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INSIDE POLITICS

House Committee Begin Work On Biden COVID Relief Deal; White House Press Secretary Holds Briefing As Congress Preps For Impeachment Trial; Second Trump Impeachment Trial Starts Tomorrow; White House: Biden's "Views Of The Former President Are Fully Clear"; White House: "Important" To Biden That Minimum Wage Be Raised. Aired 12-12:30p ET

Aired February 8, 2021 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[12:00:00]

JOHN KING, CNN HOST: Hello everybody. Welcome to Inside Politics. I'm John King in Washington. Thank you for sharing your Monday with us.

We'll go live to the White House in just moments the press secretary about to brief reporters. It is the beginning of a big week here in Washington and a strange one critical early work on the Biden agenda, competing for time and attention with the second Trump impeachment trial. House Committee starts work on the administration's COVID relief package.

Now we know Republican support is unlikely so the test of the moment is - or stick together even as they debate whether the minimum wage stays in that package and who should and who should not receive stimulus checks.

The final impeachment pre trial jockey is playing out today in earnest both the prosecution and defense filing their case briefs. And sources say Senators Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell are very close to a deal that would set the procedures for the week.

Up first would be a Tuesday debate that's tomorrow and then a vote on whether the trial is constitutional. The Trump team dismissing the impeachment as a constitutional sham, motivated it says by Democratic "Hunger" for political theater. President Biden was asked this morning on his return to the White House if Mr. Trump should be barred from running again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Look we've got an offer to come and testify. We decided not to let the Senate work that out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: The impeachment trial will swallow all other Senate business and much of Washington's oxygen. But the event of course does not press pause on the pandemic. Reminder this morning of course Texas Congressman Ron Wright passed away Sunday passed away yesterday a little more than two weeks after testing positive for the virus. A briefing last hour from the new Biden Coronavirus team Sunday's case

number was the lowest since early November. But listen to the CDC director here say there is progress. Yes, that progress is real. But--

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, CDC DIRECTOR: We are continuing to watch these data closely. And although hospital admissions and cases consistently are consistently dropping, I'm asking everyone to please keep your guard up. The continued proliferation of variants remains of great concern and is a threat that could reverse the recent trend positive trends we are seeing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: With us to share her reporting and important insights CNN's Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen. Elizabeth its interesting listening to these briefings, the case count is down hospitalizations is down. And yet you can sense they're afraid to get optimistic because they're still trying to get a handle on the variants.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: John they are afraid with good reason. And it is not just the variants. I want to talk about that. But I want to mention something else first saying like oh, some of these numbers are going back to where it was in early November, that that's still not great.

I mean, November December was when things really started to go off the rails. Even if you go back before then you're still talking about hundreds of Americans dying every day or often thousands of Americans dying every day. So it's not like we can all sort of get our pom poms and start cheering, it is still really bad.

And then secondly when we talk about the variants, the variants are, they are worrisome when you have these variants come out that seem to be spreading more easily. There's some evidence that at least the one from the United Kingdom might in fact be more deadly.

We know that South African one, the vaccine might not work as well against it, and there is every reason to still keep our guard up. And that's why when Dr. Walensky the Director of the CDC was asked about easing mask restrictions, this is what she had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. WALENSKY: I think we have yet to control this pandemic; we still have this emerging threat of variants. And I would just simply discourage any of those activities. We really need to keep all of the mitigation measures at play here if you're really going to get control of this pandemic.

If we want to get our schools open and our schools open safely and well, the best way to do that is to decrease the community spread. So I would say we need to keep up our social distancing and our masking and all of our other mitigation measures. (END VIDEO CLIP)

COHEN: So the administration here kind of in a little bit of a tricky spot. These numbers are getting better that is good. But that we are still in a terrible situation in the United States. We are still seeing hundreds or even thousands of people dying a day hence still need to wear masks still need to do social distancing. And if you can get a vaccine get one John.

KING: Elizabeth Cohen grateful for the reporting and the insights and you're right and we're in a better place but by no means a good place. It'll be fascinating to watch this play out. In the days ahead Elizabeth thank you so much. Senate impeachment trial starts tomorrow 1 pm in the afternoon here in Washington D.C. this morning.

An early look at the legal back and forth we expect to hear throughout the week. The president's lawyers and their brief file today again argue this trial is in their view constitutionally questionable. Democrats say that question of jurisdiction is simply absurd.

[12:05:00]

KING: They plan a video heavy case to link the president's words directly to the January 6 violence Mayhem on Capitol Hill. With us to share their insights CNN Manu Raju, CNN's Kaitlan Collins and CNN Legal Analyst Jennifer Rogers.

Manu let me start with you. When you look at this the brief today from the Trump law legal team you can understand it's a political brief more than anything. It's we know right now, they don't have enough Republican votes to convict. Let's keep it that way.

The real truth is that the people who criminally breached the capitol did so of their own accord and for their own reasons. And they are being criminally prosecuted, while never willing to allow a good crisis to go to waste. The Democratic leadership is incapable of understanding that not everything can always be blamed on their political adversaries. This is a plate of Republican loyalty.

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes and it actually probably will work with most Republicans who want to hear that kind of argument. It's also a clear attempt to rebut the key Democratic argument going forward with that the Donald Trump intentionally riled up his supporters engaged in this month long campaign to suggest the election would be fraudulent.

And after November 3 continued to stoke the idea that this is a full of fraudulent campaign used his power in office to try to subvert the will of voters by pressuring local officials to overturn the results of the elections promoted, the so called save the steel rally on January 6 ultimately went to the mall.

The ellipse just steps from the White House and told his supporters to go to the capitol fight. And that's what they did. They're what the Democrats going to make their case. What we saw from the Trump team today was they're saying look, this was just a political speech that the president was given.

He did not instruct them to break down the doors of the capital. These rioters did this on their own accord to separate the two. But then the key argument the constitutionality the argument is what most Republicans will ultimately settle on saying this is not constitutional.

And what will be interesting tomorrow John as they are setting up the rules for this trial, tomorrow will be the first test to see if any changes have happened on the Republican side of the aisle because we know five Republican Senators--

KING: Need to take you straight to the White House, I'm sorry the Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: TJ has an alarm going off is excited about the briefing. OK, just a couple of things for you all at the top. The president and his entire administration are continuing to engage closely with leaders on Capitol Hill, about the need to act quickly on the American rescue plan.

So we can finish the job of getting $2,000 checks out to Americans so we can get more vaccines in the arms of Americans. So we can get economic relief to families facing eviction or food insecurity. And so we can help reopen schools safely. We're encouraged that both Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer are in full agreement about the need to move swiftly on the president's proposal.

And the committee markups we'll see throughout the week, our evidence of congress acting on that expeditiously. Our expectation is that this week's house markups will track closely with what the president has proposed. But there will of course be adjustments to strengthen the bill.

And tweaks as a result of the legislative process which he's quite familiar with having served there for 36 years which is exactly how the process is supposed to work.

We're also going to continue to make the case directly to the American people about the urgency of getting this package across the finish line including through national and local TV and radio interviews engagement with hundreds of mayors and county elected officials, consultations with stakeholders across the political spectrum from labor and rural leaders to the faith community.

Here's a quick overview a number of you have asked about this of the sense of the scope of our efforts. Over a dozen senior administration officials have conducted over 100 national TV, radio and podcast interviews to discuss the American rescue plan.

We've done over 30 local TV interviews in states ranging from Nevada to Louisiana to Pennsylvania. And the last week alone, our legislative affairs team had done more than 300 calls with members and staff on the hill including 40 calls with Republicans or bipartisan groups.

And you can expect that the president will engage throughout the course of this week with a range of stakeholders including business leaders, mayors and governors. And as we've discussed before, this message is resonating poll after poll show a bipartisan majority of the American people in support of the president's plan.

A couple of other quick updates for all of you. Many folks lately likely noticed if you all watch the super bowl. The president and the First Lady yesterday appeared in a PSA that aired during the pregame show thanking health care workers and addressing the importance of continuing to wear masks and getting vaccinations when it's your turn.

This is a good example of how you can expect the White House in the coming months to reach out with critical public health messaging as part of an education campaign, meeting Americans where they are on their couches watching the super bowl for yesterday and communicating about the important mitigation steps people can take.

As many of you also know last night during the super bowl President Biden called service members to thank them for their courage, dedication and service to our nation.

[12:10:00]

PSAKI: He first called troops with resolute support mission in Kabul and then the USS Nimitz. He then shared via ship broadcasts and message to the nearly 5000 sailors and marines who comprise the USS Nimitz crew. With that let's get to your questions. Go ahead all.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thanks, Jen. I have two the first is on your favorite topic impeachment. Does the president have plans to watch any of the trial this week? And does the White House prefer a CD impeachment trial? Or would the president prefer a full airing of the violence of the capitol and control and setting it through things like live witnesses?

PSAKI: Well first the president himself would tell you that we keep him pretty busy. And he has a full schedule this week, which we will continue to keep you abreast of in as soon as we have more details. But we've already announced his plans to go visit the NIH to go visit the department of defense.

As I noted he will be engaging with business leaders, mayors and governors. And of course continuing to make the case and have conversations with Democrats and Republicans directly about his hopes and plans for the American rescue plan moving forward as quickly as possible.

So he - I think it's clear from his schedule and from his intention, he will not spend too much time watching the proceedings of any time. Over the course of this week he will remain in closely in touch with Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, and a range of officials on the hill about his plan.

And that's exactly what they want him to do is to remain focused on that. And he will leave the pace and the process and the mechanics of the impeachment proceedings up to members of congress. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And - need for Trump to receive intelligence briefings, has Trump requested any has he received any? And is that the official decision? Or who was that decision left up to?

PSAKI: Well the president said when asked that he had - there was no need for him to receive them. And he referenced of course his erratic behavior which I think many Americans would agree with him on. He was expressing his concern about former President Trump receiving access to sensitive intelligence.

But he also has deep trust in his intelligence own intelligence team to make a determination about how to provide intelligence information. If at any point the former president requests a briefing, so that's not currently applicable. But if he should request a briefing he leaves it to them to make a determination. Go ahead. Oh, sorry. I've been meaning to go to Reuters next. So we'll go for it to you next, go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you so much. So you mentioned that there will be adjustments there. There could be adjustments to our AFP of one component of that is - that was really important.

As far as the campaign promise was the $15 minimum wage. The president has already signaled that that may not make it into the full package. How important is that measure still to the White House and how we get it done?

And then also the other thing that came up this weekend is looking at tweaking the level of who gets the stimulus checks. And Janet Yellen mentioned 60,000. Can you explain who gets left out? Right you know and he get the 60; you know who is between the 60,000 and the 75,000?

PSAKI: Sure. Well the first question the president is remains firmly committed to raising the minimum wage to $15. That's why he put it in his first legislative proposal. And he doesn't. He believes that any American who is working a full time job trying to make ends meet should not be at the poverty level.

And it's important to him that the minimum wage is raised. He was referring this weekend to as you noted in your question of the parliamentary process. Obviously it's the most likely path at this point is through a reconciliation process. There is a parliamentarian who will make decisions about what can end up in a final package.

And that was certainly what he was referencing in his comments. In terms of what the options are, we'll see what the parliamentarian decides and then we'll see what additional options are. But we're getting a little ahead of where we are at this point in the process.

I'm sure we can continue to have a discussion about it in here. And then say your second question one more time.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 60,000--

PSAKI: Sure. Well one of the pieces that the president has talked about is his openness to engaging and having a discussion about what is called kind of the unofficially called I guess, the scale up right. So his proposal as you know had proposed $1400 checks to make the $2,000 hole, he had proposed kind of a threshold.

There's a discussion right now about what that threshold will look like a conclusion hasn't been finalized that will be worked through congress. But either way his bottom line is that families making 275,000, $300,000 a year may not be the most in need of checks at this point in time.

But whatever the threshold is, there will be a scale up. So his view is that a nurse, a teacher, a firefighter who's making $60,000 shouldn't be left without any support or relief either. It's just a question of sort of where the scale up looks like what it looks like in a final package. But it's still being negotiated at this point in time.

[12:15:00]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes on the $15. You know it doesn't make it much harder to get it through if you don't attach it to this COVID relief bill. I mean does that really and then the CBO is saying that in fact, if you did go through with it you know, it would lead to a 0.9 percent reduction in the number of jobs?

PSAKI: Well I heard about the CBO score as I was walking out here. So I haven't talked with our economic team about that specifically. And at this point in time it's still working its way through the process in congress. And the parliamentarian still has to make a determination about what will be in a final package. Our promise should go to you first. Next, I should say, go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have a couple of questions on COVID. But I'm going to start with Iran.

PSAKI: Sure.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: President Biden said that the US would not lift sanctions first and that Iran would have to stop enriching uranium before negotiations could resume. But since then the supreme leader has said that the US has to act first and roll back sanctions in order to reengage. Is this a non negotiable point for President Biden? And if so how do you get out of this stalemate?

PSAKI: Well just to be very clear the president never said that exactly. It was stated by the interviewer who Norah O'Donnell who did the interview and he didn't respond to the question. So the president's view position is that if Iran comes back into full--

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think we nodded.

PSAKI: I think if we were announcing a major policy change we would do it in a different way than a slight head nod. But overall his position has remained exactly what it has been, which is that if Iran comes into full compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA the United States would do the same. And then use that as a platform to build a larger and stronger agreement that also addresses other areas of concern. And that would of course be done with our p five plus one partners as it was done when we were putting together the JCP away in the first place.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In response to Iran's argument that it was actually the US that violated the JCPOA by abandoning it. And therefore it's the US, its burden to reengage.

PSAKI: Well that those were actions of the former administration as you know. And President Biden of course was a part of an administration that we're advocating for the plan to be put together to begin with.

But I think his position, the position of our national security team and the position that he's been in discussion with our partners about or I should say conveying to our partners is that it's really up to Iran to come back into full compliance and with its obligations under the JCP away. And at that point we could move the discussion forward.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

PSAKI: Sure.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you talk about the concrete steps the administration is doing to target and stop the spread of the variants we keep hearing about? Does that include surging vaccines to areas impacted like South Florida or California with the b 117 strong?

PSAKI: Well, I know for those of you and I know we had a lot of briefings today who had the opportunity to participate in the briefing with some of our medical and health experts. They talked about the importance of not only vaccination getting the vaccine when you're eligible that that is a protective step obviously.

And also abiding by a number of the mitigation steps that our health experts have recommended. But beyond that I don't - I'm not going to go beyond that advice of our health and medical experts at this point in time. Go ahead Kaitlan.

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Three questions for you. One on the minimum wage you're saying it's up to the parliamentarian to make a decision about whether that can be included in here. Of course we know Senator Sanders said they're still waiting on that.

But technically the vice president could overrule the parliamentarian on this and it hasn't happened in a long time. But is that an option that White House is considering? Would President Biden want Vice President Harris to overrule the parliamentarian to include this in this package?

PSAKI: Well I'm not aware of that being allowed. I certainly take you at your word. I think our view is that the parliamentarian is who has chosen typically to make a decision in a non partisan manner in terms of what can be included in a package that goes through reconciliation is the proper process to - for this to journey through.

COLLINS: So when President Biden told CBS that he did not think it was going to survive, what was - who would have told him that he wasn't going to make it through likely?

PSAKI: Well as the president was in congress for then the Senate for 36 years. Again it still has not worked its way through the process. And that can take a bit of time. And we certainly defer to the parliamentarian and members of the house and of the Senate I should say to give you a better assessment of what the timeline looks like.

COLLINS: OK. I have another question on - but just to be clear.

PSAKI: Sure.

COLLINS: So if the parliamentarian says no, no $15 minimum wage that's the decision the White House is going.

PSAKI: Let's wait and see what they say. And the president remains committed to raising the minimum wage. It's something he talked about on the campaign trail, something he firmly believes in as a person and as a leader. But there hasn't been a determination made at this point in time.

[12:20:00]

COLLINS: OK. And impeachment, the president in the White House has not said either way if he believes that former President Trump should be convicted by the Senate in this trial. But if he doesn't believe that he should get access to intelligence briefings why can't he say whether or not he should be convicted by the Senate?

PSAKI: He's no longer in the Senate. He's retired from the Senate. And he's president of the United States. And his focus is on getting relief to the American people. And that's exactly what he's conveyed publicly of course and privately as well. And he'll leave it to his former colleagues in the Senate or members of the Senate to determine the path forward.

COLLINS: But doesn't he think that someone's if he believes his behaviors to erratic to get access to intelligence that doesn't he believe that he should be barred from holding office again?

PSAKI: Well he ran against him because he felt he was unfit for office and he defeated him. And that's why he's no longer President Trump is no longer president of the United States. So I think his views of the former president are pretty clear. But he's going to leave it the Senate to see this impeachment proceedings forward through. Go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just a follow up on that question. It will - the president commit to giving his view once the holy evidence is heard in the impeachment trial? And then secondly a question on EMR.

What is the U.S. doing to perhaps accelerate some of the action we're seeing over the weekend with protests? And secondly how concerned is the U.S. about China which has not stepped in forcefully it is not calling it a coup?

PSAKI: Sure. We have been --our national security team has been in touch with a number of our partners and allies. We've obviously we were outspoken quite quickly in the days following the coup and we named designated it a coup very quickly. In terms of what actions were taking there are considerations that are underway or policy processes that are underway on our national security team as we speak.

I don't have an update on that today. But when we do, we will certainly make you all abreast of that. And certainly we are concerned about China's absence from the conversation and lack of a vocal role here. On the first question, the president was asked about this morning and he made pretty clear he wasn't planning to speak to it.

So again he's no longer in the Senate. And we put out a statement at the conclusion of the house proceedings. I certainly would consider doing that at the conclusion of the Senate. But I don't expect that he's going to be you know posturing or commenting on this through the course of the week. Go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Great Jen. I go first on global the first time energy. When is it that the Biden administration is going to let the thousands of fossil fuel industry workers whether it's pipeline workers or construction workers who are either at work or will soon be out of work because of the Biden EO?

When it is and where it is that they can go for their green job? And that is something the administration has promised there is now a gap. So I'm just curious when that happens when those people can count on that?

PSAKI: Well, I certainly welcome you to present your data of all the thousands and thousands of people who won't be getting a green job. Maybe next time you're here, you can present that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like you said that they wouldn't be getting green jobs. So I'm just asking when that happened. Richard Trumka who is a friend, longtime friend of Joe Biden says about that day one keystone EO.

He says I wish he the president has paired that more carefully with the thing that he did second by saying, here where we are creating the jobs. So there's partial evidence from Richard Trumka.

PSAKI: Well, you didn't include his entire interview, would you like to include the rest?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So how about this? The laborers international union of North America said the keystone decision will cost 1000 existing union jobs and 10,000 projected construction jobs.

PSAKI: Well what Mr. Trumka also indicated in the same interview was that President Biden has proposed a climate plan with transformative investments and infrastructure. And laid out a plan that will not only create millions of good union jobs but also help tackle the climate crisis. And as the president has indicated when he gave us prime time address

to talk about the American rescue plan, he talks about his plans to also put forward a jobs plan in the weeks or months following and he has every plan to do exactly that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But there are people living paycheck to paycheck. There are now people out of job once the keystone pipe out of jobs once the keystone pipeline stopped construction, spent 12 days since Gina McCarthy and John Kerry were here and it's been 19 days since that yield. So what are these people who need money now? When do they get their dream job?

PSAKI: Well the president and many Democrats and Republicans in congress believe that investment in infrastructure building infrastructure that's international interests. And the boost the U.S. economy creates good paying union jobs here in America and advances our climate and clean energy goals are something that we are certainly work on doing together. And he has every plan to share more about his details of that plan in the weeks ahead.

[12:25:00]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And then just a quick one on the stimulus there's reporting that House Democrats are going to come out with $3,000 per child stimulus for some eligible families. Is that something that the White House supports making a permanent benefit?

PSAKI: Well the president talked about this a bit on the campaign trail and the importance of child tax credits to help working families ensure they can make ends meet this proposal is emergency funding. As I understand it, it's a central priority of his first legislative proposal to cut child poverty in half and in the first this year sorry.

And that's why he included a child tax credit in the American rescue plan. But that's again emergency funding and something that will help people get through this period of time. OK go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A follow up to your question.

PSAKI: Sure.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's this White House to stay for universal basic income, the idea of the government giving out the regular checks on a routine basis to Americans need --?

PSAKI: I know that's been proposed by a number of people including some on the presidential campaign trail. I don't have anything more for you on it. I'm happy to check with our economic team if that's something that they're looking at all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's a --. Do you agree with the need that many on the hill and not just Democrats are expressing that there ought to be these enormous well I won't say enormous. But 3000 or $4,000 per child checks for families right now. PSAKI: I - as I tried to just indicate I mean the president supports

the proposal that representative Neal and others have put forward to ensure that there is money and in the package that helps bring relief to families and the form of a child tax credit. That's something he certainly would support. Go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks Jen. I have two questions. One of the other things that Secretary Yellen said yesterday is it the president is open to a mandate on family leave and childcare? Is there a timetable on that?

PSAKI: I don't have any more details or a timetable for you certainly as a father himself. This is an issue that he has spoken about in the past. But I don't have any more details at this point in time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And also yesterday the president at the White House have any concern about what we all saw on TV from Tampa about the thousands of people out there celebrating and without masks any concern there?

PSAKI: Certainly I mean the president; I haven't spoken with him specifically about the events of this weekend. But you know he did a PSA yesterday with Dr. Biden making clear that social distancing that mask wearing that getting the vaccine when you have the opportunity to get the vaccine are vital steps to keeping more Americans safe and saving more lives.

And certainly we know the super bowl looks not like different from what it has in the past. And he also conveyed that he's hopeful that next year will be a moment where everybody can celebrate and party.

But he is of course concerned when there are pictures and photos that we all are that show many, many people without masks in close distance with one another at the height of a pandemic. Go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jen I have two questions. First. President Biden said in the CBS interview that he hadn't spoken to President Xi yet because we haven't had an occasion to talk to him. There's no reason not to call him.

But has there been - is it actually part of the strategy to not call him yet and to hold off on that in hopes of kind of sending a message to China that you know President Biden is not going to you know try to work you know really hard to - favor? Is there something happening there?

PSAKI: Well part of our strategy is to consult closely with our partners and allies. And you saw we did readouts of these calls over the past week or so that he spoke. The president spoke with the prime minister of Japan, he spoke with the prime minister of South Korea, and he spoke with the prime minister of Australia.

And China was of course an important topic of conversation during those conversations. He also discussed China with in calls with his European allies thus far. So part of our strategy is certainly engaging with partners in the region and allies. And doing those calls and engagements first and also having

consultations with Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill. We've only been - I know I can't say this forever but we've only been here two and a half weeks. He has not called every global leader yet. He's not had engagements with all of them. And I'm sure he will do more of that in the weeks ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But he had broken the president prudent who was somebody who has not played an ally?

PSAKI: Certainly not.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And that was more than a week ago at this point.

[12:30:00]