Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced Monday that President Trump "will not assert" his executive privilege to block former FBI Director James Comey's testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday.
Immediately after her announcement, the White House press office released an official statement confirming that although Trump has the power to block Comey's testimony, he has chosen not to in order to "facilitate a swift and thorough examination of the facts sought" by the committee.
Other highlights from Sanders' Monday press briefing:
Trump's tweet about the mayor of London: Sanders denied that Trump was "picking a fight" and misrepresenting the mayor's statements. "The point is, there is a reason to be alarmed," she said.
On the media's obsession with Trump's tweets: Sanders says Trump's tweets are helpful because they let him communicate "without media bias", but stated the "media obsesses over every period and dot."
What does "extreme vetting" mean? Sanders said to ask the DOJ for the details, but noted that extreme vetting is currently "taking place."
Is the EO a travel ban, as the president insisted on Twitter this morning? "I don't think the president cares what you call it."
Are Trump's tweets being vetted by a lawyer? "Not that I'm aware of," says Sanders.
