Posted on 02/18/2020 4:01:22 PM PST by ransomnote
Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
1:41 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Its a little windy out here, so Ill button up my coat. You have a couple of more people who want to join you.
Q So were hearing youre going to commute the sentence of Blagojevich?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, we have commuted the sentence of Rod Blagojevich. He served eight years in jail. Thats a long time. And I watched his wife on television. I dont know him very well. Ive met him a couple of times. He was on, for a short while, on The Apprentice, years ago. Seemed like a very nice person. Dont know him.
But he served eight years in jail. He has a long time to go. Many people disagree with the sentence. Hes a Democrat; hes not a Republican. It was a prosecution by the same people Comey, Fitzpatrick the same group.
Very far from his children. Theyre growing older. Theyre going to high school now, and they rarely get to see their father outside of an orange uniform. I saw that and I did commute his sentence. So hell be able to go back home with his family after serving eight years in jail. That was a tremendously powerful, ridiculous sentence, in my opinion
Q Mr. President
THE PRESIDENT: and in the opinion of many others.
Yes.
Q Do you have confidence in your Attorney General? First
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I have total confidence in my Attorney General.
Q And do you agree with his statement that he that you should stop tweeting about Justice Department issues?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, people like that. But, you know, everybody has the right to speak their mind. And I use social media. I guess I use it well, because here I am. Im here. And I probably wouldnt have gotten here without social media because I certainly dont get fair press.
So I wouldnt have gotten here without social media and, perhaps, with all of the hoaxes. You had the impeachment hoax, you had the Mueller hoax, you had the Russia, Russia, Russia nonsense. All scams. And if I didnt have social media, I probably wouldnt be here. So Im very happy with social media.
But I think hes doing an excellent job. Hes a strong guy. I never spoke to him about the Roger Stone situation. Roger Stone, just so you know, never worked he didnt work for my campaign. There mightve been a time way early, long before I announced where he was somehow involved a little bit. But he was not involved in our campaign at all. And I think it was a very, very rough thing that happened to Roger Stone.
Because when you look what happened with Comey after a 78-page, horrific report, when you look at what happened to McCabe with a recommendation of prosecution, and you look at all of these other people, and then you look at what happened to General Flynn, a highly respected man look at I mean, his life has been destroyed. If youre looking at Roger Stone for a tweet and some other things you take a look at whats happening to these people. Somebody has to stick up for the people.
So, my social media is very powerful. I guess, Mark Zuckerberg just recently said, Trump is number one in the world on social media, which is a very nice statement, I guess. Certainly its something you can be at least a little bit proud of. But it means I have a voice so Im able to fight the fake news.
Q Has the Attorney General threatened to resign over your tweets? And then, also, he said that your comments on Twitter are making it impossible to do his job. Are you making his job impossible?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, but it allows me yeah, I do make his job harder. I do agree with that. I think thats true. Hes a very straight shooter. We have a great Attorney General, and hes working very hard. And hes working against a lot of people that dont want to see good things happen, in my opinion. Thats my opinion, not his opinion. Thats my opinion. Youll have to ask what his opinion is.
But I will say this: Social media, for me, has been very important because it gives me a voice, because I dont get that voice in the press. In the media, I dont get that voice. So Im allowed to have a voice.
Q Do you think he could still do his job with integrity, though?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, yeah.
Q He says its making it hard for him to do his job with integrity.
THE PRESIDENT: Hes a very hes a man with great integrity. The Attorney General is a man with incredible integrity.
Now, just so you understand, I chose not to be involved. Im allowed to be totally involved. Im actually, I guess, the chief law enforcement officer of the country, but Ive chosen not to be involved.
But he is a man of great integrity. But I would be I could be involved if I wanted to be.
Q Are you also pardoning Bernie Kerik?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I just pardoned Bernie Kerik
Q Okay.
THE PRESIDENT: a man who had many recommendations from a lot of good people.
You know, oftentimes pretty much all the time I really rely on the recommendations of people that know them. We have Bernie Kerik. We have Mike Milken, whos gone around and done an incredible job for the world, with all of his research on cancer, and hes done this and he suffered greatly. He paid a big price; paid a very tough price. But hes done an incredible job.
And yeah. These are all people that you have to see the recommendations. I rely on recommendations, very importantly.
Q Are you planning to pardon Roger Stone?
THE PRESIDENT: I havent given it any thought. In the meantime, hes going through a process. But I think hes been treated very unfairly.
Yes.
Q You tweeted this morning about China and wanting U.S. companies to be able to
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q sell jet parts.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q Are you are you not concerned about national security on that?
THE PRESIDENT: Im very concerned about national security. Number one, Im concerned about national security. Nobody has done a better job with national security than me. You take a look at whats going on: Weve done a great job on national security. A lot of countries are a lot different now than they were when I started.
But I will say that were not going to be sacrificing our companies, for all of the growth and everything else theyre ready, theyre exploding; theyre doing so well by using a fake term of national security. Its got to be real national security. And I think people were getting carried away with it.
So I want our companies to be treated I want our companies to be allowed to do business. I mean, things are put on my desk that have nothing to do with national security, including with chipmakers and various others. So were going to give it up. And what will happen: Theyll make those chips in a different country or theyll make them in China or someplace else.
So, national security is very important. Ive been very tough on Huawei, but that doesnt mean we have to be tough on everybody that does something. We want to be able to sell all of this incredible technology. Were number one in the world. We want to be able to sell to other countries.
Q Mr. President, do you trust the Taliban in this ceasefire? And are you confident that a peace deal can be reached in Afghanistan?
THE PRESIDENT: We are doing something weve been in the war in Afghanistan now for 19 years. Weve substantially reduced the force, as you know. Were really acting more as a law enforcement agency than we are as a military, because we could win that very quickly and easily if I was willing to kill millions of people. Im not willing to do that. Im not willing to do that. Wed win that so quickly your head would spin. And Im not talking about nuclear; Im talking about very conventional. But Im not willing to kill millions of people.
So we are negotiating with the Taliban. Weve been negotiating with them for a while. We will see what happens. Theres a chance of making a deal. Theres a chance.
I cant believe so quiet, all of a sudden.
Q Senator Graham is traveling with
THE PRESIDENT: I saw that Senator Murphy met with the Iranians. Is that a fact? I just saw that on the way over. Is there anything that I should know? Because that sounds like, to me, a violation of the Logan Act.
Q Can I ask about Venezuela, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, what happened with that? Did you read about Senator or hear about Senator Murphy met with the Iranians?
Q No. Tell us about it.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, they ought to find out about it if its true. I dont know. It just came out as I was leaving the car.
Q Can I ask about Venezuela, sir? Do you think Guaidó is still the guy to get Maduro out of office?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, hes the person that the country, right now, prefers, and thats what I go with. Well see what happens. We put additional sanctions on very strong sanctions this morning on Venezuela. Well see what happens. Were watching Venezuela very closely.
Q You were asked specifically about Roger Stone, but are you ruling out pardons for Stone, for your former campaign Chairman Paul Manafort, and for Michael Flynn, for example?
THE PRESIDENT: Im not even thinking about that. Theres a process that people are going through. These are unrelated situations where people have done a great job with very, very strong recommendations. But we havent thought about that yet. Right now theres a process.
I think Roger Stone has been treated unfairly. I think General Flynn has been treated very unfairly. I think a lot of people have been treated very unfairly. I think the Mueller scam is just exactly what its what a lot of people are calling, because it was started illegally. It was started by abuse. It was phony. It was a fake dossier. And they went in, and they went into the FISA courts and they forged papers, and they did a lot of bad things. So the whole Mueller thing, to me, is a scam.
Q Do you think Roger Stone deserves any prison time?
THE PRESIDENT: Youre going to see what happens. Lets see what happens.
Q You spoke to President Erdoğan the other day
THE PRESIDENT: I think hes treated very unfairly.
Q You spoke to President Erdoğan of Turkey the other day
THE PRESIDENT: I did.
Q Are you concerned about all-out war breaking out between Turkey and Syria?
THE PRESIDENT: I did. I had a very good conversation with President Erdoğan. I respect him. We have a very good relationship. Yes, I agree, hes a tough guy. But we have a very good relationship. I seem to do better with tough people.
But the fact is that hes fighting on Idlib. He doesnt want people to be killed by the thousands and hundreds of thousands, and he called me about that and other reasons. But we spoke about Idlib, and were working together on seeing what can be done.
Q Whats the solution?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, its a very tough solution. You have a lot of warring going on right now. A lot of warring going on. But Im dealing with President Erdoğan.
Q On this swing, can you talk a little bit about these coming three days, and also why you wanted to
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q Wait. Also why you wanted to fly back to Las Vegas every night to spend the night there?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I dont know exactly the schedule because I dont set the schedule.
Q (Inaudible) flying to Vegas every night to stay there.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. Largely, the schedule is set by the Secret Service. We do what they want us to.
But were going to California. Were going to Nevada. Were going to Arizona. Were going to different places. And I guess were coming back here. But I dont set the schedule. I have nothing to do with it.
Q Mr. President, you saw Michael Bloomberg made the Democratic debate stage tomorrow night. Do you have any advice for him as he makes his first debate appearance?
THE PRESIDENT: No, he doesnt need that kind of advice. Hes been doing it for a long time. It just seems unfair whats happening to Bernie Sanders, to be honest with you. I watched it happen four years ago. And always be careful what you wish for, and Im not wishing for anything. Whoever it is, Ill be very happy.
But it seems that Bernie Sanders and that whole big section of the Democratic Party or, as I call it, the Democrat Party, which is really the correct name it seems theyre being taken advantage of like they were four years ago, to me.
Q But whats your campaign strategy for being in Nevada while the Democrats are focusing on the caucuses there?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Ill be making a speech in Nevada, and that will be probably the day before, I guess, as they have it arranged. That seems to be pretty effective. We got more votes than any incumbent President in history, in Iowa and in New Hampshire, as you saw.
And, in that case, I went just before the day before and I went the day before, in both cases: Iowa and New Hampshire. So it seems to be effective.
Ill be going to South Carolina theyre working that out now probably the day before. But, you know, look, we have a big voice and we might as well use it.
Q Mr. President, are you still satisfied with how President Xi is handling the coronavirus?
THE PRESIDENT: I think President Xi is working very hard. As you know, I spoke with him recently. Hes working really hard. Its a tough problem. I think hes going to do look, Ive seen them build hospitals in a short period of time. I really believe he wants to get that done, and he wants to get it done fast. Yes, I think hes doing it very professionally.
Were also working with him and helping him, as of the last few days, as you know.
Q Some people dont seem to trust the data coming out of China. Are you worried about that?
THE PRESIDENT: Look, I know this: President Xi loves the people of China, he loves his country, and hes doing a very good job with a very, very tough situation.
Q Mr. President, Senator Graham is traveling with you. Do you want to talk to him about the Judiciary Committee doing any investigations into the Bidens or others?
THE PRESIDENT: You know, if it comes up, yes. But well see what happens on that. Thats really up to Senator Graham. And he is traveling with me.
Q Do you think youll get a trade deal with India before your visit?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we can have a trade deal with India, but Im really saving the big deal for later on. Were doing a very big trade deal with India. Well have it. I dont know if itll be done before the election, but well have a very big deal with India.
Were not treated very well by India, but I happen to like Prime Minister Modi a lot. And he told me well have 7 million people between the airport and the event. And the stadium, I understand, is sort of semi under construction, but its going to be the largest stadium in the world. So its going to be very exciting. But he says between the stadium and the airport, well have about 7 million people. So its going to be very exciting. I hope you all enjoy it.
Are you going?
Q Yes, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: Are you going, Steve? I hope so. Are you going, Jeff?
Q No, sir. (Inaudible) is going.
THE PRESIDENT: I hope youre going too. All right? Okay? So Ill see you maybe on the plane.
How are you?
Q Im good. How are you?
THE PRESIDENT: Marriage is good? Huh?
Q Yes, thank you.
Q One other thing: Is there a search underway for Anonymous? Remember Anonymous is
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, there is. Its not so much a search.
Q Who do you think it is?
THE PRESIDENT: I I know who it is. Yeah.
Q Who is it?
THE PRESIDENT: I cant tell you that.
Q Why not?
Q Why not?
THE PRESIDENT: But I know who it is.
Q Why not?
THE PRESIDENT: But we wont we wont get into it. People know its people know its a fraud. I know who it is and I know who some of the leakers are. But some of the leakers dont exist. Its made up by the press. So, you know, they say, Nine people have said or two people have said, and those people dont exist.
But, no, I know all about Anonymous. I know a lot about the leakers too.
Q Do you believe its a person who still works at the White House?
THE PRESIDENT: We know a lot. In fact, when I want to get something out to the press, I tell certain people. And its amazing, it gets out there. But, so far, Im leaving it that way.
Ill see you later. Thank you. See you on the plane.
END
1:55 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: I saw that Senator Murphy met with the Iranians. Is that a fact? I just saw that on the way over. Is there anything that I should know? Because that sounds like, to me, a violation of the Logan Act.
Q Can I ask about Venezuela, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, what happened with that? Did you read about Senator or hear about Senator Murphy met with the Iranians?
Q No. Tell us about it.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, they ought to find out about it if its true. I dont know. It just came out as I was leaving the car.
Q Can I ask about Venezuela, sir? Do you think Guaidó is still the guy to get Maduro out of office?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, hes the person that the country, right now, prefers, and thats what I go with. Well see what happens. We put additional sanctions on very strong sanctions this morning on Venezuela. Well see what happens. Were watching Venezuela very closely.
“...commuted the sentence of Rod Blagojevich...”
Good...
“...Yes. I just pardoned Bernie Kerik...”
Good...
So when something leaks now you have to figure out whether it is a leak or whether I leaked it to the leaker to leak to you suckers in the press.
He's messing with their heads. The reason there have not been more explosions is the lack of grey matter among these slobbering idiots, fools and tools.
THE PRESIDENT: ... But some of the leakers dont exist. Its made up by the press. So, you know, they say, Nine people have said or two people have said, and those people dont exist.
That was my favorite part. I've been saying for twenty years that "anonymous sources" means "no sources."
Lying #FakeNews MSM!
Amusing story about Andrews Air Force Base. I was visiting my sister whom lived near there. I am a pilot. I was driving across the approach end of the runway and saw Apache Helicopters going down the runway at many knots of speed. My first thought was this is really stupid. About 20 seconds later Air Force One landed. It was all then clear to me.
Amusing story about Andrews Air Force Base. I was visiting my sister whom lived near there. I am a pilot. I was driving across the approach end of the runway and saw Apache Helicopters going down the runway at many knots of speed. My first thought was this is really stupid. About 20 seconds later Air Force One landed. It was all then clear to me.
Suitland Parkway or Alexander Ferry Rd/Woodyard Rd (i.e. north or south approach)?
About 20 seconds later Air Force One landed. It was all then clear to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That arrival would certainly make an impression!
Years ago my friend drove onto what looked like, and USUALLY was, an ignored military air strip. The gate was unlocked, he drove in and looked around, and when he left, a flustered security person (cop) demanded to know how he “got in” and over his shoulder, in the distance, Air Force One carrying Bill Clinton descended to land.
My friend was horrified. He was a scientist who defected from Russia. He kept saying, “I could have been ANYBODY! My citizenship is still pending! Don’t they care?”
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