Summary

  • President Trump warns fired FBI chief Comey over media leaks

  • Comey was leading inquiry into alleged Trump campaign-Russia ties

  • President's account of their dinner conversation differs from people close to Comey

  • Democrats call for an independent special prosecutor

Live Reporting

Rebecca Seales, Tom Spender and Max Matza

  1. 'Every word picked apart'

    Spicer again grouses about what he depicts as an overly adversarial relationship between the press and the White House.

    "We work day and night to make sure that we get you the most up-to-date, accurate information at all times.

    "I think the president’s point… is that there are times when we’re asked a question, we do our best to give you the answer and every word is picked apart to try to figure out how to make an issue out of it."

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  2. Spicer loyalty pledge?

    Sean SpicerAFP

    Spicer denied Trump had demanded a promise

    Spicer says he was not asked to take a pledge of loyalty to Trump before he was hired.

    "I’ve pledged my loyalty to the constitution and to the American people," he says, "as has everyone who serves in our government and this administration, and we stand by that."

  3. 'Pleasure of the president'

    Spicer says: "The bottom line is, is that the director of the FBI serves at the pleasure of the president."

    Of Comey's eventual successor, the press secretary says the president wants to make sure we have "the right person".

    The recruitment process is being headed by the Department of Justice, he adds, which is screening candidates and will share that list with the president.

  4. White House Correspondents' Association alarmed

    The White House Correspondents' Association is warning President Trump not to follow through on that hint that he could do away with press briefings.

    The media organisation’s president, Jeff Mason of Reuters, said: "That exercise, conducted in full view of our republic’s citizens, is clearly in line with the spirit of the First Amendment.

    "Doing away with briefings would reduce accountability, transparency, and the opportunity for Americans to see that, in the US system, no political figure is above being questioned."

  5. 'No loyalty pledge'

    "No," Spicer responds when asked about a report that the president asked Comey during their January dinner if he could count on his loyalty.

  6. What exactly is 'America First'?

    The BBC's Tara McKelvey asks McMasters to define America First.

    "The president is prioritising the security and interests of the American people", the national securtiy adviser explains.

    "Every theme of this trip is consistent with this approach", he says.

    "This trip is going to be a tremendous way to solidify the gains already made."