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

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

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

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

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

As for the reason, Sanders pulled no punches.

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

Her credibility has also come under question.

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

00:02:55:15"

"00:00:00

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

4204537

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York, 4 April 2019

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

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

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

00:04:22

A redacted version of Mueller's report is released

4206747

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 18 April 2019

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

00:11:05

Michael Cohen heads to prison

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

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

New York - 6 May 2019

3. Michael Cohen exiting apartment building to speak to media

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

00:30:08

China US trade talks resume in Washington

4210324

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 10 May 2019

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

00:37:03

B-roll of goods made in China

4210369

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 10 May 2019

6. Black + Decker drill

7. Made in China on drill

8. Medium of Apple laptop computers

9. Assembled in China on laptop

00:54:10

Huawei asks court to deem US law unconstitutional

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Beijing - 29 May 2019

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

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

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

01:20:20

Pelosi: Trump doesn't know right from wrong

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 13 June 2019

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

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

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

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

02:02:23

Sarah Sanders to leave White House

4215792

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 9 October 2018

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

02:11:03

Trump: Radical Democrats 'want to destroy you'

4216511

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orlando, Florida - 18 June 2019

15. Wide shot of Trump on stage at rally

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

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

17. Crowd

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

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

"

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

Flynn offered cooperation in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

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

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

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

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

Washington - 31 March 2017

1. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

3. Cutaway

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

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

5. Close of reporters

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

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

7. Close of reporter

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

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

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

9. Wide of reporters

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

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

11. Close of reporters

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

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

13. Close of reporter

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

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

15. Mid of reporters

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

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

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

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

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

17. Wide of reporters

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

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

19. Spicer walking away from podium

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington - 14 March 2017

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

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

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

3. Cutaway of Kellyanne Conway

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

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

5. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

7. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

9. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

11. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

13. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

15. Spicer walks out of room

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

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

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

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

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

Washington - 14 March 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASHES++

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington - 14 March 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walks into briefing

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

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

3. Cutaway of Kellyanne Conway

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

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

5. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

7. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

9. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

11. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

13. Cutaway of news conference

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

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

15. Spicer walks out of room

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington - 8 May 2017

1. Sean Spicer walks into briefing room

2. UPSOUND:reporter asking question

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

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

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

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

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

4. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

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

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

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

6. Wide cutaway of briefing

7. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

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

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

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

9. Cutaway of Spicer at podium

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington - 8 May 2017

1. Sean Spicer walks into briefing room

2. UPSOUND:reporter asking question

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

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

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

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

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

4. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

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

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

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

6. Wide cutaway of briefing

7. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

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

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

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

9. Cutaway of Spicer at podium

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington - 8 May 2017

1. Sean Spicer walks into briefing room

2. Cutaway of reporter asking question

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Wide cutaway of briefing

7. Cutaway of reporter asking question

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

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

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

9. Cutaway of Spicer at podium

Washington - February 2, 2017

1. Sean Spicer enters

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

"The president had a very cordial conversation with Prime Minister Turnbull when they went through an extensive discussion of this deal. The president is unbelievably disappointed in the previous administration's deal that was made and how poorly it was crafted and the threat to national security put the United States in. He has tremendous respect for the prime minister and for the Australian people, and has agreed to continue to review that deal, and has ensured that as part of the deal we would go through a very, very extreme vetting process to ensure that every single person that is being offered up is coming with peaceful intentions and poses no threat to the United States. So, he is ensured that while 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. The deal that was cut by the last administration is something he is extremely, extremely upset with."

3. Cutaway of Spicer

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

"This is something that comes up quite a bit. I think there is a line... people should have freedom of religion in this country, and people should be able to practice their religion, express their religion, express areas of their faith without reprisal. And I think the pendulum sometimes swings the other way in the name of political correctness. And I the president and the vice president both understand that one of the things that makes our country and this democracy so great is our ability to express our religion, to believe in faith, to express it and to live by it. And I think that's where the important part is -- whether it's a small business owner or employee he wants to have some degree of expression of faith at the company. Too often those voices get pushed out in the name of political correctness. So, he's going to continue to make sure that we not only speak up for it, but find ways we can keep that line a little less blurred and make sure the pendulum doesn't swing against people... we shouldn't oppose a religion on anybody. We're free to express our religion or not have one. That's obviously under in our country an equally valid way of living your life. But at the same time I think people who want to express their faith shouldn't be ostracized because they want to live that."

5 . Cutaway of Spicer

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

"I would yeah, absolutely... I think there's several businesses, several institutions, Catholic institutions and others that have been mandated or apparently attempted to mandate certain things that they may or may not do or treat their employees. Those are instances where, clearly, the pendulum is swinging a different way where you are not carving institutions or the ability for privately-held businesses to be able to conduct themselves according to their faith or moral compass. And so, there's clearly a lot of evidence in the last couple years of the government coming in with regulations and policies that have, frankly, denied people the ability to live according to their faith."

7 . Cutaway of Spicer

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says President Donald Trump "had a very cordial" conversation with the Australian Prime minister.

Trump is particularly concerned about an Obama administration deal that would allow mostly Muslim refugees rejected by Australia to be resettled in the United States.

The tensions between Trump and Australian leader Malcolm Turnbull were first reported by the Washington Post.

The official disputed a report that Trump ended the call by hanging up on Turnbull. The official wasn't authorized to discuss the call publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Warning that religious freedom is "under threat," Trump vowed Thursday to repeal the Johnson Amendment, an IRS rule barring pastors from endorsing candidates from the pulpit."

"I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution," Trump said during remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, a high-profile event bringing together faith leaders, politicians and dignitaries.

Trump made a similar pledge as a candidate but has not detailed how he plans to scrap the rule or how quickly he will proceed in doing do.

Religious conservatives whose overwhelming support propelled Trump to the White House have been watching closely for him to deliver on promised protections for religious objectors to gay marriage and abortion.

Kelly Shackelford, head of First Liberty Institute, a non-profit legal group that specializes in religious freedom cases, said no other presidential candidate was "more outspoken on their commitment to religious freedom" than Trump.

Washington - February 2, 2017

1. Sean Spicer enters

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

"The president had a very cordial conversation with Prime Minister Turnbull when they went through an extensive discussion of this deal. The president is unbelievably disappointed in the previous administration's deal that was made and how poorly it was crafted and the threat to national security put the United States in. He has tremendous respect for the prime minister and for the Australian people, and has agreed to continue to review that deal, and has ensured that as part of the deal we would go through a very, very extreme vetting process to ensure that every single person that is being offered up is coming with peaceful intentions and poses no threat to the United States. So, he is ensured that while 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. The deal that was cut by the last administration is something he is extremely, extremely upset with."

3. Cutaway of Spicer

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

"This is something that comes up quite a bit. I think there is a line... people should have freedom of religion in this country, and people should be able to practice their religion, express their religion, express areas of their faith without reprisal. And I think the pendulum sometimes swings the other way in the name of political correctness. And I the president and the vice president both understand that one of the things that makes our country and this democracy so great is our ability to express our religion, to believe in faith, to express it and to live by it. And I think that's where the important part is -- whether it's a small business owner or employee he wants to have some degree of expression of faith at the company. Too often those voices get pushed out in the name of political correctness. So, he's going to continue to make sure that we not only speak up for it, but find ways we can keep that line a little less blurred and make sure the pendulum doesn't swing against people... we shouldn't oppose a religion on anybody. We're free to express our religion or not have one. That's obviously under in our country an equally valid way of living your life. But at the same time I think people who want to express their faith shouldn't be ostracized because they want to live that."

5 . Cutaway of Spicer

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

"I would yeah, absolutely... I think there's several businesses, several institutions, Catholic institutions and others that have been mandated or apparently attempted to mandate certain things that they may or may not do or treat their employees. Those are instances where, clearly, the pendulum is swinging a different way where you are not carving institutions or the ability for privately-held businesses to be able to conduct themselves according to their faith or moral compass. And so, there's clearly a lot of evidence in the last couple years of the government coming in with regulations and policies that have, frankly, denied people the ability to live according to their faith."

7 . Cutaway of Spicer

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says President Donald Trump "had a very cordial" conversation with the Australian Prime minister.

Trump is particularly concerned about an Obama administration deal that would allow mostly Muslim refugees rejected by Australia to be resettled in the United States.

The tensions between Trump and Australian leader Malcolm Turnbull were first reported by the Washington Post.

The official disputed a report that Trump ended the call by hanging up on Turnbull. The official wasn't authorized to discuss the call publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Warning that religious freedom is "under threat," Trump vowed Thursday to repeal the Johnson Amendment, an IRS rule barring pastors from endorsing candidates from the pulpit."

"I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution," Trump said during remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, a high-profile event bringing together faith leaders, politicians and dignitaries.

Trump made a similar pledge as a candidate but has not detailed how he plans to scrap the rule or how quickly he will proceed in doing do.

Religious conservatives whose overwhelming support propelled Trump to the White House have been watching closely for him to deliver on promised protections for religious objectors to gay marriage and abortion.

Kelly Shackelford, head of First Liberty Institute, a non-profit legal group that specializes in religious freedom cases, said no other presidential candidate was "more outspoken on their commitment to religious freedom" than Trump.

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