the federal government was. >> asked about the possibility of a pardon yesterday at the first press briefing in 43 days, and here is what she said about that. >> why hasn't the president ruled out a pardon for paul manafort? >> the president has made his position on that clear. he'll make a decision when he is ready. >> that's not a ruling it out, doug. you know, you could make the argument his base would support that. >> you know -- >> they think it's a witch hunt. >> thatpolitically toxic. nobody is saying it's a good idea politically. legally, there is no real reason to turn around and say, oh, today, tuesday, i am, you know, waiving and i'm not going to do it. he is not going to commit to that. >> i want to go to a couple of other things quickly because the sentencing isn't the only thing twirling around the mueller orbit. yesterday there was an apology to the judge for re-releasing