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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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"

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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