Transcript for SPECIAL REPORT: Trump says he supports intel community

This is an ABC news. Good game for coming on the air because president dropped is making his first on camera comments since arriving home. To be bipartisan backlash to his appearance in Helsinki yesterday. Whereas you're seeing here he stood alongside a Russian president Vladimir Putin and appeared to throw the American intelligence community under the bus. Trump was asked fire reporter who he believed when it came to election meddling in 2016. Potent or the US intelligence agencies and trump seemed to decide would put in. The president has just spoken to Republican members of congress at the White House about the uproar we'll hear what he has to say in a minute first though let's check in whether Chief Justice it's. Correspondent Pierre Thomas peer. That I think the key to watch for is does the president directly address what caused that the eruption of responses across the globe. Where he appeared to side would Putin and disagree with his own intelligence community. That concluded in frantically that the rice's did in fact target the 2016 election. And are you hearing what kind of were rumblings are you hearing from within the community on this morning after. Well of their jaws just dropped they could they could not believe what they saw the president do in being so chummy with the man who. Packed the US election they would just shocked to be to beat writer if you. He is there any paying the president could say to reassure them completely. Well we're just going to have to see what the president says I know there are waiting to see precisely how he addresses the issue there. And as we know we will be hearing ourselves and just a few seconds as the videotape comes in from the White House the president in the Roosevelt room of the White House. Would Republicans from the house Ways and Means Committee period. Think everybody yesterday I returned from a trip. From Europe where I met when leaders from across the region to seek a more peaceful. Future in the United States we're working very hard win. Our allies and all over the world we're working we're gonna have peace that's what we want that tour I say peace through strength. We have. Helped the NATO alliance greatly by increasing defense contributions from our NATO allies. By over 44 billion dollars and secretary saw Merck was fantastic. As you know he reported that they've never had an increase like this in their history and NATO was actually going down. Supposed to going up and thank you stand by my meeting last year 44 billion dollars and this year will be over. The will be hundreds of millions of dollars over the coming years. And I think is great unity when NATO. A lot of very positive things happening is a greater spirit that we didn't have before us. And with a lot of money that they're putting up there weren't paying their bills on time and now they're doing that and I wonder just say thank you very much to. Secretary of salt burn and he. He really has been terrific so we had a tremendous success I also had meetings with the prime minister may. On the range of issues said today concerning our special relationship. And that's between the United Kingdom. And ourselves we met with the queen. Who is absolutely terrific person. Where she reviewed her honor guard for the first time in seventy years they tell me. We walked in front of the under and that was very. Inspiring. To CNB when there and I think again the relationship. And can truly say is a good one but she was. Very very inspiring indeed most recently. I return from Helsinki Finland. And I was going to give me news conference over the next couple of days about the tremendous success because a successful is NATO was. I think this was our most successful. Visit. And that had to do you know which Russian. I met with the Russian president Vladimir Putin and an attempt to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing humanity. We have never bid and a worse. Relationship with the Russians and we are as a few days ago and I think that's gotten substantially better. And I think it has the possibility of getting much better and I used to talk about this during the campaign. Getting along with the Russia would be a good thing getting along with China would be a good thing not a bad thing a good thing in fact a very good thing. We nuclear powers great nuclear powers Russia and does have 90% of the nuclear weapons so I've always felt getting along is a positive thing and not just for that reason. I entered the meeting when he firm conviction that diplomacy and engagement is better than hostility and conflict. And I feel that with everybody we have 29 members in NATO as an example and I have great relationships or at least very good relationships. When everybody the press covered it. Quite inaccurately this that I insulting people well as asking for people to pay out money that they are supposed to pay. Is insulting maybe I did but I can tell you when I left everybody was thrilled and that's doing this was my meeting went. President Putin was. Really interesting and so many different ways because we haven't had relationships with Russia for a long time. And we started. Let me begin by saying that. Once again full faith and support for America's. Intelligence agencies I have a full faith in our intelligence agency's. Books they just turned over the life. Good intelligence a there are just okay. Yours okay. That's okay. So I'll begin by stating. That. I have full faith and support for America's great intelligence agencies always. And I have felt very strongly that well Russia's actions had no impact at all on the outcome of the election. Let me be totally clearance saying that. And I say this many times I except our intelligence. Communities. Conclusion. That Russia is meddling. 2006. Election took place. Could leave other people also. It's a lot of people out there. There was no collusion. At all. And people who seem that they've seen that strongly the house has already come out very strongly on that. A lot of people have come out strongly and I thought that I've made myself very clearly by having just reviewed the transcript. Now I have to say I came back. Evers and what is going what's the big deal. So I got a transcript buried here that I actually went out and 300 foot. An answer that I did. Add that I didn't realize that there isn't a need for some clarification. It should have been obvious I thought it would be obvious but I would like to clarify just in case it wasn't an easy sentence in my remarks. I sent word would instead of wooden. The sentence should have been I don't see any reason why when. Where why it wouldn't you rush selves. Just to repeat it I sent the word would instead of when. All dissension a man. And I thought I would be may be a little bit unclear on these transcripts door mirror on the actual video. The sentence should have been I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be Russian. Sort of a double negative. So. You can play that and then I think that probably clarifies things pretty good by itself. I have more numerous occasions noted our intelligence findings that Russians attempting to interfere in like. Unlike previous administration's my administration has and will continue. To move aggressively to repeal. Any efforts and relief well. We will stop it we were appellate. Any effort simply didn't here at our elections. We're doing everything in our power to prevent Russian interference and 2018. We have a lot of power as you know President Obama was given. Information just prior to the election. Last election 2006 James and they decided not to do anything about it the reason they decided that. Was pretty obvious always thought Hillary Clinton was going to win the election. And didn't think it was a major deal when I won the election they thought it was a very stadium. And all of a sudden they went into action but it was a little bit later so he was given that any sharp contrast. To the wage should days. And President Obama along with a friend and and clap her the whole route that you see on television now probably getting paid a lot of money by the networks. They know about Russia's attempt to interfere in the election in September and they totally merit. And as I said Dave Byrd because they thought that Hillary Clinton was going to win. Turned out didn't happen that way by contrast my administration has taken a very firm stance. It's a very firm stance. All on. A strong cash and we're going to take strong action to secure. Our elections systems. And the process. Furthermore. As has been stated and leaves say that it previously and on many occasions. No collision. Yesterday we made significant. We talked about. Numerous things. I had among those things. Are these problems that you see in the Middle East. We have very much about where you very much. I enter into negotiations. With President Putin from a position of tremendous strength our economy is bullying. And our military is being funded 700 million this year 716. Billion dollars next year. And we'll be more powerful as the military than we've ever had before. President born and I address a range of issues starting with the civil war Syria. And the need for humanitarian. Aid and help. People in this area. We also saw Hummer brand and they don't all nuclear ambitions and he destabilizing. Activities. Taking place in Iran. As most of you know we ended and the red deal which was one of the worst use anyone could imagine and that's had a major impact on. Iran that it substantially weaken your rant and we hope that at some point to read what I call us we'll maybe make a new deal we make while. About Iran has that same country that was. Five months ago that I can tell them no longer looking so much of the Mediterranean and the entire. Middle East and got some big problems that. They can solve probably much easier if they. Deal with us so we'll see what happens but we can't just us or red we discussed Israel and the security of Israel and President Putin who is very much. Involved now what does in his discussion live TV Netanyahu. When working something out blitz surrounding Syria. And Souter Syria at this specifically with regards to these security and long term security of Israel. A major topic of discussion was North Korea and the need for end to remove its nuclear weapons Russia. Has assured us have been supported President Putin said he agrees with me a 100% and they'll do whatever they have to do to try and make it happen. Discussions are ongoing and they're going very very well. We have no rush for speed and the sanctions are remaining. Hostages are back. There have been no test there'd be no rockets going up for a period of nine months. And I think the relationships are very good so we'll see how that goes we have no. Timeline that we have those people admit we have we're just going through the process but the relationships are very good President Putin. Is going to be. Involved in the sense that he is he's winless he would like to see that happen. Perhaps the most important addition we just test at a meeting. Prior to the press conference was the reduction of nuclear weapons throughout the world. The United States and Russia by 80% as I said Andrew Kevin pay him back but nuclear weapons as I think the greatest threat. Of our world today. And they are great nuclear power grid nuclear power. We have team to do something about. And so that was a matter that we discussed actually in great detail and President Putin agrees with me. The matters be discussed are profound and there are important to send. How the potential to save. Millions of lives. I understand that many disagreements between our countries. But I also understand that dialogue and deep. When you think about it dialogue with Russia always dialogue with other countries. But I lovely Russian in this case what we've had such where relationships work so many years dialogue isn't very important thing and it's a very good thing. So that we get along with Kevin Gregg don't get along went absolutely won't get along with them. But I think we have a very good chance of having some very positive things I thought that the meeting that I had with the. President boat was. Really strong I think that they were willing to do things that frankly I wasn't sure whether or not they would be willing to do. And we'll be having future meetings and will see whether or not that comes to fruition but we had a very very good news so I just wanted to clear up. I have the strongest respect for our intelligence agencies. Headed by my people. We have great people whether it's. Jeanne. Dan Coats or any element new we have some we have tremendous people. Tremendous. Tell us. Within the agency is. I think they're being guided properly and we all want the same thing we want success for our country. So when that we're going to started meeting now what tax reductions. Wouldn't be putting in a bill Kevin Brady is with us send. I might as Kevin just to say a couple of words about that and that we will get back onto a private meeting. But Kevin that you may begin just increased discussion goes well we'll be talking about. Yes Mr. President OK we're gonna cutting hear you just heard president Donald. His first on camera comments since arriving back home after the controversy he spiked sparked rather over in Helsinki Finland when he was. Appeared alongside the Russian president Vladimir Putin and appeared to side. We is that gluten over American intelligence agencies on the question of 200616. Election meddling right air he said however he does accept the conclusions. And that he strongly supports. And appreciates. Of the contributions of the American intelligence agencies let's bring in ABC's Chief Justice correspondent. Pierre Thomas who covers. The intelligence agencies for us Pierre of the president's case seemed to. To Whittle down to one word he said it yesterday on the podium up there next to Vladimir Putin when asked. Whether the oh the Russians medals he said. I don't see any reason why it would be Russia. But he said today that actually what he meant to say is I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be Russia. What do you make of that it will that one word tweet be enough to satisfy your sources over in the intelligence. Mean it's hard to say damn but that the president basically is saying he misspoke. That he intended to imply that Russia had every reason to want to attack the election but that's certainly not how I came across. And he certainly did not attack the right B were arrested for what they did and that's what some in the intelligence community wanted him to do quite frankly they wanted him. To issue a statement along the lines at. Don't do it again. And they didn't get that. Today they saw the president attempt to basically. Express his full support he said he had faith in the intelligence community that they he supported them but yesterday didn't appear to be. It remains to be seen as to whether they will accept what he said today that day. And the concern goes beyond and not accepting or appearing not to accept their conclusion that this press conference team in Helsinki yesterday and it goes beyond. Not attacking erections for attacking us but also what the Wall Street Journal in their editorial today the Wall Street Journal not known. Padilla left leaning publication referred to as a quote on quote. This seat gene demeanor. By the US president in the presence of the Russian president. Will these comments today be enough to take some of the edge off of that. Did I think the big question remains is the why. Why did the president act the way he did yesterday now some people who are supporters I've talked to the pass and let the president simply angry. That his election win was tainted by the hacking by the Russians and he wants to make clear that he didn't collude and he's very frustrated by all the coverage of it. There are other people who aren't so sure. About what took place and that is the question that is remain why has he been so willing to not provoke who. Pierre Thomas thank you let's bring in ABC's Terry Moran who's over in Helsinki was in the room. It during that press conference yesterday Terry let's talk about the domestic politics of this because the president. Has taken heat for many. Or traditionally in his corner including Fox News eight including Newt Gingrich the former speaker of the house has been a staunch ally who call this the the single biggest mistake of his presidency do you think what we just heard including the tweak. From the word would get to wood into will help the president with his allies. I do did Dan because. That American politics right now has less to do with who you believe in some ways than we hate frankly. And did Donald Trump has a genius in getting people on that turf. And as long as he does. A job of expressing faith in the intelligence community and explaining what he did hear just now building right behind me. By saying he misspoke. He will rally I think his troops because he shifting the ground to its Obama it's the liberals it's the media to Democrats and I think that will help him. But I think however there there will be some. Who have a lingering. Bad feeling about what happened in that building behind me and might note. That it's been thirty hours since he misspoke he's given two interviews since then. Did Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity of Fox News Eddie was tweeting. As he came home and he never. Realized or gall responded in this way that he had misspoken and one more thing it may be one thing. To rally the domestic audience it's quite another. To change the perception of people around the world who saw what happened in that room. Reds saw that this teaching demeanor that subservient demeanor which the Wall Street Journal. Noted and it reminds me a little bit of I was in Beirut when Barack Obama drew his red line. And he said that that it chemical weapons attack and sir it would not be tolerated would be followed by American military action and he blinked. He never recovered his status in the Arab world certain and is perceptions around him in Europe as well and elsewhere changed. I think the world certainly world leaders they saw a man one on one with President Putin. Who was subservient as teaching us the Wall Street Journal puts it and that is going to be hard for Donald Trump to overcome by rallying political forces that work at home. The global ramifications will continue to unfold in the political forces. Here at home as well because there is some talk that congress may take some sort of action we'll of course be following that. ABC's Terry Moran and Pierre Thomas we thank you both again the president. The breaking news today expressing full confidence in the American intelligence services after his. Controversial comments overseas in Helsinki with the Russian president Vladimir Putin's. We're gonna return now to regular programming ABC news live coverage will continue right now on line. And later today on world news tonight with David near I'm Dan Harris in New York. Have a great day. This has been a special. For me he's.

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