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[00:00:07] Wow, we have a very packed room here [00:00:10] today. Thank you all so much for showing [00:00:11] up and for joining. I apologize for the [00:00:13] delay. The president and I were watching [00:00:15] the press conference about the search uh [00:00:18] for Savannah Guthri's mother, which is [00:00:20] just a heartbreaking situation. Uh the [00:00:22] president, as you all know, spoke [00:00:24] directly with Savannah yesterday uh and [00:00:26] told her that the federal government is [00:00:28] here to help. Any requests that are made [00:00:30] by state and local officials in the [00:00:32] search of Miss Guthrie uh will [00:00:34] absolutely be accommodated. I spoke with [00:00:36] the FBI directly about that today as [00:00:38] well. And our hearts and our prayers are [00:00:40] with Savannah and her entire family um [00:00:43] as they search for her dear mother. I [00:00:45] also have a quick scheduling [00:00:46] announcement for all of you. Tonight at [00:00:49] 700 p.m. during prime time, President [00:00:51] Trump, Dr. Oz, and National Design [00:00:54] Studio Director Joe Gabia will [00:00:56] officially unveil Trump RX, a [00:00:59] stateofthe-art website for American [00:01:02] consumers to purchase lowcost [00:01:04] prescription drugs. This historic [00:01:07] announcement will save millions of [00:01:09] Americans their hard-earned money. So, [00:01:11] make sure to tune in tonight and we will [00:01:13] see all of you in the news media there. [00:01:16] President Trump promised to restore law [00:01:18] and order to the United States of [00:01:20] America, and newly released data proves [00:01:22] he is delivering overwhelmingly on this [00:01:25] promise. A study from the Council on [00:01:27] Criminal Justice shows that the murder [00:01:29] rate across America's largest cities [00:01:32] plummeted in 2025 to its lowest level [00:01:36] since at least 1900. Again, let me [00:01:39] repeat to put this in perspective. This [00:01:42] marks the largest single-year drop in [00:01:44] murders in recorded history. This [00:01:47] dramatic decline is what happens when a [00:01:49] president secures the border, fully [00:01:52] mobilizes federal law enforcement to [00:01:54] arrest violent criminals, and [00:01:55] aggressively deports the worst of the [00:01:58] worst illegal aliens from our country. [00:02:01] The numbers don't lie. Under President [00:02:03] Trump, in 2025, the FBI increased [00:02:06] violent crime arrests by 100% [00:02:10] compared to the prior year. The FBI also [00:02:13] conducted more than 67,000 arrests from [00:02:16] inauguration day 2025 to January 20th, [00:02:19] 2026, which is 197% more arrests than [00:02:24] the same period previously. The FBI also [00:02:28] disrupted 1,800 gangs in criminal [00:02:30] enterprises, a 210% [00:02:33] increase from the year prior. The FBI [00:02:36] has arrested 1,700 child predators, and [00:02:40] more than 300 human traffickers across [00:02:43] the country. Since President Trump took [00:02:45] office, six of the FBI's top 10 most [00:02:48] wanted fugitives have been captured. [00:02:51] Right here in our nation's capital, [00:02:53] where you all live, so you know it well. [00:02:55] Whether you choose to report it or not, [00:02:57] the president's efforts to make DC safe [00:03:00] and beautiful have worked. As of last [00:03:03] week, DC homicides were down 62%. [00:03:06] Motor vehicle theft down 53%. In 2025 [00:03:10] had the fewest violent gun crimes of any [00:03:13] year of available data in our nation's [00:03:16] capital. For more proof that these tough [00:03:18] on crime efforts are working, look at [00:03:20] the president's make me Memphis safe [00:03:23] again campaign. As of last week, there [00:03:26] have been nearly 5600 arrests made and [00:03:29] aggravated assaults are down 53%. Sexual [00:03:32] assaults are down 53% and robberies are [00:03:35] down 70%. Again, that's just in the city [00:03:38] of Memphis. 5600 arrests have taken [00:03:42] place because of this president and his [00:03:44] homeland security task force that has [00:03:46] surged into Memphis at the request of [00:03:48] both the governor and the mayor in that [00:03:50] city. A Democrat mayor, I will add. [00:03:53] These are the results that can happen [00:03:55] when Democrats and Republicans, when the [00:03:57] federal government and state and local [00:03:59] officials work together. And that's what [00:04:01] President wants Trump wants to see to [00:04:03] improve public safety across our [00:04:05] country. When you have a leader like [00:04:07] President Trump who empowers good cops [00:04:09] to be cops and to arrest bad criminals, [00:04:12] American communities will become safer. [00:04:15] Many of the media outlets in this room [00:04:16] have expressed shock and confusion at [00:04:19] these remarkable statistics. The New [00:04:21] York Times declared that quote, "No one [00:04:23] knows for sure what's behind the [00:04:25] staggering drop in the murder rate." The [00:04:27] reason is very clear. It is President [00:04:30] Trump's leadership and his unwavering [00:04:32] commitment to law and order. The drop in [00:04:35] crime is more proof that all that is [00:04:36] required to improve public safety on our [00:04:39] streets is a leader with the will to do [00:04:41] what is necessary to protect law-abiding [00:04:44] American citizens. The terror and chaos [00:04:47] that was unleashed under Democrat rule [00:04:49] is a choice. It's a choice to put [00:04:51] violent criminals ahead of innocent [00:04:53] Americans. A choice to force us all to [00:04:55] live in fear because of soft on crime [00:04:58] liberal politicians, prosecutors, and [00:05:00] judges who lack the basic willingness to [00:05:03] do their jobs and put dangerous people [00:05:05] behind bars. On November 5th, 2024, the [00:05:09] American people made a resounding choice [00:05:11] that they've had enough of that. And [00:05:13] that's precisely why they reelected [00:05:15] President Trump. So even as Democrats [00:05:18] and the liberal media are engaged in [00:05:20] hysteria about this administration [00:05:22] arresting and deporting violent criminal [00:05:25] illegal aliens, the undeniable truth is [00:05:28] that deporting these individuals is one [00:05:30] of the primary reasons why America's [00:05:32] streets are safer today than they were [00:05:35] one year ago when President Trump [00:05:37] assumed office. Former President Biden [00:05:39] and the Democrats left our borders wide [00:05:42] open and President Trump and the brave [00:05:44] men and women of ICE are removing these [00:05:46] dangerous criminals. So, here are just a [00:05:48] few recent examples. Number one, a [00:05:51] Venezuelan national and active trend [00:05:54] gang member with a rap sheet including [00:05:56] homicide, assault, child cruelty, [00:05:59] domestic violence, and property damage. [00:06:02] This is an individual I can assure you [00:06:04] not a single one of you in this room [00:06:05] would want in your neighborhood whether [00:06:06] you admit it or not. He entered the US [00:06:09] in 2022 and he was released into our [00:06:11] country by the Biden administration. He [00:06:14] is no longer here thanks to President [00:06:16] Trump. An El Salvadorian national and [00:06:19] known MS-13 associate previously [00:06:21] convicted of homicide, conspiracy to [00:06:24] commit homicide and kidnapping. Arrested [00:06:26] for arson, battery, armed carjacking and [00:06:29] assault. He entered illegally in 2016, [00:06:32] was released by the Obama [00:06:33] administration, and ICE just arrested [00:06:36] him on January 8th, 2026. This example [00:06:39] shows you how many criminal illegal [00:06:42] aliens have been roaming American [00:06:43] streets freely because of a lack of [00:06:46] attention to this matter from the [00:06:47] previous administration, and President [00:06:49] Trump is cleaning up their mess. A Cuban [00:06:52] National and Blood Gangs member [00:06:54] convicted of multiple homicides and [00:06:56] robbery. ICE arrested him on October [00:06:59] 27th and removed him on January 6th, [00:07:02] 2026. [00:07:04] Arresting and deporting these types of [00:07:06] illegal criminals is precisely what the [00:07:08] American people voted for. And despite [00:07:11] desperate recent attempts by Democrats [00:07:13] and the those in the media to undermine [00:07:15] the president's deportation agenda, [00:07:17] these efforts are failing. Brand new [00:07:19] Harvard Harris polling shows [00:07:21] overwhelming support for President [00:07:23] Trump's efforts to protect law-abiding [00:07:25] citizens from criminal illegal aliens. [00:07:28] Nearly eight and 10 Americans say [00:07:30] criminal illegal aliens should be [00:07:32] deported. A solid majority also support [00:07:34] deporting all illegal aliens regardless [00:07:37] of additional crimes. And more than two [00:07:39] in three Americans back the Trump [00:07:41] administration's common sense [00:07:43] requirement that state and local [00:07:45] officials cooperate with federal [00:07:47] authorities and work to hand over [00:07:49] criminal illegal aliens in local jails [00:07:51] for swift deport deportation. Finally, [00:07:54] to prevent another invasion of millions [00:07:56] of illegal aliens from happening again, [00:07:59] President Trump and Secretary Gnome [00:08:00] delivered the most secure border in [00:08:03] American history. Zero illegal aliens [00:08:06] were released into our homeland over the [00:08:08] past nine months. This is a truly [00:08:10] remarkable achievement. Again, zero [00:08:13] illegal aliens released into the country [00:08:15] in nine months. This is staggering and [00:08:18] it deserves more attention from all of [00:08:20] you. Overall, Customs and Border [00:08:23] Protection recorded the lowest total [00:08:25] encounters in agency history. Daily [00:08:27] encounters have fallen by 95%. [00:08:30] Averaging just 250 apprehensions at the [00:08:33] southern border a day. This is compared [00:08:36] to over 5100 [00:08:38] daily apprehensions during the Biden [00:08:41] years. It's a night and day difference [00:08:43] because we finally have a president who [00:08:45] enforces the law and lets our law [00:08:47] enforcement do their noble jobs of [00:08:49] protecting our homeland. When President [00:08:52] Trump campaigned on making America safe [00:08:54] again, this is exactly what he meant. [00:08:56] and the numbers and the results speak [00:08:58] for themselves. With that, I will open [00:09:00] it up to questions today. We're going to [00:09:02] start with Daniel Baldwin from One [00:09:04] America News, who is here religiously [00:09:06] covering the White House feet every day. [00:09:08] So, it's good to see you in a chair [00:09:09] instead of standing up today. Daniel, [00:09:11] thanks for being here. And why don't you [00:09:12] kick us off? [00:09:13] >> Thank you, Caroline. It's an honor and a [00:09:14] privilege to represent One American News [00:09:16] in the new media seat. First question on [00:09:17] uh that DHS funding bill. Funding runs [00:09:20] out in the better part of eight days or [00:09:21] so. Democrats, at least verbally, are [00:09:23] very dug in. What does the White House [00:09:24] believe their end goal is when it comes [00:09:27] to this funding fight, when it comes to [00:09:28] immigration policy at large? What is [00:09:30] their end goal when they're dug in in a [00:09:32] position like this at this point in [00:09:34] time? [00:09:34] >> Well, the president has two end goals. [00:09:36] One is to obviously keep the government [00:09:38] funded and open. And that includes the [00:09:40] Department of Homeland Security, which [00:09:42] does not just touch upon ICE and Border [00:09:44] Patrol, but also FEMA, the United States [00:09:46] Coast Guard, the United States Secret [00:09:48] Service. These are brave public servants [00:09:51] who work to protect our homeland. The [00:09:53] president wants these individuals to get [00:09:55] paid. Secondly, when it comes to any [00:09:57] discussions about immigration policy, [00:09:59] the president is never going to waver in [00:10:01] his commitment to allow immigration [00:10:02] enforcement efforts in this country and [00:10:05] to uh support ICE and Border Patrol and [00:10:07] the deportation of illegal alien [00:10:09] criminals. I know Senator Schumer and [00:10:11] Leader Jeffrey sent over a very long [00:10:13] list of demands. uh some of which the [00:10:16] administration is willing to discuss. [00:10:18] Others don't seem like they are grounded [00:10:20] in any common sense and they are [00:10:21] non-starters for this administration, [00:10:24] but we're not going to negotiate policy [00:10:25] from the podium. I'm going to allow the [00:10:27] president to do that and any final [00:10:29] decisions that are made will be made [00:10:30] ultimately by him. But rest assured, he [00:10:33] is never going to uh allow law [00:10:35] enforcement in the jobs that they do, [00:10:37] the important jobs that they do to be [00:10:38] undermined. And secondly, Caroline, the [00:10:40] Department of Homeland Security put out [00:10:41] a tweet a better part of an hour ago [00:10:43] alleging that an illegal alien was [00:10:45] involved in a major car wreck in [00:10:46] Indiana, killing four people, and they [00:10:49] alleged that the suspect in question uh [00:10:51] came in under the CBP1 app under the B [00:10:53] administration and received a commercial [00:10:55] driver's license from the state of [00:10:56] Pennsylvania. What is the White House's [00:10:58] reaction to a situation like this? And [00:11:00] what is the White House doing to crack [00:11:02] down on cases like this where illegal [00:11:04] aliens are obtaining commercial driver's [00:11:06] licenses? Yes, this is another abhorrent [00:11:08] example um of the border crisis over the [00:11:12] past four years and it again exemplifies [00:11:14] why the administration must continue and [00:11:17] will always continue to fully back and [00:11:19] support ICE and Border Patrol and law [00:11:21] enforcement in their removal of illegal [00:11:23] alien criminals from our country. For [00:11:25] those who don't know, and all of you [00:11:27] should report on it, four Americans were [00:11:29] tragically killed and lost their lives [00:11:31] this week yet again from an illegal [00:11:33] alien and individual who was parrolled [00:11:35] into the country by the Biden [00:11:37] administration using the CBP1 app, which [00:11:40] they created like it was a magic pass [00:11:42] for Disney Disneyland. That's not how [00:11:44] immigration in this country should work. [00:11:46] And this illegal alien from Kyrgyzstan [00:11:49] was traveling on an Indiana highway and [00:11:51] he failed to break for a slowed [00:11:53] semi-truck in front of him. He swerved [00:11:55] into the lane and he crashed into a van [00:11:57] carrying 15 passengers and four people [00:12:00] were killed in that crash. This is [00:12:02] another tragedy that could have been [00:12:03] prevented if not for the wideopen [00:12:05] borders uh from the previous [00:12:07] administration. That's why we now have a [00:12:09] secure border. That's why this [00:12:10] administration will continue to deport [00:12:12] illegal aliens from our country. Thank [00:12:14] you for being here, Garrett. John, thank [00:12:16] you for your comments and your prayers [00:12:17] for the Guthrie family. I have two [00:12:19] questions related to the president's [00:12:20] interview with NBC yesterday. Sure. [00:12:22] >> At one point in the interview, the [00:12:23] president said that he believes states [00:12:25] are accumulating the votes for who wins [00:12:27] the election. He says if they, meaning [00:12:29] the states, can't do it honestly and [00:12:31] can't be done properly and timely, then [00:12:33] something else has to happen. What did [00:12:35] he mean by that? Is he suggesting that [00:12:37] the federal government count votes in [00:12:40] elections? What the president is [00:12:42] suggesting, and I just spoke to him [00:12:43] about this, is that Republicans and [00:12:46] Democrats in Congress should pass the [00:12:48] Save America Act. This piece of [00:12:50] legislation is going to ensure that [00:12:53] states are abiding by federal election [00:12:55] law by removing non-citizens from their [00:12:58] voter roles. In addition, the Save [00:13:00] America Act will require voter ID to [00:13:02] vote and it will require proof of [00:13:04] citizenship to register to vote. Uh [00:13:06] these are very common sense policies and [00:13:08] proposals that 89% of our country agree [00:13:12] with. So that's what the president is [00:13:13] talking about. Again, I just spoke with [00:13:15] him about this and he's calling on both [00:13:17] Republicans and Democrats to send the [00:13:19] Save America Act uh to pass it into law [00:13:21] and to send it to to his desk as quickly [00:13:23] as possible. To [00:13:24] >> be clear, the Save Act doesn't say [00:13:25] anything about who counts votes, which [00:13:27] has always been a state, a local, a [00:13:29] county function. Why does he keep [00:13:31] talking about the somebody else, [00:13:33] presumably the federal government [00:13:34] counting votes? Because the SAVE Act [00:13:36] directs states to remove non-citizens [00:13:39] from their voter roles. And we know in [00:13:40] states across the country, the president [00:13:42] is right to point this out. In states [00:13:44] like California or in places like New [00:13:46] York City, non-citizens are allowed to [00:13:49] vote in in state and local elections. In [00:13:51] the federal government should absolutely [00:13:53] do away with that. I don't think a [00:13:55] single person in this room, if they if [00:13:57] you really are being honest with [00:13:58] yourselves, should should agree that [00:14:00] non-citizens should vote in American [00:14:02] elections, no matter where that election [00:14:04] is up and down the ticket. And so this [00:14:06] is a piece of federal legislation that [00:14:08] will help states ensure the integrity [00:14:10] and the sanctity of their elections. And [00:14:13] that's what the president wants. Peter, [00:14:14] >> thanks Caroline. President Trump posted [00:14:16] about Nancy Guthrie that he is directing [00:14:18] all federal law enforcement to be at the [00:14:20] families and local law enforcement's [00:14:23] complete disposal immediately. What [00:14:25] should we expect to see from the federal [00:14:27] government in coming days in the search [00:14:30] to find Nancy Guthrie? [00:14:32] >> It's a very good question, Peter, and [00:14:33] it's why I was on the phone with the FBI [00:14:35] earlier this morning to ask that. And [00:14:37] what they told me is that the FBI again [00:14:39] is at the disposal of the state and [00:14:42] local government. whatever personnel or [00:14:44] assets or resources that the state and [00:14:46] local authorities and police need uh [00:14:49] will be granted to them at the direction [00:14:50] of the president, the FBI director, and [00:14:52] the attorney general. [00:14:53] >> A different law enforcement uh issue, [00:14:56] the FBI just found a thousand samples [00:14:58] inside an illegal bolab in Las Vegas. It [00:15:02] is linked to a different bolab that was [00:15:04] previously raided. There are ties to [00:15:06] China. What does the president think the [00:15:09] CCP might be up to here? I haven't [00:15:11] spoken to him about this specific [00:15:13] investigation from the FBI, but I'm [00:15:15] happy to. And I'm sure he's very glad [00:15:17] that this is something the FBI [00:15:19] discovered, and we'll make sure any of [00:15:21] anyone who is involved in illegal [00:15:22] activity will be held accountable. [00:15:24] >> And just one more about this weekend at [00:15:25] the Mara Lago Super Bowl party after the [00:15:28] first two quarters, are the TVs going to [00:15:30] be on the halftime show with Bad Bunny [00:15:33] or the halftime show with Kid Rock? [00:15:35] >> I think the president would much prefer [00:15:37] a Kid Rock performance over Bad Bunny. I [00:15:40] must say that Jennifer [00:15:41] >> on the nuclear arms pact. We saw the [00:15:44] president's post on that, but can you [00:15:45] say is there a temporary agreement with [00:15:48] Russia to stand by the terms of the New [00:15:51] START treaty while negotiations are [00:15:53] happening? [00:15:54] >> Not to my knowledge. Again, to your [00:15:56] point, Jennifer, I just do want to [00:15:58] reiterate exactly what the president [00:15:59] said. Uh he wrote just moments ago, "The [00:16:01] United States is the most powerful [00:16:03] country in the world. I completely [00:16:05] rebuilt its military in my first term, [00:16:08] including new and many refurbished [00:16:10] nuclear weapons. I also added Space [00:16:12] Force, and now continue to rebuild our [00:16:14] military at levels never seen before. We [00:16:17] are even adding battleships, which are [00:16:19] 100 times more powerful than the ones [00:16:21] that roamed the seas during World War [00:16:22] II. The Iowa, Missouri, Alabama, and [00:16:25] others. I have stopped nuclear wars from [00:16:27] breaking out across the world between [00:16:29] Pakistan and India, Iran and Israel, and [00:16:31] Russia and Ukraine. rather than extend [00:16:34] new start, a badly negotiated deal by [00:16:36] the United States, which I will add is [00:16:38] was uh renegotiated under former [00:16:40] President Barack Obama, aside from [00:16:42] everything else, is being grossly [00:16:44] violated. Uh the president wants to have [00:16:46] our nuclear experts work on a new, [00:16:48] improved, and modernized treaty that can [00:16:50] last long into the future. Uh and that's [00:16:52] what the United States will continue to [00:16:54] discuss with the Russians. [00:16:57] >> Thank you, Caroline. Sure. Um, did [00:16:58] President Trump himself ever ask DNI [00:17:01] Gabbard to head down to Fton County, [00:17:03] Georgia? [00:17:04] >> The president was asked and answered [00:17:06] that question just yesterday. I've seen [00:17:08] a lot of the media in this room get very [00:17:10] caught up with the semantics of why [00:17:13] Tulsi Gabbard is there. I will tell you [00:17:15] why. Uh, and the president agrees with [00:17:17] this because election security is [00:17:19] essential to national security. And as [00:17:21] the director of national intelligence, [00:17:22] it is a part of Miss Gabbard's role uh [00:17:25] to make sure that American elections are [00:17:28] free of foreign interference and that [00:17:30] American elections are safe and secure. [00:17:32] And so the uh ODNI director is working [00:17:35] with the FBI on this effort and the [00:17:37] president wholeheartedly supports uh [00:17:39] both Cash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard in [00:17:41] ensuring that American elections are [00:17:43] safe, are secure, and are free of [00:17:45] foreign intervention. Is there any [00:17:48] federal law enforcement's involvement in [00:17:50] the search? [00:17:51] >> Excuse me one second. It's the media who [00:17:53] has said that there's Russian [00:17:54] interference in American elections. You [00:17:56] guys have been saying that for many many [00:17:57] years. So [00:18:00] well the people in this room considering [00:18:01] that you all you all said for many years [00:18:04] that Russia interfered in the 2016 [00:18:06] election to help Donald Trump, you [00:18:08] should all be very happy that we finally [00:18:10] have an administration that is looking [00:18:11] into that and we'll be happy to keep you [00:18:13] posted. Michael, [00:18:14] >> thanks Caroline. with the FBI's [00:18:16] involvement in the search for Nancy [00:18:17] Guthrie. Uh now, has this search [00:18:19] expanded nationwide outside of Arizona? [00:18:22] And given Puma County's proximity to [00:18:24] Mexico, is this now an international [00:18:26] search? [00:18:26] >> Well, Michael, that would be a question [00:18:28] for state and local authorities as they [00:18:30] continue to oversee the investigation at [00:18:32] this time. Again, the federal government [00:18:34] and the FBI have offered any and all [00:18:36] resources, but the state and local [00:18:38] authorities are still leading the [00:18:39] investigation. So, I would direct you to [00:18:41] them. I'm certainly not in a position to [00:18:43] talk about it. One other question, [00:18:44] Caroline. Friday's talks with Iran, they [00:18:46] were originally supposed to take place [00:18:48] in Turkey, they've now been moved to [00:18:49] Oman. Can you tell us the reason for [00:18:51] that movement? [00:18:52] >> Um, look, the president uh diplomacy is [00:18:55] always his first option when it comes uh [00:18:57] to dealing with countries all around the [00:18:59] world, whether it's our allies or our [00:19:00] adversaries. And so, special envoy Whit [00:19:03] and Jared Kushner will be traveling to [00:19:05] Oman uh for those talks tomorrow. Uh and [00:19:08] we will see what comes of those. The [00:19:09] president is standing by for an update [00:19:11] from them. And sure in the pink. [00:19:14] >> Thank you, Caroline. Um, Cuban leader [00:19:17] Miguel Diaz Scandell said today that [00:19:19] Cuba would be willing to engage in [00:19:21] dialogue with the United States only [00:19:24] without pressure, without preconditions, [00:19:27] on equal footing footing, and with [00:19:29] respect for sovereignty, but his [00:19:31] government is denying what President [00:19:33] Trump said that there are already [00:19:35] holding talks. How would you respond to [00:19:37] that? I think the fact that the Cuban [00:19:39] government is on its last leg and its [00:19:41] country is about to collapse, they [00:19:43] should be wise in their statements [00:19:44] directed towards the president of the [00:19:46] United States. But as I just reiterated, [00:19:48] the president is always willing to [00:19:49] engage in diplomacy and I believe that's [00:19:51] something that is taking place in fact [00:19:53] uh with the Cuban government. [00:19:55] >> Yeah, thank you Caroline. So the Office [00:19:57] of Personnel Management released a final [00:19:58] rule today that makes it easier to fire [00:20:00] government employees who are not doing [00:20:02] their job basically. Does the president [00:20:04] believe that there are people in his [00:20:06] government still that are not following [00:20:08] his agenda? [00:20:10] >> Um, that's a good question. I have not [00:20:12] asked him about that. I mean, look, it's [00:20:14] a very big government, right? There are [00:20:16] thousands of people who work for the [00:20:17] federal government here in Washington [00:20:19] DC. Uh, this administration has been [00:20:21] very much focused on ensuring that we [00:20:23] have an efficient and productive [00:20:25] workforce for the American taxpayer. Uh [00:20:28] there's not a day that goes by where we [00:20:29] don't show up and realize we are public [00:20:31] servants working on behalf of the [00:20:32] American people. Uh and everybody in the [00:20:34] federal government best have that [00:20:36] mindset or they won't be welcome to work [00:20:38] for this administration. So I think it's [00:20:39] a good thing that the Office of [00:20:41] Personnel Management put this rule out. [00:20:43] I think if people aren't doing their [00:20:45] jobs, if they aren't showing up for [00:20:46] work, if they're not working hard on [00:20:47] behalf of this president, they're not [00:20:49] welcome to work for him at all. [00:20:51] >> The New York City mayor is dealing with [00:20:52] a 12 billion dollar budget deficit. If [00:20:55] he texted [clears throat] President [00:20:56] Trump, would the president bail him out? [00:20:59] [laughter] [00:21:00] >> I'll leave that answer to the president [00:21:02] himself. Ed, [00:21:05] >> go ahead. One more followup on Dina [00:21:08] Gabard. Uh, you said that the president [00:21:10] supports the fact that she was there, [00:21:12] but last night when she was when he was [00:21:14] asked about it, he said he didn't know [00:21:16] why she was there. He didn't say that he [00:21:17] [clears throat] directed her. Can you [00:21:18] clarify on that? Did she go by herself [00:21:21] and he learned later and supports it? [00:21:22] Well, did you look at the full entirety [00:21:25] of his response? I was in the room for [00:21:27] that NBC interview, Kristen, uh, and he [00:21:29] just said exactly what I told you, which [00:21:31] is that, uh, election security is [00:21:34] essential to national security. We need [00:21:35] to ensure that our elections are free [00:21:37] and are fair and are free of foreign [00:21:40] interference. And he spoke about how [00:21:42] Miss Tulsi Gabbard is involved in that [00:21:44] effort. So, you're taking like the first [00:21:46] three words that he said to one question [00:21:49] uh, and not looking at his entire [00:21:50] response. follow up on what you said [00:21:51] about uh foreign interference. You [00:21:53] talked about 2016 and Russian [00:21:56] interference, but what we've learned [00:21:57] from these Georgia officials is what was [00:21:59] seized by the FBI were ballots from 2020 [00:22:02] in this Fulton County election center. [00:22:04] Do you have any evidence that there was [00:22:06] international interference in the 2020 [00:22:09] election in this election center? [00:22:11] >> What I do have evidence of and what the [00:22:13] media seems to be undermining is why [00:22:15] Tulsi Gabbard is there in the first [00:22:17] place. And I would point you again to [00:22:19] federal law that clearly assigns the DNI [00:22:22] and the office with the statutory [00:22:24] responsibility to lead counterintel [00:22:26] matters related to election security. [00:22:28] This includes assessing risks to [00:22:30] election voting systems, software, voter [00:22:32] registration databases and more and [00:22:35] analyzing foreign interference. And the [00:22:37] ODNI is responsible for supporting the [00:22:40] White House inter agency action to [00:22:42] secure our elections through intel [00:22:44] analysis and vulnerability assessments. [00:22:46] uh and they should and be routinely [00:22:48] routinely collaborating with agencies [00:22:51] like the DH DHS, the DOJ and the FBI. [00:22:54] So, as for that question, it would be [00:22:56] better suited to ask the director of [00:22:58] national intelligence herself in her [00:23:00] office. But what I'm telling you is that [00:23:02] it is more than appropriate, in fact, it [00:23:04] is Tulsi Gabbard's job to ensure that [00:23:06] our elections are safe and secure. And [00:23:09] that's exactly what she's been doing on [00:23:10] the ground in Georgia. And I don't [00:23:12] understand why anyone in this room, [00:23:14] considering you're all American [00:23:15] citizens, I believe, and like to vote in [00:23:18] our nation's elections, uh, should have [00:23:19] any problem with that whatsoever. [00:23:22] >> Thank you, Caroline. The president said [00:23:25] that the administration should take a [00:23:26] softer approach on immigration [00:23:28] enforcement. He's also suggested for [00:23:31] months that some migrant workers should [00:23:33] be spared from these raids based on what [00:23:35] they're doing. Uh, is the administration [00:23:37] going to continue to conduct large work [00:23:39] site raids as it seeks to target violent [00:23:42] criminals? And can you clarify, is the [00:23:44] federal government going to continue [00:23:45] doing these deportation operations in [00:23:48] blue cities where authorities say they [00:23:49] don't want them? [00:23:50] >> Um, well, first again to the president's [00:23:53] answer yesterday, the full context of [00:23:55] his answer was that he'd like to see a [00:23:57] softer touch, but we are always going to [00:23:59] remain tough. That softer touch the [00:24:02] president is referring to is that [00:24:03] cooperation that is necessary between [00:24:06] state and local authorities and federal [00:24:08] government authorities to ensure that we [00:24:11] can continue deporting illegal aliens [00:24:12] from our communities uh without tons of [00:24:16] agents having to go after one illegal [00:24:19] alien. If the states and the local [00:24:20] governments just turn over their illegal [00:24:22] aliens to ICE at jails, as they should [00:24:25] be doing, it requires one agent to [00:24:27] deport that one illegal alien who can [00:24:29] then go on their way to their home [00:24:30] country in a peaceful manner. The [00:24:32] escalation that we've seen take place in [00:24:34] Minnesota is a direct result of the [00:24:36] refusal of state and local officials to [00:24:38] cooperate with the federal government [00:24:40] and with ICE, which has led to these [00:24:42] hostile, and dangerous environments. Uh, [00:24:44] and so we don't want that. Again, the [00:24:46] president wants direct cooperation, and [00:24:48] that's what he was referring to. As for [00:24:50] work site raids, I don't uh broadcast [00:24:53] any future action that may or may not [00:24:55] happen uh from the Department of [00:24:56] Homeland Security. But again, the [00:24:58] president's focus in the [00:24:59] administration's focus is on targeting [00:25:02] illegal alien criminals, especially [00:25:04] those who have committed heinous crimes [00:25:06] in our country, as evidenced by the few [00:25:08] illegal aliens that I just shared with [00:25:10] you here today. Will ICE and Border [00:25:11] Patrol avoid going to other blue cities [00:25:14] where the local officials are saying, [00:25:15] "We won't work with you. We don't want [00:25:16] you here." [00:25:17] >> Well, first of all, those local [00:25:18] officials should be wanting to work with [00:25:20] ICE. Why would any official, whether [00:25:23] you're a Democrat or a Republican, want [00:25:25] murderers and predators in your city? It [00:25:28] makes zero sense. It's an untenable [00:25:30] position. The only reason Democrats are [00:25:32] taking that position now is because [00:25:34] their entire party platform is just [00:25:36] anti-Trump. It makes no sense for the [00:25:38] American people. They should be calling [00:25:40] this White House. They should be calling [00:25:41] Secretary Gnome. They should be calling [00:25:42] Tom H. Homeman. And they should be [00:25:44] saying, "We want to work with you to [00:25:46] remove the worst of the worst criminals [00:25:48] from our city. Please come here." So [00:25:50] yes, ICE is going to continue to do [00:25:51] their job in cities and communities [00:25:53] across the country, but it certainly [00:25:55] makes it much easier when we have that [00:25:57] level of cooperation and corroboration [00:25:59] at the state and local level. In places [00:26:01] like Florida where there has been the [00:26:03] arrest of thousands, tens of thousands [00:26:06] of illegal alien criminals, none of you [00:26:08] talk about that or none of you hear [00:26:09] about that because these operations are [00:26:11] going seamlessly and peacefully. Why? [00:26:14] Because there is an intimate cooperation [00:26:17] between the state government and the [00:26:19] federal government. And that's what the [00:26:20] president wants to see in all 50 states [00:26:22] >> and the whites. Yes. [00:26:23] >> Hi, thank you Caroline. Um, over the [00:26:26] weekend, President Trump said that he [00:26:28] was giving a serious look at endorsing [00:26:30] in the Texas Republican Senate primary. [00:26:32] We know that Minnesota and Georgia also [00:26:34] have competitive, crowded primaries. Is [00:26:36] he giving those races a serious look as [00:26:38] well? [00:26:39] >> Well, I'm not allowed to speak from the [00:26:41] podium on any future political [00:26:42] endorsements the president may or may [00:26:44] not make. Uh, but I know that he is [00:26:46] watching all of these races across the [00:26:48] country quite carefully. I won't get [00:26:50] ahead of him on any potential [00:26:51] endorsements. [00:26:52] John, [00:26:53] >> thanks a lot. Caroline, two questions [00:26:55] for you about the continuing resolution [00:26:57] that the president signed for the [00:26:59] Department of Homeland Security. What [00:27:01] would be the repercussions for all of [00:27:03] the agencies under DHS if no agreement [00:27:07] is reached on funding when that deadline [00:27:10] approaches next Friday? Well, there will [00:27:12] be grave repercussions for all of those [00:27:15] agencies, but more importantly, frankly, [00:27:17] for the American people who those [00:27:19] agencies serve. And that's exactly what [00:27:20] the president and the White House want [00:27:22] to avoid. Again, we want to keep the [00:27:24] government funded. We want the [00:27:25] Department of Homeland Security, of [00:27:26] course, to be up and operationalized and [00:27:29] continuing as necessary to protect our [00:27:32] homeland, to secure our border, to [00:27:34] ensure the brave men and women of the [00:27:35] United States Coast Guard are getting [00:27:37] paid, the brave men and women of the [00:27:38] United States Secret Service, uh, who [00:27:40] protect the president, the vice [00:27:42] president, and frankly all of you in [00:27:43] this building every day continue to [00:27:45] receive the paychecks that they so well [00:27:47] deserve. And so that's why the White [00:27:49] House will engage in these talks with [00:27:50] Democrats. But again, the president is [00:27:52] never going to cave uh on this [00:27:54] administration's core promise to deport [00:27:56] illegal aliens from our country. [00:27:58] >> You said, Caroline, in your statement [00:28:00] that there are certain proposals that [00:28:02] Democrats are putting up that are [00:28:04] non-starters. What are some of those [00:28:06] non-starters? [00:28:07] >> There are a few, and it's a very good [00:28:09] question, but I won't negotiate from the [00:28:10] podium. I know the White House will be [00:28:11] engaged in direct serious talks with [00:28:14] Democrats on this important matter. [00:28:17] >> Natalie, [00:28:17] >> thank you. Um, in addition to launching [00:28:19] Trump RX tonight, Trump has said that he [00:28:21] wants to meet with insurance companies [00:28:23] to lower healthcare costs, do you have [00:28:24] any update on when those meetings? [00:28:26] >> Yes, he does want to meet with insurance [00:28:28] companies. That meeting will take place. [00:28:30] I don't have an update on when it will [00:28:32] be on the schedule. Uh, but the purpose [00:28:33] of that meeting will be to continue to [00:28:35] negotiate with these companies to ensure [00:28:38] that more money is going back to the [00:28:39] American consumer. And you are all going [00:28:41] to see that on full display tonight at 7 [00:28:43] o'clock with the formal launch of Trump [00:28:45] RX. I'm telling you, this is going to be [00:28:47] a very cool and unique event. So, [00:28:49] everybody really should tune in. [00:28:52] >> Can you clarify the what the president [00:28:53] said on the Diego Garcia deal? He said [00:28:55] he didn't like it. Now again, he says [00:28:57] he's for it. [00:28:58] >> Uh he spoke with Prime Minister Starmer [00:29:00] directly. He understands Prime Minister [00:29:02] Starmer's position um and he supports [00:29:04] it, but as the president reiterated in [00:29:06] that statement, of course, the United [00:29:08] States reserves the right to protect our [00:29:10] assets. We still have a military base of [00:29:13] course on the island of Diego Garcia. [00:29:16] And so the president reiterated to the [00:29:18] prime minister and to all of you that [00:29:19] the United States will never waver if [00:29:21] necessary in protecting our assets [00:29:23] anywhere in the world but including on [00:29:25] Diego Garcia and he supports the prime [00:29:27] minister's decision. [00:29:29] >> Just on that one, Carol, I can ask you [00:29:31] >> said that he's now seeking John, I'll go [00:29:32] to you after. [00:29:34] >> The president said he's now seeking a [00:29:35] billion dollars from Harvard, [00:29:37] considerably more than before. what [00:29:38] changed here and how are negotiations [00:29:40] going? [00:29:41] >> Well, look, this has been an ongoing [00:29:43] negotiation and frankly a frustrating [00:29:46] negotiation for the president and the [00:29:47] administration because we want to deal [00:29:49] and it's very unfortunate um that [00:29:51] Harvard has dragged its feet in [00:29:53] understanding they need to rectify the [00:29:56] wrongs and the illegal behavior that [00:29:58] took place on their campus over the [00:30:00] course of the past uh several years [00:30:02] under the previous administration. Uh [00:30:04] and so the president wants a justified [00:30:06] deal to correct for that criminal [00:30:08] behavior that took place on their [00:30:09] campus. He is now uh demanding $1 [00:30:12] billion from Harvard University. Uh and [00:30:14] Secretary McMahon will be continuing to [00:30:16] lead this negotiation in these talks. [00:30:19] >> Come on. Thank you. Uh [00:30:21] >> you mentioned some polling earlier that [00:30:24] [snorts] was very compelling on [00:30:25] deportations. Rasmusen came out with a [00:30:28] poll today said 75% of Republicans want [00:30:30] all illegals deported. It seems like the [00:30:33] conversation has shifted again to [00:30:35] focusing only on deporting illegal [00:30:39] aliens who are criminals. Is the [00:30:41] president still committed to [00:30:43] deportations of the 20 million illegals [00:30:46] that came here under Joe Biden or are [00:30:48] you starting to see that back? [00:30:51] >> Uh yes, and the president has always [00:30:52] been committed to that, John. But we [00:30:54] must prioritize and the prioritization [00:30:56] is on those tens of thousands of [00:30:59] convicted criminals whom we know are [00:31:01] still roaming our streets. ICE and [00:31:03] Border Patrol uh and DHS have done a [00:31:05] phenomenal job of removing uh th hund uh [00:31:09] tens of thousands of them. Uh actually [00:31:11] nearly 1 million people have been [00:31:13] deported from our country over the past [00:31:15] year. Uh two million additional [00:31:16] self-deportations. So nearly three [00:31:18] million people have left the United [00:31:20] States. Uh but again, as you pointed out [00:31:22] rightfully, Joe Biden and the Democrats [00:31:24] allowed approximately 20 million people [00:31:26] into our country illegally. Uh so yes, [00:31:28] of course, the president is committed to [00:31:30] ensuring that America is and always will [00:31:32] be a nation of laws. [00:31:35] >> Thank you, Caroline. Steve Bannon [00:31:36] recently said, quote, "We're going to [00:31:38] have ICE surround the polls come [00:31:40] November." Is that something that the [00:31:42] president is considering? [00:31:43] >> That's not something I've ever heard the [00:31:45] president consider. No. guarantee to the [00:31:47] American public that ICE will not be [00:31:50] around polling locations or voting [00:31:52] locations in November. [00:31:54] >> I can't guarantee that an ICE agent [00:31:56] won't be around a polling location in [00:31:59] November. I mean, that's frankly a very [00:32:01] silly hypothetical question. U but what [00:32:03] I can tell you is I haven't heard the [00:32:05] president discuss any formal plans to [00:32:08] put ICE outside of polling locations. [00:32:10] It's a disingenuous question. [00:32:12] >> Caroline, I have two questions regarding [00:32:14] the DHS. Um the first one is um one of [00:32:17] the Democrats main demands for DHS [00:32:19] funding was to demask ICE agents. Um is [00:32:21] this something that the president is [00:32:23] even considering? [00:32:24] >> Again, this is one of the specific [00:32:25] points in the the letter that went out [00:32:27] uh by Senate Majority Leader Schumer and [00:32:30] Hakeem Jeff. I won't uh negotiate the [00:32:32] individual points from the podium, but [00:32:34] it is obviously something the White [00:32:35] House will be discussing uh with [00:32:37] lawmakers on Capitol Hill in the coming [00:32:39] days. Is the administration concerned [00:32:41] that the shakeup that we're seeing of [00:32:42] DHS activity in Minneapolis could [00:32:44] potentially embolden different [00:32:46] obstructionist protesters around the [00:32:48] country as they now have a playbook on [00:32:49] how to get ICE out of their cities? [00:32:51] >> Um, no. Because what you saw yesterday [00:32:55] with the draw down of 700 agents only [00:32:58] occurred because the condition that the [00:33:00] president of the United States set for [00:33:03] local states uh local counties to turn [00:33:06] over illegal aliens to ICE has been met. [00:33:08] near the ma vast majority of counties, [00:33:10] nearly every single county now in [00:33:13] Minnesota has made an agreement to [00:33:15] notify ICE when they are releasing an [00:33:17] illegal criminal from their jail. This [00:33:19] is a huge win for the administration. [00:33:21] Again, it's a condition the president [00:33:23] set out and has been met thanks to the [00:33:25] tireless efforts of Mr. Hman. Uh and as [00:33:28] for the left-wing agitators who have [00:33:30] been um illegally obstructing ISIS [00:33:33] immigration efforts, we are not letting [00:33:35] that behavior uh go unnoticed or [00:33:37] unpunished. In fact, just today, the [00:33:39] Department of Homeland Security arrested [00:33:42] this individual. Uh he is a [00:33:44] self-proclaimed Antifa member uh who has [00:33:47] been threatening, doxing, harassing ICE. [00:33:50] Uh he called for the murder of federal [00:33:52] law enforcement officers. He encouraged [00:33:55] bloodshed in the streets of Minnesota. [00:33:57] He proudly acclaimed affiliation with [00:33:59] the domestic terrorist organization [00:34:01] Antifa and the Department of Justice [00:34:03] thanks to the great work of the of HSI [00:34:06] and the FBI where was able to locate and [00:34:08] arrest this individual today. Um so we [00:34:11] are committed to enforcing our [00:34:12] immigration laws. We want that level of [00:34:14] cooperation from state and local [00:34:15] officials and if people are illegally [00:34:18] obstructing our federal law enforcement [00:34:20] operations. If they are targeting, [00:34:22] doxing, harassing, and vilifying uh ICE [00:34:25] agents, they are going to be held [00:34:27] accountable like this individual here [00:34:28] who again is a self-proclaimed member of [00:34:31] Antifa. He is a domestic terrorist and [00:34:33] he will be held accountable in the [00:34:34] United States. Caroline, [00:34:37] just to follow up on earlier question, I [00:34:39] mean, you've talked a lot about the the [00:34:40] SAVE Act. I know you spoke with the [00:34:42] president about it before you came out [00:34:43] here. The president has gone beyond [00:34:45] that, though. He's talking about [00:34:46] Republicans taking over elections. [00:34:48] States are agents of the federal [00:34:49] government. So, just to be clear, is the [00:34:51] president only calling on Congress to [00:34:53] pass the Save Act, or does he want [00:34:55] Republicans to go further than that [00:34:57] before the midterm elections? [00:34:58] >> The president is calling on Republicans [00:35:00] again and Democrats to pass the Save [00:35:02] Act. I will reiterate requirement for [00:35:05] voter ID to vote. That should be [00:35:07] something that no American uh should [00:35:10] oppose. In fact, we know that the vast [00:35:12] majority of Americans support it. [00:35:13] Requiring proof of citizenship to [00:35:16] register to vote, which is not hard to [00:35:18] do. We should be able to do that in this [00:35:20] country. If you want to register to vote [00:35:21] in the United States of America, you [00:35:23] have to be a citizen in the United [00:35:24] States of America. And this piece of [00:35:26] federal legislation will direct states [00:35:28] to remove non-citizens from the voter [00:35:31] roles. I just had a conversation with [00:35:32] the president about it. [00:35:35] >> Thank you. Thank you, Caroline. I have [00:35:36] two questions. Tariffs on South Korea. [00:35:40] As you know, President Trump recently [00:35:42] mentioned tariffs increasing tariffs on [00:35:45] South Korea. when will the 25% [00:35:49] tariffs increasing on South Korea begin? [00:35:52] Secondly, will what impact will this [00:35:56] have on national security? [00:35:59] >> Sure. I don't have a timeline for you on [00:36:02] that, but I will make sure that our [00:36:03] trade team here at the White House gets [00:36:05] you an answer uh swiftly and promptly. [00:36:07] John, [00:36:08] >> thank you. [00:36:08] >> Thank you so much, Caroline. Yesterday, [00:36:10] President Trump in the NBC interview [00:36:12] said that it bothers me that somebody is [00:36:14] going after Bill Clinton. Not somebody [00:36:16] is the House Oversight Chairman James [00:36:18] Comr, a Republican. Why is the president [00:36:21] bothered that they're investigating Bill [00:36:23] Clinton and his Epstein ties? [00:36:24] >> Look, I think that the president uh has [00:36:27] respect for the former president of [00:36:28] United States, Bill Clinton. He said [00:36:30] yesterday himself uh they've shared a [00:36:32] good relationship and that's what he was [00:36:34] reiterating in that NBC interview. [00:36:38] Thank you Caroline. Um can you tell us a [00:36:40] little bit about the agenda for [00:36:42] tomorrow's talks with the Iranians? What [00:36:44] would be the focus of the discussions? [00:36:46] Uh diplomacy moving forward. The [00:36:49] president has obviously been quite clear [00:36:51] uh in his demands of the Iranian regime. [00:36:54] Uh zero nuclear capability is something [00:36:56] he's been very explicit about. Uh and he [00:36:59] wants to see if a deal can be struck. [00:37:01] Uh, and while these negotiations are [00:37:03] taking place, I would remind the Iranian [00:37:05] regime that the president has many [00:37:07] options at his disposal aside from [00:37:09] diplom diplomacy as the [00:37:11] commander-in-chief of the most powerful [00:37:13] military in the history of the world. [00:37:16] >> Washington Examiner, go ahead. [00:37:18] >> Um, Lynchburg County, Virginia is the [00:37:21] third local law enforcement is defying [00:37:24] the blue um the blue government's demand [00:37:27] that [snorts] they no longer cooperate [00:37:28] with ICE. There's a lot of red counties [00:37:30] that are thumbming their nose at the [00:37:33] blue blue government blue states [00:37:36] leadership uh telling them not to work [00:37:39] with will this administration support [00:37:41] those uh counties in any way support [00:37:43] them either in through legal help or [00:37:46] >> absolutely and if there is a county in [00:37:48] this country whether it's red or blue [00:37:50] that seeks to cooperate with the federal [00:37:52] government to remove violent illegal [00:37:53] criminal aliens from their communities [00:37:56] this administration is here to help. [00:37:57] You've heard the calls from again from [00:37:59] the president himself on asking [00:38:02] Democrats and Republicans across the [00:38:04] country to call on the Trump [00:38:05] administration to work with them, not [00:38:08] against them in in the matter of public [00:38:10] safety and securing our homeland. Thank [00:38:13] you all very much. You'll hear directly [00:38:14] from from the president tonight at 7:00 [00:38:17] and I hope everybody has a good weekend. [00:38:18] Happy Super Bowl weekend. The president [00:38:20] has wisely chosen not to make a [00:38:22] prediction in Sunday night's game, but [00:38:24] as a native uh girl from New Hampshire, [00:38:27] go Patriots. Thank you guys.