His first primetime address to the nation on the path forward in afghanistan and south asia. The strategies based on traditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables. It will ensure terrorists never again use afghanistan as a haven to attack United States. The brave women and men of our military have given extra nares sacrifices extraordinary sacrifices. The president recognized the sacrifices on monday at his speech. A gentleman from santa fe, tennessee sent his son a letter nearly 10 years ago while he was serving our country in iraq. Now, his son is on his second were of duty in afghanistan and his father has generously shared the letter and mailed it to the president. Hes been a Police Officer for over 30 years and he sent this letter to his son and onto the white house in hopes that the president would actually receive it and read it, which im glad to say he did earlier today. Joseph wrote please dont lose sight of your purpose. You are the only hope for the men and women and children you are protecting. Most people know that all of you are there because you volunteered to be there. Your actions and dedication are seen by people throughout the world, the most heroic action that can ever be made. U. N. And the soldiers sitting next to you are the pride of not only the nations they represent but every individual that yearns to be free. Stand tall and be steadfast for you are the defender of freedom. We owe it to the servicemen and women like the Master Sergeant who fought in our name in afghanistan for 17 years and to the families whove watched them go to secure an honorable and lasting outcome to this conflict. As the president said on monday, the men and women that serve our nation in combat deserve a plan for victory, and once that victory has been achieved they deserve to return home to a country that honors their sacrifices and provides our nations heroes with the support they have earned by risking their lives to ensure the freedom of all americans. That is why the president was also honored to set another historic piece of legislation to support our veterans early this week the v. A. Choice act streamlines the ability of claims for benefits for the veterans waiting for decisions. Under the leadership of etary shall can, in, the v. A. Isk delivering on the president s promised to fix the broken in the a system. Finally, before i open it up to take a questions, as you are all very well aware i kind of love birthdays around here, and oddly we have quite a few of them going on. Major garrett, happy birthday. Even more importantly, i think i am pretty lucky i have two of the best parents in the world, and it is my dads birthday, so happy birthday dad, and it is my nieces birthday. My only niece caroline turned four today. With that, i will take her questions. There seems to be some acrimony between the president and republican congressional leadership. How do you repair this relationship going into the fall . Sec. Huckabee sanders i think the relationships are fine. There will be policy differences, but there are also a lot of shared goals, and that is earlier focused on. We are disappointed that obama care they failed to get it repealed and replaced, but at the same time, President Trump, the he has worked with leader mcconnell to reach out to other levels members. Will the president signed a budget funding bill that does not include funding for the wall . Sec. Huckabee sanders the president has talked about this. He campaigned on the wall. He won talking about building a wall, he will make sure that gets done, and he will fight for the funding and ensure it takes place. Lets not forget a lot of democrats senators also voted for border security. Hopefully some of those same individuals will talk to members in their Current Party and maybe we can get a Bipartisan Group to support that and make sure it happens because this president is going to see it through. John . It is my older daughters birthday, too. Sec. Huckabee sanders we cover that one, too. It is my understanding when the president meets with senator mcconnell, that he will ask to take another swing at repealing obamacare. At the same time, a judge in new jersey has said Robert Menendez cannot come back to the senate to cast votes. How does that, in combination with what the president might want the Senate Majority leader to do on obamacare, balance and to the vote, need to get a repeal through . Sec. Huckabee sanders im not sure about the specifics of that case. I know there are still there is still an ongoing judicial process taking place. I will not get into that. I cant tell you the president continues to be committed to repealing the replacing obamacare, and making sure america has Good Health Care and the health care there deserve. Given what happened before the august recess, does he really have a chance to get it through . Sec. Huckabee sanders we are committed to make sure we have the best health care we can, and if we can do that in that direction, think that is great. If we cant, wed look for other ways to make solutions. John decker. John decker Hurricane Harvey appears to be bearing down on the southern part of the u. S. Texas seems to be in its crosshairs. There is no replacement yet for general kelly at the department of homeland security. First question does the president place to that plan to name a replacement for him anytime soon, and second of all, is this problematic in terms of john with Hurricane Harvey the fact there is no one at the home i now at dhs . Sec. Huckabee sanders there is certainly someone at the helm. You have the acting secretary watching this closely, very involved in the process, along with the acting director for fema. I think we are in great shape having general kelly sitting next to the president throughout the process and no better chief of staff for the president during the hurricane season. The president has been briefed and will continue to be updated as the storm progresses, and it is certainly something he is very aware of and will keep a watchful eye on, and stands ready to provide resources if needed. The president promised over and over again during the campaign that mexico would pay for the wall why is he now threatening the Government Shutdown of Congress Wont pay for it . Sec. Huckabee sanders the president is committed to make each of this gets done. We know the border work. We have seen that take place over the last decade, and we are committed to making sure the American People are protected. We will continue to push forward and make sure the wall gets built. Why is he threatening a shutdown overpaying for it . Again, he said over and over again mexico is going to pay for the wall. He asked people crowds chanted back at him, mexico is going to pay for it. Now he is threatening egg shutdown of the government a shutdown of the government. Sec. Huckabee sanders once again, the president committed to making to this happens and we will push forward. About a week ago on august 17, the president again reference to the fictitious story about general pershing considering a mass execution in the philippines. This the president know the story is false, and if so, why does he keep repeating it, and why does the white house think it is appropriate for the president to perpetuate this false story . Sec. Huckabee sanders i have not had a chance to ask him about that, so i cant speak to it. On the broader point, the president spreading false information on the twitter account that seems to encourage wartime atrocity no one in the white house has sec. Huckabee sanders i do not say no one has. I just have not had the chances began. The u. S. Has withheld funding to egypt over human rights records. President trump praised president cc in april when he was here. Why the change in tone now . Sec. Huckabee sanders the United States has always been committed on human rights issues and we will continue to do that. If i have further updates, i will let you know, but i would encourage you to reach out to the state department. Two questions on the economics of a Government Shutdown if a wall is not paid for the president likes to talk about how the economy is doing well under his watch. If there is a Government Shutdown, people could be laid off for a moment, or some people could lose their job. Talk about economics what is he view the economics for the average american he is fighting for . Sec. Huckabee sanders i am not going to get into the weeds on that, but i know the president is probably one of the strongest president s we have had on economic issues. There is a reason that over one million jobs have been created since he took office. There is a reason that unemployment is at a 16year low. There is a reason the stock market is at an alltime high. He is committed to job creation, alltime growth. With the summit, there is a big back and forth about the summit. Three of the organizations that are over top of the that basically represent them are saying this is not the time to have this summit because of charlottesville and the fact that some of the schools feel they did not get what was promised from this administration, and there could be an alternate summit by a congresswoman. What is going on here . Sec. Huckabee sanders look, the hbcu summit has been going on for over 30 years. We have no intention of canceling it. As of right now, the summit is a complete capacity with a waiting list. With that type of engagement, think it is best to move forward. Can i see the list of the schools and the names, because we are hearing from schools say they are not coming in a lot of leaders. Sec. Huckabee sanders i cannot wait tell you who is registered, and certainly we are at capacity for the Convention Center with a lengthy waiting list in terms of whether or not we release that cash i would have to check on that and get back i would have to check on that and get back to you. Where thes president what are the president s thoughts on cuba we know that as many as 19 americans have been injured . Sec. Huckabee sanders i know they are going to the process of having those people back and after a testing. At this point, i refer you to the state department on anything further. Does the president believe cuba is involved directly . Sec. Huckabee sanders i cannot comment on that at this time. We are under a sermon review. Thorough review. The president said the debt ceiling approval process is a mess. Is it . Is that accurate . Sec. Huckabee sanders it is our job to inform commerce of the debt ceiling, and it is their job to raise it in congress of the debt ceiling, and it is their job to raise it. We are working to make sure it gets raised. A clean debt ceiling bill . They wanted to be clean . Sec. Huckabee sanders yes. The Health Impact as the secretary of state has deemed them has the president been informed of this, has he been briefed . Sec. Huckabee sanders he has been briefed, but there is a thorough review going up. I would have to direct you the state for followups. Thank you, sarah. I will try a business question for you. Does the white house have any reaction to the ftc approving the acquisition of whole foods by amazon . Sec. Huckabee sanders i am not aware of that i would have to see if there is an official administration response. Second question, i want to read the comments from senator bob corker im sure you have seen them over a week ago, about the president said that the president has not yet been able to demonstrate the stable at a nor some of the competence stability nor some of the competence he needs to do mistreat to be successful, and he said he is not sure he understood the president understands the character of this nation. And you have in response to that from a republican senator . Sec. Huckabee sanders i think that is a ridiculous and outrageous claim and does not dignify response from this podium. To follow up on jonathans question, since the president is going full court press threatening a shot down over the funding of the wall, does that mean he is abandoning any that. You mentioned in the opening remarks, honorable in victory, as the president did in afghanistan can you describe what those words mean to the president honorable and victory what does it look like, what does that mean . Sec. Huckabee sanders i think when he spoke on monday he laid out what the top priority was in this process, and that is making americans safe and protecting the American People, and moving forward with this strategy, and making sure that afghanistan is never able to be used as a haven to attack the United States. I think those are certainly clear goals in the process. Does that mean there for the u. S. Military personnel will be there as long as there is any type of terrorist activity or cell in afghanistan or pakistan . Sec. Huckabee sanders look, i think when it comes to the strategy in afghanistan, they will be focused on the conditions on the ground, which will be determined by the generals in the military on the ground, and certainly through the department of defense, general mattis and his team, and not arbitrary timetables. He will be the one that can lay out the specifics for you and what that looks like. I am asking because you mentioned terrorism, threats there are several different networks, al qaeda, isis is at the priority of this administration, and the strategy it will pursue until it is accomplished to eliminate all of the terrorist cells in either afghanistan or pakistan and only then can victory be achieved and , that be described as honorable . Sec. Huckabee sanders i will not get down into that. I think that is a question best answered by general mattis and the department of defense. What i can tell you is the ultimate goal is a peaceful set up between the government of afghanistan and that taliban that protects our interests in American Life that i will let secretary mattis determinedly determine and lay that out for you specifically. A followup on afghanistan first of all, if for we have been doing in afghanistan hasnt been working, why are we still there, and if it hasnt been working, what are we planning to do differently moving forward . Sec. Huckabee sanders one of the things that is different is the decision, and whether or not when and how to withdraw would be based on decisions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, and making sure we have an integrated strategy that puts all of our american power, diplomatic, economic, and military, in a way that is sustainable and costeffective and making sure we had that integrated processes indicator is a big part of the strategy. Adding troops would prolong the withdrawal . Sec. Huckabee sanders again, were not doing this based on a timetable, but conditions on the ground, making sure we are protecting terrorists. Protecting american lives and defeating terrorists. I think it is very clear when the president laid that out on monday. A second question on that whatever the final objective is, is it really worth the reported 1 trillion that it would cost . Is there anything better we could spend that on . Sec. Huckabee sanders i dont think you can put a price tag on american lives. The president talked about putting more pressure on pakistan to play a constructive role, but he also talked about having a new religion with closer Strategic Partnership with india, which is active stands prime antagonist. Which is pakistans prime antagonist. Why does the president and drawing closer to india will prompt the pakistanis to play a more constructive role rather than becoming more defensive and playing more into his strategy of giving harbor to a terrorists . Sec. Huckabee sanders there is a regional approach, and part of that is developing and straightening the relationship of partnership with india. They have in making important contributions toward afghanistans democracy and their stability and we think it is important to continue the effort. On this thread of the Government Shutdown if congress does not secure funding for this wall, how is that not a concession from the white house that mexico is not actually going to pay for the wall and american text there as well . Sec. Huckabee sanders again, this is something the president is committed to protecting american lives, and doing that through the border wall is something that is important, and a priority. But he is not saying mexico is going to pay for it. Sec. Huckabee sanders he hasnt said they are not, either. May have. They have. Sec. Huckabee sanders thank you. Weve had enough. On the president s plan on Transgender Service members in the military, how close is the white house to sending guidance to the pentagon on that, and the policy itself how much discretion will be given to the pentagon on implementing it . Sec. Huckabee sanders when we have announcement, we will let you know. To questions, please first, the beginning of may, with great fanfare, the president signed the string of religious liberty executive orders. In the last few days, the head of the becket fund a group that fights for religious liberty in court complained that the executive order dealing with a johnson amendment, the taxexempt status for churches whether they deal in politics, and therefore will care act contraception clause were both steel being enforced endorsed in spite of the president s orders that they not the. What is the president doing about this, and is he aware of these complaints . Sec. Huckabee sanders i am not sure if he is aware of the complaints or any specific places where they are being endorsed. I would have to look into that. Probably talk to our friends at hhs specific to the contraception thing and get back to you. Already, and my second question is, in russia, the major story there is the theater director, who is a wellknown figure in the russian entertainment industry, and an opponent of the putin regime, has been arrested and is being tried on what he says are trumped up charges regarding his finances. There are massive demonstrations beginning. Does the administration have a comment on what has happened . Sec. Huckabee sanders i certainly cannot make an official statement at the time, but i will circle back with you. Fred . Sorry, thought i saw you in the back. Yeah, two questions one, given what the president and other public and leaders in other Republican Leaders in there an elevated role for Vice President pence having been in congress, languages in terms of working with congress, and is negotiating a budget . Sec. Huckabee sanders the Vice President plays a key and pivotal role in the white house. He is certainly always going to be an important part of the process of moving legislation forward on whatever that circumstance is, or whatever the matter is. He is probably one of the best advocates here at the white house, and certainly someone that the president has a great deal of trust in and is happy to have him on his team. Is that role elevated though considering there seems to be a rift . Sec. Huckabee sanders i think that the Vice President is the second in command, so it is a pretty high role where he is, and certainly again a key member of this administration, but he who plays a pivotal role everything all day in the white house to matter what the circumstances are. There have been so many criticisms from conservatives atut commissioner about report that came out highlighting that there were 213 employees that were rehired after committing petition we some crimes. Wondering, if we could revisit why the commissioner is part of the administration and if the president has any plans to replace him when his term is up in november . Sec. Huckabee sanders when we have Personnel Announcements on that front, i will let you know. Two questions on pardons one on sure if joe arpaio is the sheriff joe arpaio. Is the president asking for an fbi background check in his consideration . Sec. Huckabee sanders i would imagine they go through the thorough and standard process and when we have an announcement on what the decision is i will let you know. And more broadly, beyond are 2200 other Party Applications pending. Does the president have any part policy or philosophy, any particular way he would like to use his pardon power during this term . Sec. Huckabee sanders i have not had a conversation with him about that, but i know the white House Counsel plays a big role in that and would certainly be involved in that process and any deliberations. The president has made clear in the past that he wanted to get started on tax reform but we havent heard him say anymore about it. Politico said he has an end of imminent announcement. Tax reform, can you describe how he plans to get off this Fall Campaign to get it accomplished this year and will hear from him this week, next week what would you expect . Sec. Huckabee sanders the focus on tax relief for middleclass americans is a huge priority for this administration and will certainly be a big focus in the fall. We will look at a lot of different ways to talk about that and present that to the American People working with congress to make sure that it happens. Well keep you posted when there are specific announcements. You can expect some of that to take place in a very short order probably next week in and following through to the fall. Customary for the president to get annual physical exams at walter reed. His last released information about his medical condition last fall was during the campaign. Can you tell us whether the president intends to utilize the federal facilities at walter reed this year to get a physical and then release that information to the public . Sec. Huckabee sanders i will let you know if that is when you happen. Happens. On tuesday President Trump said if we have to close down our government, we are building that wall. Does he stand by that statement . Sec. Huckabee sanders the president has been clear this is a priority protecting american citizens is a priority. Something he is committed to it as i have said, multiple times today, he is committed to seeing that through. Is he willing to force a Government Shutdown to get the wall built . Sec. Huckabee sanders i have answered the question several times. The president at the rally in phoenix mentioned that he was he seemed inclined to pull the u. S. Out of the north American Free trade agreement. His comments came after the first round of nafta negotiation talks last week. Were those comments informed by the status of those negotiations last week here in washington, when he said he had a suspicion he would be pulling the u. S. Out . Sec. Huckabee sanders the president has been kept up to date on those negotiations. He is certainly been clear on how he feels about nafta, and making sure we get the best deal for the amerco people. For the American People. Well see how the negotiations go, and go from there. Thank you so much guys. [indiscernible] has a president ever lied to us . [no audio] announcer Congress Returns september 5 and plans to take up several key issues this fall. Funding for the federal government and september 30, so Congress Must pass a spending bills to keep the government open. Also Congress Must increase the debt dealing to avoid default on u. S. Debt. Other items on the agenda are rewriting the tax code and continuing work on the senate on health care legislation. Watch live gavel to gavel legislation coverage on cspan and follow the senate on cspan 2. Journalns washington live every day with news and policy issues that impact you. Author jeremy surry talks about his book the impossible president the rise and fall of the highest office. Then american conservative unions speaker on President Trumps recent rally and his performance after the events in charlottesville. And someone from the Woodrow Wilson International Center first dollars discusses venezuela. Be sure to watch cspans washington journal, live at 7 a. M. Eastern this morning. Join the discussion. About ar when he think oneday festival, the National Book festival, and you have over 100 authors, from childrens authors, illustrators, graphic novelists, all of these different authors there all day, over 100,000 people come in and celebrate books and reading. You cannot have a better time, i think. I am a little bit prejudiced because i am a librarian, but i have to tell you that anybody who wants to get inspired, the book festival is a favorite lace. Book tvs live all day coverage begins at 10 a. M. Featuring pulitzer prizewinning authors david mccall and thomas friedman. Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and jd vance. The National Book festival, life saturday starting at 10 a. M. Eastern on cspans to book tv cspan2s book tv. Now on cspan, a review of the 2018 federal budget from the money that the president requested to what congress ultimately decides. Joining us from capital hill seniory ogdanovich, correspondent from bloombergs bna
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