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U.S. NEWS Saturday 13 May 2017
Trump threatens to cancel briefings; Spicer back at podium

the Justice Department, answer questions about interviews, most recently to
only to have the president whether Spicer, who was NBC News’ Lester Holt on
later say he made the de- out two days because of Thursday, although he has
cision before seeing the Naval Reserve duty, would favored Fox News’ friendlier
memo. Conflicting stories remain in his job. venue. White House brief-
were the topic of much Like many administrations, ings and news conferences
media discussion. the relationship between provide both “substantive
He added, “Maybe the Trump and the press has and symbolic opportuni-
best thing to do would be been tense. Starting with ties” for journalists to ques-
to cancel all future ‘press Spicer’s claim that the me- tion government officials,
briefings’ and hand out dia inaccurately portrayed said Jeff Mason, White
written responses for the the size of Trump’s inau- House correspondent for
sake of accuracy???” guration audience, there Reuters and president of
In an interview with Fox have been questions about the White House Corre-
News Channel’s Jeannine whether the administration spondents Association.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer speaks during the dai- Pirro set to air Saturday, is knowingly providing inac- “That exercise, conducted
ly press briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, May Trump suggested eliminat- curate information. in full view of our republic’s
12, 2017. ing the daily briefings and There was some talk as citizens, is clearly in line with
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) instead having one every Trump took office that his the spirit of the First Amend-

By DAVID BAUDER day. two weeks — conducted administration would do ment,” Mason said. “Do-
AP Television Writer In the Trump era, it has be- by him. things differently and cut ing away with the briefings
NEW YORK (AP) — Presi- come a cable TV hit and “First of all, you have a level back on press access. But would reduce account-
dent Donald Trump threat- cultural touchstone. Press of hostility that’s incredible Spicer and his team have ability, transparency and
ened to shut down daily Secretary Sean Spicer, and it’s very unfair,” he kept up regular briefings. the opportunity for Ameri-
press briefings Friday as he who was back behind the said. He said Spicer is a nice The president, a devoted cans to see that, in the U.S.
sought to defend his White podium Friday after Sarah man “but he gets beat up.” viewer of coverage about system, no political figure is
House from criticism of its Huckabee Sanders subbed Trump would not directly himself, has given several above being questioned.”
shifting explanations and for him for two days, has
misstatements about the been the subject of memo-
firing of FBI Director James rable lampoons by comic
Comey. Melissa McCarthy on “Sat-
Trump’s statements, urday Night Live.”
through a tweet and later Spicer was back to answer-
television interview, threat- ing questions Friday about
en a Washington institution Comey’s firing. The White
that is the most high-profile House first said this week
forum for journalists to ques- that Trump made the move
tion the government about because of a negative
policy and the news of the memo about Comey from

AP: Michelle Obama criticizes

Trump school lunch decisions

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE a partisan issue?” Mrs.
Associated Press Obama said. “Why would
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mi- that be political?”
chelle Obama on Friday “Moms, think about this. I
criticized a Trump admin- don’t care what state you
istration decision to delay live in, take me out of the
federal rules aimed at mak- equation, like me, don’t
ing school lunch healthier, like me, but think about
saying kids will end up “eat- why someone is OK with
ing crap” instead. your kids eating crap,” she
Mrs. Obama told a health said.
conference in Washing- During a nearly hourlong
ton that more nutritionally conversation led by Sam
sound school meals are Kass, the Obamas’ per-
needed since millions of
kids nationwide eat feder- sonal chef during their
ally subsidized breakfast White House years and
and lunch at school. executive director of the
Without mentioning Presi- anti-childhood obesity ini-
dent Donald Trump by tiative she spearheaded as
name, she urged parents first lady, Mrs. Obama also
to think about the govern- spoke briefly about her fu-
ment’s recent decision and ture plans. Her family’s last
to “look at motives.” day in the White House
“You have to stop and was Jan. 20, and she said
think, ‘Why don’t you want she and former President
our kids to have good food Barack Obama would
at school? What is wrong spend the year figuring out
with you and why is that what comes next.q