WASHINGTON — Sean Spicer held an off-camera briefing at the White House on Monday, where he was peppered with questions about President Trump’s accusations that Barack Obama wiretapped him and the new executive order restricting immigration from six countries. Here are the highlights.
(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
On Trump’s claim that Obama wiretapped him before he won the election
Spicer referenced the statement the White House issued Sunday that said Congress would investigate the claims. He said he found it “interesting” that former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said there was not a FISA Court order “to his knowledge.”
“It could be FISA, it could be surveillance,” Spicer said. “I think the president made it clear that he wants Congress to go in and look…There is no question that something happened. The question is, is it surveillance, wiretapping or whatever?”
Spicer said he was almost certain that Trump had not spoken with FBI director James Comey. He also said he was not aware “whether or not” he had spoken with Obama.
On why the administration revoked the original executive order on immigration
Spicer said Trump met with Jeff Sessions, John Kelly and Stephen Miller at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend.
“They made a determination that it was best to pursue this track,” Spicer said. “We maintain that the order was fully lawful. It was discussed with the president Saturday and he made the decision [to revoke it].”
On why the revamped immigration order doesn’t go into effect immediately if there is a national security threat
“I would argue that the court undercut our argument by not reading the code the way it’s intended,” Spicer said. “I think we lost the element of surprise way back when we issued first order.”
If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the "bad" would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad "dudes" out there!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
On North Korea firing ballistic missiles into the sea
“The United states stands with our allies in this very serious threat. Obviously the missile launches are dangerous to our friends down south,” meaning South Korea.
On why the briefing was off-camera
“We have gone above and beyond allowing the press into events and sprays, so with all due respect, that has not been the case. I think this president has been extremely accessible and extremely transparent.”
