Jan 23, 2017
Highlights from Spicer's first press briefing
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Pablo Martinex Monsivais / AP
Spicer gave no answers when asked repeatedly about an embassy move to Jerusalem; told the press corps that his intention was never to lie to them; and dodged a slew of policy questions by saying he wouldn't get ahead of Trump. He sees a SCOTUS nomination within a few weeks and announced creation of four new "Skype seats" in the briefing room for media organizations based outside of D.C.
The other main takeaways are below the jump.
- Inauguration crowd size: It was "the most watched inaugural" both in person and around the globe. "It's not just about a crowd size... There is this constant theme to undercut the tremendous support he has."
- Condemned congressional Democrats on pace of voting for Cabinet nominees. At this point, 2 nominees have been confirmed, compared to 7 on Obama's first day in office.
- Trump will work with any country to defeat ISIS — including Moscow.
- On tweet that Trump removed MLK bust from the Oval Office: That was a "racially charged" statement that was created by the media.
- Documented evidence of Trump resigning from his businesses? Diverted question to Hope Hicks, who said it's "not public at this time."
- Did the media invent the feud between Trump and the intelligence community? Spicer said the CIA were "clapping" and "cheering" when Trump visited Saturday — it's all untrue.
- Mexico City policy: Trump respects both the unborn and U.S. taxpayers.
- Trump will not put troops in Iraq to "take the oil," but he also won't reveal or commit to any military plans.
- Trump spoke with Egyptian President Sisi today. Said he favors a bilateral relationship with Egypt, and has pledged assistance for anti-terrorism efforts.
- Obamacare mandate: "We have a mandate to make health care more accessible and lower cost... It's not a question about a mandate... It's about doing the right thing."
- Trump will reconvene with his CEO advisory in a month, meeting on a quarterly basis. The president will meet with union people at 3pm to discuss work agenda.
