President Donald Trump's national security adviser says the administration is putting Iran "on notice" after it tested a ballistic missile.

Michael Flynn told reporters Wednesday that the Trump administration "condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East that puts American lives at risk."

He says "Iran is now feeling emboldened," criticizing the Obama administration for failing "to respond adequately."

Flynn says that "we are officially putting Iran on notice," although it's not clear what he meant.

A defense official said this week that the missile test ended with a "failed" re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.

The official had no other details, including the type of missile. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Washington - February 1, 2017

1. Flynn at podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gen. Michael Flynn, National Security Advisor

"Recent Iranian actions involving a provocative ballistic missile launch and an attack against a Saudi naval vessel conducted by Iran-supported Houthi militants underscore what should have been clear to the international community all along about Iran's destabilizing behavior across the entire Middle East. The recent ballistic missile launch is also in defiance of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 which calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of launching nuclear weapons, including launches such ballistic missile technology. These are just the latest of a series of incidents in the past six months in which Houthi forces which Iran has trained and armed have struck Emirati and Saudi vessels and threatened United States and allied vessels transiting the Red Sea. In these and other similar activities Iran continues to threaten U.S. friends and allies in the region. The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Iran's maligned actions, including weapons transfers, support for terrorism and other violations of international norms. The Trump administration condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East which places American lives at risk. President Trump has severely criticized the various agreements reached between Iran and the Obama administration as well as the United Nations as being weak and ineffective. Instead of being thankful to the United States in these agreements, Iran is now feeling emboldened. As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice. Thank you."

3. Flynn exits

President Donald Trump's national security adviser says the administration is putting Iran "on notice" after it tested a ballistic missile.

Michael Flynn told reporters Wednesday that the Trump administration "condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East that puts American lives at risk."

He says "Iran is now feeling emboldened," criticizing the Obama administration for failing "to respond adequately."

Flynn says that "we are officially putting Iran on notice," although it's not clear what he meant.

A defense official said this week that the missile test ended with a "failed" re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.

The official had no other details, including the type of missile. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Washington - February 1, 2017

1. Flynn at podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gen. Michael Flynn, National Security Advisor

"Recent Iranian actions involving a provocative ballistic missile launch and an attack against a Saudi naval vessel conducted by Iran-supported Houthi militants underscore what should have been clear to the international community all along about Iran's destabilizing behavior across the entire Middle East. The recent ballistic missile launch is also in defiance of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 which calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of launching nuclear weapons, including launches such ballistic missile technology. These are just the latest of a series of incidents in the past six months in which Houthi forces which Iran has trained and armed have struck Emirati and Saudi vessels and threatened United States and allied vessels transiting the Red Sea. In these and other similar activities Iran continues to threaten U.S. friends and allies in the region. The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Iran's maligned actions, including weapons transfers, support for terrorism and other violations of international norms. The Trump administration condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East which places American lives at risk. President Trump has severely criticized the various agreements reached between Iran and the Obama administration as well as the United Nations as being weak and ineffective. Instead of being thankful to the United States in these agreements, Iran is now feeling emboldened. As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice. Thank you."

3. Flynn exits

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

US Vice President-elect Mike Pence claimed a governing mandate for the Trump administration, calling on conservative activists to help the incoming White House pass an ambitiously conservative agenda.

Pence made little reference to still-simmering national divides in his address at a Tuesday night event honouring top donors to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that's working closely with Donald Trump's transition effort.

Pence spoke in the "presidential ballroom" of Trump's Washington, DC, hotel.

US POOL

Washington - 6 December 2016

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

1. US Vice President-elect Mike Pence walking to stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"For America to be prosperous, for America to be strong, America must be safe. It was Ronald Regan who taught us that peace comes through strength and yet it would be in recent years, despite the ongoing admonition from the Heritage Foundation about its central mission of a commitment to a national defence, the reality is today that this administration and in so many ways for even longer we've walked away from our commitment to be that arsenal of democracy in the world."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"I want to promise you we're going to roll our sleeves up and in the first 100 days we're going to pass a military supplemental, we're going to rebuild our military, we're going to restore the arsenal of democracy, we're going to give soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and the coast guard the resources and training they need to protect our nation and they are going to hunt down and destroy ISIS (Islamic State group) at its source so it can no longer threaten our people or inspire violence in the homeland."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"I want to thank the Heritage Foundation and other great conservative organisations like the Federalist Society that have weighed in. It is a list that legal scholars and conservative thought leaders have called a gold mine of conservative jurisprudence and you may rest assured that our new president-elect will appoint justices to the Supreme Court of the United States of America in the tradition of the late and great Justice Antonin Scalia."

5. Pence leaving stage

Vice President-elect Mike Pence is claiming a governing mandate for the Trump administration, calling on conservative activists to help the incoming White House pass an ambitiously conservative agenda.

Pence made little reference to still-simmering national divides in his address at a Tuesday night event honoring top donors to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that's working closely with Donald Trump's transition effort.

Pence spoke in the "presidential ballroom" of Trump's Washington, D.C., hotel.

POOL

Washington - 6 December 2016

+++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES+++

1. Mike Pence walking to stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"For America to be prosperous, for America to be strong, America must be safe. It was Ronald Regan who taught us that peace comes through strength and yet it would be in recent years, despite the ongoing admonition from the Heritage Foundation about its central mission of a commitment to a national defense, the reality is today that this administration and in so many ways for even longer we've walked away from our commitment to be that arsenal of democracy in the world."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"I want to promise you we're going to roll our sleeves up and in the first 100 days we're going to pass a military supplemental, we're going to rebuild our military, we're going to restore the arsenal of democracy, we're going to give soldiers, saikors, airmen, marines and the coast guard the resources and training they need to protect our nation and they are going to hunt down and destroy ISIS at its source so it can no longer threaten our people or inspire violence in the homeland."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President-elect:

"I want to thank the Heritage Foundation and other great conservative organizations like the Federalist Society that have weighed in. It is a list that legal scholars and conservative thought leaders have called a gold mine of of conservative jurisprudence and you may rest assured that our new president-elect will appoint justices to the Supreme Court of the United States of America in the tradition of the late and great Anotonin Scalia."

5. Pence leaving stage

US President Donald Trump praised his administration's fight against the Islamic State group on Friday during a high-profile gathering of Christian conservatives, saying they have made "tremendous strides... they never got hit like this before."

He also said his administration has "done more against (IS) in nine months than the previous administration has done during its whole administration," and that he is "confronting rogue regimes from Iran to North Korea."

POOL

Washington - 13 October 2017

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

"We will call evil by its name. We stand with our friends and allies. We forge new partnerships in pursuit of peace and we take decisive action against those who would threaten our people with harm."

2. Wide of Trump on stage

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

"We will confront the dangers that imperil our nation, our allies and the world, including the threat of radical Islamic terrorism. (cheers) We have made great strides against ISIS -- tremendous strides. I don't know of you've seen what's going on, but tremendous strides against ISIS. They never get hit like this before."

4. Wide of Trump on stage

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

"But they've been just ruthless and they've ruthlessly slaughtered innocent Christians, along with the vicious killing of innocent Muslims and other religious minorities. And we've made their lives very, very difficult."

6. Wide of Trump on stage

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

"We have done more against ISIS in nine months than the previous administration's done during its whole administration by far. By far. And ISIS is now being dealt one defeat after another. We're confronting rogue regimes from Iran to North Korea. And we are challenging the communist dictatorship of Cuba and the socialist oppression of Venezuela. And we will not lift the sanctions on these repressive regimes until they restore political and religious freedom for their people."

8. Wide of Trump on stage

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

"We will pass on the blessings of liberty and the glories of God to our children. Our values will endure. Our nation will thrive. Our citizens will flourish and our freedom will triumph."

10. Wide of Trump at end of speech

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

POOL - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington, D.C. - 16 May 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++

1. Mid, pan Susan Rice on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Rice, former National Security Adviser in the Obama Administration:

"It seems that the current administration looks at the world and sees only threats: Immigrants, refugees, Muslims, Mexicans, even trade. It is America first and the rest of the world last. I fully recognize that we face serious threats. I spent eight years actually reading the Presidential Daily Briefing and the last three and a half years personally briefing President Obama. But the world I see is also filled with profound opportunities. Our relationships are not zero sum, they would be mutually beneficial."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Rice, former National Security Adviser in the Obama Administration:

"Conflict is not inevitable. And bluster is for bullies. But our adversaries from Russia to North Korea must know that we will confront them with unity, resolve and with every tool at our disposal. When we employ military force we must use it judiciously because we have learned from Vietnam to Iraq, that even the finest fighting force on Earth cannot defeat the underlying political, economic and sectarian forces that fuel conflict."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Rice, former National Security Adviser in the Obama Administration:

"We can't allow Twitter wars to become shooting wars. So instead of vacillating between reckless saber rattling and dubbing Kim Jung Un a 'smart cookie' we should steadily apply increased pressure on North Korea, while protecting our allies and our homeland. And instead of excusing Russia's outrageous behavior and branding NATO obsolete, we must defend every NATO ally unconditionally and firmly counter Russia's Cold War tactics."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Rice, former National Security Adviser in the Obama Administration:

"Surely we will often disagree, but we sure as hell need to agree that a hostile foreign power has no business messing with our elections. (applause) Because here is the truth, if we cannot find a way to put country over party, Democracy over demagoguery, even in the face of such a dangerous external threat, then we might as well hang up our leadership cleats and resign ourselves to becoming a second rate power. That should not be our future, we are so much better than that."

6. Pan, as Rice leaves stage

STORYLINE:

Obama administration national security adviser Susan Rice says the White House under Donald Trump is obsessed with threats.

"It seems that the current administration looks at the world and sees only threats: immigrants, refugees, Muslims, Mexicans, even trade," Rice tells a progressive daylong conference in Washington, D.C., organized by the Center for American Progress.

Rice made a dig a Trump's current intelligence woes by remarking she actually read the Presidential Daily Briefing and personally briefed President Obama for three and a half years on intelligence matters.

Rice also criticizes President Trump's continue use of Twitter to attack his opponents: "we can't allow Twitter wars to become shooting wars."

Refering to allegations of Russian meddling in the US Presidential election, she says that while Republicans and Democrats often disagree, "we sure as hell need to agree that a hostile foreign power has no business messing with our elections."

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

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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.

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

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FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus121911

The Trump administration claims its effort to refocus the U.S. immigration system on merit is not a rejection of long-held American values.

The administration on Monday issued new rules that could deny green cards to immigrants who use Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers or other forms of public assistance.

Citizenship and Immigration Services acting Director Ken Cuccinelli says President Donald Trump's administration is not trying to wipe away the nation's longtime commitment to taking in immigrants in need.

Cuccinelli was pressed on the Emma Lazarus poem emblazoned below the beacon to immigrants, which reads: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Cuccinelli says he's "certainly not prepared to take anything down off the Statue of Liberty."

Immigration advocates worry the new rules will scare immigrants into not asking for help.

Washington - 12 August 2019

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Ken Cuccinelli,  Citizenship and Immigration Services acting director:

"Today USCIS, the agency I head as part of the Department of Homeland Security, has issued a rule that encourages and ensures self-reliance and self-sufficiency for those seeking to come to or to stay in the United States. It will also help promote immigrant success in the United States as they seek opportunity here. Throughout our history self-reliance has been a core principle in America, the virtues of perseverance, hard work self-sufficiency laid the foundation of our nation and have defined generations of immigrants seeking opportunity in the United States."

3. Cutaway reporters

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ken Cuccinelli,  Citizenship and Immigration Services acting director:

"(Reporter: Critics are saying this policy is unfairly targeting the lower income immigrants. How do you respond to that?)

Well, we certainly expect people of any income to be able to stand on their own two feet. And so if people are not able to be self-sufficient then this negative factor is going to bear very heavily against them in a decision about whether they'll be able to become a legal permanent resident and a poor person can be prepared to be self-sufficient. Many have been through the history of this country. So let's not look at that as the be all and end all. It's not the deciding factor which is why we continue to use the totality of circumstances test."

5. Cutaway reporter asking question

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ken Cuccinelli,  Citizenship and Immigration Services acting director:

"(Reporter: You are implementing this public charge rule for the first time, is that sentiment, 'give us your tired, your poor,' still operative in the United States or should those words come down? Should the plaque come down off the Statue of Liberty?)

Well, I am certainly not prepared to take anything down off the Statue of Liberty. We have a long history of being one of the most welcoming nations in the world, on a lot of basis, whether you be an asylee, whether you be here coming to join your family or immigrating yourself. This rule will cover, for USCIS, almost 400,000 people a year whose applications to become legal permanent residents will include a meaningful analysis of whether they are likely to become a public charge or not. I do not think, by any means, we are ready to take anything off the Statue of Liberty."

Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, an immigrant from Guatemala crossed the US Mexico border on a Saturday night with with her youngest son, 7-year-old Darwin.  

Fleeing what she says was a physically abusive marriage and fearing her husband would kill her, she left for the US.

"I didn't think it was a crime to enter (without proper documents) into the United States," she said in an interview with the Associated Press Wednesday.

Mejia-Mejia and her son were held in detention by immigration officials in San Luis, Arizona and after two days there, he was taken from her one month ago.

"I know nothing about him," adding that she has only spoken to Darwin once since he was taken.

She sued the Trump administration on Tuesday.

"The only thing I want is my son," she said. "I am his mother. I need for him to be by my side."   

Mejia-Mejia's experience offers a window into the distress and uncertainty parents endure when they are separated from their children at the border as President Donald Trump's administration in April adopted a "zero tolerance" policy in which all unlawful border crossings were referred for prosecution.

The policy led to a spike in family separations in recent weeks, provoking a national uproar and pressure from some of Trump's allies.

In a dramatic reversal, the president said Wednesday he was ending the practice, signing an executive order that keeps families together while they're in custody, expedites their cases and asks the Department of Defense to help house them.

A senior Justice Department official said Trump's executive order was a stopgap measure to end the separation of families as they cross the border illegally and face criminal prosecution.

Gene Hamilton, the Counselor to the Attorney General, said Homeland Security officials can only detain families for up to 20 days.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 20 June 2018

1. Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"I got married. We had five children during our marriage. We lived 15 years (together as a married couple).  My husband began to fight with me because he was jealous. He would argue with me, he would hit me."

3. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"One day I went to drop off my youngest son, named Darwin, when I encountered his father along the way, he hit me. He not only hit me, but he threatened me, telling me he was going to kill me, that he was going to do so many things to me. From then on, I was afraid that he would do something to me, and my son 'where would he end up?'  What I did was to think about leaving my country, to flee, and go to the United States."

5. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"I didn't think it was a crime to enter (without proper documents) into the United States. I went to immigration. I was detained in immigration for 11 days. I entered on a Saturday at 11 p.m. I was detained. My son Darwin was with me two days and after two days, he was taken without giving me an explanation as to where, with whom (he would go be with). (Since then) I know nothing about him."

7. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"I spoke to the judge and I told her that I was coming for the reasons that I am threatened in my country. That in my country, there is no justice. They can hit you, kill you and no one does anything about it."

9. Mid of Mejia-Mejia

10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"The only thing I want is my son. As I said, I'm a mother. I only have him. Being there (in Guatemala), my son grew up in my arms. We sleep together, we eat together. He goes to school. I pick him up. I come back. I have almost never left him unattended even for a moment. So, this is a sadness that is hurting me, and a lot."

11. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Beata Mariana de Jesus Mejia-Mejia, mother of 7-year-old son, Darwin:

"So now, I need to find him. I don't know where he is. Who has him. I need that information because I want my son to return to me. I am his mother. I need for him to be by my side."

13. Mejia-Mejia sitting for interview

The White House said Monday the use of a highly lethal nerve agent against a former Russian spy and his daughter "is an outrage" but isn't ready to say Russia was responsible.

Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the U.S. has been monitoring the incident very closely.

She says the attack against Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, was "reckless, indiscriminate and irresponsible" and adds that the U.S. stands by its ally and is ready to offer any assistance.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said Monday that her government has concluded it is "highly likely" that Russia is responsible for the poisoning. May told British lawmakers that Skripal and his daughter were exposed to a nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union in the end of the Cold War.

Asked whether there is any chance that President Donald Trump's meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un won't take place, Sanders said the White House "fully expects that it will."

She says North Korea "made several promises," and as long as they stick to those promises, the "meeting will go on as planned."

Regarding President Trump's just released proposal on school safety, Sanders insists Trump still wants to raise the minimum purchasing age for assault weapons.

In the proposal unveiled over the weekend by the White House, the potentially divisive requirement to up the age limit from 18 to 21 for buying some types of guns was not part of the initial plan.

Sanders says the change is still a goal and could still happen. But she says "right now the president's primary focus is pushing through things we know that have broad bipartisan support" on school safety,

Washington, DC - 12 March 2018

1. Wide shot of Sarah Huckabee Sanders walking into briefing room

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

"Look, we've been monitoring the incident closely. We take it very seriously. The use of a highly lethal nerve agent against UK citizens on UK soil is an outrage. The attack was reckless, indiscriminate and irresponsible. We offered the fullest condemnation and we extend our sympathy to the victims and their families and our support to the UK government. We stand by our closest ally in the special relationship that we have."

3. UPSOUND: reporter asking question

"So you're not saying that Russia was behind this?"

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

"Right now, we are standing with our UK ally. I think they're still working through even some of the details of that and we're going to continue to work with the U.K. and we certainly stand with them throughout this process."

5. Cutaway of reporters

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

"Look, we fully expect that it will. The offer was made and we've accepted. North Korea made several promises and we hope that they will stick to those promises and if so the meeting will go on as planned."

7. UPSOUND: Reporter asking question:

"And what preparations are being made so far for this meeting?"

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

"We're continuing to prepare on a number of levels. Most of that is in the inner administration an interagency process. And I'm not going to get ahead of any of the details of the where the when are any of that here today."

9. Wide shot of Sanders at podium

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

"Look, the president still has in this plan the age limit increase and that is part of one of the things that will be, one of those things will be reviewed on what the best path forward is on that front. Whether it can be done at a federal level or whether it needs to be done on a state by state basis. But the president as you know doesn't have the ability to just create federal law and he would need a number of other individuals to come together to help make that happen. So what he is pushing forward are things that can immediately be accomplished either through the administration or that have broad based bipartisan support in Congress. But that doesn't mean that he has wiped away some of those other things that we're still looking at how best we can move forward on."

9. Cutaway of reporters in briefing room

The HD rushes for this story are available here: smb://lonvapnas02arc/ap_archive_manual/workflow_directories/manual_fulfillment/Offline_Archive/Source_Clips/News Rushes

US President Donald Trump mounted a vigorous defense of his presidency Thursday, telling reporters his administration was like a "fine-tuned machine".

Nearly a month into his presidency, Trump said in a free-wheeling White House news conference that he would keep working to defend the country.

The president denounced media reports of a chaotic start to his administration marked by a contentious executive order - now tied up in a legal fight - to place a ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations.

Washington, DC - 16 February 2017

1. US President Donald Trump at news conference at the White House

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

"I turn on the TV, open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos. Chaos. Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite the fact that I can't get my cabinet approved. And they're outstanding people."

3. Audience

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

"So we have a wonderful group of people that's working very hard, that's being very much misrepresented about and we can't let that happen. So, if the Democrats who have - all you have to do is look at where they are right now. The only thing they can do is delay because they screwed things up royally, believe me. Let me list to you some of the things that we've done in just a short period of time. I just got here. And I got here with no cabinet."

5. Audience

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

"We've undertaken the most substantial border security measures in a generation to keep our nation and our tax dollars safe. And are now in the process of beginning to build a promised wall on the southern border, met with general - now Secretary (of Homeland Security John) Kelly yesterday and we're starting that process. And the wall is going to be a great wall and it's going to be a wall negotiated by me. The price is going to come down just like it has on everything else I've negotiated for the government."

7. Trump speaking

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

"We have taken decisive action to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country. No parts are necessary and constitutional actions were blocked by judges', in my opinion, incorrect, and unsafe ruling. Our administration is working night and day to keep you safe, including reporters safe. And is vigorously defending this lawful order. I will not back down from defending our country. I got elected on defence of our country. I keep my campaign promises, and our citizens will be very happy when they see the result. They already are, I can tell you that."

9. Trump speaking

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

"We're issuing a new executive action next week that will comprehensively protect our country. So we'll be going along the one path and hopefully winning that, at the same time we will be issuing a new and very comprehensive order to protect our people. That will be done sometime next week, toward the beginning or middle at the latest part."

11. Wide of Trump speaking

The HD rushes for this story are available here: smb://lonvapnas02arc/ap_archive_manual/workflow_directories/manual_fulfillment/Offline_Archive/Source_Clips/News Rushes

President Donald Trump mounted a vigorous defense of his presidency Thursday, pushing back against media reports that his campaign advisers had inappropriate contact with Russian officials and vowing to crack down on the leaking of classified information.

Nearly a month into his presidency, Trump said in a free-wheeling White House news conference that his new administration had made "significant progress" and took credit for an optimistic business climate and a soaring stock market.

The president denounced media reports of a chaotic start to his administration marked by a contentious executive order - now tied up in a legal fight - to place a ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations.

Washington DC - 16 February 2017

1. President Donald Trump at news conference at the White House

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

" I turn on the T.V., open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos. Chaos. Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine- tuned machine, despite the fact that I can't get my cabinet approved. And they're outstanding people."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"So we have a wonderful group of people that's working very hard, that's being very much misrepresented about and we can't let that happen. So, if the Democrats who have - all you have to do is look at where they are right now. The only thing they can do is delay because they screwed things up royally, believe me. Let me list to you some of the things that we've done in just a short period of time. I just got here. And I got here with no cabinet."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We've undertaken the most substantial border security measures in a generation to keep our nation and our tax dollars safe. And are now in the process of beginning to build a promised wall on the southern border, met with general -- now Secretary Kelly yesterday and we're starting that process. And the wall is going to be a great wall and it's going to be a wall negotiated by me. The price is going to come down just like it has on everything else I've negotiated for the government."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We have taken decisive action to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country. No parts are necessary and constitutional actions were blocked by judges, in my opinion, incorrect, and unsafe ruling. Our administration is working night and day to keep you safe, including reporters safe. And is vigorously defending this lawful order. I will not back down from defending our country. I got elected on defense of our country. I keep my campaign promises, and our citizens will be very happy when they see the result. They already are, I can tell you that."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're issuing a new executive action next week that will comprehensively protect our country. So we'll be going along the one path and hopefully winning that, at the same time we will be issuing a new and very comprehensive order to protect our people. That will be done sometime next week, toward the beginning or middle at the latest part."

11. Cutaway

PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSES SWEDEN'S DETAINMENT OF RAPPER A$AP ROCKY

Urged on by the first lady and celebrities including Kim Kardashian West, President Donald Trump said Friday (19JULY2019) that he is trying to help free rapper A$AP Rocky, who has been held in police custody in Sweden for weeks.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said that he'd been alerted to the case by African American supporters, as well as by his wife.

``We'll be talking to them,'' Trump said, referring to Swedish officials. ``We've already started.''

  ``We're working with the State Department, and we hope to get him home soon,'' added first lady Melania Trump.

Rocky, a platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated artist whose real name is Rakim Mayers, has been behind bars since early this month as Swedish police investigate a fight he was allegedly involved in in Stockholm before appearing at a music festival. It was not clear who else was involved, but videos published on social media appear to show a person being violently thrown onto the ground by Rocky. A defense lawyer has said it was self-defense.

The case has earned the attention of a slew of celebrities, including recording artist and producer Sean ``Diddy'' Combs; singer Justin Bieber; singer Shawn Mendes; actress Jada Pinkett Smith; Kardashian West's mother, reality star Kris Jenner; singer Nicki Minaj; and rapper Post Malone, as well as Kardashian West, who has worked with the Trump administration on criminal justice reform issues.

One senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to outline private conversations, said Kardashian West had reached out to Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, whom she has worked with closely, to tell him about the situation on behalf of her husband, Kanye West, a supporter of the president's.

Kushner then briefed Trump, according to the official, who said Trump felt the case was worth looking into, and directed his Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to try to move Rocky to better holding conditions and see what else could be done.

The State Department said Friday that it was following the case but declined to provide details, citing privacy considerations. Providing assistance to U.S. citizens detained abroad is one of the department's most important functions, it said.

Kardashian West thanked Trump, Pompeo and Kushner via Twitter, along with ``everyone involved with the efforts to Free ASAP Rocky & his two friends.''

"Your commitment to justice reform is so appreciated,'' she wrote Thursday.

Trump did not mention Kardashian West or Kushner to reporters in his comments Friday and said it was his wife who had originally brought the case to his attention.

``She was telling me about, `Can you help A$AP Rocky?''' said Trump, who said he'd also heard from others.

``Many, many members of the African American community have called me, friends of mine, and said, `Could you help?' So I personally don't know A$AP Rocky, but I can tell you that he has tremendous support from the African American community in this country,'' he said.

Stockholm's District Court said Friday that Rocky A$AP would remain in custody six more days because they fear he is a flight risk, while prosecutors complete their investigation into the case. They have until July 25.

His lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, did not immediately respond to a request Friday.

Washington, DC - 19 July 2019

1. UPSOUND: Wide side shot of Trump listening to reporter question

2. (Reporter question: Is there an update on this A$AP Rocky case??)

"Uh, A$AP Rocky is a situation in Sweden. Sweden is a great country. They are friends of mine, the leadership and we are going to be calling, we'll be talking to them, we've already started and many, many members of the African-American community have called me, friends of mine, and said could you help? So, I personally don't know A$AP Rocky but I can tell you that he has tremendous support from the African-American community in this country. And when I say African-American, I think I can really say from everybody in this country. Because we're all one. I have been called by so many people asking me to help A$AP Rocky. Actually the one who knew about A$AP Rocky was our first lady. Right? And she was telling me about, can you help A$AP Rocky? Do you want to give a little statement on that?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Melania Trump, US First Lady:

"Well we are working with the State Department and we hope to get him home soon."

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

"We've had a very good relationship with Sweden. He's being held, as you know in Sweden and we've had a very good relationship in Sweden so that's pretty much it. Thank you all very much."

5. Cutaway of press

6. Pull out to wide shot of Trump in Oval

The HD rushes for this story are available here: smb://lonvapnas02arc/ap_archive_manual/workflow_directories/manual_fulfillment/Offline_Archive/Source_Clips/News Rushes

President Donald Trump mounted a vigorous defense of his presidency Thursday, pushing back against media reports that his campaign advisers had inappropriate contact with Russian officials and vowing to crack down on the leaking of classified information.

Nearly a month into his presidency, Trump said in a free-wheeling White House news conference that his new administration had made "significant progress" and took credit for an optimistic business climate and a soaring stock market.

The president denounced media reports of a chaotic start to his administration marked by a contentious executive order - now tied up in a legal fight - to place a ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations.

Washington DC - 16 February 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

" I turn on the T.V., open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos. Chaos. Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine- tuned machine, despite the fact that I can't get my cabinet approved. And they're outstanding people."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"So we have a wonderful group of people that's working very hard, that's being very much misrepresented about and we can't let that happen. So, if the Democrats who have - all you have to do is look at where they are right now. The only thing they can do is delay because they screwed things up royally, believe me. Let me list to you some of the things that we've done in just a short period of time. I just got here. And I got here with no cabinet."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We have taken decisive action to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country. No parts are necessary and constitutional actions were blocked by judges, in my opinion, incorrect, and unsafe ruling. Our administration is working night and day to keep you safe, including reporters safe. And is vigorously defending this lawful order. I will not back down from defending our country. I got elected on defense of our country. I keep my campaign promises, and our citizens will be very happy when they see the result. They already are, I can tell you that."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're issuing a new executive action next week that will comprehensively protect our country. So we'll be going along the one path and hopefully winning that, at the same time we will be issuing a new and very comprehensive order to protect our people. That will be done sometime next week, toward the beginning or middle at the latest part."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Trump administration will pursue a free-trade agreement with Britain as soon as possible after Britain leaves the European Union.

Pompeo says the administration remains committed to respecting the British decision on Brexit however it "ultimately shakes out." He made his comments at a news conference with visiting British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on his first visit to Washington in that position.

Raab said new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government are "absolutely resolved" to leave the E.U. on Oct. 31 with or without a deal to soften the effects of Brexit.

Raab said Britain would work with the U.S. to forge a free-trade agreement as soon as possible after that date.

Pompeo also said the U.S. is still hoping to hold another round of nuclear talks with North Korea despite the country's recent missile tests.

He said the U.S. is closely watching the North Koreans but that planning is continuing for a new round of negotiations to begin in "a couple of weeks."

He pointed out that the recent tests were short-range missiles but North Korea was testing long-range rockets and nuclear weapons when President Donald Trump came into office.

Pompeo's comments Wednesday came a day after he returned from a trip to Asia during which he unsuccessfully sought to meet with a senior North Korea official.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington, DC - 7 August 2019

1. Mid of Mike Pompeo and UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab entering

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

"We support the United Kingdom's sovereign choice however Brexit ultimately shakes out. And we'll be on the doorstep pen in hand ready to sign a new free trade agreement at the earliest possible time."  

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"The United States is the best partner for trade investment in the world. As you'd say, full stop. Our dynamic system of free enterprise has produced enormous prosperity, and I know that the two countries will be able to continue to do that together."  

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"We also talked about the key issues including the United Kingdom's decision, sovereign decision, about who will build its 5G infrastructure. We hope that they will put in place criteria for vendors that uphold our shared values, and we are very confident that they will do so."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary:

"This government this cabinet is absolutely resolved, determined to leave the EU by the end of October. We will stay good friends and good neighbors with our European partners. But we are at the same time determined to seize the global opportunities beyond Europe for the United Kingdom. And, of course, America is our single largest bilateral trading partner. President Trump has made clear, again, that he wants an ambitious free trade agreement with the UK. So I hope we can make that happen as soon as possible after we leave the EU on the 31st of October."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"I want to thank Britain on behalf of President Trump and our administration for your decision to assist in the protection of the Strait of Hormuz and the freedom of navigation. You've got centuries of maritime expertise under your belt, so you understand the importance of protecting international shipping from unprovoked attacks. This is a victory for meaningful, effective multilateralism."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State:

"We hope that the United Kingdom will keep taking new steps to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for its rash of destructive behavior."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary:

"On JCPOA, (Iran nuclear deal) we continue to want to make the deal work and more broadly, I would just say, de-escalate tension insofar as we can. But in the context of the maritime issue, it's absolutely imperative to uphold freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz but also more generally. And on the issue of trust, this is a question of sticking to the rules-based international system. We're all bound by those rules. It's not an EU issue or European issue it's not a US issue. It is a global issue and about the basic norms of the international community."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State:

"President Trump's and this administration strategy with respect to North Korea haven't changed. Our effort is to achieve the full final denuclearization of North Korea. We are hopeful that in the coming weeks we'll get back to the negotiating table to achieve that. We watch the actions that they're taking, the actions that are taking place inside of North Korea. And we are mindful that when we came in, there there was nuclear testing taking place that has not occurred. There aren't long range missiles being fired. Those are both good things. Now the task is for us to deliver on what the two leaders agreed to back in June of last year in Singapore."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary:

"I think if the EU's position is that there can be no change to the withdrawal agreement then that will be a choice that they've made and that makes it very difficult to see how we can move the negotiations forward. But from the UK's side we will strive every sinew to find and secure a deal if it's possible on the terms that would be acceptable to the UK. The Prime Minister has talked about that a little bit.  And he also should be clear that in any no deal scenario we will do whatever it takes to avoid any hard border between the north and the Republic, and I would also point out that our view is that the withdrawal agreement as currently configured is a threat to the Good Friday Agreement itself. So that's where we are right now."

11. Pompeo and Raab exit

President Donald Trump said Wednesday there's "a good chance" that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will "do what is right for his people and for humanity" and make moves toward peace.

In a pair of morning tweets, Trump says he received a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping that a meeting Xi had with Kim this week "went very well."

Trump says that according to Xi, the North Korean leader "looks forward" to meeting the American president. The White House has said Trump plans to meet Kim by May amid nuclear tensions between the two nations.

Associated Press reporter Matthew Pennington explains how we got here.

"President Trump has taken this meeting in a positive fashion," said Pennington.

"But there's still a lot of doubts about North Korea's intentions. According to China, Kim Jong Un is saying that he's committed to denuclearization but it's unsure what North Korea wants in return from the United States."

Trump has agreed to historic talks after South Korean officials relayed that Kim was committed to ridding the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons and was willing to halt nuclear and missile tests.

In the meanwhile, Trump says, "unfortunately, maximum sanctions and pressure must be maintained at all cost!" The Trump administration has slapped sanctions on companies across the globe to punish illicit trade with North Korea.

CCTV OFF-AIR - NO ACCESS MAINLAND CHINA

Beijing - 25-28 March 2018, exact dates unknown

++4:3++

1. Chinese President Xi Jinping shaking hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, then Xi shakes hand with Kim Jong Un's wife Ri Sol Ju, Ri Sol Ju shakes hands with Xi's wife Peng Liyuan, Peng shakes hands with Kim Jong Un

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington DC - 28 March 2018

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Pennington, AP Reporter:

"North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made his first overseas trip since he came to power over six years ago meeting with the Chinese president Xi Jinping, which was a move to repair frayed relations between the neighbors. China has traditionally been North Korea's closest ally and main trading partner. But it's, it's got tougher on North Korea because of frustration over its nuclear weapons program."

TWITTER/realDonaldTrump

Internet - 28 March 2018

3. STILL of tweet by US President Donald Trump reading (English): "For years and through many administrations, everyone said that peace and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was not even a small possibility. Now there is a good chance that Kim Jong Un will do what is right for his people and for humanity. Look forward to our meeting!"

4. STILL of tweet by US President Donald Trump reading (English): "Received message last night from XI JINPING of China that his meeting with KIM JONG UN went very well and that KIM looks forward to his meeting with me. In the meantime, and unfortunately, maximum sanctions and pressure must be maintained at all cost!"

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington DC - 28 March 2018

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Pennington, AP Reporter:

"For the United States, President Trump has taken this meeting in a positive fashion and he's saying by tweet today that there's now a good chance that the North Korean leader will do what's right for his people and humanity by which means giving up his nuclear program. But there's still a lot of doubts about North Korea's intentions. According to China, Kim Jong Un is saying that he's committed to denuclearization but it's unsure what North Korea wants in return from the United States."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Pennington, AP Reporter:

"I think the big question now is whether diplomacy works or not. If it fails, if a summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un takes place and is unsuccessful in achieving this goal of denuclearization, could that put the United States on the path to war?"

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Trump administration will pursue a free-trade agreement with Britain as soon as possible after Britain leaves the European Union.

Pompeo says the administration remains committed to respecting the British decision on Brexit however it "ultimately shakes out." He made his comments at a news conference with visiting British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on his first visit to Washington in that position.

Raab said new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government are "absolutely resolved" to leave the E.U. on Oct. 31 with or without a deal to soften the effects of Brexit.

Raab said Britain would work with the U.S. to forge a free-trade agreement as soon as possible after that date.

Pompeo also said the U.S. is still hoping to hold another round of nuclear talks with North Korea despite the country's recent missile tests.

He said the U.S. is closely watching the North Koreans but that planning is continuing for a new round of negotiations to begin in "a couple of weeks."

He pointed out that the recent tests were short-range missiles but North Korea was testing long-range rockets and nuclear weapons when President Donald Trump came into office.

Pompeo's comments Wednesday came a day after he returned from a trip to Asia during which he unsuccessfully sought to meet with a senior North Korea official.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington, DC - 7 August 2019

1. Mid of Mike Pompeo and UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab entering

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

"We support the United Kingdom's sovereign choice however Brexit ultimately shakes out. And we'll be on the doorstep pen in hand ready to sign a new free trade agreement at the earliest possible time."  

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"The United States is the best partner for trade investment in the world. As you'd say, full stop. Our dynamic system of free enterprise has produced enormous prosperity, and I know that the two countries will be able to continue to do that together."  

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"We also talked about the key issues including the United Kingdom's decision, sovereign decision, about who will build its 5G infrastructure. We hope that they will put in place criteria for vendors that uphold our shared values, and we are very confident that they will do so."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary:

"This government this cabinet is absolutely resolved, determined to leave the EU by the end of October. We will stay good friends and good neighbors with our European partners. But we are at the same time determined to seize the global opportunities beyond Europe for the United Kingdom. And, of course, America is our single largest bilateral trading partner. President Trump has made clear, again, that he wants an ambitious free trade agreement with the UK. So I hope we can make that happen as soon as possible after we leave the EU on the 31st of October."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"I want to thank Britain on behalf of President Trump and our administration for your decision to assist in the protection of the Strait of Hormuz and the freedom of navigation. You've got centuries of maritime expertise under your belt, so you understand the importance of protecting international shipping from unprovoked attacks. This is a victory for meaningful, effective multilateralism."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State:

"We hope that the United Kingdom will keep taking new steps to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for its rash of destructive behavior."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary:

"On JCPOA, (Iran nuclear deal) we continue to want to make the deal work and more broadly, I would just say, de-escalate tension insofar as we can. But in the context of the maritime issue, it's absolutely imperative to uphold freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz but also more generally. And on the issue of trust, this is a question of sticking to the rules-based international system. We're all bound by those rules. It's not an EU issue or European issue it's not a US issue. It is a global issue and about the basic norms of the international community."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State:

"President Trump's and this administration strategy with respect to North Korea haven't changed. Our effort is to achieve the full final denuclearization of North Korea. We are hopeful that in the coming weeks we'll get back to the negotiating table to achieve that. We watch the actions that they're taking, the actions that are taking place inside of North Korea. And we are mindful that when we came in, there there was nuclear testing taking place that has not occurred. There aren't long range missiles being fired. Those are both good things. Now the task is for us to deliver on what the two leaders agreed to back in June of last year in Singapore."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary:

"I think if the EU's position is that there can be no change to the withdrawal agreement then that will be a choice that they've made and that makes it very difficult to see how we can move the negotiations forward. But from the UK's side we will strive every sinew to find and secure a deal if it's possible on the terms that would be acceptable to the UK. The Prime Minister has talked about that a little bit.  And he also should be clear that in any no deal scenario we will do whatever it takes to avoid any hard border between the north and the Republic, and I would also point out that our view is that the withdrawal agreement as currently configured is a threat to the Good Friday Agreement itself. So that's where we are right now."

11. Pompeo and Raab exit

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HANDOUT - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington - 26 February 2019

++4:3++

1. Wide, hearing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Richardson, former US Abmassador to the United Nations:

"I want the president to succeed.  You know, this is probably our most dominant national security threat that we have. But, I don't think that the threat is diminished."

3. Wide, hearing

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Gerry Connolly, Democrat - Virginia:

"One of the concerns some people have is that North Korea is about to get us into a trap, so that we sign an agreement ending the war after 66 years but in doing that, which is a laudable goal, we undermine the rationale for a U.S. troop tripwire presence in South Korea?"

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Victor Cha, Center for Strategic and International Studies Korea Chair:

"And I think there is some concern among experts that in trying to get bigger steps on denuclearization we might put bigger chips on the table. As I said in my testimony, I think there should be a bright red line between things that we do on sanctions versus things that we do with our alliances. Sanctions, liaison offices some of the things that Governor Richardson mentioned they may be part of the bargain but we should not be trading away alliance equities."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Richardson, former US Abmassador to the United Nations:

"I would not trade an end to the (Korean) war treaty for ... unless there is a denuclearization of sizable numbers of dismantling of weapons and WMD and ... I would not.  Perhaps of a vaguer statement that says tensions are less and the war is over, OK? Maybe but not as a trade off unless there is substantial denuclearization and I'm concerned, there've been some reports that we're considering that."

7. Wide, hearing

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Richardson, former US Abmassador to the United Nations:

"The U.S. South Korea relationship is very important, but if anything I would say to this administration, for instance, they are obsessed with having South Korea pay more for the military relationship that we have. Yeah, we do want to save money but the U.S. military relationship with South Korea is in our interests too. And sometimes I'll say the president says 'well they should pay more,' all right? And South Korea is paying a little more. But that is a very valuable military relationship for us, not just because of not just because of North Korea but because of China and the region. Secondly with Japan, we should be more conscious of Japan's needs in this security relationship with North Korea. Yes, the president and the prime minister of Japan have a very good personal relationship but somehow the Japanese government, and you can get a briefing, on this feels that they've been left out of this negotiation. Yes. China, again that's a very complicated relationship we have with China, and we absolutely need them to keep enforcing sanctions or the pressure on North Korea will deteriorate. Now there are some very good, as I mentioned, family relationship, more investments between north and south. I think all of that is good. Less tension."

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Scott Perry, Republican - Pennsylvania:

"Is the fact that they're not launching missiles out into the ocean and over Japan and continuing with nuclear tests for the last essentially the greater part of the last two years, is that...can that be viewed as a concession or not?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Victor Cha, Center for Strategic and International Studies Korea Chair:

"It's certainly an important nonevent. Yes, 15 months of no testing of any sort is good for the diplomatic climate and also makes it harder for them to develop their programs."

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Victor Cha, Center for Strategic and International Studies Korea Chair:

"The key word is is verify but verifiability. Whatever the North Koreans give up whether it's a couple of sites or whether it's a promise not to produce more more fissile material, it has to be verifiable. Right? And and so they did decommission some sites after the Singapore summit as Congressman Yoho said but they didn't allow anybody to verify it. So that's really the key piece to me is to see whatever they put on the table how small or how large, it has to be verifiable."

13. Wide

STORYLINE:

On the eve of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, experts in Washington warned that the threat hasn't lessened since the first Singapore summit.

Bill Richardson, the former US Abmassador to the United Nations, testified before the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee Tuesday that he wanted "the president to succeed, " because "this is probably our most dominant national security threat that we have. "

After long journeys to Vietnam, both Trump and Kim are now in place for their second summit to address perhaps the world's biggest security challenge: Kim's pursuit of a nuclear program that stands on the verge of realistically threatening targets around the planet.

Virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly raised the potential of a negotiation in Hanoi that would end the 66 year old Korean War.

Center for Strategic and International Studies Korea Chair, Dr Victor Cha, told the hearing that there was concern that the Trump administration might "put bigger chips on the table,"  including a declaration to end the war in effort to reach some agreement with North Korea.

Richardson said he would not trade an end to the Korean War, "unless there is a denuclearization of sizable numbers of dismantling of weapons and WMD."

The two leaders are to meet over two days, first at dinner on Wednesday followed by meetings on Thursday.

They first met last June in Singapore, a summit that was long on historic pageantry but short on any enforceable agreements for North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal.

North Korea has spent decades, at great economic sacrifice, building its nuclear program, and there is widespread skepticism among experts that it will give away that program cheaply.

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