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.

The Trump administration is applauding the January jobs reports.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington DC - 3 February 2017

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

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

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH+++

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

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

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH+++

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

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

The Trump administration is applauding the January jobs reports.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington DC - 3 February 2017

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

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

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

3. Cutaway

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

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

5. Cutaway

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

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

7. Cutaway

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

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

9. Cutaway

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

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

11. Cutaway

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

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

13. Spicer leaving briefing

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.

The Trump administration is applauding the January jobs reports.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Friday addressed last month's job report, which showed the U.S. economy adding 227,000 jobs and the unemployment rate at 4.8 percent.

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

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

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

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

Washington DC - 3 February 2017

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

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

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

3. Cutaway

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

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

5. Cutaway

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

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

7. Cutaway

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

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

9. Cutaway

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

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

11. Cutaway

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

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

13. Spicer leaving briefing

The Department of Defense has presented its preliminary plan to defeat the Islamic State group. White House press secretary Sean Spicer says the plan was delivered to the White House by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. The president is expected to address some of the details of that plan in his address to Congress tomorrow.

Questions about Trump advisers' contacts with Russian intelligence agents were revived by revelations that chief of staff Reince Priebus discussed the matter with high-level FBI officials, despite an ongoing investigation into those contacts.

Washington DC - 27 February 2017

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

"As you might already know the Department of Defense presented its preliminary plan to the White House today to defeat ISIS. This plan has been delivered by Secretary Mattis who is currently breaking the principals on the option presented today and seeking their input and feedback."

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

"The New York Times published a story about what they called 'contacts' between members of the Trump campaign and Russian officials. The FBI deputy director was at a meeting here at the White House that morning. After the meeting concluded, he asked the chief of staff to stand back a second he wanted to tell him that the report in the New York Times was "bs." For viewers at home, I think we can pretty much figure out what that means. But I'll leave it at that. At that time the chief of staff said "thank you for sharing that with me, can we let other people know that's the story is not accurate?" Throughout the day they went back and forth to see what they thought was appropriate. Finally they came to the conclusion that they did not want to get into the process of knocking down every story that they had issues with."

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

(Reporter question off camera): "You don't think there is something strange, or something odd about the White House press secretary getting the CIA director on the phone to knock down a story about an investigation?"

(Sean Spicer): "No. No. But you see, respectfully, you are using words like "knock down." There was a story in the newspaper, hold on, no, no. There were reporters coming to us saying there is a story out there, "what is your take on it?" And our answer was we don't believe it is accurate. We don't believe it's false. But obviously that's our take on it."

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

(Reporter question off camera): "Do you now categorically deny there were no contacts between the Russians and anyone on the campaign?"

(Sean Spicer): "I guess my point is is that you've had the intelligence community look at Russia's involvement in the election. You've had the House and the Senate both do the same. And so what I am trying to ascertain is that at what point how many people have to say there is nothing there before you realize there is nothing there?"

The Department of Defense has presented its preliminary plan to defeat the Islamic State group. White House press secretary Sean Spicer says the plan was delivered to the White House by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. The president is expected to address some of the details of that plan in his address to Congress tomorrow.

Questions about Trump advisers' contacts with Russian intelligence agents were revived by revelations that chief of staff Reince Priebus discussed the matter with high-level FBI officials, despite an ongoing investigation into those contacts.

Washington DC - 27 February 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer

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

"The New York Times published a story about what they called 'contacts' between members of the Trump campaign and Russian officials. The FBI deputy director was at a meeting here at the White House that morning. After the meeting concluded, he asked the chief of staff to stand back a second he wanted to tell him that the report in the New York Times was "bs." For viewers at home, I think we can pretty much figure out what that means. But I'll leave it at that. At that time the chief of staff said "thank you for sharing that with me, can we let other people know that's the story is not accurate?" Throughout the day they went back and forth to see what they thought was appropriate. Finally they came to the conclusion that they did not want to get into the process of knocking down every story that they had issues with."

3. Spicer speaking

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

(Reporter question off camera): "You don't think there is something strange, or something odd about the White House press secretary getting the CIA director on the phone to knock down a story about an investigation?"

(Sean Spicer): "No. No. But you see, respectfully, you are using words like "knock down." There was a story in the newspaper, hold on, no, no. There were reporters coming to us saying there is a story out there, "what is your take on it?" And our answer was we don't believe it is accurate. We don't believe it's false. But obviously that's our take on it. And reporters were saying to us "well is there anybody that you can point to substantiate this claim?" Now remember, this all started with the FBI coming to us, bringing it to our attention saying that the story in the Times was not accurate, in fact it was "bs." And all we did was simply say "that's great, could you tell other reporters the same thing you are telling us?"

5. Spicer speaking

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

(Reporter question off camera): "Do you now categorically deny there were no contacts between the Russians and anyone on the campaign?"

(Sean Spicer): "I guess my point is is that you've had the intelligence community look at Russia's involvement in the election. You've had the House and the Senate both do the same. And so what I am trying to ascertain is that at what point how many people have to say there is nothing there before you realize there is nothing there? I cannot say unequivocally, all I am saying is the people who have done the investigating about Russia over all, and its activities in the United States, specifically now with respect to our election, haven't provided anything that lead me to believe, or should leave you to believe, and I continue to see reports coming from different media sources saying that when they checked in with law enforcement or intelligence community sources, there is nothing more then what has been previously reported over and over again."

7. Spicer speaking

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

(Reporter question off camera): "Just to follow up on that, did you personally reach out to Pompeo?"

(Sean Spicer): "I'm not going to discuss what we did internally. I'm just going to say that when we shared, we did our job about making sure that when people had, reporters had questions, we let them know which subject matter experts were available to discuss the accuracy of a newspaper story."

9. Spicer speaking

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

"As you might already know the Department of Defense presented its preliminary plan to the White House today to defeat ISIS. This plan has been delivered by Secretary Mattis who is currently breaking the principals on the option presented today and seeking their input and feedback. Finally I wanted to note the president continues to be deeply disappointed and concerned by the reports of further vandalism at Jewish cemeteries. The cowardly destruction in Philadelphia this weekend comes on top of similar accounts from Missouri and threats made to Jewish community centers around the country. The president continues to condemn these and any other form of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms."

11. Spicer speaking

The US Department of Defence has presented its preliminary plan to defeat the Islamic State group (IS).

White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Monday said the plan was delivered to the White House by Defence Secretary James Mattis.

The president is expected to address some of the details of that plan in his address to Congress tomorrow.

Questions about Trump advisers' contacts with Russian intelligence agents were revived in Monday's briefing by revelations that Chief of Staff Reince Priebus discussed the matter with high-level FBI officials, despite an ongoing investigation into those contacts.

Washington DC - 27 February 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer

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

"The New York Times published a story about what they called 'contacts' between members of the Trump campaign and Russian officials. The FBI deputy director was at a meeting here at the White House that morning. After the meeting concluded, he asked the chief of staff to stand back a second he wanted to tell him that the report in the New York Times was 'BS.' For viewers at home, I think we can pretty much figure out what that means. But I'll leave it at that. At that time the chief of staff said "thank you for sharing that with me, can we let other people know that's the story is not accurate?" Throughout the day they went back and forth to see what they thought was appropriate. Finally they came to the conclusion that they did not want to get into the process of knocking down every story that they had issues with."

3. Spicer speaking

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

(Reporter question off camera): "You don't think there is something strange, or something odd about the White House press secretary getting the CIA director on the phone to knock down a story about an investigation?"

(Sean Spicer): "No. No. But you see, respectfully, you are using words like 'knock down.' There was a story in the newspaper, hold on, no, no. There were reporters coming to us saying there is a story out there, 'what is your take on it?' And our answer was we don't believe it is accurate. We don't believe it's false. But obviously that's our take on it. And reporters were saying to us "well is there anybody that you can point to substantiate this claim?" Now remember, this all started with the FBI coming to us, bringing it to our attention saying that the story in the Times was not accurate, in fact it was 'BS.' And all we did was simply say "that's great, could you tell other reporters the same thing you are telling us?"

5. Spicer speaking

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

(Reporter question off camera): "Do you now categorically deny there were no contacts between the Russians and anyone on the campaign?"

(Sean Spicer): "I guess my point is that you've had the intelligence community look at Russia's involvement in the election. You've had the House and the Senate both do the same. And so what I am trying to ascertain is that at what point how many people have to say there is nothing there before you realize there is nothing there? I cannot say unequivocally, all I am saying is the people who have done the investigating about Russia over all, and its activities in the United States, specifically now with respect to our election, haven't provided anything that lead me to believe, or should leave you to believe, and I continue to see reports coming from different media sources saying that when they checked in with law enforcement or intelligence community sources, there is nothing more then what has been previously reported over and over again."

7. Spicer speaking

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

(Reporter question off camera): "Just to follow up on that, did you personally reach out to Pompeo?"

(Sean Spicer): "I'm not going to discuss what we did internally. I'm just going to say that when we shared, we did our job about making sure that when people had, reporters had questions, we let them know which subject matter experts were available to discuss the accuracy of a newspaper story."

9. Spicer speaking

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

"As you might already know the Department of Defense presented its preliminary plan to the White House today to defeat ISIS. This plan has been delivered by Secretary Mattis who is currently breaking the principals on the option presented today and seeking their input and feedback. Finally I wanted to note the president continues to be deeply disappointed and concerned by the reports of further vandalism at Jewish cemeteries. The cowardly destruction in Philadelphia this weekend comes on top of similar accounts from Missouri and threats made to Jewish community centers around the country. The president continues to condemn these and any other form of anti-Semitic and hateful acts in the strongest terms."

11. Spicer speaking

The Trump administration is working on a new set of directives on the use of school bathrooms by transgender students, the White House said Tuesday.

The announcement alarmed LGBT groups across the country that have urged President Donald Trump to safeguard Obama-era guidelines allowing students to use school restrooms that match their gender identity, not their assigned gender at birth.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer did not provide any details on the new guidelines that are being prepared by the Justice Department, but said Trump has long held that such matters should be left to the states, not the federal government, to decide.

The Obama administration's guidance, issued last May, held that transgender students can access restrooms and participate in school athletics according with the gender they identify with.

Schools were also instructed to treat students in line with their expressed gender identity without requiring any medical proof.

While the move was hailed by rights organizations, it was attacked by conservative groups, which called it federal overreach and an infringement on the personal space and safety of all other students.

A patchwork of state laws and policies on the issue is emerging.

Fifteen states have explicit protections for transgender students, and many individual school districts in other states have adopted policies that recognize students on the basis of their gender identity, said Sarah Warbelow, legal director of the Human Rights Campaign. Just one state, North Carolina, has enacted a law restricting students' bathroom access to their sex at birth.

But so far this year, lawmakers in more than 10 states are considering similar legislation, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.

Raleigh, North Carolina – 22 February 2017

1. Wide shot of North Carolina legislative building

2. Tight of legislative building sign

3. Wide of transgender man talking on phone

4. Tight of name tag

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Ames Simmons, Equality NC

"Just, my stomach feels cold with worry. Even walking out, I saw a large group of school kids leaving the North Carolina General Assembly and wondered, How many students who are trans or gender non-conforming in that class might be hearing that same message today, and feeling like it's less for them in school. And that makes me, that makes me feel really sad as a trans person. To think about a young person feeling a lack of hope because of what the folks in this building and in Washington, DC are doing."

6. Wide of school kids leaving legislature

7. Tight of foot walking past state seal with word "CONSTITUTION"

8. Wide of Tami Fitzgerald of NC Values Coalition walking out of legislature

9. SOUNDBITE (English): Tami Fitzgerald, NC Values Coalition

"When Congress passed the Civil Rights Act and Title IX, they never contemplated that sex would mean gender identity. It's not in the bill. It's not what the bill says. It's not what the law says. And so we think that the directive that the Obama administration issued about interpreting sex as meaning gender identity is wrong, and it should be repealed."

10. Tight of Fitzgerald's name tag

11. SOUNDBITE (English): Tami Fitzgerald, NC Values Coalition

"I agree with President Trump. This IS a state issue. And the federal government was engaged in gross overreach when it issued this directive that impacted every public school in the country."

12. Mid of sign for school groups touring legislature

13. SOUNDBITE (English): Ames Simmons, Equality NC

"We believe that this is a terrible message that the Trump administration is sending to some of the most vulnerable young people in our country today. That the president and the administration are not going to protect them from discrimination, no matter what Title IX says."

14. Tight of sign for school groups

15. Wide of woman and son outside legislature

16. SOUNDBITE (English): Tina Matthews, Visiting Capital with Son

"I think that everybody deserves an equal shot at being who they are, love who they want to love and be able to go into a bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity."

17. Wide of legislative building

18. Mid of fluttering American flag

19. Mid of North Carolina flag

The Trump administration is working on a new set of directives on the use of school bathrooms by transgender students, the White House said Tuesday.

The announcement alarmed LGBT groups across the country that have urged President Donald Trump to safeguard Obama-era guidelines allowing students to use school restrooms that match their gender identity, not their assigned gender at birth.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer did not provide any details on the new guidelines that are being prepared by the Justice Department, but said Trump has long held that such matters should be left to the states, not the federal government, to decide.

The Obama administration's guidance, issued last May, held that transgender students can access restrooms and participate in school athletics according with the gender they identify with.

Schools were also instructed to treat students in line with their expressed gender identity without requiring any medical proof.

While the move was hailed by rights organizations, it was attacked by conservative groups, which called it federal overreach and an infringement on the personal space and safety of all other students.

A patchwork of state laws and policies on the issue is emerging.

Fifteen states have explicit protections for transgender students, and many individual school districts in other states have adopted policies that recognize students on the basis of their gender identity, said Sarah Warbelow, legal director of the Human Rights Campaign. Just one state, North Carolina, has enacted a law restricting students' bathroom access to their sex at birth.

But so far this year, lawmakers in more than 10 states are considering similar legislation, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.

Raleigh, North Carolina – 22 February 2017

1. Wide shot of North Carolina legislative building

2. Tight of legislative building sign

3. Wide of transgender man talking on phone

4. Tight of name tag

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Ames Simmons, Equality NC

"Just, my stomach feels cold with worry. Even walking out, I saw a large group of school kids leaving the North Carolina General Assembly and wondered, How many students who are trans or gender non-conforming in that class might be hearing that same message today, and feeling like it's less for them in school. And that makes me, that makes me feel really sad as a trans person. To think about a young person feeling a lack of hope because of what the folks in this building and in Washington, DC are doing."

6. Wide of school kids leaving legislature

7. Tight of foot walking past state seal with word "CONSTITUTION"

8. Wide of Tami Fitzgerald of NC Values Coalition walking out of legislature

9. SOUNDBITE (English): Tami Fitzgerald, NC Values Coalition

"When Congress passed the Civil Rights Act and Title IX, they never contemplated that sex would mean gender identity. It's not in the bill. It's not what the bill says. It's not what the law says. And so we think that the directive that the Obama administration issued about interpreting sex as meaning gender identity is wrong, and it should be repealed."

10. Tight of Fitzgerald's name tag

11. SOUNDBITE (English): Tami Fitzgerald, NC Values Coalition

"I agree with President Trump. This IS a state issue. And the federal government was engaged in gross overreach when it issued this directive that impacted every public school in the country."

12. Mid of sign for school groups touring legislature

13. SOUNDBITE (English): Ames Simmons, Equality NC

"We believe that this is a terrible message that the Trump administration is sending to some of the most vulnerable young people in our country today. That the president and the administration are not going to protect them from discrimination, no matter what Title IX says."

14. Tight of sign for school groups

15. Wide of woman and son outside legislature

16. SOUNDBITE (English): Tina Matthews, Visiting Capital with Son

"I think that everybody deserves an equal shot at being who they are, love who they want to love and be able to go into a bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity."

17. Wide of legislative building

18. Mid of fluttering American flag

19. Mid of North Carolina flag

The White House says conditions aren't right for President Donald Trump to meet with Korean leader Kim Jong Un despite Trump's openness to the idea in the future.

Trump told Bloomberg he'd be open to a meeting under the right circumstances and said that, if appropriate, "I would be honored to do it."

During Monday's briefing White House spokesman Sean Spicer was asked to elaborate on why the president had described Kim Jong Un during the weekend interview as a "smart cookie."

"I think his point was, and he went over this in the interview, that he assumed power at a young age when his father passed away and there was a lot of potential threats that could have come his way and he is obviously managed to lead a country forward, despite the obvious concerns that we and so many other people have," Spicer said.

Adding, "he is a young person to be leading a country with nuclear weapons."

Tensions with North Korea have escalated recently as American and other intelligence agencies have suggested the country was readying a possible nuclear test.

The Trump administration has said all options, including a military strike, are on the table.

Washington, D.C. - 1 May 2017

1. Side, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walking into briefing room

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

"Well, (ABC Reporter) Jon (Karl), I guess because he is still a head of state. So, it is sort of. There is a diplomatic piece to this, but the bottom line is the president is going to do what he needs to do. Right now he is building a coalition to isolate North Korea both economically and diplomatically to get the threat, to take that threat down and so, that is his number one priority right now, protecting this country and our people."

3. SOUDNBITE (English) Jon Karl, ABC Reporter:

"What did he mean when he called him one smart cookie, or a pretty smart cookie?"

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

"I think his point was, and he went over this in the interview, that he assumed power at a young age when his father passed away and there was a lot of potential threats that could have come his way and he obviously managed to lead a country forward, despite the obvious concerns that we and so many other people have. He is a young person to be leading a country with nuclear weapons. And so, that set aside, I think the president recognizes the threat that he poses and he is doing everything he can to isolate that threat and to make sure that we bring stability to the region."

5. Side, Spicer at podium

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

"The key part of the president's statement was under the right circumstances and that is the key and those circumstances do not exist now. This is consistent with what Secretary Tillerson said the other day. But I think that if North Korea continues down a degree of provocative behavior, then those circumstances will never be there."

7. Cutaway reporters

White House press secretary Sean Spicer says that the results of President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month "are paying off" with respect to North Korea.

The Trump administration has repeatedly called on China to increase pressure on North Korea to comply with U.N. demands that it halt nuclear and missile tests.

China is urging a return to negotiations over North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons after Vice President Mike Pence warned that the U.S. has lost its patience with the regime.

Pence said during a Monday visit to South Korea that the North needs to abandon its weapons program and stop testing ballistic missiles.

Spicer said that during his visit to South Korea, Pence reassured the U.S. ally that "under President Trump, our iron clad alliance will be even stronger."

A North Korea missile exploded during launch in the latest test on Sunday.

Washington - 17 April 2017

1. Various of White House press briefing

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

"But, I think with respect to North Korea in particular, the president had a really good meeting with President Xi down in Mar-a-Lago where I think he's spoken extensively about the relationship that they made down there and that they continue to work to improve and the results of that are paying off. I think you see China playing a much more active role with respect to North Korea. Both politically and economically, they can continue to apply pressure to achieve results and I think we're going to continue to urge China to exhibit its influence in the region to get better results."

3. Various of White House press briefing

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

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, I think we've had a very productive direction that we've seen China move in and I think there's an agreement by everyone so far that a nuclear capable North Korea is not in anybody's best interest and I think we're going to continue to work with the Chinese, in particular, on this case."

5. Various of White House press briefing

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

"The Vice President is delivering a message to the people of the Republic of Korea on behalf of the president that even in these troubled times, the United States stands with them for a free and secure future. Under President Trump, our iron clad alliance will be even stronger. Our nations will be safer and the Asia-Pacific region will be more secure."

7. Various of White House press briefing

White House press secretary Sean Spicer says that the results of President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month "are paying off" with respect to North Korea.

The Trump administration has repeatedly called on China to increase pressure on North Korea to comply with U.N. demands that it halt nuclear and missile tests.

China is urging a return to negotiations over North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons after Vice President Mike Pence warned that the U.S. has lost its patience with the regime.

Pence said during a Monday visit to South Korea that the North needs to abandon its weapons program and stop testing ballistic missiles.

Spicer said that during his visit to South Korea, Pence reassured the U.S. ally that "under President Trump, our iron clad alliance will be even stronger."

A North Korea missile exploded during launch in the latest test on Sunday.

Washington - 17 April 2017

1. Various of White House press briefing

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

"But, I think with respect to North Korea in particular, the president had a really good meeting with President Xi down in Mar-a-Lago where I think he's spoken extensively about the relationship that they made down there and that they continue to work to improve and the results of that are paying off. I think you see China playing a much more active role with respect to North Korea. Both politically and economically, they can continue to apply pressure to achieve results and I think we're going to continue to urge China to exhibit its influence in the region to get better results."

3. Various of White House press briefing

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

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, I think we've had a very productive direction that we've seen China move in and I think there's an agreement by everyone so far that a nuclear capable North Korea is not in anybody's best interest and I think we're going to continue to work with the Chinese, in particular, on this case."

5. Various of White House press briefing

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

"The Vice President is delivering a message to the people of the Republic of Korea on behalf of the president that even in these troubled times, the United States stands with them for a free and secure future. Under President Trump, our iron clad alliance will be even stronger. Our nations will be safer and the Asia-Pacific region will be more secure."

7. Various of White House press briefing

White House press secretary Sean Spicer says that the results of President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month "are paying off" with respect to North Korea.

The Trump administration has repeatedly called on China to increase pressure on North Korea to comply with U.N. demands that it halt nuclear and missile tests.

China is urging a return to negotiations over North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons after Vice President Mike Pence warned that the U.S. has lost its patience with the regime.

Pence said during a Monday visit to South Korea that the North needs to abandon its weapons program and stop testing ballistic missiles.

Spicer said that during his visit to South Korea, Pence reassured the U.S. ally that "under President Trump, our iron clad alliance will be even stronger."

A North Korea missile exploded during launch in the latest test on Sunday.

Washington - 17 April 2017

1. Various of White House press briefing

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

"But, I think with respect to North Korea in particular, the president had a really good meeting with President Xi down in Mar-a-Lago where I think he's spoken extensively about the relationship that they made down there and that they continue to work to improve and the results of that are paying off. I think you see China playing a much more active role with respect to North Korea. Both politically and economically, they can continue to apply pressure to achieve results and I think we're going to continue to urge China to exhibit its influence in the region to get better results."

3. Various of White House press briefing

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

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, I think we've had a very productive direction that we've seen China move in and I think there's an agreement by everyone so far that a nuclear capable North Korea is not in anybody's best interest and I think we're going to continue to work with the Chinese, in particular, on this case."

5. Various of White House press briefing

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

"The Vice President is delivering a message to the people of the Republic of Korea on behalf of the president that even in these troubled times, the United States stands with them for a free and secure future. Under President Trump, our iron clad alliance will be even stronger. Our nations will be safer and the Asia-Pacific region will be more secure."

7. Various of White House press briefing

The White House and its allies are scrambling for ways to offset potential damage from fired FBI Director James Comey's highly anticipated congressional testimony, an appearance that could expose new details about his discussions with President Donald Trump about the federal investigation into Russia's election meddling.

Asked about the testimony, Trump on Tuesday was tight-lipped: "I wish him luck," he told reporters before a meeting with lawmakers.

Trump's White House and its allies are crafting a strategy aimed at undermining Comey's credibility. Both White House officials and an outside group that backs Trump plan to hammer Comey in the coming days for misstatements he made about Democrat Hillary Clinton's emails during his last appearance on Capitol Hill.

An ad created by the pro-Trump Great America Alliance also casts Comey as a "showboat" who was "consumed with election meddling" instead of focusing on combating terrorism. The 30-second spot is slated to run digitally on Wednesday and appear the next day on CNN and Fox News.

Comey's testimony before the Senate intelligence committee marks his first public comments since he was abruptly ousted by Trump on May 9. Since then, Trump and Comey allies have traded competing narratives about their interactions. The president asserted that Comey told him three times that he was not personally under investigation, while the former director's associates allege Trump asked Comey if he could back off an investigation into Michael Flynn, who was fired as national security adviser because he misled the White House about his ties to Russia.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 22 January 2017

1. Pan, then FBI Director James Comey shaking hands with President Donald Trump, UPSOUND (English) "He's become more famous than me."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 6 June 2017

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Bykowicz, Associated Press:

"Thursday will be one of the most consequential days of President Trump's administration so far and that's because we're going to hear for the first time since he was fired from former FBI director James Comey. He'll be testifying before a Senate Committee and he's expected to be asked not only about the Russian campaign to interfere with the US election and how if at all the Trump campaign was related to that but also the circumstances behind his firing. There's a lot of questions lawmakers have about whether President Trump was pressuring him or interfering with that underlying investigation in some way."

POOL

Washington, DC - 3 May 2017

3. Various, James Comey greeting lawmakers as he arrives to testify

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 6 June 2017

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Bykowicz, Associated Press:

"We've actually heard from Comey a few times through congressional testimony because he was such a main player in the elections. You might remember that he testified about his investigation, the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton and her handling of emails and now he is looking, or he was until he was fired, was looking at any connections betweens Russians and the Trump campaigns. So he's been front and center quite a bit and lawmakers from both parties have been very interested in hearing from him about the Russia side of the investigation as well ."

POOL

Washington, DC - 3 May 2017

5. Various, Comey being sworn in before giving testimony

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 6 June 2017

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Bykowicz, Associated Press:

"since it's such an important day and his testimony will be carried live on many different tv stations, it's important for the White House to have the strategy for how it handles it. President Trump is a prolific tweeter so there's been some question about whether Trump would be watching the hearings live and maybe even weighing in on Twitter. We of course don't have a definitive answer on that. We'll have to watch twitter to see if that happens but it's clear that the White House wants to keep the president busy that day. Sean Spicer the press secretary said in a briefing that the president has a full day, he'll actually be giving a speech here in Washington, during part of the hearing, ensuring that he won't be on twitter and there are lots of other White House events planned for the day. At the same time, aids of the president and outside groups who are supportive of the president are already starting to plan their pushback on Comey depending of course on what he says. There's an outside group called the Great America alliance. That's a politically active nonprofit that doesn't' have to disclose its donors that has cut the new ad that disparages Comey really. Questions his credibility based on statements he made at previous congressional hearings and also questions whether he is too much of a political actor and not dedicated enough to the overall mission of the FBI so that's one way that groups are trying to get out ahead of the hearing and raise questions in people's minds as to whether they can really trust anything that Comey says."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - Recent

7. Various, exterior of Capitol Hill

The White House and its allies are scrambling for ways to offset potential damage from fired FBI Director James Comey's highly anticipated congressional testimony, an appearance that could expose new details about his discussions with President Donald Trump about the federal investigation into Russia's election meddling.

Asked about the testimony, Trump on Tuesday was tight-lipped: "I wish him luck," he told reporters before a meeting with lawmakers.

Trump's White House and its allies are crafting a strategy aimed at undermining Comey's credibility. Both White House officials and an outside group that backs Trump plan to hammer Comey in the coming days for misstatements he made about Democrat Hillary Clinton's emails during his last appearance on Capitol Hill.

An ad created by the pro-Trump Great America Alliance also casts Comey as a "showboat" who was "consumed with election meddling" instead of focusing on combating terrorism. The 30-second spot is slated to run digitally on Wednesday and appear the next day on CNN and Fox News.

Comey's testimony before the Senate intelligence committee marks his first public comments since he was abruptly ousted by Trump on May 9. Since then, Trump and Comey allies have traded competing narratives about their interactions. The president asserted that Comey told him three times that he was not personally under investigation, while the former director's associates allege Trump asked Comey if he could back off an investigation into Michael Flynn, who was fired as national security adviser because he misled the White House about his ties to Russia.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 22 January 2017

1. Pan, then FBI Director James Comey shaking hands with President Donald Trump, UPSOUND (English) "He's become more famous than me."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 6 June 2017

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Bykowicz, Associated Press:

"Thursday will be one of the most consequential days of President Trump's administration so far and that's because we're going to hear for the first time since he was fired from former FBI director James Comey. He'll be testifying before a Senate Committee and he's expected to be asked not only about the Russian campaign to interfere with the US election and how if at all the Trump campaign was related to that but also the circumstances behind his firing. There's a lot of questions lawmakers have about whether President Trump was pressuring him or interfering with that underlying investigation in some way."

POOL

Washington, DC - 3 May 2017

3. Various, James Comey greeting lawmakers as he arrives to testify

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 6 June 2017

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Bykowicz, Associated Press:

"We've actually heard from Comey a few times through congressional testimony because he was such a main player in the elections. You might remember that he testified about his investigation, the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton and her handling of emails and now he is looking, or he was until he was fired, was looking at any connections betweens Russians and the Trump campaigns. So he's been front and center quite a bit and lawmakers from both parties have been very interested in hearing from him about the Russia side of the investigation as well ."

POOL

Washington, DC - 3 May 2017

5. Various, Comey being sworn in before giving testimony

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 6 June 2017

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Julie Bykowicz, Associated Press:

"since it's such an important day and his testimony will be carried live on many different tv stations, it's important for the White House to have the strategy for how it handles it. President Trump is a prolific tweeter so there's been some question about whether Trump would be watching the hearings live and maybe even weighing in on Twitter. We of course don't have a definitive answer on that. We'll have to watch twitter to see if that happens but it's clear that the White House wants to keep the president busy that day. Sean Spicer the press secretary said in a briefing that the president has a full day, he'll actually be giving a speech here in Washington, during part of the hearing, ensuring that he won't be on twitter and there are lots of other White House events planned for the day. At the same time, aids of the president and outside groups who are supportive of the president are already starting to plan their pushback on Comey depending of course on what he says. There's an outside group called the Great America alliance. That's a politically active nonprofit that doesn't' have to disclose its donors that has cut the new ad that disparages Comey really. Questions his credibility based on statements he made at previous congressional hearings and also questions whether he is too much of a political actor and not dedicated enough to the overall mission of the FBI so that's one way that groups are trying to get out ahead of the hearing and raise questions in people's minds as to whether they can really trust anything that Comey says."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - Recent

7. Various, exterior of Capitol Hill

The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump is "unbelievably disappointed" that the Obama administration agreed to a deal with Australia to allow mostly Muslim refugees to be resettled in the US.

White House Spokesman Sean Spicer suggested Trump will allow the deal to go forward.

He said any refugees who come to the US as part of the deal will go through "extreme vetting".

Trump expressed his anger over the deal in a recent phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Asked Thursday about continuing the deal, Trump said "we'll see what happens".

Washington, DC - 2 February 2017

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

"The president had a very cordial conversation with Prime Minister Turnbull (Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull), where they went through an extensive discussion of this deal. The president is unbelievably disappointed in the previous administrations deal that was made and how poorly it was crafted, and the threat to national security he put the United States under. He has tremendous respect for the prime minister and for the Australian people and has agreed to continue to review that deal, and ensure that as part of the deal, which was always part of it, that we would go through a very, very extreme vetting process, to ensure that every single person that is being offered up is coming here with peaceful intentions, and poses no threat to the United States. So he has ensured that while he has respect for the Australian people, and respect for Prime Minister Turnbull, that we do not pose a threat to the United States of America - that the deal that was cut with the last administration is something that he is extremely, extremely upset with. He does not like it, but out of respect for him he's going to allow that process, continue to study and allow to move forward, under the conditions that have been set. That there will be extreme vetting on every single one of those individuals."

++BLACK FRAMES++

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

"Guys I'll be out tomorrow, I just want to make sure we all get to see the president now." (++journalists should more questions++)

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