Statement from the Press Secretary

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019 Statement from the Press Secretary It is extremely disappointing that yet another judicial ruling has blocked—on a nationwide basis—this Administration’s efforts to restore integrity to the immigration system, consistent with the plain meaning and clear intent of the law.  The public charge ground of inadmissibility has been a part of United States immigration law for more than 100 years, and is explicitly authorized by Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.  Congress has also made clear that aliens should “not depend on public resources to meet their needs.”  But the rulings today prevent our Nation’s immigration officers from ensuring that immigrants seeking entry to the United States will be self-sufficient and instead allow non-citizens to continue taking advantage of our generous but limited public resources reserved for vulnerable Americans. These injunctions are the latest inexplicable example of the Administration being ordered to comply with the flawed or lawless guidance of a previous administration instead of the actual laws passed by Congress. Background: Last week, a district court in California issued a sweeping opinion that threatens to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from effectively using detainers to arrest and remove certain criminal aliens in the custody of State and local law enforcement.  The Administration has been enjoined from using the full statutory window established by Congress for expedited removals under 8 U.S.C. 1225 (b)(1)(A)(iii). The Administration was enjoined when the President took action under section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to protect our national security by restricting the entry of certain aliens – an injunction the Supreme Court overturned. The Administration’s efforts to end the Flores loophole, a loophole which violates the removal and detention mandates passed by Congress, were enjoined.   The Administration’s efforts under section 212(f) of the INA to preserve asylum for those who do not cross our borders illegally were enjoined nationwide. The Administration’s efforts to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was implemented by the previous administration in an end-around of Congress, were enjoined nationwide by the courts. The Administration’s action to preserve asylum for those who have no other place to turn, rather than asylum seekers who failed to seek protection in the other countries they traveled through to reach the United States, was initially enjoined nationwide. For reference, see: HERE

Presidential Proclamation on National School Lunch Week, 2019

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019 National School Lunch Week, 2019 - - - - - - - By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation        During National School Lunch Week, we recognize the school lunch programs across our country that nourish our children with nutritious, American-grown food that they need to learn in the classroom and work toward bright futures.  By ensuring all students have access to well-balanced meals, we can help our Nation's youth maintain healthy lifestyles and help them achieve success in the classroom and beyond.      Established in 1946, the National School Lunch Program provides low-cost or free lunches to more than 29 million children in nearly 100,000 public and residential child-care institutions across our country.  Since its creation, the number of students served by the program has quadrupled, and school cafeterias now serve nearly 5 billion lunches annually.  This successful Federal, State, and local partnership would not be possible without the assistance of thousands of food service professionals, school administrators, community members, and parents.  As a nation, we are grateful for those who go above and beyond to ensure all children are able to focus on their education and development instead of worrying about their next lunch.      America's farmers, ranchers, and producers also play a role in ensuring our children's plates are filled with healthy, domestically sourced foods.  This year, my Administration awarded a record high of more than $9 million in Farm to School Program grants, increasing access to local food and strengthening links to agriculture for more than 3.2 million children in 42 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.  Through our efforts to increase the amount of local food in our country's schools, we are promoting the success of both our farmers and ranchers and our Nation's children.      To emphasize the importance of the National School Lunch Program to our youth's nutrition, the Congress, by joint resolution of October 9, 1962 (Public Law 87–780), has designated the week beginning on the second Sunday in October each year as "National School Lunch Week" and has requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.      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 October 13 through October 19, 2019, as National School Lunch Week.  I call upon all Americans to join the countless individuals who administer the National School Lunch Program in activities that support and promote awareness of the health and well-being of our Nation's children.      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of October, 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

Presidential Proclamation on Columbus Day, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019 COLUMBUS DAY, 2019 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

     On October 12, 1492, after a perilous, two-month journey across the treacherous Atlantic Ocean, Christopher Columbus and his crew aboard the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria landed in what is today The Bahamas.  This watershed voyage ushered in the Age of Exploration, changing the course of history and setting the foundation for development of our Nation.  Today, we commemorate this great explorer, whose courage, skill, and drive for discovery are at the core of the American spirit.

     While Columbus sailed from the port of Palos under the Spanish flag, he took pride in the fact that he was a citizen of Genoa, Italy.  The celebration of Columbus Day is, therefore, an appropriate opportunity to recognize the more than 16 million Americans who claim Italian heritage and to carry forth the legacy of generations of Italian Americans who helped shape our Nation.  The United States greatly values its close bond with Italy, a longstanding friend, ally, and economic partner.  Our relationship, built on shared values and a commitment to furthering peace and prosperity, continues to benefit both of our nations.

     Columbus's daring voyage to the New World brought two continents together, enabling a global perspective for the first time.  The bold legacy of Columbus and his crew spun a thread that weaves through the extensive history of Americans who have pushed the boundaries of exploration.  On Columbus Day, we draw inspiration from this intrepid pioneer's spirit of adventure.  We also affirm our commitment to continuing our quest to discover and better understand the wonders of our Nation, the world, and beyond.

     In commemoration of Christopher Columbus's historic voyage, the Congress, by joint resolution of April 30, 1934, and modified in 1968 (36 U.S.C. 107), as amended, has requested the President proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as "Columbus Day."

     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 October 14, 2019, as Columbus Day.  I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.  I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of our diverse history and all who have contributed to shaping this Nation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eleventh day of October, 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

Letter from President Xi Jinping to President Donald J. Trump

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019 Letter from President Xi Jinping to President Donald J. Trump

Presidential Memorandum on Executive Orders 13836, 13837, and 13839

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019

October 11, 2019   MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES SUBJECT:       Executive Orders 13836, 13837, and 13839 On May 25, 2018, I signed three Executive Orders requiring executive departments and agencies (agencies) to negotiate collective bargaining agreements that will reduce costs and promote government performance and accountability.  These Executive Orders, Executive Order 13836 of May 25, 2018 (Developing Efficient, Effective, and Cost-Reducing Approaches to Federal Sector Collective Bargaining), Executive Order 13837 of May 25, 2018 (Ensuring Transparency, Accountability, and Efficiency in Taxpayer-Funded Union Time Use), and Executive Order 13839 of May 25, 2018 (Promoting Accountability and Streamlining Removal Procedures Consistent with Merit System Principles), were partially enjoined by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on August 25, 2018.  The District Court's injunction barred enforcement of sections 5(a), 5(e), and 6 of Executive Order 13836, sections 3(a), 4(a), and 4(b) of Executive Order 13837, and sections 3, 4(a), and 4(c) of Executive Order 13839. On July 16, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held that the District Court lacked jurisdiction and vacated its judgment, and the Court of Appeals has now issued the mandate making its judgment effective. Provisions of the Executive Orders that had been subject to the District Court's injunction set presumptively reasonable goals that agencies must pursue during bargaining; directed agencies to refuse to bargain over permissive subjects of negotiation; and established Government-wide rules that displace agencies' duty to bargain with unions over contrary matters, regardless of whether the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute would otherwise require bargaining absent those rules.  Sections 4(c)(ii) and 8(a) of Executive Order 13837 and section 8(b) of Executive Order 13839, however, recognized agencies' ability to comply with collective bargaining agreements containing prohibited terms so long as such agreements were effective on the date of the Executive Orders. While the District Court's injunction remained in effect, agencies retained the ability to bargain over subjects covered by the enjoined provisions.  The Executive Orders, however, did not address collective bargaining agreements entered into during this period.  As a result, it is necessary to clarify agencies' obligations with respect to such collective bargaining agreements. Agencies shall adhere to the terms of collective bargaining agreements executed while the injunction was in effect.  Agencies that remain engaged in collective-bargaining negotiations, to the extent consistent with law, shall comply with the terms of the Executive Orders.  However, where, between the date of the Executive Orders and the date of the Court of Appeals's mandate, the parties to collective bargaining negotiations have executed an agreement to incorporate into a new collective bargaining agreement specific terms prohibited by the Executive Orders, an agency may execute the new collective bargaining agreement containing such terms, and terms ancillary to those specific terms, notwithstanding the Executive Orders. To the extent it is necessary, this memorandum should be construed to amend Executive Orders 13836, 13837, and 13839. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.                                DONALD J. TRUMP

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

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019 PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY STEVEN MNUCHIN James S. Brady Press Briefing Room   1:46 P.M. EDT      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Hello everybody.  So, I just met with President Trump, and he has authorized and will be signing a new executive order giving the Treasury Department, in consultation with himself and Secretary Pompeo, very significant new sanctions authorities that can be targeted at any person associated with the government of Turkey, any portion of the government.  This will be both primary sanctions and secondary sanctions that will be applicable.      The President is concerned about the ongoing military offensive and potential targeting of civilians, civilian infrastructure, ethnic or religious minorities.  And also the President wants to make very clear: It is imperative that Turkey not allow even a single ISIS fighter to escape.      Again, I want to emphasize: At this point, we are not activating the sanctions.  But, as the President has said, he will provide very significant authorities based upon the continuing efforts. So he will be signing this.  They will be active.  We will be working in consultation with the Department of Defense and Department of State to moderating this very quickly.  We are putting financial institutions on notice that they should be careful, and that there could be sanctions.      Again, there are no sanctions at this time, but this will be the broadest executive authorities delegated to us.      Q    When you spoke with the President, was there any concern about the actions he took that led to this?  And can you tell us when would you put the sanctions in?  What would it take for you to actually activate?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Okay.  Well, on -- no, I don’t think he thinks his actions are what led to this.  It is a complicated situation.  It’s a situation that we’re all concerned about, and the humanitarian situation.  And there are very clear discussions that will be going on between the Department of Defense and the State Department.  I just got off the phone with the Finance Minister, and we will be communicating specifics that we’re not going to telegraph here.      Q    Thank you, Mr. Secretary.  Can you give us an update on the China trade negotiations that are ongoing today?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  I didn’t think anybody would be asking me about that.  (Laughter.)      Q    Could you give us an update on the China trade negotiations that are going on today?  Is it possible that we get to the end of the day today with no new specific deals agreed to?  Or are we definitely going to see something today?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Okay.  So, I wanted to make sure everybody knew in advance I wasn’t talking about China, because I didn’t want to think I was calling a specific China meeting. We have had productive two days of discussions.  Ambassador Lighthizer and myself with the Vice Premier and others, we will be meeting with the President shortly.  We will be updating the President on those.  He’ll then be meeting with the Vice Premier.  I wouldn’t be surprised if, like usual, he decides to invite a few of you in, but I’m not going to make any other comments in advance of us meeting with the President.      Q    The stock market is very optimistic about what it sees over at the USTR’s office.  Are they right to be optimistic?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  The stock market is always right.  (Laughs.)      Q    No, no.  But is there -- is there reason for optimism?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Again, I’m not going to make any more comments.  I’ve said we’ve had productive two days of discussions.  We’ll be making more announcements after we meet with the President.      Q    So far, Turkey has not been dissuaded by anything this administration has done or the President has said.  What makes you confident that the announcement that you just made is going to change Turkey’s (inaudible)?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Well, I don’t -- I don’t agree with your premise.  I’m not going to comment on specific confidential discussions that have been going on on different levels.  So, I don’t think that’s a good premise.      But, again, these are very powerful sanctions.  We hope we don’t have to use them.  But we can shut down the Turkish economy if we need to.      Q    Mr. Secretary, how does the threat of these sanctions help these U.S. allies who say they have been abandoned?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Again, it’s a complicated military situation that is ongoing.  There are discussions.  I think the President has had very specific discussions.  As I said, the Department of Defense -- we have expectations.  This is a way of making sure that we protect the humanitarian issues and the other people on the ground.      Q    As far as you know, have any plans specifically changed about Turkish President Erdoğan still visiting the White House?  Are things still in good faith?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  I’m not aware of anything that’s changed.  But, again, I’m not confirming that.  I just haven’t heard anything one way or another.      Q    Mr. Secretary, what kind of consultations are you having with lawmakers like Lindsey Graham, Senator Van Hollen -- who have been really very critical of the pullout of U.S. troops from Syria?      SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Secretary Pompeo has been speaking to them daily.  I’ve been speaking to the Secretary multiple times a day.      I think the message to Congress is -- I know that people were contemplating sanctions.  We’re on top of sanctions.  The President will use them when necessary.      Thank you everybody.                              END                1:52 P.M. EDT

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

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 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: Joseph Manso of New York, to be accorded the Rank of Ambassador while performing the duties as the United States Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Joseph Manso, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Organizations at the Department of State. He was previously Director of the Office of United Nations Political Affairs in the Bureau of International Organizations and Director of the Office of Regional European Security Affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Mr. Manso also taught at the National War College and was Director of Americas Programs in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Overseas, Mr. Manso served as Deputy Permanent Representative and Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Mission to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels, Deputy Chief of Staff to the NATO Secretary General, and Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Programs at the United States embassies in Iraq and Bolivia. Mr. Manso earned a B.A. from Fordham College and J.D. from Fordham Law School. He speaks Spanish and French. Jenny A. McGee of Texas, to be an Associate Administrator for Relief, Response and Resilience, United States Agency for International Development. Jenny McGee completed a 31-year career in the United States Air Force as an intelligence officer. Ms. McGee has commanded operational intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance units around the globe, and she has held key positions in joint and Air Force organizations, including the National Security Council and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. She has senior-level staff and deployed experience, with recent duties at Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe and Africa, United States Central Command Air and Space Operations Center, and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Ms. McGee was born in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and has had military assignments around the world. She is a graduate of Purdue University and holds an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, as well as master’s degrees from the National War College, Naval Command and Staff College, and Joint Military Intelligence College. Dorothy Shea of North Carolina, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Lebanese Republic. Dorothy Shea, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. Previously, she had served as Deputy Principal Officer at the United States Consulate General in Jerusalem, as Director of the Office of Assistance for Asia and the Near East in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and as a Pearson Fellow with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Ms. Shea was also the Political/Economic Counselor at the United States Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia, a Political Officer at the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, a Director for Democracy and Human Rights at the National Security Council, and a Special Assistant to the Special Envoy for War Crimes Issues in the Department of State. Ms. Shea earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia, M.S. from Georgetown University, and M.S. from the National War College. She speaks French and Arabic. John Joseph Sullivan of Maryland, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Russian Federation. John Sullivan currently serves as Deputy Secretary of State, a position he has held since May 2017. He also served in April 2018 as Acting Secretary of State. Earlier in his career, Deputy Secretary Sullivan served as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and held senior positions at the Departments of Justice, Defense, and Commerce, advising the Attorney General, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Counsel to the President on legal and policy issues. Deputy Secretary Sullivan has also had two decades of experience in private law practice, including as a partner in Mayer Brown LLP, where he was co-chair of the firm’s national security practice. He served as a law clerk for Associate Justice David H. Souter of the Supreme Court of the United States and for Judge John Minor Wisdom of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Deputy Secretary Sullivan received a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and law degree from Columbia University School of Law, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Teaching Fellow, and Book Reviews Editor of the Columbia Law Review.   ---   Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to appoint the following individual to a key position in his Administration: Steven Witkoff of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

West Wing Reads Ukraine Smoke and Mirrors

Ukraine Smoke and Mirrors “Democrats and the media for three years used a fog of facts and speculation to lull America into forgetting there was never a shred of evidence of Trump-Russia collusion. They flooded the zone with another flurry of scattershot claims in their campaign against Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Republicans might bear these tactics in mind as they confront the left’s new impeachment push,” Kimberly Strassel writes in The Wall Street Journal. There are numerous, grave problems with House Democrats’ impeachment push, including the whistleblower’s secondhand information and potentially major conflicts of interest. “But what matters more is the accuracy of the complaint itself,” Strassel says. “The real news of the past few weeks has been the steady accumulation of evidence that its central claim is totally wrong.” Click here to read more. “I’ve been in an auto parts factory for 50 years. Times in the U.S. have never been better,” auto parts executive Shahid Khan says. Khan “said the current manufacturing landscape looks a lot different than previous conceptions, giving him confidence in the future of the field,” Kevin Stankiewicz reports for CNBC.  “Improving access to affordable and high-quality childcare is the mission of the president's daughter and adviser, Ivanka Trump,” Kera Mashek writes for FOX4KC. Yesterday, Ms. Trump hosted a roundtable with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, where she toured the Guadalupe Center childcare facility. “It shouldn’t be news to anyone that the move by House Democrats to impeach President Trump has never been a serious exercise in loyalty to the Constitution. But it’s nice to see that some liberals are admitting it openly,” Eddie Scarry writes in the Washington Examiner. One example: A New York Times op-ed from yesterday, where Cornell law professor Josh Chafetz blurted out—“perhaps inadvertently”—that impeachment “will have been a waste if it isn’t done before the 2020 election.”

ACTIVIST JUDICIAL RULINGS BLOCK THE ADMINISTRATION FROM ENFORCING OUR NATION’S IMMIGRATION LAWS

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2019

ACTIVIST JUDICIAL RULINGS BLOCK THE ADMINISTRATION FROM ENFORCING OUR NATION’S IMMIGRATION LAWS “In order to have a functioning legal immigration system that serves America’s national interests, we must have rules, laws, conditions, and procedures for entry into the United States—and the violation of these laws and rules must be enforced.” – President Donald J. Trump   BLOCKED FROM ENFORCING CONGRESSIONALLY ENACTED IMMIGRATION LAW: President Donald J. Trump is working tirelessly to restore enforcement of our immigration laws as enacted, but activist judicial rulings are restricting the Administration from following the plain text of Federal law. One shocking judicial ruling after another has barred the Administration from enforcing the immigration laws passed by Congress. Judicial decree after judicial decree has ordered the Administration to comply with the discretionary policies of previous administrations. Last week, a district court in California issued a sweeping opinion that threatens to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from effectively using detainers to arrest and remove certain criminal aliens in the custody of State and local law enforcement.   These detainers are the backbone of immigration enforcement in America and are responsible for the vast majority of all criminal aliens removed from the United States. When criminal aliens are arrested in local custody, they are run through a Federal database – if that database confirms they are deportable, ICE lodges detainers.  Cooperative jurisdictions then notify ICE when an alien subject to a detainer will be released and may hold them up to 48 hours, until ICE can take custody of the alien.  This process is how gang members, murderers, rapists, drug dealers, and many other criminals are safely removed from our streets every single day.  Without this mechanism, thousands of criminals would go free and commit more crimes in our communities. Detainers have been issued for decades to remove criminals from our communities – with more than 1.5 million detainers issued under the Obama administration. SAFETY AND SECURITY ARE UNDERMINED: Activist rulings are undermining efforts to keep our communities safe, protect our national security, and enforce our laws. ICE’s ability to issue detainers is vital to carrying out Congress’s requirement to deport and remove criminal aliens from the country.   ICE has made approximately 140,000 arrests this year, three-quarters of which have come from ICE working with jails and prisons. Without detainers, ICE would be severely hampered in its efforts to prevent dangerous criminal aliens from being released into our communities – putting the safety and security of Americans at risk.    The brave men and women of ICE have also been hindered by sanctuary jurisdictions that are defying Federal authorities and actively releasing known criminals.  Further, State officials have recently undercut local law enforcement who partner with ICE to help identify criminal aliens under the 287(g) program. NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS: President Trump has faced an unprecedented flurry of improper nationwide injunctions, thwarting needed, lawful immigration enforcement. Activist rulings have continually blocked the Administration from implementing policies that comply with the plain meaning and clear intent of the law, as passed by Congress. The Administration has been enjoined from restoring the full statutory window established by Congress for expedited removals under 8 U.S.C. 1225 (b)(1)(A)(iii). The Administration was enjoined when the President took action under section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to protect our national security by restricting the entry of certain aliens – an injunction the Supreme Court overturned. The Administration’s efforts to end the Flores loophole, a loophole which violates the removal and detention mandates passed by Congress, were enjoined.    The Administration’s efforts under section 212(f) of the INA to preserve asylum for those who do not cross our borders illegally were enjoined nationwide. The Administration’s efforts to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was implemented by the previous administration in an end-around of Congress, were enjoined nationwide by the courts. The Administration’s action to preserve asylum for those who have no other place to turn, rather than asylum seekers who failed to seek protection in the other countries they traveled through to reach the United States, was initially enjoined nationwide. Nationwide injunctions allow any one of the more than 600 Federal district judges in the country to effectively set or veto national policy. These nationwide injunctions are a modern invention with no basis in the Constitution. The first documented nationwide injunction was in 1963, meaning no such documented injunctions were issued in the first 175 years of our Nation.

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 10, 2019 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE MARINE ONE DEPARTURE South Lawn   4:32 P.M. EDT      THE PRESIDENT:  So, we just completed a negotiation with China.  We're doing very well.  We're having another one tomorrow.  I'm meeting with the Vice Premier over at the White House.  And I think it's going really well, I will say.  I think it's going really well.      So, we had a very, very good negotiation with China.  They'll be speaking a little bit later, but they're basically wrapping it up, and we're going to see them tomorrow, right here.  And it's going very well.      Q    Mr. President, what about the story about former President -- Vice President Joe Biden and Ukraine, that he received $900,000 to himself, from Burisma Holdings?  Do you think that's true?      THE PRESIDENT:  What happened?  Who took $900,000?      Q    There's a story out there that your personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said on "Sean Hannity" last night that there is a possibility that Joe Biden took $900,000 out of --      THE PRESIDENT:  I hope it's not true that -- Joe Biden took $900,000?  I haven't heard that.  I hope it's not true.  For the sake of the country, I hope that's not true.  But I don't know anything about it.      Q    Do you know the whistleblower's name?      THE PRESIDENT:  What?      Q    Do you know the whistleblower's name?      THE PRESIDENT:  Who?      Q    Do you know the whistleblower's name?      THE PRESIDENT:  I don't know.  But I know the whistleblower has been very inaccurate because when we released the transcript of the conversation that I had with the President of Ukraine, who -- frankly, today, was very good; somewhere in Ukraine, I guess, gave a news conference on unrelated things -- was asked a question, and he said, "President Trump behaved in a perfectly fine manner.  There was nothing wrong in any way, shape, or form."  Something to that effect.  So, I appreciate that.      But the President of Ukraine, that should be case over, because the President of Ukraine said that the call was absolutely fine.  I think he said that it resembled very much -- and he remembered it -- it was just like the transcript.      Now, the transcript is a perfect transcript.  There shouldn't be any further questions.  But the President of Ukraine just made that statement, so that's good.      Q    Mr. President, what conversations have you had with Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman?      THE PRESIDENT:  I don't know those gentlemen.      Q    You were in pictures with them.      THE PRESIDENT:  Now, it's possible I have a picture with them, because I have a picture with everybody.  I have a picture with everybody here.  But somebody said there may be a picture or something where -- at a fundraiser or somewhere.  And so -- but I have pictures with everybody.      Q    Have you talked with them?      THE PRESIDENT:  I don't know if there's anybody I don't have pictures with.          I don't know them.  I don't know about them, I don't know what they do.  But, I don't know, maybe they were clients of Rudy.  You'd have to ask Rudy.  I just don't know.      Q    Have you spoken with Rudy Giuliani today, sir?  Have you spoken to him?      THE PRESIDENT:  No.      Q    Mr. President, should the Senate allow a full trial if the House does impeach?  The Republican (inaudible) Mitch McConnell said he would.      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I don't know how you can impeach on a conversation with the President of a country -- in this case, Ukraine -- which was a perfect conversation, where the President of Ukraine just said there was no pressure put on him whatsoever, that we had an absolutely perfect conversation.  Then, on top of that, and maybe less importantly, frankly, but on top of that, we have a transcript of the conversation, fortunately, that's perfect.      And I do think this: I think it's very unfair to heads of countries when they think every time they make a conversation or have a conversation with the President of the United States, it's going to be on, you know, all over the world.  I think that's very unfair.      But, in the case -- in the case of what we're talking about, we released a perfect conversation.  The President of Ukraine just confirmed that.  And that should be case over.      I will say this: Adam Schiff took that conversation before he saw it and fabricated a conversation.  To me, that's criminal.  What he did is criminal.      Q    Mr. President, do you intend to block Ambassador Yovanovitch from testifying tomorrow?      THE PRESIDENT:  I just don't think you're running country -- I just don't think that you can have all of these people testifying about every conversation you've had.  In this case, we have a transcript.  And I've given it almost immediately.  It's called "transparency."  Nobody has been more transparent than me.  So, you have a transcript.  And in this case, you also have the President of Ukraine confirming that, absolutely, it was a perfect conversation.      But the Democrats have committed crimes because they made up the conversation.  The whistleblower was wrong.  You know, I don't think people should be allowed.  You have to run a country.  I don't think you should be allowed to do that.      Q    Mr. President, have you spoken to the U.S. diplomat's --      THE PRESIDENT:  Say it?      Q    Have you spoken to the U.S. diplomat's wife, Anne Sacoolas?      THE PRESIDENT:  I can't hear.      Q    Have you spoken to the U.S. diplomat's wife, Anne Sacoolas?      Q    Have you spoken with the U.S. diplomat's wife, Anne Sacoolas?      THE PRESIDENT:  Are you talking about in the UK?      Q    Yeah.      THE PRESIDENT:  They're in the process of being spoken to.  We're working on that.  I did have a conversation yesterday with Boris Johnson, a good one.  And we're talking about diplomatic immunity.  It's a very interesting situation.  We are trying to work something out.      Q    Will you reconsider the decision?      THE PRESIDENT:  So we're going to work -- we're going to try and work something out.  I think we'll be able to.      Q    Mr. President -- Mr. President, sir, Secretary Perry was just subpoenaed by the House Intel Committee for documents related to the -- to Ukraine, sir.  Any response to that?      THE PRESIDENT:  How many people can they talk to?  We had a simple conversation.  Everybody knows what the conversation was because I gave it immediately when I heard about it.      The whistleblower, who seems to be a Democrat that's involved with a lot of people, gave a false interpretation of the conversation because we have the conversation.      The President of Ukraine just said, just now, that the conversation was absolutely perfect.  No problem.  It was a very good conversation.  So I don't know why they'd be calling Rick Perry.  I don't know why they'd be calling all these people.  It's a very bad situation for our country.      Q    How do you know the whistleblower is a Democrat, sir?      THE PRESIDENT:  It was reported.      Q    Are you concerned that Rudy Giuliani could be indicted in all of this?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I hope not.  Again, I don't know how he knows these people --      Q    They're his clients.      THE PRESIDENT:  What?      Q    They're his clients.      THE PRESIDENT:  Okay, well, then, they're clients.  I mean, you know, he's got a lot of clients.  So, I just don't know.  I haven't spoken to Rudy about it.  I don't know.      I will say this: From what I heard -- I just heard about this -- they said, "We have nothing to do with it.  We're totally -- we have nothing to do with it."      Q    Were you joking when you asked China to investigate the Bidens?      THE PRESIDENT:  Was I what?      Q    Were you joking when you asked China to investigate?      THE PRESIDENT:  China has to do whatever they want.  If they want to look into something, they can look into it.  If they don't want to look into it, they don't have to.  Frankly, are far as I'm concerned, if China wants to look into something, I think that's great.  And if they don't want to, I think that's great too.  That's up to China.      Yeah.      Q    Mr. President, thank you.  Is it safe to say that Trey Gowdy is now your Chief Counsel and Rudy Giuliani is moving to the back?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, Trey Gowdy is a terrific guy.  I think there's a problem with he can't start for another couple of months because of lobbying rules and regulations.  So, you'll have to ask about that.          I just heard Trey Gowdy can't start until sometime after January because of the lobbying rules and regulations.  So, I don't know.  So, we'll have to see. Q    So Giuliani stays on? THE PRESIDENT:  I haven’t spoken to him.  I haven’t spoken. Go ahead.      Q    Which of the three choices on Syria that you just articulated in a tweet do you think you will follow?      THE PRESIDENT:  Perhaps the last one, I hope.  I hope the last one.  Of the three, I hope it's going to be the last one.      Look, we have no soldiers in Syria.  We've won.  We've beat ISIS.  And we've beat them badly and decisively.  We have no soldiers.          The last thing I want to do is bring thousands and thousands of soldiers in and defeat everybody again.  We've already done that.      So what we have is really two choices: You have the choice of bringing in the military and defeating everybody again, or you have the choice of financially doing some very strong things to Turkey so that they take it a little bit easy on, really, competition that is -- I don't think it's being fairly treated in many ways, okay?  We have a very good relationship with the Kurds.  Or we can mediate.  I hope we can mediate, John.  I hope we can mediate.      Q    Has Turkey gone beyond the limits, in your opinion, so far?      THE PRESIDENT:  Say it?      Q    Has Turkey gone beyond the limits you set up so far?      THE PRESIDENT:  Turkey knows where I stand.  And the last thing -- okay, very simple: We had a big victory.  We left the area.  I don't think the American people want to see us go back in with our military, go back into that area again.      We won.  We left the area.  I don't think we want to go back in.  Let's see what happens.  We are going to possibly do something very, very tough with respect to sanctions and other financial things.      Q    Mr. President, on Minnesota -- you're headed to Minnesota.  Do you think you can win in Minnesota?  It's a long-time blue state.      THE PRESIDENT:  I think we can win.  It's been a long time since a Republican won.  We have a 20,000-seat auditorium.  You know, we have the -- it's essentially Madison Square Garden.  And it's sold out.  Over 80,000 people requested tickets.  It'll be totally sold out.  I don't know who's going, but it'll be totally sold out.  If you're not going to be there, I'm going to miss you.  But they have a line now that's many blocks long.  It's amazing.  We have a line, right now in Minnesota, that's many blocks long.  I think I can win in Minnesota.      Q    Do you think Ilhan Omar is helping you win in Minnesota?      THE PRESIDENT:  I think Omar is helping us win in Minnesota and other places.  I'll see you all -- I'll see you in Minnesota.  I'll see you in Minnesota.                                          END                4:43 P.M. EDT

1600 Daily The White House • October 10, 2019 Video of the Day: What a REAL Border Wall Looks Like!

The White House • October 10, 2019 Video of the day: What a REAL border wall looks like! When President Donald J. Trump promised to build the wall, many Americans didn’t realize the terrible shape our border security infrastructure was in. Politicians from both parties had ignored our southern border for years, failing to give our law enforcement officers the tools they needed to do their jobs safely and effectively. The old barriers along our southern border were built to defend against vehicle crossings—and not much else. Over the years, many miles had fallen into disrepair. Under this President, comprehensive technology—including a real barrier that stops all forms of smuggling—will keep America’s borders safe, strong, and secure! Watch: The men and women of ICE are American patriots. In photos: Vice President Pence tells Congressional Democrats to put U.S. workers before politics “Over one year ago, President Trump negotiated the largest trade deal in American history: the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement,” Vice President Mike Pence told a crowd of Iowans yesterday. “I was there all along the way for a lot of the negotiations, and I’ll tell you what: The President drove a hard bargain.” Iowa is America’s second-largest agricultural exporting state, producing more than $10.3 billion in these goods each year. When Congress finally passes USMCA, these numbers will get even bigger, expanding opportunity for workers in America’s heartland. So what’s the holdup? As usual, it comes down to one group. More specifically, it comes down to one person: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Her refusal to bring this trade deal to the House floor for a vote boils down to nothing more than petty, partisan politics. “The truth is—and we all know it—Democrats have been spending all their time on endless investigations and a partisan impeachment,” the Vice President said. “But enough is enough. The American people deserve better.” USMCA replaces and updates NAFTA, accomplishing many goals that Democrats claimed to support for years. It gives American workers a better deal, strengthening labor provisions with Mexico and Canada from the voluntary terms that NAFTA set. It also does a much better job protecting our environment than the outdated deal it replaces. Congressional Democrats have had a problem keeping their promises to voters. First, they said they would secure our borders better than President Trump could. They didn’t. Then they said they would level the playing field for American workers by addressing NAFTA’s flaws that put corporate profits over people. They haven’t. “I’ll make you a promise,” Vice President Pence said. “Whatever the Democrats in Congress choose to spend their time on, President Trump and I are never going to stop fighting for you and the agenda that Iowa voted for in 2016. Count on it.” In photos: Vice President Pence fights for USMCA in Iowa. Grassley and Brady: “It's time for Congress to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement” Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks First Lady Melania Trump participates in a listening session on the impact of youth vaping with teens from the Truth Initiative in the Blue Room of the White House | October 9, 2019