Transcript - Remarks: Donald Trump Issues Guidance on Constitutional Right to Prayer - January 16, 2020 | Factba.se

Donald Trump

00:00:00 - 00:00:25 (25 sec)

Well, thank you very much. A couple of things happened today that are very exciting. The USMCA passed the Senate. It's one of the biggest trade bills ever made. And then, yesterday, as you know, China passed, and that's something that is extraordinary. And it's going to have tremendous far-reaching effects, including our relationship, long term, with China, our farmers and manufacturers and bankers, and everybody.

Donald Trump

00:00:25 - 00:00:42 (18 sec)

It's jobs. It's jobs like we've never seen before, and that's going to be something very special. And USMCA today, which just passed by a very comfortable vote -- a very high vote -- we are very proud to have that. So we've done two of the biggest trade deals. They are the two biggest trade deals in the world ever done.

Donald Trump

00:00:42 - 00:01:04 (22 sec)

And we're honored to have done them in a short period of time. We are gathered in the Oval Office for the National Religious Freedom Day -- something very important and very special, and special to me and the people that are gathered around me. This afternoon, we're proudly announcing historic steps to protect the First Amendment right to pray in public schools.

Donald Trump

00:01:04 - 00:01:27 (23 sec)

So you have the right to pray. And that's a very important and powerful right. There's nothing more important than that, I would say. We're joined by the Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos; Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen; and students and advocates from across America. And advocates they were. They've been calling and writing by the thousands.

Donald Trump

00:01:27 - 00:01:47 (20 sec)

And you're representing that large group of people. In a sacred principle of our Republic that government must never stand between the people and God. Yet, in public schools around the country, authorities are stopping students and teachers from praying, sharing their faith, or following their religious beliefs.

Donald Trump

00:01:47 - 00:02:20 (33 sec)

It is totally unacceptable. You see it on the football field. You see it so many times where they're stopped from praying. And we are doing something to stop that. Tragically, there is a growing totalitarian impulse on the far-left that seeks to punish, restrict, and even prohibit religious expression. Something that, if you go back 10 years or 15 years or 20 years, it was un-thought of that a thing like that could even happen -- that anybody would even think of something like that happening.

Donald Trump

00:02:20 - 00:02:38 (18 sec)

That is why, today, my administration is issuing strong new guidance to protect religious liberty in our public schools. The right of students and teachers to freely exercise their faith will always be protected, including the right to pray. So we call this the "Right to Pray." Is that a good idea? Good?

Donald Trump

00:02:38 - 00:03:04 (26 sec)

Right? You like that, right? [Laughter] Nine federal agencies are also proposing new rules to roll back discriminatory regulations. So we have rules to roll back discriminatory regulations on religious service organizations. And earlier this afternoon, my White House released a new memo to make sure federal funding is never used to violate the First Amendment -- which is a very big deal.

Donald Trump

00:03:04 - 00:03:13 (9 sec)

With us today is Hannah Allen, a high school freshman from Texas. Hannah, would you tell us what happened at your school with respect to you and prayer? Hannah?

Hannah Allen

00:03:13 - 00:03:14 (1 sec)

Thank you, Mr. President.

Donald Trump

00:03:14 - 00:03:16 (2 sec)

Thank you, darling. Right here.

Hannah Allen

00:03:16 - 00:03:43 (27 sec)

So, me and a group of students from our school wanted to pray for our former classmate's brother who had got hurt in an accident. After the prayer, our principal told us, "Don't do that again." So the next day, parents had called and complained. He told us that we could pray, but he said we had to hide in the gym or behind a curtain, or somewhere away from everyone else.

Hannah Allen

00:03:43 - 00:03:59 (16 sec)

And I know that if this can happen in a small town in Texas, it can happen anywhere across America, and that's not right. No one should feel ashamed of their faith, especially in school or anywhere.

Donald Trump

00:03:59 - 00:04:01 (3 sec)

Hannah Allen

00:04:01 - 00:04:02 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:04:02 - 00:04:05 (3 sec)

So what ultimately happened? How was that resolved?

Hannah Allen

00:04:05 - 00:04:15 (11 sec)

So we got with First Liberty. They've been amazing. They supported us the whole way. And they sent the school a letter, and the school complied with the letter, and they changed the -- yeah.

Donald Trump

00:04:15 - 00:04:17 (2 sec)

And now you're able to do that?

Hannah Allen

00:04:17 - 00:04:18 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:04:18 - 00:04:42 (24 sec)

Good. Well, now it's going to be much easier yet. Okay? All right? Thank you, darling. That was beautiful. Thank you very much. We're also joined by Marilyn Rhames, a former teacher and the founder of Teachers Who Pray. Marilyn, if you could, let us know -- where is --

Marilyn Rhames

00:04:42 - 00:04:43 (1 sec)

I'm right here.

Donald Trump

00:04:43 - 00:04:52 (9 sec)

Good. Thank you very much. Maybe you give us a little bit about what happened?

Marilyn Rhames

00:04:52 - 00:05:15 (23 sec)

Yes. So, thank you. I'm Marilyn Rhames. I'm the founder and president of Teachers Who Pray. And I founded Teachers Who Pray because I, as a teacher, believe in the beauty of every child and the unlimited potential that resides within. However, the students that I was getting weren't set up for success because they were so significantly behind grade level.

Marilyn Rhames

00:05:15 - 00:05:37 (21 sec)

And I taught in Chicago public schools for 14 years. And during that time, we were losing students every year to gun violence. And one year, it was like 30, 32 students getting killed. And I was overwhelmed with the heaviness of the work, so I thought about quitting, and I decided not to. I was going to fight.

Marilyn Rhames

00:05:37 - 00:05:59 (23 sec)

And I was going to pray and uplift my spirit so that I can do the job that I knew God had called me to do. So I began praying with other teachers in the building who were like-minded, and we really supported each other, built community, built more hope, built more joy in the work despite it being so difficult.

Marilyn Rhames

00:05:59 - 00:06:16 (17 sec)

And we grew. Like, right now, there's over 150 chapters of Teachers Who Pray because teachers need that spiritual support and guidance. And today, I believe it's super important because there is a myth out there that what Teachers Who Pray does and other organizations do for teachers, spiritual wealth is not legal.

Marilyn Rhames

00:06:16 - 00:06:32 (16 sec)

And it absolutely is. And I'm here to tell teachers that we need to pray for your faith. We need to pray. We need to buckle and just do what we have to do for our kids because they need us and they're depending on us. And if we're not strong, we can't make them strong. So that's why I'm here.

Donald Trump

00:06:32 - 00:06:59 (27 sec)

That was really beautifully said. Thank you very much. That was beautiful. Thanks, Marilyn. So, while I'm President, which will be hopefully for five years -- and, I don't know, maybe we'll work on, with the media, we'll work on a major extension of that. Right? [Laughter] But we will not let anyone push God from the public square.

Donald Trump

00:06:59 - 00:07:17 (18 sec)

We will uphold religious liberty for all. And I want to thank you all, and God bless you all for being here. It's a great time in our country. We're doing things that nobody thought was possible. I'd like to ask, if I might, Secretary DeVos and Deputy Attorney General Rosen to say a few words about our actions, if you don't mind.

Donald Trump

00:07:17 - 00:07:18 (1 sec)

Betsy DeVos

00:07:18 - 00:07:19 (1 sec)

Thank you, Mr. President.

Donald Trump

00:07:19 - 00:07:21 (2 sec)

Go ahead, Betsy. Please.

Betsy DeVos

00:07:21 - 00:07:46 (25 sec)

Thank you for your leadership, your courage, and your friendship to people of faith, especially our nation's children. Too many misinterpret a separation of church and state as an invitation for government to separate people from their faith. In reality, our Constitution doesn't exist to protect us from religion; it exists to protect religion from government.

Betsy DeVos

00:07:46 - 00:08:13 (27 sec)

The First Amendment affirms our free exercise of religion, and we don't forfeit that first freedom to anyone or in any place, especially in public schools. After all, it's been noted that as long as there are final exams in schools, there will be always be prayer in schools. [Laughter] Thanks to your leadership, Mr. President, today we remind schools of the law with respect to religious expression -- something that hasn't been done in more than 15 years.

Betsy DeVos

00:08:13 - 00:08:25 (12 sec)

And where there are violations, we now make clear that the law requires states to establish a clear process for students like Hannah and Michael --

William McLeod

00:08:25 - 00:08:26 (1 sec)

Betsy DeVos

00:08:26 - 00:08:58 (32 sec)

William -- parents and teachers like Marilyn to report them. It also notes that the law directs states to tell us about any and all complaints as well. This administration and you is, and always will be, committed to ensuring all believers have the freedom to learn, to pursue our passions, to use our talents, and to live in accordance with the unique purpose that God has called us each to do. If we embrace that freedom, our faith will be a light no darkness can overcome.

Betsy DeVos

00:08:58 - 00:09:00 (2 sec)

Thank you again, Mr. President --

Donald Trump

00:09:00 - 00:09:00 (1 sec)

Thank you very much.

Betsy DeVos

00:09:00 - 00:09:01 (0 sec)

-- for your leadership.

Donald Trump

00:09:01 - 00:09:03 (2 sec)

Beautiful. Thank you, Betsy, very much. Jeff?

Jeff Rosen

00:09:03 - 00:09:26 (24 sec)

Well, thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you for your leadership on this really critical issue. There are -- the fundamental freedom that you've been supporting for Americans to practice their faith is so important and is so appreciated by millions and millions of Americans. And at the Department of Justice, we remain firmly committed to enforcing Americans' constitutional rights, including this one.

Jeff Rosen

00:09:26 - 00:09:45 (18 sec)

So that's part of why I'm very honored and privileged to be a part of today's announcement on the new guidance document about prayer in school. I think sometimes people don't appreciate that there are many, many Americans who feel called to pray during the day, and our First Amendment to our Constitution protects that.

Jeff Rosen

00:09:45 - 00:10:00 (16 sec)

And sometimes I think there's a confusion about this issue as to whether it's trying to force people to pray who don't want to, but that's not what this is about. This is about protecting the rights of those who do to have the liberty to do that on school grounds. And that is protected --

Donald Trump

00:10:00 - 00:10:01 (1 sec)

Jeff Rosen

00:10:01 - 00:10:23 (22 sec)

-- by the First Amendment. So today's guidance reaffirms and clarifies and spells out for Americans what that freedom is with regards to prayer and religious expression. And I really think that the courage of people of faith, such as the folks we have here today, is really a reminder of how important our constitutional liberties are and of the great action that your administration is taking to ensure that they remain legally protected.

Jeff Rosen

00:10:23 - 00:10:26 (3 sec)

So again, Mr. President, I thank you --

Donald Trump

00:10:26 - 00:10:29 (3 sec)

Thank you, Jeff. Good job.

Jeff Rosen

00:10:29 - 00:10:34 (6 sec)

-- and the Secretary DeVos and the whole administration for the efforts to make this happen.

Donald Trump

00:10:34 - 00:10:43 (9 sec)

Very good job. Thank you very much, Jeff. Paula, would you like to say something? Go ahead.

Paula White

00:10:43 - 00:11:03 (19 sec)

Yes, sir. It's such an honor to stand here with you, President Trump, and with this amazing team. And the policy and everyone who had made this -- this is a huge thing. So we said it is a constitutional right, a First Amendment right. And, President, you continue to be such a fighter for people's freedoms, for their liberties.

Paula White

00:11:03 - 00:11:17 (14 sec)

As you often say, "We worship God, not government." Perceived and perception has often been -- people have been bullied, harassed, stopped from practicing their faith. You have so many people that have walked out here, very brave, with horrific stories of being persecuted because they simply wanted to pray.

Paula White

00:11:17 - 00:11:21 (4 sec)

And prayers, we know, makes a huge difference. So thank you for standing for all --

Donald Trump

00:11:21 - 00:11:22 (1 sec)

Thank you very much, Paula.

Paula White

00:11:22 - 00:11:23 (1 sec)

-- religious liberties.

Donald Trump

00:11:23 - 00:11:26 (4 sec)

That's great. Thank you very much. Would anybody like to say anything? Go ahead.

William McLeod

00:11:26 - 00:11:27 (1 sec)

Can I tell my story?

Donald Trump

00:11:27 - 00:11:28 (1 sec)

Yes, go ahead. [Laughter] Go ahead.

William McLeod

00:11:28 - 00:11:44 (16 sec)

So it all started when I walked in the classroom. I was -- it was Ash Wednesday and I had my ashes on my forehead, and all the kids in the classroom was like, "Is that dirt on your forehead?" Because they don't know, because they aren't Catholic and they were all Mormon.

Donald Trump

00:11:44 - 00:11:44 (0 sec)

William McLeod

00:11:44 - 00:12:05 (20 sec)

So -- because I was like -- they're -- that was like -- I was like the only Catholic in that school. So then the teacher came up and was like, "It's unacceptable. Wipe it off." And I told her four times, and she didn't listen and she made me wipe it off in front of all the kids.

Donald Trump

00:12:05 - 00:12:08 (4 sec)

William McLeod

00:12:08 - 00:12:15 (7 sec)

That's my story. So, thank you, Mr. President.

Donald Trump

00:12:15 - 00:12:18 (3 sec)

Well, it's not going to be happening anymore. Okay?

William McLeod

00:12:18 - 00:12:20 (2 sec)

Thank you, Mr. President.

Donald Trump

00:12:20 - 00:12:21 (1 sec)

William McLeod

00:12:21 - 00:12:23 (2 sec)

I just don't want anyone to feel like that.

Donald Trump

00:12:23 - 00:12:38 (15 sec)

That's a beautiful -- it's a beautiful story. Well told, because it sets such a good plate out there for people. I mean, you hear a story like that, it's such a shocking -- Jeff, that's a shocking story, right? You were the only Catholic in the school?

William McLeod

00:12:38 - 00:12:40 (2 sec)

[Nods head] Well, I think there's one more.

Donald Trump

00:12:40 - 00:12:46 (5 sec)

But they didn't have any idea. It was just -- and the teacher did not treat you properly, right?

William McLeod

00:12:46 - 00:12:46 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:12:46 - 00:12:54 (8 sec)

Okay. We're changing that. Okay? Great job. That was beautiful. Come here. Give me that hand. Anybody over here? Anybody? Sure.

Chase Windebank

00:12:54 - 00:13:01 (7 sec)

Mr. President, thank you so much for the opportunity to be in the Oval Office. So much history has taken place here. It's surreal. Thank you, sir.

Donald Trump

00:13:01 - 00:13:01 (1 sec)

Chase Windebank

00:13:01 - 00:13:19 (18 sec)

My name is Chase Windebank. I started a small group of students praying in high school during a free period. And by my senior year, it had grown to a community of 90 students. It was so encouraging. But later in senior year, the administration wound up banning us from praying during school hours -- not even during lunch.

Chase Windebank

00:13:19 - 00:13:37 (18 sec)

And so I remember thinking I didn't want to file a lawsuit at all, but after many meetings unsuccessful with the administration, I wound up realizing it was the only way to secure future students' rights to pray. And so thank you, sir, that now I get to have the opportunity to tell students to live out their faith in big and small ways --

Donald Trump

00:13:37 - 00:13:38 (1 sec)

That's right. That's right.

Chase Windebank

00:13:38 - 00:13:44 (6 sec)

-- in the future. And you guys are making sure that the Founding Fathers are living on in our nation. So thank you, sir, very much.

Donald Trump

00:13:44 - 00:13:46 (2 sec)

Beautiful. Thank you very much. That's very nice.

Chase Windebank

00:13:46 - 00:13:48 (2 sec)

Thank you, sir.

Donald Trump

00:13:48 - 00:13:48 (1 sec)

Malak Hijaz

00:13:48 - 00:14:17 (28 sec)

I pray five times day. Oh, my name is Malak Hijaz. I pray five times a day and I have to pray at lunch. And I would bring the hijab to cover my hair and kids would make fun of me, harass me, and attack me. And I would tell the principal, and the principal actually blamed everything on me. At the end, me and my mom complained so many times, and I didn't have a good education at the end.

Malak Hijaz

00:14:17 - 00:14:19 (2 sec)

So, yeah, everything was blamed on me.

Donald Trump

00:14:19 - 00:14:20 (1 sec)

And we're going to take care of that, right?

Malak Hijaz

00:14:20 - 00:14:20 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:14:20 - 00:14:21 (1 sec)

Thank you, darling.

Malak Hijaz

00:14:21 - 00:14:22 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:14:22 - 00:14:23 (1 sec)

Beautiful. Thank you very much.

Ariana Hoblin

00:14:23 - 00:14:24 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:14:24 - 00:14:29 (5 sec)

Okay, we'll I want to thank everybody for being here. Did I hear somebody else? Yes, please. Go ahead.

Ariana Hoblin

00:14:29 - 00:14:57 (28 sec)

Hi, my name is Ariana Hoblin. I'm a high school student in South Florida. And in my middle school, I was the only Jewish person and I was very open with my religion. I would announce when I would have Shabbat plans, which is a day of prayer and rest. And when we started our Holocaust unit, it ended with everybody being nice to me because I spoke out about it. And I wanted to inform people and I wanted to help people learn.

Ariana Hoblin

00:14:57 - 00:15:23 (27 sec)

And the students started to write swastikas on my belongings, on my arms. I was pushed and shoved in the hallway. They even went so far as to take my face and put it on Anne Frank's body. And it was sent around to three different schools. And I was terrified to say I was Jewish. And that should never be in anyone's mind.

Ariana Hoblin

00:15:23 - 00:15:39 (16 sec)

Anyone in school should be able to say, "I am what whatever religion I am. And I practice this and I believe this." And it's been three or four years since middle school. I'm a junior in high school and I have continuously fought for anyone to have the right to exercise their constitutional rights in school.

Ariana Hoblin

00:15:39 - 00:15:45 (6 sec)

And I just want to thank you so much for everything you've done, and for Israel and for everything that you've truly done for all of us.

Donald Trump

00:15:45 - 00:15:54 (8 sec)

Well, thank you very much. So beautiful. Thank you. It's working out better now? Or is it sort of similar?

Ariana Hoblin

00:15:54 - 00:15:58 (4 sec)

Yes, my high school is extremely supportive of me. I go to Wellington High School.

Donald Trump

00:15:58 - 00:15:59 (1 sec)

Ariana Hoblin

00:15:59 - 00:16:01 (2 sec)

And they've helped me be a leader in the Jewish community now.

Donald Trump

00:16:01 - 00:16:04 (3 sec)

Well, this is going to help too.

Ariana Hoblin

00:16:04 - 00:16:05 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:16:05 - 00:16:07 (2 sec)

Thank you very much.

Joe Kennedy

00:16:07 - 00:16:09 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:16:09 - 00:16:11 (2 sec)

Joe Kennedy

00:16:11 - 00:16:12 (2 sec)

Donald Trump

00:16:12 - 00:16:13 (0 sec)

Joe Kennedy

00:16:13 - 00:16:17 (5 sec)

We talked a few times. I coach up in Bremerton High School --

Donald Trump

00:16:17 - 00:16:19 (1 sec)

Joe Kennedy

00:16:19 - 00:16:22 (4 sec)

-- in Bremerton, Washington. And I was fired for praying after football games.

Donald Trump

00:16:22 - 00:16:23 (1 sec)

Joe Kennedy

00:16:23 - 00:16:31 (8 sec)

And it's just so nice to have First Liberty representing me and having a President that has the guts to stand up for us. So, I appreciate you, sir.

Donald Trump

00:16:31 - 00:16:32 (1 sec)

Thank you, Coach.

Joe Kennedy

00:16:32 - 00:16:32 (1 sec)

Oorah. [Laughter]

Donald Trump

00:16:32 - 00:16:35 (3 sec)

Good coach, too. He's a good coach.

Joe Kennedy

00:16:35 - 00:16:36 (0 sec)

Emily Chaney

00:16:36 - 00:16:36 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:16:36 - 00:16:38 (1 sec)

Thank you all very much. Yes?

Emily Chaney

00:16:38 - 00:16:47 (9 sec)

My name is Emily Chaney. I'm a sophomore at East Ridge High School. And I started a prayer locker at my school, and it really helped a lot of people who had different prayer requests. Just --

Donald Trump

00:16:47 - 00:16:51 (5 sec)

Where do you come from with that beautiful accent? [Laughter] I love the accent. Where do you come from?

Emily Chaney

00:16:51 - 00:16:52 (1 sec)

Pikeville, Kentucky.

Donald Trump

00:16:52 - 00:16:56 (4 sec)

Kentucky. Oh, we love Kentucky. [Laughter] We love Kentucky.

Emily Chaney

00:16:56 - 00:17:12 (16 sec)

I started a prayer locker at my school and it helped a lot of kids who have many different prayer requests just to let them know that someone was there for them and cared for them. And Americans United for Separation of Church and State sent a letter to our board of education that the prayer lockers needed to be taken down.

Emily Chaney

00:17:12 - 00:17:36 (24 sec)

And whenever my teacher told me my school was notified that I had to take my prayer locker down, I was heartbroke, because I had like 10 prayer requests a day. And that was -- I just feel like it really helped move in our community, in our schools. And I just -- I'm just so thankful for you and all you've done for our country.

Donald Trump

00:17:36 - 00:17:37 (1 sec)

Thank you very much.

Emily Chaney

00:17:37 - 00:17:38 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:17:38 - 00:17:44 (6 sec)

Say hello to everybody in Kentucky for me, okay? [Laughter] And beyond. And beyond Kentucky.

Emily Chaney

00:17:44 - 00:17:45 (2 sec)

Donald Trump

00:17:45 - 00:17:48 (3 sec)

Okay? We're all set?

Addie Richburg

00:17:48 - 00:17:50 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:17:50 - 00:17:50 (1 sec)

Addie Richburg

00:17:50 - 00:18:21 (31 sec)

I come from a heritage and from a faith persuasion that every day of my life, from childhood to now, was grounded in faith. And it is my belief that, had we not had that freedom to exercise that faith, we would not be where we are today. And so, for that reason, we look at this moment as epic, and an opportunity to return to where we have one time been -- the opportunity to freely express ourselves and to share with others, who might feel the same way, how far we've been brought and how far we must come through faith.

Donald Trump

00:18:21 - 00:18:26 (5 sec)

Beautiful. So nicely stated. Thank you very much. You were going to say something?

Eric Buehrer

00:18:26 - 00:18:41 (15 sec)

Yes, Mr. President, I wanted to thank you. Eric Buehrer, with Gateways to Better Education. And these guidelines haven't been updated and reissued since 2003.

Donald Trump

00:18:41 - 00:18:42 (0 sec)

Eric Buehrer

00:18:42 - 00:19:03 (21 sec)

And when we saw that and contacted the Department of Education, we were so gratified of the response from Secretary DeVos and others on your staff that said, "Yes, we need to address this and update these." Other administrations should have done it every two years, and it hadn't been done. So thank you so much for stepping up and really supporting religious freedom in schools.

Donald Trump

00:19:03 - 00:19:09 (6 sec)

Well, we covered a lot of territory in here, as you know, because, you're right, it's been many years since they were updated.

Eric Buehrer

00:19:09 - 00:19:10 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:19:10 - 00:19:13 (3 sec)

So I think it's very important. Well, thank you all very much. Go ahead.

Question

00:19:13 - 00:19:27 (14 sec)

Yeah, Mr. President, tell me a little bit about what many folks, especially folks of faith, view as a cultural war out there. Prayer, a lot of things going on in society -- what are your views on this cultural war that we hear so much about?

Donald Trump

00:19:27 - 00:19:52 (25 sec)

Well, it is a cultural war, and you have two sides. And you have a side that believes so strongly in prayer, and they're being restricted, and it's getting worse and worse. And I think we've made a big impact. And we're loosening up a lot, and I want to loosen it up totally. But you do have -- you have things happening today that 10 or 15 years ago would have been unthinkable, what's happening.

Donald Trump

00:19:52 - 00:20:10 (18 sec)

Taking the word "God" down, taking the word "Christmas" out. You know, I think we've turned that one around very good. I think we've turned both of them around very good. But we're not going to let it happen. We're never going to let that happen. And we're fighting it hard. You know better than anybody, we're fighting it very hard.

Donald Trump

00:20:10 - 00:20:21 (11 sec)

And we're opening it up, and we're opening up again. So stories like you hear -- but so many other stories -- hopefully, in the future, you're not going to be hearing too much about that. Okay? Thank you. Good question.

Question

00:20:21 - 00:20:29 (8 sec)

Mr. President, what is your response to Lev Parnas, who says that your efforts in Ukraine were all about 2020 -- that you just wanted Joe Biden out? What's your response to that?

Donald Trump

00:20:29 - 00:20:45 (16 sec)

Well, I don't know him. I don't know Parnas, other than I guess I had pictures taken, which I do with thousands of people, including people today that I didn't meet. But -- just met them. I don't know him at all. Don't know what he's about. Don't know where he comes from. Know nothing about him.

Donald Trump

00:20:45 - 00:21:03 (18 sec)

I can only tell you: This thing is a big hoax. It's a big hoax. We call it -- this is the current hoax. We've gone through the Russian witch hunt. We've gone through a lot of them -- from probably before I came down the escalator, but certainly since I came down the escalator. You take a look at what's happened.

Question

00:21:03 - 00:21:03 (0 sec)

But he says that --

Donald Trump

00:21:03 - 00:21:05 (2 sec)

And, in the meantime, our country --

Question

00:21:05 - 00:21:06 (1 sec)

He says that you know what you were --

Donald Trump

00:21:06 - 00:21:09 (2 sec)

It doesn't matter what he says. He's trying to probably make a deal for himself.

Question

00:21:09 - 00:21:11 (2 sec)

But he says that you knew what Giuliani was doing in Ukraine, that you knew what he was doing --

Donald Trump

00:21:11 - 00:21:28 (18 sec)

I don't even know who this man is, other than I guess he attended fundraisers, so I take a picture with him. I'm in a room; I take pictures with people. I take thousands and thousands of pictures with people all the time -- thousands -- during the course of the year. And, oftentimes, I'll be taking a picture with somebody.

Donald Trump

00:21:28 - 00:21:36 (8 sec)

I'll say, "I wonder what newspaper that one is going to appear in." No, I don't know him. Perhaps he's a fine man; perhaps he's not. I know nothing about him. But I can tell you this --

Question

00:21:36 - 00:21:40 (3 sec)

He described a situation that was more than just taking pictures, Mr. President. He says that --

Donald Trump

00:21:40 - 00:21:43 (3 sec)

I don't know him. I don't believe I've ever spoken with him.

Question

00:21:43 - 00:21:44 (2 sec)

-- he was with Giuliani when you were on the phone with Giuliani. And he said that there was a --

Donald Trump

00:21:44 - 00:21:47 (2 sec)

I don't believe I've ever spoken to him. I meet thousands of people --

Question

00:21:47 - 00:21:50 (3 sec)

-- that there was a pressure campaign on the President of Ukraine.

Donald Trump

00:21:50 - 00:22:10 (20 sec)

I meet thousands and thousands of people, as President. I take thousands of pictures. And I do -- and I do it openly and I do it gladly. And then, if I have a picture where I'm standing with somebody at a fundraiser -- like, I believe I saw a picture with this -- this man. But I don't know him. I had never had a conversation that I remember with him.

Donald Trump

00:22:10 - 00:22:10 (0 sec)

Question

00:22:10 - 00:22:11 (1 sec)

So when he said Mulvaney knew about this --

Donald Trump

00:22:11 - 00:22:13 (2 sec)

Let me just tell you: You just have to take a look at the polls.

Question

00:22:13 - 00:22:14 (1 sec)

-- that Bolton knew about this --

Donald Trump

00:22:14 - 00:22:30 (16 sec)

Quiet. You just have to take a look at the pictures. You just have to take a look at the polls. You see I don't need anybody's help. We're doing phenomenally well. The economy is the best it's ever been in -- we have never had an economy like this in history. We just made the two best trade deals in the history of our country.

Donald Trump

00:22:30 - 00:22:40 (10 sec)

We are doing well. I don't need the help of a man I never met before, other than perhaps taking a picture at a fundraiser or something, if that's where it was taken.

Question

00:22:40 - 00:22:43 (3 sec)

He makes it sound like this was just about taking out Joe Biden.

Donald Trump

00:22:43 - 00:22:43 (0 sec)

So -- go ahead.

Question

00:22:43 - 00:22:45 (2 sec)

Are you still going to Davos? And if you are, what's the message you want to send being --

Donald Trump

00:22:45 - 00:23:01 (16 sec)

I will probably be going to Davos. I've been invited. We have tremendous world leaders, and we also have the great business leaders. And we want those business leaders all to come to the United States. Some of the businesses left the United States because they were disgusted with what happened. And now they're all coming back.

Donald Trump

00:23:01 - 00:23:18 (17 sec)

We are booming. Our country is the hottest country anywhere in the world. There's nothing even close. Every world leader sees me and they say, "What have you done? This is the most incredible thing that we've ever seen." I understand the stock market, today, broke 29,000. When I came in, it was a fraction of that.

Donald Trump

00:23:18 - 00:23:36 (18 sec)

It was a number that, frankly, would have gone and it would have been cut in half had the other person or the other party won. The number would have been cut in half. We are doing so well. And I want to get more. We have tremendous room for growth in our country, in terms of the economy. We have tremendous, powerful room for growth.

Donald Trump

00:23:36 - 00:23:44 (7 sec)

So I'm going to be going to Davos. I'll be meeting the biggest business leaders in the world; getting them to come here. I'll also be meeting with foreign leaders. Okay?

Question

00:23:44 - 00:23:52 (8 sec)

Mr. President, you've been talking about prayer and faith today. What's your message to the millions of Catholics in the United States? Why should they vote for you in the upcoming election -- Catholics?

Donald Trump

00:23:52 - 00:24:12 (20 sec)

Well, I have a great relationship with Catholics. I've done so much for Catholics. You take look at the abortion issue. You take a look at many of these -- you have Mexico City; you take a look at so many of the different issues. My relationship with Catholics and the Catholic Church has been very, very good, as you know very well.

Donald Trump

00:24:12 - 00:24:13 (1 sec)

Jeff, go ahead.

Question

00:24:13 - 00:24:30 (17 sec)

Mr. President, Rudy Giuliani wrote a letter to Zelensky requesting a private meeting, and he said it was in his capacity as private counsel to President Donald J. Trump -- this was before the inauguration. Did you authorize him to write that letter? And what was your understanding of what the meeting was supposed to be about?

Donald Trump

00:24:30 - 00:24:51 (21 sec)

Well, I don't know anything about the letter. But certainly Rudy is one of the great crime fighters in the history of our country. He's certainly probably the best over the last 50 years. He was also the greatest mayor in the history of the city of New York. I think Rudy was truly an outstanding mayor. As an example, his endorsement of Bloomberg -- he got Bloomberg elected.

Donald Trump

00:24:51 - 00:25:15 (24 sec)

He wouldn't have even been mayor. But Rudy was the greatest crime fighter. And Rudy is somebody that, frankly, having him on my side was a great honor for me, and it has been a great honor for me. Rudy Giuliani -- Rudy Giuliani did a phenomenal job over a long period of time in fighting crime. And frankly, he's a very legitimate guy, a very straight shooter.

Donald Trump

00:25:15 - 00:25:33 (18 sec)

I didn't know about his specific letter, but if he wrote a letter, it wouldn't have been a big deal. Rudy was always in -- it was very important to Rudy that I be a great President, and that's okay with me. It was very important to a lot of people, because our country was going to hell and now our country is on a path that we haven't seen in decades and decades.

Donald Trump

00:25:33 - 00:25:34 (1 sec)

We've never done better. Go ahead.

Question

00:25:34 - 00:25:34 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:25:34 - 00:25:36 (2 sec)

No, no. Not you. Go ahead.

Question

00:25:36 - 00:25:40 (4 sec)

The trial is starting next week. What's your view on how long it should take and what witnesses you --

Donald Trump

00:25:40 - 00:25:45 (5 sec)

Well, I think it should go very quickly. It's a hoax. It's a hoax. Everybody knows that. It's a --

Question

00:25:45 - 00:25:46 (1 sec)

And witnesses? What about those?

Donald Trump

00:25:46 - 00:26:03 (17 sec)

It's a complete hoax -- the whole thing with Ukraine. So you have a perfect phone call. This is a call fortunate- -- it was actually two phone calls. You people don't report that. There were two calls. They were both perfect calls. In fact, probably among the nicest calls I've ever met -- made to foreign leaders.

Donald Trump

00:26:03 - 00:26:22 (19 sec)

Now, so you have these perfect calls, and everybody says it now. Before they knew they were so good -- because, fortunately, they were transcribed -- you had other people saying terrible things about the calls. You had a fake whistleblower that wrote a report that bore no relationship to what was said. Everything was false.

Donald Trump

00:26:22 - 00:26:43 (21 sec)

You have now the Ukrainian President and the Foreign Minister of Ukraine saying there was nothing done wrong. In fact, they said there was absolutely no pressure whatsoever. Everything was perfect. And they impeach. It's totally partisan. We had 195 to nothing, Republican votes. I guess we got a Democrat actually came over to the Republican side.

Donald Trump

00:26:43 - 00:27:09 (25 sec)

We had 195 to nothing. This is a hoax. It's a sham. I did the biggest deal ever done in the history of our country yesterday in terms of trade -- and probably other things too, if you think about it: the deal with China. And that was the second story to a total hoax. Today we just had passed the USMCA. It's going to take the place of NAFTA, which was a terrible deal.

Donald Trump

00:27:09 - 00:27:35 (27 sec)

And the USMCA will probably be second to this witch-hunt hoax, which hopefully everyone knows is not going anywhere. There was nothing done wrong. This was a perfect phone call. Think of it: The President of the United States, who's led the greatest growth -- the greatest -- the greatest economic revival of any country anywhere in the world is the United States, as big as it is. We're doing better than any other country, by far.

Donald Trump

00:27:35 - 00:27:56 (21 sec)

Our unemployment numbers are the best they've been in over 50 years. African American, Asian American, Hispanic American unemployment, the best in the history of our country. And I've got to go through a hoax, a phony hoax, put out by the Democrats so they can try and win an election that hopefully they're not going to win.

Donald Trump

00:27:56 - 00:28:15 (19 sec)

It was put out for purposes of winning an election. Our country is doing great. Our country has never done better. So they figure the only thing they can do -- they failed on the Mueller report; that was a bomb. After two and a half years, they failed. Now they said, "What can we do?" And they pick up a phone call that was perfect.

Donald Trump

00:28:15 - 00:28:38 (23 sec)

But they didn't know it was perfect. They only found out later. They made up a phone call. What they did -- look, what they did -- you have a corrupt person -- he's a corrupt politician named Adam Schiff, and he made up a phone call. He went out -- you'll hear about this as you grow older. [Laughter] He went out and he said things that -- "He said quid pro quo eight times." It was no times.

Donald Trump

00:28:38 - 00:29:03 (24 sec)

He said, "Don't call me; I'll call you." That's a mob statement. I never said that. Fortunately, I released the transcript of the call. The transcript was perfectly accurate. And now everybody agrees because it went through a lot and they said, "Well, could you add one word here?" Our lieutenant colonel said, "Well, I think they should add…" -- they added the word.

Donald Trump

00:29:03 - 00:29:33 (30 sec)

Everything -- everyone agrees the transcript is perfecto, done by total professionals, right? But I released that after they had done these fraudulent acts. And you get impeached on this. We have the greatest economy in the history of our country. We have the highest job numbers. Today, it was just announced, we have more people working in the United States than ever before in the history of our country -- almost 160 million people.

Donald Trump

00:29:33 - 00:29:35 (2 sec)

We're doing an incredible job. And for absolutely no reason --

Question

00:29:35 - 00:29:39 (4 sec)

Mr. President, during that call, you said Marie Yovanovitch was "going to go through some things."

Donald Trump

00:29:39 - 00:29:40 (1 sec)

-- and for absolutely no reason, I got impeached.

Question

00:29:40 - 00:29:40 (1 sec)

Can you address that?

Donald Trump

00:29:40 - 00:29:44 (4 sec)

It's a disgrace and it's a hoax. Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you.