Birthday to brian. Ill let you guys celebrate among yourselves in these first 50 days, the president has taken many key steps toward delivering on the pledges he made to the American People as a candidate. Hes jump started job creation, in the only because of his executive actions, but through the surge of Economic Confidence and optimism that has been inspired since his election. President trump knows exactly what businesses need to thrive and grow, and therefore adding well paying and steady jobs so the market. Obviously were pleased to seat jobs report. It is great news you for american workers. During the first full month of the trump presidency, the economy added 235,000 new jobs on the Unemployment Rate ticked down to 4. 7 . Notably, we also saw Significant Growth in the construction, manufacturing, and mining sectors. The Unemployment Rate ticked down and Labor Force Participation rate ticked up showing that even as more peopl businesses are continuing to grow and create new jobs. The president looks forward to continuing his work with the private sector to clear roadblocks, to key infrastructure projects, withdraw from job killing trade deals like the Transpacific Partnership and slash the bureaucratic red tape that makes additional hiring difficult for american businesses. Hes taken action to ensure the safety and security of the United States homeland, its borders, and its people. Hes proposed great rebuilding of our nations military, following a full review of the military readiness and supported by 54 billion budget increase. Hes implemented new protections to prevent people from coming into our country that seek to do us harm. As a result of the president ial memorandum that he signed on january 28th were the president received a plan to defeat isis designed by the secretary of defense and the National Security team. Just as hes promised during the campaign, hes made enforcing our nations immigration laws a top priority, signing executive orders that start work on a southern border wall, that enhance the Public Safety of americans through ordering the strong enforcement of immigration laws that already on the books. Halting funding to jurisdictions in the United States that dont complain with federal immigration rules and directing the department of Homeland Security to hire a combined 15,000 new officers and agents to support the system and protect nation. Hes outlined an aggressive legislative agenda that includes tax reform, that bring relief to Small Business in the middle class, a massive commitment to infrastructure that will help jobs. He began working with congress directly on repealing the worst parts of obamacare and replacing it with the American Health care act. And this particular legislation is just one prong in the president s comprehensive approach to reforming our health care system. The administration is also taking additional steps to stabilize Health Insurance markets and start bringing down costs for the millions of americans that have been affected by obamacare such as stabilizing Insurance Markets through regulatory row foeform, purchasing insurance across state lines, providing individuals and families with lower access with with access to lower cost options by loosening the restrictions on the financial structure of plans offered through the obamacare exchanges. And finally, the president is committed to working with congress on additional legislation that wont be subject to the budget reconciliation process. That will allow the purchase of Health Insurance across state lines, that will streamline the process of the fda, to bring down the cost of critical medicine, to allow for the expansion of Health Savings accounts, to allow more americans to use their funds for more health care costs, Health Care Related costs and so much more. There is one page fact sheet that lays out the throw prongs to the president s plan to repeal and replace all americans can see that. One pager available at whitehouse. G whitehouse. Gov repealandreplace. This administration is already looking forward to all that we have been planning to accomplish in the days and weeks ahead. You should have a document outlining each of the email boxes of the president s major actions during the 51st days. We made it available to the public as well at whitehouse. Gov n terms of the schedule for the 50th day in office, the president will have a series of meetings and calls moving further along on some of the most significant Campaign Promises he made to the American People. After receiving his daily intelligence briefing, he led a Health Care Discussion with Key House Committee chairs. The president thanked and congratulated the chairs on ushering the Health Care Act through the first phase of the legislative process. He noted he was pleased to seat bill pass through both the committees, the energy and Commerce Committee and ways and Means Committee president and republicans in congress will act business. Today the president and republican in congress will act decisively to keep their prommits promise to the people. Including the Vice President were congresswoman black, chair of house committee. Congressm congressman brady, chair of ways and means. Congressmanual wallis from energy commerce. And in addition to this hill outreach senior officials at department of health and Human Services met to discuss the bill and. President is committed to make the system better that is including hearing from all interested groups for a more affordable and Accessible Health care. The president add call with the palestinian authority. We will have a readout of that call soon. The president had lunch with secretary of state tillerson and this afternoon the president will meet with secretary of housing and urban development dr. Ben carson. He looks forward to discussing hud with quality affordable housing. Especially the ways in which we can partner with the private sector to come up with Innovative Solutions to turn our Public Housing system around and empower community. Looking ahead to the weekend, president will spend the weekend here at the white house in a series of meetings with his team. Vice president s office announced details of this trip to louisville, kentucky where he will participate in listening seges with Small Businesses and job creator throughout the community and joined by Governor Bevin and hear from local Small Businesses. The Vice President will discuss the president s economic agenda, especially the repeal and replace many aspects of obamacare and how itll reduce the burden on Small Businesses. He will then conclude with formal remark at the train parts and distribution center. Also coming up, judge gorsuchs confirmation hearings begin on march 20th. Yesterday the American Bar Association reported their committee determined that by unanimous vote judge gorsuch was given a quote well qualified mark for the supreme court. The president looks forward to seeing judge gorsuch receive a speed and fair hearing up and down the floor. It aired this morning on Facebook Live and is available on youtube and white house. Gov. I encourage everyone to check it out. With that, i will be glad to take your questions. Our involvement of setting rangers mean reasons into syria marks a dramatic change in our presence on the ground there. Im wondering how much autonomy is the president giving general james mattis to involve u. S. Forces on the ground in syria . A u. S. Marine artillery unit and team of rangers have recently been positioned in syria to provide a combined joint Task Force Operation inherent resolve. The commander of the agility to expedite isis an raqqah in particular. The position of forces are still a sensitive order to protect the location of the forces. But approximately 400 enabling forces will be deployed for a temporary period to enable our syrian Partner Forces to accelerate defeat of isis specifically in raqqah. I think as ive mentioned before, one of the things that president has ensured is that the commanders have the flexibility to do what they need to fulfill the mission. The president is obviously has commanderinchief made aware and signs off on all of those missions. But at the end of the day, it is up to the generals to execute their mission to make sure that we continue to defeat isis. And protect the nation. Now our involvement there really sort of complicate the whole picture because we are aligned with the kurds but at the same time the nato ally see he the kurds as the enemy then theres what happens with russia and its involvement with the syrian government. The big problem with iraq was we never planned for the day after. Right. What are the plans for the day after here when raqqah falls . Who occupies it . One of the things that you know i mentioned in the script, that is part of what the president has done during his first 50 days, is issue an executive order on january 28th for the secretary of defense to submit a comprehensive plan in cons you will tag with the joint chiefs and other members of the National Security team to defeat isis. That is part of that plan. I think you are seeing a comprehensive approach to not only how we engage in syria but the total defeat and elimination of isis. That is part of an ongoing process that secretary of defense, chairman of the joint chiefs and others have been involved in in briefing the president. Does the president have an idea of who should occupy raqqah again, i think that as we deinvolve that plan, i will have more for you on that. I think have you killed one question friday. Volve that plan more for you on that. I think have you killed one question friday. Volve that plan more for you on that. I think have you killed one question friday. We will get back to one question friday. John carl . One question friday. Chair Ranking House Intelligence Committee have asked the Justice Department to turn over any information that they have that there was any wiretapping of president elect trump, President Trump, trump tower. If there is any wiretapping that took place, would the president apologize to president obama for making such a charge. I think it is important to see where that goes. I dont want it prejudge their work at this time. Jim . If there is no evidence again. Youre asking what if there is evidence. Im not going to talk about hypotheticals of a prejudgment of a report that hasnt been done yet. Once thats done, we will answer appropriately. Jim . Reported by politico yesterday that doesnt believe a 14 million wall along the border is the best way for border security. Does the president see support for the border wall weakening in congress . No. That is something he campaigned on and promised the American People to protect our National Security and Economic Security and he will fulfill that pledge. He started to work with the department of Homeland Security on what the plans and funding mechanism and bidding and rfp process will roll out slowly. Or shortly, i should say. But thats a pledge that he intend to maintain. J john bennett . April 28 is right around the corner. Government funding expires. Given that during the transition period you guys asked for a short term cr, so you could weigh in once you were in office, what is the white house doing right now to avoid a shut down . I talked to some sources. They couldnt point to specific talks. Whats the state of lay there . Director mulvaney will release his budget on the 16th. Thats the first step in working with them to get the budget under control. We are approaching 20 trillion of our debt. I think we need to get spending under control. So part of spepding in the government goes hand in hand with what we are spending on. We have begun that process. Director mulvaney has had several conversations with members on the hill on both sides and will continue. But to your question, that part of the process. We need to release a budget first about what our priority are for coming fiscal year. And then make sure we do what we can going forward. This goes hand in hand with that. We need finish out the current right. Fiscal year 17. But they go hand in hand. You need to close out fy 17 and then i think our budget lays out where we want to go in fy 18. Once we have handle on y 18 we can back fill 2017. Are there cuts for i appreciate, were not having that discussion here. John . Thank you, sean. I will adhere to one question friday. Thank you. President said in the past he is open to compromise and compromise on legislation coming up. This morning when she spoke at the Christian Science monitor press breakfast, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said that she would like to see the comprehensive immigration package that passed the senate which was stopped in the house, brought back, and that was her version of a compromise on immigration. Whats the administrations position on what former speaker and minority leader i think you are referring to the gang of 8 bill, correct . Correct. I think the president has been clear during the campaign trail that thats not a bill that he supports. But he looks forward to engaging with members to find a way forward to fix our broken immigration system. That bill in particular is a nonstarter, a nonstarter when it came out the first time. I think it continues to be a nonstarter but the president recognizes that system is broken and that he wants to work with congress to fix it. Hunter . Thank you, sean. Does the white house believe theres such a thing as deep state thats actively working to undermine the president . I think theres no question when you have eight years of one party in office that there are people who stay in government, i fillated with, joined, and did not to the agenda of the previous administration. I dont think it should come as any surprise that people that burrowed into government in the last eight years and want to continue that agenda. I dont think thats a surprise. Would the director of cia have a mandate to seek these people out and purge them from the government thats not part of the cias mandate under any circumstances. So, no on that one. Blake . Sean, thanks. Dnc put out a statement a little while ago saying president obama deserves credit for the february jobs numbers. Im sure they did. My question to you, how much do you feel that President Trump should be credited for that and how would you characterize the economy that President Trump was handed over by president obama . Look, numbers are going to go up and down. We recognize that. But i think theres no question when you look at the ceos that hire people, and the ceos that have talked about the investment they want to make in america, can you look back over the last several administrations. I dont believe ive ever scent number of ceos and businesses come out and talk about investments and continuing investments and expansion of investments or hiring based on the vision and agenda of an administration the way they have in this one. So it is not just a question of what we believe. I think if you look at the auto makers, you know, other manufacturers, and frankly some Service Industries that have come out and talked about the investment they will make or continuation of a project that they had going, or the movement of one of a manufacturing plant or job investment, those speak for themselves. It is not a question of what we believe, it is a question of the commitment that u. S. Manufacturers and job creator and businesses are making because they want to buy into the president s agenda and vision to create more tax and regulatory business friendly environment to grow here. And i think that those speak for themselves. Do you believe all that the policies have already had an impact absolutely. Look at the confidence indexes. They all go to the top. Stock generating over 3 billion of additional wealth since he was elected. There are several Economic Indicators that show shines of strength because of the president s vision and agenda. I dont think that thats, you know, that is secret. When you talk to the economists and Business Leaders, they have confidence in the president s agenda that will yield for a more favable Business Climate to hire more americans, expand manufacturing in america and make us more competitive around the globe. I do believe that. I dont think it is a question of what i believe or what administration believes. If you look at what outside economists and what Business Leaders do, they confirm that. Amman . In past the president referred to particular job reports as phony or totally fiction. Does the president believe it jobs report was accurate and fair way to measure the economy. I talked to the president about this and he said to quote him, he said, they may have been phony in the past but they are very real now. Sarah . Could you clear up for me between what you said yesterday about when the administration or president was made aware of general flynns foreign lobbying ties and the ap reporting today that Transition Team was informed of flynns potential need to register. So there is a big difference between when he filed, h is two days ago, and what happened then. What a is reporting, just so were clear, is that a personal lawyer of general flynns contacted a transition lawyer and asked for guidance on what he should or should not do. The lawyer was instructed that that wasnt the role of the transition and it was up to the personal lawyer to work with the appropriate authority or subject Matter Experts to determine what was appropriate and what was not appropriate in terms of filing. This was a personal matter, a business matter. It is not something that would be appropriate for a Government Entity to give someone guidance on when they should file as a private citizen. That was the guidance given, which is consistent with what should be done. So i dont think it should be a shock to anybody that if you are asked a government lawyer what you should do in your private capacity as a citizen, they are going to tell you to consult experts in that area to determine what you should or should not do. That advice transition was aware of that advice why wasnt the president made aware that the prerequisite men dags remember, sarah. There are tons of individuals that consult with the lawyers and with ethics experts and say, i own this stock, will i have to sell it. I own this business, i own this house. For the most poort they aart thn guidance, go get help, consult with this entity, consult with a lir. Lawyer. If you call the irs and ask what to do with this, they tell to you consult a tax attorney. It is not the job after Government Official to tell you what you should or should not coudo in your capacity as a citizen. Regardless of what department you call, if you call about the department of education and ask abouted kaycati about education standards, they will probably refer you to a local entity if you are asking about your own child. There is a line between private action and government action. Does the president agree with house conservatives that sunset date for Medicaid Expansion should be moved up to the end of next year . I think the bill before the house right now, reconciliation piece and again i cannot reiterate it enough is part after threeprong process. But the current process does several things. Number one, first time you will have a full addressing of an entitlement like this in decades. It is actually a very, very good thing for conservatives when you look at how were going to address medicaid. And entitlement. That many conservatives have fought for years need to be addressed. But that being said, the president has also been clear through all of the discussions and ive commented on that throughout the week that as he meets with members of congress and outside groups that if someone has an idea to make this legislation more accessible, more choice to the American People, drive down cost, make it more patient centric, he want to listen to it. Right new that where the bill stand. We will continue to listen and work with members of the house and eventually the senate. I dont want to prejudge the process itself but the bill is trasted in a way that i think represent the president s thinking and in a very smart way of addressing entitlements and going forward. Francesca . Just to the president is willing to negotiate on the expansion method . Right now, the date thats in the bill is what the president supports. He is willing to listen to individuals on different aspects of the bill that might make it that might achieve the goals he set out. But it is not a question of negotiation. We have a date in the bill and thats the date in the bill. But i think the bill continues to work its way through the house. That goes to speaker ryan. That has members approaching him with ideas and im sure he is listening to them as well. Senator mcconnell is probably dealing with the same issue in the senate. Thats the way the process is going to work. I made it clear since the getgo that this process is one where we take the best ideas, listen to individuals and try to achieve the goals that president has laid out and principles he laid out. Francesca . Thank you, sean. Piggybacking off john and john, at a breakfast this morning, nancy pelosi said it wont be true of the president s allegations against the former president because that is now how our system works. She also said obama would not do that. And it would be a waste of time for the House Intelligence Committee to investigate that allegation. Does the white house have any evidence to refute House Minority leader and former speaker pelosis claim . And could you explain why the president hasnt asked the fbi chief about this directly. I think we spoke very clearly about what we would like to happen last sunday. Im going to reiterate it. We believe the house and senate Intelligence Committee have the appropriate forum, process and staff to look into this matter and report back. Can you say that president was informed at all about the arrangement to register as a Foreign Agent. No. And did this set off no. Just so were clear, you wouldnt general flynn filed with the department of justice two days ago. How would anyone know thats sort of like asking what about the need it file . Thats up to his personal lawyer. Again, each person that goes through the process in government seeks council in many cases regarding assets they own and activity they conducted as to what they have to do or not do. This is like asking whether someone needed to file, if they add client, whether or not they have to file a lobbying disclosure form. That is not for us to determine. Thats for them and their council to determine if they engaged in activity in the past, whatever it is, or if a doctor needed to up their certification. That is not for the government to determine. There are certain private citizens activities that you conduct and seek council on or professional advice. Thats not up to the government. Thats exactly how the system works. It is a red flag. You got your question, john. John, were doing one question this is a no, its not, john. Have you an attorney calling transition and saying that no, no, no the person in line to be the National Security adviser may need to register as Foreign Agent. That doesnt raise a red flag . It is not a question of raising a red flag, john. It is a question of whether or not they got the right advice which it is not up to them to make decisions as it what you need to do or not do. There are certain activity that fall under each of the requirements. As far as what the threshold is, what activities, who the Funding Source was, et cetera, et cetera. It is not up to nor is it appropriate nor is it legal for the government to start going into private citizens, seeking advice and telling them what they have to register or not. Thats the equivalent of walking through someones tax return and saying that is not a deduction that you should take. That is. Thats why when you contact agencies you should seek council or professional advice or expertise in whatever matter it is. That is not up to them to determine. Plain and simple. Glenn john, we are moving beyond the legal question. Thank you. Just no followup with john. Moving beyond the legal question here, this is an issue of judgment about who you guys wanted here in your administration. There a there are published reports that your National Adviser had c conversation with turkey wp congressman cummings sent a letter to mike pence during the transition informing him of this and raising a red flag. Mr. Pence was on television, i believe yesterday, saying twice he had no knowledge of that letter. Hold on. Stop, no, no, before you accuse the Vice President of certain things, what he said is that he was not aware of the filing, so so we are clear. And he wasnt. Go on. Forget about filling out forms and legalisms here, what does this say about Transition Teams judgment, about still appointing him as National Security adviser when you had knowledge of this information. You are asking me, forget about the legalisms. Thats what we ask people to do is follow the law. You cant forget about the legalisms. No, no, thats what you said. What im saying is thats what we did, they consulted a lawyer, which everyone who had something of, is advised to do, that lawyer consulted the transition lawyer who said it is your job to consult the appropriate lawyers. Beyond the legal issues. Im saying in moving beyond the issue of the papers here. We are talking about the judgment, judgment that president , Vice President and your team made to select this man as National Security adviser when you had information he had these dealings with turkey. What dealings are you referring to . The fact that add client . He was also head of the Defense Intelligence agency. Unbelievably qualified. 40 years in military with impeccable credentials. What is it what is it exactly that you are getting at . So far he has impeccable k credentials, widely respected, and for you to impugn his Vice President pence said yesterday there was no disclosure at the time. The question is, that if his council worked with whom ever he worked with determined that he didnt, thats up to him. It was up to him, the burden is on the individual to seek the legal advice or professional expertise to decide what they have to file and not. We could have a hypothetical question about someone who made an inappropriate filing on their tax returns or professional qualification. At the end of the day, when people present it to you, they are advised to seek legal advice about what is appropriate and what is not. That is not up to the transition attorneys to go through someones livelihood and determine what they need to seek. They were given the proper legal advice at the time which is to seek expertise in that matter. He had already obtained council. Let me clarify. The transition officials were not overly concerned by his it is not a question of overly concerned. The question is did they provide him the avenue they were supposed to . Did they tell him to seek council . They did. That is what is supposed to happen. Thats it, plain and simple. I guess the question for you very simply then right now, does this raise concerns there may be other members of the administration or other members of transition that were or currently lobbying on behalf of foreign governments that may be advising the president of the United States . I think we trust people to fill out the appropriate forms that they need to. In it case [ inaudible ] and the president made the right call then. He may have been taking actions. Peter, you are asking me look. Can you tell me, that the executives on nbc news has gone through every persons background [ inaudible ] i understand that. We trust people that they fill out the forms that they are required to do so in an honest manner. He retroactively filed the forms he was supposed to do. We advised him to do what the legal and proper thing was and thats the right thing for this administration. We did the right thing then and we expect every employee to follow the law. This president when it comes to ethics, when it comes to lobbying, he instituted fiveyear ban. He banned people he has ran on a commitment to drain the swamp. He is very committed to making sure we Institute High standards here and we are held to them. At the end of the day when he found out that the general betrayed the trust of the Vice President back in the day, he let him go. The answer, is if someone does something not keeping with the president s standard he set for every Single Person in this administration they will be let go. Do you have full faith in all those people advising the president right now . I believe that everybody has done a what is legally required of them. I cant tell that you every person has done everything. The i can tell you the president made clear to every person in this administration you are expected to live up to the high standards that is set for them. If you dont, you will be dismissed. [ inaudible ] also we know that there will be a president ial election very soon in south korea and we know several leading candidates they prefer less confrontation and also post of deployment system and so does the white house look into the impact of the election . I believe they have to have an election within 60 days. There is an acting president who we have strong relationships with. And we will continue to work with south korea. They are both an ally and friend in the region. This is obviously an issue that we continue to keep up with on will developments there. It is a domestic issue in which the United States takes no position in the election. They have Democratic Institutions to determine the future of their country. Out is a steadfast ally and partner to the republic of korea and thats it. Obviously you guys are excited about it [ inaudible ] the president tweeting within an hour of the jobs data coming out which is a violation of federal rules, im wondering if there is counseling in the president s future. But also credit it say the risk of doing this is politicizing what should be nonpartisan by the books. What i understand is that that rule was instituted to deal with market fluctuations. I could be wrong. But i believe that is why it was instituted. I think tweeting out great way to start a friday, here are the actual numbers that you all have reported. Dont make me make the podium move. I mean, honest do god, like every reporter here reported out that we had 235,000 jobs, 4. 7, there isnt a tv station that didnt go live to it. So to tweet out great way to start a friday, i think, yes, the president was excited to see more americans back to work. I dont think thats a market disruption. I think there is a lot of excitement in this country when we look at the policies that president instituted to help put more americans back to work. I understand the rule, but lets sure, the Obama White House for instance, you know, went out of their way not to comment in that hourlong period. Rearranged the president s exude youll arou schedule around it. I get it. It is not about economy. It is one thing to give analysis. Literally tweetint, gg ouat news. Yes, we are excited. That when the president and rest of the team saw the news as reported on every television station, twitter, internet and every major news site in the country and around the world, we are excited to see so Many Americans back to work. So i apologize if we were a little excited and we are so glad to see so many fellow americans back to work. Ashley . Sean, congressman cummings letter in november laid out that general flynn was being paid to lobby for turkish interest in the campaign. Why did that not raise a flag . It is not a question of raising the flag. His attorney went to transition attorney who was told you need to seek council on this and get further guidance. Thats the job. It is not a question of raised flags. It is not for us to adjudicate whether or not someone needs to file under the lobbying disclosure act, far registration act. That is not the job of the transition attorney. It is to tell them to seek Additional Council or explain to them where to find that information. Not to tell them what to do or not to do. The Vice President specifically, not saying you should go to this teattorney or giving legal advice, but why when this was brought to the Vice President s attention, did he not bring it to the president or look at it further. We are going through this further. Did they seek the appropriate advice and council . And they did. Thats the answer. Aleks sn alexis . I have health care question. Fz well, good. Arent you relieved. Makes me feel better. Is he flexible about the refundable tax credit portion of the house bill . Would he be willing to sign legislation that voided that particular provision, because as you know, conservatives are concerned thats an additional entitlement. I think more and more as the president talks to more outside groups, number one they are excited to understand the totality and he addresses this in the weekly address can you find at whitehouse. Gov that continues to explain the comprehensive aspect of this. Reconciliation piece. Administrative piece that secretary price will institute. And additional legislation buying health care across state lines, allowing businesses to pool things, allowing Health Savings accounts to expand. Streamlining fda. Going after medical malpractice. All those things that bring cost down. People have to remember that if you get your health care through your employer which majority of americans do, you are not taxed and your employer is not taxed. It is fairly inadequate and unbalanced for Small Business owners, ranchers and farmers, sole p sole proprietors to have additional tax burden because they are not a big employer. I think the more they understand the comprehensive nature of this they are beginning to support more so want it to stay . Refundable Tax Credit Solutions . Oh, absolutely. Four letters to the white house asking why still in his job would you like it add to that . I dont. I refer you to the department of treasury on that. Yeah . Thank you, sean. The other day the president tweeted that for the past eight years during the obama presidency, russia quote, ran over United States and in particular picked off crimea and added missiles, which the president described in his tweet as weak. Given that he seems to be focused on crimea, at least as far as the tweet is concerned, will the president use authority and funding granted him in the ntaa to send lethal defensive weapons to ukraine as has been called for by house and Senate Armed Services committees and even though republican language was ordered down . And if he is not going to, i did ask you this about several weeks when senator mccain sent a letter asking for this, if the president doesnt want to do it, is that because he would rather focus efforts with russia on partnering to try to defeat isis . I think Ambassador Haley has not noted at the u. N. That undermining sanctions that exist because of crimea will remain in place to thuntil that issue is resolved. The president when it comes to overall negotiating strategies made it clear in a variety of circumstances that his philosophy is not one that says im kgoing to tell what you im going to do. He hold his cards close to his vest. Why would sending im not getting into the president s negotiating strategy. As he continues to engage with the president , with the president of russia and secretary tillerson were not brian. Its your birthday. You got a question. With my staff, weve got about several dozen emails and talked to congressmen this morning getting emails saying if you are going to repeal and replace obamacare, why not give everyone what senators in congress get . Can you address that . Someone asked the other day about federal benefits. Right now a third of the counties around the country have one provider. Thats not choice. I think the president understands that very clearly and thats frankly why he is pushing the American Health care you know, why were doing this is that so Many Americans have no choice. And that he wants there to be greater choice and lower cost. By doing the stuff were doing, especially the third prong allowing competition over state lines, taking the government mandates away from what they have to include, that is really going to institute more choice. There are more options. If you remember, prior to obamacare, you could go from the open market and variety of different options and tailor what you or your family needed based on the conditions that you saw or deductible you wanted and choice dried up with obamacare. That the point, though. If you want more of that kind of a system, then this is the bill and legislation and the comprehensive approach that you should be supporting. But specifically the perception that somehow congress, senators and Congress Gets better care than the rest of us. Can you address that . Yes. I think thats why we are trying to pass it the way we are. We want more choice. We want more competition and lower cost. The American People deserve a Better Health care system. Thats what this president is pushing for. Margaret . Did the white house sign off on secretary tillersons decision to not take the press with him on what should be an important trip to asia and growing north korean threat and what are his marching order . You talked a lot about the flexibility the president has given to generals. What flexibility has he given to secretary of state . As i mentioned, the president having lunch with secretary tillerson. I know the trip is one of the topics of discussion. I will try to follow up with that. With respect to the first part of the question, press is being invited to that trip. They are traveling commercially. There is a press logistics component to make sure they can get everywhere and they have access you cant possibly get to all three cities commercially the plane that secretary is taking doesnt accommodate that. They have made accommodations for members of the press to cover everything. We dont get involved in the logistics for every cabinet members trip. Get in touch with the state department on this. They are made aware of concerns of some of your colleagues and are making accommodations in the future with the size of the plane. Make no mistake about it, there is a logistics component to make sure the press is welcome throughout the trip and at every stop. And that accommodations are taken care of and the Logistical Support to do that. There will be a press conference component as well. Would you like Public Diplomacy and this important Diplomatic Initiative for the administration to be covered fully i hope itll be covered fully with the reporters o to be on the plane with the secretary as they have and when appropriate they can. There is a big difference between carving out a number of seats and between having transparency and they make sure you have hotels, travel support, combination answers filing centers. At some point, you know, this isnt about blocking anybody. This is theyve gone above and beyond. Not every plane can accommodate every member of the press. Can you get a bigger plane. There is an element of cost savings that the secretary is trying to achieve. But at the end of the day, theres a press component to every stop of the secretarys trip. He is doing everything he can to logistically support the press who want it come and cover them. And they are open to making sure the secretary is available throughout the trip. Yes . President trump has been very critical of german chancellor merkel on the campaign trail. How does the white house think that will effect the tone of the meeting on tuesday and what type of tone does the president plan to take . I know we did a bit of a readout earlier today on that. There is a lot of excitement on both side. Of the ocean for this trip. I know that we are looking forward to meeting with the chancellor and her team and i have talked to her folks over there and they are very excited about coming over. There is a lot of trade and economic interest on both sides and obviously an element of National Security that we share and so i will let the trip, look forward to the readout. But there is a lot of excitement. I think the president looks forward to meeting with the chancellor and discussing areas of shared interest. Athena . With all of this plane discussion i gather from today and yesterday, i want it make sure i understand the answer to this question. Are you saying the president was not aware that Lieutenant GeneralMichael Flynn was acting as a National Agent when he was appointed as National Security adviser . Correct. You wouldnt know that, he didnt file until two days ago, and nobody would have known that because he didnt file for Foreign Agent until two days ago. What about filing with congress in november . Again, thats different than filing with the doj. One question friday. It is very much attached. All right. Did flynn disclose he was acting as Foreign Agent in the security clearance review before he became nsa . I dont know the answer it that question. That is something to follow up with general flynn on. April . When is it when a president s, former president s spillover ends and new president stands on his own merit. When does that happen . I think on january 20th at noon you start to assume command of the government. And you know, what specifically are you asking for . Numbers from jobs. I think that this is the first full month that encapsulates the president s administration. Thats a very telling number. Look, i get it, the numbers will go up and down. For the first full month we see the enthusiasm and spirit that so many Business Leaders have been drawn to. And it is exciting as a first month. This encapsulatees a full 30 days of the trump presidency. So you know, we will continue to work forward with policies that will lower regulation and lower taxes. Create a more businessfriendly and entrepreneurialprendly Business Climate to allow the expansion of u. S. Companies and grow u. S. Jobs. Lastly over the last couple of weeks, a large portion of negatives over the new Affordable Care act and how you are looking to make it patient care. Right. With that, are there any positives that you can articulate from aca that will carry into possibly patient care . I think children staying on their plans to 26. Preexisting condition piece. But again, remember thats the subject to no, no, youre asking if theres elements. Those are some things. And again, remember, there is stuff that is part of the aca that is stuff that republicans support for a while as well. This is making sure that this is the most effective and comprehensive Health Care Policy that achiefs the president s goals. [ inaudible ] i dont know, april. Im sure can i go through the bill and get back. It is very long as you saw. 974 pages. David jackson . House saying that President Trump inviting [ inaudible ] can you confirm that. . Thank you very much. Lets end on the positive note. We look forward to seeing you. Take care, everybody. Thank you