secretary minuchin I know you're here to talk about a lot of issues having to do
with tax reform and North Korea sanctions etc we'll get to those in a
section but but I do want to get your reaction to this president Trump seems
to be calling for a boycott of the NFL he's also calling for players who take a
knee to protest what they see as racial
inequities to be fired or suspended what's your reaction to what we're
seeing at Wembley Stadium in London right now good morning and great to be
here with you the NFL has all different types of rules you can't have stickers
on your helmet you have to have your uniforms tucked in what the president is
saying and I think the owner should meet and they should vote on a rule this is
about respect for our military this is about respect for our first responders
this is not about Republicans or Democrats players have the right for
free speech off the field on the field this is about respect for lots of people
and I don't understand why there's rules that when the Dallas Cowboys wanted to
put stickers on their helmets out of respect for people there they couldn't
do it but now the NFL is saying people should be able to decide what they want
to do and disrespect the United States flag well to play devil's advocate here
first of all these players don't think they're disrespecting the United States
flag they think that they are engaging in peaceful protest of what they see is
racial oppression and inequities and as you know Roger Goodell the head of the
NFL and all a whole host of team owners including Robert Kraft who is a friend
of President Trump have issued statements supporting their players
right to do this and criticizing the president's comments including Robert
Kraft specifically criticizing the president's tone why is this a fight
that the president wants to have I don't think it's a question of a fight that
the president wants to have he thinks this is about respect for the military
and so many people who put their lives at risk and what the country stands for
and the owner should meet and they should decide on this rule the way they
decide on any other rule again you know for as long as I can remember people
have stood in honor of the country this isn't about politics if people want to
talk politics off the field when they're not working for the NF
they have the absolute right to do that all right I could do the whole interview
on this topic but there are some other big pressing issues let's talk about
healthcare three Republican senators john mccain susan collins rand paul have
expressed strong disapproval of the gramm cassidy bill Rand Paul did open
the door this morning to backing the bill if it undergoes a major change
getting rid of block grants is President Trump if well let's talk about that
first of all is president Trump willing to get rid of the Block Grant part of
this bill in order to win the support of Senator Paul I I think the president
hasn't made any decisions on that what the president has decided is Obamacare
is broken the taxes are going to start hitting people the penalties are going
to start hitting people the premiums are going up
Republicans have campaigned on repeal and replace which the president is on
board and I think it's unfortunate that last time it came down to one vote and
this time it's gonna be very close I hope it passes if it does not pass is
President Trump ready to work with Democrats to actually
do something to fix the problems in Obamacare as you know there is a
bipartisan effort right now between senators Alexander and patty Murray of
Washington State Senator Collins was talking that up earlier today when she
suggested she would be in all likelihood a no on Graham Cassidy is a bipartisan
approach the next approach if Graham Cassidy fails I think the president's
always willing to work on a bipartisan basis as you know we had an important
meeting in the Oval Office where the president cut a deal right after the
Hurricanes I think we have I know we have a meeting on taxes at the White
House on Tuesday with Republicans and Democrats from the Ways and Means part I
think unfortunately the Democrats on health care have put very high demands
on they don't want to change many aspects of Obama care but to the extent
they're willing to come to the table and fix it I think that's the president
would always listen to we're about fixing Obamacare it's broken and it
requires people to do lots of things that that they just shouldn't be forced
to do let's turn to the president's tax agenda the president is expected to roll
out a tax plan on Wednesday Axios is reporting that the plan would
cut the tax rate paid by the wealthy Americans
from almost 40% to about 35% as well as making dramatic reductions on taxes on
big businesses small businesses when you were selected as Treasury secretary you
made a very specific promise it was quickly dubbed the minuchin rule take a
listen any reductions we have in upper income
taxes will be offset by less deductions so that there will be no tax absolute
tax cut for the upper class can you reassure me that there will be quote no
absolute tax cut for the upper class as the manoosh enrolls still in effect I
did say that I just want to clarify it was never a promise it was never a
pledge what it was and it is still it was what the president's objective was
now we've been working with the bipartisan leadership we look forward to
releasing the plan this week I think what's important about this plan is it
creates a middle-income tax cut it makes businesses competitive and it creates
jobs that's what this is all about and as it relates to the high end you know
there's lots of changes we're getting rid of lots of deductions we're trying
to get rid of state and local deductions to get the federal government out of
subsidizing it and yes I can tell you the current plan for many many people it
will not reduce taxes on the high end let's start at North Korea you said on
Friday that new sanctions on North Korea are not directed specifically at China
but a broader question given the China is by far in North Korea's largest
trading partner and president Trump has said the China needs to do more
shouldn't the sanctions be directed at China well the President signed an
executive order is very very significant it gives the Treasury more authorities
than we've ever had before it allows us to block many transactions with anybody
that does trade or other significant business with North Korea it gives us
the ability to block financial institutions that facilitate the
president is very committed to blocking economic transactions and that's what
this is all about all right Treasury secretary Steve minuchin thank
you so much really appreciate your being here sir great to be here thank you