Thread by @W7VOA

And we’re finally underway.

On #California #wildfires: "The president will continue to monitor this ongoing emergency" to ensure people of the state receive the assistance they need, says @PressSec.

#Turkey's justice and interior ministers being sanctioned by @USTreasury on @POTUS orders for their role in the continuing detention of a US Christian pastor, announces @PressSec.

"It's not an order, it's the president's opinion," says @PressSec in response to question on @realDonaldTrump tweets this morning calling for @jeffsessions to end special counsel's probe right now.

On next proposed tranche of tariffs on #China hiking them to 25%, @PressSec: "The president firmly believes the US certainly does" have more bullets in any such trade war.

"The president is not obstructing, he's fighting back," adds @PressSec on the @realDonaldTrump tweets earlier today.

"They've still come up with nothing in regards to the president," says @PressSec on special counsel's probe, expressing expectation it'll wrap up soon.

"The entire investigation is based off of a dirty, discredited dossier," declares @PressSec.

"He think it's time for it to come to an end," adds @PressSec.

"We're going to work with our team there and figure out the best solution," says @PressSec in response to my question on how @POTUS is going to force creation of a 'Space Force" amid objections from @DeptofDefense.

"They've discussed it on several occasions," responds @PressSec on whether @POTUS has discussed with @RT_Erdogan the charges against the US Christian pastor.

"He's asked the Treasury Department to look it," replies @PressSec on query about @POTUS stance on capital gains tax.

"The president doesn't support violence against anyone," says @PressSec. when asked about hostility towards media at last night's Tampa rally and then calls for the media to act responsibly, mentioning airing of state secrets.

"We certainly support freedom of the press but we also support freedom of speech," adds @PressSec.

"I'm not aware the president has stated his opinion" directly to @jeffsessions on his desire for him to end the Mueller probe, replies @PressSec.

"It's not weak for the president of the United States to state his opinion," concludes @PressSec, replying to question on why @POTUS doesn't directly fire Mueller.