-Steve.
-Kayleigh, why did the President
feel it was important
to go walk over there
through the park
into the church?
-It was extremely important.
Look, the President wanted
to send a very powerful message
that we will not be overcome
by looting,
by rioting,
by burning.
This is not what defines
America.
And going and standing
by St.
John's Church was
a very important moment.
And I would note
that through all of time,
we've seen presidents
and leaders across the world
who have had leadership moments
and very powerful symbols
that were important for a nation
to see at any given time
to show a message of resilience
and determination.
Like Churchill, we saw him
inspecting the bombing damage.
It sent a powerful message
of leadership
to the British people.
And George W Bush throwing out
the ceremonial first pitch
after 9/11.
And Jimmy Carter
putting on a sweater
to encourage energy savings.
And George HW Bush
signing the Americans
with Disabilities Act
flanked by two
disabled Americans.
And for this president,
it was powerful and important
to send a message
that the rioters,
the looters, the anarchists,
they will not prevail,
that burning churches
are not what America is about.
And that moment,
holding the Bible up,
is something that has been
widely hailed
by Franklin Graham
and others,
and it was
a very important symbol
for the American people to see
that we will get through this
through unity
and through faith.
