News Wrap: Trump treason comment was a joke, says White House

JOHN YANG: In the day's other news: That White House says President Trump was joking yesterday
when he suggested Democrats it might have been treasonous not to applaud his State of
the Union speech.
Press Secretary Sarah Sanders faced a barrage of questions.
SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, White House Press Secretary: The president was clearly joking
with his comments, but what isn't a joke is that Democrats refuse to celebrate the accomplishments
of last year that has helped all Americans.
Democrats are going to have to make a decision at some point really soon: Do they hate this
president more than they love this country?
And I hope the answer to that is no.
JOHN YANG: A number of Democrats strongly objected to the president's words, and some
Republicans joined them.
Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona spoke on the Senate floor.
SEN.
JEFF FLAKE (R), Arizona: I have seen the president's most ardent defenders use the now-weary argument
that the president's comments were meant as a joke, just sarcasm, only tongue in cheek.
But treason is not a punchline, Mr. President.
JOHN YANG: The president himself didn't mention the criticism of his comments at his lone
public event today.
The White House declined to say today whether President Trump will agree to be interviewed
by the special counsel in the Russia investigation.
The New York Times reported Mr. Trump's lawyers are concerned that the president could be
charged with lying to investigators.
The Times reported that some on his legal team are recommending he decline to be interviewed
by special counsel Robert Mueller.
The president of Turkey has aimed a new warning at U.S. troops in Syria.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the U.S. today of working against Turkish interests by supporting
Kurdish militia fighters.
Turkey's military is now attacking the Kurds around Afrin on Northwest Syria.
U.S. troops are near Manbij, less than 100 miles to the east.
In Ankara, Erdogan warned the American forces to leave Manbij.
RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President (through translator): Why are you standing around?
Go ahead and leave.
And you are still telling us not to come to Manbij.
We will come to Manbij to deliver the land to its true owners.
This is our difference.
JOHN YANG: Turkey insists the Kurdish fighters in Syria are allied with Kurdish rebels inside
Turkey.
Meanwhile, Russian and Syrian government forces launched heavy new airstrikes in a rebel area
near Damascus.
They blasted a string of towns in the eastern Ghouta region.
Activists and a war monitoring group says that at least 45 people were killed.
A top U.N. investigator said the attacks amount to international crimes.
The president of Poland signed a law today that makes it illegal to blame the Polish
nation for Holocaust crimes.
Israel and the United States argued the law whitewashes Polish collaboration with Nazi
invaders in World War II.
But President Andrzej Duda joined with far-right nationalist groups and insisted Poles were
not responsible for what the Nazis did.
ANDRZEJ DUDA, Polish President (through translator): This is my decision.
I think this is a solution which secures Polish interests, our dignity, historical truth,
that we are judged fairly in the world and that we shouldn't be blamed as a state and
as a nation.
JOHN YANG: The measure would impose prison sentences of up to three years for using such
phrases as Polish death camps.
Back in this country, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to revamp how it handles sexual harassment
claims.
From now on, House members themselves, and not taxpayers, will have to foot the bill
to settle harassment claims.
In addition, employees no longer have to undergo counseling a mediation before pursuing a claim.
And SpaceX scored a coup today, launching the world's largest operating rocket.
The Falcon Heavy blasted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on its very first test.
It carried a Tesla Roadster toward a solar orbit.
Billionaire Elon Musk owns both Tesla and SpaceX.
We will have a full report later in the program.
PBS NewsHour full episode February 6, 2018 Press Briefing with Press Secretary Sarah Sanders Trump talks about a shutdown over immigration, but Congress takes a different tack Trump Jr: Nunes memo is "sweet revenge" Republican Senator Jeff Flake Blasts Donald Trump's Comments: 'Treason Is Not A Punchline' | TIME BEST NEWS BLOOPERS 2017 Logan Paul interview: YouTube star speaks out after controversial video Trump targets Democrat Adam Schiff calling him a liar, leaker Rep. Jeffries (D-NY): "How dare you lecture us about treason." (C-SPAN) PBS NewsHour full episode February 5, 2018

News Wrap: Trump treason comment was a joke, says White House

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