PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO AND SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY STEVEN MNUCHIN James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2019 PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO AND SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY STEVEN MNUCHIN James S. Brady Press Briefing Room   1:30 P.M. EDT      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Hello, everybody.  So, Secretary Pompeo and I are here today to talk about the President's new executive order.  And after that, we'd be happy to take a few questions.      So, today, the President signed a new executive order which underscores his decisive leadership in fighting global terrorism.  This administration has intensified our counterterrorism sanctions effort.  We've designated more than 230 individuals and entities in 2018, the most designation of any year in the last 15 years. The new executive order, "Modernizing Sanctions to Combat Terrorism," which was signed today, greatly enhances our ability to identify, sanction, and deter perpetrators of terrorism worldwide. Among other provisions, the EO allows the U.S. government to better target terrorist group leaders; provides new tools to pursue individuals who participate in terrorist training; authorizes secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions that have knowingly conducted or facilitated significant financial transactions with sanctioned persons; and targets those actors for, or on behalf of, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Utilizing this new executive order, today, Treasury sanctioned over two dozen individuals and entities from 11 terrorist groups.  Specifically, we have leaders, operatives, and financiers from over 11 terror organizations, including Iran's Qods Forces, Hamas, ISIS, al Qaeda, and their affiliates. The government has taken more action than we ever have before.  The U.S. is -- Treasury is enhancing our efforts to deny terrorists access to the U.S. financial system.  We will continue to make sure that the security of the United States and to protect innocent people from becoming victims of terrorist attacks. SECRETARY POMPEO:  Thank you, Steven.  Today's executive order marks the most significant update to counterterrorism sanctions authority since September of 2001.  It significantly expands authorities to target terrorists and those who finance their activities. Specifically, today's action amends Executive Order 13224 by adding clauses that allow the Departments of State and Treasury to first directly target leaders of terrorist groups and their associated entities without having to tie terrorist leaders to specific acts. Second, it more effectively and efficiently targets individuals and entities who participate in terrorist training, and provides new authorities to impose sanctions on foreign financial institutions that knowingly do business with terrorists. The Trump administration has already used existing sanctions authorities more aggressively than any administration before us.  And now we're immediately putting these new authorities to good use, as Secretary Mnuchin said. Today, the Department of State announces the designation of 12 terrorist leaders.  They include: ISIS Wali of Iraq and former amir of improvised explosive devices; four senior members of Hizballah's Jihad Council; and leaders from Hamas, Palestinian-Islamic Jihad, ISIS-Philippines, ISIS-West Africa, and TTP in Pakistan.      Further, we're announcing the designation of Hurras al-Din, an al Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group in Syria, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Entity.      As these actions show, today's executive order by President Trump adds further muscle to U.S. counterterrorism efforts.  It will help us to ensure that the deadly attacks of September 11 that occurred 18 years ago this week are never repeated on American soil.  Never.      At this time, Secretary Mnuchin and I are happy to take a couple of questions on this topic.      Yes, sir.      Q    Did John Bolton fire -- get fired, or did he quit?  And did he leave the White House because he disagreed with you in particular over talks with the Taliban?      SECRETARY POMPEO:  So, last night, the President asked for Ambassador Bolton's resignation.  As I understand it, it was received this morning.      Q    Was it because of this disagreement?      Q    Secretary Pompeo, about Syria --      SECRETARY POMPEO:  Go ahead.  Yes, ma'am.  In the back.      Q    Go ahead.      Q    Was it because of this disagreement?      SECRETARY POMPEO:  I'll leave it to the President to talk about the reasons he made the decision.      But I would say this: The President is entitled to the staff that he wants at any moment.  This is a staff person who works directly for the President of the United States, and he should have people that he trusts and values and whose efforts and judgments benefit him in delivering American foreign policy.  That's what, as Cabinet members, Secretary Mnuchin and I try and do each and every day.  And when the President makes a decision like this, he's well within his rights to do so.      Q    Secretary Pompeo, can you describe your working relationship with John Bolton as it was today?      SECRETARY POMPEO:  Sure.      Q    And also, does his departure make it easier for you to do your job and for the administration to accomplish the President's foreign policy agenda?      SECRETARY POMPEO:  Look, I don’t talk about the inner workings of how this all goes.  We all give our candid opinions.  There were many times Ambassador Bolton and I disagreed; that's to be sure.  But that's true for lots of people with whom I interact. My mission is always to make sure, as I run the Department of State, is to deliver America's diplomacy and to work with a team -- whether it's at Treasury or the President's staff -- to make sure we get good outcomes.      I know everyone has talked about this for an awfully long time.  There were definitely places that Ambassador Bolton and I had different views about how we should proceed.      Q    With John Bolton out of the picture, is it now possible to see some less hawkish Iran policy?  And does this open the path for the President to meet with Rouhani?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  I would say Secretary Pompeo and myself and the President are completely aligned on our maximum pressure campaign.  I think you know we've done more sanctions on Iran than anybody.  And it's absolutely working.      Now, the President has made clear he is happy to take a meeting with no preconditions, but we are maintaining the maximum pressure campaign.      Yeah, go ahead.  Go ahead.      Q    So, Secretary Pompeo, for clarity on this, can you foresee a meeting between President Trump and the Iranian leader later this month surrounding the United Nations?      SECRETARY POMPEO:  Sure.      Q    Would the President support that, and do you support that actively?      SECRETARY POMPEO:  The President has made very clear he is prepared to meet with no preconditions.      Q    Just to follow up quickly on the original guidance for this briefing: Bolton was on the guidance to be here, so were you two blindsided by what occurred today, that he's no longer with the administration?  Was it news to you today?  Because last night you were told he would be here today.      SECRETARY POMPEO:  Yeah.  I'm never surprised. (Laughter.)      Q    Well, let me ask it this way --      SECRETARY POMPEO:  And I don’t mean that on just this issue.  And I think Secretary Mnuchin would say the same thing.  We work very closely with the President of the United States.  I think we have a pretty good understanding of how he's thinking about things -- I think you'd agree, Steven -- at nearly all times. And so, you know, our mission says not to talk about these inner workings and the palace intrigue that I know you are so curious about --      Q    Well, I'm just curious --      SECRETARY POMPEO:  -- but rather to talk about the things that matter to American foreign policy.      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  I would just add that people who knew should know, and don’t get into, you know, the administrative things if a notice went out.  Because yesterday, the three of us were (inaudible).      Q    Secretary Pompeo, thank you very much.  I appreciate it. SECRETARY POMPEO:  Yes, ma'am. Q    Secretary Pompeo, a question about Syria.  We reported on Syria and the refugee camps last night.  Our David Muir was there.  And he talked about how these refugee camps -- ISIS fighters are blending in.  There's children dancing around the ISIS flag.  Are you concerned about these refugee camps becoming a breeding ground -- a training ground for terrorists, for ISIS fighters? SECRETARY POMPEO:  So there's a long history of just exactly what you're describing: camps in Iraq, camps other places where prisoners were detained and extremist elements breeding in those places. But we've been working diligently on this.  We have conducted enormous operations against ISIS, even after the fall of the caliphate, as recently as the last handful of days.  We are very focused on this. The success that we had moving down the Euphrates River Valley that our Department of Defense led with the SDF forces was truly remarkable.  We will not take our eye off the ball, ensuring that whether it's ISIS or other radical Islamic extremist groups continue to be under pressure from the United States of America.  And that was -- just to close it up, and that would include in these camps that you're referring to. Yes, go ahead. Q    The White House says that National Security Advisor Bolton's foreign policy was not aligned with the President's philosophy.  How was it out of alignment? SECRETARY POMPEO:  Well, I'll leave that to the White House to talk about.  Other than to say, I think President Trump -- I watched his campaign.  I've now worked with him first as CIA Director and now as Secretary of State.  Someone asked, "Would the policy be different absent any individual being here?" These have been the President's policies.  We give him our best wisdom.  We share with him our understanding.  When I was intelligence director, we did our best to make sure that he had the facts and data available so he could make good decisions.  But I don’t think any leader around the world should make any assumption that because some one of us departs, that President Trump's foreign policy will change in a material way. SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  The one thing I would just say to follow up, because the President has been very clear on this: The President's view of the Iraq War and Ambassador Bolton's was very different.  And the President has made that clear. Yeah.  Go ahead. Q    Mr. Secretary -- SECRETARY POMPEO:  Sure.  Way in the back.  Yes, ma'am. Q    On Venezuela.  Thank you so much, Mr. Secretary. Q    Are you no longer planning to impose tariffs on Mexico if they don’t continue with the immigration plan? SECRETARY POMPEO:  So we're looking forward to our meeting with Foreign Minister Ebrard here in just a little bit.  We're going to talk about the progress that's been made, which has been substantial and real and material, and has made America more secure. But at the same time, we know there is still work to do and we're going to talk about how best we can jointly deliver that.  We are deeply appreciative of what the President of Mexico and the Foreign Minister have done to increase the capacity to deter migration into the United States.  And you can see the numbers have improved substantially.  But we also know, A, it needs to be sustained, and, B, we've still got real work to do. Go ahead, Steven. SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Yeah.  You, yes. Q    Can I? SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Yes. Q    On Venezuela, we know that Ambassador Bolton was trying to keep up the pressure in Venezuela (inaudible).  And we know that Ambassador Bolton and President Trump disagreed on many things regarding to Venezuela.  What can we expect now with the departure of Ambassador Bolton? SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  I think you know that the Treasury Department and the State Department have been incredibly active on sanctions.  Everything we do in is consultation with the State Department.  Again, we have a massive sanctions program that's working. But I would just add, we are concerned about the people there and what's going on, the humanitarian crisis.  And I know the Secretary has worked with their neighbors extensively. Go ahead. Q    Is this national security team a mess? SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Absolutely not.  That’s the most ridiculous question I've ever heard of.  So -- Q    Well, you've had three national security advisors in three years.  Three national security advisors in three years.      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Let me just say, the national security team, which is what you asked, consists of the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, myself, the Chief of Staff, and many others.  So --      Q    Can you disagree with the President without the risk of being fired?      Q    What is the way forward in Afghanistan now with (inaudible)?      SECRETARY POMPEO:  I’m sorry.  I’m sorry.  We’ll take one more.  Yes ma’am.  In the red.      Q    Thank you, sir.      SECRETARY POMPEO:  Yes.      Q    There were reports this week that the CIA had to pull a top Russian asset out because of concerns that his identity could be exposed.  Under which administration was this source burned?.  And is there currently an investigation into how his identity got leaked to the media?      SECRETARY POMPEO:  Yeah, I’ve seen that reporting.  The reporting is materially inaccurate.  And you should know, as the former CIA Director, I don’t talk about things like this very often.  It is only the occasions when there is something that I think puts people at risk, or the reporting is so egregious as to create enormous risk to the United States of America that I even comment in the way that I just did. And I won’t say anything more about it.  I know the CIA put out a statement.  Suffice to say that the reporting there is factually wrong.      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Thank you, everybody.                               END                1:43 P.M. EDT

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2019 PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS DELIVERING ON HIS PROMISE TO EMPOWER AND LIFT UP OUR NATION’S FORGOTTEN COMMUNITIES   “We’re lifting up forgotten communities, creating exciting new opportunities, and helping every American find their path to the American Dream” – President Donald J. Trump    PRIORITIZING EDUCATION: President Donald J. Trump has made supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) a priority of his Administration.  Barely a month after taking office, President Trump signed an Executive Order to move the Federal HBCU initiative back to the White House – making sure it is a key priority. President Trump directed agencies across his Administration to develop plans to enhance their support for HBCUs. President Trump has signed legislation increasing Federal funding for HBCUs. The President signed legislation that added more than $100 million for scholarships, research, and centers of excellence at HBCU land grant institutions. The Administration relaunched the HBCU Capital Finance Board to make millions of dollars available to support HBCUs’ long-term growth and improvement. The Administration has announced that any restrictions on those funds going to institutions with a religious mission is unconstitutional. The Administration is rethinking college by reducing regulatory burdens, promoting innovation, strengthening accountability, and respecting the unique mission of each school. LIFTING UP COMMUNITIES: President Trump is ensuring that no citizen is forgotten and no community is ignored.  President Trump’s America First agenda is spurring investment and revitalization in our country’s most underserved communities. President Trump signed legislation creating Opportunity Zones, a game-changing vehicle to spur new capital investment in America’s economically distressed communities. Nearly 9,000 communities in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 5 Territories have been designated as Opportunity Zones. Opportunity Zones are projected to attract $100 billion in private investments to the American communities that need these investments most. President Trump created a White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council to help ensure we are lifting up these communities. Since its creation, the Council has taken action to deliver additional Federal support to Opportunity Zones. Median income for African-American-headed households rose by 2.6 percent between 2017 and 2018. The poverty rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans each reached new series lows in 2018. Nearly 2.5 million have been lifted out of poverty in the first two years of the Administration. INVESTING IN OUR WORKFORCE: President Trump is promoting workforce development to ensure all Americans share in our historic economic revival. President Trump is supporting American workers to ensure all Americans can benefit from today’s thriving economy. More than 350 companies have signed President Trump’s “Pledge to America’s Workers,” offering more than 13 million employment, education, and training opportunities. President Trump’s National Council for the American Worker is developing strategies for training and retraining workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Last year, the President signed legislation reauthorizing nearly $1.3 billion in funding for career and technical education, benefitting millions of Americans. The President’s pro-growth policies are generating millions of new jobs – creating more and more opportunities for American workers. More than 6.3 million new jobs have been created since President Trump’s election and job openings continue to far exceed the number of job seekers. CREATING A FAIRER JUSTICE SYSTEM: President Trump’s criminal justice reforms are keeping our communities safe and giving Americans a second chance to succeed.  President Trump is ensuring that former prisoners have the opportunity to find jobs and build meaningful lives after rejoining their communities. The President signed the groundbreaking First Step Act, enacting historic reforms to make our criminal justice system fairer for all and to help prepare prisoners to successfully rejoin society. These reforms helped to remedy unfair sentencing provisions that disproportionately hurt African Americans.    This historic legislation promotes prisoner participation in vocational training, educational coursework, or faith-based programs. These reforms help keep all Americans safe by giving former prisoners the chance to find purpose and contribute to our economy, rather than returning to crime. President Trump is promoting second chance hiring to offer prisoners an opportunity to achieve the American dream.   Departments and agencies across the Government are enacting initiatives to promote second chance hiring opportunities. ###

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2019 PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS PROTECTING THE NATION BY MODERNIZING AND EXPANDING SANCTIONS TO COMBAT TERRORISM   “We must deny the terrorists safe haven, transit, funding, and any form of support for their vile and sinister ideology.” – President Donald J. Trump   MODERNIZING SANCTIONS: President Donald J. Trump is taking steps to expand and enhance the ability of the United States to sanction terrorists and those who finance them worldwide. Today, President Trump announced an Executive Order that modernizes our counterterrorism sanctions to better combat terrorists, their finances, and their facilitators. This order significantly improves our ability to sanction supporters of terrorism and deprive them of financial, material, and logistical support. The Departments of State and the Treasury are now able to more swiftly target leaders or officials of terrorist groups and their proxies. Additionally, the Treasury can now sanction correspondent or payable-through accounts of foreign financial institutions who knowingly provide support to terrorists. This is the most significant expansion of our counterterrorism sanctions authorities since the aftermath of 9/11. Alongside the Order, the Trump Administration announced sanctions on 28 terrorist leaders, financiers, and affiliated companies associated with multiple terrorist organizations. COMBATING TERROR WORLDWIDE: The Trump Administration is bolstering our capabilities and efforts to defend against and combat terrorism worldwide.  The Administration has aggressively used counterterrorism sanctions authorities to disrupt terrorist finances by targeting more than 400 individuals and entities worldwide. Since 2017, the Trump Administration sanctioned more than 40 Hizballah and 50 al-Qa’ida and ISIS affiliated individuals and entities. One-hundred percent of ISIS-held territory in Syria and Iraq has been freed from the terror group’s malevolent rule. The Administration has taken the fight to al-Qa’ida, aggressively targeting the group’s leadership and countering their vile activities around the globe. President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran is greatly reducing the radical regime’s access to funds it uses to spread terror and incite destruction. New sanctions have significantly curtailed funding to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, its Qods Force, and its proxies including Hizballah and HAMAS. PROTECTING THE HOMELAND: The Trump Administration is committed to ensuring that America is secure and its citizens always remain safe from the threat of global terrorism. This latest Executive Order is another example of President Trump’s unwavering commitment to protect the United States from terror. Last October, President Trump released a new National Strategy for Counterterrorism, the first robust and fully articulated strategy on counterterrorism since 2011. At President Trump’s urging, North Atlantic Treaty Organization members agreed to strengthen the alliance’s counterterrorism authorities and capabilities. After years of neglect, President Trump is strengthening our Nation’s defenses by rebuilding our military and strengthening our defensive capabilities. The President is securing our borders to defend against terrorists who seek to enter our country and threaten our communities.

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2019 Statement from President Donald J. Trump Regarding Modernizing and Expanding Sanctions to Combat Terrorism   I have issued an Executive Order to modernize and expand sanctions to combat terrorism. The Order enhances our ability to use powerful sanctions to target terrorists and their supporters and deprive them of their financial, material, and logistical support worldwide. Foreign financial institutions are now on notice that they risk sanctions if they knowingly conduct or facilitate any significant transactions with designated terrorists and terrorist enablers. Since my first day in office, my Administration has worked tirelessly to preserve the safety and security of the United States and its citizens. The United States and our partners have liberated 100% of ISIS-held territory in Syria and Iraq and dealt significant blows to ISIS, al-Qa’ida, and Hizballah’s financial and operational networks around the world. The United States will continue to aggressively use all levers of American power, including financial sanctions, to target terrorists and those who enable, facilitate, and finance their heinous acts.

Presidential Message to the Congress on Modernizing Sanctions to Combat Terrorism

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2019 TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:      Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (22 U.S.C. 287c), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and in view of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1373 of September 28, 2001, Resolution 1526 of January 30, 2004, Resolution 1988 of June 17, 2011, Resolution 1989 of June 17, 2011, Resolution 2253 of December 17, 2015, Resolution 2255 of December 21, 2015, Resolution 2368 of July 20, 2017, and Resolution 2462 of March 28, 2019, I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order (the "order") modernizing sanctions to combat terrorism.      I have determined that it is necessary to consolidate and enhance sanctions to combat acts of terrorism and threats of terrorism by foreign terrorists, acts that are recognized and condemned in the above-referenced United Nations Security Council resolutions.  I have terminated the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12947 of January 23, 1995, and revoked Executive Order 12947, as amended by Executive Order 13099 of August 20, 1998.  The order builds upon the initial steps taken in Executive Order 12947 and takes additional steps to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, with respect to the continuing and immediate threat of grave acts of terrorism and threats of terrorism committed by foreign terrorists, which include acts of terrorism that threaten the Middle East peace process.      I am enclosing a copy of the order I have issued.                               DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE,     September 9, 2019.

Executive Order on Modernizing Sanctions to Combat Terrorism

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2019 EXECUTIVE ORDER   - - - - - - -   MODERNIZING SANCTIONS TO COMBAT TERRORISM     By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (22 U.S.C. 287c) (UNPA), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code; and in view of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1373 of September 28, 2001, Resolution 1526 of January 30, 2004, Resolution 1988 of June 17, 2011, Resolution 1989 of June 17, 2011, Resolution 2253 of December 17, 2015, Resolution 2255 of December 21, 2015, Resolution 2368 of July 20, 2017, and Resolution 2462 of March 28, 2019,     I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that it is necessary to consolidate and enhance sanctions to combat acts of terrorism and threats of terrorism by foreign terrorists, acts that are recognized and condemned in the above-referenced United Nations Security Council resolutions.  Accordingly, I hereby terminate the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12947 of January 23, 1995, and revoke Executive Order 12947, as amended by Executive Order 13099 of August 20, 1998.  In order to build upon the initial steps taken in Executive Order 12947, to further strengthen and consolidate sanctions to combat the continuing threat posed by international terrorism, and in order to take additional steps to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, with respect to the continuing and immediate threat of grave acts of terrorism and threats of terrorism committed by foreign terrorists, which include acts of terrorism that threaten the Middle East peace process, it is hereby ordered as follows:     Section 1.  Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 is hereby amended to read as follows:     "Section 1.  (a)  All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in:         (i)    persons listed in the Annex to this order;         (ii)   foreign persons determined by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security:             (A)  to have committed or have attempted to commit, to pose a significant risk of committing, or to have participated in training to commit acts of terrorism that threaten the security of United States nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States; or             (B)  to be a leader of an entity:                    (1)  listed in the Annex to this order; or                 (2)  whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to a determination by the Secretary of State pursuant to this order;         (iii)  persons determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Attorney General:             (A)  to be owned, controlled, or directed by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order;             (B)  to own or control, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order;             (C)  to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, an act of terrorism as defined in section 3(d) of this order, or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order;             (D)  to have participated in training related to terrorism provided by any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order;             (E)  to be a leader or official of an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to:                 (1)  a determination by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to this order; or                 (2)  subsection (a)(iv) of this section; or             (F)  to have attempted or conspired to engage in any of the activities described in subsections (a)(iii)(A) through (E) of this section;         (iv)   persons whose property and interests in property were blocked pursuant to Executive Order 12947, as amended, on or after January 23, 1995, and remained blocked immediately prior to the effective date of this order.     (b)  The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to prohibit the opening, and prohibit or impose strict conditions on the maintaining, in the United States, of a correspondent account or payable-through account of any foreign financial institution that the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, has determined, on or after the effective date of this order, has knowingly conducted or facilitated any significant transaction on behalf of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.     (c)  The prohibitions in subsections (a) and (b) of this section apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order."     Sec. 2.  Section 5 of Executive Order 13224 is amended by replacing the reference to subsection 1(d) with a reference to subsection 1(a)(iii).     Sec. 3.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:         (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or head thereof; or         (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.     (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.     (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.     Sec. 4.  This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 10, 2019.                         DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE,     September 9, 2019.

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2019

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts   Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key positions in his Administration: Robert Joseph Kruckemeyer of Texas, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities. Mitchell A. Silk of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Markets and Development. Mr. Silk is currently serving as Acting Assistant Secretary for International Markets and Development. He joined the Department of the Treasury in 2017, serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, in which he led the Office of Investment, Energy and Infrastructure. At the Treasury, he has advanced United States interests in multilateral organizations with respect to financial services, global energy and infrastructure finance, trade negotiations with China, and reform and oversight of the United States export credit and development finance institutions. Before joining the Treasury, Mr. Silk was a senior partner at Allen & Overy LLP, where he focused on energy and infrastructure, banking, and asset management matters. Mr. Silk worked in Greater China for 15 years and speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese. He earned degrees from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and University of Maryland School of Law. Peter J. Coniglio of Virginia, to be Inspector General of the Export–Import Bank of the United States. Mr. Coniglio has served as a career Federal civil servant for more than 30 years. He has worked in the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the General Services Administration (GSA) since 2006, currently serving as the special assistant and counselor to GSA’s Assistant Inspector General for Auditing in the OIG. During his time at GSA, Mr. Coniglio has served the roles of director of the OIG’s Internal Evaluations and Analysis staff and lead editor of the OIG’s first-ever Audit Report Editing Team. The team’s efforts earned an Inspector General’s Award in 2011. Mr. Coniglio has been detailed to both the Office of Management and Budget, Office of General Counsel, and to the Office of the White House Counsel as Associate Counsel. Mr. Coniglio’s previous government service includes positions he held in the Departments of Justice and the Treasury, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the then-House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. He received his B.A. from Colgate University and J.D. from Drake University Law School.   ---   Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key positions in his Administration: Joseph Preston of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. The following individuals to be Members of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad with terms expiring February 27, 2022: Paul Packer of New York Elie Hirschfeld of New York John Mark Horne of Arkansas Mark S. Levenson of New Jersey Julie Alexa Strauss of Virginia

Presidential Proclamation on Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2019

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2019 Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2019 - - - - - - - By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation        During Minority Enterprise Development Week, our Nation celebrates the success of minority-owned businesses and recognizes their significant role in strengthening our country's robust economy.  The contributions of these enterprises ensure American companies remain world leaders in the global marketplace.      This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which was originally named the Office of Minority Business Enterprise.  When President Richard Nixon signed the Executive Order creating the Office of Minority Business Enterprise in 1969, the Nation's minority population was less than 40 million.  Today, the minority population has more than tripled to 130 million, or more than 39 percent of the total American population.  Minorities own almost 30 percent of America's businesses, which employ 7.2 million Americans and generate over $1 trillion a year in revenue.  Indeed, the number of minority-owned businesses in operation nationwide has increased by 38 percent since 2007.      As President, I have taken critical steps to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to prosper.  During my first year in office, I achieved significant regulatory reform and signed into law the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, creating opportunity zones to help those in distressed communities.  These opportunity zones have ushered in a new era of economic potential and access to capital in areas that need it the most.  From the rural heartland to urban centers, traditionally overlooked communities are now destinations for financial growth with potential for unlimited prosperity.  I also took action to help minority-owned businesses expand on their economic success by shedding burdensome regulations.  Under my direction, Federal agencies removed 14 regulations for every new regulation added during the first 2 years of my Administration, and we remain committed to freeing minority-owned businesses from unnecessary Government restraints.      With renewed emphasis on innovation, policy development, international trade, and digital transformation, MBDA is promoting policies to encourage the continued growth of minority-owned businesses and prepare them for new and emerging industries, such as artificial intelligence and space commercialization. In 2018, I signed an Executive Order establishing the President's National Council for the American Worker so that the next generation of our country's resilient workforce receives the innovative education and job training needed to succeed in a 21st century global economy.  The Pledge to America's Workers, an initiative created through this Executive Order, is helping minorities and all Americans become stronger members of our labor force.  Today, more than 300 companies and organizations have signed the Pledge and committed to more than 13 million new education and training opportunities, many of which will help minority workers and students be better equipped to succeed.      Minority-owned businesses are helping to power the engine of American capitalism.  The ambition of minority entrepreneurs secures a better future for their families, their communities, and the Nation.  This week, and throughout the year, we celebrate the great achievements of our minority-owned businesses.      NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 8 through September 14, 2019, as National Minority Enterprise Development Week.  I call upon all Americans to celebrate this week with programs, ceremonies, and activities to recognize the many contributions of American minority business enterprises.      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.                               DONALD J. TRUMP

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN BRIEFING ON HURRICANE DORIAN Aboard Air Force One Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Havelock, North Carolina

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2019

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN BRIEFING ON HURRICANE DORIAN Aboard Air Force One Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Havelock, North Carolina   4:58 P.M. EDT      THE PRESIDENT:  So we were going to take a helicopter to Emerald Isle in North Carolina, which was hit very, very hard.  Atlantic Beach was hit very hard.  Certain areas were really hit.  The Governor is with me.  Roy, thank you very much for being here.      GOVERNOR COOPER:  Sure, Mr. President.      THE PRESIDENT:  The Governor was standing in the rain for a long time, along with a lot of talented people that have really helped us a lot.  Lindsey, I'm glad you're here with us, and we appreciate it very much.  And Kevin is here someplace.      ACTING SECRETARY MCALEENAN:  I'm behind you.      THE PRESIDENT:  Where's -- hello, Kevin.  Thank you.  Thank you for being here.      We have a big rally tonight for Dan Bishop.  I was going to go from Emerald Isle right back into the rally, but now we'll be very early for our rally.  That's the one thing.  But it was, I guess, Roy, they say very dangerous flying conditions.  I said, "Let's do it anyway."  They said, "Sir, we'd rather not."  So, I said, "Okay, I'll take your word for it."  The greatest pilots in the world.      We will be spending a little time.  We're going to be given a presentation as to what's happening in North Carolina and a little bit about a couple of the other places.  I just spoke to Governor Henry McMaster, and they're in great shape in South Carolina.  They've done a really good job.      Roy, maybe I could ask you to say a few words --      GOVERNOR COOPER:  Yes, sir.      THE PRESIDENT:  -- and what you need from the federal government.      GOVERNOR COOPER:  Yes, sir.  First, Mr. President, thank you for coming to North Carolina.  We've enjoyed our working relationship probably too much.  With FEMA, we're glad to have Mr. Gaynor here with us.  And, of course, we've had the FEMA team embedded with us at our Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.      This is the third hurricane that has crossed the coast of North Carolina in less than three years.  So this is something that we take very seriously.  The widespread damage of Dorian did not approach the damage that we had from Florence and Matthew, but it was still significant in some parts. We've had three deaths in North Carolina related to the storm.  Two of them were people who fell off ladders while they were trying to get their house boarded up for the storm.  And the other death happened post-storm, with a chainsaw accident with cleanup.  We still have about 3,500 people without power, but we had a couple of hundred thousand at one point.       THE PRESIDENT:  Right.  They've done a great job.      GOVERNOR COOPER:  One of the hard-hit areas is Ocracoke Island, which they said it's the worst that they had ever seen.  I talked to a man who had a house built in the 1870s, and they had never seen it that bad.      The power is still out there.  We're providing food, resources, working with all of our federal and local partners to provide help there. The place that you were going to go, Emerald Isle, as the storm approached, it had an EF2 tornado hit an RV park.  I toured it on Saturday.  The damage was significant.  Many homes absolutely destroyed.  We had issued an evacuation order, and therefore, most of the people were gone.  The few people who were there survived and are lucky that they are alive.  And they -- I'm sure they appreciated the fact that you had planned to go and see.  And I know we have local government officials here who were ready.      We have a nuclear power plant at Brunswick which had to be powered down as the storm him.  Today it's powered back up, and we think everything is okay with that.  We still have about 20 road closures.  We don’t have anything approaching the last two storms, but we still have some there.  We've got 125 National Guard activated now, down from 577. What we would request, Mr. President, is an expedited disaster declaration for both debris removal and for emergency protective measures.  And we’ve got joint preliminary damage assessments going on right now with state, FEMA, local, trying to determine the extent of the damage.      And the other thing that I’d like to mention is that Hurricane Florence hit this state badly, and you were here for that, but --      THE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.      GOVERNOR COOPER:  -- less than a year ago.  And we have a number of people who were -- are not in their homes yet that were affected by Dorian.  So any help that you can give us with HUD publishing the Federal Register for the CDBG-DR money for Hurricane Florence --      THE PRESIDENT:  Right.  We will do that.      GOVERNOR COOPER:  -- we would appreciate.   We’ve had a good relationship with Secretary Carson, but there's a couple of things that would be helpful, I think, long term with CDBG-DR money, which would, one, be a universal application for all disaster survivors that would work with FEMA, would work with SBA, that would work with HUD.  I think that would slim things down and make it a lot easier.      THE PRESIDENT:  We’ll look into that.      GOVERNOR COOPER:  And also, maybe codifying the CDBG-DR money instead of the Federal Register.  And I know there’s legislation in both the House and the Senate for that. I have with me my Secretary of Public Safety Erik Hooks, who is behind you there.  We're grateful for his work and our local partners we have here too, Mr. President.      THE PRESIDENT:  Good.  We’ll you’ve done a great job.  Thank you very much, Roy.      GOVERNOR COOPER:  Thank you, sir.      THE PRESIDENT:  Erik, would you like to say something?      MR. HOOKS:  Yes, sir, Mr. President.  From my aspect, I’d like to emphasize the partnerships that we have all throughout the Department of Homeland of Security, the Coast Guard, FEMA.  They’re always at the table.  And they’re at the table when things are relatively peaceful.      So when a tragedy in our all-hazards approach hits us, we’re ready and we’re partnered, and those relationships are strong.      THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very much.      GOVERNOR COOPER:  Mr. President, if I could add one more thing.  The Admiral is here and we were in communication throughout the storm.  But the Coast Guard did amazing work, both during Florence and during Dorian.  They helped us rescue a man from Ocracoke Island and helped to bring him off, and worked closely with our National Guard.  We’re grateful for our Coast Guard and our relationship with them.      THE PRESIDENT:  They’ve been so incredible.  I’ve always said, for the last three or four years, there’s no brand that has gone up more than the United States Coast Guard.  In Texas, they saved thousands and thousands of lives.  They’ve done a job like I’ve never seen.  Then you went to Florida.  Then you went to Puerto Rico.  Then you went back here.  And the job you’ve done in the Bahamas has been incredible.  So please extend my wishes to everybody, Admiral. Would you like to say something?      ADMIRAL SMITH:  No -- Mr. President and Governor Cooper, I just -- the Coast Guard was just glad to be part of the team.  We have a great relationship with the state, with our federal partners, local partners, and we were happy to be part of the team. As you know, as this storm came up, we flowed in resources -- THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.      ADMIRAL SMITH:  -- and were ready to respond.  And then the focus was providing response when needed, and then opening the ports as quickly as possible.  We did that, and I think it went about as well could be expected, sir.      THE PRESIDENT:  You've done a fantastic job.  How are the new Coast Guard cutters?      ADMIRAL SMITH:  They're doing great, sir.  We had to flow them out of the region, but we flowed them back in.  And they were the first to get offshore to provide response.      THE PRESIDENT:  But they're great.  They're both great.      ADMIRAL SMITH:  They're outstanding.  Yes, sir.  They’re outstanding.      THE PRESIDENT:  It's what you needed, right?      ADMIRAL SMITH:  Absolutely, sir.      THE PRESIDENT:  We got them.  We got them.  They were getting very old.  Now you have brand new beauties, right?      ADMIRAL SMITH:  Yes, sir, Mr. President.      THE PRESIDENT:  That's very good.      ADMIRAL SMITH:  We're in good shape, sir.      THE PRESIDENT:  Kevin, would you guys like to say something?      ACTING SECRETARY MCALEENAN:  Absolutely.  Thank you, Mr. President.  As you know, we're here in support of our state partners.  And Governor Cooper and his team, Commissioner Hook, have been outstanding throughout the effort.      I'd like Administrator -- Acting Administrator Pete Gaynor to give you a little bit of sense of the preparations that we had in place in the initial response, and, of course, we're doing the joint naval assessments now.      THE PRESIDENT:  Good.  Pete?      ACTING ADMINISTRATOR GAYNOR:  Yes, sir.  As soon as we realized that Dorian bypassed U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and was not going to touch land again, (inaudible) and the NRCC, the National Response Coordination Center, which you visited the other day, was big storm, big response.  And we had staff, material, equipment from Miami to Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, making sure that we could provide all the governors, to include Governor Cooper, whatever they needed from not only FEMA but from the federal family.      And, again, it takes partnerships to make it all happen.  And when it works well, it's a great thing to see.  So I thank everyone here that is part of the federal team.      THE PRESIDENT:  And I have to say, Ron DeSantis and Brian Kemp and -- Henry has been fantastic in South Carolina.  Henry McMaster and yourself.  The governors have really done a fantastic job.  They've worked.  Whether it's Republican, Democrat, doesn't matter.  In this case, we're talking about one that's on the other side, and the relationship was perfect, right?  We have a really good relationship. And we're working to get it all together.  I want to say that FEMA, first responders, law enforcement has been incredible.  Really on the ball.  And they were ready in Puerto Rico.  Everybody thought it was going to hit Puerto Rico, and we were all set.  And, fortunately, it missed Puerto Rico.  What it did to the Bahamas is incredible.  And the government of the Bahamas has asked us to help.  And we have a lot of assets over there, right now, trying to help.  That's really a life-saving mission, when you get right down to it.  But the Coast Guard and FEMA and all of you have done a fantastic job. Would you like to say anything in front of the camera?      ACTING SECRETARY MCALEENAN:  No, sir.      THE PRESIDENT:  Okay.  Lindsey Graham, please?      SENATOR GRAHAM:  Well, I want to thank you for calling Henry.  To my friends in North Carolina, I used to be a reservist at Seymour Johnson.  You all have been hit really hard.  And, unfortunately, our delegations in South Carolina and North Carolina are getting pretty good at turning the funds around.  And Kevin and Nancy work well together. So we got to fund the government entirely by the end of the month.  But I promise you, we'll do everything we can to get the money flowing.  And being your neighbor, I'm really sorry.  I know it's been really hard up here.      So, thank you, Mr. President.      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thanks.  You've done a great job.  Thank you, Lindsey, very much.      And, Leader, what do you think?  You're working, I know, with the Democrats, and we're getting things approved rapidly.  How's it going?      HOUSE MINORITY LEADER MCCARTHY:  Yeah.  I think it's working well.  The only thing, I do want to credit and thank all of you for how well everybody has worked together.  The coordination, knowing how this storm would change course, the modeling continuing to go, and just the preparation.  I know you saved a lot of lives by the preparation you do.      Our responsibility, Lindsey and others, is making sure the resources are there.  And there was -- as we talked to FEMA ahead of time, there was enough money.  And if there's more needed, we'll continue to work towards it.      THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very much, Kevin.  And, Admiral, thank you for keeping me in touch.  He was with me all the way.  No matter where I went, the Admiral was right there.  And you let us know.  And we were able to do a lot of good by being there.  So, thank you.      Would you have anything to say, Admiral?      ADMIRAL SCHULTZ:  Just, with regard to the Bahamas -- because much of the attention has shifted there now, Mr. President -- USAID, the Agency for International Development, their Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, has been the coordinating lead working directly with the government of the Bahamas, responding to their request for the most acute humanitarian needs of the Bahamian people. And as you've talked about, it's a very concentrated area of the Bahamas that was affected.  The rest of the Bahamas, almost the size of the state of California, is unaffected and open for business.  So, Bahamians are helping Bahamians, evacuating people to other sections of the Bahamas that have not been affected.  And not only the United States, but foreign governments and non-governmental organizations are all also there in force, providing the humanitarian aid that’s needed.      THE PRESIDENT:  So, people are unaware of the fact, for the most part, that the Bahamas is a much bigger place than people would understand, than most people would understand.  So you're actually moving large numbers of people into safer areas and areas that weren't affected in the Bahamas by the hurricane.      ADMIRAL SCHULTZ:  Right, sir.  The government of the Bahamas is actually doing that, assisted by others, moving people from the most affected islands, generally the Abaco island which was really damaged --      THE PRESIDENT:  Right.      ADMIRAL SCHULTZ:  -- toward Nassau, which is an area of the Bahamas that was relatively undamaged that has the resources to help those folks out.      THE PRESIDENT:  That's great.  They've really done a great job.  Thank you very much.      So, we have now people standing on line, trying to get into the arena.  And I will tell you that they are soaking wet, because Roy and everybody just walked under the plane, and you folks were wet.  It is bad weather out there.  But we have a tremendous crowd, and we're going to be there in a little while.  We're going over a little bit earlier than anticipated.      So, I hope you're going to be able to join us, and we'll have some fun.  It's going to be a good rally.      Yes.      SENATOR GRAHAM:  Mr. President, I forgot to mention one thing.  The budget agreement that you helped negotiate with the House and the Senate -- no agreement is perfect, but if we had not done the budget deal, we'd go back into sequestration.  You would not be having new ships.      THE PRESIDENT:  It's true.      SENATOR GRAHAM:  The biggest winners were the DHS and the military as a whole.  So in times like this, I appreciate what you did on the budget because sequestration would have been devastating.      THE PRESIDENT:  And I think it's really important to say, Mexico has passed it, Canada has passed it.  The USMCA is vital for our country, the economics of our country.  You have two countries that have gone through the process fully.  And we're waiting for an approval from the House.  I think the Senate will approve it rapidly.  So we hope they can get that moving.  It's a great thing for us. The farmers -- even the unions are really liking it a lot.  And we're going to make certain little changes.  But Bob Lighthizer is dealing with Nancy Pelosi.  I think they're getting along very well.  Steve Mnuchin is involved.  And hopefully they can get a vote on that very quickly -- the USMCA.  Very important. Thank you.      Okay.  Thank you, folks.  Thank you all very much.  Thank you.                                END                 5:14 P.M. EDT

1600 Daily The White House • September 9, 2019 See President Trump honor the heroes of Dayton and El Paso

The White House • September 9, 2019 See President Trump honor the heroes of Dayton and El Paso Last month, America witnessed a pair of horrific shootings that took the lives of nearly 30 innocent people in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. Both were acts of barbaric hatred. In the midst of tragedy, one image in particular brought us hope: public safety officers and ordinary citizens alike risking their own lives to save countless of their fellow Americans. President Donald J. Trump today presented the Medal of Valor to several brave Dayton Police Officers, as well as Heroic Commendation honors to a group of civilian heroes from El Paso.   Watch: President Trump honors 11 incredible patriots In Dayton, six law enforcement officials immediately engaged the gunman after he opened fire on a crowded downtown street. Within 32 seconds of the attack beginning, these officers brought the murderer down. “We are in awe of your swift response, sterling professionalism, and rock-solid nerves of steel,” President Trump said. In El Paso, five every-day Americans rose up to save others during the brutal attack at a Walmart. One incredible example came from store manager Robert Evans, who instantly alerted employees of the active shooter—then raced inside the store to help customers escape to the nearest exits. “In the darkest moments of danger and despair, God calls the bravest to action. These 11 individuals answered the call,” the President said. President Trump presents Medals of Valor and Heroic Commendations. By the numbers: The fight to end our border crisis In August, the number of illegal immigrants entering or attempting to enter the United States declined significantly thanks to President Trump’s recent moves to secure our border. Border apprehensions fell to just over 64,000 in August, down from more than 82,000 in July. All told, the number of illegal aliens arriving at our border has dropped by 56 percent since the peak of the crisis in May. It marks the first time in 5 years that border apprehensions have dropped between July and August. “The President has made it very clear that’s he going to use every tool available to him—and this Administration—to address this unprecedented crisis at the southern border,” Acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan said in a press briefing today. “We have seen historic agreements and policies put in place.” In particular, President Trump’s tariff-backed negotiations with Mexico earlier this year led to stepped-up enforcement from Mexican authorities at their own southern border. In just the past few months, Mexico has apprehended about 134,000 people, helping relieve pressure from U.S. law enforcement officers in southwestern states. None of this happened by accident. Americans elected President Trump to enforce the law both within our country and at our doorstep, which is exactly what he’s doing. Politico: Trump’s plan to stem border crossings gets results. More: “Pace of border wall construction doubled, work on private land begins” Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead President Trump honors the Medal of Valor and Heroic Commendations recipients during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House | September 9, 2019