His base was very pleased with what the president decided to do. Is that part of the calculus . I would like to ask as follow about the xl pipeline, terms of jobs and development . What we said with respect to the executive order in question, has been fairly consistent since implementation and in the first court action. Last night we asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case. Confident that the president s lech sieve order is well within the Lawful Authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism. The president is not required to submit entrance from country that sponsor terrorism. Until theyre properly vetted or pose a risk to the United States pretty consistent what we talked about. I dont have update, talking about in terms of production . I dont have that at this time. You were asked about the president s personal view about Climate Change. You hadnt had a chance to had conversation with him. It has been 48, 72 hours. What does the president believe on Climate Change . Does he still believe it was a hoax . Can u ify that, apparently nobody in the white house has. I have not had opportunity to have that discussion. Doesnt the American People deserve president is focused on making sure we have clean water, clean air, making sure we have the best deal for the American Workers. Blake. Blake . No worries. Quick question for you on related to the paris climate agreement, why is the president feel it is important to continue to reduce Carbon Emissions and export Clean Energy Technology . I think he, he understands the importance of clean air, clean water as i just mentioned and healthy environment. Also doing so in that provides the American Workers and our economy a way to go but obviously administrator pruitt pointed out we have a lot of technology that we can export to other countries to help them. Just a quick question as it relates to Climate Change. Very simple definition of Climate Change is a change in the earths weather patterns. Epa administrator said he does feel there is some value to the studies that say that the earth is warming somewhat. Does the president share the epa administrators thoughts on this topic . Why is the administration sort of backed away from using the words Climate Change . I have not, as i mentioned i have not had the opportunity to specifically talk to the president about that. Thanks, sean. Yesterday the president paint ad pretty dire economic picture if the United States were to stay in the paris accords, it would be disasterous for u. S. Economy, yesterday dozens of top ceos of american corporations lobbied of the president in order to ay in the paris accord. Why would the president argue this is bad for the economy if all those ceos are saying you know what we need to do this . Is the president right about the Economic Forecast and all those private sector leaders wrong . President took input from a lot of individuals. There were other sectors that were very concerned about the implementation of it. Frankly i think there were some companies on some organizations that are among those you mentioned that while they maybe wanted to stay in, also expressed concerns about the target levels. At end of the day the president s number one priority to get the best deal for the American People. This who they elected last year. One of the things that weve got to remember the president was very clear on the campaign trail about his position on this but he was also clear he will negotiate the best deal for the American People. And if you look at all of the deals that we have whether the trade deals or paris president made it very clear he committed to getting best deal for americas workers and american manufacturers. Will he replace elon musk and bob iger on the Economic Council . I dont know. Jim. President s critics pulling out of the accord will lift china as Global Leader do you agree with the sentiment . What does the white house has to say about that. Part of the reason the president said it was bad deal yesterday, countries including china were not making substantial progress in reducing their carbon footprint. They werent doing enough and america was carrying the load. I think by negotiating a better deal, hopefully we can get a better result for our country and the world. John. Thank you, sean. Yesterday president macron of france delivered a sharplyworded speech in english attacking the president on the climb mat change decision saying it is bad for all of our children. He specifically called on scientists to come and move to france. What is the president s response to president macron . I think that president had made it clear since day one that his job is to protect the interests of this country and our citizens. As he said yesterday he was elected to represent pittsburgh, not paris. Hunter . Thank you, sean. Washington posthas reported that administration is considering returning these properties in maryland and new york to russia. What is the reason for that . What would the white house have to see before giving back those properties . The state department issued comments on that earlier saying quote, the u. S. And russia reached no agreements. Theyre projecting negotiations further along than they are. So the state department is lead on that they have been very clear where we stand on that. Charlie . Has president been following the Kathy Griffin meltdown . Does the family want a personal apology . Does what . Does the family want a personal apology from Kathy Griffin for the beheading photo . The president , first lady, secret service all made it very clear their view on those thoughts. Steve. Sean, there has been matter of curiosity in this town for couple days now, is the white house going to invoke executive privilege to prevent james comey from testifying before the Senate IntelligencePanel Next Week . That Committee Hearing was just noticed. Obviously it has to be reviewed. So that is not a no. I was just saying literally, my understanding the diet for that hearing was just set. I have not spoken to counsel yet. I dont know whatheyre,ow theyre going to rpond. Jen . Two questions, sean. One on the tax bill and one on debt ceiling. Rose garden yesterday, president said something about our tax bill moving along in congress very well. We heard something about a bill being drafted in house ways and means. Is that what he he is talking about or what tax bill is he referring to . As a you know, secretary mnuchin and director cohn were here couple weeks ago laying out broad principles in legislation, they had several discussions in both the house and senate, bipartisan industry groups. I think reception that the president s initiative has received in both chambers is moving along very well with leadership and rankandfile members. Weve been getting mixed messages from the Administration Official whether you like to see a clean debt bill or can explain the president s feeling whether he like to see riders attached on spending, what is the feeling . Both secretary mnuchin and director mulvaney have weighed in on this. This is something well work with congress on. So were not there yet. Something our team will continue to work with them on. Jessica. Thank you, sean. Two questions, number one when we heard the admin administrator talked about the exit from climate accord is not a signal that the pus wants to disengage from climate polly. What steps are they taking and as you well know climate is key part of cooperation between the u. S. And china. Will you try to replace that very important intersection of interests with Something Else . Will you continue to do some technological cooperation on clean energy for example with the chinese . Do you have any thoughts on that . Well this is a decision that was just made yesterday afternoon and i think the president is going to gauge both with domestic stakeholders he mentioned in the speech yesterday. He looks forward to talking to leaders in both both parties on a way forward, reasonable ways we can engage. We can talk to World Leaders that is a process that has to resolve. Whats that . China, relationship with china, the point of cooperation, have you guys given thought to how you will manage . Because the model was manage tensions with china and u. Government by having areas of cooperation and this was prevusly an area of cooperation. Obviously other areas that white house is working on now with china, other cooperation of areas of cooperation with the Chinese Government . The relationship President Trump established through president xi has been quite remarkable. He talked about it very clearly. Its a model which they will continue to build their relationship and talk about issues, whether it is this or north korea or other areas, economic areas that theyre going to Work Together on. So i think the great thing about this issue is that the relationship that the president has continues to build with president xi is one that will allow them to move forward. Thank you, sean. Recent statement by senator mccain he said that Vladmir Putin is a greater threat to the United States security of the u. S. Than isis. President had any conversation with you about that comment. No, he hasnt. Sean, secretary mnuchin says he wants debt ceiling raised before the august recess [inaudible]. This morning he want it clean as well. This morning geir hery cohn said that the administration is going to do whatever with congress to get it passed before august. Freedom caucus wants spending cuts. What does this look like . Doesnt sound if the treasury secretary will get a clean bill. What is the administration willing to take to as far as spending cuts to get the debt ceiling raised. That is nature what jen is asking. That is a conversation our team is going to have with congressional leaders and other stakeholders, freedom caucus, other members what it will take. There is bipartisan recognition that we need to get that done. And so secretary mnuchin, director cohn, director mulvaney other members of the team will continue to work with congressional leaders to figure out what it takes to get it done. April . Sean, could you tell me how is the president dealing with the fact that there are several mayors, many mayors from Bipartisan Group, u. S. Conference of mayors, who are against the president s withdrawal of Paris Agreement . How does this president move forward with what he is saying about making colgate again and taking the economics of clean energy and, walking out of paris plans to have mayors were saying well continue with the Paris Agreement . Well if wants to enact a policy that is, on range of issues, theyre accountable to their own voters. That is what they should do. We believe in states rights. So if a locality, municipality or a state wants to enact a policy that their vote es or citizens believe in, that is what they should do. But i will say, with respect to elect the officials, there was i think a large contingent of officials at every level of government were very pleased with the president s decision yesterday and applauded him for that. Large Bipartisan Group of republican and democrats mayors were critical. When he is have bipartisan support for it. Last topic. There are numbers of reports [inaudible] museum africanamerican cultural museum, negative word spraypainted on Lebron Jamess home. What is the president saying specifically, people are saying over the last 130 plus days people feeling there is divide perpetuated from this white house . Well i would respectfully disagree with the premise of that. We need to denounce hate in any form in any act, and this president made it clear from Election Night to his inauguration that he wants to unite this country move it forward. Caitlyn. Secretary of state Rex Tillerson endorse withdrawing from the paris climate agreement . Im not privy to conversations individuals had with the president. He was not as the announcement yesterday . I dont know. Secondly, can you clarify the nature of conversations that Jared Kushner had with russian officials with a banker in december and what cast date of meeting . I can not. As i mentioned the other day were focused on president s agenda and Going Forward all questions on these matters will be refer outside counsel mark kasowitz. How can you not answer questions when president tweets about it. Were focused on his agenda. Going forward all questions on the answer will be referred to outside counsel . Any of those questions . Where are you guys are finding, spoke people, spokespeople would want to respond to those that would be helpful. Okay. Do you have any update on search for fbi director . As i mentioned yesterday, i guess, couple days ago, the president continues to be meeting with candidates. When we have update on that well let you know. Said you had intalked to the president yet he Still BelievesClimate Change is a hoax. Can you, would it be possible to have that conversation with him and report back to us at next briefing . If i can i will. You cant say where the president stands on Climate Change, does this mean members of this administration helped esident make digs to withdraw from the paris accord without knowing president stan without knowing whether or not he thinks Climate Change is real . My understanding individuals gave president advice on deal at hand. He made a decision on what was best for the country and our people on the merits of the agreement. Sean, we know the president heard a lot of points of view on this on both sides of the issue. There was impression, maybe a false impression it was a difficult decision. That he was waivering. In the end though yesterday he was emphatic about his, getting out of the agreement. In the end was this an easy decision or was it a close decision . I honestly dont know. That is what the president is ultimate decider. When he comes, gets information that is requires he lets us know he has a decision he announces. One other thing. There is a lot of talk about renegotiation. Why renegotiate . The United States has the authority to simply reduce the targets. Why not just do that . Because the president believe it is in our countrys best interests to renegotiate a the deal. Sean, president signed a waiver yesterday that delays Campaign Promise to move embassy to jerusalem. You said this was sort of peace deal, how confident can his supporters be that Campaign Promise he will keep . When the president signed the waiver, under the jerusalem embass is sy act and delayed moving embassy from tel aviv to jerusalem, no one should consider sp in any way to be retreat from the president s strong support for israel and for the u. S. Israeli relationship. The president made this decision to maximize the chance of successfully negotiating a deal between israel and the palestinians, fulfilling a solemn obligation to defend Americas National security interests. But as he repeatedly his stated his intention is not if that move happens but when. Promised during the campaign to do it on day one. Is there ultimate goal to get peace as i said. It is not an if, it is when. Francesca. Thank you, sean, following up on caitlyns question, question after that, still the administration ace position though that Jared Kushner was in the meeting with the russian banker as a representative of the transition, representing the president . As i said to caitlyn were focused on president s agenda. Going forward all questions on matter will be referred to outside counsel. Something you can answer directly. Does the president still have confidence in Jared Kushner . Absolutely. Thank you, sean. One of the waivers of white house all white house appointees concerning discussions with news media retroactive. Was that aimed at, did white house have Steve Bannons communications with Breitbart News in mind . Was that applied retroactively to address those communications and any response to director schwabs claim if you need a retroactive waiver you have violate ad rule. Thats correct. There are two pieces to that are important. One is remember, this didnt have to do with the law or regulatis. This had to do with the president s pledge. The only, is the ulmate decider on that. This isnt with respect to a law or regulation. What we discovered was that several individuals on staff had previously worked for media organizations. In order to continue having those discussions and advancing the president s agenda and priorities it was important to make sure all individuals had the opportunity to speak to the media about what the president was doing to make the country stronger. For what it is worth todays happens to be National Leave work early day. [laughter] i hope you all get a chance to participate if you maybe go home, if you participated in National Doughn