*From:* Gillman, Todd [mailto:xxx@dallasnews.com]
*Sent:* Thursday, March 15, 2018 11:14 AM
*Subject:* pool report #1/Oval spray with Irish PM

The calendar says Ides of March, but it is St. Patrick's Day at the White House, two days early, with the Taoiseach coming to visit.President Donald Trump welcomed Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar to the Oval Office moments after an open press greeting ceremony.

Comment on the Russian sanctions. Was Putin behind this?

it looks like it. Ive spoken with the prime minister and we are in discussions. A very sad situation. It certainly looks like the Russians were behind it. Something that should never, ever happen, and were taking it very seriously, as I think are many others," Trump said.

Any more staff changes coming?
"The story was very false. They wrote a story about staff changes and it was very false Mike Pompeo is going to be an incredibly secretary of state. We have some wonderful ideas There will always be change but very little. It was a very false story. A very exaggerated and false story. But there will always be change. And I think you want to see change. I want to also see different ideas. Larry [Kudlow] is going to be outstanding as economic adviser.

Trump ignored a question about whether he has always been truthful with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump and the Irish PM engaged in a lot of small talk, including about golf. Trump said hell visit Ireland at some point. I have property there, he noted. PM said he doesn't play golf but would be happy to give it a try with Trump.

Its my great honor to have the very popular prime minister with us." Trump said, noting they are discussing military, trade and cyber among other topics. The relationship is outstanding and only getting better. A tremendous number of Irish are living in New York, where I grew up and theyre living in the United States. And these are truly wonderful people. We love em.

Pool spent about 5 minutes in the Oval.

Todd J. Gillman
Washington Bureau Chief
Dallas Morning News
xxx@dallasnews.com
202-xxx-xxxx [ tel:(202) 202-xxx-xxxx ]
202-xxx-xxxx [ tel:(202) 202-xxx-xxxx ] cell


Public Pool is an automated feed of White House press pool reports. For live updates, follow @WHPublicPool on Twitter.