MS. SANDERS: Good afternoon. With labor participation, wages, and job growth all on the rise, we are seeing firsthand how President Trump’s economic policies are benefitting American workers.
Since the President’s election, more than 3 million jobs have been created. The President’s historic tax cuts, deregulation, and pro-growth policies are creating jobs and restoring confidence in America’s economy.
FEMA and the White House encourage all individuals in potentially affected areas to monitor local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information, and follow the instructions of state and local officials.
The Post further noted that her integrity and, significantly, her political impartiality are unchallenged. She deserves quick confirmation without partisan theatrics.
Lastly, and on a slightly lighter note, I would like to congratulate Katherine and Alex –- two members of the White House press corps –- on their engagement over the weekend. So congratulations.
Q They’re in the back
Q Thank you, Sarah. A couple questions. First, on Gina Haspel. Is it true the President and yourself and others had to, sort of, convince her not to withdraw her name from consideration? And if so, what was that like? And has this circumstance happened before since you’ve been at your position here at the White House?
MS. SANDERS: Let me answer the first question. We’ll come back to that. In regards to Acting Director Haspel, her commitment to the agency is one of the reasons that she is the right person to lead it. She wants to do everything she can to make sure the integrity of the CIA remains intact, isn’t unnecessarily attacked. And if she felt that her nomination would have been a problem for that and for the agency then she wanted to do everything she could to protect the agency.
Q And the follow —
Q — was on Blankenship in West Virginia. Why does the President believe that he can’t win an election in the state of West Virginia? Why not?
Q Thank you, Sarah. We also congratulate Alex and Katherine.
MS. SANDERS: I’m not aware of any other activity, but I would refer you to Rudy Giuliani to respond to any of those questions or anybody else on the President’s outside counsel.
MS. SANDERS: Again, I’m not aware of anything like that. But I would refer to the President’s outside counsel.
Q The President has got a May 12 deadline on the Iran nuclear deal. Is he wavering on this deal based on the pressure from the Europeans with Boris Johnson here this week?
Q And John Kerry’s shadow diplomacy — how does that impact the deliberations?
John.
MS. SANDERS: We think that acting Director Haspel is a highly qualified, uniquely positioned individual to lead the CIA, and we’re very confident in her ability to answer the questions that we know are going to come.
Former Director Leon Panetta said, “I’m glad it’s Gina, because frankly, she is someone who really knows the CIA inside and out.” Former Director Michael Hayden said, “Haspel is absolute best choice to be Director.” Former Acting Director and Deputy Director Michael Morell said, “She is capable. She has integrity. She cares deeply about the mission of the Agency, and she cares deeply about the men and women of the Agency.” And lastly, former Acting Director and Deputy Director John McLaughlin said, “If you’re picking a professional officer to head the agency, I can’t think of a better person than Gina.”
Q So, Sarah, if she’s asked any questions regarding enhanced interrogation techniques that took place during her tenure at the CIA — that Democrats say that she was involved with — she can answer them fully in an open hearing. Is that your position?
Steve.
MS. SANDERS: First, the President congratulates him and looks forward to a time when we can hopefully have a good relationship with Russia. However, the United States believes that everyone has a right to be heard and assemble peacefully.
Q Sarah, thank you. The President has said in the past that the Russia investigation is an excuse for Democrats losing the 2016 election. But today he appeared to look forward to the 2018 midterms, and tweeted out, “Is this Phony Witch Hunt going to go on even longer so it wrongfully impacts the Mid-Term Elections, which is what the Democrats always intended?” And he ended that with a question mark. Does the President now believe that the Russia investigation actually has to do with the 2018 midterms, as well?
Q Is the President pleased with the appearances of Rudy Giuliani over the last few days?
Francesca.
MS. SANDERS: That’s a question you’d have to ask the outside special counsel. I’m not an attorney; certainly couldn’t address that.
Q Sorry, Sarah —
Q In the same vein, does the President believe he is within his executive powers to reject a subpoena from the Special Counsel’s office?
Q And can I follow up on Gina Haspel?
David.
MS. SANDERS: The President will make that announcement very soon, and we’ll certainly keep you all posted on it as it happens.
Q On the EPA, Andrew Wheeler has been now confirmed as the second-in-command at the EPA. Does the President think that he would be able to continue the deregulatory agenda that Mr. Pruitt has been in charge of, were he to remove Mr. Pruitt? And given the sort of cascade of ethical problems, how close is — what’s the status of the review that you guys have been saying you’re doing? And is the President closer to removing Mr. Pruitt from office?
Justin.
MS. SANDERS: Sure. The President had a briefing this morning with members of the team that traveled. The President has a great relationship with President Xi. And we are working on something that we think will be great for everybody. China’s top economic advisor, the Vice Premier, will be coming here next week to continue the discussions with the President’s economic team, and we’ll keep you posted as discussions are ongoing.
Q Sarah, in its front-page story this morning, the Washington Post, among many things, reported that there are persistent rumors that Mrs. Trump does not live in this White House and that she lives with her parents somewhere in the suburbs. What do you make of those rumors?
Peter.
MS. SANDERS: Look, this is something that is extremely important to the First Lady. I’m not going to get ahead of her announcement or her comments. In fact, I’m only going to take one last question because we got to make sure that we get there so nobody misses that. And the President will also be joining the First Lady at that event, so we want to make sure everybody has a chance to tune in.
Q Just if you could, the question was about him, not about her. I know that we’ll wait to hear what she says. But does he accept responsibility for this climate that exists right now, that there is the need to sort of address an issue like cyber bullying?
Q Is not at all to blame?
Ayesha.
MS. SANDERS: I’m not aware of anything on that front. If something comes up, we’ll let you guys know.
END
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