REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN BRIEFING ON HURRICANE DORIAN Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters Washington, D.C.

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2019 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN BRIEFING ON HURRICANE DORIAN Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters Washington, D.C.   12:31 P.M. EDT      THE PRESIDENT:  I want to begin today by addressing the heinous shooting that took place on Saturday in Odessa, Texas.  On behalf of all Americans, I'd like to express my deepest sympathies and sorrow for the victims and their families.  We ask God to comfort and heal those who are suffering, and we hope that there will be a full and quick recovery of the injured.      Today, we also recognize the courageous actions of local law enforcement.  I can pretty much say, as usual, they were incredible, several of whom were very seriously injured and wounded as they fought to end this monstrous shooting and save lives.      I've spoken to Attorney General Barr, and we will provide all possible support from the federal government in the aftermath of this wicked attack.      My administration is committed to working with Congress to stop the menace of mass attacks.  They've been going on for a long time.  Decades now.  And we want to do the best we can to reduce them.  It would be wonderful to say -- to say "eliminate," but we want to substantially reduce the violent crime -- and actually, in any form.  Any of its evil forms.  This includes strong measures to keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous and deranged individuals, and substantial reforms to our nation's broken mental health system.      Our goal must be to identify severely disturbed individuals and disrupt their plans before they strike.  To reduce violence, we must also ensure that criminals with guns are put behind bars and kept off the streets.  Public safety is our number-one priority.  Always wanting to protect our Second Amendment.  So important.      We're here at FEMA Headquarters to receive a briefing on Hurricane Dorian.  I want to thank Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan for the incredible job you've been doing.  Kevin, thank you -- in many ways, by the way. Acting FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor.  Peter, thank you very much. Secretary Elaine Chao.   Secretary Mark Esper.  Thank you.  Thank you. Secretary Alex Azar.  Thank you very much, Alex.  And all the good news coming out of your administration on drug pricing.  Coming way down.  We really appreciate it.  It's gone a lot further down. Administrator Andrew Wheeler.  Thank you, Andrew. Dr. Neil Jacobs.  Thank you.  Thank you, Neil.  Good job. Senator Rick Scott is here in person.  Thank you.  Came up from Florida.  We appreciate that very much.  Thank you, Rick. And many other senior officials and political folks and military leaders for joining us in person or by phone. The safety of the American people must always come first.  My staff and I receive frequent updates to ensure that we are fully prepared.  And we are fully prepared.  But we really, basically, I don’t think, ever seen anything like this hurricane. I want to thank the Coast Guard.  Karl, I know that they're really ready.  I don't know if it's this -- I don't know how they can come into this one.  They're going to have to come in from the outside I guess, because this looks monstrous. But I want to thank what -- the job you did in Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico was incredible.  This could be bigger than all of them, in terms of the power of what we're looking at. It’s a -- one of the largest we’ve ever seen.  Its effects will be felt hundreds of miles or more from the eye of the storm and long before it potentially makes landfall.  It’s going to go at hundreds of miles.  We expect that much of the Eastern Seaboard will be ultimately impacted and some of it very, very severely.      My administration is coordinating closely with state and local authorities.  Today, we're joined on the phone by some great people that have been working very, very hard: Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida.  Thank you, Ron.  Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia.  Brian, thank you very much.  Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina.  Thank you, Henry.  And Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina.  Thank you very much, Roy.      The federal government stands ready to assist their readiness, response, and recovery operations. And, I will say, the states -- and it may get a little piece of a great place: It’s called Alabama.  And Alabama could even be in for at least some very strong winds and something more than that, it could be.  This just came up, unfortunately.  It’s the size of -- the storm that we’re talking about.  So, for Alabama, just please be careful also.      I ask everyone in Hurricane Dorian’s path to heed all warnings and evacuation orders from local authorities.  It looks like they’re going to have to be giving them, unfortunately.  And I wish you’d watch. It’s been lurking.  It’s just been building out there.  It’s been moving very slowly.  It’s a bad thing, not a good thing.  The slower it moves, the bigger it is and the bigger it gets.  But we want to minimize any unnecessary risks to the public and our brave first responders.      I’ve been working very hard with Governor DeSantis of Florida on getting fuel -- getting gasoline brought in, because they’ve never seen anything like it, the rush to get so much.   And again, the Coast Guard and the Army and the Marines, they’ve been incredible.  We’ve gotten tremendous amounts of gasoline brought in very quickly.      Americans are strong, determined, and resilient, and we will support each other.  And we will work very hard to minimize whatever the effect of what’s coming at us.  We don’t even know what’s coming at us.  All we know is it’s possibly the biggest.  I have -- not sure -- I’m not sure that I’ve ever even heard of a Category 5.  I knew it existed.  And I’ve seen some Category 4s; you don’t even see them that much.  But a Category 5 is something that I don’t know that I’ve even heard the term other than I know it's there.  That’s the ultimate.  And that’s what we have, unfortunately.      So with that, I’d like to maybe ask Kevin if he’d like to say a few words.  And we’ll go around.  And if anyone has any suggestions or questions, I’d love to take them.  Thank you.                               END            12:38 P.M. EDT

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AFTER MARINE ONE ARRIVAL South Lawn

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2019 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AFTER MARINE ONE ARRIVAL South Lawn   11:14 A.M. EDT     THE PRESIDENT:  Hello.  First of all, I’d like to thank law enforcement yesterday, in Texas.  They’ve been incredible.  First responders, law enforcement, the police, the FBI, Governor Abbott -- incredible, the job they did.  It's tragic, but they did an incredible job under the circumstances.  It's another very sick person. So I just want to thank everybody involved.  And always, you say: As bad as it was, it could have been worse.  But it was certainly bad.  Very, very sad situation. Also, I’d like to introduce Admiral Brown of the U.S. Coast Guard, a highly respected man.  We spent two days at Camp David going over a lot of different things having to do with the hurricane.  The Admiral has informed me through all of the different sources that he has -- but you can pretty much get it on television, Admiral -- this is now a Category 5.  It seems to be one of the biggest hurricanes we’ve ever seen.  And that’s a problem.  That’s a problem. So I think a lot of -- we have a lot of great -- we have a lot of great people working right now.  We don’t know where it’s going to hit but we have an idea.  Probably a little bit different than the original course.  The original course was dead into Florida.  Now it seems to be going up to toward South Carolina, toward North Carolina.  Georgia is going to be hit.  Alabama is going to get a piece of it, it looks like.  But it can change its course again and it could go back more toward Florida. So we’ll be knowing -- we’ll be learning over the next probably, less than 24 hours.  But it is a very, very powerful hurricane. Q    (Inaudible.) THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, we’re looking at the same things.  We’re in the process of dealing with Democrats, Republicans.  They’ve been working very hard on it.  They’re coming back very soon.  And there’s a big package of things that’s going to be put before them by a lot of different people.  We have a lot of groups working on it. Q    Mr. President, have you spoken to Senators Toomey, (inaudible), Wayne LaPierre (inaudible)? THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I’ve been speaking to them.  I’ve been speaking to a lot of senators.  We’ve been speaking to a lot of House members, a lot of Republicans, a lot of Democrats.  And people want to do something.  So we’re going to see. This really hasn’t changed anything.  We’re doing a package, and we’ll see what it all -- how it comes about.  It’s coming about right now.  And a lot of people are talking about it.  And that’s irrespective of what happened yesterday in Texas. Q    Mr. President, have you spoken to House Democrats about (inaudible)? THE PRESIDENT:  Well we’re looking at a lot of different things.  We’re looking at a lot of different bills, ideas, concepts.  It’s been going on for a long while.  Background checks. I will say that, for the most part, sadly, if you look at the last four or five -- going back, even five or six or seven years, for the most part, as strong as you make your background checks, they would not have stopped any of it.  So it’s a big problem.  It’s a mental problem.  It’s a big problem. Q    On China, sir, the new tariffs (inaudible) -- have you spoken to President Xi? THE PRESIDENT:  So China is moving along.  We’re doing very well.  It was brought out very strongly today by a number of great economists that, because China has devalued their currency so much, that, in fact, they are actually paying for all of the tariffs.  We have -- in addition to that, as you know, they’re pouring money into their economy.  So those two things, they are paying for their tariffs. As you know, some new tariffs get on.  We’re taking in tens of billions of dollars.  We’re giving some of the money to the farmers.  I’m making the farmers more than whole.  The farmers are doing better than if China, frankly, were buying.  I’m taking a piece of the massive amount of tariffs, and we’re giving them to the farmers who have been targeted unfairly by China. We are talking to China.  The meeting is still on, as you know, in September.  That hasn’t changed.  They haven’t changed and we haven’t.  We’ll see what happens. But we can’t allow China to rip us off anymore as a country.  We can’t allow China to take $500 billion a year out of our country.  We can’t do that.      Q    Mr. President, do you have a message for Poland --      THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.      Q    -- on the 80th anniversary of the Second World War?  What (inaudible)?      THE PRESIDENT:  I do have a great message for Poland.  And we have Mike Pence, our Vice President, is just about landing right now.  And he is representing me.  I look forward to being there soon. But I just want to congratulate Poland.  It’s a great country with great people.  We also have many Polish people in our country; it could be 8 million.  We love our Polish friends.  And I will be there soon. Q    Mr. President, do you believe that Congress should (inaudible)?  And why should Americans --      THE PRESIDENT:  Say it.  Say it.  Speak up.      Q      Mr. President, do you believe that Congress should (inaudible)?  And why should Americans believe that now (inaudible)?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I think Congress has got a lot of thinking to do, frankly, and they have a lot of -- they’ve been doing a lot of work.  I will tell you, on behalf of Republicans and Democrats, they’ve been doing a lot of work having to do with guns.  And I think you’re going to see some interesting things coming along.      On the hurricane, Admiral, would you like to say something as to the size and scope of the hurricane?      ADMIRAL BROWN:  Certainly, Mr. President.  Thank you.  This hurricane is very strong -- Category 5 -- which talks about the wind.  It will also have substantial destructive, life-threatening storm surge, fresh-water rainfall in four states.  Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina can all expect to see tropical storm to hurricane-force impacts over the coming days.  So the time for preparation is now.      THE PRESIDENT:  And I’ll be going with the Admiral and many others over to FEMA in about an hour.  And we’ll be having somewhat of a news conference over there where you won’t have the engines blaring.  But we’ll have a news conference over at FEMA.  So we’ll see you -- most of you -- there.      Okay?  Thank you.  Thank you very much.                                END                 11:21 A.M. EDT

Presidential Message on National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2019 Presidential Message on National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month is a time to acknowledge the challenges faced by Americans with sickle cell disease (SCD) and to reaffirm our commitment to increasing the quality, affordability, and accessibility of different treatment options. SCD is an inherited red blood cell disorder that is most prevalent among those who have ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa and certain regions of South and Central America.  In the United States, SCD occurs in 1 out of every 365 African-American births and 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births.  Beginning in early childhood, people with SCD experience a lifetime of crippling pain, challenging disabilities, and often premature death.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates medical expenses of children with SCD average between $11,000 and $14,000, with nearly 40 percent of these patients requiring at least one hospital stay. While American research and innovation have led to medical advances that provide a wide array of treatments for improving the prognosis of children living with SCD, many can be used only for a specific subset of patients.  Far too many patients who could benefit from treatments such as stem cell or bone marrow transplants are not identified until they have already experienced a debilitating medical episode that causes irreversible organ damage.  The National Institutes of Health is working to address this through research to identify children who are more likely to suffer from severe SCD through genetic modifiers.  We want to know which children are at risk and treat them before they experience permanent organ deterioration.  My Administration is also exploring new payment models to make these treatments and potential cures more affordable.  We are also excited to be working with several organizations in developing education and training programs that equip healthcare providers with skills and training to better identify and treat this disease. We will always stand strong with those battling this condition and remain committed to improving the quality of life of those living with SCD.

Presidential Message on National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2019 Presidential Message on National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Throughout National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we reaffirm our commitment to bring attention to prostate cancer and to better understand the risk factors and early symptoms of this horrible disease.  We also renew our Nation’s pledge to diligently work to find a cure. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men in America.  Prostate cancer, however, is treatable.  Patients diagnosed with a localized or regional stage of prostate cancer have a nearly 100 percent 5-year Relative Survival Rate.  It is critical for men of all ages to become familiar with the common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and to immediately report concerns to a physician or healthcare provider.  Additionally, recognizing the factors that can increase the risk of developing this cancer, such as family history, age, alcohol and tobacco use, and diet, can be beneficial in improving overall health. My Administration is committed to ensuring that our health system works for Americans afflicted by this disease, as well as other serious health conditions.  That is why we are taking action to end surprise medical billing and ensure Americans are not burdened by unknown or unforeseen expenses.  In June, I signed an Executive Order “Improving Price and Quality Transparency in American Healthcare to Put Patients First,” delivering on my promise to bring increased transparency to healthcare and drug pricing.  At my direction, the Department of Health and Human Services is working to make information about out-of-pocket costs more readily available to patients before they receive care while also instructing hospitals to publicly disclose amounts that reflect what insurers pay for services in easy-to-read formats.  Together, we will work to ensure patients know the true price and quality of the healthcare they receive and are given the information they need to make informed choices. During National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we continue to support those who are fighting cancer.  We are also committed to learning about the common warning signs of prostate cancer and sharing this information with family and friends.  Through our collective efforts, we can assist in the early detection and diagnosis of this disease, leading to more optimistic prognoses for our loved ones.

Presidential Message on National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2019 Presidential Message on National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month   During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the First Lady and I encourage women to learn more about the common signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.  Heightened awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can help our mothers, wives, sisters, and friends fight this disease early, when treatment can often be more effective.  My Administration is also working to improve the quality and cost of care, so that our loved ones have available every tool to defeat this disease. This year alone, more than 20,000 American women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 14,000 will lose their lives to it.  Early detection and proper treatment are significant factors in the battle against ovarian cancer.  It is therefore imperative that women of all ages become familiar with the symptoms of ovarian cancer and the conditions that place them at an increased risk, including age, genes, and past medical history. My Administration is dedicated to confronting the challenges that hinder Americans from getting the treatment and quality of care they need to overcome cancer.  Since taking office, I have eliminated burdensome regulations at a record pace, allowing researchers to more easily develop new drugs that can be approved quickly by the Food and Drug Administration.  Last year, I also signed into law Right to Try legislation, which allows patients to access potentially lifesaving drugs. As President, I firmly believe in providing Americans with the choice and freedom to make the best decisions concerning their health.  My Administration is ensuring patients have access to the doctors they want, the treatments they need, and the highest standard of medical care anywhere in the world.  Together, we can advance our country’s research capabilities, increase the quality of care, and strive to eradicate not only ovarian cancer but all forms of this terrible disease. The First Lady and I send our support to those battling cancer, and we pause to remember all the women we have lost to this terrible disease.  As one Nation, we will continue to work to find a cure so that future generations of women may live healthy, happy, and full lives, cancer-free.

President Donald J. Trump Approves the Seminole Tribe of Florida Emergency Declaration

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2019 President Donald J. Trump Approves the Seminole Tribe of Florida Emergency Declaration                                                                                                                       Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump declared that an emergency exists for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and ordered Federal assistance to supplement the Tribe’s response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Dorian beginning on August 28, 2019, and continuing. The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding. Pete Gaynor, Acting Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gary R. Stanley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT:  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV

Photos from President Donald J. Trump’s Briefing on Hurricane Dorian at Camp David

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2019 Photos from President Donald J. Trump’s Briefing on Hurricane Dorian at Camp David President Donald J. Trump received a briefing on Hurricane Dorian today from Acting Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Pete Gaynor, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction Dr. Neil Jacobs, and Deputy Assistant to the President and Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor Pete Brown. The President was provided an update on the ongoing locally executed, State-managed, and Federally supported preparation efforts.  Officials discussed the projected track of Hurricane Dorian as it approaches Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and the potential impacts of the storm. The President reiterated his support of those in the path of the storm and of the officials working to keep them safe. He asked the Federal officials to ensure that their teams are in close contact with Governors DeSantis, Kemp, Cooper, and McMaster, and are providing all appropriate support. He impressed on officials the importance of getting help out to those in the path of the storm and to listen to the warnings of State and local officials. President Donald J. Trump, joined by U.S. Senator Rick Scott, R-Fla., receives a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) briefing update on Hurricane Dorian as it approaches the U.S. mainland Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at Camp David near Thurmont, Md. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump, joined by U.S. Senator Rick Scott, R-Fla., and senior White House staff, receives a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) briefing update on Hurricane Dorian as it approaches the U.S. mainland Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at Camp David near Thurmont, Md. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

BACKGROUND PRESS CALL BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ON VICE PRESIDENT PENCE'S TRIP TO POLAND Via Teleconference

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2019

BACKGROUND PRESS CALL
BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS
ON VICE PRESIDENT PENCE'S TRIP TO POLAND

Via Teleconference

 August 30, 2019
 

12:03 P.M. EDT

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.  Thank you for being here today.  This call is a background briefing with senior administration officials on Vice President Mike Pence's trip to Poland.

     Okay, so the ground rules: This is provided on background.  Attribution is to a senior administration official.  And there is an embargo on the contents of this call until after the call is complete.  So please adhere to that.  Additionally, we're going to cap this background interview at 20 minutes.

     So here's the run of show: I'm going to introduce our first speaker.  And once he has concluded, he will then take questions.

     Okay, and with that, our briefer for today is [senior administration official].  Over to you.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  All right.  Thank you very much.  So we are here in sunny, warm Warsaw, perhaps slightly less humid than Washington, to join our Polish friends for the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of, essentially, the beginning of World War II.

     As many of you know, because of Hurricane Dorian -- a potentially life-threatening and extremely dangerous storm -- President Trump has made the decision to postpone his trip to Poland so that he can monitor the hurricane and our efforts to respond to it from the White House.  He sends his warmest regards, and he'll be rescheduling his trip in the near future.

     I think most of you know, but let me recap why Poland is attracting so much attention.  They're a strategic partner and a close ally of the United States.  We have a shared commitment to democratic governance, free markets, protection of individual liberties, and collective defense.

     Back in June, when President Trump hosted President Duda at the White House, the two Presidents signed a joint declaration on defense cooperation, which will see the U.S. military presence in Poland grow by an additional 1,000 rotational U.S. personnel, as well as provide greater defense and deterrence capabilities.

     Poland's leadership and commitment to meeting the 2 percent commitment to NATO on its GDP is an example to the rest of the Alliance.  Twenty percent of that funding is invested in equipment.  Poland is on path to make 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030.  This is a significant commitment for a country.  Poland has undertaken an ambitious multi-year, multi-billion-dollar defense modernization program, including plans to purchase 32 F-35 aircraft.

     Poland and the United States work together closely on a range of bilateral and multilateral global challenges, including supporting global energy security initiatives, countering transnational terrorism, ensuring telecommunications security, and promoting general economic prosperity.  Important steps are being taken, some of which we may be able to announce in the next day or two, to develop a common approach to 5G network security between our two countries to ensure a secure and vibrant 5G ecosystem.

     What we're after here is to protect -- from unauthorized access or interference by telecommunications suppliers, some of whom you know well, controlled by adversary nations -- the security of our networks, now and into the future.

     Together, the United States and Poland are showing leadership at NATO.  And this is reflected in Poland's commitment to enhance collective defense using the best military equipment in the world.  Our strong military cooperation assures peace and stability on NATO's northeast plank and throughout Central Europe.

Poland is a remarkable friend, a strong friend, an ally, and a partner.  And we look forward to the Vice President's arrival, and we look forward to the President rescheduling his visit to Warsaw as soon as his schedule allows, while he remains in the White House monitoring this extremely dangerous storm.

That's the end of my opening remarks, so I'm happy to take any questions that you all may have.

     Q    Hello.  This is Toby Capion calling from EWTN.  Will Vice President Pence now be going straight from Poland to his other European destinations?

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So I'll defer to the Vice President’s press office on his travel schedule.

     Q    This is Sebastian Smith from AFP.  I was wondering, is the Vice President going to meet with the Ukrainians?  Or, I guess, will you discuss the Ukrainians’ U.S. military aid to Ukraine?  Is that going to be something he’s going to be talking about?  Thanks.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So, again, with respect to the Vice President’s meetings here in Poland, I’ll defer you to -- I’ll refer you to the Vice President’s press office.

     Q      Hi, there.  This is Jill Colvin from the AP.  Thank you for doing this call.  I was hoping that you just might be able to talk a little bit more about the Vice President's role here -- you know, stepping up, doing this trip on behalf of the President.  Will he participate in other discussions with the fellow world leaders?  Sort of, how do you see him playing this role during this trip?

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Yeah, I mean, I think what you're seeing here is the President's confidence in the Vice President.  The President felt that his place was at the White House monitoring an extremely dangerous storm, Hurricane Dorian.

And so, he was completely comfortable sending the Vice President to represent the United States and to represent -- and to represent him at this important event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Poland and, really, the commencement of World War II.

     Q    Hi, this is Dmitry Kirsanov with TASS.  I just wanted to ask if you expect any deliverables out of the talks -- out of the upcoming talks?  Any agreements signed between the two sides?  Could you speak about this a bit?  Thanks.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So, like I said, I think we are hopeful that schedules will align and we'll be able to see a U.S.-Poland Declaration on 5G be signed.  This is at the top of our list.  This is an incredibly important signal of the strength of our cooperation between the United States and Poland against what may be one of the preeminent -- I guess I'll just call it a threat -- in the coming years.

The importance of the 5G telecommunications network, the importance of the United States and Poland having a common approach to 5G supply chain security, network security, and really, the economic growth that will be made possible in a secure and vibrant 5G ecosystem, I don't think can be overstated.  And that's why we're very grateful for the incredible support that we've had from this important ally in getting to what looks a very strong agreement between the two countries.

Q    Hi.  This is Bob Costa with the Washington Post.  Is the Vice President scheduled to say anything in particular on NATO?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So I think we expect the Vice President to have the opportunity to provide remarks.  I think he'll be stepping into the speaking engagement that the President was planning to have.  And so I think you'll see the Vice President's remarks speak to the importance of the enduring relationship between the United States and a key NATO ally, Poland.

     Q    Hi.  This is Fred Lucas, Daily Signal.  I wanted to see -- when President Duda was here in the United States, both Presidents talked about the Visa Waiver Program, and also more of a U.S. military presence there -- about 2,000 troops, plus a new fort or a new base.  Are we going to see those issues advanced during this trip?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So, as you mentioned, around two and a half months ago, President Duda and President Trump made progress on a joint declaration.  Since that time, the United States and Poland have completed site surveys and have finalized basing locations.

We've got division headquarters forward in -- and you’ll have to forgive me on my Polish pronunciation -- Poznan.  We’ve got a division headquarters forward, provide command and control and planning for next year’s Defender 2020 exercise, which will feature more than a division on troops coming to Poland.  And (inaudible) continue to move forward in the negotiation of a new defense cooperation agreement to facilitate this enduring presence.  And this is, again, a testament to the strength of the U.S.-Poland relationship.

     Q    This is Maureen Groppe with USA Today.  I was asking about -- interested in how this changed the Vice President's schedule, but I understand you're not answering that question right now, whether he's still going to be going to Ireland, specifically?

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  I think the Vice President's press office will be happy to field that question.

     Q    Hi, this is Eliza (ph) with Bloomberg News.  I'm wondering if you can give us a sense of the outlines of what the 5G agreement would look like and whether it will fit with the Prague proposal put forward in Prague earlier this year.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So I don’t want to get ahead of the actual signing of the declaration other than to just point a couple of the key facets that I tried to allude to earlier.

So, following up, as you referenced the Prague proposals which were developed at the Prague 5G Security Conference, the United States and some of its strongest allies, including Poland, are working to lay out what a common approach to 5G network security would look like, how do we ensure a secure and vibrant 5G ecosystem, how do we have what we would call a careful and complete evaluation of 5G components.

So we're really talking about supply chain security, as (inaudible) there are a number of suppliers that have links to hostile governments that are quite concerning, as we look at how this technology -- the 5G technology -- is evolving from the 4G technology in a 5G network.

It's really not possible to contemplate a core network that can be protected, that’s contrary to the nature of the 5G network.  And so having the kind of framework for 5G cooperation -- like we're very close to with Poland -- is going to allow us to address all of those issues.

What we want to do is we want to -- the United States and Poland, and other allies who participated in the Prague 5G Conference -- we want to be able to protect our networks from unauthorized access.  And I don’t want to overlook the importance of unauthorized interference by technology suppliers, some of whom have a relationship with adversarial governments that look an awful lot like, frankly, like controlled by those governments.

Q    Is the Vice President going to be in any audiences with former President Lech Wałęsa, who has expressed admiration for President Trump?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So I don’t think I can -- I don’t think I have, frankly, knowledge as to who might be at every single meeting.  Some of these gatherings are, frankly, rather large.  It's a very impressive event.  We were talking to the Poles earlier today.  You have 40 foreign delegations in town.  And I understand you're talking about -- you're talking about a former Polish leader, but these are rather large venues and so I don’t think I could speak authoritatively to every person who will be at one of these venues.

Q    Hello, this Alex Alper from Reuters.  I just wanted to touch again on the issue of the potential 5G security agreement that could be signed.  Would this touch on Huawei specifically?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So we don’t typically talk about any specific company because, frankly, there's more than one company, nor do we talk about any one country.  This about a common approach to network security.

And so, you know, you can speculate as to which companies we're most concerned about, but I think if you go back and you look at -- just look at things, for example, that happened in this country earlier this year about a certain company's employees and some of the conduct they were engaged in.  I mean, obviously, there are certain countries -- certain countries and certain companies that are of concern.

But these agreements are about the security and cooperation between two countries; less about a particular company linked to a potential adversary country.

     Q    Hi, Catherine Lucey from the Wall Street Journal.  This was mentioned before but I didn’t -- I don’t know if I heard an answer.  Will there be discussions about allowing Poland into the Visa Waiver Program?  Is that something that's on the agenda?

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So, we have been making significant progress.  Poland has been taking tremendous steps to bring themselves in alignment with our statutory requirements.  And so, as soon as Poland meets the statutory requirements, the United Sates looks forward to bringing Poland into the Visa Waiver Program.  And that’s all I have to leave it.

     SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Okay.  Thank you very much.  Thank you very much [senior administration official].  So just to go back over the ground rules, this is on background; attribution is to a senior administration official.  And now the embargo is lifted.

     That’s all I have.  Thank you very much.

                             END                12:20 P.M. EDT
 

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Resolute Reads REAL NEWS PRESIDENT TRUMP DOESN'T WANT YOU TO MISS

REAL NEWS PRESIDENT TRUMP DOESN'T WANT YOU TO MISS G-7 Summit: Trump Strikes 'Billion-Dollar' Trade Deal with Japan -Fox Business “A deal is all but sealed with Japan,” Fox Business reports. “It’s a very big transaction and we’ve agreed in principle,” President Donald J. Trump confirmed alongside Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the G-7 summit in France this week. President Trump said the Prime Minister agreed to purchase large sums of American farmers’ corn and “expects the billion-dollar deal to be sealed by the time the U.N. General Assembly meets in mid-September.”  Watch: President Trump and the First Lady at the G-7 in France Good Riddance to the Flores Decree -The Wall Street Journal “The Trump administration announced last week it will terminate the Flores settlement agreement, a 1997 court decree that has prevented U.S. officials from detaining migrant families and unaccompanied minors for more than 20 days,” John Daniel Davidson writes. “Ending the settlement was the right call. More than any other single policy, it has created a magnet for illegal immigration, essentially guaranteeing entry to unaccompanied minors and any adult who crosses the Rio Grande with a child.”  Watch: The border wall is being built! Younger Workers Report Biggest Gains in Happiness With Pay -The Wall Street Journal The total share of American workers satisfied with their paychecks rose last year, and “the biggest leap came from millennials and Generation Z,” Lauren Weber reports. “In all, nearly 54% of U.S. workers said they were satisfied with their jobs in 2018, the highest share reported in more than two decades.” James Comey Wants an Apology? This is Myth Becoming Madness -The Hill “The new Justice Department inspector general report released on Thursday establishes that [former FBI Director James] Comey is the very antithesis of the ethical leader he described,” George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley writes. “Comey was found to have violated both federal law and regulations for his own gain, and he made critical decisions that put personal over institutional interests.” Trump Establishes Space Command, Defends US Interest in Space -Fox News “President Trump formally announced the re-establishment of the U.S. Space Command on Thursday after a 17-year absence as his administration focuses on concerns about the vulnerability of U.S. satellites,” Louis Casaino writes. “The Senate confirmed Air Force four-star Gen. John ‘Jay’ Raymond to lead U.S. Space Command this past June.” Not Even 24 Hours Later, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell Apologizes for Supposed Russia ‘Scoop’ -Washington Examiner “I asked Wednesday morning how long it would be before the [MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell] retracted or, at the very least, corrected his bogus Russia ‘scoop’ . . . As it turns out, the answer to that question was about 18 hours,” Becket Adams writes. After NBC received a legal demand for retraction, O’Donnell admitted an “error in judgment” in promoting a false story about President Trump’s finances. Americans’ View of the Current Economy is the Highest in 19 Years -Bloomberg With a majority of Americans approving of President Trump’s economic record, the left is trying to rewrite the story of a blue-collar and middle-class resurgence in the United States. Fortunately, the results keep proving them wrong. “Hiring and income gains are keeping consumers upbeat,” Reade Pickert reports. “The level of confidence could allow for sustained household spending that remains a mainstay of the economy.”  Ivanka Trump to Visit Argentina in September -Buenos Aires Times “Ivanka Trump will travel to Argentina in September to focus on issues that make it difficult for women in developing countries to prosper financially, including lack of access to credit and limits on employment,” the Buenos Aires Times reports. Ms. Trump “plans to also visit Paraguay to promote the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, a program started six months ago” by Ms. Trump and the White House.

White House Photo's of the Week for August 23 -30, 2019

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2019 Photos of the Week Friday, August 23, 2019 President Donald J. Trump talks to members of the press on the South Lawn of the White House Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, prior to boarding Marine One to begin his trip to France for the G7 Summit.  (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)       Saturday, August 24, 2019 President Donald J. Trump waves as he and First Lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at Biarritz Airport in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump tour the Hotel du Palais with the general manager Alessandro Cresta Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and President Emmanuel Macron of France meet during the G7 Summit for lunch on the terrace of the Hotel du Palais Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pose for a photo with President Emmanuel Macron of France and his wife Mrs. Brigitte Macron as they arrive to the site of the Working Dinner with G7 leaders Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at the Phare de Biarritz in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump speak with President Emmanuel Macron of France as they arrive to the site of the Working Dinner with G7 leaders Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at the Phare de Biarritz in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       First Lady Melania Trump walks with spouses of G7 leaders Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at the Rocher de la Vierge in Biarritz, France. From left, Mrs. Malgorzata Tusk, wife of European Council President Donald Tusk; Mrs. Brigitte Macron, wife of President Emmanuel Macron of France; and Mrs. Akie Abe, wife of the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       President Donald J. Trump attends the Working Dinner with G7 leaders Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at the Phare de Biarritz in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump talks with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom, and G7 host President Emmanuel Macron of France during the Working Dinner with G7 leaders Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at the Phare de Biarritz in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       Sunday, August 25, 2019 President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom talk after attending a working breakfast meeting Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom, joined by members of their delegations, participate in a G7 Summit working breakfast Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump joins Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy; President Donald Tusk of the European Council; Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan; Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom; Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada; and G7 Summit host President Emmanuel Macron of France during a G7 Working Session on Global Economy, Foreign Policy, and Security Affairs Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump poses for a photo during the G7 Summit with President Donald Tusk of the European Council Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, and members of their delegations participate in a bilateral meeting during the G7 Summit Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan shake hands during a pull-aside meeting to announce a broad agreement on trade negotiations Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, and members of their delegation participate in a bilateral meeting during the G7 Summit Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada shake hands before participating in a bilateral meeting at the G7 Summit Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump participates in the G7 Working Lunch on Inequality Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump participates in the G7 Working Session on the Partnership with Africa Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump welcomes Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia to a pull-aside meeting during the G7 Summit Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       First Lady Melania Trump participates in a walking tour of Espelette, France Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, with Mrs. Malgorzata Tusk, wife of President Donald Tusk of the European Council; Mrs. Jenny Morrison, wife of Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia; Mrs. Maria Cecilia Morel Montes, wife of President Sebastian Pinera of Chile; Mrs. Akie Abe, wife of the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan; Mrs. Brigitte Macron, wife of President Emmanuel Macron of France; and the Mayor of Espelette Mr. Jean-Marie Iputcha. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       First Lady Melania Trump, joined by spouses of G7 leaders, waves as she arrives to the Pelote Basque courts to watch a demonstration of the sport Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in Espelette, France. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       First Lady Melania Trump visits Lartigue 1910, a Basque textiles store, with spouses of G7 leaders and the Mayor of Espelette Mr. Jean-Marie Iputcha Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, during a walking tour of Espelette, France.  (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       First Lady Melania Trump applauds during a Basque cultural performance with the spouses of G7 leaders Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at Villa Arnaga in Cambo-les-Bains, France.  (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       President Donald J. Trump participates in a family photo with G7 leaders and partners during the G7 Extended Partners Program Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participate in a family photo with G7 leaders, partners, and their spouses during the G7 Extended Partners Program Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk to dinner after participating in a family photo during the G7 Extended Partners Program Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, at the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       Monday, August 26, 2019 President Donald J. Trump, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and members of their delegation participate in bilateral meeting during the G7 Summit Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump participates in a bilateral meeting during the G7 Summit with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India participate in a bilateral meeting during the G7 Summit Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump speaks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany during the G7 Closing Session Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump speaks with President Emmanuel Macron of France during the G7 Closing Session Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and President Emmanuel Macron of France participate in a press conference during the G7 Summit Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       President Donald J. Trump and President Emmanuel Macron of France shake hands during a press conference at the G7 Summit Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       First Lady Melania Trump listens as President Donald J. Trump and President Emmanuel Macron of France participate in a press conference during the G7 Summit Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)       President Donald J. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and senior staff members depart a G7 Summit press conference with President Emmanuel Macron of France Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at the Centre de Congres Bellevue in Biarritz, France. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wave as they disembark Air Force Two Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at Donaldson Center Airport in Greenville, S.C. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       Vice President Mike Pence greets guests after disembarking Air Force Two Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at Donaldson Center Airport in Greenville, S.C. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       Vice President Mike Pence speaks to reporters following his remarks at a “USMCA: A Better Deal for American Workers” event Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at Sargent Metal Fabricators in Anderson, S.C. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Vice President Mike Pence embraces Joel Stanton after meeting with him and his family Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, in the West Wing of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Second Lady Karen Pence receives the Public Spirit Award from Kathy Dungan, the National President of the American Legion Auxiliary, during the American Legion Auxiliary 99th National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. (Official White House Photo by Stephanie Chasez)       Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence disembark Air Force Two Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, at Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis, Ind. (Official White House Photo by Stephanie Chasez)       Vice President Mike Pence waves as he is applauded during remarks at the 101st American Legion National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       Vice President Mike Pence participates in a law enforcement roundtable Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, at the Indiana State Police Museum in Indianapolis, Ind. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       Thursday, August 29, 2019 President Donald J. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence, receives a briefing update on Hurricane Dorian as it approaches landfall Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, joined by General John “Jay” Raymond, Commander of United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), stand as Secretary of Defense Mark Esper signs documents establishing USSPACECOM Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in the Rose Garden of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)       President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks on the establishment of the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in the Rose Garden of the White House. The President is joined onstage by Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, and Commander of USSPACECOM Gen. John “Jay” Raymond. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       The flag of the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) is seen in the Rose Garden of the White House Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, following President Donald J. Trump’s establishment of USSPACECOM. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)       CIA Director Gina Haspel and CIA Deputy Director Vaughn Bishop show Vice President Mike Pence the Memorial Wall after participating in a moment of silence for fallen CIA agents Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Va. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)