The White House faces questions over its stance on foreign leaders after being asked why the administration treats Honduras’ former president—convicted on U.S. drug trafficking charges—differently from Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argued that the Honduran case was a politically motivated “over-prosecution,” citing concerns raised about the trial, witness reliability, and due process. She said the president believes ex-President Hernández was “set up,” while insisting that Maduro’s situation involves separate allegations tied to systemic criminality and state-enabled narcotics trafficking. Watch the full exchange and analysis from the briefing.
00:00A separate question, the president several days ago said it was his intention to pardon the former president of Honduras, who was a convicted drug trafficker.
00:10And yesterday on Air Force One, the president said that if someone sells drugs in that country, that doesn't mean you arrest the president and put him in jail for the rest of his life.
00:19How is that different than what the administration is accusing Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro of?
00:24You're cherry picking the president's statement a little bit yesterday. As he also said yesterday, the people of Honduras have highlighted to him how the former president Hernandez was set up.
00:34This was a clear Biden over prosecution. He was the president of this country. He was in the opposition party.
00:42He was opposed to the values of the previous administration and they charged him because he was president of Honduras.
00:48There were some other egregious facts that come out, came out during this trial, and I would encourage you to report on them.
00:55His court appointed lawyer was only given three weeks to prepare for trial.
00:59He shared that his conviction was lawfare by the leftist party who, quote, struck a deal with the Biden-Harris administration.
01:06Hernandez has highlighted there was virtually no independent evidence presented.
01:10And many of his conviction was based on testimony from many admitted criminals who hoped that cooperating would reduce their own penalties.
01:18So the president heard the concerns from many people, as he does.
01:22And he's, of course, within his constitutional authority to sign clemency for whomever he deems worthy of that.
01:28Jack.
01:28Thank you, Caroline.
01:29Following up on Gabe's question, you said that the follow-up strike was lawful.
01:35What law is it that allows no survivors?
01:38The strike conducted on September 2nd was conducted in self-defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests.
01:46The strike was conducted in international waters and in accordance with the law of armed conflict.
01:51And then on this pardon for the Honduran president, does it at all undercut the administration's messaging?
01:59While you have these congressional Republicans defending the strikes on the narco-terrorists and then a pardon for a convicted drug trafficker,
02:07does that make it more difficult for your members to defend your administration's policy?
02:13I don't think so, Jackie.
02:15I think that President Trump has been quite clear in his defense of the United States homeland
02:19to stop these illegal narcotics from coming to our borders, whether that's by land or by sea.
02:25And he's also made it quite clear that he wants to correct the wrongs of the weaponized justice department under the previous administration.
02:32And, Ouija, I'll call on you because I think we're wearing matching blazers today.
02:35I was going to compliment yours.
02:37Thank you, Caroline.
02:39So just to be clear, to clarify on Jackie and Gabe, did Admiral Bradley order that second strike
02:46because there were still survivors after the initial strike?
02:50Again, as I read for you, Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority in the law.
02:54He directed the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat of narco-terrorists to the United States was completely eliminated.
03:01So was the initial order from Secretary Hague said, everyone be killed, and did that come from President Trump?
03:08I saw that quoted in a Washington Post story.
03:11I would reject that the Secretary of War ever said that.
03:15However, the President has made it quite clear that if narco-terrorists, again, are trafficking illegal drugs towards the United States,
03:22he has the authority to kill them.
03:24And that's what this administration is doing.
03:26And can I follow up on the MRI?
03:28Because President Trump yesterday said that he would release the results of his MRI.
03:33Is that happening right now?
03:34It is happening right now.
03:36As part of, and this is a summary from the President's physician, and we will release it right now.
03:42I think my team has it teed up for all of you.
03:43I'll read it for you, and then you'll get it physically as well.
03:47As part of President Trump's comprehensive executive physical, advanced imaging was performed because men in his age group benefit from a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health.
03:59The purpose of this imaging is preventative, to identify any issues early, confirm overall health, and ensure the President maintains long-term vitality and function.
04:09President Trump's cardiovascular imaging was perfectly normal.
04:12No evidence of arterial narrowing impairing blood flow or abnormalities in the heart or major vessels.
04:19The heart chambers are normal in size, the vessel walls appear smooth and healthy, and there are no signs of inflammation or clotting.
04:26Overall, his cardiovascular system shows excellent health.
04:31His abdominal imaging is also perfectly normal.
04:33All major organs appear very healthy and well-
Be the first to comment