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White House Daily Briefing. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired April 24, 2017 - 13:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[13:31:21] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Sean Spicer beginning the briefing right now. Let's listen in.

SEAN SPICER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: (in progress) -- special guests today. As you know, the ambassadors for the U.N. Security Council are here today visiting. And Ambassador Haley wanted to come by and make sure we have an update as to what -- what they're talking about, some of the issues.

When she's done, she's got to join a meeting that's in progress. Secretary Mnuchin has some comments that he'd like to make. We'll take some questions from him and then resume the briefing.

So without further ado, the ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley.

NIKKI HALEY. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: Thank you, Sean.

I will tell you, we have had an exciting day in D.C. We are hosting the members of the Security Council. And when you think of that, this is the most powerful group that decides sanctions, relief, any sort of conflict that comes up, this is the group. And so the idea that they were able to come to D.C. is overwhelming for them, they are extremely pleased.

We started the morning at the Blair House with Senators Graham and Cardin, as well as Congressman Smith and Congresswoman Bass. So they had a lot of interaction, probably about an hour and a half, talking about issues from budget all the way to peacekeeping issues, as well as conflicts in North Korea and Syria and then with the problems in Iran. So it was a very healthy discussion there.

From there, we came over to the White House and the president greeted all of the members, had his picture taken with them. And then we all sat down for lunch and it was an open dialogue very much of the members wanting to hear from the president what his plans are, what he was going to continue to do on Syria or not continue to do, North Korea, all those issues are certainly at the forefront.

And the idea that he would have that dialogue with them is tremendously helpful to me, whereas, you know, in the Security Council, we need them to really engage, we need them to now know that we are about action.

And I think that what we've tried to do in the U.N. is really bring reform, reform in the way we spend, reform in the peacekeeping operations, but also reform in the resolutions that are passed, that what we pass actually means something and that there's accountability in what we pass.

And so I think they heard that loud and clear today from the president. I think that they are thrilled with the engagement that they had, and I think it shows that the president's very engaged on foreign policy and they see that. The idea he would sit down and want to talk to them about each of their countries and the Security Council collectively is massive for a president to be able to do this, and it was certainly helpful for the United States.

Now, they are in briefings with General McMaster, focusing on North Korea, also focusing on ISIS and engaging on that front, and will continue to have other conversations as well.

But as far as we go, great day for the Security Council, great day with the president and certainly more good to come out of this meeting.

So thank you very much. I've got some ambassadors waiting...

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

HALEY: ... and we will talk to you soon. Thank you.

SPICER: Thank you, Ambassador.

So without further ado, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin.

STEVE MNUCHIN, TREAUSYR SECRETARY: Seems like I'm becoming a regular here. It's nice to see all of you again.

Earlier today, the United States Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control imposed sanctions in response to the April 4th, 2017, sarin attack on innocent civilians by the regime of Syrian Assad.

OFAC is sanctioning 271 employees of Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center, the Syrian government agency responsible for developing and producing non-conventional weapons and means to deliver them. OFAC has targeted these 271 employees because they have expertise in chemistry and related fields or have worked in support of chemical weapons programs since at least 2012.

Today's action, less than three weeks after the attack on Khan Shaykhun, is one of the largest ever executed by OFAC. In a single action, we are more than doubling the number of individuals and entities sanctioned since the start of the Syrian conflict pursuant to Syria-related executive orders.

The sweeping sanctions are intended to hold the Assad regime and those who support it directly or indirectly accountable for their blatant violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and U.N. Security Council Resolution 21118. The United States is sending a strong message with this action that we will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons by any actor and we intend to hold the Assad regime accountable for its unacceptable behavior.

The Treasury Department, together with the Department of State and our international partners, will continuous -- continue to relentlessly pursue and shut down the financial networks of any individuals involved with Syria's production or use of chemical weapons.

I'd also comment that recently we had sanctions on North Korea and Iran and will also continue to add to and monitor those as appropriate.

And with that, I'd be happy to take a few questions.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, is this the only round of sanctions we can expect against Syria in the wake of that chemical weapons attack or are you considering more? And are you considering the possibility of sanctions against Russia for not going far enough to try to dissuade Assad? MNUCHIN: We -- we don't comment on the specifics of sanctions that we are going to do in the future.

But again, what I will tell you is these sanction programs are very important, they're very effective, and we will continue to use them to the maximum amount available by law.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, (inaudible), on the budget, is the border wall a deal-breaker for the president even to the point of government shutdown?

MNUCHIN: I'm not going to comment on the specifics of that. But what I will say is I was in a meeting this morning with Director Mick Mulvaney and other senior people. The president is working hard to keep the government open and addressing various issues.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, can you tell us what these sanctions actually do? What is different today than was different yesterday before OFAC (inaudible)?

MNUCHIN: Well, the sanctions are enormously important. So by identifying 271 additional people, these sanctions, as you know, will both freeze assets if there's assets here and prevent U.S. entities from doing business, as well as these sanctions have enormous impact with all of our partners around the world who also work with us on -- on -- on these issues.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: We're not doing business with these people, though, are we sir? We're not doing any business...

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, as you know the administration's trying to grapple with the Paris Climate Agreement and come to a decision on that. Where do you stand on it? Do you support staying in Paris or coming out?

MNUCHIN: Again, I would just comment that we're having discussions on that. And that's where I'll go on that.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, are you aware of any American companies doing business with those individuals that are sanctioned today...

QUESTION: The president said last week there'd be a tax reform proposal Wednesday.

MNUCHIN: He did indeed.

QUESTION: So...

MNUCHIN: Been widely reported.

(LAUGHTER)

QUESTION: I imagine that surprised you a little bit. What -- what can we expect? MNUCHIN: Let me just first say, you know, I've been working with the president for over the last year on his economic plan in regards to creating growth. The president is very determined that we can get to sustained economic growth of 3 percent or higher.

We're working on tax reform, we're working on regulatory reform, we're working on job creation, and this is something that, on the tax side, I've been meeting weekly with the House and the Senate on designing things. And we'll be coming out, as the president said, with more details on -- on Wednesday.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you very much.

Along the lines of tax reform, I know the specifics of the broad details you'll deliver on Wednesday, but without getting into the specifics, what does the middle class gain if there is a simplification but also a loss of deductions, whatever they might be? If we lose the deductions, how does that help the middle class?

MNUCHIN: Well, let me just say, we've been clear on what the president's objectives are for tax reform. Middle-income tax cut, a priority of the president's. Simplification; the average American should be able to do their taxes on a large postcard. Business tax reform; we need to make business taxes competitive, and we expect with doing that we will bring back trillions of dollars from offshore.

[13:40:00]

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary? Thank you, sir.

I guess the question I have is to sort of bounce off what John was asking about. This announcement on Wednesday, it doesn't sound like we're going to get the finer details of what this tax reform package will entail. Is it a good idea to start talking about tax reform, something that you said can't be accomplished by August, when you don't have all the details?

MNUCHIN: Well, there will be details that will come out. And yes, I think it is important that we're talking about it and we are going to move forward.

I'll just take a couple more. Right there, yes.

QUESTION: Can I just follow-up on what Major was asking you?

For those of us who are not completely clear about the 271 employees, are you suggesting by looking at these sanctions that there are U.S. companies or they have holdings in the U.S. or they would be traveling or doing some sort of business that we're actually freezing or barring?

MNUCHIN: Again, I can't comment on the specifics of these sanctions beyond what we release.

But I can assure you that when the U.S. puts out sanctions, they have impacts both here and throughout the world, and we wouldn't be doing this if we didn't think it is impactful. It's quite impactful.

One more back there, yes.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, would you say that simplification of the tax code or cuts would be the first priority?

You've mentioned both the Coast Guard...

MNUCHIN: Both.

QUESTION: ... and closing the gap with growth. But which is the first thing that we're going to hear about (inaudible)? MNUCHIN: Again what I say, on the personal side, we're about a middle-income tax cut and simplification. On the business side, we're about making them competitive.

This is the last one, go ahead.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

MNUCHIN: Again, what I've said before is the tax plan will pay for itself with economic growth.

Thank you, everybody. Nice to see you.

(CROSSTALK)

SPICER: Thank you, Mr. Secretary and Ambassador Haley.

So, I just want to, kind of, walk through what the rest of the day and the week and then we'll get to some questions.

As you know, this morning the president had a call with German Chancellor Merkel, who had extended a gracious invitation for the first daughter to -- and assistant to the president, Ivanka Trump, to attend the W20 summit. Tomorrow, Ivanka will be in Berlin at the W20, participating in a panel that is entitled "Inspiring Women: Scaling Up Women's Entrepreneurship." This follows the roundtable on vocational education and workforce development, issues that are central both to Ivanka and the chancellor's agenda that they hosted here at the White House in March.

While in Germany, Ivanka will also visit a school for interactive tour and discussion with students participating in the apprentice program.

In commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, she will visit the memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin.

A readout of the president's and Chancellor Merkel's call should be out already.

Following that call, the president spoke with Dr. Peggy Whitson, the commander of the International Space Station, via videoconference. As I told you guys last week, Dr. Whitson, who is on her third extended stay aboard the International Space Station, breaks the record for the most space time of any American astronaut.

The president was honored to celebrate this incredible achievement by Dr. Whitson and the American space program and discuss the exciting future of space exploration and space science, including how the Inspire Women Act, which the president recently signed, ensures that NASA continues recruiting women for important STEM- related jobs in aerospace.

After that, as I mentioned at the top, the president had a working lunch with U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and the other ambassadors of the countries that are part of the U.N. Security Council. Under the president's leadership, America has once again taken a leadership role on the world stage and our global partners have welcomed this renewal of American diplomacy.

Later on this afternoon, the president will sign a proclamation on Holocaust Remembrance Day, part of the week-long Days of Remembrance first held in 1979 and later established by Congress as our nation's commemoration of the Holocaust.

Tomorrow, as every president since the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum opened in 1993, President Trump will participate in a Days of Remembrance commemoration. As he said during his video message to the delegates of the World Jewish Congress Plenary Assembly, the Trump administration is committed to stamping out prejudice and anti- Semitism everywhere it is found.

Following the proclamation, the president will host a credential ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors.

We will -- he will then have dinner with Senator and Mrs. McCain and Senator Lindsey Graham.

Later this evening, the vice president will return to Washington, where he finished his time in -- throughout the world. While in Hawaii today, the president will have lunch with U.S. troops at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and participate in an arrival ceremony and U.S. PACOM before boarding Air Force Two for the ride home to Washington. SPICER: As we get closer to the president's 100th day in office, throughout the week, the White House is hosting briefings and events to provide several opportunities for many folks in the press to hear directly from the administration and our officials on what we've achieved in the first 100 days and what we're looking to continue to achieve on days 101, 102, 200, et cetera.

Throughout the week, the president, Cabinet officials and senior White House staff will be talking about the president's agenda on national, local media and various platforms.

Finally, I wanted to acknowledge the distressing reports regarding American citizens coming out of the Ukraine and North Korea.

We're deeply saddened by the death of a paramedic and United States citizen serving in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones, and wish his colleagues who were injured in the blast a quick and speedy recovery.

We call on all parties to cooperate with the Special Monitoring Mission to allow it to fully investigate this incident.

The tragic death of a staff member only serves to underline the urgent need for all sides, particularly the Russian-led separatist forces, to implement their commitments under the Minsk Agreement.

We're also aware of reports that a United States citizen was detained in North Korea over the weekend. The protection of United States citizens is one of our government's highest priorities. I would direct any further inquiries on this matter to the State Department.

Also on North Korea, on Wednesday, the White House campus will play host to a briefing for all U.S. -- 100 U.S. senators on the subject. The briefers will be Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis, Director Coats and General Dunford.

This is a Senate briefing convened by the majority leader, not a White House briefing. We are just serving as the -- the location.

For further questions, I would direct to the majority leader's office and the office of the four briefers.

With that, glad to take a few questions. Yeah? QUESTION: Going -- talking about the budget, how committed is -- as -- this was asked early -- but can you talk about how committed the -- the president is to having the border wall funded this week or having some funding in that spending bill? And if it is not in there, will he sign it?

SPICER: Well, I -- again, there's -- negotiations continue with House and Senate leadership.

Obviously, the money for our military and our border security and wall have been part of that request. And that is something that -- those are the president's priorities heading in -- you know, with respect to the C.R. and keeping the government open. I think we feel very confident where we're headed. And I'm not going to get ahead of the negotiations that are ongoing.

Director Mulvaney has been very, very deep in those discussions. And -- and I expect there to be an announcement soon with what with (ph). But I'm not going to start to take things on and off the table with respect to what the president may or may not do.

Bill?

QUESTION: Yeah, Sean, just doubling up on that question there about the -- the C.R. debate and the funding, does he specifically expect there to be funding for the border wall? Or would border security measures be enough to satisfy the president?

And how do you differentiate between the two? For example, what could -- what could be funded in the -- in the C.R. that you could say is part of the wall, even if it's not explicitly funding for a wall?

SPICER: So there -- there's obviously a lot of components to that. You've got fencing and drones.

And I -- again, I don't want to get ahead of those negotiations. They are ongoing. But -- but the president's priorities have been very clear from the beginning.

QUESTION: So, it's sounds -- Sean, just to follow up. But are -- are we backing off from the wall? Are we saying it is on the table?

SPICER: No, we're saying that the president has made very clear that he's got two priorities in this continuing resolution: number one, the increase in funding for the military; and number two, for our homeland and border security and the wall.

But I'm not going to start to get into -- we -- we were having a negotiation with House and Senate leadership. And to prejudge where it ends up at this point would be -- would not -- would not be prudent.

Trey?

QUESTION: Thanks, Sean. I have two questions for you.

On the Syrian economic sanctions, how will the administration determine how effective they are?

SPICER: Well, I -- I think there's going to be a lot of ways.

But I think, first and foremost, is to send a clear signal to make sure that they understand that we don't take their actions lightly and that we -- we -- we want to do everything we can to have stability in the region.

So, I think there's going to be a lot of ways, in terms of their behavior going forward, that we'll know whether they're working. But I think as the president has made clear, and Secretary Mnuchin just did, I think we have a lot of tools at our disposal to try to achieve an outcome that brings stability to that region.

QUESTION: And my second one, on North Korea, the fact that a third U.S. citizen has been detained by the regime in Pyongyang, does this make it more difficult for the president to negotiate through China to try to de-nuclearize North Korea?

SPICER: No.

I think China -- and we noted it before, Ambassador Haley noted it in several interviews this morning. But China has been very, very helpful in this process and continues to be. And I think we hope to see a change in behavior.

[13:50:00]

But it is -- it is a very positive sign, the level and engagement that China has -- has been -- has enacted.

QUESTION: Is the Trump administration calling on -- for the release of this -- of this U.S. citizen currently being detained?

SPICER: Well, absolutely.

I mean, we -- we want to make sure that all of our citizens are protected and returned home.

But the State Department's playing the lead on that.

Eamon?

QUESTION: Thanks, Sean.

As you know, there's quite a bit of concern among Republicans on Capitol Hill about the federal deficit. When you roll out the tax plan on Wednesday, are you also going to include pay-fors in there, that is those things that raise revenue as well as those things that are tax cuts, so that conservatives can be confident that this won't blow a hole in the deficit?

SPICER: Yeah, I -- I think we will have further details. I'm not going to get ahead of the president's rollout.

But I'm not -- I'm not going to -- the level of specificity in terms of the pay-fors and the cost, we'll have to see how comfortable the president is.

Jennifer?

QUESTION: Sean, can you tell us if the president is aware of the American pastor jailed in Turkey? And did he raise that with President Erdogan when he called him on (inaudible) election win (ph)?

SPICER: I'm not going to get into the specifics of the president's conversation.

We're obviously aware of -- of that action and we're going to continue to work through the State Department on that.

Jared Jordan (ph)?

QUESTION: Thank you, Sean.

Can you explain why President Trump didn't use the word "genocide" to refer to the killing of 1.5 million Armenians in his statement today?

SPICER: Yeah.

The -- the statement that was put out is consistent with the statements that have been put out for at least several of the past administrations. So I think if you look back to the language that President Obama, President Bush, et cetera, have used, the language the president uses is consistent with all of that.

Katie (ph)?

QUESTION: Thanks, Sean. I have two question about two different topics.

First is the border wall, the logistics of that. Secretary Kelly said he still expects construction to start this summer. There are still a few ranchers in Texas and Arizona who welcome security, but are skeptical of giving up family-owned land that's been in their families for generations. So what is the White House message to them directly? And what can you guarantee that they'll be compensated?

SPICER: I think we're going to -- we will do everything in accordance with the law.

This has been an issue that has gone on several times is, as that issue has been raised over the last several decades -- or excuse me, several years. And so we have -- we will do everything in accordance with the law with respect to the land that's needed for that.

But again, the homeland security secretary understands what's going to be needed. And we'll do surveys and the appropriate planning to make sure that we minimize that to the extent possible.

QUESTION: And then on the next question, a different topic, the FBI and Justice Department last week arrested two doctors in Michigan for allegedly performing genital mutilation on little girls as young as 6 years old. It's the first case in the United States. What is the White House reaction to that case?

SPICER: Yeah. I mean, we've talked before about pending investigations, and we don't comment on any pending investigations or actions by the Justice Department.

Major?

QUESTION: Is 100 days, as the president said on Twitter, a ridiculous benchmark or important one?

SPICER: Well, I think, obviously in the context of an entire administration, there is a lot that I think we feel very proud that we've gotten off -- gotten done and taken care of. When you look at the immigration piece in particular, border crossing's way down. The number of executive orders and pieces of legislation the president's signed. I think we feel very proud of what we've been able to accomplish and fulfill the promises that he's made to the American people. But I think it's got to be kept in context. And I think that's -- there is, sort of, this artificial number that gets thrown out, so on one...

QUESTION: What is the context?

SPICER: Well, I mean, the context is it's a hundred days and you've got four years in your first term and, you know, eight years for two terms, that -- that I think...

QUESTION: (inaudible) candidate, Mr. Trump introduced a contract with the American voter over a hundred days.

SPICER: I understand, right.

And so again, I think when you look at the number of pieces of legislation, the executive orders, business confidence, the place -- the U.S.' role in the world, there's a lot that we feel -- a lot of accomplishments that have occurred, and we feel very good about what we've done as we head up to this first hundred days.

But I think you're going to continue to see a lot of action and a lot of results going into the second hundred days, the third hundred days, you know, all the way through.

QUESTION: If in 100 days there is no funding -- explicit funding of the wall and there's no health care reform or repeal of Obamacare, would the president consider that -- would he invite his supporters to consider that a conspicuous failure, based on the promises he made during the campaign?

SPICER: Right.

I think when you look at the totality of what we've accomplished, on job creation, on immigration, on trade, it is -- it is unbelievable what he has been able to do.

And so, it's not -- you can cherry-pick any couple of things and say, "OK, well, what about this or that?" But I think when you look at it overall, in terms of the drop of border crossings, if you look at consumer confidence and the relationships that we've developed around the globe, and the accomplishments this president's had on protecting the country, on bringing back jobs and starting -- those have been unbelievably significant. SPICER: And so to minimize that or -- or to look and pick out two or

three things -- but I think, look, we're going to continue to push for health care reform. We feel very good about the direction that it's going in. It's been very positive. And I think that the construction of a wall is going to continue to be an area that moves forward.

But all of that stuff is happening just as the president asked for and committed to doing. Some of it, you know, has been a little slower but mostly because of -- of working through Congress and getting things done.

But when you think about what he's started -- tax -- you know, he'll move forward on tax reform, health care, on immigration, on trade, it's been a huge -- hugely successful first hundred days.

QUESTION: And without the president necessarily describing it as a failure or not, would you say that he's learned something about the process and how long things take that he perhaps didn't appreciate as a candidate? Maybe he overpromised on the speed with which he'd achieve these things.

SPICER: No, I -- look, with all due respect, I think that when you look at the list of things in each of the various areas that he's been able to do, I think he's very pleased.

QUESTION: (inaudible) some conspicuous campaign promises that at rally after rally he made and said, "Don't worry; it's going to happen."

SPICER: Right. And I think on health care...

QUESTION: All I'm asking is does he have a different awareness of how difficult those things are than he did as a candidate?

SPICER: I'm sure that there are things that you learn in -- in the job.

But I think that he is very proud of what he has set out to do and the progress that we've made.

And I think you're going to see health care get done, but it's going to get done right. And that in -- in particular is something that we're continuing to work at. We can't make people vote, but we've made significant progress and moved the legislation forward and improved it greatly, and I think that we are going to see progress on that.

Zeke?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) budget. Is the president willing to sign a continuing resolution that is not deficit-neutral or deficit-reducing? For instance...

SPICER: Sign a continuing resolution?

QUESTION: Yes. Yes. For instance, a continuing resolution that would increase the deficit.

SPICER: I don't -- I have not seen a score on anything that's come out. And I think that we'll have to wait and see what the final...

QUESTION: You're not ruling (inaudible)?

SPICER: I'm not. Not at this point.

QUESTION: Following up on Jordan's question, you know, the president -- talked a lot about -- you know, has not being shy about criticizing his predecessors for some of their missteps -- from both parties -- and also hasn't -- you know, has made a point of often bucking convention. So why not take this moment to label the 25 million and a half Armenians a genocide?

SPICER: I think, again, as I noted to Jordan, the statement that the president put out is consistent with the last several administrations. I understand that. But -- but there is a -- it is perfectly in keeping with the language that's been used over and over again.

John (ph)?

(CROSSTALK)

SPICER: Well, you had your hand up.

(LAUGHTER)

QUESTION: Would you agree with the assessment that some within the administration have that a vote on health care this week it's very, very unlikely?

SPICER: I think a vote is going to get scheduled when Speaker Ryan and Leader McCarthy and (inaudible) Scalise determine that they have the votes and they feel confident.

I'm not -- I think we've been very clear -- the president made it clear on Friday when he was walking back over from the Treasury Department that if it happens and we have the votes this week, great. If it's next week or the week after -- but I think we want to make sure that we've got the votes and we're headed in the right direction before putting some kind of artificial deadline...

QUESTION: So would you think that this week is unlikely?

SPICER: I think that whenever the speaker and the leadership of in the House tell us that they feel confident that they have the votes, then we would encourage them to move forward.

I mean, I hate to -- I'm not trying to not answer the question, but I think that's the answer. It comes down to when they feel as though they've got the commitments to push the bill forward.

QUESTION: Well, but there was a push to try to get something on the legislative scoreboard by the hundredth day. Does it look like that now will not happen? SPICER: As I said, I don't -- we have been very clear from here, and I think the president's been very clear in his comments, that it -- that our goal is to get it done and get it done right and get it done to make sure that we have the votes.

I think there have been some -- I've read some background quotes and sources about (inaudible), but we've been very clear publicly about when we want to get that done.

Kelly (ph)?

QUESTION: The president's been very clear that Judge Gorsuch, now Justice Gorsuch, is a big part of his first 100 days' accomplishments. And the White House,in the roll-out about the 100 days, said there would be a dinner with the president and the -- all the justices of the Supreme Court.

Now that is off the list. Is the dinner not happening, or is it not publicly being talked about because it's wrapped up in the politics of the day (ph)?

SPICER: No, I think we've moved some things around on the president's schedule this week, but we hope to hope to have something at some point.

QUESTION: (inaudible) to sort of sweep up the high court into the politics of 100 days?

SPICER: No. I think that having a relationship and meeting with the Supreme Court at some point would be a great idea and it's something that we hope to -- to have on the schedule at some point soon.

Caitlyn (ph)?

QUESTION: Can you explain the president's change of thought on DACA?

SPICER: I don't -- I think he's been consistent about two things.

One, that's he's had a heart. He wants to make sure that he does what's in the interest of -- of children, in particular.

SPICER: But secondly, I think the president's priorities since he took office have been very clear, that the focus would be on folks who presented a danger to public safety.

[14:00:03]