President Donald Trump's national security adviser says the administration is putting Iran "on notice" after it tested a ballistic missile.

Michael Flynn told reporters Wednesday that the Trump administration "condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East that puts American lives at risk."

He says "Iran is now feeling emboldened," criticizing the Obama administration for failing "to respond adequately."

Flynn says that "we are officially putting Iran on notice," although it's not clear what he meant.

A defense official said this week that the missile test ended with a "failed" re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.

The official had no other details, including the type of missile. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Washington - February 1, 2017

1. Flynn at podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gen. Michael Flynn, National Security Advisor

"Recent Iranian actions involving a provocative ballistic missile launch and an attack against a Saudi naval vessel conducted by Iran-supported Houthi militants underscore what should have been clear to the international community all along about Iran's destabilizing behavior across the entire Middle East. The recent ballistic missile launch is also in defiance of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 which calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of launching nuclear weapons, including launches such ballistic missile technology. These are just the latest of a series of incidents in the past six months in which Houthi forces which Iran has trained and armed have struck Emirati and Saudi vessels and threatened United States and allied vessels transiting the Red Sea. In these and other similar activities Iran continues to threaten U.S. friends and allies in the region. The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Iran's maligned actions, including weapons transfers, support for terrorism and other violations of international norms. The Trump administration condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East which places American lives at risk. President Trump has severely criticized the various agreements reached between Iran and the Obama administration as well as the United Nations as being weak and ineffective. Instead of being thankful to the United States in these agreements, Iran is now feeling emboldened. As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice. Thank you."

3. Flynn exits

President Donald Trump's national security adviser says the administration is putting Iran "on notice" after it tested a ballistic missile.

Michael Flynn told reporters Wednesday that the Trump administration "condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East that puts American lives at risk."

He says "Iran is now feeling emboldened," criticizing the Obama administration for failing "to respond adequately."

Flynn says that "we are officially putting Iran on notice," although it's not clear what he meant.

A defense official said this week that the missile test ended with a "failed" re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.

The official had no other details, including the type of missile. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Washington - February 1, 2017

1. Flynn at podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gen. Michael Flynn, National Security Advisor

"Recent Iranian actions involving a provocative ballistic missile launch and an attack against a Saudi naval vessel conducted by Iran-supported Houthi militants underscore what should have been clear to the international community all along about Iran's destabilizing behavior across the entire Middle East. The recent ballistic missile launch is also in defiance of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 which calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of launching nuclear weapons, including launches such ballistic missile technology. These are just the latest of a series of incidents in the past six months in which Houthi forces which Iran has trained and armed have struck Emirati and Saudi vessels and threatened United States and allied vessels transiting the Red Sea. In these and other similar activities Iran continues to threaten U.S. friends and allies in the region. The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Iran's maligned actions, including weapons transfers, support for terrorism and other violations of international norms. The Trump administration condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East which places American lives at risk. President Trump has severely criticized the various agreements reached between Iran and the Obama administration as well as the United Nations as being weak and ineffective. Instead of being thankful to the United States in these agreements, Iran is now feeling emboldened. As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice. Thank you."

3. Flynn exits

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

POOL - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington, D.C. - 16 May 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++

1. Mid, pan Susan Rice on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Rice, former National Security Adviser in the Obama Administration:

"It seems that the current administration looks at the world and sees only threats: Immigrants, refugees, Muslims, Mexicans, even trade. It is America first and the rest of the world last. I fully recognize that we face serious threats. I spent eight years actually reading the Presidential Daily Briefing and the last three and a half years personally briefing President Obama. But the world I see is also filled with profound opportunities. Our relationships are not zero sum, they would be mutually beneficial."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Rice, former National Security Adviser in the Obama Administration:

"Conflict is not inevitable. And bluster is for bullies. But our adversaries from Russia to North Korea must know that we will confront them with unity, resolve and with every tool at our disposal. When we employ military force we must use it judiciously because we have learned from Vietnam to Iraq, that even the finest fighting force on Earth cannot defeat the underlying political, economic and sectarian forces that fuel conflict."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Rice, former National Security Adviser in the Obama Administration:

"We can't allow Twitter wars to become shooting wars. So instead of vacillating between reckless saber rattling and dubbing Kim Jung Un a 'smart cookie' we should steadily apply increased pressure on North Korea, while protecting our allies and our homeland. And instead of excusing Russia's outrageous behavior and branding NATO obsolete, we must defend every NATO ally unconditionally and firmly counter Russia's Cold War tactics."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Rice, former National Security Adviser in the Obama Administration:

"Surely we will often disagree, but we sure as hell need to agree that a hostile foreign power has no business messing with our elections. (applause) Because here is the truth, if we cannot find a way to put country over party, Democracy over demagoguery, even in the face of such a dangerous external threat, then we might as well hang up our leadership cleats and resign ourselves to becoming a second rate power. That should not be our future, we are so much better than that."

6. Pan, as Rice leaves stage

STORYLINE:

Obama administration national security adviser Susan Rice says the White House under Donald Trump is obsessed with threats.

"It seems that the current administration looks at the world and sees only threats: immigrants, refugees, Muslims, Mexicans, even trade," Rice tells a progressive daylong conference in Washington, D.C., organized by the Center for American Progress.

Rice made a dig a Trump's current intelligence woes by remarking she actually read the Presidential Daily Briefing and personally briefed President Obama for three and a half years on intelligence matters.

Rice also criticizes President Trump's continue use of Twitter to attack his opponents: "we can't allow Twitter wars to become shooting wars."

Refering to allegations of Russian meddling in the US Presidential election, she says that while Republicans and Democrats often disagree, "we sure as hell need to agree that a hostile foreign power has no business messing with our elections."

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington, DC - 19 April 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walks to podium

2. Cutaway of reporter

3 . SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The president is directing an interagency review of the deal to review that, and we have 90 days before the next one comes up, and we'll have more. But, right now we're undergoing a 90 day review, and I think the statement the secretary of state made to Congress clearly stated that the president is directing the National Security Council to lead an interagency review of the plan and evaluate whether suspension sanctions related to Iran, pursuant to the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) are in the vital interest of our national security. The letter clearly lays out what the president is going to do to make sure they are living up to their agreement."

4. Reverse angle of Spicer at podium

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

(Reporter, off-camera: "Is the president concerned that Iran may be cheating on the JCPOA? David Albright, the noted weapons inspector, says they're developing a new centrifuge which he thinks could be a violation.")

"And I think that's why he's asking for this review. If he didn't, if he thought everything was fine, he would have allowed this to move forward. He's doing the prudent thing by asking for a review of the current deal and what's happening."

6. Cutaway of reporter

7. Wide of Spicer at the podium

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

(Reporter, off-camera: "The president has said that he would like to see the nuclear deal renegotiated with Iran. How specifically does he plan to get a new deal? Is that something he still wants to do?")

"Well, again, that's why we're undergoing this interagency review. Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it in the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal. So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

9. Cutaway of reporters

10. Wide of Spicer speaking to reporters

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"While we're on the topic of upcoming events, I'd like to note the president will welcome Palestinian President Abbas for a visit to Washington on May 3rd. They will use the visit to affirm the commitment of the United States and the Palestinian leadership to pursuing and ultimately concluding a conflict-ending settlement between the Palestinians and Israel.

12. Spicer exiting briefing room

STORYLINE:

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on Wednesday that the US administration is "doing the prudent thing" by conducting a 90-day interagency review of the Iran nuclear deal to make sure Iran is living up to its side of the agreement.

"Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal," Spicer said. "So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

The Trump administration has notified Congress that Iran is complying with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama, and says the U.S. has extended the sanctions relief given to the Islamic republic in exchange for curbs on its atomic program.

However, in a letter sent late Tuesday to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the administration has undertaken a full review of the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The certification of Iran's compliance, which must be sent to Congress every 90 days, is the first issued by the Trump administration.

The deadline for this certification was midnight.

As a candidate in the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump was an outspoken critic of the deal but had offered conflicting opinions on whether he would try to scrap it, modify it or keep it in place with more strenuous enforcement.

Tuesday's determination suggested that while Trump agreed with findings by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, that Iran is keeping to its end of the bargain, he is looking for another way to ratchet up pressure on Tehran.

Spicer also told reporters at the briefing that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was scheduled to visit Washington early in May and hold talks with Trump.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

After a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump, Mitt Romney said he is looking forward to Trump's administration.

Romney met with Trump at a golf course in New Jersey on Saturday.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee was an outspoken critic of Trump during the election, calling him a "con man" and a "fraud." But the two have started to make amends since the election. Romney called Trump to congratulate him after his win.

POOL

Bedminster, New Jersey - 19 November 2016

++CONTINUOUS SHOT++

1. US President-elect Donald Trump and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney walking out and shaking hands after meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (Englishll) Mitt Romney, 2012 Republican presidential candidate:

"We had a far-reaching conversation with regards to the various theatres in the world where there are interests of the United States of real significance. We discussed those areas and exchanged our views on those topics. Very thorough and in-depth discussion in the time we had. And, I appreciate the chance to speak with the president-elect, and look forward to the coming administration and the things they are doing. Thank you."

3. Romney walking to car, car driving off

The Trump administration on Friday announced a new wave of sanctions on Iran following this week's missile strikes by the Islamic Republic on U.S. bases in Iraq.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the new sanctions will target eight senior Iranian officials involved in "destabilizing" activities in the Middle East as well as Tuesday's missile strike, which came in retaliation for the U.S. killing of a senior Iranian general in a drone strike.

Mnuchin said President Donald Trump will issue an executive order imposing sanctions on anyone involved in the Iranian textile, construction, manufacturing or mining sectors. They will also impose separate sanctions against the steel and iron sectors.

"As a result of these actions we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime," the treasury secretary said.

The administration has already reinstated all the U.S. sanctions that were eased under the 2015 nuclear deal, which has caused significant economic hardship in Iran and cut its oil exports to historic lows.

Iran this week launched the strikes in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the country's most powerful commander, in Baghdad last week.

Washington - 10 January 2020

1. Wide, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin walk into briefing room

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Mnuchin, U.S. Treasury Secretary:

"I'm sure everybody saw that the Dow hit 29,000. The president's economic plans are clearly working. We're looking forward to the China signing, USCMA and a very strong economy this year. As previously announced by the president, we are announcing additional sanctions against the Iranian regime as a result of the attack on U.S. and allied troops. First, the president is issuing an executive order authorizing the imposition of additional sanctions against any individual owning, operating, trading with or assisting sectors of the Iranian economy including construction, manufacturing, textiles and mining. And, let me be clear, these will both be primary and secondary sanctions. The EO also allows us to designate other sectors in the future as Secretary Pompeo and me think is appropriate. Second, we are announcing 17 specific sanctions against Iran's largest steel and iron manufacturers, three Seychelles based entities and a vessel involved in the transfer of products. As a result of these actions, we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime and we will continue our enforcement of other entities. Third, we are taking action against eight senior Iranian officials who advanced the regime's destabilizing activity and were involved in Tuesday's ballistic missile strike. Secretary Pompeo will comment more on this. Today's sanctions are part of our commitment to stop the Iranian regime's global terrorist activities. The president has been very clear, we will continue to apply economic sanctions until Iran stops its terrorist activist activities and commit that it will never have nuclear weapons."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State:

"Today, President Trump is delivering on the pledge that he made the day after Iran attacked American forces in Iraq where there will be a series of new sanctions. Secretary Mnuchin just mentioned eight senior Iranian officials that are responsible for the regime's violence, both at home and abroad. We're striking at the heart of the Islamic republic's inner security apparatus. These sanctions targets include the secretary of the Supreme National Council and the commander of the Basij forces. That's the regime's brute squad, which has in the last few months killed approximately 1500 Iranians who were simply demanding freedom. Our action also targets other senior leaders close to the Ayatollah. They've carried out his terrorist plots and destabilizing campaigns across the Middle East and around the world. They've employed soldiers across the region's battlefields. They've trained militias in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the arts of domestic repression. Today, they're accountable for murder and mayhem. The goal of our campaign is to deny the regime the resource to conduct its destructive foreign policy. We want Iran to simply behave like a normal nation. We believe the sanctions that we imposed today, further that strategic objective. Our campaign is composed of diplomatic, economic components that deprive the regime of billions in revenue. The regime has used to fuel death and destruction across the Middle East and all across the world. Sadly, the previous administration had opened up revenue streams for Iran. But under our administration, revenue oil revenues are down by 80% and Iran cannot access roughly 90 percent of its foreign currency reserves. And not even two weeks ago, President Rouhani of Iran admitted that our sanctions have cost Iran over 200 billion dollars in lost foreign income and investment. As long as Iran's outlaws ways continue, we will continue to impose sanctions. Finally, I want to reiterate President Trump's concern for Americans and dual national citizens detained inside of Iran. Iran knows that these individuals have committed no crime. They know the charges against them are fake. We will do all that we can to get each of them returned home safely to their families. With that we will take just a few questions."

5. Side view, Pompeo speaking

The Trump administration on Friday announced a new wave of sanctions on Iran following this week's missile strikes by the Islamic Republic on U.S. bases in Iraq.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the new sanctions will target eight senior Iranian officials involved in "destabilizing" activities in the Middle East as well as Tuesday's missile strike, which came in retaliation for the U.S. killing of a senior Iranian general in a drone strike.

Mnuchin said President Donald Trump will issue an executive order imposing sanctions on anyone involved in the Iranian textile, construction, manufacturing or mining sectors. They will also impose separate sanctions against the steel and iron sectors.

"As a result of these actions we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime," the treasury secretary said.

The administration has already reinstated all the U.S. sanctions that were eased under the 2015 nuclear deal, which has caused significant economic hardship in Iran and cut its oil exports to historic lows.

Iran this week launched the strikes in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the country's most powerful commander, in Baghdad last week.

Washington - 10 January 2020

1. Wide, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin walk into briefing room

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Mnuchin, U.S. Treasury Secretary:

"I'm sure everybody saw that the Dow hit 29,000. The president's economic plans are clearly working. We're looking forward to the China signing, USCMA and a very strong economy this year. As previously announced by the president, we are announcing additional sanctions against the Iranian regime as a result of the attack on U.S. and allied troops. First, the president is issuing an executive order authorizing the imposition of additional sanctions against any individual owning, operating, trading with or assisting sectors of the Iranian economy including construction, manufacturing, textiles and mining. And, let me be clear, these will both be primary and secondary sanctions. The EO also allows us to designate other sectors in the future as Secretary Pompeo and me think is appropriate. Second, we are announcing 17 specific sanctions against Iran's largest steel and iron manufacturers, three Seychelles based entities and a vessel involved in the transfer of products. As a result of these actions, we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime and we will continue our enforcement of other entities. Third, we are taking action against eight senior Iranian officials who advanced the regime's destabilizing activity and were involved in Tuesday's ballistic missile strike. Secretary Pompeo will comment more on this. Today's sanctions are part of our commitment to stop the Iranian regime's global terrorist activities. The president has been very clear, we will continue to apply economic sanctions until Iran stops its terrorist activist activities and commit that it will never have nuclear weapons."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State:

"Today, President Trump is delivering on the pledge that he made the day after Iran attacked American forces in Iraq where there will be a series of new sanctions. Secretary Mnuchin just mentioned eight senior Iranian officials that are responsible for the regime's violence, both at home and abroad. We're striking at the heart of the Islamic republic's inner security apparatus. These sanctions targets include the secretary of the Supreme National Council and the commander of the Basij forces. That's the regime's brute squad, which has in the last few months killed approximately 1500 Iranians who were simply demanding freedom. Our action also targets other senior leaders close to the Ayatollah. They've carried out his terrorist plots and destabilizing campaigns across the Middle East and around the world. They've employed soldiers across the region's battlefields. They've trained militias in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the arts of domestic repression. Today, they're accountable for murder and mayhem. The goal of our campaign is to deny the regime the resource to conduct its destructive foreign policy. We want Iran to simply behave like a normal nation. We believe the sanctions that we imposed today, further that strategic objective. Our campaign is composed of diplomatic, economic components that deprive the regime of billions in revenue. The regime has used to fuel death and destruction across the Middle East and all across the world. Sadly, the previous administration had opened up revenue streams for Iran. But under our administration, revenue oil revenues are down by 80% and Iran cannot access roughly 90 percent of its foreign currency reserves. And not even two weeks ago, President Rouhani of Iran admitted that our sanctions have cost Iran over 200 billion dollars in lost foreign income and investment. As long as Iran's outlaws ways continue, we will continue to impose sanctions. Finally, I want to reiterate President Trump's concern for Americans and dual national citizens detained inside of Iran. Iran knows that these individuals have committed no crime. They know the charges against them are fake. We will do all that we can to get each of them returned home safely to their families. With that we will take just a few questions."

5. Side view, Pompeo speaking

US President Donald Trump acted October 26th 2017 to block the release of hundreds of records on the John F. Kennedy assassination, bending to CIA and FBI appeals to keep those secrets.

"I have no choice," Trump said in a memo, citing "potentially irreversible harm" to national security if he were to allow some records out now.

He was placing those files under a six-month review while letting 2,800 other records come out on October 26th, racing a deadline to honour a law mandating their release.

Officials say Trump will impress upon federal agencies that JFK files should stay secret after the six-month review "only in the rarest cases."

Despite having months to prepare for disclosures that have been set on the calendar for 25 years, Trump's decision came down to a last-minute debate with intelligence agencies, a tussle the president has only prolonged by calling for still more review.

Much of October 26th passed with nothing from the White House or National Archives except silence, leaving unclear how the government would comply with a law requiring the records to come out by the end of the day, unless Trump had been persuaded by intelligence agencies to hold some back.

White House officials said the FBI and CIA made the most requests within the government to withhold some information.

No blockbusters had been expected in the last trove of secret files regarding Kennedy's assassination November 22nd 1963, given a statement months ago by the Archives that it assumed the records, then under preparation, would be "tangential" to what's known about the killing.

But for historians, it's a chance to answer lingering questions, put some unfounded conspiracy theories to rest, perhaps give life to other theories _ or none of that, if the material adds little to the record.

Researchers were frustrated by the uncertainty that surrounded the release for much of the day.

Trump ordered agencies that have proposed withholding material related to the assassination to report to the archivist by March 12 on which specific information in the records meets the standard for continued secrecy.

That standard includes details that could cause "harm to the military defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement, or conduct of foreign relations," Trump wrote in his order.

The archivist will have two weeks to tell Trump whether those recommendations validate keeping the withheld information a secret after April 26th.

***

Congressional Democratic leaders held a joint press conference November 13th to warn the GOP Tax Plan will hurt citizens and the Republicans if they push through.

"We don't know yet what the final bill will look like but we can guarantee, our Republican friends one thing," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

"This tax bill will be at the center of our efforts to take back the House and the Senate in 2018."

House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi went on to say "we have to save the country from this unfair tax scam."

"The Republican leadership is asking their members to walk the plank to walk, the plank on a bill, that never become law but has serious impact on their constituents."

***

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan called the tax bill passed by the Senate December 5th "monumental reform" as he and other Republican leaders continued to celebrate the bill's progress, which was sent to a conference committee Monday evening.

Meanwhile, House Republican leaders are sticking to their plan for a short-term extension to keep the government open despite opposition from the hard-right Freedom Caucus.

Congress faces a December 8th midnight deadline to fund government agencies or face a partial shutdown.

Rep. Pete Sessions, chairman of the House Rules Committee, told reporters Tuesday that the House is moving ahead on a two-week extension to December 22nd. This would give Republicans and Democrats time to negotiation some of the last-minute agenda items such as spending totals, money for children's health care and disaster relief.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said "we are having the kind of family discussion that we need to have about how to proceed forward with a majority and I'm confident we'll have that."

Conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus want an extension until Dec. 30, fearing that the short-term date would give Democrats move leverage in negotiations.

The Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress are scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on December 7th.

***

Three judges on the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said they'll rule "as soon as practical" on the state of Hawaii's legal challenge to President Donald Trump's latest travel restrictions.

Judges Ronald Gould, Richard Paez and Michael Hawkins - who ruled against an earlier version of the travel ban - heard arguments December 6th in Seattle.

The hearing came two days after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the restrictions to take effect pending decisions by the 9th and 4th Circuits.

Justice Department lawyer Hashim Mooppan insisted to the court that the restrictions fall well within the president's powers.

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin said "religious prejudice" remains in the travel ban and that it's affecting his state economically. He said he's looking forward to the three-judge panel's decision.

Outside the courthouse, dozens of demonstrators gathered to listen to speeches and chant.

Aisha Jumaan, a Yemeni-American resident, said she wants to move her elderly parents and sister to the United States because the area where they live "is bombed almost on a daily basis."

***

Jubilant Republicans pushed on early December 20th to the verge of the most sweeping rewrite of the nation's tax laws in more than three decades, a deeply unpopular bill they insist Americans will learn to love when they see their paychecks in the new year.

President Donald Trump cheered the lawmakers on, eager to claim his first major legislative victory.

After midnight, the Senate narrowly passed the legislation on a party-line 51-48 vote. Protesters interrupted with chants of "kill the bill, don't kill us" and Vice President Mike Pence repeatedly called for order. Upon passage, Republicans cheered, with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin among them.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., insisted Americans would respond positively to the tax bill.

"If we can't sell this to the American people, we ought to go into another line of work," he said.

Trump hailed the vote in an early morning tweet and promised a White House news conference Wednesday after the House completes legislative action on the measure.

***

US President Donald Trump has signed into law a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package.

Trump touted the size of the tax cut, declaring to reporters in the Oval Office before he signed it December 22nd that "the numbers will speak."

The president said he was going to wait to sign it until after Jan. 1 but changed his mind.

The legislation provides generous cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans and smaller ones for the middle class and low-income families.

It is the first major overhaul of the nation's tax laws since 1986, but far from the largest tax cuts in American history as the president claims. Politically, it marks the Republicans' first major legislative accomplishment of Trump's presidency.

Some estimates say the cuts could add to the nation's soaring deficit.

01:52:24

00:00:00

Some JFK files to remain secret for now

4123001

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dallas - 26 October 2017

1. Various of Dealey Plaza, where former US President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on 11/22/63, tourists mill around the site

2. The letter "X" marking the spot on the road from where one of the gun shots was fired at the motorcade

00:11:12

Democrat Leaders: Tax Plan Will Hurt Country & GOP

4125792

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 13 November 2017

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader:

"We have to save the country from this tax. Yes it's a gift politically, to have them vote for raising taxes on suburban American in order to give tax breaks to the wealthiest people in America, but that's not what we're about. We have to save the country from this unfair tax scam."

00:30:16

Ryan: tax bill is monumental reform

4129206

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington DC - 5 December 2017

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House:

" This is monumental reform. And we're doing it the right way.

00:34:20

Hawaii fights Trump administration travel ban in court

4129573

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Seattle - 6 December, 2017

5. Demonstrators with signs outside court

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Douglas Chin, (D) Hawaii Attorney General:

"Our concerns about this third travel ban is that, unlike the other temporary ones, this one has no end date. In other words, it's a permanent form of discrimination against people based upon their nation of origin."

00:53:05

Senate Republicans celebrate tax plan vote

4131553

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington DC - 20 December, 2017

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Orrin Hatch, (R) Utah

"I have to say that this is an historic night. The Democrats have said that the American people will remember this night. I hope they do. Because we passed one of the most important tax breaks in this country's history."

01:08:16

Trump Signs $1.5 Trillion Tax Overhaul into Law

4132014

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, D.C. - 22 December 2017

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump,US President:

"And then when I watch the news, as you know we had the largest tax cuts in our history just approved. I was going to wait for a formal signing sometime in early January. But then I watched the news this morning and they were all saying 'will he keep his promise, will he sign it by Christmas?' You were one. But will he sign it by Christmas?"

9. Close of tax bill

10. Mid of Trump signing bill into law

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus067254

After a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, Mitt Romney said he is looking forward to Trump's administration.

Romney met with Trump at a golf course in New Jersey on Saturday.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee was an outspoken critic of Trump during the election, calling him a "con man" and a "fraud." But the two have started to make amends since the election. Romney called Trump to congratulate him after his win.

POOL

Bedminster, New Jersey - 19 November 2016

++CONTINUOUS SHOT++

1. President-elect Donald Trump and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney walking out and shaking hands after meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mitt Romney, 2012 Republican presidential candidate:

"We had a far-reaching conversation with regards to the various theatres in the world where there are interests of the United States of real significance. We discussed those areas and exchanged our views on those topics. Very thorough and in-depth discussion in the time we had. And, I appreciate the chance to speak with the President-elect, and look forward to the coming administration and the things they are doing. Thank you."

3. Romney walking to car, car driving off

After a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, Mitt Romney said he is looking forward to Trump's administration.

Romney met with Trump at a golf course in New Jersey on Saturday.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee was an outspoken critic of Trump during the election, calling him a "con man" and a "fraud." But the two have started to make amends since the election. Romney called Trump to congratulate him after his win.

POOL

Bedminster, New Jersey - 19 November 2016

++CONTINUOUS SHOT++

1. President-elect Donald Trump and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney walking out and shaking hands after meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mitt Romney, 2012 Republican presidential candidate:

"We had a far-reaching conversation with regards to the various theatres in the world where there are interests of the United States of real significance. We discussed those areas and exchanged our views on those topics. Very thorough and in-depth discussion in the time we had. And, I appreciate the chance to speak with the President-elect, and look forward to the coming administration and the things they are doing. Thank you."

3. Romney walking to car, car driving off

The Trump administration is applauding the January jobs reports.

This comes as the President signs executive order taking aim at Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

Last month's jobs report, which showed the U.S. economy adding 227,000 jobs and the unemployment rate at 4.8 percent.

The report also says that more Americans started looking for work, although not all of them found jobs immediately.

"Today's report reflects the consumer confidence that the Trump presidency has inspired," said White House press secretay Sean Spicer.

"President Trump campaigned on how to make America work again. Even before he took office, the markets knew he would deliver on that promise."

President Donald Trump also signed an executive order that will direct the Treasury secretary to review the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

It's Trump's first step at scaling back regulations on financial services.

Trump has called the law a "disaster" and said it failed to address some of the causes of the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

Washington DC - 3 February 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The economy added more than 227,000 new jobs, significantly more than the 175,000 that had been expected. Today's report reflects the consumer confidence that the Trump presidency has inspired. According to a recent Gallup poll, economic confidence is at a new high and ADP showed strong private sector hiring. President Trump campaigned on how to make America work again. Even before he took office, the markets knew he would deliver on that promise."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The president's already taken significant steps to turn our economy around and he is looking forward to ensuring that every American who wants a job has the opportunity to find one. While the president's definitely pleased that the job growth has far surpassed expectations and that the labor force participation is rising, he also recognizes that there is a lot more work to be done."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The Dodd-Frank Act is a disastrous policy that's hindering our markets, reducing the availability of credit and crippling our economy's ability to grow and create jobs. It imposed hundreds of new regulations and financial -- on financial institutions, while establishing unaccountable and unconstitutional new agency that does not adequately protect consumers. Perhaps worst of all, despite all of this overreaching, Dodd-Frank did not address the causes of the financial crisis, something we all know must be done. It did not solve the too big to fail and we must determine conclusively that the failure of a large bank will never again leave taxpayers on the hook."

The Trump administration is applauding the January jobs reports.

This comes as the President signs executive order taking aim at Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

Last month's jobs report, which showed the U.S. economy adding 227,000 jobs and the unemployment rate at 4.8 percent.

The report also says that more Americans started looking for work, although not all of them found jobs immediately.

"Today's report reflects the consumer confidence that the Trump presidency has inspired," said White House press secretay Sean Spicer.

"President Trump campaigned on how to make America work again. Even before he took office, the markets knew he would deliver on that promise."

President Donald Trump also signed an executive order that will direct the Treasury secretary to review the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial overhaul.

It's Trump's first step at scaling back regulations on financial services.

Trump has called the law a "disaster" and said it failed to address some of the causes of the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

Washington DC - 3 February 2017

1. Cutaway of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walking in to press briefing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The economy added more than 227,000 new jobs, significantly more than the 175,000 that had been expected. Today's report reflects the consumer confidence that the Trump presidency has inspired. According to a recent Gallup poll, economic confidence is at a new high and ADP showed strong private sector hiring. President Trump campaigned on how to make America work again. Even before he took office, the markets knew he would deliver on that promise."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The president's already taken significant steps to turn our economy around and he is looking forward to ensuring that every American who wants a job has the opportunity to find one. While the president's definitely pleased that the job growth has far surpassed expectations and that the labor force participation is rising, he also recognizes that there is a lot more work to be done."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The Dodd-Frank Act is a disastrous policy that's hindering our markets, reducing the availability of credit and crippling our economy's ability to grow and create jobs. It imposed hundreds of new regulations and financial -- on financial institutions, while establishing unaccountable and unconstitutional new agency that does not adequately protect consumers. Perhaps worst of all, despite all of this overreaching, Dodd-Frank did not address the causes of the financial crisis, something we all know must be done. It did not solve the too big to fail and we must determine conclusively that the failure of a large bank will never again leave taxpayers on the hook."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"They did have a very productive and candid conversation. We have tremendous amount of respect for the people of Australia, for Prime Minister Trunbull and a followup on the call, but we are going to continue to work through this. We are going to honor the commitments that we made in some way, meaning that we are going to vet these people in accordance with the agreement that happened and we are going to continue to have further updates as we do."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The President is commited to peace, that's his goal and I think when the President and Prime Minister meet here on the 15th that obviously be the topic at that. At the end of the day the goal is peace. I think that is what you have to keep in mind, I think that is going to be a subject that they discuss when they meet on the 15th and that's as far as I want to go on that."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"I think the statement is very clear about that, we don't think the existence of current settlements is an impedement to peace, but I think the construction or expansion of existing settlements beyond the borders is not going to be helpful moving forward."

13. Spicer leaving briefing

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus129253

The Trump administration on Friday announced a new wave of sanctions on Iran following this week's missile strikes by the Islamic Republic on U.S. bases in Iraq.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the new sanctions will target eight senior Iranian officials involved in "destabilizing" activities in the Middle East as well as Tuesday's missile strike, which came in retaliation for the U.S. killing of a senior Iranian general in a drone strike.

Mnuchin said President Donald Trump will issue an executive order imposing sanctions on anyone involved in the Iranian textile, construction, manufacturing or mining sectors. They will also impose separate sanctions against the steel and iron sectors.

"As a result of these actions we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime," the treasury secretary said.

The administration has already reinstated all the U.S. sanctions that were eased under the 2015 nuclear deal, which has caused significant economic hardship in Iran and cut its oil exports to historic lows.

Iran this week launched the strikes in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the country's most powerful commander, in Baghdad last week.

Washington - 10 January 2020

1. Wide, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin walk into briefing room

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Mnuchin, U.S. Treasury Secretary:

"I'm sure everybody saw that the Dow hit 29,000. The president's economic plans are clearly working. We're looking forward to the China signing, USCMA and a very strong economy this year. As previously announced by the president, we are announcing additional sanctions against the Iranian regime as a result of the attack on U.S. and allied troops. First, the president is issuing an executive order authorizing the imposition of additional sanctions against any individual owning, operating, trading with or assisting sectors of the Iranian economy including construction, manufacturing, textiles and mining. And, let me be clear, these will both be primary and secondary sanctions."

3. Side, Mnuchin speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Mnuchin, U.S. Treasury Secretary:

"Second, we are announcing 17 specific sanctions against Iran's largest steel and iron manufacturers, three Seychelles based entities and a vessel involved in the transfer of products. As a result of these actions, we will cut off billions of dollars of support to the Iranian regime and we will continue our enforcement of other entities. Third, we are taking action against eight senior Iranian officials who advanced the regime's destabilizing activity and were involved in Tuesday's ballistic missile strike."

5. Cutaway, Pompeo speaking

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State:

"Today, President Trump is delivering on the pledge that he made the day after Iran attacked American forces in Iraq where there will be a series of new sanctions. Secretary Mnuchin just mentioned eight senior Iranian officials that are responsible for the regime's violence, both at home and abroad. We're striking at the heart of the Islamic republic's inner security apparatus."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State:

"As long as Iran's outlaws ways continue. We will continue to impose sanctions. Finally, I want to reiterate President Trump's concern for Americans and dual national citizens detained inside of Iran. Iran knows that these individuals have committed no crime. They know the charges against them are fake. We will do all that we can to get each of them returned home safely to their families."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday that he held meetings with two senior members of the Trump administration over the weekend.

Netanyahu said he met Jared Kushner, Trump's senior advisor and son-in-law, along with Jason Greenblatt, the US Special Representative for International Negotiations.

He said they discussed the peace process and regional issues, with "a particular emphasis on the situation in Gaza".

Kushner and Greenblatt also met the leaders of Jordan, Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia during a weeklong trip around the region.

In an interview published in the Arabic language Al-Quds newspaper, Kushner said the administration will soon present its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, with or without input from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

He appealed directly to Palestinians and cast doubt on Abbas' ability to make a deal, alleging that the Palestinian leadership is "scared we will release our peace plan and the Palestinian people will actually like it" because it would offer them a better life.

Palestinian leaders have blasted the Trump negotiating team in recent days.

Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Saturday accused Kushner and Greenblatt of trying to topple the Abbas-led West Bank autonomy government and dismantle the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees.

Jerusalem - 24 June 2018

1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sitting among other members of cabinet

2. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister:

"Over the weekend, I met with Jared Kushner (senior advisor to US President Donald Trump, and Trump's son-in-law) and Jason Greenblatt (US Special Representative for International Negotiations) in two important meetings. We talked about the peace process and regional issues, and there was also a particular emphasis on the situation in Gaza. I have to say that there was absolute support for our positions and actions to ensure the security of the state and citizens of Israel and the security of residents of the Gaza periphery, things that were also stated publicly by the representatives of the American administration. There was also a question of how to solve the humanitarian situation in Gaza without strengthening Hamas. These things are very clear. First of all, how do you maintain security; second, how do you prevent a broader escalation, if it's possible, if it's even possible. "

3. Ministers at meeting

4. Various of Netanyahu at cabinet meeting

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus121911

The Trump administration claims its effort to refocus the U.S. immigration system on merit is not a rejection of long-held American values.

The administration on Monday issued new rules that could deny green cards to immigrants who use Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers or other forms of public assistance.

Citizenship and Immigration Services acting Director Ken Cuccinelli says President Donald Trump's administration is not trying to wipe away the nation's longtime commitment to taking in immigrants in need.

Cuccinelli was pressed on the Emma Lazarus poem emblazoned below the beacon to immigrants, which reads: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Cuccinelli says he's "certainly not prepared to take anything down off the Statue of Liberty."

Immigration advocates worry the new rules will scare immigrants into not asking for help.

Washington - 12 August 2019

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Ken Cuccinelli,  Citizenship and Immigration Services acting director:

"Today USCIS, the agency I head as part of the Department of Homeland Security, has issued a rule that encourages and ensures self-reliance and self-sufficiency for those seeking to come to or to stay in the United States. It will also help promote immigrant success in the United States as they seek opportunity here. Throughout our history self-reliance has been a core principle in America, the virtues of perseverance, hard work self-sufficiency laid the foundation of our nation and have defined generations of immigrants seeking opportunity in the United States."

3. Cutaway reporters

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ken Cuccinelli,  Citizenship and Immigration Services acting director:

"(Reporter: Critics are saying this policy is unfairly targeting the lower income immigrants. How do you respond to that?)

Well, we certainly expect people of any income to be able to stand on their own two feet. And so if people are not able to be self-sufficient then this negative factor is going to bear very heavily against them in a decision about whether they'll be able to become a legal permanent resident and a poor person can be prepared to be self-sufficient. Many have been through the history of this country. So let's not look at that as the be all and end all. It's not the deciding factor which is why we continue to use the totality of circumstances test."

5. Cutaway reporter asking question

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ken Cuccinelli,  Citizenship and Immigration Services acting director:

"(Reporter: You are implementing this public charge rule for the first time, is that sentiment, 'give us your tired, your poor,' still operative in the United States or should those words come down? Should the plaque come down off the Statue of Liberty?)

Well, I am certainly not prepared to take anything down off the Statue of Liberty. We have a long history of being one of the most welcoming nations in the world, on a lot of basis, whether you be an asylee, whether you be here coming to join your family or immigrating yourself. This rule will cover, for USCIS, almost 400,000 people a year whose applications to become legal permanent residents will include a meaningful analysis of whether they are likely to become a public charge or not. I do not think, by any means, we are ready to take anything off the Statue of Liberty."

Hawaii's attorney general on Tuesday said the state is ready to defend against what he calls a discriminatory travel ban by the Trump administration.

Douglas Chin was responding to a US judge's ruling Tuesday that blocks the federal government from enforcing the policy.

Chin has been challenging President Donald Trump's travel bans since February.

The state says the updated ban is a continuation of Trump's "promise to exclude Muslims from the United States".

He said it's the third time Hawaii has gone to court to stop Trump from enforcing a ban that discriminates against people based on their nation of origin or religion.

The Trump administration's most recent restrictions affect citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria and Yemen - and some Venezuelan government officials and their families.

It was supposed to take effect early Wednesday.

Honolulu, Hawaii - 17 October 2017

1. Various of Office of the Attorney General building.

2. Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin walking out of building

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Douglas Chin, (D) Hawaii: "Well, we are very pleased today with Judge Watson's ruling that came out hours before what we are referring to travel ban 3.0 was to take effect."

4. United States Courthouse sign

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Douglas Chin, (D) Hawaii: "Today's temporary restraining order is blocking the travel ban that had been issued against six of the Muslim-majority countries that were named under the third travel ban."

6. Unites States Courthouse sign

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Douglas Chin, (D) Hawaii: "There's a lot of other things the United States government could do to protect the American people from terrorists from coming into the country. Blocking 150 million people, to my mind randomly, just from these six countries, but it's not random because it really has a sort of Muslim bias, for them to do something like that, that just goes against the rule of law."

8. United States Courthouse sign

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Douglas Chin, (D) Hawaii: "So in addition to the state of Hawaii being a plaintiff in this case, the Muslim Association of Hawaii also joined in, as well as additional individuals who stood to be harmed because of this unconstitutional and illegal travel ban."

10. Hawaii Attorney General sign

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Douglas Chin, (D) Hawaii: "It actually becomes the state's concern as well because any time you have this kind of discrimination taking place, it might happen to one person, but if you let it go, that means the next time it's going to effect other people and people who belong to other religions or other countries who might end up facing discrimination."

12. Hawaii Attorney General sign

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Douglas Chin, (D) Hawaii: "It has been incredibly difficult to get individual plaintiffs to come forward, to tell their story in public and to make a filing in court. And it's for the simple reason is that they are afraid of the US government retaliating against them."

14. US District Court District of Hawaii seal

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Douglas Chin, (D) Hawaii: "This executive order goes against everything that the state of Hawaii stands for, which is diversity, inclusivity, just 'aloha', (Hawaiian greeting) just everything that makes Hawaii so special."

16. Various of trees outside AG office

Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, an immigrant from Guatemala crossed the US Mexico border on a Saturday night with with her youngest son, 7-year-old Darwin.  

Fleeing what she says was a physically abusive marriage and fearing her husband would kill her, she left for the US.

"I didn't think it was a crime to enter (without proper documents) into the United States," she said in an interview with the Associated Press Wednesday.

Mejia-Mejia and her son were held in detention by immigration officials in San Luis, Arizona and after two days there, he was taken from her one month ago.

"I know nothing about him," adding that she has only spoken to Darwin once since he was taken.

She sued the Trump administration on Tuesday.

"The only thing I want is my son," she said. "I am his mother. I need for him to be by my side."   

Mejia-Mejia's experience offers a window into the distress and uncertainty parents endure when they are separated from their children at the border as President Donald Trump's administration in April adopted a "zero tolerance" policy in which all unlawful border crossings were referred for prosecution.

The policy led to a spike in family separations in recent weeks, provoking a national uproar and pressure from some of Trump's allies.

In a dramatic reversal, the president said Wednesday he was ending the practice, signing an executive order that keeps families together while they're in custody, expedites their cases and asks the Department of Defense to help house them.

A senior Justice Department official said Trump's executive order was a stopgap measure to end the separation of families as they cross the border illegally and face criminal prosecution.

Gene Hamilton, the Counselor to the Attorney General, said Homeland Security officials can only detain families for up to 20 days.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 20 June 2018

1. Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"I got married. We had five children during our marriage. We lived 15 years (together as a married couple).  My husband began to fight with me because he was jealous. He would argue with me, he would hit me."

3. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"One day I went to drop off my youngest son, named Darwin, when I encountered his father along the way, he hit me. He not only hit me, but he threatened me, telling me he was going to kill me, that he was going to do so many things to me. From then on, I was afraid that he would do something to me, and my son 'where would he end up?'  What I did was to think about leaving my country, to flee, and go to the United States."

5. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"I didn't think it was a crime to enter (without proper documents) into the United States. I went to immigration. I was detained in immigration for 11 days. I entered on a Saturday at 11 p.m. I was detained. My son Darwin was with me two days and after two days, he was taken without giving me an explanation as to where, with whom (he would go be with). (Since then) I know nothing about him."

7. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"I spoke to the judge and I told her that I was coming for the reasons that I am threatened in my country. That in my country, there is no justice. They can hit you, kill you and no one does anything about it."

9. Mid of Mejia-Mejia

10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"The only thing I want is my son. As I said, I'm a mother. I only have him. Being there (in Guatemala), my son grew up in my arms. We sleep together, we eat together. He goes to school. I pick him up. I come back. I have almost never left him unattended even for a moment. So, this is a sadness that is hurting me, and a lot."

11. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"So now, I need to find him. I don't know where he is. Who has him. I need that information because I want my son to return to me. I am his mother. I need for him to be by my side."

13. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

The White House said Monday the use of a highly lethal nerve agent against a former Russian spy and his daughter "is an outrage" but isn't ready to say Russia was responsible.

Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the U.S. has been monitoring the incident very closely.

She says the attack against Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, was "reckless, indiscriminate and irresponsible" and adds that the U.S. stands by its ally and is ready to offer any assistance.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Monday that her government has concluded it is "highly likely" that Russia is responsible for the poisoning. May told British lawmakers that Skripal and his daughter were exposed to a nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union in the end of the Cold War.

Asked whether there is any chance that President Donald Trump's meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un won't take place, Sanders said the White House "fully expects that it will."

She says North Korea "made several promises," and as long as they stick to those promises, the "meeting will go on as planned."

Regarding President Trump's just released proposal on school safety, Sanders insists Trump still wants to raise the minimum purchasing age for assault weapons.

In the proposal unveiled over the weekend by the White House, the potentially divisive requirement to up the age limit from 18 to 21 for buying some types of guns was not part of the initial plan.

Sanders says the change is still a goal and could still happen. But she says "right now the president's primary focus is pushing through things we know that have broad bipartisan support" on school safety,

Washington, DC - 12 March 2018

1. Wide shot of Sarah Huckabee Sanders walking into briefing room

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

"Look, we've been monitoring the incident closely. We take it very seriously. The use of a highly lethal nerve agent against UK citizens on UK soil is an outrage. The attack was reckless, indiscriminate and irresponsible. We offered the fullest condemnation and we extend our sympathy to the victims and their families and our support to the UK government. We stand by our closest ally in the special relationship that we have."

3. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

"So you're not saying that Russia was behind this?"

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

"Right now, we are standing with our UK ally. I think they're still working through even some of the details of that and we're going to continue to work with the U.K. and we certainly stand with them throughout this process."

5. Cutaway of reporters

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

"Look, we fully expect that it will. The offer was made and we've accepted. North Korea made several promises and we hope that they will stick to those promises and if so the meeting will go on as planned."

7. UPSOUND: Reporter asking question:

"And what preparations are being made so far for this meeting?"

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

"We're continuing to prepare on a number of levels. Most of that is in the inner administration an interagency process. And I'm not going to get ahead of any of the details of the where the when are any of that here today."

9. Wide shot of Sanders at podium

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

"Look, the president still has in this plan the age limit increase and that is part of one of the things that will be, one of those things will be reviewed on what the best path forward is on that front. Whether it can be done at a federal level or whether it needs to be done on a state by state basis. But the president as you know doesn't have the ability to just create federal law and he would need a number of other individuals to come together to help make that happen. So what he is pushing forward are things that can immediately be accomplished either through the administration or that have broad based bipartisan support in Congress. But that doesn't mean that he has wiped away some of those other things that we're still looking at how best we can move forward on."

9. Cutaway of reporters in briefing room

US Vice President-elect Mike Pence claimed a governing mandate for the Trump administration, calling on conservative activists to help the incoming White House pass an ambitiously conservative agenda.

Pence made little reference to still-simmering national divides in his address at a Tuesday night event honouring top donors to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that's working closely with Donald Trump's transition effort.

Pence spoke in the "presidential ballroom" of Trump's Washington, DC, hotel.

US POOL

Washington - 6 December 2016

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

1. US Vice President-elect Mike Pence walking to stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"For America to be prosperous, for America to be strong, America must be safe. It was Ronald Regan who taught us that peace comes through strength and yet it would be in recent years, despite the ongoing admonition from the Heritage Foundation about its central mission of a commitment to a national defence, the reality is today that this administration and in so many ways for even longer we've walked away from our commitment to be that arsenal of democracy in the world."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"I want to promise you we're going to roll our sleeves up and in the first 100 days we're going to pass a military supplemental, we're going to rebuild our military, we're going to restore the arsenal of democracy, we're going to give soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and the coast guard the resources and training they need to protect our nation and they are going to hunt down and destroy ISIS (Islamic State group) at its source so it can no longer threaten our people or inspire violence in the homeland."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"I want to thank the Heritage Foundation and other great conservative organisations like the Federalist Society that have weighed in. It is a list that legal scholars and conservative thought leaders have called a gold mine of conservative jurisprudence and you may rest assured that our new president-elect will appoint justices to the Supreme Court of the United States of America in the tradition of the late and great Justice Antonin Scalia."

5. Pence leaving stage

Vice President-elect Mike Pence is claiming a governing mandate for the Trump administration, calling on conservative activists to help the incoming White House pass an ambitiously conservative agenda.

Pence made little reference to still-simmering national divides in his address at a Tuesday night event honoring top donors to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that's working closely with Donald Trump's transition effort.

Pence spoke in the "presidential ballroom" of Trump's Washington, D.C., hotel.

POOL

Washington - 6 December 2016

+++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES+++

1. Mike Pence walking to stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"For America to be prosperous, for America to be strong, America must be safe. It was Ronald Regan who taught us that peace comes through strength and yet it would be in recent years, despite the ongoing admonition from the Heritage Foundation about its central mission of a commitment to a national defense, the reality is today that this administration and in so many ways for even longer we've walked away from our commitment to be that arsenal of democracy in the world."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"I want to promise you we're going to roll our sleeves up and in the first 100 days we're going to pass a military supplemental, we're going to rebuild our military, we're going to restore the arsenal of democracy, we're going to give soldiers, saikors, airmen, marines and the coast guard the resources and training they need to protect our nation and they are going to hunt down and destroy ISIS at its source so it can no longer threaten our people or inspire violence in the homeland."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"I want to thank the Heritage Foundation and other great conservative organizations like the Federalist Society that have weighed in. It is a list that legal scholars and conservative thought leaders have called a gold mine of of conservative jurisprudence and you may rest assured that our new president-elect will appoint justices to the Supreme Court of the United States of America in the tradition of the late and great Anotonin Scalia."

5. Pence leaving stage