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.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington, DC - 19 April 2017

+++WHITE FLASHES BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. 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 make sure they are living up to their agreement."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

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

"(Reporter) 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 says could be a violation.

(Spicer) And I think that's why he's asking for this review. If he didn't and 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."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

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

"(Reporter) 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?

(Spicer) Well, again, that's why we're undergoing this interagency review. Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it 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."

STORYLINE:

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says the 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, 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.

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

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 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 says could be a violation.)

And I think that's why he's asking for this review. If he didn't and 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 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 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 says the 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, 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.

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

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.

"Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders made a surprise visit to the Apollo Theater on April 4th 2019 in New York for an event honoring Harry Belafonte and Tony Bennett.

It was the Jazz Foundation's 'Great Night in Harlem' annual gala, but the day also marked another significant anniversary.

""This is also a night that we remember the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and one of the great leaders in American history who died, as we'll never forget helping sanitation workers get some dignity in their lives,"" Sanders said.

King was fatally shot outside his motel room in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4th 1968 by James Earl Ray, He was sentenced to 99 years, and died in prison in 1998.

Sanders recounted the great strides Dr. King made toward racial harmony, but agrees that tolerance has lost steps over the past couple of years.

As for the reason, Sanders pulled no punches.

""We have a president, and I say this without any joy in my heart, who is a racist. It's hard to believe that we have a president of the United States who is in fact, a racist,"" Sanders said.

That's why Sanders claims eradicating racism is a high priority for him, if elected to the nation's highest office.

""As president of the United States, what I would be doing is bringing our people together to create a nation that works for all of us, and not just the one-percent. To deal with the racism and the disparities that exists, not only between the rich and the poor, but between whites and blacks. And that would certainly be a major priority of a Sanders administration,"" he said

***

Public at last, special counsel Robert Mueller's report revealed to a waiting nation April 18th that President Donald Trump had tried to seize control of the Russia probe and force Mueller's removal to stop him from investigating potential obstruction of justice by the president.

In a previously unreported episode, the report revealed that in June 2017, Trump directed then-White House counsel Don McGahn to call the acting attorney general and say that Mueller must be ousted because he had conflicts of interest.

McGahn refused, deciding that he would rather resign than trigger what he regarded as a potential Saturday Night Massacre of Watergate fame.

For all of that, Mueller said he could not conclusively determine that Trump had committed criminal obstruction of justice.

The Justice Department posted the report online April 18th, 90 minutes after Attorney General William Barr offered his own final assessment of the findings.

***

On May 6th President Donald Trump's ex-lawyer and fixer has left his Manhattan home before starting a three-year prison sentence for crimes including campaign finance violations related to hush-money payments made on Trump's behalf.

Michael Cohen was expected to report later on May 6th at the Federal Correctional Institution, Otisville, a prison 70 miles northwest of New York City.

He paused briefly outside the building and spoke to a media throng, saying he looks forward to the day when he can ""share the truth.""

Then he was escorted to a waiting vehicle and driven away.

***

Trade talks between China and the U.S. continued on May 10th in Washington despite new tariffs the U.S. imposed on $200 billion in Chinese imports and Beijing's vow to retaliate.

Negotiators are trying to resolve the standoff after the United States raised tariffs on Chinese imports, escalating tensions between the world's two biggest economies and rattling stock markets around the world.

Earlier in the week, top U.S. trade negotiator Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin accused the Chinese of reneging on commitments they'd made earlier, throwing the trade talks into disarray.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Beijing is hoping the Trump administration will meet China ""halfway"" in the dispute over trade.

***

U.S. and Chinese negotiators held trade talks May 10th under increasing pressure after President Donald Trump raised tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods and Beijing promised to retaliate, escalating a battle over China's technology ambitions.

The Trump administration raised duties on nearly half of Chinese imports to 25% from 10%. China's Commerce Ministry said it would impose ""necessary countermeasures"" but gave no details.

The increase went ahead even after American and Chinese negotiators began more talks in Washington aimed at ending a dispute that has disrupted billions of dollars in trade and shaken global financial markets. The lead Chinese negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, left the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative about midday, but it was not immediately clear whether talks had ended.

***

On May 29th Chinese tech giant Huawei filed a motion in a US court challenging the constitutionality of a law that limits its sales of telecom equipment.

The motion is the latest action in the company's ongoing clash with the US government.

During a press briefing on May 28th in Beijing, Huawei's chief legal officer Song Liuping said his company had filed a motion for summary judgment asking the court to rule on whether it is constitutional for the US to implement a military spending provision that bars the government and its contractors from using Huawei equipment.

Song accused US politicians of ""using the strength of an entire nation to come after a private company.""

Two weeks ago, the US Commerce Department placed Huawei on its ""Entity List,"" effectively barring US firms from selling its technology without government approval.

Song said this action sets a ""dangerous precedent"" for other companies and could harm Huawei's three billion customers around the world.

Huawei relies heavily on US components, including computer chips, and about one-third of its suppliers are American.

The move has already affected the company's US partnerships.

Song also denied Washington's claim that Huawei threatens international cybersecurity.

***

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says President Donald Trump doesn't know right from wrong and is ""indifferent to law and any sense of ethics about who we are as a country.""

The top House Democrat said June 13th that when Trump says he's open to accepting information from a foreign power against a political opponent he is ignoring his oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution.

She said that ""it's a very sad thing, a very sad thing that he does not know right from wrong.""

Pelosi is one of Trump's leading antagonists. But she is taking a slow, cautious approach when many in her party are demanding an impeachment inquiry.

She says ""everybody in the country should be totally appalled"" by Trump's remarks to ABC News.

Trump told ABC on June 12th that if a foreign power were offering dirt on his 2020 opponent, he'd be open to accepting it and would have no obligation to call in the FBI.

***

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, whose tenure was marked by a breakdown in regular press briefings and questions about the administration's credibility, as well as her own, will leave her post at the end of the June, President Donald Trump announced June 18th.

Sanders is one of Trump's closest and most trusted White House aides and one of the few remaining on staff who worked on his campaign.

""After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the June and going home to the Great State of Arkansas,"" Trump tweeted just before she accompanied him to a White House event on prison reform.

Trump suggesting her as a future candidate for Arkansas governor. ""She would be fantastic.""

Under Sanders' tenure, regular White House press briefings became a relic of the past. She has not held a formal briefing since March 11th.

Reporters often catch her on the White House driveway after she is interviewed by Fox News Channel and other TV news outlets.

Her credibility has also come under question.

Special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report revealed that Sanders admitted to investigators that she had made an unfounded claim about ""countless"" FBI agents reaching out to express support for Trump's decision to fire FBI Director James Comey in May 2017.

Sanders succeeded Sean Spicer, Trump's first press secretary, in mid-2017.

***

US President Donald Trump kicked off his re-election campaign June 18th with a grievance-filled Florida rally that focused more on settling scores than laying out his agenda for the next four years.

Trump spent much of the first portion of his speech attacking the press, the political establishment and Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation into Russian election interference.

Trump complained he had been ""under assault from the very first day"" of his presidency by a ""fake news media"" and ""illegal witch hunt"" that had tried to keep him and his supporters down.

And he painted a disturbing picture of what life would look like if he loses in 2020, accusing his critics of ""un-American conduct"" and telling the crowd that Democrats ""want to destroy you and they want to destroy our country as we know it.""

The apocalyptic language and finger-pointing made clear that Trump's 2020 campaign is likely to look a whole lot like his improbably successful runs four years ago.

And he appeared eager for a re-run of 2016, spending considerable time focused on his former Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, who elicited """"Lock her up!"" chants, even though she is not on the ballot.

00:02:55:15"

"00:00:00

Sanders: 'We have a president who is a racist'

4204537

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York, 4 April 2019

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Bernie Sanders, (I) Presidential candidate, on racism and the president:

(Reporter: With all the strides we've made toward racial justice and harmony, a lot of that in the last couple of years has taken steps back. What would you do to make it better?)

"" It's hard to believe that we have a president of the United States who is in fact, a racist.

00:04:22

A redacted version of Mueller's report is released

4206747

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 18 April 2019

2. STILL IMAGE - Special counsel Robert Mueller's report

00:11:05

Michael Cohen heads to prison

4209528

ASSOCIATED PRESS

++CLIENTS NOTE: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE CAN BE HEARD IN BROLL++

New York - 6 May 2019

3. Michael Cohen exiting apartment building to speak to media

4. Cohen making his way to a waiting car++EXPLICIT LANGUAGE++

00:30:08

China US trade talks resume in Washington

4210324

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 10 May 2019

5. U.S. trade negotiator Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin greeting Liu He, Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China outside the office of the USTR, they all walk inside

00:37:03

B-roll of goods made in China

4210369

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 10 May 2019

6. Black + Decker drill

7. Made in China on drill

8. Medium of Apple laptop computers

9. Assembled in China on laptop

00:54:10

Huawei asks court to deem US law unconstitutional

4213090

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Beijing - 29 May 2019

10. Wide of Huawei's chief legal officer Song Liuping walking to podium

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Song Liuping, Huawei chief legal officer:

""Just now, we filed a motion for summary judgement. By doing this we hope that the court can issue a judgment in the fastest and the most efficient way, declare restrictions on Huawei as unconstitutional

01:20:20

Pelosi: Trump doesn't know right from wrong

4215740

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 13 June 2019

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House

""Yesterday the president gave us, once again, evidence that he does not know right from wrong. It's a very sad and very sad thing that he does not know right from wrong.""

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House

"" The intelligence community, with great confidence has put forth that the Russians interfered in our election. That's an assault on our democracy, an assault on our democracy. This president says, it's a hoax. He takes an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. But, I guess it doesn't include him in terms of being to be held accountable to obey the law.""

02:02:23

Sarah Sanders to leave White House

4215792

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 9 October 2018

14. President Donald Trump walking with Sarah Sanders on the White House South Lawn

02:11:03

Trump: Radical Democrats 'want to destroy you'

4216511

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orlando, Florida - 18 June 2019

15. Wide shot of Trump on stage at rally

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

No collusion and the facts that led our great attorney general to determine no obstruction. No collusion, no obstruction and they spent 40 million dollars on this witch hunt, 40 million dollars.""

17. Crowd

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

"" Our radical Democrat opponents are driven by hatred, prejudice and rage. They want to destroy you and they want to destroy our country as we know it. Not acceptable. It's not going to happen.""

"

STORY

On January 12th 2017 President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to run the CIA says Russian meddling in the president election was an aggressive action taken by senior Russian leaders. At his confirmation hearing on Thursday, congressman Mike Pompeo of Kansas says it's pretty clear Russia worked to hack information and to have an impact on American democracy. Trump has voiced scepticism that Russia was behind hacking of political sites. But he said Wednesday for the first time that he believes Russia was responsible for the hacking. Pompeo also said he expected to be able to present the incoming administration with intelligence that is sound and that the leadership would make decisions based on that intelligence. US President Donald Trump said in his speech on January 20th that he will govern the country by putting America first. Trump said as president that "from this day forward it's going to be only America first". He said that every decision he makes, on issues from trade to taxes to immigration and foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and families. "We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries" taking American jobs, Trump said. US President Donald Trump signed his first executive order on January 20th, ordering federal agencies to ease the burden of former President Barrack Obama's sweeping health care law. No details were given on what the order contained. Trump was joined in the Oval Office by Vice President Mike Pence, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and other top advisers as he signed the executive order on the so-called "Obamacare" law that he opposed throughout his campaign. Trump also formally signed the commissions of incoming Defence Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. Pence later swore them in at a separate ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where the vice president's suite of offices is located. On January 26th White House press secretary Sean Spicer said US President Donald Trump will seek a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for a proposed border wall. The wall is part of Trump's plan to halt illegal immigration to the U.S., and he has long insisted that Mexico will pay. Mexican President Pena Nieto insists his country will not. On the flight back to Washington, Spicer told reporters travelling with the president that Trump will seek to impose a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for the wall. Congressional approval would be needed for such a step. Trump's brief trip to Philadelphia to speak with Congressional Republicans at their policy retreat, marked his first flight on Air Force One, the familiar blue and white government plane that has long ferried presidents around the country and the world. Trump spoke to reporters on board the plane, describing Air Force One as a "beautiful, great plane." On January 27th President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May were seen holding hands for a brief period of time as they walked along the colonnade at the White House, before Trump tapped on May's hand and they let go. The two appeared to be in conversation following joint remarks made earlier at a news conference. May's meeting with the US president in Washington, D.C. is being hailed by the British government as a sign that the tarns-Atlantic "special relationship" is valued by the new US administration. On January 29th protests have erupted for the second day after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to temporarily bar refugees and citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the US. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the White House, while a smaller group protested outside an airport in Morrisville, North Carolina, holding banners in support of refugees and immigrants and chanting anti-Trump slogans. Several thousand people gathered near Prime Minister Theresa May's London residence on January 30th to protest against a planned state visit by US President Donald Trump. Protesters held signs and placards, some branding May "shameless", and chanted "No state visit!" Many said they were protesting to express their anger over Trump's immigration ban. January 30th's protest near 10 Downing Street was the largest of a series of protests across the country, including in Oxford, Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff and Glasgow. An online petition opposing Trump's state visit has more than 1.5 million signatures. Any petition with more than 100,000 signatures must be considered for a debate in Parliament, though not a binding vote. US President Donald Trump fired acting Attorney General Sally Yates on January 31st after she announced she would not defend his controversial immigration order. He is naming Dana Boente, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to serve in her place. The White House press office said in a statement that Yates "has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States." The statement calls Yates an Obama administration appointee "who is weak on borders and very weak on illegal immigration." Trump's order from Friday temporarily suspends the US refugee programme and bars immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Trump has picked Senator Jeff Sessions to lead the Justice Department, but he has yet to be confirmed by the Senate. US Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly on January 31st defended President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration. Kelly said that the order is "not a travel ban. This is a temporary pause that allows us to better review the existing refugee and visa vetting system." Nordstrom says it will stop selling Ivanka Trump clothing and accessories, creating some questions about the future of the brand elsewhere. The Seattle-based department store chain said the decision was based on the sales performance of the first daughter's brand. Neiman Marcus may be the next one to pull back on the label, as the branded jewellery is nowhere to be seen on the up scale retailer's website as of 3rd February. "We've said all along we make buying decisions based on performance," said Nordstrom in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. "We've got thousands of brands” more than 2,000 offered on the site alone. Reviewing their merit and making edits is part of the regular rhythm of our business." Nordstrom said that each year the chain cuts about 10 percent and refreshes its assortment with about the same amount. "In this case, based on the brand's performance we've decided not to buy it for this season," Nordstrom added. Lord & Taylor only said it continues to carry the brand. Neiman Marcus, Macy's and Dillard's, which also carry the label, didn't immediately reply to AP's query. The move by Nordstrom Inc. comes amid a social media campaign called "Grab Your Wallet," urging a boycott of stores that stock Ivanka Trump or Donald Trump products. In a statement emailed to The Associated Press late Friday, Rosemary K. Young, senior director of marketing at Ivanka Trump, said that the brand continues to expand across all categories and distribution, resulting in "significant" revenue growth last year compared to the previous year. "We believe that the strength of a brand is measured not only by the profits it generates, but the integrity it maintains," said Young in the statement. "The women behind the brand represent a diverse group of professionals and we are proud to say that the Ivanka Trump brand continues to embody the principles upon which it was founded." An unnamed spokesperson for the brand contradicted Nordstrom's statement, saying that Nordstrom did order both shoes and clothing for spring and moved forward with the purchase of clothing. Wendy Liebmann, CEO of WSL Strategic Retail, says that retailers walk a tight rope when it comes to celebrity brands but given the politics surrounding the Ivanka Trump brand, that only adds extra controversy, particularly given such a politically divisive climate. Liebmann noted a decision of whether to pull a brand is politically loaded even if it's based on poor sales performance. "The brand is vulnerable," Liebmann said. "Retailers view their role as having the right products for the right consumer, not being pulled in a political situation." She noted that some shoppers may not want to wear the Ivanka Trump brand because they may want to avoid making a political statement. Ivanka Trump announced earlier this month that she would take a leave of absence from her clothing and accessories business as well as the Trump organization. US President Donald Trump's embattled national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned late on February 13th, following reports that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about his contacts with Russia. His departure upends Trump's senior team after less than one month in office. In a resignation letter, Flynn said he gave Pence and others "incomplete information" about his calls with Russia's ambassador to the US. The vice president, apparently relying on information from Flynn, initially said the national security adviser hadn't discussed sanctions with the Russian envoy, though Flynn later conceded the issue may have come up. Trump named retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg as the acting national security adviser. Kellogg had previously been appointed the National Security Council chief of staff and advised Trump during the campaign. Trump is also considering former CIA Director David Petraeus and Vice Admiral Robert Harward, a US Navy SEAL, for the post, according to a senior administration official. The Trump team's account of Flynn's discussions with the Russian envoy changed repeatedly over several weeks, including the number of contacts, the dates of those contacts and ultimately, the content of the conversations. Late in January, the Justice Department warned the White House that Flynn could be in a compromised position as a result of the contradictions between the public depictions of the calls and what intelligence officials knew to be true based on recordings of the conversations, which were picked up as part of routine monitoring of foreign officials communications in the US. A US official told The Associated Press that Flynn was in frequent contact with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak on the day the Obama administration slapped sanctions on Russia for election-related hacking, as well as at other times during the transition. US President Donald Trump on February 16th said his ousted national security adviser was a "fine person" after offering his resignation amid reports of contact with Russian officials. Trump was recounting why he asked Michael Flynn for his resignation. The president said at a news conference that he was "not happy" with how information about Flynn's phone call to a Russian diplomat was relayed to Vice President Mike Pence. But Trump says what Flynn did "wasn't wrong" - and called attention to what he described as "classified information that was given illegally." Dakota Access pipeline protesters are ceremonially burning some of their living structures ahead of the closure of a long-standing camp in North Dakota. About 200 to 300 protesters remain at the camp near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. The Army Corps of Engineers has ordered the camp closed at 2 p.m. February 22nd, citing the potential for spring flooding. Those left in camp milled about peacefully Wednesday, many in prayer. At least four wooden structures were being burned in what protesters say is part of the ceremony of leaving. Authorities in North Dakota are offering assistance and services to Dakota Access pipeline protesters as they close a long-standing encampment near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. A White House spokeswoman said March 3rd that Vice President Mike Pence "did everything to the letter of the law" after public records revealed that he used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana's governor. The Indianapolis Star reported that emails provided through a public records request show that Pence communicated with advisers through his personal AOL account on homeland security matters and security at the governor's residence during his four years as governor. The governor also faced email security issues. Pence's AOL account was subjected to a phishing scheme last spring, before he was chosen by Donald Trump to join the GOP presidential ticket. Pence's contacts were sent an email falsely claiming that the governor and his wife were stranded in the Philippines and needed money. As Trump's running mate, Pence frequently criticized rival Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server as President Barrack Obama's secretary of state, accusing her of purposely keeping her emails out of public reach and shielding her from scrutiny. Hours before it was to take effect, President Donald Trump's revised travel ban was put on hold March 15th by a federal judge in Hawaii who questioned whether the administration was motivated by national security concerns. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson also said Hawaii would suffer financially if the executive order blocked the flow of students and tourists to the state, and he concluded that Hawaii was likely to succeed on a claim that the ban violates First Amendment protections against religious discrimination. A federal judge in Greenbelt, Maryland, has blocked US President Donald Trump's revised travel ban targeting six predominantly Muslim countries. Judge Theodore Chuang ruled on Thursday in a case brought near the nation's capital by the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and other groups representing immigrants, refugees and their families. It was the latest ruling against Trump's revised travel ban. On March 15th, a federal judge in Hawaii blocked Trump's revised travel ban hours before it was to take effect, marking the second time courts have thwarted Trump's efforts to freeze immigration by refugees and citizens of some predominantly Muslim nations. Government lawyers argued that the ban was substantially revised from an earlier version signed in January that was later blocked by a federal judge in Washington state. They said the ban was ordered in the interest of national security to protect the US from "radical Islamic terrorism." During his campaign as a Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump called for a "total and complete shut-down of Muslims entering the United States." Trump's campaign said in a statement that such a ban should stand "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on." It said the proposal comes in response to a level of hatred among "large segments of the Muslim population" toward US citizens. At an evening rally in South Carolina in December 2015, Trump supporters cheered and shouted in support as he read his statement. An earlier version of the executive order, issued in late January, was blocked by a judge in Seattle, sparking harsh criticism from the president of both the judge and his decision. Trump said at the time that the court fight over his refugee and immigration executive order could end up in the Supreme Court. Speaking to reporters on 7 February 2017, Trump said he was going to take his fight to uphold the directive "through the system." A federal appeals court refused to reinstate President Donald Trump's ban on travellers from seven predominantly Muslim nations, dealing another legal setback to the new administration's immigration policy. In a unanimous decision, the panel of three judges from the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals declined to block a lower-court ruling that suspended the ban and allowed previously barred travellers to enter the US. Moments after the ruling was released, Trump tweeted, "SEE YOU IN COURT," adding that "THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!" Declaring "the start of a new era" in energy production, President Donald Trump signed an executive order March 28th that he said would revive the coal industry and create jobs. The move makes good on his campaign pledge to unravel former President Barrack Obama's plan to curb global warming. The order seeks to suspend, rescind or flag for review more than a half-dozen measures in an effort to boost domestic energy production in the form of fossil fuels. Environmental activists, including former Vice President Al Gore, denounced the plan. But Trump said the effort would allow workers to "succeed on a level playing field for the first time in a long time." "That is what this is all about: bringing back our jobs, bringing back our dreams and making America wealthy again," Trump said, during a ceremony at the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters, attended by a number of coal miners. In addition to pulling back from the Clean Power Plan, the administration will also lift a 14-month-old moratorium on new coal leases on federal lands.

SHOWS

(HD version available in \\Source_Clips\Newsroom Failures)

Pompeo: Russia aimed to influence US election

4075583

POOL

Washington DC - 12 January 2017

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"In your personal opinion, is Vladimir Putin and the Russians looking at all this and saying 'we did a really good job of creating chaos, division, instability in the American political process?"

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Mike Pompeo, CIA Director Nominee:

"I have no doubt that the discourse that's been taking place is something that Vladimir Puttin would look at and say, 'Wow, that was among the objectives that I have."

00:20:23

Trump to govern by putting America first

4076960

POOL

Washington, DC - 20 January 2017

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President: ++INCLUDES SHOTS OF CROWDS++

" From this day forward a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, it's going to be only America First, America First." (++Crowds clapping)

00:39:22

Trump signs executive orders in Oval Office

4077026

POOL

Washington DC - 20 January 2017

4. US President Donald Trump signing commission allowing General James Mattis to be sworn in as Defence Secretary

00:46:24

Spicer: Trump Seeks 20% Tax on Mexican Imports

4078053

POOL

On Board Air Force One - 26 January 2017

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

"If you tax that $50 billion at 20 percent of imports - which is by the way a practice that 160 other countries do - right now our country's policy is to tax exports and let imports flow freely in, which is ridiculous."

01:02:06

Trump, May hold hands outside White House

4078211

AP TELEVISION

Washington,D.C. - 27 January 2017

6. Tracking shot of British Prime Minister Theresa May and President Donald Trump walking outside White House, holding hands for a few seconds

01:10:09

US protests against Trump's immigration ban

4078426

AP TELEVISION

Washington DC/Morrisville - 29 January 2017

7. Protesters on ground gathering outside White House, holding banners and chanting slogans in support of refugees

01:21:12

UK protest against Trump's state visit

4078640

AP TELEVISION

London - 30 January 2017

++NIGHT SHOTS++

8. Protesters standing in front of Downing Street with signs and posters

9. Close of sign that reads (English) "Shameless May, Fascist Tyrant"

10. Close of sign that reads (English) "No to racism, no to Trump"

01:46:12

Trump fires Attorney General Sally Yates

4078666

POOL

FILE: Washington, DC - 28 June 2016

11. Various of Sally Yates, now former acting US Attorney General speaking at briefing while serving as Deputy Attorney General

01:54:19

US Homeland Security chief defends travel ban

4078785

AP TELEVISION

Washington DC - 31 January 2017

12. SOUNDBITE (English): John Kelly, Secretary of Homeland Security:

" It is important to understand that there are terrorists and other bad actors who are seeking to infiltrate our homeland every single day."

02:02:13

Nordstrom will stop selling Ivanka Trump clothing and accessories

4079404

AP Entertainment

New York, 29 June 2012

13. Medium of Ivanka Trump talking and showing her clothing line

AP Entertainment

New York, 14 April 2015

14. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner arriving at the Vanity Fair Tribeca Film Festival party

02:17:16

US National Security Adviser Flynn resigns and Kellogg takes over as acting US National Security Adviser

4080946

US POOL

Washington DC - Recent/File

Washington DC - 20 January 2017

15. Michael Flynn arrives at inauguration

New York - 7 October 2016

16. General Kellogg, sitting next to Trump, speaking

02:30:06

Trump: Russia links reports are "fake news"

4081499

AP TELEVISION

Washington DC - 16 February 2017

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

"I can tell you from speaking for myself, I own nothing in Russia, I have no loans in Russia, I don't have any deals in Russia. (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin called me up very nicely to congratulate me on the win of the election, he then called me up extremely nicely to congratulate me on the inauguration which was terrific, but so did many other leaders, almost all other leaders from almost all other countries, so that's the extent. Russia is fake news, this is fake news put out by the media."

03:03:24

Pipeline Protesters Set Fires to Close Camp

4082450

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Near Cannon Ball - 22 February 2017

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

18. Wide pan of area with protesters and fire

03:16:18

Pence responds to use of private email account

4084169

POOL

Janesville, Wisconsin - 3 March 2017

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President:

(Reporter question off camera: "Why did you decide to use your private email accounts to deal with some public business?")

"I did. We issued a statement on that. I am very confident that our email practices were in full compliance with all of Indiana's laws. And in my service as a vice president will continue, will continue that practice."

03:31:02

Federal judge in Hawaii puts travel ban on hold

4086131

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Honolulu - 15 March 2017

20. Wide of press conference beginning

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Doug Chin, Hawaii Attorney General

" It showed that they were trying even harder to mask what was a religious animus."

03:42:17

Trump suffers second travel ban defeat

4086216

POOL

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina - 7 December 2015

22. Donald Trump walking to podium

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Candidate:

"Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on. We have no choice."

04:07:09

Trump signs roll-back on Obama era climate plans

4088397

POOL

Washington DC - 28 March 2017

24. US President Donald Trump signing executive order

HD version available in \\Source_Clips\Newsroom Failures

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said President Donald Trump just wants rebuffed former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to testify to Congressional investigators looking into Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Flynn offered cooperation in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

President Donald Trump tweeted that Flynn, his former adviser, should ask for immunity because he's facing "a witch hunt."

Spicer said the president wants Flynn to testify in front of the committees, and there are no concerns that Flynn could implicate the president in any wrong doing.

Spicer also deflected questions about how Rep. Devin Nunes, chairman of the House intelligence committee, got to see intelligence reports.

He also said that there is a "bit of reality on the ground" about how the U.S. should approach the Syria conflict, and that the White House believes there is a "need to de-escalate violence and have a political process where Syrians will decide their own future."

Washington - 31 March 2017

1. Cutaway of news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, on Trump meeting with Chinese president:

"I think we need to have that meeting with President Xi (Jinping). I'm sure there will be a lot of discussions about our economic relationship and so I don't -- we are days away from that, and let's see what those -- I just don't want to prejudge. We're days away from it, and I know there's a lot of issues that need to come up."

3. Cutaway

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

"There is a political reality that we have to accept, in terms of where we are right now. We lost a lot of opportunity the last administration with respect to Assad. And I think that our statement that both U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley gave yesterday and Secretary of State Tillerson reflects the reality that it is now up to the Syrian people. I mean, we had an opportunity and we need to focus on, now, defeating ISIS."

5. Close of reporters

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

"You seem to be really focused on who showed up where and what door they went in and how it happened. To answer your question, yes, it's appropriate for a member of Congress to contact someone who has contacted him according to some of these reports. I don't know the answer to that, but if you're asking me, is it appropriate for a member of Congress to come over here -- as Chairman Nunes has said himself, he wasn't hiding or roaming. He was asked to come over here by an individual. He came over, which happens daily. He was asked to go somewhere, he went there. He is cleared and nothing that is inappropriate... exactly the opposite. What he did, what he saw and who he met with was 100 percent proper."

7. Close of reporter

8. UPSOUND (English) Reporter, off-screen: "Did the chief of staff know that he was on the campus? Did he approve..."

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

"So, OK, but you're playing cute there. You're doing two things. One is, you're talking about the Oval Office and the other is the campus. Right? So, no, the chief of staff does not know every single person who is on the 18 acres on any given time."

9. Wide of reporters

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

"But if there was a meeting, and in that case, we all sat back here, he made the announcement, and again, you're leaving out a key part: he actually briefed the press before he told anyone. We all found out, you, me, everyone else, that he was coming down here after he held a news conference with your colleagues to say he was coming down here based on stuff that he had found that didn't have to do with Russia, that a whistleblower source had given him."

11. Close of reporters

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

"I think Mike Flynn and his legal counsel should do what's appropriate for Mike Flynn."

13. Close of reporter

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, on Trump's tweet:

"Again, he (Trump) didn't say 'Congress should grant'... right. And I think, what he means is he supports Mike Flynn's attempts to go up to Congress and be very clear with everything that they ask and what they want."

15. Mid of reporters

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

"I think that what the president -- not what I think, I've talked to the president about this... yes... and the president's that he wants Mike Flynn to go and be completely open and transparent with the committee and whatever it takes to do that, he is supportive of."

UPSOUND (English) Reporter, off-screen: "Even if he doesn't obtain immunity?"

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

"He (Trump) wants him (Flynn) to... I mean, I don't, again, I want to be clear. He wants him to do what is necessary to go up there and talk to the committee's of jurisdiction to get this matter behind us."

17. Wide of reporters

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

"I'm not entirely sure of the process of whether the Congress does it or DOJ or both, in this case. But the point that -- I get it -- but the point, but the bottom line... no, what he is instructing is Mike Flynn to do everything he can to cooperate with the committees that he's asked to look into this."

19. Spicer walking away from podium

The White House says President Donald Trump is "extremely confident" that the Justice Department will produce evidence backing up his claim that his predecessor wiretapped his New York skyscraper during the election.

The comments from spokesman Sean Spicer come one day after the Justice Department asked lawmakers for more time to produce that evidence.

The House intelligence committee gave the department until March 20, the first day of its hearings on Russia's interference in the 2016 election and possible contacts between Trump advisers and Russians.

Spicer says the president is confident that information yet to be released will "vindicate him."

Earlier this month, Trump accused former President Barack Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower during the campaign.

Obama has denied the explosive allegations and there has been no evidence backing up Trump's claims.

Spicer also strongly defended the GOP replacement for the Affordable Care Act, saying "if we don't get this through, the goal of repealing Obamacare and instituting a system that will patient-centered is going to be unbelievably difficult."Territory.

Washington - 14 March 2017

1. US White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walks into briefing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, US White House Press Secretary, responding to Trump's wiretapping claims:

"I think he's extremely confident. There've been -- I mean, I've mentioned this before, I'll let them (Justice Department) do their job, I'll let the House and Senate, I'll let the DOJ report this, but as I've commented in the past, I think there is significant reporting about surveillance techniques that have existed throughout the 2016 election. I'll leave it to them to issue their report, but I think he feels very confident that what will ultimately come of this will vindicate him."

3. Cutaway of Kellyanne Conway

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

"I will just say the president has tweeted about this, he's pretty clear that he believes there was surveillance conducted during the 2016 election. I'm going to wait for the conclusion of that. I think there's pretty sound evidence that the microwave is not a sound way of surveilling someone and I think that has been cleaned up -- it was made in jest. So I think we can put that to rest."

5. Cutaway of news conference

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

"I don't think -- the Obama administration didn't label it 'Obamacare,' they called it the ACA. I mean, this is the American Healthcare Act, the president is proud of it. The president is proud of the fact that we're working with Congress. But this is a bill that's -- it's not his, it's a joint effort that we've worked with the House and the Senate on. He's proud of it, he's proud of the impact that it's going to have on American patients, so I don't think this is about labels and names, this is about getting a job done."

7. Cutaway of news conference

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

"It is incumbent upon us to make sure that people who are trying to understand what we're doing understand that there are two more pieces to come of this. And like anything else, it's like building a puzzle -- if you only put a third of it on the table and said, hey look this puzzle's incomplete, we hid the other two-thirds pieces, is not explaining to people how the whole thing comes together."

9. Cutaway of news conference

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

"This is the only vehicle that seeks to achieve what people on our side of the aisle have been talking about since 2010. This is it. If we don't get this through, the goal of repealing Obamacare and instituting a system that will patient-centered is going to be unbelievably difficult. This is the vehicle to do that."

11. Cutaway of news conference

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

"This is something that should bring people together. I think there is bipartisan support for almost everyone of these things, because they benefit -- there's no one this doesn't benefit. I mean, who could be against allowing insurance to be sold over state lines? It's something you can do with your car insurance -- I mean, so many -- I mean, there's no other product that I can think of -- I'm sure someone will fact-check me on this -- but for the most part, for the American consumer, when you want a product, you can go online, you can go to a store, you have choice, you can go to a store across state lines, you live in Virginia, you can drive to Maryland or the District, and shop around. With our insurance, we don't have that ability. There's no question that increased competition drives down cost."

13. Cutaway of news conference

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

"The question has to be asked to people who oppose this, no matter what side of the aisle you're on is, what is your alternative? Because the ideas that they propose, we can incorporate. We can make this better and better. But to sit back and act as though there's a choice, doing nothing is not a choice."

15. Spicer walks out of room

The White House says President Donald Trump is "extremely confident" that the Justice Department will produce evidence backing up his claim that his predecessor wiretapped his New York skyscraper during the election.

The comments from spokesman Sean Spicer come one day after the Justice Department asked lawmakers for more time to produce that evidence. The House intelligence committee gave the department until March 20, the first day of its hearings on Russia's interference in the 2016 election and possible contacts between Trump advisers and Russians.

Spicer says the president is confident that information yet to be released will "vindicate him."

Earlier this month, Trump accused President Barack Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower during the campaign. Obama has denied the explosive allegations and there has been no evidence backing up Trump's claims.

Spicer also strongly defended the GOP replacement for the Affordable Care Act, saying "if we don't get this through, the goal of repealing Obamacare and instituting a system that will patient-centered is going to be unbelievably difficult."

Washington - 14 March 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASHES++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, responding to Trump's wiretapping claims:

"I think he's extremely confident. There've been -- I mean, I've mentioned this before, I'll let them (Justice Department) do their job, I'll let the House and Senate, I'll let the DOJ report this, but as I've commented in the past, I think there is significant reporting about surveillance techniques that have existed throughout the 2016 election. I'll leave it to them to issue their report, but I think he feels very confident that what will ultimately come of this will vindicate him."

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

"I will just say the president has tweeted about this, he's pretty clear that he believes there was surveillance conducted during the 2016 election. I'm going to wait for the conclusion of that. I think there's pretty sound evidence that the microwave is not a sound way of surveilling someone and I think that has been cleaned up -- it was made in jest. So I think we can put that to rest."

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

"I don't think -- the Obama administration didn't label it 'Obamacare,' they called it the ACA. I mean, this is the American Healthcare Act, the president is proud of it. The president is proud of the fact that we're working with Congress. But this is a bill that's -- it's not his, it's a joint effort that we've worked with the House and the Senate on. He's proud of it, he's proud of the impact that it's going to have on American patients, so I don't think this is about labels and names, this is about getting a job done."

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

"This is the only vehicle that seeks to achieve what people on our side of the aisle have been talking about since 2010. This is it. If we don't get this through, the goal of repealing Obamacare and instituting a system that will patient-centered is going to be unbelievably difficult. This is the vehicle to do that."

The White House says President Donald Trump is "extremely confident" that the Justice Department will produce evidence backing up his claim that his predecessor wiretapped his New York skyscraper during the election.

The comments from spokesman Sean Spicer come one day after the Justice Department asked lawmakers for more time to produce that evidence. The House intelligence committee gave the department until March 20, the first day of its hearings on Russia's interference in the 2016 election and possible contacts between Trump advisers and Russians.

Spicer says the president is confident that information yet to be released will "vindicate him."

Earlier this month, Trump accused President Barack Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower during the campaign. Obama has denied the explosive allegations and there has been no evidence backing up Trump's claims.

Spicer also strongly defended the GOP replacement for the Affordable Care Act, saying "if we don't get this through, the goal of repealing Obamacare and instituting a system that will patient-centered is going to be unbelievably difficult."

Washington - 14 March 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walks into briefing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, responding to Trump's wiretapping claims:

"I think he's extremely confident. There've been -- I mean, I've mentioned this before, I'll let them (Justice Department) do their job, I'll let the House and Senate, I'll let the DOJ report this, but as I've commented in the past, I think there is significant reporting about surveillance techniques that have existed throughout the 2016 election. I'll leave it to them to issue their report, but I think he feels very confident that what will ultimately come of this will vindicate him."

3. Cutaway of Kellyanne Conway

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

"I will just say the president has tweeted about this, he's pretty clear that he believes there was surveillance conducted during the 2016 election. I'm going to wait for the conclusion of that. I think there's pretty sound evidence that the microwave is not a sound way of surveilling someone and I think that has been cleaned up -- it was made in jest. So I think we can put that to rest."

5. Cutaway of news conference

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

"I don't think -- the Obama administration didn't label it 'Obamacare,' they called it the ACA. I mean, this is the American Healthcare Act, the president is proud of it. The president is proud of the fact that we're working with Congress. But this is a bill that's -- it's not his, it's a joint effort that we've worked with the House and the Senate on. He's proud of it, he's proud of the impact that it's going to have on American patients, so I don't think this is about labels and names, this is about getting a job done."

7. Cutaway of news conference

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

"It is incumbent on us to make sure that people who are trying to understand what we're doing understand that there are two more pieces to come of this. And like anything else, it's like building a puzzle -- if you only put a third of it on the table and said, hey look this puzzle's incomplete, we hid the other two-thirds pieces, is not explaining to people how the whole thing comes together."

9. Cutaway of news conference

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

"This is the only vehicle that seeks to achieve what people on our side of the aisle have been talking about since 2010. This is it. If we don't get this through, the goal of repealing Obamacare and instituting a system that will patient-centered is going to be unbelievably difficult. This is the vehicle to do that."

11. Cutaway of news conference

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

"This is something that should bring people together. I think there is bipartisan support for almost everyone of these things, because they benefit -- there's no one this doesn't benefit. I mean, who could be against allowing insurance to be sold over state lines? It's something you can do with your car insurance -- I mean, so many -- I mean, there's no other product that I can think of -- I'm sure someone will fact-check me on this -- but for the most part, for the American consumer, when you want a product, you can go online, you can go to a store, you have choice, you can go to a store across state lines, you live in Virginia, you can drive to Maryland or the District, and shop around. With our insurance, we don't have that ability. There's no question that increased competition drives down cost."

13. Cutaway of news conference

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

"The question has to be asked to people who oppose this, no matter what side of the aisle you're on is what is your alternative? Because the ideas that they propose, we can incorporate. We can make this better and better. But to sit back and act as though there's a choice, doing nothing is not a choice."

15. Spicer walks out of room

White House Spokesman Sean Spicer underscored President Donald Trump's tweet Monday morning that the Senate Judiciary Committee should ask former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates if she knows how classified information was leaked to the media.

Spicer made the remarks at the daily White House briefing shortly before Yates was to testify before the Committee about potential Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and concerns she raised to the Trump administration about contacts between former national security adviser Michael Flynn and the Russian ambassador.

Spicer said leaks of classified information "should concern every American," but he didn't elaborate about if or why the White House believes Yates was the leaker of classified information.

He was also asked about the sister of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, courting Chinese investors using a much-criticized federal visa program that provides a path toward obtaining green cards.

Spicer said the incident "had nothing to do with him per se," adding that Kushner has done "everything to comply with ethics rules.

Regarding the announcement by Pyongyang that North Korea has detained another instructor with U.S. citizenship at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, Spicer called it "concerning," and added that the U.S. is working through the embassy of Sweden to "seek the release of individuals there."

Sweden handles U.S. consular affairs in North Korea, including those of American detainees.

Washington - 8 May 2017

1. Sean Spicer walks into briefing room

2. UPSOUND:reporter asking question

"Does the president have evidence that ties Sally Yates to the Flynn leaks? Why did he tweet that?

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

"Well, I think you guys are well aware of the president's concern about spills of -- of classified and other sensitive information out into the open. It's something that should concern every American. And the president's made it very clear for -- since -- since he took office that that's a big concern of his. And so, the idea that classified information made its way into the press is something that I think, while we're asking all of these questions, is one of the ones that I think the senator should ask. How did that information get -- get out into the -- the open like that? I think that is an equally important question that, frankly, isn't getting asked.

(Reporter question: But did the president believe that Sally Yates was the leaker in this...)

Again, I think the -- the tweet speaks for itself. What he's saying is that the Senate should ask those questions."

4. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

"Is it a violation of the conflict of interest agreement that Jared Kushner came to?"

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

"I think I would refer you to the company on that. This had, Jared has done everything to comply with the ethics rules to make sure and that had nothing to do with him per se, he wasn't involved. And secondly, I think we've talked about this before that the president and Congress are looking entirely at how to look over the entire visa program, all the various visa programs, and whether or not they are serving the purpose that they were intended to, whether or not we're making sure that we do what's in the best interest of the American worker and so we're going to continue to work with Congress on that."

6. Wide cutaway of briefing

7. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

"Are you concerned that they're trying to escalate tensions even further. Do you consider these Americans hostages and what are you doing diplomatically, back channel or otherwise, to try to get them released?

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

"Obviously, this is concerning. We're well aware of it and we're going to work through the Embassy of Sweden that has an embassy in North Korea, through our State Department to seek the release of the individuals there but I would refer you to the State Department on that."

9. Cutaway of Spicer at podium

White House Spokesman Sean Spicer underscored President Donald Trump's tweet Monday morning that the Senate Judiciary Committee should ask former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates if she knows how classified information was leaked to the media.

Spicer made the remarks at the daily White House briefing shortly before Yates was to testify before the Committee about potential Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and concerns she raised to the Trump administration about contacts between former national security adviser Michael Flynn and the Russian ambassador.

Spicer said leaks of classified information "should concern every American," but he didn't elaborate about if or why the White House believes Yates was the leaker of classified information.

He was also asked about the sister of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, courting Chinese investors using a much-criticized federal visa program that provides a path toward obtaining green cards.

Spicer said the incident "had nothing to do with him per se," adding that Kushner has done "everything to comply with ethics rules.

Regarding the announcement by Pyongyang that North Korea has detained another instructor with U.S. citizenship at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, Spicer called it "concerning," and added that the U.S. is working through the embassy of Sweden to "seek the release of individuals there."

Sweden handles U.S. consular affairs in North Korea, including those of American detainees.

Washington - 8 May 2017

1. Sean Spicer walks into briefing room

2. UPSOUND:reporter asking question

"Does the president have evidence that ties Sally Yates to the Flynn leaks? Why did he tweet that?

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

"Well, I think you guys are well aware of the president's concern about spills of -- of classified and other sensitive information out into the open. It's something that should concern every American. And the president's made it very clear for -- since -- since he took office that that's a big concern of his. And so, the idea that classified information made its way into the press is something that I think, while we're asking all of these questions, is one of the ones that I think the senator should ask. How did that information get -- get out into the -- the open like that? I think that is an equally important question that, frankly, isn't getting asked.

(Reporter question: But did the president believe that Sally Yates was the leaker in this...)

Again, I think the -- the tweet speaks for itself. What he's saying is that the Senate should ask those questions."

4. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

"Is it a violation of the conflict of interest agreement that Jared Kushner came to?"

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

"I think I would refer you to the company on that. This had, Jared has done everything to comply with the ethics rules to make sure and that had nothing to do with him per se, he wasn't involved. And secondly, I think we've talked about this before that the president and Congress are looking entirely at how to look over the entire visa program, all the various visa programs, and whether or not they are serving the purpose that they were intended to, whether or not we're making sure that we do what's in the best interest of the American worker and so we're going to continue to work with Congress on that."

6. Wide cutaway of briefing

7. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

"Are you concerned that they're trying to escalate tensions even further. Do you consider these Americans hostages and what are you doing diplomatically, back channel or otherwise, to try to get them released?

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

"Obviously, this is concerning. We're well aware of it and we're going to work through the Embassy of Sweden that has an embassy in North Korea, through our State Department to seek the release of the individuals there but I would refer you to the State Department on that."

9. Cutaway of Spicer at podium

White House Spokesman Sean Spicer underscored President Donald Trump's tweet Monday morning that the Senate Judiciary Committee should ask former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates if she knows how classified information was leaked to the media.

Spicer made the remarks at the daily White House briefing shortly before Yates was to testify before the Committee about potential Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and concerns she raised to the Trump administration about contacts between former national security adviser Michael Flynn and the Russian ambassador.

Spicer said leaks of classified information "should concern every American," but he didn't elaborate about if or why the White House believes Yates was the leaker of classified information.

He was also asked about the sister of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, courting Chinese investors using a much-criticized federal visa program that provides a path toward obtaining green cards.

Spicer said the incident "had nothing to do with him per se," adding that Kushner has done "everything to comply with ethics rules.

Regarding the announcement by Pyongyang that North Korea has detained another instructor with U.S. citizenship at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, Spicer called it "concerning," and added that the U.S. is working through the embassy of Sweden to "seek the release of individuals there."

Sweden handles U.S. consular affairs in North Korea, including those of American detainees.

Washington - 8 May 2017

1. Sean Spicer walks into briefing room

2. Cutaway of reporter asking question

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

"Well, I think you guys are well aware of the president's concern about spills of -- of classified and other sensitive information out into the open. It's something that should concern every American. And the president's made it very clear for -- since -- since he took office that that's a big concern of his. And so, the idea that classified information made its way into the press is something that I think, while we're asking all of these questions, is one of the ones that I think the senator should ask. How did that information get -- get out into the -- the open like that? I think that is an equally important question that, frankly, isn't getting asked.

(Reporter question: But did the president believe that Sally Yates was the leaker in this...)

Again, I think the -- the tweet speaks for itself. What he's saying is that the Senate should ask those questions."

4. (Q) Is it a violation of the conflict of interest agreement that Jared Kushner came to?

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

"I think I would refer you to the company on that. This had, Jared has done everything to comply with the ethics rules to make sure and that had nothing to do with him per se, he wasn't involved. And secondly, I think we've talked about this before that the president and Congress are looking entirely at how to look over the entire visa program, all the various visa programs, and whether or not they are serving the purpose that they were intended to, whether or not we're making sure that we do what's in the best interest of the American worker and so we're going to continue to work with Congress on that."

6. Wide cutaway of briefing

7. Cutaway of reporter asking question

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

(Q) Are you concerned that they're trying to escalate tensions even further. Do you consider these Americans hostages and what are you doing diplomatically, back channel or otherwise, to try to get them released?

Spicer: "Obviously, this is concerning. We're well aware of it and we're going to work through the Embassy of Sweden that has an embassy in North Korea, through our State Department to seek the release of the individuals there but I would refer you to the State Department on that."

9. Cutaway of Spicer at podium

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said President Donald Trump wants former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to testify to Congressional investigators looking into Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Flynn offered co-operation in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

A spokesman for Representative Devin Nunes, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said the panel has not offered an immunity deal to Flynn.

President Donald Trump tweeted that Flynn, his former adviser, should ask for immunity because he's facing "a witch hunt."

Spicer said the President wants Flynn to testify in front of the committees, and there are no concerns that Flynn could implicate the President in any wrong doing.

Spicer also deflected questions about how Representative Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, got to see intelligence reports.

He also said that there is a "bit of reality on the ground" about how the US should approach the Syria conflict, and that the White House believes there is a "need to de-escalate violence and have a political process where Syrians will decide their own future."

Spicer would not comment on whether Syrian President Bashar Assad should step down, saying it is a decision for the Syrian people alone.

In London Friday, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis suggested that Assad's status is not the most important question for the time being.

Washington, DC - 31 March 2017

1. Cutaway of news conference

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

(on Trump meeting with Chinese president) "I think we need to have that meeting with President Xi (Jinping). I'm sure there will be a lot of discussions about our economic relationship and so I don't - we are days away from that, and let's see what those - I just don't want to prejudge. We're days away from it, and I know there's a lot of issues that need to come up."

3. Cutaway

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

(on Syria) "There is a political reality that we have to accept, in terms of where we are right now. We lost a lot of opportunity the last administration with respect to Assad. And I think that our statement that both US Ambassador (Nikki) Haley gave yesterday and Secretary of State Tillerson reflects the reality that it is now up to the Syrian people. I mean, we had an opportunity and we need to focus on, now, defeating ISIS."

5. Close of reporters

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

(on Rep. Nunes:

"You seem to be really focused on who showed up where and what door they went in and how it happened. To answer your question, yes, it's appropriate for a member of Congress to contact someone who has contacted him according to some of these reports. I don't know the answer to that, but if you're asking me, is it appropriate for a member of Congress to come over here - as Chairman Nunes has said himself, he wasn't hiding or roaming. He was asked to come over here by an individual. He came over, which happens daily. He was asked to go somewhere, he went there. He is cleared and nothing that is inappropriate... exactly the opposite. What he did, what he saw and who he met with was 100 percent proper."

7. Close of reporter

8. UPSOUND (English) Reporter, off-screen: "Did the chief of staff know that he was on the campus? Did he approve..."

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

"So, OK, but you're playing cute there. You're doing two things. One is, you're talking about the Oval Office and the other is the campus. Right? So, no, the Chief of Staff does not know every single person who is on the 18 acres on any given time."

9. Wide of reporters

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

"But if there was a meeting, and in that case, we all sat back here, he made the announcement, and again, you're leaving out a key part: he actually briefed the press before he told anyone. We all found out, you, me, everyone else, that he was coming down here after he held a news conference with your colleagues to say he was coming down here based on stuff that he had found that didn't have to do with Russia, that a whistle-blower source had given him."

11. Close of reporters

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

"I think Mike Flynn and his legal counsel should do what's appropriate for Mike Flynn."

13. Close of reporter

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

(on Trump's tweet) "Again, he (Trump) didn't say 'Congress should grant'... right. And I think, what he means is he supports Mike Flynn's attempts to go up to Congress and be very clear with everything that they ask and what they want."

15. Mid of reporters

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

"I think that what the President - not what I think, I've talked to the President about this... yes... and the President is that he wants Mike Flynn to go and be completely open and transparent with the committee and whatever it takes to do that, he is supportive of."

UPSOUND (English) Reporter, off-screen: "Even if he doesn't obtain immunity?"

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

"He (Trump) wants him (Flynn) to... I mean, I don't, again, I want to be clear. He wants him to do what is necessary to go up there and talk to the committees of jurisdiction to get this matter behind us."

17. Wide of reporters

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

"I'm not entirely sure of the process of whether the Congress does it or DOJ (Department of Justice) or both, in this case. But the point that - I get it - but the point, but the bottom line... no, what he is instructing is Mike Flynn to do everything he can to co-operate with the committees that he's asked to look into this."

19. Spicer walking away from podium

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said President Donald Trump just wants rebuffed former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to testify to Congressional investigators looking into Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Flynn offered cooperation in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

President Donald Trump tweeted that Flynn, his former adviser, should ask for immunity because he's facing "a witch hunt."

Spicer said the president wants Flynn to testify in front of the committees, and there are no concerns that Flynn could implicate the president in any wrong doing.

Spicer also deflected questions about how Rep. Devin Nunes, chairman of the House intelligence committee, got to see intelligence reports.

He also said that there is a "bit of reality on the ground" about how the U.S. should approach the Syria conflict, and that the White House believes there is a "need to de-escalate violence and have a political process where Syrians will decide their own future."

Washington - 31 March 2017

1. Cutaway of news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, on Trump meeting with Chinese president:

"I think we need to have that meeting with President Xi (Jinping). I'm sure there will be a lot of discussions about our economic relationship and so I don't -- we are days away from that, and let's see what those -- I just don't want to prejudge. We're days away from it, and I know there's a lot of issues that need to come up."

3. Cutaway

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

"There is a political reality that we have to accept, in terms of where we are right now. We lost a lot of opportunity the last administration with respect to Assad. And I think that our statement that both U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley gave yesterday and Secretary of State Tillerson reflects the reality that it is now up to the Syrian people. I mean, we had an opportunity and we need to focus on, now, defeating ISIS."

5. Close of reporters

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

"You seem to be really focused on who showed up where and what door they went in and how it happened. To answer your question, yes, it's appropriate for a member of Congress to contact someone who has contacted him according to some of these reports. I don't know the answer to that, but if you're asking me, is it appropriate for a member of Congress to come over here -- as Chairman Nunes has said himself, he wasn't hiding or roaming. He was asked to come over here by an individual. He came over, which happens daily. He was asked to go somewhere, he went there. He is cleared and nothing that is inappropriate... exactly the opposite. What he did, what he saw and who he met with was 100 percent proper."

7. Close of reporter

8. UPSOUND (English) Reporter, off-screen: "Did the chief of staff know that he was on the campus? Did he approve..."

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

"So, OK, but you're playing cute there. You're doing two things. One is, you're talking about the Oval Office and the other is the campus. Right? So, no, the chief of staff does not know every single person who is on the 18 acres on any given time."

9. Wide of reporters

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

"But if there was a meeting, and in that case, we all sat back here, he made the announcement, and again, you're leaving out a key part: he actually briefed the press before he told anyone. We all found out, you, me, everyone else, that he was coming down here after he held a news conference with your colleagues to say he was coming down here based on stuff that he had found that didn't have to do with Russia, that a whistleblower source had given him."

11. Close of reporters

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

"I think Mike Flynn and his legal counsel should do what's appropriate for Mike Flynn."

13. Close of reporter

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, on Trump's tweet:

"Again, he (Trump) didn't say 'Congress should grant'... right. And I think, what he means is he supports Mike Flynn's attempts to go up to Congress and be very clear with everything that they ask and what they want."

15. Mid of reporters

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

"I think that what the president -- not what I think, I've talked to the president about this... yes... and the president's that he wants Mike Flynn to go and be completely open and transparent with the committee and whatever it takes to do that, he is supportive of."

UPSOUND (English) Reporter, off-screen: "Even if he doesn't obtain immunity?"

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

"He (Trump) wants him (Flynn) to... I mean, I don't, again, I want to be clear. He wants him to do what is necessary to go up there and talk to the committee's of jurisdiction to get this matter behind us."

17. Wide of reporters

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

"I'm not entirely sure of the process of whether the Congress does it or DOJ or both, in this case. But the point that -- I get it -- but the point, but the bottom line... no, what he is instructing is Mike Flynn to do everything he can to cooperate with the committees that he's asked to look into this."

19. Spicer walking away from podium

President Donald Trump said he supports a bill that imposes sanctions on Russia Wednesday with foreign countries, disputing reports that he begrudgingly signed the legislation.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee said the president was in support of such measures.

The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad. The law also imposes financial sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

In the most remarkable example of public Trump-bashing, Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona is taking aim at the president and his own party in a new book, writing that "unnerving silence in the face of an erratic executive branch is an abdication" and marveling at "the strange specter of an American president's seeming affection for strongmen and authoritarians."

The criticism from Flake is especially striking since he is one of just two GOP senators facing competitive re-election races in next year's midterm elections, the other being Dean Heller of Nevada.

Asked about the book, Sanders replied, "Senator Flake would serve his constituents much better if he was less focused on writing a book and attacking the president and passing legislation."

Washington - August 2, 2017

1. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

"This morning the president signed the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. The president favors tough measures to deter bad behavior of the rogue regimes in Iran and North Korea. And he also sent a clear signal that we won't tolerate interference in our democratic process by Russia. The bill was improved but Congress has encroached on the power of the presidency, and he signed it in the interest of national unity. We've been very clear that we support tough sanctions on all three of those countries. We continue to do so. And that has certainly not changed. And I think that was reflected in the statements today."

(Reporter question off camera): "At one point one of the finer aspects of the bill, in the findings, it stated Russia did in fact try to interfere in the U.S. elections. And the president's statement on this, the signing statement, he did not quibble with that. Is that an indication that he does accept the finding that Russia interfered in our election?"

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "The president's already said that himself directly at the news conference in Poland."

(Reporter question off camera): "He's also said that other actors may have been involved."

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "May have been involved as well, but he doesn't dispute the fact that Russia was, and he said that in Poland at the news conference, that I believe you were present for."

3. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

(Reporter question off camera): "Can you explain why the Justice Department's civil rights division is devoting its limited time and resources to --"

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "Quite an accusatory question but I'd be happy to respond. The New York Times article is based entirely on uncorroborated inferences from a leaked internal personnel posting in violation of Department of Justice policy. And while the White House does not confirm or deny the existence of potential investigations, the Department of Justice will always review credible allegation of discrimination on the basis of any race."

5. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

(Reporter question off camera): "What exactly is Sean Spicer's role in this administration at this point? And how much longer do you expect him to stay on staff? And then something on the signing statement."

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "As he said, I believe that was, gosh a week or so ago. The days all kind of run together now. But he was going to stay on in a transition process through August and nothing has changed."

(Reporter question off camera): "So nothing has changed because of Anthony Scaramucci leaving?"

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "No. Nothing has changed at this point."

7. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

(Reporter question off camera): "Is the president still thinking of helping to fund the $10-million-dollar challenge against Senator Flake? And does he have any response to Senator Flake's comments?"

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "I'm not sure about any potential funding of the campaign, but I think that Senator Flake would serve his constituents much better if he was less focused on writing a book and attacking the president and passing legislation."

9. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

President Donald Trump said he supports a bill that imposes sanctions on Russia Wednesday with foreign countries, disputing reports that he begrudgingly signed the legislation.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee said the president was in support of such measures.

The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad. The law also imposes financial sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

In the most remarkable example of public Trump-bashing, Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona is taking aim at the president and his own party in a new book, writing that "unnerving silence in the face of an erratic executive branch is an abdication" and marveling at "the strange specter of an American president's seeming affection for strongmen and authoritarians."

The criticism from Flake is especially striking since he is one of just two GOP senators facing competitive re-election races in next year's midterm elections, the other being Dean Heller of Nevada.

Asked about the book, Sanders replied, "Senator Flake would serve his constituents much better if he was less focused on writing a book and attacking the president and passing legislation."

Washington - August 2, 2017

1. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

"This morning the president signed the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. The president favors tough measures to deter bad behavior of the rogue regimes in Iran and North Korea. And he also sent a clear signal that we won't tolerate interference in our democratic process by Russia. The bill was improved but Congress has encroached on the power of the presidency, and he signed it in the interest of national unity. We've been very clear that we support tough sanctions on all three of those countries. We continue to do so. And that has certainly not changed. And I think that was reflected in the statements today."

(Reporter question off camera): "At one point one of the finer aspects of the bill, in the findings, it stated Russia did in fact try to interfere in the U.S. elections. And the president's statement on this, the signing statement, he did not quibble with that. Is that an indication that he does accept the finding that Russia interfered in our election?"

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "The president's already said that himself directly at the news conference in Poland."

(Reporter question off camera): "He's also said that other actors may have been involved."

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "May have been involved as well, but he doesn't dispute the fact that Russia was, and he said that in Poland at the news conference, that I believe you were present for."

3. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

(Reporter question off camera): "Can you explain why the Justice Department's civil rights division is devoting its limited time and resources to --"

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "Quite an accusatory question but I'd be happy to respond. The New York Times article is based entirely on uncorroborated inferences from a leaked internal personnel posting in violation of Department of Justice policy. And while the White House does not confirm or deny the existence of potential investigations, the Department of Justice will always review credible allegation of discrimination on the basis of any race."

5. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

(Reporter question off camera): "What exactly is Sean Spicer's role in this administration at this point? And how much longer do you expect him to stay on staff? And then something on the signing statement."

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "As he said, I believe that was, gosh a week or so ago. The days all kind of run together now. But he was going to stay on in a transition process through August and nothing has changed."

(Reporter question off camera): "So nothing has changed because of Anthony Scaramucci leaving?"

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "No. Nothing has changed at this point."

7. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

(Reporter question off camera): "Is the president still thinking of helping to fund the $10-million-dollar challenge against Senator Flake? And does he have any response to Senator Flake's comments?"

(Sarah Huckabee Sanders): "I'm not sure about any potential funding of the campaign, but I think that Senator Flake would serve his constituents much better if he was less focused on writing a book and attacking the president and passing legislation."

9. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he supports a bill that imposes sanctions on Russia, disputing reports that he begrudgingly signed the legislation.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee said the president was in support of such measures.

The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for interfering in the 2016 US presidential election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed Syrian President Bashar Assad. The law also imposes financial sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

Washington DC - 2 August 2017

1. Sarah Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

"This morning the president signed the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. The president favors tough measures to punish and deter bad behavior of the rogue regimes in Iran and North Korea. And he also sent a clear signal that we won't tolerate interference in our democratic process by Russia. The bill was improved but Congress has encroached on the power of the presidency, and he signed it in the interest of national unity. We've been very clear that we support tough sanctions on all three of those countries. We continue to do so. And that has certainly not changed. And I think that was reflected in the statements today."

(Reporter question: "At one point one of the finer aspects of the bill, in the findings, it stated Russia did in fact try to interfere in the U.S. elections. And the president's statement on this, the signing statement, he did not quibble with that. Is that an indication that he does accept the finding that Russia interfered in our election?")

"The president's already said that himself directly at the news conference in Poland."

(Reporter question "He's also said that other actors may have been involved.")

"...may have been involved as well, but he doesn't dispute the fact that Russia was, and he said that in Poland at the news conference, that I believe you were present for."

3. Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

(Reporter question: "Can you explain why the Justice Department's civil rights division is devoting its limited time and resources to...")

"Quite an accusatory question but I'd be happy to respond. The New York Times article is based entirely on uncorroborated inferences from a leaked internal personnel posting in violation of Department of Justice policy. And while the White House does not confirm or deny the existence of potential investigations, the Department of Justice will always review credible allegation of discrimination on the basis of any race."

5. Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

(Reporter question: "What exactly is Sean Spicer's role in this administration at this point? And how much longer do you expect him to stay on staff? And then something on the signing statement.")

"As he said, I believe that was, gosh a week or so ago. The days all kind of run together now. But he was going to stay on in a transition process through August and nothing has changed."

(Reporter question "So nothing has changed because of Anthony Scaramucci leaving?")

"No. Nothing has changed at this point."

7. Huckabee Sanders at podium

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

(Reporter question "Is the president still thinking of helping to fund the $10-million-dollar challenge against Senator Flake? And does he have any response to Senator Flake's comments?")

"I'm not sure about any potential funding of the campaign, but I think that Senator Flake would serve his constituents much better if he was less focused on writing a book and attacking the president and passing legislation."

9 . Huckabee Sanders at podium

The US administration said on Monday "Russia probably was involved" in meddling in the 2016 presidential election, but said it should have been the responsibility of the previous president to take action.

"If you believe the story that was written, that means from August to November 8th," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at a briefing where video cameras were not permitted.

Spicer appeared to be referencing a Washington Post article about the Obama administration's handling of Russia's attempts to influence voters.

Former President Barack Obama ordered a review of Russia's actions and imposed new sanctions after the election.

Spicer also claimed that the Obama administration should have known that there was "no collusion" between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Spicer also referred to the Supreme Court ruling that the Trump administration could go forward with a limited version of its ban on travel from six mostly Muslim countries.

The White House spokesman described the ruling "as a positive step forward" and said he thought the president would be "very pleased" with the decision.

There was friction during the briefing, with CNN's Jim Acosta interrupting Spicer to to ask why television were not allowed to attend.

Spicer said the White House would have a mix of different ways of dealing with media questions.

Washington DC - 26 June 2017

1. STILL of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer at podium talking to press during daily briefing, with only AUDIO allowed

2. STILL of Spicer speaking during daily briefing ++SOUNDBITES PLAY UNDER STILL, SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

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

"It's a positive step forward, as I mentioned at the outset, the Department of Justice in particular is reviewing this, in terms of both its implementation and its impact. So I don't want to get too far ahead of all these brilliant legal minds as they review the impact, but I think, as I noted, I think the president feels very, very pleased with the 9-0 decision."

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

"They are looking at the totality of it, I think part of it as I mentioned to Blake a second ago will be dependent on what the lawyers believe its impact will be in terms of how it goes forward and what we can do, so I'm going to punt on that for a moment and let the lawyers take a look at that and give an update."

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

"The statement that he made in January is consistent with what he said the other day, which is that he believes that Russia probably was involved, potentially some other countries as well, could have been equally involved or could have been involved, not equally. And he stands by the statements that he made in January."

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

"One is that if you believe the story that was written, that means from August through November 8th, two things, one that if you believe that then they did know about this and there is some serious questions about what they did or did not do in terms of acting and the second is I think it's then pretty clear that they knew all along that there was no collusion and that's very helpful for the president."

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

"But as to the point of what he is doing, that continues to be what I mentioned the other day, he signed an Executive Order on cyber security to strengthen our ability to combat anybody for interfering, not just in our elections but in a lot of our key infrastructure, cyber infrastructure. And secondly, he has got a commission that will continue to have more activities this month, looking holistically at the election process, to make sure that we are taking all the steps to protect the integrity of our voting systems."

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

"Obviously I don't have all the understanding of what they knew and when they knew it, but there does seem to be a bit of hypocrisy in terms of what they didn't clearly do, if they truly believed all of this was happening. But as I mentioned to Kristin just a second ago, I think what is also important to note is that, if they did know all this, then they clearly do know that there was no collusion."

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

"They have been very clear and they have been playing this card about blaming Trump and Russia, and yet at the same time, they were the ones who according to this report knew about it and didn't take any action, so the question is, if they didn't take any action, does that make them complicit? I think there is a lot of questions that have to get answered about who did know what and when."

10. STILL of video monitors in press briefing room