US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has defended President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy, saying the president is "not afraid to try diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves."

Pompeo was speaking at a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) gathering in Orlando, Florida on Monday.

Pompeo said the U.S. is maintaining pressure on North Korea while "keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy."

He also got a laugh when he said he thinks that he's spent more time with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un than any other American, "now surpassing Dennis Rodman."

Pompeo also announced the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Zhuhai Zhenrong Limited and its chief executive for violating restrictions on Iran's oil industry.

The U.S. sanctions are part of the Trump administration's effort to increase pressure on Iran by starving its economy.

Oil exports are Iran's largest source of foreign income and the U.S. campaign has raised tensions between the two countries.

China has continued to import Iranian oil as other countries have stopped out of fear of U.S. penalties.

Pompeo also insisted that "America First does not mean America alone."

Despite tensions between the U.S. and traditional allies over NATO funding, the Iran nuclear deal and international trade, he said that relations are strong between the U.S. and allies in Eastern Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Pacific region.  

And he said U.S. relations with Israel were "unequalled."

He also promised that the administration would keep as a top priority getting the remains of any fallen soldiers returned to the U.S.

Finally, Pompeo briefly touched on the administration's effort to protect U.S. service personnel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

Earlier this year, Pompeo announced the U.S. would repeal or deny visas to any ICC staff trying to investigate Americans in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room, or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces," he said.

POOL

Orlando, Florida - 22 July 2019

1. Wide of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walking to podium

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

"President Trump is unafraid. He's not afraid to try diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves. You've seen this. You've seen this on North Korea where we came into office and found that appeasement wasn't working and neither did neglect. So we're maintaining pressure on the North Korean regime while keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy. I had the chance to meet with Chairman Kim (Jong Un) on multiple occasions. Indeed I think I've spent more time with Chairman Kim than any other American, now surpassing Dennis Rodman (laughter)."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"And on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the nuclear deal. It only made the machine regime more aggressive. So we've re-engaged with allies to exert pressure on that regime. All we ask of them is all America ever asked. We just want them to behave like a normal nation. And today, as part of that maximum pressure campaign, I'm announcing that the United States is imposing sanctions on the Chinese entity Zhuhai Zhenrong and its chief executive, Youmin Li. They violated U.S. law by accepting crude oil. We've said all along that any sanction will indeed be enforced. We can't tolerate more money going to the Ayatollah, putting American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and putting their lives at risk. It's too important."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"America first does not mean America alone. Indeed, other nations are rolling up their sleeves to work alongside of us. We're restoring friendships that were neglected for a long, long time. From Eastern Europe, to our partners in the Gulf, to the Pacific Islands. And of course our relationship with Israel is unequalled. It's a democracy. It stands for the same things that we do here in America. That relationship is stronger than it's ever been. We're very proud of that."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I remember sitting in the room negotiating with my my counterpart as a former senior North Korean general. And I remember talking to him and I think he was perplexed that we put this as the first among the items we wanted to talk about. Every one of you understands why we put that first, and why we'll continue to work on this. We will not stop working on this until every one of our fallen heroes and their remains have been returned to the United States of America."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"I want to mention, too, there is a threat that some of you know about. There are rogue courts international courts that have threatened to bring American soldiers, sailors and marines to dock, to bring them to justice. This is wrong. This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces."

7. Wide of Pompeo shaking hands with vets after speech

Speaking to a VFW gathering in Orlando, Fla., Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy, saying the president is "not afraid to try to diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves."

Pompeo said the U.S. is maintaining pressure on North Korea while "keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy."

He also got a laugh when he said he thinks that he's spen more time with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un than any other American, "now surpassing Dennis Rodman."

Pompeo also announced the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Zhuhai Zhenrong (ZHOO-hi ZHEN-wrong) Limited and its chief executive for violating restrictions on Iran's oil industry.

The U.S. sanctions are part of the Trump administration's effort to increase pressure on Iran by starving its economy. Oil exports are Iran's largest source of foreign income and the U.S. campaign has raised tensions between the two countries.

China has continued to import Iranian oil as other countries have stopped out of fear of U.S. penalties.

Pompeo also insisted that "America First does not mean America alone."

Despite tensions between the U.S. and traditional allies over NATO funding, the Iran nuclear deal and international trade, he said that relations are strong between the U.S. and allies in Eastern Europe, the Persion Gulf and the Pacific region.  And he said U.S. relations with Israel is "unequalled."

He also promised that the administration would keep as a top priority getting the remains of any fallen soldiers returned to the U.S.

Finally, Pompeo briefly touched on the administration's effort to protect U.S. service personnel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. Earlier this year, Pompeo announced the U.S. would repeal or deny visas to any ICC staff trying to investigate Americans in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room, or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces," he said.

POOL

Orlando, Florida - 22 July 2019

1. Wide of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walking to podium

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

"President Trump is unafraid. He's not afraid to try to diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves. You've seen this. You've seen this on North Korea where we came into office and found that appeasement wasn't working and neither did neglect. So we're maintaining pressure on the North Korean regime while keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy. I had the chance to meet with Chairman Kim on multiple occasions. Indeed I think I've spent more time with Chairman Kim than any other American now surpassing Dennis Rodman (laughter)."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"And on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the nuclear deal. It only made the machine regime more aggressive. So we've re-engaged with allies to exert pressure on that regime. All we ask of them is all America ever asked. We just want them to behave like a normal nation. And today, as part of that maximum pressure campaign, I'm announcing that the United States is imposing sanctions on the Chinese entity Zhuhai Zhenrong and its chief executive, Youmin Li. They violated U.S. law by accepting crude oil. We've said all along that any sanction will indeed be enforced. We can't tolerate more money going to the Ayatollah, putting American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and putting their lives at risk. It's too important."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"America first does not mean America alone. Indeed, other nations are rolling up their sleeves to work alongside of us. We're restoring friendships that were neglected for a long, long time. From Eastern Europe, to our partners in the Gulf, to the Pacific Islands. And of course our relationship with Israel is unequalled. It's a democracy. It stands for the same things that we do here in America. That relationship is stronger than it's ever been. We're very proud of that."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I remember sitting in the room negotiating with my my counterpart as a former senior North Korean general. And I remember talking to him and I think he was perplexed that we put this as the first among the items we wanted to talk about. Every one of you understands why we put that first, and why we'll continue to work on this. We will not stop working on this until every one of our fallen heroes and their remains have been returned to the United States of America."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

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

"I want to mention, too, there is a threat that some of you know about. There are rogue courts international courts that have threatened to bring American soldiers, sailors and marines to dock, to bring them to justice. This is wrong. This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces."

7. Wide of Pompeo shaking hands with vets after speech

STORY

MISSION, TEXAS (AP) —As Trump arrives, South Texas fights his proposed wall

SUGGESTED CAPTION:

President Donald Trump's visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in South Texas comes as his administration fights many of the region's landowners, religious leaders, and environmentalists over the few miles of barrier it's already trying to build.

Natural Sound Up Full: Choppers circling overhead

THE BORDER WALL BATTLE IS GETTING NOISIER AND NASTIER AS PROPERTY OWNERS IN SOUTH TEXAS FACE OFF AGAINST A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTENT ON SEIZING THEIR LAND…

LAND NEEDED FOR A PORTION OF WALL CONSTRUCTION THAT WAS APPROVED BY CONGRESS MONTHS AGO.  

THE 1.4 BILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT HAS RAISED THE IRE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ITS NEIGHBORS ALONG THE RIO GRANDE RIVER— AND COULD SIGNAL WHAT LIES AHEAD IF THE PRESIDENT'S PLANS FOR MORE WALL BUILDING GO THROUGH.

(CHOPPER CROSSING)

THE LA LOMITA CHAPEL— THE NAMESAKE FOR THE CITY OF MISSION, TEXAS— HAPPENS TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ALREADY APPROVED PATH. BUILDING COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY… IF LAWSUITS DON'T STOP IT FIRST.

(natural sound up of Father Roy showing where a wall would go)

FATHER ROY SNIPES —OFTEN DONNING A COWBOY HAT WITH HIS CRUCIFIX-   IS A CATHOLIC PRIEST IN THE OBLATE ORDER…WHICH HAS MINISTERED IN THE VALLEY SINCE THE 1840S.

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Father Roy Snipes, La Lomita Pastor: " we're here at the old La Lomita Chapel. which is kind of the mother church of our whole area."

THE Catholic  DIOCESE DOES NOT WANT TO SELL THIS LAND OR GIVE IT UP. So it's suing the government, SAYING This VIOLATES CATHOLIC TEACHINGS, THE CHURCHES RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT MIGRANTS, AS WELL AS ITS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Father Roy Snipes, La Lomita Pastor: ""the serenity and simplicity of the place would be ruined."

… STAND UP Super: John Mone, Associated Press: "MUCH OF THE CONSTRUCTION WILL BE LIKE THESE STEEL BALLARDS AND CONCRETE LAW ENFORCEMENT ZONES. THOUGH MANY IN THE VALLEY SAY THE PRICE OF A physical and VISUAL DETERRENT ISN'T WORTH WHAT IT WILL COST HERITAGE IF THE GOVERNMENT TAKES LAND BY EMINENT DOMAIN.

Marianna Trevino Wright, National Butterfly Center: " uncle sam is gonna impact that dramatically by eliminating all of these trees full of nests, eggs, baby birds piling them up somewhere and burning them."

AT THE NATIONAL BUTTERFLY CENTER — THE CONCERN IS WHAT A WALL  AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ZONE WILL DO MIGRATORY BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES

Marianna Trevino Wright, National Butterfly Center: " you eliminate the plant, that is the reproductive basis for the butterfly, you eliminate the butterfly."

THE CENTER IS A NATURE PRESERVE AND TOURIST MAGNET — AND ITS ALSO SUING TO PREVENT THE GOVERNMENT FROM BUILDING HERE—

DIRECTOR MARIANA TREVINO WRIGHT SAYS THE END RESULT WILL BE A CONCRETE FEDERAL FOOTPRINT ON WILDLIFE—

(GOATS bleating on the farm)

NEARBY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY SURVEYED WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FROM THE CAVAZOS FAMILY'S 64 ACRES…

Soundbite (English) Eloisa Cavazos, Opposes Wall: "" that wall itself? it's not going to stop anything."

MANY FAMILIES LIKE THEM HAVE MULTIPLE HEIRS TO THEIR PROPERTIES SO THE TOTAL IMPACT OF LAND SEIZURES IS YET UNKNOWN.

CONSTRUCTION MAY CUT OFF ACCESS THEY HAVE TO THE WATER THEY GREW UP FISHING ON…

(NATS— Father Roy in boat, RIGHT over on that side is mexico)

THE SAME RIVER FATHER ROY USES TO BOAT TO WORK…  

SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Father Roy Snipes, La Lomita Pastor:

" for god's sake leave our chapel alone. you don't have to build a wall along this beautiful river. if you're the smartest and richest and most powerful people in the world can't you think of something better than that?

THE OBLATE MISSIONARY ALSO RENTS LAND FROM THE CAVAZOS', SO HIS OWN HOUSE AND THE COMMUNITY'S HOUSE OF WORSHIP COULD BE BEHIND A BARRIER… TOO —JOHN MONE ASSOCIATED PRESS MISSION TEXAS.

MISSION, TEXAS — JANUARY 8 2019

1. Various of DHS choppers flying over La Lomita Chapel, the Border Patrol is planning on building wall that would further bifurcate public and church property

2. Border Patrol SUV drives on the levee dividing the land

3. Choppers continue to pass

4. Pan from levee road to La Lomita Chapel land

5. Cross sitting atop church roof

HIDALGO, TEXAS — JANUARY 8 2019

6. Various of steel ballard design fence on the US-Mexico Port of Entry in Hildago, which would look similar to what will be built in Mission area

MISSION, TEXAS — JANUARY 8 2019

7. Various La Lomita, exterior

8. Various inside sanctuary

9. Natural sound up full Father Roy Snipes showing where wall would be built

10. Various inside sanctuary, prayer candles, Father Roy

11. Soundbite (English) Father Roy Snipes, La Lomita Pastor: see script

12. Various inside sanctuary

13. Various outside shrine of Our Lady and flowers

14. Soundbite (English) Father Roy Snipes, La Lomita Pastor: see script

15. Outside the building for the National Butterfly Center

16. Soundbite (English) Marianna Trevino Wright, National Butterfly Center: see script

17. Various of National Butterfly Center, wildlife, tracking shot along the interior road

18. Two butterflies share a flower

19. Soundbite (English) Marianna Trevino Wright, National Butterfly Center: see script

20. Bird on branch

21. Various of tourists making photos

22. Goats on the Cavazos farm

23. The Cavazos family during interview

24. Longhorn cattle on the farm

25. Soundbite (English) Eloisa Cavazos, Mission, Texas: see script

26. Various of Cavazos family on their river front property, fishing and talking

27. Tracking shot on the river, on top of Father roy's boat

28. Father Roy steering his boat

29. Cutaways

30 Soundbite (English) Father Roy Snipes, La Lomita Pastor: see script

31. Various of Father Roy

32. Chopper patrolling overhead

33. Zoom out from chapel