Day, ill come back up and take your questions. Thank you. I thought it might be best to read the president s statement. Since his inauguration, the Trump Administration has called on venezuelans to respect venezuelas constitution, respect the role and authority of the constitution in the established national assembly. Hold free and fair elections. Address the humanitarian needs of the venezuelan people, release political prisoners, and stop oppressing its great people. To heedme has refused this call. The recent action culminated in yesterdays outrageous seizure of power through the same election of the Natural National constituent assembly. It registered a serious blow to our democracy. Maduro is not just a bad leader, he is now a dictator. The United States stands with the people of venezuela in the face of this oppression. We will work with our partners to hold accountable all of those responsible for the escalating violence and ongoing human rights violations. The president promised strong and swift actions if the regime went forward with imposing the National Constituent assembly on the venezuelan people. He will keep that promise. Secretary mnuchin . Thank youmnuchin general. Today, the United States is broadening its effort on the on growing ongoing assault by the maduro regime. Treasury they have sanctioned the president of venezuela, it was maduro. Maduro, subject to u. S. Jurisdiction are present. Frompersons are prohibited doing with him. As President Trump said earlier this month, the strong and courageous action by the venezuelan people to stand for democracy, freedom and the rule continuouslyeen maduro, whoicholas dreams of becoming addicted a dictator. He is a dictator who disregards the will of the venezuelan people. National constituent assembly wants to user the constitutional role of democratically elected national assembly. Rewrite the constitution and impose an authoritarian regime on the people. A rupturet represents in venezuelas constitutional and democratic order. ,y sanctioning Nicolas Maduro the United States makes clear his opposition to his regime and support for the people of venezuela who strive to serve return their country to apel and prosperous democracy. As the countrys head of state, onelas maduro is the responsible for the destruction of democracy. Adding him to the list of designated nationals reflects our commitment to not stand by idly as venezuela continues to crumble under the regimes. We hope that these sanctions will make all Nicolas Maduro regime officials reconsider how their actions have affected their country. These actions highlight a high that this regime could face if they continue their reckless and undemocratic activities. Anyone who participates in this illegitimate anc could be exposed to future u. S. Sanctions for their role in undermining democratic process and institutions in venezuela. Now we will take a few questions. Sanctions if these sanctions dont work, what will be the next step . Can we go out anything else on the table other than sanctions . We very much believe that sanctions do work and we will continue to monitor the situation and consider additional sanctions. The president has prioritized his concern for the venezuelan people. He is only considering those options that would benefit directly the venezuelan people. I cant comment on his assets. This will be the fourth head of state. I have two questions, one on the sanctions, one on the election. Do you see the election as an attempt by Nicolas Maduro to keep our for the election next year. . Does the american government. That there is a coup underway fear that there is a coup in venezuela . What we are seeing in venezuela is not a coup. We are seeing of the venezuelan people. There are very low numbers of turnout during this farce associated with the constituent assembly. I think you see what the true desires of the venezuelan people are. How is this different than what happened in turkey when president erdogan expanded powers in a referendum that some considered to have questionable results . Congratulatedp president erdogan on that. When he can to the u. S. , is people protested his people are tested protested in front of the embassy. This is happening at an accelerated pace in the recent months in the Nicolas Maduro regime. This has taken to regimes to restrict venezuelan democracy. By designating Nicolas Maduro himself, he joins an exclusive club. In terms of the brutal repression of his people and in this case, the aggregation of the constitution with the assembly, the constituent assembly. Is the administration contemplating any action at the u. N. Security council . Before,nk, as we said this president will not advertise what he will do in the future. All options are on the table and we will consider everything. Have you spoken to any other American Allies about the issue of punishing . We will continue to work with our partners in the region. There are many leaders that have taken an Important Role in this. Him totrying to get protect the right of his people. We had tried very hard in this area. The president is committed to working with partners in the region on behalf of the venezuelan people. Countriesseveral join us in our previous actions. You, the administration, any t maduro, had we are not going to comment on that. The president had promised strong and swift economic sanctions. Will the president carry out strong and swift economic sanctions . Sanctionsa series of last week, this is an additional sanctions today. Additionalmment on sanctions but we will monitor the situation and determine what is appropriate. There was talk of making changes in terms of our exports or curbingla, wer venezuelan imports. Will that hurt the venezuelan people . We will continue to review all of our options, our objective is to do nothing that will hurt the people of venezuela. Will sanctions be against oil . I will not comment on that, we will monitor all of our options. 16 years ago, secretary inell signed an agreement south america in which the u. S. Completely ruled out support of coups that would have an indirect change on government and supported direct sanctions. When therred in aiding president was overthrown. Are you still abiding by the agreement that secretary powell signed . Are you ruling out any support of a coup against a regime that brings a new leadership . Comment on we are focused on the democratic process and that is what we are focused on right now. One more question. We announced sanctions, we will monitor the situation and consider everything in the future. Thank you everybody, we appreciate it. Press secretary sanders you guys wasted all of your questions on the same ones over and over. Just kidding, tough crowd today. Wenow it is a little late, are used to doing the briefings. I will have a few updates. I wanted to make sure that you are all aware that the first lady announced that she will allegation at the games in toronto, canada. As the president says, there is no better representative for the United States and the first lady. He is proud to have her leading the team that will support these american athletes. She is very much looking for to her Solo International trip. Her office will answer any questions you have read the Vice President is overseas on a visit to three countries. He is speaking to the multinational troops participating in the nato enhanced president s mission. Earlier today, the Vice President and second lady arrived in georgia where they attended a dinner hosted by the prime minister. As the Vice President continues to strengthen our relationships with our friends and allies in thepe, during his travels, department of commerce and energy welcomes the news of a partnership between American Energy and the government of ukraine they will purchase american thermal coal ahead of the upcoming winter season. This Partnership Provides ukraine with a secure, reliable and competitive alternative energy source. Ill be destabilized and Energy Supply that has been at the mercy of the countrys volatile neighbors. This will support a transportation industry. The Top Administration is continuing to move our country down the path of energy dominance. We hope to see more partners like this in the future. The ceremony just ended in the private first class s event just ended. He voluntarily risked his life to protect his comrades. Even as a grenade slashed his body had to foot, he continued. As one of his comrades were called, the medic could count on him. The president was honored to award him with a metal of honor today, adding his name to the list of american heroes who will stand forever in our history for their bravery and unbreakable spirit. With that, i would take your questions. Is Anthony Scaramucci still in the administration . Can you talk about the circumstances of his leaving . Press secretary sanders he does not have a role at this time. We put out a statement earlier announcing that. Not at this time. Did general kelly asking to leave . The president . Press secretary sanders i will not get into the process. Before,id several times it doesnt matter who is employed in the white house but who is employed in the rest of the country. We are focused on the president s agenda of growing the economy, creating jobs, that is what we will do and be focused on. Is it a chain of command issue . Scaramucci said he had a direct line of medication to the president. There has been speculation that general kelly was tried to tighten trying to tighten that up. Press secretary sanders the president felt that anthonys comments were inappropriate for a person in that position. Burden generalto kelly with that line of succession. I think we made clear over the course of the last couple of days general kelly had the full authority to operate within the white house. When you said you dont want to burden him with that line of succession the chain of command . Press secretary sanders correct. When it comes to the people who have access to the president , will that conduit be narrowed down . Will ever think low through kelly . Flow through press secretary sanders the president has given full authority to general kelly. The white house said that mr. Scaramucci wanted to give john kelly a clean slate. Press secretary sanders i think anthony wants general kelly to be able to operate fully with a clean slate while at the same time, the president felt his comments were inappropriate. Theyre not mutually exquisite. Exclusive. Out, generalid new structureng to the white house and discipline, and strength. We are all really excited to work with him. I will not draw out a chart right now but we will keep you posted. Does everything go through general kelly . Press secretary sanders he has the full authority to carry out business as he sees fit. A really quick one. Sean spicer, will he be in the administration in any way now that Anthony Scaramucci announced that he will not be a part of the chocolate ministration . Trump administration. . Im notcretary sanders aware of that. Is there no chaos at the white house . How would you describe what happened over the course of the past 10 days . Of course you will agree with your boss that there is no chaos. Press secretary sanders if you want to see chaos, come to my house with three preschoolers, this doesnt hold a candle to that. This is not an open invitation to come to my house but if you guys want to schedule babysitting time, i will be happy to work that out. Does the president regret hiring Anthony Scaramucci . Press secretary sanders i am not getting into that. You already did. You are basically laying this on scaramucci. Press secretary sanders i think i have been very clear that the president felt that it was inappropriate. Both anthony and general kelly came to a mutual agreement. Two questions. To burden general kelly with that line of secession . That is the president . Press secretary sanders that is the president. A mutuallys was agreed conversation that took place between several people. On russia and russian sanctions, do you know whether the president why has the president taken the opportunity to Say Something in response to better important Vladimir Putins retaliation to the sanctions . Press secretary sanders we put out a statement from the president over the weekend. We will let you know when that takes place. In terms of your second question, the followup was why hasnt he taken the opportunity to Say Something about this . Opportunitiese of to Say Something about it. Press secretary sanders we are reviewing her options and when we have some producer about it, will let you know. You said all staff will report to the new chief of staff. Everyone reports to kelly . Press secretary sanders that includes everybody at the white house. Will the administration actually support the tax overhaul . Press secretary sanders we are working hand in glove with we put out a joint statement with the big six. We will continue as we go forward. When sean spicer resigned, now that Anthony Scaramucci said theythey both wanted a clean slate for the new demonstration. A cleanely . Slate. Late clean . Press secretary sanders we will let you know when we have any Personnel Announcements to make on that front. When the president made his two Police Officers on friday, his speech to police friday, he seemed to condoning brutality by police when making arrests. Was he joking . Press secretary sanders i believe he was making a joke. Washe scaramucci fired by the president . Press secretary sanders i will not get anything into anything done what i have said on that. You said this was a backandforth conversation. Press secretary sanders i think he wants to work with general kelly and a Communications Team and t determine what is the best course forward. Soon will that be . Omplete press secretary sanders there are no cabinet members moving in any capacity. The president has 100 competence in this cabinet confidence in this cabinet. He found it inappropriate for a person in scaramuccis position. He found his comments inappropriate. Out re trying to find can you talk about the messaging from the president . Between when scaramucci was here this morning and this afternoon . Press secretary sanders i think it i dont think it is hard to understand that the president found his comments inappropriate. Are people speculating about this . Press secretary sanders the president will not broadcast and decisions any decisions. All options are on the table. The president signed an executive order on infrastructure. President mean the wont prioritize working with congress on and if a structure built . Ill . Bill . An Infrastructure Press secretary sanders the president has been very outspoken about a massive need for an overhaul on the structure system an infrastructure system. We see the chief of staff, the deputy chief of staff, the press secretary and National Security adviser all leaving this ministration administration. Can you talk about the turbulence . What is going on . Press secretary sanders we are continuing to focus on the president s agenda. We have staff changes. Not the jobs in this building, the ones out there. We created over a million new jobs and he took office. The lowest unemployment in the last 16 years. Consumer confidence is at an alltime high. We are creating a Strong Economy and jobs outside of this building. Mick mulvaney said the white house does not want any boats votes in the senate. You guys are also pushing for the confirmation will the white house except Senate Voting on nonhealthcare things . Press secretary sanders we are looking for the repeal in relation of obamacare. We have not been shy about that. Repeal and replacement of. Bamacare we have not been shy about that. Press secretary sanders we will make sure to keep you guys posted on the president s travel in august. It is something the administration is very focused on, has been. Well continue working with the house and senate and members of the administration. Thanks so much, guys. Blood with the president joke about Police Brutality . A large topic at the press conference today. Anthony scaramucci leaving his role as White House Communications director, a position he held for just 10 days. After johncoming kelly was sworn in as white house chief of staff. The wall street journal expects of after that Anthony Scaramucci will hold his position at the u. S. Importexport bank. Thisdent trump tweeting message today if obamacare is hurting people, why shouldnt Insurance Companies and why should congress not be paying what public pays . A Bipartisan Group of 40 house numbers unveiled a number of proposed changes to the health care law. An effort they say will stabilize the Health Insurance market. After the defeat of the Senate Republicans partial repeal of health care. Here is more about this new plan. Days after after the defeat e socalled skinny repeal healthcare effort, a Bipartisan Group in the house is picking up the effort and releasing a proposal today. We are joined by paul demko who is a health care reporter