it up senator jeff flake responding to the comments. here he is. >> i have seen the president's ardant defenders use the now weiery arguments that the president's comments were meant as a joke. sarcasm, only tongue in cheek. but treason is not a punch line, president trump. >> sara sanders in a comment at the bres press efg briefing. >> i don't care what senator flake has to say. i don't think his constituents do either and that's why his numbers are in the tank. the president was clearly joking with comments. but what isn't a joke that democrats refuse to celebrate the accomplishments of last year that has helped all americans. >> it is obvious that mr. flake doesn't care what the white house things because he is speaking out today and doesn't matter about his numbers because he is not running again. what do you make of this? >> this notion -- she is pair oiting the president the notion that if your numbers are bad the