REAL News for REAL People
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders for January 23, 2018
Q Sarah, thanks. This is something that's been in the news quite a bit over the last week or so. Representative Devin Nunes apparently has a memo that was created for the House Intelligence Committee describing, based on early reports, of a certain level of what appears to be bias at the FBI. Is it the President's opinion that that memo should be released so that the American people can see what the House Intelligence Committee has observed?
MS. SANDERS: We certainly support full transparency and we believe that that's at the House Intel Committee to make that decision at this point.
And as I said yesterday, and we've said many times before on a number of different issues, we certainly support that transparency. It sounds like there are some members in the House that have some real concern with what's in that memo, and feel very strongly that the American public should be privy to see it.
And at this point, I haven't, so I'm going to lean on these reliable individuals to go through that process of what that looks like. But again, we support full transparency.
Q Has the President seen it, by chance?
MS. SANDERS: Not that I'm aware of, no.
Q Sarah, apparently what the memo is based on is underlying intelligence or information that resides in the executive branch, in the Justice Department. So as the original classification authority, would the President be willing to declassify it so the whole country can see it, if he believes in transparency? That would take the question away from Representative Nunes and his colleagues in the House, and he could make it himself.
MS. SANDERS: I haven't had that conversation with the President. Right now, I think it's going through the process for the House Intel Committee, and we feel like they should play that role at this point. And if it doesn't happen, then we can address it at that point.
Jordan.
Q Thanks, Sarah. I want to go back to immigration. There's a group of conservatives in the House who believe they have a bill that fits all the criteria the President laid out - the Goodlatte proposal. I'm wondering what the President's thoughts are on that bill and would he support the Congress passing that. Would he sign it?
MS. SANDERS: I believe that it addresses the principles that we've laid out, and would be something that we would support.
Jon.
Q Thanks a lot, Sarah. The President, on a few occasions, has spoken of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation as a "witch hunt." And Hogan Gidley, on your team, used that same phrase today when asked a question about it. If Mr. Mueller asked the President to submit to an interview, is that something that the President would be open to?
MS. SANDERS: Look, as we've said probably just about every day this year since we've been here, that we're going to be fully cooperative with the Special Counsel and we're going to continue to do that throughout the process. But we're also not going to comment on who may or may not, or could be interviewed at any point. But we're going to continue to be fully cooperative with the process.
Q If it is, Sarah, a witch hunt, as the President has said and others members of the administration have said, why doesn't the President just get rid of Bob Mueller, just fire him? Mr. Gidley also said today that it's wasting taxpayers' money. In that regard, why doesn't he just end the investigation because it's wasting the taxpayers' money?
MS. SANDERS: Look, we want to see this come to a complete and full conclusion. I think we all know what everybody in this room would do if the President did that, and I don't think that's helpful to the process.
The President wants to see this end, and he wants to see them finally come to the same conclusion that I think most everyone in America has, that there is nothing to this. They've spent the better part - most of you have spent the better part of a year looking, digging, obsessing over trying to find something and have yet to find anything.
In fact, a CNN reporter actually admitted over the weekend that when you talk to people about Russia - and that's all we talk about at CNN, basically - they say they don't care because it doesn't have any effect on their lives.
Frankly, this administration, we've said it time and time before, there was no collusion, there's nothing to it, we're ready to move on. Clearly, the American people are, and my guess, is some of you are probably tired of talking about it as well, and hopefully we'll get to that point soon and we can do that.
Q Sarah, just a couple questions on immigration. You sound a lot more conciliatory today. When you talked about Democrats voting in the past to end chain migration, that was part of the Gang of Eight bill, which was a comprehensive immigration reform bill. You say we can't just take this - tackle this in a small way. Do you want to have a much bigger bill to solve the whole immigration problem? Is that what you're talking about?
MS. SANDERS: As we've said, and the President stated when he had the meeting where everyone was at the table, we'd like to see at a minimum, in this first phase, those four principles addressed. And then beyond that, there are other areas that we'd like to look at, past that. But right now, we're focused very singularly on making sure there four principles are addressed.
Q But in terms of those four principles and how they're addressed, you just said that you wanted chain migration addressed, but you said maybe the depth to which we go into it could be negotiated.
MS. SANDERS: No, I said the depth to which we agree, is the point I was making. He was - Steve was asking specifically about the differences of Republicans and Democrats.
Q But are you insisting on a complete end to chain migration for the President to not deport the DREAMers?
MS. SANDERS: We would like to see an end to chain migration, yes.
Q But if you don't get it, is he willing to start deporting them on March 5th? Because that's (inaudible)
MS. SANDERS: Look, I'm not going to debate or negotiate with you, Mara. That's what we're working on doing with the House and the Senate. And we're going to come up with something that gets us to a place where we end chain migration. That's one of the priorities that we've laid out from the administration.
Peter.
Q Sarah, let me ask you, now that we know that the Special Counsel has interviewed the former FBI Director James Comey, it's important to understand exactly what the President's position is on exactly, basically, what went on in the conversation between the two. So the question is simply: Is the President saying that James Comey lied when he said Trump, the President, asked for his loyalty and suggested he should drop the Flynn investigation?
MS. SANDERS: Look, out of respect of the Special Counsel, I'm not going to weigh into any matters beyond that, and would refer you to the Counsel that -
Q The President been public about this, so I just want to be clear so it's clear for the American people, not just for investigators.
MS. SANDERS: I understand that he has been public about that, and there's nothing else to add at this point beyond his comments. And anything further would have to be directed to the Counsel here at the White House out of respect for the Special Counsel and their process.
Shannon.
Q Sarah, the President tweeted today about these missing text messages at the FBI. He called it one of the biggest stories in a long time. Does he think there's a cover-up? Or why does he think this is one of the biggest stories in a long time?
MS. SANDERS: I think he thinks that there is a great cause for concern that five months' worth of text messages have gone missing, particularly given the individual. Part of that process has already been shown to be extremely biased against the President, and was involved in what seems to be some very inappropriate behavior. And that certainly is a great concern.
You guys are absolutely obsessed with everything to do with collusion. If it has anything to do with the President, we hope that you'll take some of that same obsession, energy, and fervor, and direct it to some of the places where it looks like there could've been some really inappropriate and possibly illegal behavior.
Q Just to follow up on the FBI, does he think there needs to be a staff shakeup at the FBI?
MS. SANDERS: Look, we have 100 percent confidence in Director Wray, and if anybody is going to make that decision, it will be the Director, and we're going to leave that in his hands to decide whether or not he feels that there need to be changes made.
Q But related to that, Sarah, does the President have any concerns about Andrew McCabe and his knowledge of, or acceptance of, what he and others in this administration have identified via the texts and other pieces of information, as something that was seriously wrong in the upper echelons of the FBI?
MS. SANDERS: We've spoken about the fact that we felt like the FBI at the top, with Director Comey and others, had been politicized. I haven't spoken with him directly about that, but certainly, more generally speaking, that it had become political. That was one of the reasons that the President wanted Director Wray there, somebody of impeccable integrity, to make those decisions. And if changes needed to be made, he would do so.
Q And the President said today that Director Wray did not threaten to resign. How does he know that?
MS. SANDERS: I guess that would be based on conversations that he would have had with Director Wray. I haven't been part of those, so I can't speak to it any further.
Q Do you know that for a fact? Did he ask Director Wray himself?
MS. SANDERS: No, I'm saying, I guess that would have been part of it. I haven't spoken to him and I wasn't part of any conversations on that matter.
Q The only reason I ask is, he may have had a - I know he was talking to Don McGahn, the White House Counsel, and I'm just curious if the President went through McGahn to find out what that conversation was -
MS. SANDERS: Director Wray speaks to -
Q - or if he asked the FBI Director himself because he was concerned about these reports.
MS. SANDERS: Director Wray is the head of the top law enforcement agency. It's very routine that he would speak to the White House Counsel, as well as the Attorney General.
As I understand it, the conversations they've had have been routine and focused on things dealing with his position, not whether or not he would keep it.
So I can only speak to what I know. And anything further, you should ask the Department of Justice or the FBI on those conversations.
Kristen.
Q Sarah, just to follow up on that, to ask you directly: Does the President think that Andrew McCabe should step down?
MS. SANDERS: I haven't asked him that question.
Q And you talked about concerns about the leadership previously at the FBI. Does the President have concerns about the current senior leadership at the FBI beyond Christopher Wray? Not including Christopher Wray, who he's expressed confidence in today.
MS. SANDERS: We haven't gone member by member, but I know that the President has complete confidence in Director Wray and his ability to determine if there are any issues and to make those decisions.
Q But does he think there's current political bias against him at the FBI - in the upper echelons at the FBI?
MS. SANDERS: Again, I haven't gone member by member of every single person in the top ranks of the FBI. The President has a great deal of respect for the rank-and-file members of the FBI, and he has a great deal of confidence in Director Wray. And he feels that if any changes need to be made, the Director will make that decision and carry them out.
John.
Q Yeah, thank you, Sarah. A follow-up question on that. Several references were made, and considerable publicity was given, to the use of the term "secret society" within the FBI. Have you had any discussions with the President about it? And does he believe there is a secret society within the Federal Bureau of Investigation?
MS. SANDERS: No, we have not discussed any secret societies, and I couldn't speak to their existence either.
Steve.
Q Yes, Sarah. The President is about to speak to the Turkish President, Erdogan, about Turkey's offensive in Syria. What message does the President want to get across to Turkey about that?
MS. SANDERS: Look, I think what I said yesterday - we want them to deescalate. I think you can expect that to be part of the conversation, but I'm not going to get ahead of their call. And we'll have a readout after that takes place. I believe it's tomorrow.
Q Tomorrow?
MS. SANDERS: Yeah.
I'll take on last question. Charlie.
Q Thank you, Sarah. Just a follow-up to Kevin's question. If the House Intelligence Committee decides to release the memo, the President has to sign off on it. Is the White House committed to signing off on it if the House Republican - or House Republicans decide -
MS. SANDERS: Actually, my understanding is that he doesn't. So if they make that decision, that wouldn't be something the President would need to be involved in.
So, thank you guys so much. Have a good day.
END
4:34 P.M. EST
Contact: White House • whitehouse.gov/the-press-office
Go Back
MS. SANDERS: We certainly support full transparency and we believe that that's at the House Intel Committee to make that decision at this point.
And as I said yesterday, and we've said many times before on a number of different issues, we certainly support that transparency. It sounds like there are some members in the House that have some real concern with what's in that memo, and feel very strongly that the American public should be privy to see it.
And at this point, I haven't, so I'm going to lean on these reliable individuals to go through that process of what that looks like. But again, we support full transparency.
Q Has the President seen it, by chance?
MS. SANDERS: Not that I'm aware of, no.
Q Sarah, apparently what the memo is based on is underlying intelligence or information that resides in the executive branch, in the Justice Department. So as the original classification authority, would the President be willing to declassify it so the whole country can see it, if he believes in transparency? That would take the question away from Representative Nunes and his colleagues in the House, and he could make it himself.
MS. SANDERS: I haven't had that conversation with the President. Right now, I think it's going through the process for the House Intel Committee, and we feel like they should play that role at this point. And if it doesn't happen, then we can address it at that point.
Jordan.
Q Thanks, Sarah. I want to go back to immigration. There's a group of conservatives in the House who believe they have a bill that fits all the criteria the President laid out - the Goodlatte proposal. I'm wondering what the President's thoughts are on that bill and would he support the Congress passing that. Would he sign it?
MS. SANDERS: I believe that it addresses the principles that we've laid out, and would be something that we would support.
Jon.
Q Thanks a lot, Sarah. The President, on a few occasions, has spoken of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation as a "witch hunt." And Hogan Gidley, on your team, used that same phrase today when asked a question about it. If Mr. Mueller asked the President to submit to an interview, is that something that the President would be open to?
MS. SANDERS: Look, as we've said probably just about every day this year since we've been here, that we're going to be fully cooperative with the Special Counsel and we're going to continue to do that throughout the process. But we're also not going to comment on who may or may not, or could be interviewed at any point. But we're going to continue to be fully cooperative with the process.
Q If it is, Sarah, a witch hunt, as the President has said and others members of the administration have said, why doesn't the President just get rid of Bob Mueller, just fire him? Mr. Gidley also said today that it's wasting taxpayers' money. In that regard, why doesn't he just end the investigation because it's wasting the taxpayers' money?
MS. SANDERS: Look, we want to see this come to a complete and full conclusion. I think we all know what everybody in this room would do if the President did that, and I don't think that's helpful to the process.
The President wants to see this end, and he wants to see them finally come to the same conclusion that I think most everyone in America has, that there is nothing to this. They've spent the better part - most of you have spent the better part of a year looking, digging, obsessing over trying to find something and have yet to find anything.
In fact, a CNN reporter actually admitted over the weekend that when you talk to people about Russia - and that's all we talk about at CNN, basically - they say they don't care because it doesn't have any effect on their lives.
Frankly, this administration, we've said it time and time before, there was no collusion, there's nothing to it, we're ready to move on. Clearly, the American people are, and my guess, is some of you are probably tired of talking about it as well, and hopefully we'll get to that point soon and we can do that.
Q Sarah, just a couple questions on immigration. You sound a lot more conciliatory today. When you talked about Democrats voting in the past to end chain migration, that was part of the Gang of Eight bill, which was a comprehensive immigration reform bill. You say we can't just take this - tackle this in a small way. Do you want to have a much bigger bill to solve the whole immigration problem? Is that what you're talking about?
MS. SANDERS: As we've said, and the President stated when he had the meeting where everyone was at the table, we'd like to see at a minimum, in this first phase, those four principles addressed. And then beyond that, there are other areas that we'd like to look at, past that. But right now, we're focused very singularly on making sure there four principles are addressed.
Q But in terms of those four principles and how they're addressed, you just said that you wanted chain migration addressed, but you said maybe the depth to which we go into it could be negotiated.
MS. SANDERS: No, I said the depth to which we agree, is the point I was making. He was - Steve was asking specifically about the differences of Republicans and Democrats.
Q But are you insisting on a complete end to chain migration for the President to not deport the DREAMers?
MS. SANDERS: We would like to see an end to chain migration, yes.
Q But if you don't get it, is he willing to start deporting them on March 5th? Because that's (inaudible)
MS. SANDERS: Look, I'm not going to debate or negotiate with you, Mara. That's what we're working on doing with the House and the Senate. And we're going to come up with something that gets us to a place where we end chain migration. That's one of the priorities that we've laid out from the administration.
Peter.
Q Sarah, let me ask you, now that we know that the Special Counsel has interviewed the former FBI Director James Comey, it's important to understand exactly what the President's position is on exactly, basically, what went on in the conversation between the two. So the question is simply: Is the President saying that James Comey lied when he said Trump, the President, asked for his loyalty and suggested he should drop the Flynn investigation?
MS. SANDERS: Look, out of respect of the Special Counsel, I'm not going to weigh into any matters beyond that, and would refer you to the Counsel that -
Q The President been public about this, so I just want to be clear so it's clear for the American people, not just for investigators.
MS. SANDERS: I understand that he has been public about that, and there's nothing else to add at this point beyond his comments. And anything further would have to be directed to the Counsel here at the White House out of respect for the Special Counsel and their process.
Shannon.
Q Sarah, the President tweeted today about these missing text messages at the FBI. He called it one of the biggest stories in a long time. Does he think there's a cover-up? Or why does he think this is one of the biggest stories in a long time?
MS. SANDERS: I think he thinks that there is a great cause for concern that five months' worth of text messages have gone missing, particularly given the individual. Part of that process has already been shown to be extremely biased against the President, and was involved in what seems to be some very inappropriate behavior. And that certainly is a great concern.
You guys are absolutely obsessed with everything to do with collusion. If it has anything to do with the President, we hope that you'll take some of that same obsession, energy, and fervor, and direct it to some of the places where it looks like there could've been some really inappropriate and possibly illegal behavior.
Q Just to follow up on the FBI, does he think there needs to be a staff shakeup at the FBI?
MS. SANDERS: Look, we have 100 percent confidence in Director Wray, and if anybody is going to make that decision, it will be the Director, and we're going to leave that in his hands to decide whether or not he feels that there need to be changes made.
Q But related to that, Sarah, does the President have any concerns about Andrew McCabe and his knowledge of, or acceptance of, what he and others in this administration have identified via the texts and other pieces of information, as something that was seriously wrong in the upper echelons of the FBI?
MS. SANDERS: We've spoken about the fact that we felt like the FBI at the top, with Director Comey and others, had been politicized. I haven't spoken with him directly about that, but certainly, more generally speaking, that it had become political. That was one of the reasons that the President wanted Director Wray there, somebody of impeccable integrity, to make those decisions. And if changes needed to be made, he would do so.
Q And the President said today that Director Wray did not threaten to resign. How does he know that?
MS. SANDERS: I guess that would be based on conversations that he would have had with Director Wray. I haven't been part of those, so I can't speak to it any further.
Q Do you know that for a fact? Did he ask Director Wray himself?
MS. SANDERS: No, I'm saying, I guess that would have been part of it. I haven't spoken to him and I wasn't part of any conversations on that matter.
Q The only reason I ask is, he may have had a - I know he was talking to Don McGahn, the White House Counsel, and I'm just curious if the President went through McGahn to find out what that conversation was -
MS. SANDERS: Director Wray speaks to -
Q - or if he asked the FBI Director himself because he was concerned about these reports.
MS. SANDERS: Director Wray is the head of the top law enforcement agency. It's very routine that he would speak to the White House Counsel, as well as the Attorney General.
As I understand it, the conversations they've had have been routine and focused on things dealing with his position, not whether or not he would keep it.
So I can only speak to what I know. And anything further, you should ask the Department of Justice or the FBI on those conversations.
Kristen.
Q Sarah, just to follow up on that, to ask you directly: Does the President think that Andrew McCabe should step down?
MS. SANDERS: I haven't asked him that question.
Q And you talked about concerns about the leadership previously at the FBI. Does the President have concerns about the current senior leadership at the FBI beyond Christopher Wray? Not including Christopher Wray, who he's expressed confidence in today.
MS. SANDERS: We haven't gone member by member, but I know that the President has complete confidence in Director Wray and his ability to determine if there are any issues and to make those decisions.
Q But does he think there's current political bias against him at the FBI - in the upper echelons at the FBI?
MS. SANDERS: Again, I haven't gone member by member of every single person in the top ranks of the FBI. The President has a great deal of respect for the rank-and-file members of the FBI, and he has a great deal of confidence in Director Wray. And he feels that if any changes need to be made, the Director will make that decision and carry them out.
John.
Q Yeah, thank you, Sarah. A follow-up question on that. Several references were made, and considerable publicity was given, to the use of the term "secret society" within the FBI. Have you had any discussions with the President about it? And does he believe there is a secret society within the Federal Bureau of Investigation?
MS. SANDERS: No, we have not discussed any secret societies, and I couldn't speak to their existence either.
Steve.
Q Yes, Sarah. The President is about to speak to the Turkish President, Erdogan, about Turkey's offensive in Syria. What message does the President want to get across to Turkey about that?
MS. SANDERS: Look, I think what I said yesterday - we want them to deescalate. I think you can expect that to be part of the conversation, but I'm not going to get ahead of their call. And we'll have a readout after that takes place. I believe it's tomorrow.
Q Tomorrow?
MS. SANDERS: Yeah.
I'll take on last question. Charlie.
Q Thank you, Sarah. Just a follow-up to Kevin's question. If the House Intelligence Committee decides to release the memo, the President has to sign off on it. Is the White House committed to signing off on it if the House Republican - or House Republicans decide -
MS. SANDERS: Actually, my understanding is that he doesn't. So if they make that decision, that wouldn't be something the President would need to be involved in.
So, thank you guys so much. Have a good day.
END
4:34 P.M. EST
Contact: White House • whitehouse.gov/the-press-office
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