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White House Press Daily Brief
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Good morning.


Sean Spicer's Eventful Briefing

Press Secretary Sean Spicer has one of the most difficult jobs in Washington D.C., fielding questions from among the smartest and most driven political reporters in the country. 

Wednesday, however, interspersed with tough questions about the Georgia 6th special election and North Korea, among others, Sean got a little surprise from New England Patriot tight end Rob Gronkowski, who waltzed into the briefing room interrupting Spicer:
 

"MR. SPICER: I think we'll see what pans out in the negotiation. But I think there's an opportunity that -- can I just --

MR. GRONKOWSKI: Need some help? (Laughter.)

MR. SPICER: I think I got this, but thank you.

MR. GRONKOWSKI: Are you sure?

MR. SPICER: Maybe. (Laughter.)

MR. GRONKOWSKI: (Inaudible) -- I'm here.

MR. SPICER: All right, thanks, man. Ill see you in a minute. (Laughter.)"
- Spicer Briefing - 4/19
 

Despite the unexpected guest, Wednesday's briefing covered important topics.


Georgia 6th Congressional District Special Election

While Democrat Jon Ossoff picked up 48.1% of the vote in the Atlanta area of Georgia Tuesday, and his closest rival, Republican Karen Handel, received under 20% of the vote, the White House is describing the results as a "big loss" for Democrats.
 

"Q The fact that Ossoff came so close to 50 percent, is that a concern?

MR. SPICER: Well, again, I would -- just looking at the facts, there was one candidate on the Democratic side. They spent over $8 million --

Q There was five.

MR. SPICER: One that they backed. And I think when you look at the total Republican vote, it was over that. This is a district that was very close on the presidential level last cycle, and the Democrats went all in on this. They were clear going into this election -- they said that their goal was to get over 50 percent. They came up short. And if you look at what -- his percentage of what it was presidentially, it pretty much tracks. I think this was a big loss for them. The bottom line is they went all in on it; they said that their goal was to get over 50 percent. They came up short."
- Spicer Briefing - 4/19


President Trump tweeted the following about results from the Georgia 6th.




USS Carl Vinson / North Korea


Some questions about North Korea covered what the administration thought of Chinese influence over the aggressively militaristic country, but the more interesting back and forth came when reporters questioned Spicer about the President's comments last week when he claimed an "armada" was making its way to the Korean peninsula. 


"Q Can you take us through the events that led people within this administration to believe the vessel [USS Carl Vinson] was thousands of miles away from its actual location?

MR. SPICER: Well, I mean, PACOM put out a release talking about the group ultimately ending up in the Korean Peninsula. That's what it will do. I think we were asked very clearly about the use of a carrier group in terms of deterrence and foreign presence and what that meant, and we were -- that's what we discussed. I'd refer you back to any other issues with that to the Department of Defense.

Q Does the President believe that he might have spoken too quickly on this location of the vessel before it was actually --

MR. SPICER: The President said that we have an armada going towards the peninsula. That's a fact; it happened -- it is happening, rather."
- Spicer Briefing - 4/19


Spicer is right that the carrier was eventually going to head to the Korean peninsula. But questions about the President's misguided comments describing where the USS Carl Vinson was raises questions on how in tune he is with the actions of the military he commands. 

The reality is that the USS Carl Vinson and support ships were 3,500 miles south of the Korean peninsula when the President made the comments. The flotilla was engaged with the Australian navy in joint military exercises. 

Beyond what we heard in the briefing, with regards to the question of U.S. military involvement on the Korean peninsula, Vice President Mike Pence, aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in Japan, said that "the shield stands guard and the sword stands ready."


Other Topics

Spicer was also asked about the government shutdown that will happen if Congress doesn't pass a continuing resolution to fund the federal government by April 28, and fielded queries about  an unpublicized meeting the President had with former presidents of Colombia at Mar-a-Lago. Both topics were not directly addressed with clear answers from Spicer. 

 

POTUS Signs Veterans Health Care Law

Wednesday, President Trump signed S. 544, The Veterans Choice Program Extension and Improvement Act. The Act erases the termination date for the Veterans Choice Program and modifies reimbursement and cost-recovery procedures under the Program.  

He made remarks while hosting a group of veterans at the White House:

 

"This bill will extend and improve the Veterans Choice Program so that more veterans can see the doctor of their choice — you got it?  The doctor of their choice — and don’t have to wait and travel long distances for VA care.  Some people have to travel five hours, eight hours, and they’ll have to do it on a weekly basis, and even worse than that.  It’s not going to happen anymore.

This new law is a good start, but there is still much work to do.  We will fight each and every day to deliver the long-awaited reforms our veterans deserve, and to protect those who have so courageously protected each and every one of us."
- POTUS Remarks at Signing of S. 544



New England Patriots Visit the White House

Reigning Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots, visited the White House on Wednesday afternoon. There was an event held for them on the South Lawn. Due to the fact that it was his parents' 48th wedding anniversary, quarterback Tom Brady did not join the team at the White House. 


Italian Prime Minister to Visit the White House

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni will visit the White House tomorrow for a meeting with President Trump. Later on Thursday afternoon, the two heads of state will hold an expanded bilateral meeting and a joint press conference. 

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