US President Donald Trump said he's decided to withdraw support for a treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

It's the latest example of the Trump administration's dislike of international pacts.

Trump said on Friday that he has decided to revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He said America was "rejecting this treaty" and "taking our signature back".

Trump made the announcement during a speech in Indianapolis to the National Rifle Association, which claims the treaty poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The US signed the treaty in 2013 but never ratified it.

POOL

Indianapolis - 26 April 2019

1. Close-up US President Donald Trump saluting then walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"Today I'm proud to announce another historic step to protect your Second Amendment rights, and I didn't tell Chris (Cox) and Wayne (LaPierre) and Oliver (North), I didn't even tell them about it. So, they are listening in this big room someplace and they are saying, 'I wonder what he's going to do.' The good thing with me you never know. So in the last administration President Obama signed the UN Arms Trade Treaty and in its waning days in office he sent the treaty to the Senate to begin the ratification process. This treaty threatened your subjugate ... again and you know exactly what's going on here, your rights. And your constitutional and international rules and restrictions and regulations. Under my administration we will never surrender American sovereignty to anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom. And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty. I hope you are happy."

4. Cutaway audience applauding

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

"I'm impressed. I didn't think too many of you would really know what it is. You know what it is?  A big, big factor. But I see a couple of very happy faces from the NRA over there. And I am officially announcing today that the United States will be revoking the effect of America's signature from this badly misguided treatment. We're taking our signature back."

6. Pan from Trump to audience

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

"I will sign right now, in front of a lot of witnesses. Like, a lot of witnesses, a message asking the Senate to discontinue the treaty ratification process and to return the now rejected treaty right back to me in the Oval Office, where I will dispose of it. By taking these acts we are reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries."

8. Mid Trump showing signature to audience

President Donald Trump says the U.S. has decided to withdraw its support for a treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

It's the latest example of the Trump administration's dislike of international pacts.

Trump said Friday that he has decided to revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He says America is "rejecting this treaty" and "taking our signature back."

He made the announcement during a speech in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the National Rifle Association, which claims the treaty poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The U.S. signed the treaty in 2013, but never ratified it.

POOL

Indianapolis - 26 April 2019

1. Close-up US President Donald Trump saluting then walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"Today I'm proud to announce another historic step to protect your Second Amendment rights. And I didn't tell Chris (Cox) and Wayne (LaPierre) and Oliver (North) I didn't even tell them about it. So, they are listening in this big room someplace and they are saying, 'I wonder what he's going to do.' The good thing with me you never know. So in the last administration President Obama signed the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty and in its waning days in office he sent the treaty to the Senate to begin the ratification process. This treaty threatened your subjugate ... again and you know exactly what's going on here, your rights. And your constitutional and international rules and restrictions and regulations. Under my administration we will never surrender American sovereignty to anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom. And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty. I hope you are happy."

4. Cutaway audience applauding

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I'm impressed. I didn't think too many of you would really know what it is. You know what it is?  A big, big factor. But I see a couple of very happy faces from the NRA over there. And I am officially announcing today that the United States will be revoking the effect of America's signature from this badly misguided treatment.  We're taking our signature back."

6. Pan from Trump to audience

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I will sign right now, in front of a lot of witnesses. Like, a lot of witnesses, a message asking the Senate to discontinue the treaty ratification process and to return the now rejected treaty right back to me in the Oval Office, where I will dispose of it. By taking these acts we are reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries. "

8. Mid, Trump showing signature to audience

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus116058

President Donald Trump says the U.S. has decided to withdraw its support for a treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

It's the latest example of the Trump administration's dislike of international pacts.

Trump said Friday that he has decided to revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He says America is "rejecting this treaty" and "taking our signature back."

He made the announcement during a speech in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the National Rifle Association, which claims the treaty poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The U.S. signed the treaty in 2013, but never ratified it.

POOL

Indianapolis - 26 April 2019

1. Close-up US President Donald Trump saluting then walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President: ++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"Today I'm proud to announce another historic step to protect your Second Amendment rights. And I didn't tell Chris (Cox) and Wayne (LaPierre) and Oliver (North) I didn't even tell them about it. So, they are listening in this big room someplace and they are saying, 'I wonder what he's going to do.' The good thing with me you never know, never know. So in the last administration President Obama signed the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty and in its waning days in office he sent the treaty to the Senate to begin the ratification process. This treaty threatened your subjugate ... again and you know exactly what's going on here, your rights. And your constitutional and international rules and restrictions and regulations. Under my administration we will never surrender American sovereignty. To anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom. And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty. I hope you are happy."

3. Cutaway audience applauding

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We're taking our signature back."

5. Pan from Trump to audience

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President: ++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"By taking these acts we are reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries. "

7. Mid, Trump signing and then showing signature to audience

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has defended President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy, saying the president is "not afraid to try diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves."

Pompeo was speaking at a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) gathering in Orlando, Florida on Monday.

Pompeo said the U.S. is maintaining pressure on North Korea while "keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy."

He also got a laugh when he said he thinks that he's spent more time with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un than any other American, "now surpassing Dennis Rodman."

Pompeo also announced the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Zhuhai Zhenrong Limited and its chief executive for violating restrictions on Iran's oil industry.

The U.S. sanctions are part of the Trump administration's effort to increase pressure on Iran by starving its economy.

Oil exports are Iran's largest source of foreign income and the U.S. campaign has raised tensions between the two countries.

China has continued to import Iranian oil as other countries have stopped out of fear of U.S. penalties.

Pompeo also insisted that "America First does not mean America alone."

Despite tensions between the U.S. and traditional allies over NATO funding, the Iran nuclear deal and international trade, he said that relations are strong between the U.S. and allies in Eastern Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Pacific region.  

And he said U.S. relations with Israel were "unequalled."

He also promised that the administration would keep as a top priority getting the remains of any fallen soldiers returned to the U.S.

Finally, Pompeo briefly touched on the administration's effort to protect U.S. service personnel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

Earlier this year, Pompeo announced the U.S. would repeal or deny visas to any ICC staff trying to investigate Americans in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room, or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces," he said.

POOL

Orlando, Florida - 22 July 2019

1. Wide of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"President Trump is unafraid. He's not afraid to try diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves. You've seen this. You've seen this on North Korea where we came into office and found that appeasement wasn't working and neither did neglect. So we're maintaining pressure on the North Korean regime while keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy. I had the chance to meet with Chairman Kim (Jong Un) on multiple occasions. Indeed I think I've spent more time with Chairman Kim than any other American, now surpassing Dennis Rodman (laughter)."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"And on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the nuclear deal. It only made the machine regime more aggressive. So we've re-engaged with allies to exert pressure on that regime. All we ask of them is all America ever asked. We just want them to behave like a normal nation. And today, as part of that maximum pressure campaign, I'm announcing that the United States is imposing sanctions on the Chinese entity Zhuhai Zhenrong and its chief executive, Youmin Li. They violated U.S. law by accepting crude oil. We've said all along that any sanction will indeed be enforced. We can't tolerate more money going to the Ayatollah, putting American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and putting their lives at risk. It's too important."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"America first does not mean America alone. Indeed, other nations are rolling up their sleeves to work alongside of us. We're restoring friendships that were neglected for a long, long time. From Eastern Europe, to our partners in the Gulf, to the Pacific Islands. And of course our relationship with Israel is unequalled. It's a democracy. It stands for the same things that we do here in America. That relationship is stronger than it's ever been. We're very proud of that."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I remember sitting in the room negotiating with my my counterpart as a former senior North Korean general. And I remember talking to him and I think he was perplexed that we put this as the first among the items we wanted to talk about. Every one of you understands why we put that first, and why we'll continue to work on this. We will not stop working on this until every one of our fallen heroes and their remains have been returned to the United States of America."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"I want to mention, too, there is a threat that some of you know about. There are rogue courts international courts that have threatened to bring American soldiers, sailors and marines to dock, to bring them to justice. This is wrong. This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces."

7. Wide of Pompeo shaking hands with vets after speech

Speaking to a VFW gathering in Orlando, Fla., Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy, saying the president is "not afraid to try to diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves."

Pompeo said the U.S. is maintaining pressure on North Korea while "keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy."

He also got a laugh when he said he thinks that he's spen more time with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un than any other American, "now surpassing Dennis Rodman."

Pompeo also announced the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Zhuhai Zhenrong (ZHOO-hi ZHEN-wrong) Limited and its chief executive for violating restrictions on Iran's oil industry.

The U.S. sanctions are part of the Trump administration's effort to increase pressure on Iran by starving its economy. Oil exports are Iran's largest source of foreign income and the U.S. campaign has raised tensions between the two countries.

China has continued to import Iranian oil as other countries have stopped out of fear of U.S. penalties.

Pompeo also insisted that "America First does not mean America alone."

Despite tensions between the U.S. and traditional allies over NATO funding, the Iran nuclear deal and international trade, he said that relations are strong between the U.S. and allies in Eastern Europe, the Persion Gulf and the Pacific region.  And he said U.S. relations with Israel is "unequalled."

He also promised that the administration would keep as a top priority getting the remains of any fallen soldiers returned to the U.S.

Finally, Pompeo briefly touched on the administration's effort to protect U.S. service personnel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. Earlier this year, Pompeo announced the U.S. would repeal or deny visas to any ICC staff trying to investigate Americans in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room, or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces," he said.

POOL

Orlando, Florida - 22 July 2019

1. Wide of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"President Trump is unafraid. He's not afraid to try to diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves. You've seen this. You've seen this on North Korea where we came into office and found that appeasement wasn't working and neither did neglect. So we're maintaining pressure on the North Korean regime while keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy. I had the chance to meet with Chairman Kim on multiple occasions. Indeed I think I've spent more time with Chairman Kim than any other American now surpassing Dennis Rodman (laughter)."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"And on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the nuclear deal. It only made the machine regime more aggressive. So we've re-engaged with allies to exert pressure on that regime. All we ask of them is all America ever asked. We just want them to behave like a normal nation. And today, as part of that maximum pressure campaign, I'm announcing that the United States is imposing sanctions on the Chinese entity Zhuhai Zhenrong and its chief executive, Youmin Li. They violated U.S. law by accepting crude oil. We've said all along that any sanction will indeed be enforced. We can't tolerate more money going to the Ayatollah, putting American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and putting their lives at risk. It's too important."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"America first does not mean America alone. Indeed, other nations are rolling up their sleeves to work alongside of us. We're restoring friendships that were neglected for a long, long time. From Eastern Europe, to our partners in the Gulf, to the Pacific Islands. And of course our relationship with Israel is unequalled. It's a democracy. It stands for the same things that we do here in America. That relationship is stronger than it's ever been. We're very proud of that."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I remember sitting in the room negotiating with my my counterpart as a former senior North Korean general. And I remember talking to him and I think he was perplexed that we put this as the first among the items we wanted to talk about. Every one of you understands why we put that first, and why we'll continue to work on this. We will not stop working on this until every one of our fallen heroes and their remains have been returned to the United States of America."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"I want to mention, too, there is a threat that some of you know about. There are rogue courts international courts that have threatened to bring American soldiers, sailors and marines to dock, to bring them to justice. This is wrong. This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces."

7. Wide of Pompeo shaking hands with vets after speech

President Donald Trump held a listening session on health care in the United States at the White House on Monday.

Trump met with HHS Secretary Tom Price as well as a group of doctors and citizens who voiced their concerns over the Affordable Care Act.

Trump told reporters that "the press is making Obamacare look so good", which in fact, as he said, was "imploding."

Washington DC - 13 March 2017

1. US President Donald Trump arriving at listening session on health care

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"Secretary Price and I along with my entire administration and a lot of people in the Senate and a lot of people in the House are committed to repealing and replacing this disastrous law with a health care plan that lowers cost, expands choice and ensures access for everyone."

3. Cutaway wide of meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're not going to have one size fits all, instead we're going to be working to unleash the power of the private marketplace to let insurers come in and compete for your business and you'll see rates go down, down, down and you'll see plans go up, up, up. You'll have a lot of choices, you'll have plans that nobody's even thinking of today. They will have plans that today nobody has even thought about. Because the market is going to, enforce that with millions and millions of people wanting health care, more competition and less regulation will finally bring down the cost of care, and I think it will bring it down very significantly, unfortunately it takes a while to get there, because you have to let that marketplace kick in, and it's going to take a little while to get there but once it does, it's going to be a thing of beauty. I wish it didn't take a year or two years but that's what's going to happen and that's the way it works. But, we're willing to go through that process. Working together we'll get the job done and I have to say this just in closing then I want to hear some of your stories and we'll let the press stay for your stories, but the press is making Obamacare look so good all of a sudden, I'm watching the news, looks so good, they show you these reports about this one gets so much and this one gets so much. First of all it covers very few people and it's imploding and '17 will be the worst year, and I said it once and I'll say it again because Obama is gone, things are going to be very bad this year for the people with Obamacare, they're going to have tremendous increases and the Republicans are frankly putting themselves in a very bad position, I tell this to Tom Price all the time, by repealing Obamacare, because people aren't going to see the truly devastating effects of Obamacare, they're not going to see the devastation in '17 and '18 and '19, it will be gone by then, whether we do it or not, it will be imploded off the map. So the press is making it look so wonderful so that if we end it, everyone's going to say 'oh remember how great Obamacare used to be, remember how wonderful it used to be. It was so great'. It's a little bit like President Obama. When he left people liked him, when he was here people didn't like him so much, that's the way life goes, that's human nature."

5. Wide of Trump

Republican Donald Trump is receiving an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticizes Democrats and vows to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump is telling veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

Republican Donald Trump is receiving an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticizes Democrats and vows to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump is telling veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

POOL

Charlotte, North Carolina - 26 July 2016

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. Mid of Donald Trump walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The veterans health system will remain a public system because it is a public trust, but never again will we allow any veteran to suffer or die waiting for care. That means veterans will have the right to go to a VA facility, or the right to see a private doctor, or clinic of their choice whatever is fastest and best for the veteran."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"There will be no more five-day waits in line. If you are waiting in line, you're going to go to a private doctor across the street, a private or public hospital across the street or nearby and you are going to be taken care of quickly and efficiently. People are waiting in line five days, six days, seven days and many are dying. With a simple procedure they would live and they're dying because they can't even get to see their doctor. So there's not going to be anymore of that, and we will pick up the bill."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The other candidate in this race, you know her name, Crooked Hillary Clinton, and believe me folks, she is crooked, has a much different view. She recently said of the VA (Veterans Administration) scandal that it's not as widespread as it's been purported to be. It's like she's trying to sweep it under the rug, which by the way politicians have done for years and years and years. It's going to be four more years of the same if she ever got in. But that's not going to happen."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"We know how she takes care of the veterans. Just look at her invasion of Libya, and her handling of Benghazi. A disaster. Or look at her emails, which put America's entire national security at risk.(Audience members "Lock her up, lock her up.")

"And to think she was here yesterday. I guess she didn't do very well."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"We're going to bring honesty back to government, and that starts with fixing the Veterans Administration. We will fix it."

7. Mid of Trump shaking hands after speech

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus060069

Republican Donald Trump received an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticized Democrats and vowed to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump told veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus060069

Republican Donald Trump received an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticized Democrats and vowed to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump told veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

POOL

Charlotte, North Carolina - 26 July 2016

+++WHITE FLASHES BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The veterans health system will remain a public system because it is a public trust, but never again will we allow any veteran to suffer or die waiting for care. That means veterans will have the right to go to a VA facility, or the right to see a private doctor, or clinic of their choice whatever is fastest and best for the veteran."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"There will be no more five-day waits in line. If you are waiting in line, you're going to go to a private doctor across the street, a private or public hospital across the street or nearby and you are going to be taken care of quickly and efficiently. People are waiting in line five days, six days, seven days and many are dying."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The other candidate in this race, you know her name, crooked Hillary Clinton, and believe me folks, she is crooked, has a much different view. She recently said of the VA scandal that it's not as widespread as it's been purported to be. It's like she's trying to sweep it under the rug, which by the way politicians have done for years and years and years. It's going to be four more years of the same."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"Just look at her invasion of Libya, and her handling of Benghazi, a disaster, or look at her emails, which put America's entire national security at risk.(Audience members "Lock her up, lock her up.")

"And to think she was here yesterday. I guess she didn't do very well."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"We're going to bring honesty back to government, and that starts with fixing the Veterans Administration. We will fix it."

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

"We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal, " Fields said.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the U.S..

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about in order to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the US.

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about to be able to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

"We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal, " Fields said.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the U.S..

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about in order to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Iran warned the Biden administration on Tuesday that it will not have an indefinite time period to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

The remarks by Iran's Cabinet spokesman Ali Rabiei are part of pressure that Tehran is trying to exert on the US as it seeks to increase its leverage and get the Biden administration to quickly return to the deal.

Though President Joe Biden has pledged to return to the nuclear deal, Rabiei said there has yet to be any communication between Iran and Biden on the subject.

In the meantime, Rabiei added that Iran would take a step further away from the nuclear deal by imposing a “restriction” on inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in late February.

In December, Iran's parliament approved a law under which part of the inspections that the deal had provided for would be suspended in February if European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal do not offer relief from oil and banking sanctions.

Iran also said it expects Washington to swiftly lift crippling economic sanctions that former President Donald Trump imposed on the country after pulling America out of the atomic accord in 2018, as part of what he called maximum pressure against Iran.

Trump cited Iran’s ballistic missile program among other issues in withdrawing from the accord.

And when the Trump administration increased sanctions, Iran gradually and publicly abandoned the deal’s limits on its nuclear development.

++ Associated Press is adhering to Iranian law that stipulates all media are banned from providing BBC Persian, VOA Persian, Manoto 1 or Iran International any coverage from Iran, and under this law if any media violate this ban the Iranian authorities can immediately shut down that organization in Tehran.++

ASSOCIATED PRESS - NO ACCESS BBC PERSIAN / NO ACCESS VOA PERSIAN / NO ACCESS MANOTO TV / NO ACCESS IRAN INTERNATIONAL

Tehran, Iran - 26 January 2021

1. Iranian Government spokesman Ali Rabiei heading to podium for weekly briefing

2. Journalists at press conference

3. News conference

4. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Ali Rabiei, Iranian Government spokesman:

"The US does not have all the time in the world and the window of opportunity (to return to nuclear deal) will not be open forever, either for the US or the European members of the nuclear deal to fulfil their commitments. We hope that before issues have gotten more complicated, the US administration will take practical actions and decisions to prove its good will and build confidence."

5. News conference

6. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Ali Rabiei, Iranian Government spokesman:

"Based on the schedule mentioned in a law passed by the (Iranian) parliament, the first steps in limiting the inspections of the (International Atomic Energy Agency's) additional protocol will begin in late February (2021). However, you should note that inspections related to the (IAEA) safeguard commitments will continue to remain in place. Most of the inspections and surveillance cameras have to do with these safeguard commitments, which will remain unchanged."

7. Rabiei leaving conference

President Donald Trump held a listening session on health care in the United States at the White House on Monday.

Trump met with HHS Secretary Tom Price as well as a group of doctors and citizens who voiced their concerns over the Affordable Care Act.

Trump told reporters that 'the press is making Obamacare look so good' but urged the previous health care law is 'imploding.'

Washington DC - 13 March 2017

1. Various of Trump arriving to listening session

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"Secretary Price and I along with my entire administration and a lot of people in the Senate and a lot of people in the House are committed to repealing and replacing this disastrous law with a health care plan that lowers cost, expands choice and ensures access for everyone."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're not going to have one size fits all, instead we're going to be working to unleash the power of the private marketplace to let insurerers come in and compete for your business and you'll see rates go down, down, down and you'll see plans go up, up, up. You'll have a lot of choices, you'll have plans that nobody's even thinking of today. They will have plans that today nobody has even thought about. Because the market is going to, of course with millions of people wanting health care, more competition and less regulation will finally bring down the cost of care, and I think it will bring it down very significantly, unfortunately it takes a while to get there, because you have to let that marketplace kick in, and it's going to take a little while to get there but once it does, it's going to be a thing of beauty. I wish it didn't take a year or two years but that's what's going to happen and that's the way it works. But, we're willing to go through that process. Working together we'll get the job done and I have to say this just in closing then I want to hear some of your stories and we'll let the press stay for your stories, but the press is making Obamacare look so good all of a sudden, I'm watching the news, looks so good, they show you these reports about this one gets so much and this one gets so much. First of all it covers very few people and it's imploding and 17 will be the worst year, and I said it once and I'll say it again because Obama is gone, things are going to be very bad this year for the people with Obamacare, they're going to have tremendous increases and the Republicans are frankly putting themselves in a very bad position, I tell this to Tom Price all the time. By repealing Obamacare, because people aren't going to see the truly devastating effects of Obamacare, they're not going to see the devastation in 17 and 18 and 19, it will be gone by then, whether we do it or not, it will be imploded off the map. So the press is making it look so wonderful so that if we end it, everyone's going to say oh remember how great Obamcare used to be, remember how wonderful it used to be. It was so great, it's a little bit like President Obama. When he left people liked him, when he was here people didn't like him so much, that's the way life goes, that's human nature."

5. Cutaway

President Donald Trump held a listening session on health care in the United States at the White House on Monday.

Trump met with HHS Secretary Tom Price as well as a group of doctors and citizens who voiced their concerns over the Affordable Care Act.

Trump told reporters that 'the press is making Obamacare look so good' but urged the previous health care law is 'imploding.'

Washington DC - 13 March 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"Secretary Price and I along with my entire administration and a lot of people in the Senate and a lot of people in the House are committed to repealing and replacing this disastrous law with a health care plan that lowers cost, expands choice and ensures access for everyone."

++WHITE FLASH++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're not going to have one size fits all, instead we're going to be working to unleash the power of the private marketplace to let insurers come in and compete for your business and you'll see rates go down, down, down and you'll see plans go up, up, up. You'll have a lot of choices, you'll have plans that nobody's even thinking of today, they will have plans that today nobody has even thought about. Because the market is going to, of course with millions of people wanting health care, more competition and less regulation will finally bring down the cost of care, and I think it will bring it down very significantly. Unfortunately it takes a while to get there, because you have to let that marketplace kick in, and it's going to take a little while to get there but once it does, it's going to be a thing of beauty, I wish it didn't take a year or two years but that's what's going to happen and that's the way it works. But, we're willing to go through that process. Working together we'll get the job done and I have to say this just in closing then I want to hear some of your stories and we'll let the press stay for your stories, if you like. But the press is making Obamacare look so good all of a sudden, I'm watching the news, looks so good, they show you these reports about this one gets so much and this one gets so much. First of all it covers very few people and it's imploding and 17 will be the worst year, and I said it once and I'll say it again because Obama is gone, things are going to be very bad for the people with Obamacare, they're going to have tremendous increases and the Republicans are frankly putting themselves in a very bad position, I tell this to Tom Price all the time. By repealing Obamacare, because people aren't going to see the truly devastating effects of Obamacare, they're not going to see the devastation in 17 and 18 and 19, it will be gone by then, whether we do it or not, it will be imploded off the map. So the press is making it look so wonderful so that if we end it, everyone's going to say oh remember how great Obamacare used to be, remember how wonderful it used to be, it was so great. It's a little bit like President Obama. When he left people liked him, when he was here people didn't like him so much, that's the way life goes, that's human nature."

5. Cutaway

President Donald Trump is celebrating the final passage of the Republican tax bill, calling it a "historic victory for the American people."

Speaking at his last Cabinet meeting of the year, Trump said he will host Congressional Republicans at the White House later Wednesday to celebrate the first major legislative victory of his administration.

The official signing ceremony will take place at a later date.

Trump said the bill provides "a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class," and claimed passage of the legislation fulfills his campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

But in reality, the bill only repeals the individual mandate, which imposes a tax penalty for failing to purchase health insurance - a significant, but small part of the law - rather than the extensive legislation passed by his predecessor.

Trump-backed GOP efforts to undo the health care legislation failed repeatedly earlier this year, and congressional lawmakers are debating needed fixes to the bill to stabilize the individual marketplace.

During the Cabinet meeting, the president hailed what he called his administration's accomplishments, including eliminating a number of regulations, and growing the economy.

He also called on Congress to pass funding for his border wall with Mexico. He said the White House is looking into a number of prototypes for the wall, adding that he may be going "very shortly to look at them in their final form."

Washington, DC - 20 December 2017

1. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This looks like it will probably be our last Cabinet meeting until the new year, but who knows? You never know what happens with Cabinet meetings. We have had some really great and productive ones, and this will be one of celebration, because of what took place last night. We had a historic victory for the American people. It'll go through final passage today in the House."

3. Side shot of Trump speaking at Cabinet meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"The heart of our bill is a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class, including a doubling of the child tax credit, and a nearly doubling of the standard deduction. That's going to be tremendous for people. They're going to start seeing the results in February. This bill means more take-home pay. It will be an incredible Christmas gift for hard-working Americans. I said I wanted to have it done before Christmas. We got it done."

5. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

6. Cutaway of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner sitting behind Trump at meeting

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And then you add two things, the individual mandate is being repealed. When the individual mandate is being repealed, that means Obamacare is being repealed, right? Because they get their money from the individual mandate. So the individual mandate is being repealed. So in this bill, not only do we have massive tax cuts and tax reform, we have essentially repealed Obamacare and we'll come up with something that will be much better, whether its block grants or whether its taking what we have and doing something terrific. But Obamacare has been repealed in this bill. We didn't want to bring it up, I told people specifically, be quiet with the fake news media because I don't want them talking too much about it because I didn't know how people would, but now that it's approved, I can say the individual mandate on health care - where you had to pay not to have insurance, OK, think of that one, you pay not to have insurance - the individual mandate has been repealed."

8. Wide pan from press to president speaking

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We're making the immigration system work for Americans. But we're cleaning out towns of those MS-13 gangsters. That's why we're calling on Congress to fund the border wall, which we're getting very close to. We're working on that. We have a great wall. We've put up, as you know, six different varieties of wall. We want to be able to see through. We have a lot of help from the Border Patrol and from the ICE agents. We're getting their input on the wall, because they -- who knows better than them? But we want vision, we want to be able to see through who's on the other side of the wall. And we have some wonderful prototypes that have been put up. And I may be going there very shortly to look at them in their final form. And we'll be building the wall and we'll be doing lots of other things."

10. Wide shot of Trump speaking

President Donald Trump is celebrating the final passage of the Republican tax bill, calling it a "historic victory for the American people."

Speaking at his last Cabinet meeting of the year, Trump said he will host Congressional Republicans at the White House later Wednesday to celebrate the first major legislative victory of his administration.

The official signing ceremony will take place at a later date.

Trump said the bill provides "a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class," and claimed passage of the legislation fulfills his campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

But in reality, the bill only repeals the individual mandate, which imposes a tax penalty for failing to purchase health insurance - a significant, but small part of the law - rather than the extensive legislation passed by his predecessor.

Trump-backed GOP efforts to undo the health care legislation failed repeatedly earlier this year, and congressional lawmakers are debating needed fixes to the bill to stabilize the individual marketplace.

During the Cabinet meeting, the president hailed what he called his administration's accomplishments, including eliminating a number of regulations, and growing the economy.

He also called on Congress to pass funding for his border wall with Mexico. He said the White House is looking into a number of prototypes for the wall, adding that he may be going "very shortly to look at them in their final form."

Washington, DC - 20 December 2017

1. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This looks like it will probably be our last Cabinet meeting until the new year, but who knows? You never know what happens with Cabinet meetings. We have had some really great and productive ones, and this will be one of celebration, because of what took place last night. We had a historic victory for the American people. It'll go through final passage today in the House."

3. Side shot of Trump speaking at Cabinet meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"The heart of our bill is a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class, including a doubling of the child tax credit, and a nearly doubling of the standard deduction. That's going to be tremendous for people. They're going to start seeing the results in February. This bill means more take-home pay. It will be an incredible Christmas gift for hard-working Americans. I said I wanted to have it done before Christmas. We got it done."

5. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

6. Cutaway of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner sitting behind Trump at meeting

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And then you add two things, the individual mandate is being repealed. When the individual mandate is being repealed, that means Obamacare is being repealed, right? Because they get their money from the individual mandate. So the individual mandate is being repealed. So in this bill, not only do we have massive tax cuts and tax reform, we have essentially repealed Obamacare and we'll come up with something that will be much better, whether its block grants or whether its taking what we have and doing something terrific. But Obamacare has been repealed in this bill. We didn't want to bring it up, I told people specifically, be quiet with the fake news media because I don't want them talking too much about it because I didn't know how people would, but now that it's approved, I can say the individual mandate on health care - where you had to pay not to have insurance, OK, think of that one, you pay not to have insurance - the individual mandate has been repealed."

8. Wide pan from press to president speaking

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We're making the immigration system work for Americans. But we're cleaning out towns of those MS-13 gangsters. That's why we're calling on Congress to fund the border wall, which we're getting very close to. We're working on that. We have a great wall. We've put up, as you know, six different varieties of wall. We want to be able to see through. We have a lot of help from the Border Patrol and from the ICE agents. We're getting their input on the wall, because they -- who knows better than them? But we want vision, we want to be able to see through who's on the other side of the wall. And we have some wonderful prototypes that have been put up. And I may be going there very shortly to look at them in their final form. And we'll be building the wall and we'll be doing lots of other things."

10. Wide shot of Trump speaking

President Donald Trump is celebrating the final passage of the Republican tax bill, calling it a "historic victory for the American people."

Speaking at his last Cabinet meeting of the year, Trump said he will host Congressional Republicans at the White House later Wednesday to celebrate the first major legislative victory of his administration.

The official signing ceremony will take place at a later date.

Trump said the bill provides "a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class," and claimed passage of the legislation fulfills his campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

But in reality, the bill only repeals the individual mandate, which imposes a tax penalty for failing to purchase health insurance - a significant, but small part of the law - rather than the extensive legislation passed by his predecessor.

Trump-backed GOP efforts to undo the health care legislation failed repeatedly earlier this year, and congressional lawmakers are debating needed fixes to the bill to stabilize the individual marketplace.

During the Cabinet meeting, the president hailed what he called his administration's accomplishments, including eliminating a number of regulations, and growing the economy.

He also called on Congress to pass funding for his border wall with Mexico. He said the White House is looking into a number of prototypes for the wall, adding that he may be going "very shortly to look at them in their final form."

Washington, DC - 20 December 2017

1. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This looks like it will probably be our last Cabinet meeting until the new year, but who knows? You never know what happens with Cabinet meetings. We have had some really great and productive ones, and this will be one of celebration, because of what took place last night. We had a historic victory for the American people. It'll go through final passage today in the House."

3. Side shot of Trump speaking at Cabinet meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"The heart of our bill is a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class, including a doubling of the child tax credit, and a nearly doubling of the standard deduction. That's going to be tremendous for people. They're going to start seeing the results in February. This bill means more take-home pay. It will be an incredible Christmas gift for hard-working Americans. I said I wanted to have it done before Christmas. We got it done."

5. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

6. Cutaway of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner sitting behind Trump at meeting

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And then you add two things, the individual mandate is being repealed. When the individual mandate is being repealed, that means Obamacare is being repealed, right? Because they get their money from the individual mandate. So the individual mandate is being repealed. So in this bill, not only do we have massive tax cuts and tax reform, we have essentially repealed Obamacare and we'll come up with something that will be much better, whether its block grants or whether its taking what we have and doing something terrific. But Obamacare has been repealed in this bill. We didn't want to bring it up, I told people specifically, be quiet with the fake news media because I don't want them talking too much about it because I didn't know how people would, but now that it's approved, I can say the individual mandate on health care - where you had to pay not to have insurance, OK, think of that one, you pay not to have insurance - the individual mandate has been repealed."

8. Wide pan from press to president speaking

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We're making the immigration system work for Americans. But we're cleaning out towns of those MS-13 gangsters. That's why we're calling on Congress to fund the border wall, which we're getting very close to. We're working on that. We have a great wall. We've put up, as you know, six different varieties of wall. We want to be able to see through. We have a lot of help from the Border Patrol and from the ICE agents. We're getting their input on the wall, because they -- who knows better than them? But we want vision, we want to be able to see through who's on the other side of the wall. And we have some wonderful prototypes that have been put up. And I may be going there very shortly to look at them in their final form. And we'll be building the wall and we'll be doing lots of other things."

10. Wide shot of Trump speaking

The White House says President Donald Trump is still focused on what it calls "Plan A," repealing and replacing Obamacare.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary says the president is fully engaged in the process, a day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a vote on a bill that would undo much of Obama's signature health care law.

On Syria, Sanders denied reports that the State Department and other federal agencies were out of the loop when the White House issued a statement saying Syria was planning a chemical weapons attack.

A nongovernmental source with close ties to the White House said the administration had received intelligence the Syrians were mixing precursor chemicals for a possible sarin gas attack in either the east or south of the country, where government troops and allied forces have faced recent setbacks.

Sanders gave a lengthy play-by-play detailing those involved in issuing the statement.

Sanders also deflected a question about a dust up with a reporter the day before.

Brian Karem, an editor at the Washington-area Sentinel newspapers, became an instant symbol in the tense relationship between the president and journalists when he interrupted Sanders on Tuesday.

Asked Wednesday about the confrontation, Sanders said, "I think that the White House had a great day yesterday."

Washington - 28 June 2017

++NOTE: THIS IS AUDIO-ONLY COVERED BY PHOTOS++

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++

1. Various STILLS of Sarah Huckabee Sanders ++OVERLAID OVER AUDIO-ONLY SOUNDBITES++

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

"We're focused on plan A. That is repealing and replacing Obamacare. The president's fully engaged as along with his administration in working with House and Senate members to make sure that we repeal and repalce Obamacare and put in place a health care reform system that is sustainable and works in service all Americans and that's the focus right now and that's the only focus."

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

"Again, as I just said, the president's been very engaged in this process, as have multiple members of his administration and he's made a lot of calls directly to members. He had roughly, I think 46 members of the Senate here yesterday. They had a long and lengthy and very good and productive conversation. We're going to continue doing that. Just like he did with the House. He was engaged in making sure that happened and he's somebody we've said before I would never under estimate this president. And if he's committed to getting something done, he will."

4. SOUNDBtITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:"

"There were a lot of stories about the process not working or relevant agencies and people being out of the loop. Those are simply false. At a regularly schedule meeting, as I mentioned yesterday, the president was presented with information that indicated the Assad regime was preparing another chemical weapons attack. The president proposed issuing a statement to warn the regime of consequences. Senior administration officials including NSA McMaster, DNI Director Coats and DCI Pompeo were present when the statement was initially proposed. They and their teams remained in the loop throughout the drafting process. Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis remained in the loop and were consulted in person later that day. The military chain of command was also fully aware of the statement as it was being prepared and later released. Secretary Tillerson also spoke to his Russian counterpart and Lt. Gen. Townsend engaged his Russian counterpart in Syria. The White House staff secretary's office reviewed the statement and coordinated with White House leadership and over the next few hours the White House staff secretary used its typical coordination process to solicit comments from all relevant departments and agencies. By the time the statement was issued, every relevant department and agency had ample opportunity to provide feedback and input. As the president stated on April 6th, the use of chemical wea... weapons, threatens vital national interests and the statement was clear and reinforces this message. We have seen indications that the Syrian regime was preparing a major chemical attack and the president warned the regime of consequences should they proceed."

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:

"I think that the White House had a great day yesterday, Kevin."

The White House says President Donald Trump is still focused on what it calls "Plan A," repealing and replacing Obamacare.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary says the president is fully engaged in the process, a day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a vote on a bill that would undo much of Obama's signature health care law.

On Syria, Sanders denied reports that the State Department and other federal agencies were out of the loop when the White House issued a statement saying Syria was planning a chemical weapons attack.

A nongovernmental source with close ties to the White House said the administration had received intelligence the Syrians were mixing precursor chemicals for a possible sarin gas attack in either the east or south of the country, where government troops and allied forces have faced recent setbacks.

Sanders gave a lengthy play-by-play detailing those involved in issuing the statement.

Sanders also deflected a question about a dust up with a reporter the day before.

Brian Karem, an editor at the Washington-area Sentinel newspapers, became an instant symbol in the tense relationship between the president and journalists when he interrupted Sanders on Tuesday.

Asked Wednesday about the confrontation, Sanders said, "I think that the White House had a great day yesterday."

Washington - 28 June 2017

++NOTE: THIS IS AUDIO-ONLY COVERED BY PHOTOS++

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++

1. Various STILLS of Sarah Huckabee Sanders ++OVERLAID OVER AUDIO-ONLY SOUNDBITES++

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

"We're focused on plan A. That is repealing and replacing Obamacare. The president's fully engaged as along with his administration in working with House and Senate members to make sure that we repeal and repalce Obamacare and put in place a health care reform system that is sustainable and works in service all Americans and that's the focus right now and that's the only focus."

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

"Again, as I just said, the president's been very engaged in this process, as have multiple members of his administration and he's made a lot of calls directly to members. He had roughly, I think 46 members of the Senate here yesterday. They had a long and lengthy and very good and productive conversation. We're going to continue doing that. Just like he did with the House. He was engaged in making sure that happened and he's somebody we've said before I would never under estimate this president. And if he's committed to getting something done, he will."

4. SOUNDBtITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:"

"There were a lot of stories about the process not working or relevant agencies and people being out of the loop. Those are simply false. At a regularly schedule meeting, as I mentioned yesterday, the president was presented with information that indicated the Assad regime was preparing another chemical weapons attack. The president proposed issuing a statement to warn the regime of consequences. Senior administration officials including NSA McMaster, DNI Director Coats and DCI Pompeo were present when the statement was initially proposed. They and their teams remained in the loop throughout the drafting process. Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis remained in the loop and were consulted in person later that day. The military chain of command was also fully aware of the statement as it was being prepared and later released. Secretary Tillerson also spoke to his Russian counterpart and Lt. Gen. Townsend engaged his Russian counterpart in Syria. The White House staff secretary's office reviewed the statement and coordinated with White House leadership and over the next few hours the White House staff secretary used its typical coordination process to solicit comments from all relevant departments and agencies. By the time the statement was issued, every relevant department and agency had ample opportunity to provide feedback and input. As the president stated on April 6th, the use of chemical wea... weapons, threatens vital national interests and the statement was clear and reinforces this message. We have seen indications that the Syrian regime was preparing a major chemical attack and the president warned the regime of consequences should they proceed."

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:

"I think that the White House had a great day yesterday, Kevin."

In the wake of tough talk from President Donald Trump toward North Korea and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, at least one legislator says he's willing to give the president the benefit of the doubt to see if anything works.

President Trump warned Kim Jong Un's government on Thursday to "get their act together" or face extraordinary trouble, and suggested his earlier threat to unleash "fire and fury" on North Korea was too mild. He has also lambasted McConnell for not being able to get a health care bill passed in the Senate.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona and sometimes outspoken critic of Trump, said the president's rhetoric toward North Korea is unusual but worth a try.

"It would be tough to argue that what we've been doing has been effective," Flake said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. "Typically, you don't have the president making those kinds of statements but I think some of us are willing to give him a little space to see if this moves them."

As for the president's remarks seemingly attacking McConnell for not doing his job in getting health care legislation passed, Flake said he thinks that's just a little frustration coming from a person who is new to politics.

Prescott, Arizona – August 10, 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"Well, North Korea has been doing this forever. They always are bellicose in talking about what their capabilities are and what they're going to do so this is nothing new."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"Obviously, this is an area of concern whenever you have a burgeoning nuclear power, we don't know exactly how close they are but our intelligence services tell us that it could be months or certainly less than a couple of years before they have the capability to reach the United States and the question has been when do we intervene, how do we try to persuade them not to take that next step and nothing we've done has worked so far so the administration is trying a little different tactic, I think, hitting back hard in terms of rhetoric and we'll see if that has any effect."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"It would be tough to argue that what we've been doing has been effective. Typically, you don't have the president making those kinds of statements but I think some of us are willing to give him a little space to see if this moves them. It's been a bit of a good cop, bad cop, you've had other administrative figures, the secretary of state, dial it down a bit and we will see what works. Obviously, we've got to remedy this somehow. We can't continue to allow North Korea to go on this path so we'll see where it goes."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"Well, the sanctions are more long-term, we're talking months not years, but we'll see and obviously the play here is what China does. They say they don't have as much leverage as we think they have but they certainly have more than we do and so the real play is to see what China does."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, speaking about Trump comments regarding McConnell:

"Obviously, everybody's frustrated by the inability to get somewhere on health care reform so I think that's what's playing out. I, myself, having been in the Senate and recognizing what a difficult job the majority leader has, I don't fault him. I think that he's got a tough job and he does it well."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, speaking about Trump comments regarding McConnell:

"I think it's always better if we can work together on those kind of things but you know, it is what it is, and in the Senate you can't compel people to vote one way. We have a diverse caucus. You have to persuade and I think the majority leader has a history of bringing people together and he does a tough job well."