Transcript for The Briefing Room: Trump tweets that Russia is going to meddle to help Dems

Welcome to the briefer reminds deputy fire ABC news in Washington drummer Steve colonels colonel Steve January ABC news military contributor White House correspondent terror Paul Mary. On this Tuesday thank you for joining us here at ABC news live a lot to unpack today there is no. White House briefing today but we're gonna dived into a number of big stories today including the president's. Big new tweet that's creating waves this afternoon on Russia the president. Guys talking now that he believes Russia's Madelaine he's convinced he's declaring that there it is on your screen I'm very concerned Russia. We'll be fighting very hard to have an impact on the election of course in this case he says. The Russians are in the tank for the Democrats. Two bit and had scratch or of course Putin himself said he was four. Donald Trump but what do you make of this terror. Setting the stage perhaps for democratic wave in the terms and I somebody to blame. I think this is new span. Meeting this as a way to rile the base create the impression that he doesn't have the support of Russia and the need to get out there Novo and that. In fact that these dark forces might be working against him since president trump likes he's the victim card a lot. On Twitter but the thing is he's not citing any evidence it as we know he doesn't trust the intelligence community he. Then backtracked as as he does but he's not citing anything. I am from from there and but. He sort of write and young policies than the top by Russia. Arming Ukraine with a javelin is the anti tank missiles. This number of sanction is expelling diplomats he has banned his talk. Not so tough but it actual actions have been pretty tough on Russia so what angle completely surprising but like you said. I'm Rick who is I just last week that he wanted him to. And we should say that US intelligence officials have just told ABC news in the past few minutes that they had seen no evidence that the Russians are meddling in the selection to help Democrats at least the a but they are medal in and that's there's there's a lot of consensus around that right in the MO here is to undermine US institutions to undermine public confidence and trust in institutions so it really doesn't matter whether they're going against Democrats Republicans whether going against Clinton are they going after trump. The idea here is for people to begin to mistrust for the American people to mistrust that fundamental institutions. That place to put that means the big question is what. Is he doing about it he's been so back and forth. And the administration. Donald Trump's back and forth on whether he believes this administration's been consistent same. This is happening but what you see Steve view sort of pretty plugged in in the national security the world what are they doing now to prevent this stuff. This it's it's a very coordinated campaign so they're using our own social media against us they're using. Various parts of the American public that that are already distrustful of American institutions. For the whole idea here in this undermining of the US's credibility. In internally but also external Lee to create this term why would people say. Look at the turmoil in the USO allies trust us plus the allies become more wary that beacon to form new relationships and depend less on the United States so. So this is in a lot of ways it goes back to many the methods that the Russians have used since the Soviet days and we have not played that game those Cold War games. For a long time and so we're gonna have to get back into that and understand that this political warfare and that means it's prudence key instrument and tool against us. We have to remember to analyze the form an ex Soviet states now part of the European Union some not they're used to this hour Russian propaganda. The idea that you know in I was just in Estonia the other day end they have an issue where. Russians be have. Put out propaganda that that they're pro rations that are you know fighting with the estonians fair and creating these spoke conflict among amendment actually read that they. They used singing to create national unity to fight against this that concept that there's hatred between them it sent something that. Europe has been dealing with for a really long time the Russians are actually mean. We have been able to actually treat it but they're also supporting far right movements. Not just in word but possibly you know financially like Marie Le pen in France and beaten in the backs of movement and and he backed. The light division here at home over this issue of the Russians a lot of division you're just back from Europe in the NATO. Summit you're talking about some of those divisions that restarting to see between US and allies tomorrow is a very big day. For the United States and the EU the president holding something of a mini summit of his own the EU. Commissioner coming to talk about trade that's our nets next opportunity guys is tariffs the president spends. Sweeting that terrorists are the greatest and Terry you and I. Just a little while ago were meeting with the ambassador. Of the EU here in the United States and he's concerned about the summit. And what Donald Trump will do when it comes to this trade wars escalate its. Seems like the Europeans are coming into this in. I guess it. Let not so much of a weak position I mean they're coming here basically begging president come not to. In actually implement these tariffs against carmakers you know we always hear him railing against German carmakers it's something that he talked about privately. And publicly he thinks that we're not getting a fair deal. And so they seem that it seems like they're coming with some options I. You know the idea of possibly eliminating car tariffs across the board to make sure that he doesn't actually and that's you know changed in the game and 20% tariff on European cars. Or the other option with a limited free trade agreement but you know it's very technical. President trump solely to buy into the idea but the idea it that US officials I've spoke against that it that it just doesn't go far. About a money Europeans have been an even know what the president wants he said that he wants he wants a political fight and actually we have all the Tutsi we have some of the sound the president spoke about this terrified little bit earlier let's Nicholas. What the European Union is doing to as it is incredible how bad. They made a 151. Billion dollars. Last year our trade deficit with the European Union peace and knives that Iraq. They're all coming in to see me tomorrow. They're all coming to life. It's at you have to change it and wanted changes OK we're gonna Tara few cards instant millions of cars. Mercedes. Well BMW up so many guns as it wouldn't have been there a few colors they said the wind could we shall. When can we be there would tomorrow be okay. Folks stick with us statement. Mazen. But remember that the biggest best strongest lobbyists. And they're doing a number just stick with us don't believe that crap you see from these people the fake news. President rounds of applause there the VFW. From his supporters in Kansas City but let's bring in our Alley Rogen senate producer whose. Staked out outside of senator Rand Paul's office she's been talking to Republican senators today Alley. Great to have you with us give us a bit of the flavor. What you're hearing from Republicans about this trade war that's ask. Leading today. Did Republican senators are scenes didn't like it the president was here anyway and now. Proposing another twelve billion dollars eight. Senators think you're telling me again Republicans saying that date problem that was. Ingrid president and him. Looking at solutions problem. Needing an easy former school. And this sort of chance and senators that read. Not eat these farmers and he wants you sell it differently. Don't. Want our. They want and some kind of government and friends and they view it in terms though. Obviously this congress and it's very nice and it is currently still working on its annual warm building. Farmers. So I'm thinking and doing anything they're gonna do in the short term investments. Beauty. The president's. New advancing as. Hey Alec thanks republicans' hands are tied there they can only go so far in pushing back and the president. But let's bring Katherine folders over at the White House Catherine Alli looting their to a twelve billion dollar emergency aid plan that they. Administration rolled out today to basically pay farmers. We're gonna get hit in this trade war that is not going over well with Republicans a lot of talk of this become it's a bit of a Soviet State. Not something you hear refer usually for Republicans senators talking about a Republican president. A yes that is not something you hear frequently up there but DeVon. That you mention this twelve billion this is the first action the president has taken to protect farmers but the irony here is that this is a trade war. That the president started Matt Salley was kind of talking about this twelve billion dollar. Bail out it doesn't need congressional approval the USDA. Sonny Perdue told reporters today that this is actually necessary fixed to the damage from what he called illegal retaliatory tariffs. By China and other countries but really the the big irony here is that this is something created by the president yet they're saying. It's a response to any illegal behavior by China and other. Okay will I know you'll be watching it tomorrow Kathryn stand by there we're looking at the Dow is up despite this news today. So perhaps the markets absorbing some of this had a time they knew this fight is coming. Much more on that but let's turn up North Korea another major issue of the week Steve some news overnight after you know what now it's been about a month since the Singapore solitaire was there. I'm very limited movement by North Korea and some of their promises but now perhaps. Perhaps we're seeing some some dismantling of part of their apparatus was as new satellite images new satellite images 38 northeast the the traffic. Think tank that does the analysis of these images shows that they're beginning to dismantle. There's satellite testing facility so that would have been equivalent to sort of an ICBM sort of test site. Now they have been testing rocket engines for some of their medium range ballistic missiles and intermediate plea ballistic missiles there so this is some progress. It's not irreversible network in the knee and is also the matter be the idea maybe can young and say look I proved it. I don't need to crude again they bought into the bluff whether it's true or not we still don't know if they can have a missile that re enters the atmosphere survives the heat of reentry and can target a particular place. But he's gone far enough and we bought far enough into his bluff that. He feels that he can begin to dismantle some testing so of course now this has been verified we don't have US inspectors Terry register North Korea. Did they ever did indeed they didn't have any independent international inspectors there with you you were there it is secretary Pompeo but. What what's your take on where the administration is on this Pompeo didn't. Meet with Kim Jung moon as he expected but. If they're playing a bit of a dance that north Koreans give them a little bent and sort of you know spank them and then give them a little bit more. You know they want. The United States Pompeo present time they want this to be eight quick swift dismantling. In North Korea's. Nuclear facilities and north critic I want this a long. Drawn out process they Watson sanctions or leave they want some more acknowledgment on the international stage. And their timetables are just not in sync right now I think. When I was there with that secretary of state Pompeo few weeks ago yep it was really tough on the north Koreans he wanted to come home with something a blueprint. Even an outline of what these are the the the facilities we have these weapons we have and couldn't get that and in fact he was supposed to meet with Kim Dong and in just didn't happen and the fact it. The secretary of state goes hop. Across the world to meet with Kim Jung and Kim young poll Cain says Washington. He met with the packing and named we couldn't have our secretary of state that Kim Jung who so this is. Nothing this is right on the complaint goes back to his father and his grandfather. Tell us one thing they were alive it will he's gate. And they'll change they're not in any hurry and apparently president says there's no rush right now digital currency. As he wanted so badly in a confessed that had so we're also seeing Intel reports that the price of gas is dropping in North Korea which means that the sanctions are beginning to leak. So whether that's Chinese are deliberately easing off on the sanctions whether people are saying some good it's gonna happen. So we can start opening the black market. Again. This is the problem because we take the heat off then there's nothing to continue to get the north to bargain in good faith to. Get mr. near term forecast Steve what what are we what are you expecting in the next couple of months on this story line who have moved there we just gonna continue in this pattern where. There's a little bit outreach by the Americans the north Koreans may be due some gesture but it's unclear and it just kind of goes on like this in death. That would we should expect to see any significant progress on the present apparently has voiced his frustration privately. But as long as he doesn't have the pressure of the sanctions he relates not to be able to get anything forward so in some ways the president just said like tucked into the race is not appoint new tennis anymore so. Let's go over here and think about trade let's talk about Europe rose talked about China. Or in some ways he's just sort of dismissed the threat. Which that's one way to do it but it doesn't mean that the threat is gone away and it doesn't mean double us and our allies still aren't held at risk by the North Korean people. We also don't have another meeting on the schedule for when secretary of state Mike Pompeo the only thing. That invitation of comparing their right onto two Washington perhaps still stands but nothing on the books and politically negotiator and they treated him pretty poorly last. And you is in North Korea so I don't know the next move likely that north Koreans will come to us. Buy it it seems like it's they've they've really come to a halt right now I think this. First time in this presidency where we've seen the present it. In danger of appearing foolish of being taken. Can't think of any other place may be beyond the tariffs made with China but in this case of there's no movement and Kim continues to play in the way that he is. B variant sting see how president trump reacts to being played. So weighty warning that the president celebrating those new images and North Korea out overnight and finally we wrap up today. I was a little news out of the west wing and some business a business headline a rocket from the senior advisor to president trop and first. Daughter of course herb her brand is closing for good the clothing. And fashion mind that she built up in fact just started selling products online this year is now chartering. Light of weakening sales let's go back to cap from folders at the White House for some reaction in this Catherine and you. U have been following a little bit about the amount that's the story there was all that controversy. When she took her post had to step away from the company and now. I call it quits. Yet and she said she wants to focus more on policy her work and Washington now it's been rumored for a couple months at this. What's probably happening out today was day she released that statement. Saying that you remember last year that Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus also said they would no longer. Carry her collection you've seen that statement from a bunker on the screen these two departments are so they were no longer carry her collection. Citing performance in their stores of course the president pleaded. That Nordstrom had treated. Vodka so unfairly but that news coming today and about the times said that following her time in Washington she doesn't know what. Whether she will return back to retail or not since Phil. We think that's or. A lot of lot of questions about the closure of that brand and what deals he may have made behind closed doors we do you know terror and I were to start its sales down. Significantly since she she took office cap from callers over the White House thank you so much and thank you for watching here on this busy Tuesday in the briefing room. Hope you follow the latest in this and all the stories talked about today and ABC news apt. In any abcnews.com. For Steve gang here terror primary and Devin Dwyer what's next.

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