that they think can make a difference. And the good news is that these are not only recommendations that are well within my legal authority and the executive branch, but they are also ones that the overwhelming majority of the American people, including gun owners, support and believe in. So, over the next several days, we'll be rolling out these initiatives. We'll be making sure that people have a very clear understanding about what can make a difference and what we can do. And, although we have to be very clear that this is not going to solve every violent crime in this country. It's not going to prevent every mass shooting. It's not going to keep every gun out of the hands of a criminal. It will potentially save lives in this country, and spare families the pain and the extraordinary loss that they've suffered as a consequence of a firearm being in the hands of the wrong people. I'm also confident that the recommendations that are being made by my team here are ones that are entirely consistent with the second amendment and people's lawful right to bear arms."

President Barack Obama says his administration's recommendations for gun control executive actions are within his legal authority and consistent with the Second Amendment.

Obama is speaking in the Oval Office following a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials. The officials presented the president with options for gun control measures he can take without congressional approval.

The president did not specify what actions he plans to take. The steps are expected to include expanding background checks on gun sales by forcing more sellers to register as federally licensed gun dealers.

The president says the measures won't solve every violent crime in the U.S., but will potentially "save lives and spare families the pain."

President Barack Obama says his administration's recommendations for gun control executive actions are within his legal authority and consistent with the Second Amendment.

Obama is speaking in the Oval Office following a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials. The officials presented the president with options for gun control measures he can take without congressional approval.

The president did not specify what actions he plans to take. The steps are expected to include expanding background checks on gun sales by forcing more sellers to register as federally licensed gun dealers.

The president says the measures won't solve every violent crime in the U.S., but will potentially "save lives and spare families the pain."

AP TELEVISION

Washington - 4 January 2016

1. President Barack Obama speaking in the Oval Office

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Barack Obama:

"Before the new year, I mentioned that I had given the charge to my attorney general, FBI director, deputy director at the ATF, and personnel in my White House to work together to see what more we could do to prevent the scourge of gun violence in this country."

3. Cutaway of media

4. Cutaway of Attorney General Loretta Lynch

5. SOUNDBITE (English) President Barack Obama:

"And, I have just received back a report from Attorney General Lynch, Director Comey (FBI Director James Comey), as well as (ATF) Deputy Director Brandon about some of the ideas and initiatives that they think can make a difference. And the good news is that these are not only recommendations that are well within my legal authority and the executive branch, but they are also ones that the overwhelming majority of the American people, including gun owners, support and believe in. So, over the next several days, we'll be rolling out these initiatives. We'll be making sure that people have a very clear understanding about what can make a difference and what we can do. And, although we have to be very clear that this is not going to solve every violent crime in this country. It's not going to prevent every mass shooting. It's not going to keep every gun out of the hands of a criminal. It will potentially save lives in this country, and spare families the pain and the extraordinary loss that they've suffered as a consequence of a firearm being in the hands of the wrong people. I'm also confident that the recommendations that are being made by my team here are ones that are entirely consistent with the second amendment and people's lawful right to bear arms."

6. Cutaway of Obama in Oval Office

The campaigns for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are still managing the fallout after FBI Director James Comey told members of Congress that the bureau has reopened its investigation of Clinton's emails.

Comey said information had turned up in an unrelated investigation of former Congressman Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

Clinton, who is set to campaign Monday across Ohio, vowed over the weekend that she would not be "knocked off course" in the election's final days by the discovery of new emails in an unrelated sexting investigation. It is unclear what is contained in the emails or if any of them was sent or received by Clinton herself.

Trump campaigned with new vigor, He heads to Michigan for a pair of rallies Monday, It's a state that last voted for the Republican nominee for president in 1988.

AP TELEVISION

Washington - 31 October 2016

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Lerer, Associated Press:

"So the campaign, both campaigns are still managing the fallout of these explosive, Friday news from FBI Director Comey, that he is re-opening the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails. This is of course related to the sexting, federal sexting investigation of former New York City Congressman Anthony Weiner. He's married to Huma Abedin. That's one of Hillary Clinton's closest aides, so some of Hillary Clinton's emails have been found with Huma Abedin have been found on Anthony Weiner's investigation. Nobody quite knows yet how this is going to play out politically. Donald Trump is of course pushing this message really hard, that this is scandal that's bigger than Watergate. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is downplaying. Her campaign is saying that it was inappropriate for Comey to release news of this investigation with so little detail, so close to the election. So what we're watching for now is whether this changes the trajectory of the race. She's leading in swing states, she's leading in early voting, she's leading national polls. This is really Hillary Clinton's race to lose, but we're not on election day yet and the question is whether the email scandal is something that could make voters say they prefer Donald Trump."

President Barack Obama is slated Monday to finalize a set of new executive actions tightening the nation's gun laws, making his first order of business in 2016 a clear signal the president in his final year doesn't intend to go quietly.

At a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials Obama is expected to sign off on a package of proposals aimed at curbing gun violence and cracking down on unregulated gun sales.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that Congress has "utterly failed" to take action on new gun measures.

President Barack Obama is slated Monday to finalize a set of new executive actions tightening the nation's gun laws, making his first order of business in 2016 a clear signal the president in his final year doesn't intend to go quietly.

At a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials Obama is expected to sign off on a package of proposals aimed at curbing gun violence and cracking down on unregulated gun sales.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that Congress has "utterly failed" to take action on new gun measures.

AP TELEVISION

Washington - 4 January 2016

1. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest walks into briefing room

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary:

"I would anticipate that the president will have an announcement quite soon where he will discuss some steps that his administration has concluded and that he has concluded are within his executive authority that would keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them. And there are common sense steps that he can take, using his authority, that do not undermine the Constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans, but we have to do something in this country to address the consequences of Congress' failure to act. And look, there are more than 30,000 Americans who die every year as a result of a gun."

3. Reporter asking question

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary:

"The -- part of the work, a lot of the work that has gone on behind the scenes to take a look at what the president can do using his executive authority has been grounded in the knowledge that the gun lobby and Republicans in Congress who regularly do their bidding, are going to look for ways to stop it. And we know they are likely to try and pursue a creative legal theory to prevent their -- the implementation of these rules. And that's why the president once to be sure that the recommendations he has received and the executive actions that he carries out are going to stand up in a court of law."

5. Reporters listening to Earnest

6 . SOUNDBITE (English): Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary:

"We should not be distracted however, from the fact that the reason the president is taking these actions is because Congress has utterly failed in their responsibility to do so. Congress, time and again, has had multiple opportunities to take action that would make it harder for the wrong hands to get a hold of guns."

7. Reporters listening Earnest

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus045293

President Barack Obama is slated Monday to finalize a set of new executive actions tightening the nation's gun laws, making his first order of business in 2016 a clear signal the president in his final year doesn't intend to go quietly.

At a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials Obama is expected to sign off on a package of proposals aimed at curbing gun violence and cracking down on unregulated gun sales.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that Congress has "utterly failed" to take action on new gun measures.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus045293

President Barack Obama is slated Monday to finalize a set of new executive actions tightening the nation's gun laws, making his first order of business in 2016 a clear signal the president in his final year doesn't intend to go quietly.

At a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials Obama is expected to sign off on a package of proposals aimed at curbing gun violence and cracking down on unregulated gun sales.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that Congress has "utterly failed" to take action on new gun measures.

AP TELEVISION

Washington - 4 January 2016

1. SOUNDBITE (English): Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary:

"I would anticipate that the president will have an announcement quite soon where he will discuss some steps that his administration has concluded and that he has concluded are within his executive authority that would keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them. And there are common sense steps that he can take, using his authority, that do not undermine the Constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans, but we have to do something in this country to address the consequences of Congress' failure to act. And look, there are more than 30,000 Americans who die every year as a result of a gun."

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASHES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary:

"The -- part of the work, a lot of the work that has gone on behind the scenes to take a look at what the president can do using his executive authority has been grounded in the knowledge that the gun lobby and Republicans in Congress who regularly do their bidding, are going to look for ways to stop it. And we know they are likely to try and pursue a creative legal theory to prevent their -- the implementation of these rules. And that's why the president once to be sure that the recommendations he has received and the executive actions that he carries out are going to stand up in a court of law."

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary:

"We should not be distracted however, from the fact that the reason the president is taking these actions is because Congress has utterly failed in their responsibility to do so. Congress, time and again, has had multiple opportunities to take action that would make it harder for the wrong hands to get a hold of guns."

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus045368

Secretary of State John Kerry joined other senior officials of the Obama administration in highlighting U.S. efforts of combat human trafficking, a problem that he said affects millions around the globe.

"I believe this is a fight we can win," Kerry said. "But most importantly, this is a fight we have to win. You can't have 20 million people in modern times literally enslaved."

Kerry chaired the annual meeting of the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the White House.

This was the third meeting of the PITF during Kerry's tenure as chair, and the sixth of the Obama administration.

"In cases involving forced labor, sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud or coercion, as well as international sex trafficking, we have charged 62 percent more cases and convicted 70 percent more defendants over the past five years, compared to the previous five years," said Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

"It is a factor is destabilizing whole governments," Kerry said.

"It feeds the corruption that is stealing the future of many nations, and it fuels all of the illicit criminal networks that play out in many different ways, not just in human trafficking, but in terms of narcotics trafficking, gun smuggling and terrorist support," he said.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus045368

Secretary of State John Kerry joined other senior officials of the Obama administration in highlighting U.S. efforts of combat human trafficking, a problem that he said affects millions around the globe.

"I believe this is a fight we can win," Kerry said. "But most importantly, this is a fight we have to win. You can't have 20 million people in modern times literally enslaved."

Kerry chaired the annual meeting of the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the White House.

This was the third meeting of the PITF during Kerry's tenure as chair, and the sixth of the Obama administration.

"In cases involving forced labor, sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud or coercion, as well as international sex trafficking, we have charged 62 percent more cases and convicted 70 percent more defendants over the past five years, compared to the previous five years," said Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

"It is a factor is destabilizing whole governments," Kerry said.

"It feeds the corruption that is stealing the future of many nations, and it fuels all of the illicit criminal networks that play out in many different ways, not just in human trafficking, but in terms of narcotics trafficking, gun smuggling and terrorist support," he said.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington, DC - 5 January 2015

+++WHITE FLASH IN BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, Secretary of State

"I believe this is a fight we can win, but most importantly, this is a fight we have to win. You can't have 20 million people in modern times literally enslaved."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, Secretary of State

"It is a factor is destabilizing whole governments, it feeds the corruption that is stealing the future of many nations, and it fuels all of the illicit criminal networks that play out in many different ways, not just in human trafficking, but in terms of narcotics trafficking, gun smuggling and terrorist support."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Loretta Lynch, Attorney General

Overall, the Department of Justice has continued to bring record-numbers of human trafficking prosecutions. We charged 335 defendants in 208 cases in 2014, and we convicted 184 defendants that same year. In cases involving forced labor, sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud or coercion, as well as international sex trafficking, we have charged 62 percent more cases and convicted 70 percent more defendants over the past five years, compared to the previous five years."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director +++CAMERA ANGLE OF SHOT SHIFTS DURING SOUNDBITE+++

"Our work focuses on victims first, find the people who have been enslaved, rescue them and get them help and then work backwards to the slavers, and we try to send a powerful message of deterrence by locking them up for life in many cases, so the behavior changes."

10. Cutaway of roundtable of officials on task force

Secretary of State John Kerry joined other senior officials of the Obama administration in highlighting U.S. efforts of combat human trafficking, a problem that he said affects millions around the globe.

"I believe this is a fight we can win," Kerry said. "But most importantly, this is a fight we have to win. You can't have 20 million people in modern times literally enslaved."

Kerry chaired the annual meeting of the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the White House.

This was the third meeting of the PITF during Kerry's tenure as chair, and the sixth of the Obama administration.

"In cases involving forced labor, sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud or coercion, as well as international sex trafficking, we have charged 62 percent more cases and convicted 70 percent more defendants over the past five years, compared to the previous five years," said Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

"It is a factor is destabilizing whole governments," Kerry said.

"It feeds the corruption that is stealing the future of many nations, and it fuels all of the illicit criminal networks that play out in many different ways, not just in human trafficking, but in terms of narcotics trafficking, gun smuggling and terrorist support," he said.

Secretary of State John Kerry joined other senior officials of the Obama administration in highlighting U.S. efforts of combat human trafficking, a problem that he said affects millions around the globe.

"I believe this is a fight we can win," Kerry said. "But most importantly, this is a fight we have to win. You can't have 20 million people in modern times literally enslaved."

Kerry chaired the annual meeting of the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the White House.

This was the third meeting of the PITF during Kerry's tenure as chair, and the sixth of the Obama administration.

"In cases involving forced labor, sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud or coercion, as well as international sex trafficking, we have charged 62 percent more cases and convicted 70 percent more defendants over the past five years, compared to the previous five years," said Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

"It is a factor is destabilizing whole governments," Kerry said.

"It feeds the corruption that is stealing the future of many nations, and it fuels all of the illicit criminal networks that play out in many different ways, not just in human trafficking, but in terms of narcotics trafficking, gun smuggling and terrorist support," he said.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE TV

Washington, DC - 5 January 2015

1. Wide shot and slow-zoom of President's Interagency Task Force

2. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, Secretary of State

"I believe this is a fight we can win, but most importantly, this is a fight we have to win. You can't have 20 million people in modern times literally enslaved."

3. Cutaway of roundtable of officials on task force

4. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, Secretary of State

"It is a factor is destabilizing whole governments, it feeds the corruption that is stealing the future of many nations, and it fuels all of the illicit criminal networks that play out in many different ways, not just in human trafficking, but in terms of narcotics trafficking, gun smuggling and terrorist support."

5. Cutaway of roundtable of officials on task force

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ima Matul, Human Trafficking Survivor

"One key reason this council is important is because it acknowledges the value that survivors add to any initiative on human trafficking. As a collective group of survivors, we have dedicated a huge part of ourselves to the anti-trafficking movement....to respective advocacy efforts. Together, we are changing perception...fighting for justice...ultimately, over the years, we are contributing to one shared goal...to end modern slavery everywhere it exists."

7. Cutaway of roundtable of officials on task force

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Loretta Lynch, Attorney General

Overall, the Department of Justice has continued to bring record-numbers of human trafficking prosecutions. We charged 335 defendants in 208 cases in 2014, and we convicted 184 defendants that same year. In cases involving forced labor, sex trafficking of adults by force, fraud or coercion, as well as international sex trafficking, we have charged 62 percent more cases and convicted 70 percent more defendants over the past five years, compared to the previous five years."

9. Cutaway of roundtable of officials on task force

SOUNDBITE (English) James Comey, FBI Director +++CAMERA ANGLE OF SHOT SHIFTS DURING SOUNDBITE+++

"Our work focuses on victims first, find the people who have been enslaved, rescue them and get them help and then work backwards to the slavers, and we try to send a powerful message of deterrence by locking them up for life in many cases, so the behavior changes."

10. Cutaway of roundtable of officials on task force