The White House says President Donald Trump "was right" to fire former FBI Director James Comey, rejecting former White House adviser Steve Bannon's suggestion it was a major political mistake.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Trump's decision was justified given Comey's conduct after the decision.

She is accusing the former FBI director of "giving false testimony," ''leaking privileged information to journalists" and politicizing his investigation.

Comey's firing angered career officials at the FBI, and the former director has defended his handling of the investigation into the Trump campaign's possible connections with Russia.

Bannon said in an interview with CBS News that Comey's firing may have been the biggest mistake in "modern political history" and said it led to the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Sanders is also accusing former campaign rival Hillary Clinton of "propping up book sales with false and reckless attacks."

Sanders says she's unsure if President Donald Trump will be reading "What Happened," Clinton's account of the 2016 campaign. She says the president is "pretty well-versed on what happened."

Clinton's book was released on Tuesday.

Washington - 12 September 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders walks to podium ++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE JUMPCUT++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"The president and the entire administration continue to monitor the situation in Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Florida, Texas and all areas affected by hurricanes Irma and Harvey. FEMA administrator Long is traveling to the affected areas today and the president will be making a trip to Florida on Thursday. The president's action during these times demonstrate why he was a true leader who can bring the country together and togetherness why he's a true leader who can bring the country together and get things done for the American people."

3. Cutaway of press briefing

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Whether he is or not, I think that everyone knows exactly where the president stands on that issue. The president is proud of the decision he made. The president was 100 percent right in firing James Comey. He knew at the time that it could be bad for him politically, but he also knew and felt he had an obligation to do what was right and do what was right for the American people and certainly the men and women of the FBI."

5. Cutaway of press briefing

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I think there's no secret -- Comey, by his own self admission, leaked privileged government information. Weeks before President Trump fired him, Comey testified that (if) an FBI agent engaged in the same practice they'd face serious repercussions. I think he set his stage for himself on that front. His actions were improper and likely could have been illegal. Comey leaked memos to The New York Times, your own outlet. He politicized an investigation by signaling he would exonerate Hillary Clinton before he ever interviewed her or other key witnesses. He's (Trump) very happy with the decision he made and I think he's been fully vindicated by a lot of those new things and knowing that it was the right one."

7. Close of reporter

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Whether or not he's going to read Hillary Clinton's book, I'm not sure, but I would think that he's pretty well-versed on what happened and I think it's pretty clear to all of America. I think it's sad that after Hillary Clinton ran one of the most negative campaigns in history and lost and the last chapter of her public life is going to be now defined by propping up book sales with false and reckless attacks and I think that's a sad way for her to continue this (unintelligible)."

9. Sanders walks away after briefing

The White House says President Donald Trump "was right" to fire former FBI Director James Comey, rejecting former White House adviser Steve Bannon's suggestion it was a major political mistake.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Trump's decision was justified given Comey's conduct after the decision. She is accusing the former FBI director of "giving false testimony," ''leaking privileged information to journalists" and politicizing his investigation.

Comey's firing angered career officials at the FBI, and the former director has defended his handling of the investigation into the Trump campaign's possible connections with Russia.

Bannon said in an interview with CBS News that Comey's firing may have been the biggest mistake in "modern political history" and said it led to the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Sanders is also accusing former campaign rival Hillary Clinton of "propping up book sales with false and reckless attacks."

Sanders says she's unsure if President Donald Trump will be reading "What Happened," Clinton's account of the 2016 campaign. She says the president is "pretty well-versed on what happened."

Clinton's book was released on Tuesday.

Washington - 12 September 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders walks to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"The president and the entire administration continue to monitor the situation in Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Florida, Texas and all areas affected by hurricanes Irma and Harvey. FEMA administrator Long is traveling to the affected areas today and the president will be making a trip to Florida on Thursday. The president's action during these times demonstrate why he was a true leader who can bring the country together and togetherness why he's a true leader who can bring the country together and get things done for the American people."

3. Cutaway of press briefing

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Whether he is or not, I think that everyone knows exactly where the president stands on that issue. The president is proud of the decision he made. The president was 100 percent right in firing James Comey. He knew at the time that it could be bad for him politically, but he also knew and felt he had an obligation to do what was right and do what was right for the American people and certainly the men and women of the FBI."

5. Cutaway of press briefing

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I think there's no secret -- Comey, by his own self admission, leaked privileged government information. Weeks before President Trump fired him, Comey testified that (if) an FBI agent engaged in the same practice they'd face serious repercussions. I think he set his stage for himself on that front. His actions were improper and likely could have been illegal. Comey leaked memos to The New York Times, your own outlet. He politicized an investigation by signaling he would exonerate Hillary Clinton before he ever interviewed her or other key witnesses. He's (Trump) very happy with the decision he made and I think he's been fully vindicated by a lot of those new things and knowing that it was the right one."

7. Close of reporter

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Whether or not he's going to read Hillary Clinton's book, I'm not sure, but I would think that he's pretty well-versed on what happened and I think it's pretty clear to all of America. I think it's sad that after Hillary Clinton ran one of the most negative campaigns in history and lost and the last chapter of her public life is going to be now defined by propping up book sales with false and reckless attacks and I think that's a sad way for her to continue this (unintelligible)."

9. Sanders walks away after briefing

The White House says President Donald Trump "was right" to fire former FBI Director James Comey, rejecting former White House adviser Steve Bannon's suggestion it was a major political mistake.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Trump's decision was justified given Comey's conduct after the decision. She is accusing the former FBI director of "giving false testimony," ''leaking privileged information to journalists" and politicizing his investigation.

Comey's firing angered career officials at the FBI, and the former director has defended his handling of the investigation into the Trump campaign's possible connections with Russia.

Bannon said in an interview with CBS News that Comey's firing may have been the biggest mistake in "modern political history" and said it led to the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Sanders is also accusing former campaign rival Hillary Clinton of "propping up book sales with false and reckless attacks."

Sanders says she's unsure if President Donald Trump will be reading "What Happened," Clinton's account of the 2016 campaign. She says the president is "pretty well-versed on what happened."

Clinton's book was released on Tuesday.

Washington - 12 September 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders walks to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"The president and the entire administration continue to monitor the situation in Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Florida, Texas and all areas affected by hurricanes Irma and Harvey. FEMA administrator Long is traveling to the affected areas today and the president will be making a trip to Florida on Thursday. The president's action during these times demonstrate why he was a true leader who can bring the country together and togetherness why he's a true leader who can bring the country together and get things done for the American people."

3. Cutaway of press briefing

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Whether he is or not, I think that everyone knows exactly where the president stands on that issue. The president is proud of the decision he made. The president was 100 percent right in firing James Comey. He knew at the time that it could be bad for him politically, but he also knew and felt he had an obligation to do what was right and do what was right for the American people and certainly the men and women of the FBI."

5. Cutaway of press briefing

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I think there's no secret -- Comey, by his own self admission, leaked privileged government information. Weeks before President Trump fired him, Comey testified that (if) an FBI agent engaged in the same practice they'd face serious repercussions. I think he set his stage for himself on that front. His actions were improper and likely could have been illegal. Comey leaked memos to The New York Times, your own outlet. He politicized an investigation by signaling he would exonerate Hillary Clinton before he ever interviewed her or other key witnesses. He's (Trump) very happy with the decision he made and I think he's been fully vindicated by a lot of those new things and knowing that it was the right one."

7. Close of reporter

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Whether or not he's going to read Hillary Clinton's book, I'm not sure, but I would think that he's pretty well-versed on what happened and I think it's pretty clear to all of America. I think it's sad that after Hillary Clinton ran one of the most negative campaigns in history and lost and the last chapter of her public life is going to be now defined by propping up book sales with false and reckless attacks and I think that's a sad way for her to continue this (unintelligible)."

9. Sanders walks away after briefing

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders Monday told reporters the U.S. was "deeply troubled by the ongoing crisis in Burma."

Last week, asked if President Donald Trump was concerned about Myanmar's (Burma's) violence, Sanders said the president was "aware of the situation," but did not know if he had as spoken to Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi since becoming president.

Not wanting to undermine the Asian country's democratic leader, the U.S. is cautiously criticizing what looks like a forced exodus of more than a quarter-million Rohingya in the last two weeks as Myanmar's military responds with hammer force to insurgent attacks.

President Trump is also preparing to welcome Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to the White House, Tuesday, to mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, the White House says President Donald Trump "was right" to fire former FBI Director James Comey, rejecting former White House adviser Steve Bannon's suggestion it was a major political mistake.

Sanders said Trump's decision was justified given Comey's conduct after the decision. She accused the former FBI director of "giving false testimony," ''leaking privileged information to journalists" and politicizing his investigation.

Comey's firing angered career officials at the FBI, and the former director has defended his handling of the investigation into the Trump campaign's possible connections with Russia.

Bannon said in an interview with CBS News that Comey's firing may have been the biggest mistake in "modern political history" and said it led to the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Washington, D.C. - 11 September 207

1. Side, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders walks to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Several of you have asked about the U.S. response to the ongoing violence in Burma and I would like to read part of a statement that will be coming out shortly on that topic. The United States is deeply troubled by the ongoing crisis in Burma, where at least 300,000 people have fled their homes in the wake of attacks on Burmese security post on August 25th. We reiterate our condemnation of those attacks and ensuing violence."

3. Side, Sanders speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"The United States and Malaysia have had a 60-year relationship and partnership built on common economic and security interests and that continues and the president looks forward to discussing a wide variety and wide range of regional and security issues with the prime minister and in talking about ways that they can strengthen counterterrorism, cooperation, certainly the halt of ISIS, addressing North Korea and their continued actions and making sure that we promote maritime security in the South China Sea. Those are certainly some of the priorities of tomorrow's meeting, but I am not going to get ahead much further than that on any conversation that may take place."

5. Cutaway, reporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"On the Comey firing, I think that we have been pretty clear what our position is and certainly I think that it has been shown in the days that followed, that the president was right in firing Comey. Since (the) director's firing we have learned new information about his conduct that only provided further justification for that firing, including giving false testimony, leaking privileged information to journalists. He went outside of the chain of command and politicized an investigation into a presidential candidate. I think the president has been very clear about his position on that front and is very pleased with the new director and has full confidence in him to fully restore and lead the FBI."

7. UPSOUND: (English) Unidentified reporter:

"Staying on the topic of Steve Bannon, another comment he made was that 'dreamers' should consider self deporting when their work permits run out, is that something that the White House thinks is realistic, that the dreamers would voluntarily leave the country when those work permits run out and is that something the president thinks they should do?"

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"The administration has been clear what our position is, we are hoping that Congress will step up and do their job and fix this problem and implement responsible immigration reform and addressing that problem would be a part of it."

9. UPSOUND: (English) Unidentified reporter:

"American's personal data security after the Equifax leak, is more regulation warranted for the handling of American's personal data?"

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I think this is something we have to look into extensively. (White House Homeland Security adviser) Tom Bossert will be one of the primary people taking the lead on that front and certainly something we have to explore all the best ways that Americans are protected in that sense."

11. Mid, Sanders leaves briefing room

The White House says President Donald Trump "was right" to fire former FBI Director James Comey, rejecting former White House adviser Steve Bannon's suggestion it was a major political mistake.

Sanders said Trump's decision was justified given Comey's conduct after the decision. She accused the former FBI director of "giving false testimony," ''leaking privileged information to journalists" and politicizing his investigation.

Comey's firing angered career officials at the FBI, and the former director has defended his handling of the investigation into the Trump campaign's possible connections with Russia.

Bannon said in an interview with CBS News that Comey's firing may have been the biggest mistake in "modern political history" and said it led to the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Washington, D.C. - 11 September 207

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"On the Comey firing, I think that we have been pretty clear what our position is and certainly I think that it has been shown in the days that followed, that the president was right in firing Director Comey. Since (the) director's firing we have learned new information about his conduct that only provided further justification for that firing, including giving false testimony, leaking privileged information to journalists. He went outside of the chain of command and politicized an investigation into a presidential candidate. I think the president has been very clear about his position on that front and is very pleased with the new director and has full confidence in him to fully restore and lead the FBI."

2. UPSOUND: (English) Unidentified reporter:

"Staying on the topic of Steve Bannon, another comment he made was that 'dreamers' should consider self deporting when their work permits run out, is that something that the White House thinks is realistic, that the 'dreamers' would voluntarily leave the country when those work permits run out and is that something the president thinks they should do?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"The administration has been clear what our position is, we are hoping that Congress will step up and do their job and fix this problem and implement responsible immigration reform and addressing that problem would be a part of it."

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Monday the US was "deeply troubled by the ongoing crisis in Burma".

Last week, asked if President Donald Trump was concerned about Myanmar's (Burma's) violence, Sanders said the president was "aware of the situation," but did not know if he had spoken to Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi since becoming president.

Not wanting to undermine the Asian country's democratic leader, the US is cautiously criticising what looks like a forced exodus of more than a quarter-million Rohingya in the last two weeks as Myanmar's military responds with hammer force to insurgent attacks.

President Trump is preparing to welcome Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to the White House, Tuesday, to mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, the White House says President Donald Trump "was right" to fire former FBI Director James Comey, rejecting former White House adviser Steve Bannon's suggestion it was a major political mistake.

Sanders said Trump's decision was justified given Comey's conduct after the decision.

She accused the former FBI director of "giving false testimony," ''leaking privileged information to journalists" and politicising his investigation.

Comey's firing angered career officials at the FBI, and the former director has defended his handling of the investigation into the Trump campaign's possible connections with Russia.

Bannon said in an interview with CBS News that Comey's firing may have been the biggest mistake in "modern political history" and said it led to the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Washington, DC - 11 September 207

1. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders walks to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Several of you have asked about the US response to the ongoing violence in Burma and I would like to read part of a statement that will be coming out shortly on that topic. The United States is deeply troubled by the ongoing crisis in Burma, where at least 300,000 people have fled their homes in the wake of attacks on Burmese security post on August 25th. We reiterate our condemnation of those attacks and ensuing violence."

3. Sanders speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"The United States and Malaysia have had a 60-year relationship and partnership built on common economic and security interests and that continues and the president looks forward to discussing a wide variety and wide range of regional and security issues with the prime minister and in talking about ways that they can strengthen counter-terrorism, co-operation, certainly the halt of ISIS (Islamic State group), addressing North Korea and their continued actions and making sure that we promote maritime security in the South China Sea. Those are certainly some of the priorities of tomorrow's meeting, but I am not going to get ahead much further than that on any conversation that may take place."

5. Cutaway of reporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"On the Comey firing, I think that we have been pretty clear what our position is and certainly I think that it has been shown in the days that followed, that the president was right in firing Comey. Since the director's firing we have learned new information about his conduct that only provided further justification for that firing, including giving false testimony, leaking privileged information to journalists. He went outside of the chain of command and politicised an investigation into a presidential candidate. I think the president has been very clear about his position on that front and is very pleased with the new director and has full confidence in him to fully restore and lead the FBI."

7. UPSOUND (English) Unidentified reporter: ++PARTLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 8++

"Staying on the topic of Steve Bannon, another comment he made was that 'dreamers' should consider self deporting when their work permits run out. Is that something that the White House thinks is realistic, that the dreamers would voluntarily leave the country when those work permits run out and is that something the president thinks they should do?"

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"The administration has been clear what our position is, we are hoping that Congress will step up and do their job and fix this problem and implement responsible immigration reform and addressing that problem would be a part of it."

9. UPSOUND (English) Unidentified reporter:

"American's personal data security after the Equifax leak, is more regulation warranted for the handling of American's personal data?"

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I think this is something we have to look into extensively. (White House Homeland Security adviser) Tom Bossert will be one of the primary people taking the lead on that front and certainly something we have to explore all the best ways that Americans are protected in that sense."

11. Sanders leaves briefing room