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By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:  

Section 1.  Purpose.  Artificial intelligence (AI) is a defining technology of our era.  Recent advancements in AI demonstrate its rapidly growing relevance to national security, including with respect to logistics, military capabilities, intelligence analysis, and cybersecurity.  Building AI in the United States will help prevent adversaries from gaining access to, and using, powerful future systems to the detriment of our military and national security.  It will also enable the United States Government to continue harnessing AI in service of national-security missions while preventing the United States from becoming dependent on other countries’ infrastructure to develop and operate powerful AI tools.

Advances at the frontier of AI will also have significant implications for United States economic competitiveness.  These imperatives require building AI infrastructure in the United States on the time frame needed to ensure United States leadership over competitors who, already, are racing to take the lead in AI development and adoption.  Building AI in the United States requires enormous private-sector investments in infrastructure, especially for the advanced computing clusters needed to train AI models and the energy infrastructure needed to power this work.  Already, AI’s electricity and computational needs are vast, and they are set to surge in the years ahead.  This work also requires secure, reliable supply chains for critical components needed to build AI infrastructure, from construction materials to advanced electronics.

This order sets our Nation on the path to ensure that future frontier AI can, and will, continue to be built here in the United States.  In building domestic AI infrastructure, our Nation will also advance its leadership in the clean energy technologies needed to power the future economy, including geothermal, solar, wind, and nuclear energy; foster a vibrant, competitive, and open technology ecosystem in the United States, in which small companies can compete alongside large ones; maintain low consumer electricity prices; and help ensure that the development of AI infrastructure benefits the workers building it and communities near it.  

With this order, I provide a plan for protecting national security, preserving our economic competitiveness, revitalizing our energy infrastructure, and ensuring United States leadership in AI.

Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to enable the development and operation of AI infrastructure, including data centers, in the United States in accordance with five guiding principles.  When undertaking the actions set forth in this order, executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall adhere to these principles, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law:

(a)  The development of AI infrastructure should advance United States national security and leadership in AI.  Meeting this goal will require steps by the Federal Government, in collaboration with the private sector, to advance AI development and use AI for future national-security missions, including through the work described in National Security Memorandum 25 of October 24, 2024 (Advancing the United States’ Leadership in Artificial Intelligence; Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Fulfill National Security Objectives; and Fostering the Safety, Security, and Trustworthiness of Artificial Intelligence) (NSM-25).  It will also require the use of safeguards to improve the cyber, supply-chain, and physical security of the laboratories at which powerful AI is developed, stored, and used.  Additionally, protecting United States national security will require further work to evaluate and manage risks related to the powerful capabilities that future frontier AI may possess.

(b)  The development of AI infrastructure should advance United States economic competitiveness, including by fostering a vibrant technology ecosystem.  Already, AI is creating new jobs and industries, and its effects are being felt in sectors across the economy.  The Federal Government must ensure that the United States remains competitive in the global economy, including through harnessing the benefits of this technology for all Americans.  It must also promote a fair, open, and competitive AI ecosystem so that small developers and entrepreneurs can continue to drive innovation — a priority highlighted in both Executive Order 14110 of October 30, 2023 (Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence), and NSM-25 — as well as to support secure, reliable supply-chain infrastructure for AI activities.

(c)  The United States can and should lead the world in operating the next generation of AI data centers with clean power.  Meeting this goal will require building on recent successes to modernize our Nation’s energy infrastructure; improve permitting processes; and support investments in, and expeditious development of, both currently available and emerging clean energy technologies, such as geothermal energy, nuclear energy, and long-duration energy storage used to store clean energy, as well as relevant supply chains.  The United States must not be surpassed in its support for the development, commercialization, and operation of clean energy technologies at home and abroad, and the rapid buildout of AI infrastructure offers another vital opportunity to accelerate and deploy these energy technologies.  To help ensure that new data center electricity demand does not take clean power away from other end users, result in resource adequacy issues, or increase grid emissions, the construction of AI infrastructure must be matched with new, clean electricity generation resources.

(d)  The development of AI infrastructure should proceed without raising energy costs for American consumers and businesses, and it should have strong community support.  The companies developing, commercializing, and deploying AI must finance the cost of building the infrastructure needed for AI operations, including the development of next-generation power infrastructure built for these operations.  

(e)  The development of AI infrastructure should benefit those working to build it.  Meeting this goal will require high labor standards and safeguards for the buildout of AI infrastructure, consultation and close collaboration with communities affected by this infrastructure’s development and operation, and continuous work to mitigate risks and potential harms.  The American people more broadly must safely enjoy the gains and opportunities from technological innovation in the AI ecosystem.

Sec. 3.  Definitions.  For purposes of this order:

(a)  The term “agency” means each agency described in 44 U.S.C. 3502(1), except for the independent regulatory agencies described in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5).

(b)  The term “AI data center” means a data center used primarily with respect to developing or operating AI.

(c)  The term “AI infrastructure” refers collectively to AI data centers, generation and storage resources procured to deliver electrical energy to data centers, and transmission facilities developed or upgraded for the same purpose.

(d)  The term “AI model” means a component of an information system that implements AI technology and uses computational, statistical, or machine-learning techniques to produce outputs from a given set of inputs.

(e)  The term “clean energy” or “clean energy generation resources” means generation resources that produce few or no emissions of carbon dioxide during operation, including when paired with clean storage technologies.  This term includes geothermal, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, solar, wind, hydroelectric, hydrokinetic (including tidal, wave, and current), and marine energy; and carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies (for which the carbon capture equipment meets the definition set forth in 26 C.F.R. 1.45Q-2(c)) that operate with fossil fuel generation resources, that achieve carbon dioxide capture rates of 90 percent or higher on an annual basis, and that permanently sequester the captured carbon dioxide.

(f)  The term “clean power” means electricity generated by the generation resources described in subsection (e) of this section.

(g)  The term “clean repowering” means the practice of siting new clean generation sources at a site with an existing point of interconnection and generation sources operating with fossil fuels, such that some output or capacity from existing generation sources is replaced by the new clean generation sources.

(h)  The term “critical electric infrastructure information” has the same meaning as set forth in 18 C.F.R.  388.113(c).

(i)  The term “data center” means a facility used to store, manage, process, and disseminate electronic information for a computer network, and it includes any facility that is composed of one or more permanent or semi-permanent structures, or that is a dedicated space within such structure, and operates persistently in a fixed location; that is used for the housing of information technology equipment, including servers, mainframe computers, high-performance computing devices, or data-storage devices; and that is actively used for the hosting of information and information systems that are accessed by other systems or by users on other devices.

(j)  The term “distributed energy resource” has the same meaning as set forth in 18 C.F.R. 35.28(b)(10).

(k)  The term “Federal Permitting Agencies” refers to the agency members of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) established under section 41002 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, 42 U.S.C. 4370m-1, as well as any other agency with authority to issue a Federal permit or approval required for the development or operation of AI infrastructure.

(l)  The term “Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program” refers to the program established to provide an approach for the adoption and use of cloud services by the Federal Government, as codified in 44 U.S.C. 3607-3616 (as enacted by the FedRAMP Authorization Act, section 5921 of Public Law 117-263).

(m)  The term “frontier AI data center” means an AI data center capable of being used to develop, within a reasonable time frame, an AI model with characteristics related either to performance or to the computational resources used in its development that approximately match or surpass the state of the art at the time of the AI model’s development.

(n)  The term “frontier AI infrastructure” means AI infrastructure for which the relevant data center is a frontier AI data center.

(o)  The term “frontier AI training” refers to the act of developing an AI model with characteristics related either to performance or to the computational resources used in its development that approximately match or surpass the state of the art at the time of the AI model’s development.

(p)  The term “generation resource” means a facility that produces electricity.

(q)  The terms “interconnection,” “interconnection facilities,” and “point of interconnection” refer to facilities and equipment that physically and electrically connect generation resources or electrical load to the electric grid for the purpose of the delivery of electricity, for which grid operators have granted all appropriate approvals required for those facilities and equipment to operate.

(r)  The term “lab-security measures” refers to steps to detect, prevent, or mitigate physical, cyber, or other threats to the operation of a data center, to the integrity of information or other assets stored within it, or of unauthorized access to such information or assets.

(s)  The term “leading-edge logic semiconductors” refers to semiconductors produced at high volumes using extreme ultraviolet lithography tools as defined by the CHIPS Incentives Program Notice of Funding Opportunity, 2023-NIST-CHIPS-CFF-01.

(t)  The term “model weight” means a numerical parameter within an AI model that helps determine the model’s outputs in response to inputs.

(u)  The term “new source review” refers to the permitting program with this name in 40 C.F.R. parts 51 or 52.

(v)  The term “non-Federal parties” refers to private-sector entities that enter into a contract with the Department of Defense or the Department of Energy pursuant to section 4(g) of this order.

(w)  The term “priority geothermal zone” refers to lands with high potential for the development of geothermal power generation resources, as designated by the Secretary of the Interior, including pursuant to section 4(c) of this order.

(x)  The term “project labor agreement” means a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of a construction project.

(y)  The term “surplus interconnection service” has the same meaning as set forth in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order No. 845.

(z)  The terms “transmission facilities” and “transmission infrastructure” mean equipment or structures, including transmission lines and related facilities, used for the purpose of delivering electricity.

(aa)  The term “transmission organization” refers to a Regional Transmission Organization or an Independent System Operator.

(bb)  The term “transmission provider” means an entity that manages or operates transmission facilities for the delivery of electric energy used primarily by the public and that is not a transmission organization.

(cc)  The term “waters of the United States” has the same meaning as set forth in 33 C.F.R. 328.3(a).

Sec. 4.  Establishing Federal Sites for AI Infrastructure.  (a)  By February 28, 2025, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall, if possible, each identify a minimum of 3 sites on Federal land managed by their respective agencies that may be suitable for the agencies to lease to non-Federal entities for the construction and operation of a frontier AI data center, as well as for the construction and operation of clean energy facilities to serve the data center, by the end of 2027.  In identifying these sites, each Secretary shall, as feasible and appropriate, seek to prioritize sites that possess the following characteristics, as consistent with the objective of fully permitting and approving work to construct a frontier AI data center at each site by the end of 2025:

(i)     inclusion of sufficient terrain with appropriate land gradients, soil durability, and other topographical characteristics for frontier AI data centers; 

(ii)    minimized adverse effects from AI infrastructure development or operation on local communities’ health, wellbeing, and resource access; natural or cultural resources; threatened or endangered species; and harbors or river improvements not associated with hydropower generation resources;

(iii)   proximity to any communities seeking to host AI infrastructure, including for reasons related to local workers’ access to jobs involved in designing, building, maintaining, and operating data centers;

(iv)    ready access and proximity to high-voltage transmission infrastructure that minimizes the scale of, cost of, and timeline to develop any transmission upgrades or development needed to interconnect AI infrastructure, in consideration of access and proximity to:  

(A)  high-capacity transmission infrastructure with unused capacity, as identified by collection activities described in section 6 of this order;

(B)  any planned generation facilities that can enable delivery of electricity to an AI data center on the site managed by each Secretary’s respective agency, that possess an executed interconnection agreement with a transmission provider, that do not possess an executed power purchase agreement, and for which construction has not yet begun;

(C)  any lands that the Secretary of the Interior identifies pursuant to subsection (c) of this section; and

(D)  any power generation facilities with high clean repowering potential;

(v)     location within geographic areas that are not at risk of persistently failing to attain National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and where the total cancer risk from air pollution is at or below the national average according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 2020 AirToxScreen;

(vi)    lack of proximity to waters of the United States for purposes of permitting requirements;

(vii)   lack of extensive restrictions on land uses associated with constructing and operating AI infrastructure or on access to necessary rights-of-way for such activities;

(viii)  ready access to high-capacity telecommunications networks;

(ix)    suitability for the development of access roads or other temporary infrastructure necessary for the construction of AI infrastructure; and

(x)     absence of other characteristics that would, if the site was used or repurposed for AI infrastructure, compromise a competing national security concern as determined by the relevant Secretary in consultation with the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.  

(b)  By March 15, 2025, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, and the Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, shall identify sites managed by BLM that the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of BLM, deems may be suitable for granting or issuing rights of way to private-sector entities to construct and operate additional clean energy facilities that are being or may be built as components of frontier AI infrastructure developed pursuant to this section.  In performing this work, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, shall take steps to ensure where feasible and appropriate that any such sites identified under this subsection include sufficient acreage for developing clean generation resources that can deliver sufficient electricity to each site identified under subsection (a) of this section for matching the capacity needs of frontier AI data centers on the latter sites.  The sites identified under this subsection shall include any land managed by the Department of the Interior that is within a region designated by the Secretary of the Interior under subsection (c) of this section, or a region preliminarily identified as a candidate for such designation.  In determining the suitability of sites, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of BLM, shall prioritize identification of sites that:  

(i)    contain completed, permitted, or planned clean generation projects that can enable delivery of electricity as described in this subsection and possess an executed interconnection agreement with a transmission provider;

(ii)   have been allocated as available for solar applications in the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendments for Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development, published by BLM, or that have otherwise been allocated as available for clean-energy applications in a BLM resource management plan;

(iii)  have reasonable access to and are located nearby existing high-voltage transmission lines that have at least one gigawatt of additional capacity available, or for which such capacity can be reasonably developed through reconductoring, grid-enhancing technologies, or transmission upgrades;

(iv)   possess the characteristics described in subsections (a)(i)-(x) of this section, in a manner that is consistent with the objective of fully permitting and approving work to construct utility-scale power facilities on a timeline that allows for the operation of those facilities by the end of 2027 or as soon as feasible thereafter; and

(v)    possess other characteristics conducive to enabling new clean power development at such sites to contribute to lower regional electricity prices or to bring other community benefits.

(c)  By March 15, 2025, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of BLM and in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall, if possible, designate at least five regions composed of lands or subsurface areas managed by the Department of the Interior as Priority Geothermal Zones (PGZs).  The Secretary of the Interior shall designate those regions based on their potential for geothermal power generation resources, including hydrothermal and next-generation geothermal power and thermal storage; diversity of geological characteristics; and possession of the characteristics described in subsections (a)(i)-(x) and (b)(i)-(v) of this section.

(d)  The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy,  and the Secretary of the Interior shall each make a legal determination as to whether each site identified pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section is available for lease or for the issuance of a right of way, as appropriate, pursuant to the authority of the Secretary that made the identification, and as to whether the Secretary has the legal authority to lease or grant a right of way over or upon each site identified for the construction of frontier AI infrastructure.  For purposes of this order, a site shall be considered “cleared” under this subsection if the relevant Secretary has determined that the site is available for lease and the Secretary concerned has the authority to lease it.    

(e)  By March 31, 2025, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the heads of any other agencies that either Secretary deems appropriate, shall coordinate to design, launch, and administer competitive public solicitations of proposals from non-Federal entities to lease Federal land to construct frontier AI infrastructure, including frontier AI data centers, on sites identified under subsection (a) of this section and cleared under subsection (d) of this section, if any.  When issuing the solicitations, the Secretaries shall announce the sites identified under subsection (a) of this section and cleared under subsection (d) of this section, if any, and additional relevant information including the sites’ geographic coordinates, technical characteristics, proximity to sites identified consistent with subsection (b) of this section and cleared under subsection (d) of this section, if any, and other relevant information.  The solicitations shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law and to the extent the Secretaries agree that such requirements promote national defense, national security, or the public interest, as appropriate, require applicants to identify particular sites on which they propose to construct and operate frontier AI infrastructure; submit a detailed plan specifying proposed timelines, financing methods, and technical construction plans associated with such construction work, including a contingency plan for decommissioning infrastructure on Federal sites; submit a plan that describes proposed frontier AI training work to occur at the site once operational; submit a plan for detailing the extent of the use of high labor and construction standards as described in subsection (g)(viii) of this section; and submit a plan with proposed lab-security measures, including personnel and material access requirements, that could be associated with the operation of frontier AI infrastructure.  These requirements should be designed to ensure adequate collection of information from applicants regarding the criteria in subsections (g)(i)-(xvi) of this section.  The solicitations shall close within 30 days of their issuance.

(f)  By March 31, 2025, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, shall publicize the sites identified under subsection (b) of this section and cleared under subsection (d) of this section, if any, and additional relevant information including the sites’ geographic coordinates, technical characteristics, proximity to sites identified consistent with subsection (a) of this section and cleared under subsection (d) of this section, if any, and other relevant information.  

(g)  By June 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall announce any winning proposals identified through solicitations described in subsection (e) of this section.  In selecting any winning proposals, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall, in consultation with each other, assign winners the opportunity to apply for any Federal permits needed to build and operate frontier AI infrastructure pursuant to the frameworks described in subsection (h) of this section on any sites included in the solicitations issued under subsection (e) of this section, as the Secretaries deem appropriate.  The Secretaries shall consult with the Attorney General on the implications of selections on the competition and market-structure characteristics of the broader AI ecosystem.  The Chair of the Federal Trade Commission is encouraged to participate in these consultations.  The Secretaries shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law and to the extent that the Secretaries assess that the requirement promotes national defense, national security, or the public interest, as appropriate, select at least one proposal developed and submitted jointly by a consortium of two or more small- or medium-sized organizations — as determined by those organizations’ market capitalization, revenues, or similar characteristics — provided that the Secretaries receive at least one such proposal that meets the appropriate qualifications.  The Secretaries shall provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to small- or medium-sized organizations seeking to submit proposals.  The criteria for selecting winning proposals shall include, at a minimum, consideration of the following characteristics of the applicants and any identified partner organizations, to the extent consistent with applicable law and to the extent that the Secretaries agree that the listed characteristics promote national defense, national security, or the public interest, as appropriate:

(i)     proposed financing mechanisms and sources of funds secured or likely to be secured for work to be performed at the site;

(ii)    plans for ensuring high-quality AI training operations to be executed at the site by the applicant or third-party partners;

(iii)   plans for maximizing energy, water, and other resource efficiency, including waste-heat utilization in constructing and operating the AI data center at the site, the strength of the proposed energy master plan for the site, and the quality of analysis of potential strains on local communities;

(iv)    safety and security measures, including cybersecurity measures, proposed to be implemented at the site, and capabilities for such implementation;

(v)      capabilities and acumen of applicable AI scientists, engineers, and other workforce essential to the operation of AI infrastructure;

(vi)    plans for commercializing or otherwise deploying or advancing deployment of appropriate intellectual property, including AI model weights, developed at the site, as well as plans for commercializing or otherwise deploying or advancing deployment of innovations related to power generation and transmission infrastructure developed in the course of building or operating AI infrastructure;

(vii)   plans to help ensure that the construction and operation of AI infrastructure does not increase electricity costs to other ratepayers or water costs to consumers, including, as appropriate, through appropriate proposed or recommended future engagement with any applicable regulatory authorities and State, Tribal, or local governments;

(viii)  plans to use high labor standards that help ensure continuous and high-quality work performed on the site, such as paying prevailing wages; hiring registered apprentices; promoting positive labor-management relations through a project labor agreement; and otherwise adopting high job quality and labor standards for the construction and operations workforce as set forth in Executive Order 14126 of September 6, 2024 (Investing in America and Investing in American Workers), and a plan to address labor-related risks associated with the development and use of AI;

(ix)    design features and operational controls and plans that mitigate potential environmental effects and implement strong community health, public safety, and environmental protection measures;

(x)     other benefits to the community and electric grid infrastructure surrounding the site;

(xi)    experience completing comparable construction projects;

(xii)   experience in compliance with Federal, State, and local permits and environmental reviews relevant to construction and operation of AI infrastructure or, in the alternative, other evidence of an ability to obtain and comply with such permits or reviews in an efficient manner;

(xiii)  the presence of organizational and management structures to help ensure sound governance of work performed at the site;

(xiv)   the effect of the selection of an applicant on the emergence of an interoperable, competitive AI ecosystem;

(xv)    whether an applicant has already been assigned an opportunity, or is being assigned another opportunity, to build a frontier AI data center on a Federal site through the solicitation process described in this section; and

(xvi)   other considerations of national defense, national security, or the public interest, including economic security, as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy deem appropriate.

(h)  By June 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall each develop a framework through which any winning applicants selected under subsection (g) of this section may apply to lease sites respectively identified under subsection (a) of this section, and cleared under subsection (d) of this section, to construct and operate AI infrastructure, and by which the applicants may own the AI infrastructure facilities on those sites, subject to the conditions described in subsections (i)-(x) of this subsection.  To the extent that the Secretaries assess that it is consistent with national defense, national security, or the public interest, as appropriate, these frameworks shall allow for winning applicants to cooperate with other appropriate private-sector entities on construction and operation activities, including through contracting and subcontracting relationships, and the frameworks shall not require that parties proposing to own AI infrastructure be identical to those proposing to operate the infrastructure or perform work at the sites on which the infrastructure is located.  Actions taken by Federal entities pursuant to the frameworks shall conform to any applicable requirements of Appendix B of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-11 and any other appropriate budget-scoring practices; applicable in-kind consideration shall be taken into account in calculating the cost to lessees of any such leases.  As part of the foregoing work, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall, to the extent consistent with their respective authorities and with national defense, national security, or the public interest, as appropriate, require lease or contract terms that accomplish the following:  

(i)     establish a target of the applicant’s beginning construction of a frontier AI data center by January 1, 2026, and commencing full-capacity operation of the AI infrastructure by December 31, 2027, subject to fulfillment of relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, and in a manner consistent with opportunities to operate the infrastructure at or below full capacity at an earlier date;

(ii)    require that, concurrent with operating a frontier AI data center on a Federal site, non-Federal parties constructing, owning, or operating AI infrastructure have procured sufficient new clean power generation resources with capacity value to meet the frontier AI data center’s planned electricity needs, including by providing power that matches the data center’s timing of electricity use on an hourly basis and is deliverable to the data center;

(iii)   clarify that non-Federal parties bear all responsibility for paying any costs that parties to the frameworks described in subsection (h) of this section, as well as transmission providers or transmission organizations or other entities not party to the contract, incur from work pursuant to it, including costs of work performed by agencies to complete necessary environmental reviews, any costs related to the procurement of clean power generation resources and capacity in accordance with subsection (g)(ii) of this section, any costs of decommissioning AI infrastructure on Federal sites, any costs of developing transmission infrastructure needed to serve a frontier AI data center on a Federal site, and the fair market value of leasing and using applicable Federal lands;

(iv)    require adherence to technical standards and guidelines for cyber, supply-chain, and physical security for protecting and controlling any facilities, equipment, devices, systems, data, and other property, including AI model weights, that are developed, acquired, modified, used, or stored at the site or in the course of work performed on the site.  The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Director of the AI Safety Institute (AISI) at NIST, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, and the Director of National Intelligence, shall identify available standards and guidelines to which adherence shall be required under this subsection.  The identified standards should reflect and incorporate guidelines and best practices developed by the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of NIST, pursuant to Executive Order 14028 of May 12, 2021 (Enhancing United States Cybersecurity), and Executive Order 14110 of November 1, 2023 (Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence).  The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of AISI at NIST, shall support the ongoing improvement of the framework described in this subsection by developing security guidelines for frontier AI training and operation and, as part of this work, shall comprehensively evaluate the security implications of publicly available AI models that the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of AISI at NIST, deems globally significant;  

(v)     require that non-Federal parties owning or operating frontier AI data centers sign a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of AISI at NIST, to facilitate collaborative research and evaluations on AI models developed, acquired, modified, run, or stored at the site or in the course of work performed on the site, for the purpose of assessing the national-security or other significant risks of those models;

(vi)    require non-Federal parties to report information about investments or financial capital from any person used or involved in the development (including construction), ownership, or operation of AI infrastructure on the site and in the development, operation, or use of AI models operating in such AI infrastructure, as appropriate to evaluate risks to national security; and require non-Federal parties to limit the involvement in any such activities of, or the use or involvement in any such activities of investments or financial capital from, any person whom the Secretaries of Defense or Energy deem appropriate on national security grounds;

(vii)   require non-Federal parties owning or operating AI data centers on Federal sites to take appropriate steps to advance the objective of harnessing AI, with appropriate safeguards, for purposes of national security, military preparedness, and intelligence operations, including with respect to the objectives and work outlined in NSM-25.  Such steps shall, as consistent with applicable legal authorities, include collaborating with the Federal Government on regularly recurring assessments of the national-security implications of AI models developed on Federal sites, as appropriate.  In addition, as appropriate and consistent with any relevant Federal procurement laws and regulations, the non-Federal parties shall be required to commit to providing access to such models, and critical resources derivative of such models, to the Federal Government for national-security applications at terms at least no less favorable than current market rates, consistent with NSM-25 and the associated Framework to Advance AI Governance and Risk Management in National Security.  To the extent feasible, AI models and resources derived from them shall be developed and provided to the Federal Government in a manner that prevents vendor lock-in and supports interoperability, including as consistent with the measures in section 5 of OMB Memorandum M-24-18;

(viii)  require that non-Federal parties owning or operating frontier AI data centers on Federal sites develop plans to make available computational resources that are not dedicated to supporting frontier AI training, or otherwise allocated under another provision, for commercial use by startups and small firms on nondiscriminatory terms and in a manner that minimizes barriers to interoperability, entry, or exit for users;

(ix)    require non-Federal parties owning or operating AI infrastructure on Federal sites to explore the availability of clean energy resources — such as geothermal power generation resources and thermal storage, long-duration storage paired with clean energy, and carbon capture and sequestration as described in section 3(e) of this order, as well as beneficial uses of waste heat — at any appropriate sites that those parties lease for purposes of constructing frontier AI data centers on Federal sites or procuring power generation capacity to serve these data centers; and

(x)     require AI developers owning and operating frontier AI data centers on Federal sites either to procure, for use in the development of their data centers, an appropriate share (as measured by monetary value) of leading-edge logic semiconductors fabricated in the United States to the maximum extent practicable; or to develop and implement a plan, subject to the respective approval of the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Energy, to qualify leading-edge logic semiconductors fabricated in the United States for use in the developer’s data centers as soon as practicable.  The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall develop any such requirements — including any determinations about amounts of leading-edge logic semiconductors that may be considered “appropriate” — in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce.  

(i)  Within 1 year of the date of this order and consistent with applicable law, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, shall issue regulations that prescribe heightened safeguards to protect computing hardware acquired, developed, stored, or used on any sites on which frontier AI infrastructure is located and that are managed by the Department of Defense, as needed to implement or build upon the objectives of, or the requirements established pursuant to, subsection 4(g)(iv).  The regulations shall include requirements to conform with appropriate high-impact level standards identified through the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, and they shall further provide for appropriate penalties consistent with applicable authorities.  No less than annually the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the aforementioned individuals, shall review the need for updates to the regulations, and promulgate any necessary revisions.  The Secretary of Energy shall impose substantively the same requirements with respect to frontier AI infrastructure on sites managed by the Department of Energy, to the extent authorized by law.

(j)  To enable the use — for advancing geothermal power development, including the development of thermal storage — of Federal lands already subject to leases:

(i)   Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall establish a program with personnel dedicated to providing technical assistance for, streamlining, and otherwise advancing direct-use leasing of geothermal projects on BLM lands, including as consistent with the policies set forth in 43 C.F.R. subpart 3205, and leases of geothermal projects on lands subject to mining claims or under an oil and gas lease.

(ii)  When issuing leases and related authorizations for geothermal projects, the Secretary of the Interior shall consider the extent to which the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., and other appropriate statutes have been satisfied by prior analyses of the lease area.  

(k)  In performing the work described in section 4 of this order, including as related to the selection and management of sites, the head of each respective Federal agency shall:

(i)    consult, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, Executive Order 13175 of November 6, 2000 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments), and the Presidential Memorandum of November 30, 2022 (Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation), with Tribal Nations for which such work may have implications or who otherwise request such consultation;

(ii)   seek input from, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law and Administration policies, with State and local governments and other stakeholders and communities for which such work may have implications; and

(iii)  consider taking actions that present the greatest opportunities to support the goals described in Safely and Responsibly Expanding U.S. Nuclear Energy: Deployment Targets and A Framework for Action (November 2024).

Sec. 5.  Protecting American Consumers and Communities.  (a)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors and the heads of other agencies that the Secretary deems appropriate, shall submit a report to the President on the potential effects of AI data centers on electricity prices for consumers and businesses.  This report shall include electricity-rate-structure best practices for appropriate Federal agencies, State regulators, and transmission providers and transmission organizations to promote procurement of clean energy generation resources as components of AI infrastructure without increasing costs for other customers through cost-allocation processes or other mechanisms — particularly in regions that have or are expected to have high concentrations of AI infrastructure — as well as regional analyses of key data center hubs.  The report shall further account for any existing approaches developed by Federal agencies to engage transmission providers and State regulators regarding electricity prices.  After submitting the report, the Secretary of Energy shall engage appropriate private-sector entities, to include the winning applicants selected under subsection 4(g) of this order, on the report’s findings and recommendations.

(b)  The Secretary of Energy shall provide technical assistance to State public utility commissions to consider rate structures, including clean transition tariffs and any other appropriate structures identified under subsection (a) of this section, to enable new AI infrastructure to use clean energy without causing unnecessary increases in electricity or water prices.

(c)  The Secretary of Energy and the heads of other appropriate agencies as the Secretary of Energy deems appropriate, shall coordinate to expand research-and-development efforts related to AI data center efficiency.  Supported research and development shall cover, as appropriate, efficiency considerations associated with data center buildings, including the data center shell; electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and cooling infrastructure; software; and beneficial use cases for wastewater heat from data center operations.  As part of this work, the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy shall submit a report to the President identifying appropriate ways that agencies can advance industry-wide data center energy efficiency through research and development, including server consolidation; hardware efficiency; virtualization; optimized cooling and airflow management; and power management, monitoring, and capacity planning.

(d)  In implementing this order with respect to AI infrastructure on Federal sites, the heads of relevant agencies shall prioritize taking appropriate measures to keep electricity costs low for households, consumers, and businesses.

(e)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Director of OMB, in consultation with the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), shall evaluate best practices for public participation and governmental engagement in the development of potential siting and energy-related infrastructure for data centers, to include practices for seeking input on potential health, safety, and environmental impacts and mitigation measures for nearby communities.  The Director shall present recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, who shall — as feasible and appropriate, and to advance the goals of assuring effective governmental engagement and meaningful public participation — implement and incorporate these recommendations into their siting and related decision-making processes regarding AI infrastructure.

Sec. 6.  Facilitating Electric Grid Interconnections for Federal Sites.  (a)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, for the purpose of supporting any winning applicants of the solicitations described in subsection 4(e) of this order, the Secretary of Energy shall establish requirements for transmission providers and transmission organizations to report to the Secretary information regarding surplus interconnection service; available transmission capacity for interconnecting generators; opportunities for clean repowering; and proposed, planned, or initiated projects to build clean power generation capacity for which construction is not complete, but which have executed generation interconnection agreements.  Information requested regarding these proposed, planned, or initiated projects shall include the size, location, and generation technology for each such clean power generation project, as well as the status and estimated cost of any transmission upgrades necessary to enable that project’s interconnection consistent with the interconnection agreement.  The Secretary shall facilitate communication, as appropriate, among the owners of such surplus interconnection service, facilities with opportunities for clean repowering, or clean power generator projects and winning applicants to the solicitations described in subsection 4(e) of this order.  The Secretary shall further establish appropriate requirements for transmission providers and transmission organizations to continue reporting information described in this subsection on an ongoing basis, and in any event no less than annually.

(b)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy shall identify and communicate, as appropriate, a prioritized list of underutilized points of interconnection that are relevant to AI infrastructure on Federal sites and that demonstrate the highest potential for uses associated with AI infrastructure.  In developing this list, the Secretary shall direct transmission providers and transmission organizations to identify areas of the transmission network best suited to serve as points of interconnection for either data centers or other AI infrastructure that will use electricity from the transmission system — and locations best suited for interconnection of clean generators to serve such data centers — considering criteria such as minimizing the need for transmission upgrades necessary to accommodate such interconnection and access to clean energy generation resources.   

(c)  By June 30, 2025, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and in consultation, as appropriate, with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall engage with transmission providers and transmission organizations owning, operating, or maintaining transmission infrastructure located near Federal sites selected for AI infrastructure to identify any grid upgrades, deployment of advanced transmission technologies such as high-performance conductors or grid-enhancing technologies, operational changes, or other steps expected to be required for extending interconnection services to AI infrastructure by the end of 2027.  Such engagements shall continue as the parties deem appropriate, and they shall prioritize, as appropriate, efforts to enable use of surplus interconnection services, clean repowering, and other methods of accelerated shifts toward clean power and beneficial use of waste heat.  The engagements shall also include consideration of ways that the performance of such work as described in this subsection can most contribute to lower regional electricity prices.

(d)  The Secretary of Energy shall conduct an analysis of currently available transmission infrastructure serving potential sites, and the likely cost and feasibility of, and timeline for, developing additional such infrastructure needed for constructing and operating a frontier AI data center on sites identified under subsection 4(a) of this order, and cleared under subsection 4(d) of this order, including by providing the frontier AI data center with clean energy and capacity.  The Secretary shall identify and collect from transmission providers and transmission organizations information that the Secretary deems necessary for the analysis required under this subsection.  The Secretary shall, as appropriate, treat such information as critical electric infrastructure information.

Sec. 7.  Expeditiously Processing Permits for Federal Sites.  (a)  The heads of Federal Permitting Agencies shall prioritize work and exercise all applicable authorities, as appropriate, to expedite the processing of permits and approvals required for the construction and operation of AI infrastructure on Federal sites, with the goal of issuing all permits and approvals required for construction by the end of 2025 or as soon as they can be completed consistent with applicable law.  As part of this work, the Permitting Council may provide coordination of permitting for AI infrastructure on Federal sites, as appropriate and to the extent that the relevant developers of AI infrastructure submit a notice of the initiation of a proposed covered project under 42 U.S.C. 4370m-2 and the project is determined to be such a covered project by the Permitting Council.  

(b)  To facilitate expeditious implementation of the requirements under NEPA with respect to Federal sites:

(i)    The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Energy shall identify, within their respective agencies, personnel dedicated to performing NEPA reviews of projects to construct and operate AI infrastructure on Federal sites.

(ii)   The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Energy, shall undertake a programmatic environmental review, on a thematic basis, of the environmental effects — and opportunities to mitigate those effects — involved with the construction and operation of AI data centers, as well as of other components of AI infrastructure as the Secretary of Defense deems appropriate.  The review shall conclude, with all appropriate documents published, on the date of the close of the solicitations described in subsection 4(e) of this order, or as soon thereafter as possible.  The review shall, as applicable, incorporate by reference previously developed environmental studies, surveys, and impact analyses, including the analysis described in subsection 4(b)(ii) of this order.

(iii)  After the conclusion of the programmatic review described in subsection (b)(ii) of this section, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, and the heads of other relevant agencies, as appropriate, shall commence any further environmental reviews that are required under NEPA for the construction and operation of AI infrastructure on Federal sites, including by applying any available categorical exclusions.  Such reviews shall, as appropriate, build on or incorporate by reference the programmatic environmental review conducted under subsection (b)(ii) of this section, as well as any other studies, surveys, and impact analyses that the Secretaries deem appropriate.

(c)  To advance expeditious preconstruction permitting and ensure full compliance with air-quality permit requirements for AI infrastructure, the Administrator of the EPA, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy, shall:

(i)    within 30 days of the selection of winning applications under subsection 4(g) of this order, engage State and local permitting authorities with jurisdiction over sites selected for AI infrastructure, as appropriate, to enhance relevant authorities’ understanding of the technical characteristics of AI infrastructure projects as relevant to new source reviews under the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., and to enhance the public’s understanding of the same, as well as to facilitate the acquisition of information by AI developers operating on Federal sites regarding best practices for expeditiously obtaining air-quality permits;

(ii)   continue engagements with State and local permitting authorities, and provide technical assistance to AI developers operating on Federal sites, on an ongoing basis and as appropriate, to help advance expeditious conclusion of, and compliance with, new source reviews; and

(iii)  following the acquisition of all preconstruction air-quality permits by developers, take steps to ensure, on an ongoing basis and as appropriate, that AI developers operating on Federal sites adhere to all requirements of operational air-quality permits applicable to their respective projects; that information needed to demonstrate compliance, possibly including air-monitoring data, is made publicly available and regularly updated; and that best practices are identified for air-emissions reduction and air-quality monitoring regarding AI infrastructure on Federal sites.

(d)  To help ensure expeditious permitting or permission processes related to waters of the United States and harbor and river improvements, the Secretary of Defense shall prioritize work, as appropriate, to process applications for permits administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., and to process applications for permission for appropriate projects under section 14 of the Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C. 408), as consistent with the statutes’ requirements, in order to render determinations on any such permits or permissions associated with AI infrastructure on Federal sites by the end of 2025, or as soon as feasible consistent with statutory requirements.  The Secretary shall, consistent with applicable law, prioritize allocation of resources toward USACE district offices, and direct the allocation of resources within such offices, as needed to comply with this directive.  The Secretary shall further apply all general permits applicable to AI infrastructure where appropriate to promote expeditious permitting on such Federal sites.

(e)  Within 30 days of the selection of any winning applications under subsection 4(g) of this order, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall initiate Tribal consultations as applicable and appropriate based on the sites selected.  Upon receipt of sufficient project information, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall further initiate consultations with the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to ensure that the construction and operation of AI infrastructure on each site that is identified under subsection 4(a) of this order, cleared under subsection 4(d) of this order, and subsequently chosen as the location for the construction and operation of AI infrastructure pursuant to a winning application under subsection 4(g) of this order are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of a critical habitat of such species.  The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall conclude such consultations with USFWS, to the maximum extent practicable, within 90 days of the initiation of such consultations when feasible and consistent with statutory requirements.

(f)  To advance the development of geothermal energy production and thermal storage, including in support of AI infrastructure on Federal sites:

(i)    Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall undertake a programmatic environmental review, on a thematic basis, of the environmental impacts and associated mitigations involved with the construction and operation of a geothermal power plant.  

(ii)   By the date on which the review described in subsection (f)(i) of this section is completed, the Secretary of the Interior shall establish a target cumulative capacity of permitted or operational geothermal projects by a year that the Secretary shall designate.

(iii)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall assess existing categorical exclusions that are listed in the NEPA procedures of other agencies and could apply to actions taken in connection with geothermal energy development.  The Secretary shall propose adopting such categorical exclusions as the Secretary, after consultation with the heads of agencies whose NEPA procedures list the categorical exclusions, deems appropriate, and, after considering all comments received through applicable public comment processes, take any actions to adopt categorical exclusions that are appropriate given the received comments, as consistent with the requirements of NEPA and 40 C.F.R. parts 1500-1508.  The Secretary shall prioritize the expeditious permitting of geothermal projects, including the application of any appropriate categorical exclusions adopted under this subsection, on PGZs.  The Secretary shall prioritize work to expeditiously permit geothermal projects on PGZs above the work described in subsection (f)(i) of this section.

(iv)   When issuing leases and related authorizations for geothermal projects on PGZs, the Secretary of the Interior shall fulfill the requirements of NEPA and the Endangered Species Act in a manner that allows for the earliest possible operation of geothermal power plants consistent with applicable law.  

(v)    The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Energy shall, as appropriate, coordinate to determine and clarify appropriate procedures for the execution of leases or subleases for developing or expanding clean energy generation resources, including geothermal energy generation resources, on withdrawn lands subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense or the Department of Energy.

Sec. 8.  Ensuring Adequate Transmission Infrastructure for Federal Sites.  (a)  The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Interior, shall take steps to enable AI infrastructure on Federal sites to have reliable access to transmission facilities adequate for the operation of frontier AI data centers by the end of 2027.  

(b)  To promote any needed upgrades and development of transmission infrastructure that is located on or that is necessary to support Federal sites with AI infrastructure, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of BLM and the Director of USFWS, shall:

(i)   by September 30, 2025, identify and initiate use of all appropriate authorities to construct, finance, facilitate, and plan such upgrades and development, including through the Transmission Infrastructure Program administered by the Western Area Power Administration; and

(ii)  prioritize the allocation of staff and resources for developing transmission infrastructure needed to support AI infrastructure on Federal sites -‑ and in doing so, as appropriate, allocate relevant staff and resources from any component within the Department of Energy for this purpose -‑ consistent with the requirements and objectives of this order and applicable law.

(c)  Because of the importance of frontier AI infrastructure, including transmission capacity, to the defense industrial base, critical infrastructure, and military preparedness:  

(i)   The Secretary of Energy shall consider expected use of frontier AI data centers on Federal sites as part of the Secretary’s triennial study of electric transmission capacity constraints and congestion under section 216(a)(1) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p(a)(1)).

(ii)  Consistent with the requirements of section 216(a)(2) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p(a)(2)), and based on any findings made in future studies of electric transmission capacity constraints and congestion as described in subsection (c)(i) of this section, the Secretary shall consider whether to designate geographic areas around frontier AI infrastructure on Federal sites as national interest electric transmission corridors.  

(d)  The Secretary of Energy shall, as appropriate, help ensure that transmission facilities upgraded or developed to support AI data centers on Federal sites:  

(i)   are designed to support all reasonably foreseeable electric loads, including through the deployment of grid-enhancing technologies, high-performance conductors, and other advanced transmission technologies, including those described in the Department of Energy’s Innovative Grid Deployment Liftoffreport, that will increase the capabilities of the transmission facilities on a timely and cost-effective basis; and

(ii)  conform to conductor efficiency standards or other technical standards or criteria that the Secretary determines will optimize facilities’ performance and cost-effectiveness.

(e)  To improve the timely availability of critical grid equipment for frontier AI infrastructure, such as electrical transformers, circuit breakers, switchgears, and cables, and to protect electricity consumers from exposure to rising equipment prices:  

(i)   Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Energy shall jointly consult with domestic suppliers of such technologies on the expected needs of AI infrastructure on Federal sites, suppliers’ current production plans, and opportunities for Government support in helping suppliers meet market demands.

(ii)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy shall facilitate industry-led convenings on transformers and other critical grid components, which shall include appropriate representatives from agencies, transmission providers and transmission organizations, domestic suppliers of transformers, data center developers, and other private-sector organizations.  On an ongoing basis, the Secretary, after consulting with participants in the industry-led convenings, shall:  

(A)  on at least an annual basis, develop and publish supply and demand forecasts for transformers, including forecasts for different transformer variants and analyses of supply and demand trends under different future scenarios, which shall include scenarios for growth in electricity demand from AI infrastructure and other sources of demand; and

(B)  consider and, as appropriate, execute purchases of transformers and other critical grid components in order to provide demand certainty for domestic manufacturers to invest in capacity for meeting the needs of AI infrastructure.  Any decision to execute such purchases shall be based on economic or other industry data, including the capacity utilization of domestic suppliers of transformers or other components, that the Secretary deems relevant to evaluating the status of the domestic industry.  The Secretary shall subsequently execute sales of any purchased transformers or other critical grid components at times that the Secretary deems appropriate based on such data.  

(f)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy shall establish requirements for transmission providers and transmission organizations to report to the Secretary transmission-related information to assist in siting and accelerating the interconnection of generation resources to serve frontier AI data centers on sites identified under section 4(a) of this order and cleared under subsection 4(d) of this order.  Such information may include data on transmission congestion to help identify where additional transmission investments could enable the development of additional transmission capacity to serve such AI data centers.

(g)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the heads of agencies that possess loan or loan-guarantee authorities shall evaluate whether any such authorities could be used to support the development of AI infrastructure on Federal sites — including the production of critical grid equipment as described in subsection (e) of this section, or other actions to strengthen the AI infrastructure supply chain.  In cases in which any authorities are available and appropriate for this purpose, the heads of relevant agencies shall provide that information to developers of AI infrastructure on Federal sites or other appropriate private-sector entities.

Sec. 9.  Additional Efforts to Improve Permitting and Power Procurement Nationwide.  (a)  The heads of Federal Permitting Agencies shall designate, with respect to each of their component agencies, dedicated staff to handle all matters related to permits and approvals for AI infrastructure.  Such designations shall include personnel dedicated to coordinating with and addressing the needs of applicants for permits under the respective agency’s purview.  In designating such personnel, the heads of Federal Permitting Agencies shall, as appropriate, implement staffing arrangements and other mechanisms that accelerate permitting for AI infrastructure to the maximum extent possible.

(b)  To improve review practices pursuant to NEPA:

(i)    Within 60 days of the date of this order, the heads of Federal Permitting Agencies, in coordination with the Chair of CEQ, shall assess existing categorical exclusions and identify opportunities to establish new categorical exclusions to support AI infrastructure on Federal sites, consistent with the requirements of NEPA and 40 C.F.R. parts 1500-1508.  The heads of agencies whose NEPA regulations include categorical exclusions related to fiber-optic cables are encouraged, in undertaking these assessments, to evaluate whether such categorical exclusions may be applied to the development of fiber-optic cables as used for AI infrastructure. 

(ii)   Within 120 days of the date of this order, the heads of Federal Permitting Agencies shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, propose any new categorical exclusions and, after considering all comments received through applicable public comment processes, take any actions to establish categorical exclusions that are appropriate given the received comments.

(iii)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, and consistent with the directives described in section 7 of this order, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Energy shall identify any existing categorical exclusions that are listed in the NEPA procedures of other agencies and that are relevant to the development of clean energy, electric transmission, or AI data centers and take any appropriate steps to adopt such categorical exclusions where appropriate and consistent with the requirements of NEPA and 40 C.F.R. parts 1500-1508.  The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Energy shall take any appropriate steps to adopt and apply such categorical exclusions to AI infrastructure on Federal sites where consistent with the requirements of NEPA and 40 C.F.R. parts 1500-1508.

(c)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy shall issue a request for information on opportunities for accelerated interconnection at existing power plants, including as related to surplus interconnection service and clean repowering.  The request shall seek details on the ownership of such plants with surplus interconnection service and the plants’ suitability for colocation of new clean power generation resources with shared grid access.  

(d)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy shall issue a request for information from private-sector entities including transmission providers, transmission organizations, and clean energy developers regarding load interconnection processes.  The Secretary shall subsequently engage with transmission providers and transmission organizations regarding best practices to improve the transparency and efficiency of such processes, including through adopting new technologies, software, and procedures.  The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and financial assistance to facilitate such adoption, as appropriate.  The Secretary shall publish a report describing the results of this work within 1 year of the date of this order.

(e)  To promote the expeditious, responsible development of nuclear power generation resources, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy shall:

(i)    seek to facilitate the deployment of additional nuclear power and, as relevant, supply-chain services on lands owned by, respectively, the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy — including Department of Defense installations and sites owned or managed by the Department of Energy National Laboratories — by, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, identifying opportunities for such deployment on specific lands to the extent such opportunities exist and, in the case of the Secretary of Energy only, by evaluating whether financial support for such deployment is appropriate; 

(ii)   within 180 days of the date of this order, coordinate to publish a joint list of ten high-priority sites — or, if fewer than ten appropriate sites exist, as many sites as possible — which may overlap with sites identified and cleared under section 4 of this order, that are most conducive to expeditious, safe, and responsible deployment of additional nuclear power capacity readily available to serve AI data center electricity demand by December 31, 2035, taking into account factors including Federal, State, Tribal, and local ordinances; permitting and other regulatory requirements; water access; climate resilience and natural-hazard risks; and transmission and interconnection dynamics; and

(iii)  within 1 year of the date of this order, publish either a joint plan or their own respective plans describing how each Secretary will facilitate deployment of additional nuclear power capacity as described in this subsection on any such sites.  Any such plan shall address selection of appropriate nuclear reactor technologies; the licensing and permitting of relevant technologies or facilities; the approach that each Secretary would take to ensure the safe and responsible transportation of uranium and any other radioactive material to the site; the approach that each Secretary would take to ensure the safe and responsible storage or disposal of any spent nuclear fuel; remediation of the site after the plant ceases operation as needed; and any other steps necessary to ensure the deployment will protect public health, safety, and the environment, consistent with all applicable legal requirements and the principles of the document entitled Safely and Responsibly Expanding U.S. Nuclear Energy: Deployment Targets and a Framework for Action (November 2024); and

(iv)   when carrying out actions under this subsection, comply with the directives of section 4(k) of this order.

(f)   Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, and the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, shall submit a report to the President on supply chain risks applicable to the United States data center industry.  The report shall include analysis of supply chain risks associated with the materials used to construct and maintain data centers, the electronics necessary to operate a data center, and emerging data center technologies, as well as recommended steps for the Federal Government to take to address identified risks.  The report shall also include analysis on supply chain risks applicable to the generation and transmission infrastructure needed to power AI data centers.  On an ongoing basis, as appropriate, the Secretary of Commerce shall engage with the private sector to identify emerging supply chain risks that have the potential to undermine the success of the United States AI infrastructure industry — with such success defined to include the industry’s commercialization of emerging technologies — and to recommend policy solutions to address identified risks.

(g)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, to promote the expeditious, responsible development and deployment of distributed energy solutions that support the development and operation of AI infrastructure, the Secretary of Energy shall develop model contracts for using distributed energy resources (DERs) to increase the local grid’s capacity to support AI infrastructure.  In developing such contracts, the Secretary shall consider options for cost-effective uses of DERs, including distribution-sited generation resources, energy storage assets, and opportunities for flexible management of electricity demand.  The model contracts shall, as appropriate, include clauses providing for the owners of data centers to finance costs incurred by other entities in developing, installing, and operating DERs, consistent with the objective of utilities accounting for these financing activities when processing data center owners’ interconnection applications.

(h)  By July 31, 2025, the Permitting Council shall engage with developers of AI infrastructure to advance their understanding of resources available under title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (Public Law 114–94) to accelerate permitting processes and reviews for clean energy projects that are part of AI infrastructure on Federal sites.  As part of this work, the Permitting Council, in consultation with the White House Task Force on AI Datacenter Infrastructure announced on October 29, 2024, shall endeavor to engage small developers of AI infrastructure.  

(i)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the USACE, shall, consistent with applicable law, assess existing nationwide permits (NWPs) to determine how they may be applied to facilitate the construction of AI data centers and develop and publish a list of NWPs that could facilitate such construction.  The Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the USACE, shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, subsequently establish such new NWPs as expediently as possible.

(j)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy shall release for public comment draft reporting requirements for AI data centers covering all phases of AI data centers’ development and operation — including material extraction, component fabrication, transportation, construction, operation, recycling, and retirement — regarding embodied greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and excess heat or energy expenditures, as distinct from operational intensity of greenhouse gas emissions.  

(k)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Administrator of the EPA and the Chair of CEQ, shall establish a grand challenge, serving as a call to voluntary action for appropriate private-sector and other stakeholders, for the purpose of:

(i)    setting targets for minimizing the power usage effectiveness ratio and water usage effectiveness ratio of AI data centers, with a goal of bringing the power usage effectiveness ratio of AI data centers on Federal sites below 1.1;

(ii)   promoting best practices for the beneficial use of waste heat and other efforts to maximize efficiency;

(iii)  promoting best practices for data center energy management and sustainable design and operational practices for data centers that avoid or reduce adverse effects on natural and cultural resources and communities, and that protect public health and the environment;

(iv)   raising AI developer and user awareness regarding the comparative energy intensities of different computational tasks; and

(v)    developing best practices and standards for software and algorithmic efficiency.

Sec. 10.  Engagement Abroad.  (a)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the heads of other relevant agencies as the Secretary of State may deem appropriate, shall develop a plan for engaging allies and partners on accelerating the buildout of trusted AI infrastructure around the world.  Such a plan shall include measures to advance collaboration on the global buildout of trusted AI infrastructure; mitigate and prevent harms to local and affected communities; engage the private sector and investor community to identify and mitigate barriers to AI infrastructure investments; support the deployment of commercially available reliable clean power sources and the development and commercialization of emerging clean energy technologies, such as small modular nuclear reactors; exchange best practices for permitting, power procurement, and cultivating talent to build, operate, and maintain trusted AI infrastructure; and strengthen cyber, physical, and supply chain security safeguards related to AI infrastructure.  Within 1 year of the date of this order, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs a report on actions taken pursuant to this plan.

(b)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs shall convene heads of appropriate agencies, to include the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, the Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation, and the President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, to identify and implement actions to facilitate United States exports and engagements abroad related to advanced nuclear technologies and relevant supply-chain services.

Sec. 11.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    January 14, 2025.

The post Executive Order on Advancing United States Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure appeared first on The White House.

While representing the United States at the first-ever Global Summit on AI Safety in London, I laid out a vision for the future of artificial intelligence (AI) — a future where AI is used to advance the public interest. In order for that vision to be realized, it is imperative that the United States remain the global leader on AI.

The Executive Order announced today will ensure the United States has the infrastructure — including large-scale data centers and clean power facilities — necessary to maintain America’s competitive advantage and safeguard our national security interests. The significant electrical power needs of large-scale AI operations also present a new opportunity for advancing American leadership in clean-energy technology, which will power our future economy. By activating the full force of the federal government to speed up and scale AI operations here in the United States, we are securing our global leadership on AI, which will have a profound impact on our economy, society, and national security for generations to come.

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The post Statement by Vice President Harris on the Executive Order on Advancing U.S. Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure appeared first on The White House.

The United States leads the world at the frontier of artificial intelligence (AI). Cutting-edge AI will have profound implications for national security and enormous potential to improve Americans’ lives if harnessed responsibly, from helping cure disease to keeping communities safe by mitigating the effects of climate change. However, we cannot take our lead for granted.

We will not let America be out-built when it comes to the technology that will define the future, nor should we sacrifice critical environmental standards and our shared efforts to protect clean air and clean water.

That is why today, I am signing an historic Executive Order to accelerate the speed at which we build the next generation of AI infrastructure here in America, in a way that enhances economic competitiveness, national security, AI safety, and clean energy.

This Executive Order will direct the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy to lease federal sites where the private sector can build frontier AI infrastructure at speed and scale. These efforts are designed to accelerate the clean energy transition in a way that is responsible and respectful to local communities, and in a way that does not impose any new costs on American families.

These efforts also will help position America to lead the world in clean energy deployment in the context of strategic competition abroad. Some of this new capacity will also be committed for use by small businesses and startups. This renewed partnership between the government and industry will ensure that the United States will continue to lead the age of AI.

President Biden Issues Executive Order to Advance U.S. Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure

Today, President Biden issued an Executive Order to secure American leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and ensure that the infrastructure needed for advanced AI operations—including large-scale data centers and new clean power infrastructure—can be built with speed and scale here in the United States.

Building AI infrastructure in the United States is a national security imperative. As AI’s capabilities grow, so do its implications for Americans’ safety and security. Domestic data centers for training and operating powerful AI models will help the United States facilitate AI’s safe and secure development, harness AI in service of national security, and prevent adversaries from accessing powerful systems to the detriment of our military and national-security. It will also help prevent America from growing dependent on other countries to access powerful AI tools.

Building AI infrastructure is also vital to America’s continued economic competitiveness. AI is poised to have large effects across our economy, including in health care, transportation, education, and beyond, and it is too important to be offshored. In addition, the significant and growing electricity needs of large-scale AI operations present a new opportunity for advancing American leadership in the clean energy technologies that will power the economy. This infrastructure can and must be built without raising costs for American consumers and in ways that support continued progress on commercializing and deploying clean energy.

Today’s Executive Order enables an AI infrastructure buildout that protects national security, enhances competitiveness, powers AI with clean energy, enhances AI safety, keeps prices low for consumers, demonstrates responsible ways to scale new technologies, and promotes a competitive AI ecosystem. As described below, the Executive Order directs agencies to take sweeping steps to accelerate large-scale AI infrastructure development at federal sites, while directing the imposition of key requirements and safeguards on the developers building on these locations.

Accelerating AI Infrastructure Development

The Executive Order directs certain agencies to make federal sites available for AI data centers and new clean power facilities, facilitate this infrastructure’s interconnection to the electric grid, fulfill permitting obligations expeditiously, and advance transmission development around federal sites. To accelerate AI infrastructure development, agencies will leverage their authorities to:

• Lease federal sites owned by the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) to host gigawatt-scale AI data centers. DOD and DOE will select sites where the private sector can build AI data centers and clean power facilities based on those sites’ accessibility to high-capacity transmission infrastructure and minimized adverse effects on communities, the natural environment, and commercial resources. After selecting sites, DOD and DOE will hold competitive solicitations for proposals to lease these sites for building, owning, and operating large-scale AI infrastructure—all at private expense.

• Catalyze deployment of new clean energy generation to support AI infrastructure. Developers selected to build on DOD and DOE sites will be required to bring online sufficient clean energy generation resources to match the full electricity needs of their data centers, consistent with applicable law. To support these efforts, the Department of Interior will identify lands it manages that are suitable for clean energy that can support data centers on DOE and DOD sites, while enhancing permitting processes for geothermal projects. DOE will take further steps to promote distributed energy resources, advance siting of clean generation resources at existing points of interconnection, and support the safe and responsible deployment of nuclear energy.

• Prioritize full and expeditious permitting of AI infrastructure on federal sites. Agencies will prioritize and dedicate staff toward permitting this infrastructure in a timely manner, and DOD will immediately undertake environmental analyses that will improve the speed and accuracy of future site-specific reviews. Agencies will identify further opportunities to support expeditious permitting at these sites, such as by applying or establishing “categorical exclusions”—the fastest form of review under the National Environmental Policy Act—for infrastructure that does not significantly affect the environment.

• Accelerate transmission development around federal sites. To help ensure the timely operation of AI infrastructure on federal sites, DOE will take appropriate steps to coordinate with developers in constructing, financing, facilitating, and planning the upgrade and development of transmission lines around those sites. To facilitate this work, DOE will also collect information to improve transmission planning in these regions, such as utility data on transmission congestion. Additionally, DOD, DOE, and the Department of Commerce will support producers of transformers and other grid components critical for AI infrastructure—including through appropriate steps to establish equipment reserves—as federal agencies explore loan-guarantee programs to advance AI infrastructure development.

• Facilitate interconnection of AI infrastructure to the electric grid. DOE will engage utilities on their requirements for interconnecting AI infrastructure on federal sites and on opportunities to accelerate interconnection via grid-enhancing technologies, operational changes, and other measures. DOE will also share information about underutilized points interconnection that can serve federal sites and on clean energy projects that have preexisting interconnection approvals but are not yet built.

• Ensure low electricity prices for consumers. Developers selected to build on DOD and DOE sites will be required, consistent with applicable law, to pay all costs of building and operating AI infrastructure so that this development does not raise electricity prices for consumers. Agencies will also complete a study on the effects of all AI data centers on electricity prices, and DOE will provide technical assistance to state public utility commissions regarding electricity tariff designs that can support connecting new large customers with clean energy.

• Advance allies and partners’ development of AI infrastructure. The Department of State will engage allies and partners on steps to build trusted AI infrastructure around the world. This work will support global efforts to advance the development of clean energy technologies, such as small modular nuclear reactors; catalyze investment in AI infrastructure; and strengthen data center safety and security.

Lease Obligations for Developers on Federal Sites. The buildout of AI infrastructure must not only advance national security and competitiveness but also support U.S. clean energy leadership, a competitive technology ecosystem, low consumer prices, workers building AI infrastructure, and communities near it. To hold AI developers accountable, the Executive Order outlines certain contractual obligations that DOD and DOE will impose on developers on federal sites, consistent with applicable law. Those obligations include:

• Paying the full cost of building, operating, and maintaining AI infrastructure—including the costs of building new data centers and clean power facilities, transmission development and upgrades.

• Procuring new clean energy generation resources that can be delivered to the data center and that accurately match their electricity and capacity needs. This buildout will prevent electricity price increases and advance U.S. energy leadership.

• Strengthening lab-security requirements and evaluating the national security implications of AI models developed on federal sites.The evaluations will assess models for risks to safety and security, as well as their potential to advance national-security objectives.

• Adhering to high labor standards, promoting positive labor-management relations,and paying workers prevailing wages.

• Purchasing an appropriate share of domestically manufactured semiconductors to help ensure a robust domestic semiconductor supply chain.

###

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James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

12:28 P.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hi. Good afternoon, everyone.

Q Good afternoon.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Good to see everybody.

Today, the president — the Biden-Harris administration is approving student loan relief for more than 150,000 borrowers, bringing the total number of Americans who have had their student debt approved to be canceled by the administration to over 5 million people.

These 150 [150,000] borrowers include almost 85,000 borrowers who attended schools that cheated and defrauded their students; 61,000 borrowers with total and permanent disabil- — disabilities; and 6,100 public servant workers.

This announcement builds on the historic actions our administration has taken to reduce the burden of student debt, hold bad actors accountable, and fight on behalf of students across the country.

Today’s milestone isn’t just a number. It’s life-changing debt relief for 5 million people and their families who now have more breathing room to buy homes, start small businesses, save for retirement, and much more.

Now, turning to the latest in California wildfires, President Biden and Vice President Harris convened their team over the weekend to receive the latest updates on the firefighting and how federal resources are supporting the state and local efforts.

Local, state, and federal firefighters continue their fire suppression and containment efforts across Los Angeles. They are making progress, but, to be clear, the situation remains extremely active — active, especially as winds pick up again.

These firefighters and other emergency personnel are heroes. Many have lost their own homes and belongings and are — and are working day and night to protect communities that remain at risk.

At the president’s direction, hundreds of federal personnel, including aerial and ground support, are in California to assist with fire- — firefighting efforts and to help communities.

Hundreds of firefighters from neighboring states — including Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, and Texas — have also traveled to Los Angeles to help.

Amidst the devastation, we are also seeing bright pockets of hope and community as neighbors help neighbors by donating food, clothes, coffee, hygiene products, diapers, formula, and much more.

Volunteers are working around the clock to organize donations old and new, and Americans across the country are coming together to help those in need. The best of America shines through even in the darkest moments.

Later this afternoon, the president and the vice president will be briefed by key federal officials. Our administration remains laser-focused on helping those impacted, and we will continue to use every tool available to support the firefighting efforts.

And finally, before I turn it over to — to our national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, I just want to acknowledge April Ryan, who has been covering the White House for 28 years as of today.

Thank you for your service and congratulations on this milestone as one of the longest-serving Black White House correspondents. I always appreciate your —

Q The longest-serving.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay. Yes, ma’am. (Laughter.)

Q Yes.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Correct. Correction made at the podium.

The longest-serving Black White House correspondent. So, congratulations. We always appreciate your tough questions, our back-and-forths, and your persistence in this room. And so, congratulations.

And with that, I have our national security advisor, Jake Sullivan to speak more about the foreign policy speech today and any of your questions.

MR. SULLIVAN: Thank you very much. And good afternoon.

April, congratulations on being the longest-serving — (laughter) — Black White House correspondent. I also appreciate your tough questions, but I especially appreciate your easy questions. (Laughter.) So, if you have any of those today, I’d be happy to take them.

As Karine just noted, later today, President Biden will deliver an address at the State Department on the United States’ position in the world as he hands it off to the incoming administration.

The State Department, as many of you know, is where President Biden delivered his first foreign policy address in February of 2021, and it was a very different world then. We were still in the midst of a devastating health and economic crisis, with our alliances fraying and fragile, and our competitors and adversaries on the march, growing stronger.

And the president spoke at a ti- — at that time about the urgency of meeting the challenges of this world in a period of profound transition and change. The post-Cold War era had ended. The United States was in a contest for what comes next — economically, technologically, and with respect to our values and vision for the world.

A time of change and transition like that has brought geopolitical turbulence, technological disruption, the pressures of an energy transition, and more. We’ve had a lot thrown at us. But as we pass the baton to our successor, the president will report with confidence that America is winning that contest for the future.

If you look around the world today and you ask the question, “Which country is the most dynamic and innovative, the most attractive to partners and friends, the most capable of marshalling solutions to the big challenges we face? Who’s leading the world in technology? Who’s had the strongest economic recovery?” The answer to all of these questions is clear, indisputable, and the same: It’s the United States of America.

So, in his address this afternoon, you’ll hear the president lay this out. And basically, it boils down to a series of simple questions.

Are our alliances stronger? Yes.

Are our adversaries weaker and under greater pressure, even as they align more closely? Yes.

Did we improve our strategic position in the long-term competition with China? And did we do so while stabilizing the relationship so that we’re not tipping over into conflict? Yes.

Did we begin to reverse a long-term trend and revitalize our defense industrial base and diversify our supply chains for critical goods? Yes.

Did we strengthen the engines of American economic and technological power? Yes.

And did we do all of this while keeping America out of war? Yes.

The president fundamentally delivered on his promise to invest in America, including in our manufacturing base, to produce the world’s most advanced semiconductors and other strategic technologies.

In fact, our cutting-edge technologies — AI, biotech, quantum, and others — are the envy of the world.

When the president took office, many of you were writing that China’s economy was on track to surpass America’s economy by the end of the decade or shortly thereafter. Now, on current course and speed, they’re unlikely to ever surpass us.

America’s alliances meanwhile have actually never been stronger in Europe and in Asia. NATO is bigger, more unified, and our allies are stepping up to pay their fair share. Our Asian alliances are more robust and now more tightly linked than at any point in history.

Russia tried to conquer Ukraine, to wipe it off the map. But thanks to Ukrainian bravery and our support, Russian forces are bogged down in Ukraine — at enormous cost, with over 700,000 casualties in the war. And Ukraine stands free, Kyiv stands free, and Ukraine will emerge from this war a strong, sovereign, independent nation rooted in the West.

This has been made possible by the unity of the alliance that President Biden built and rallied, and a massive effort led by the United States on a scale not seen since the Second World War to equip a partner with the military capability it needed to defend itself against a brutal invasion by a much bigger neighbor.

Even as we competed fiercely with China, the president actually opened and deepened diplomatic channels with Beijing, including new military-to-military channels that help us manage this competition and prevent it from veering into confrontation or conflict.

In the Middle East, we’ve stood in defense of our friends and we’ve stood up to our enemies.

We built and acted alongside an unprecedented coalition to directly defend Israel in the face of Iranian aggression. Iran is now at the weakest point since 1979.

There is a ceasefire in Lebanon and the possibility of a new political future with a new president. Russia and Iran’s lackey in Syria, Assad, is gone.

And we are now at a pivotal point in the negotiations for a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza. The president spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday, and just got off the phone with the amir of Qatar. He’ll be speaking soon, also, with President Sisi of Egypt.

We are close to a deal, and it can get done this week. I’m not making a promise or a prediction, but it is there for the taking, and we are going to work to make it happen.

Now there are serious and ongoing challenges in the world. The Houthis continue to represent a clear and present danger; ISIS is trying to use the fall of Assad to regenerate after years of sustained pressure and the degradation of its networks; North Korea remains the same menace it has been for many years, across many administrations; China’s cyberattacks are a continuing threat; and more. But we have the capacity and the wherewithal and the friends and allies to meet these challenges.

Finally, there are also important initiatives that the next team should carry forward, in our view, that have a strong bipartisan foundation in order to cement America’s position of strength in the world and our current lead in key areas: the work we’ve started to revitalize our defense industrial base, the steps we’ve taken to protect America’s foundational technologies from being used against us by our competitors, the major global infrastructure initiative that provides a long-term alternative to China’s Belt and Road.

Suffice it to say, it’s been an action-packed four years. But if you take stock of where America stands today, I believe deeply that the incoming administration is starting with a very strong hand.

So, as we pass the baton, we are doing so, thanks to the leadership of President Biden and his team, from a position of profound American confidence and capacity. And when you look around the world, there is no other country that has what we have to bring to both the competition we face and the challenges we need to marshal the world to help solve.

And with that, I’d be happy to take your questions.

Yeah.

Q Thanks for doing this, Jake. With regard to the hostages in Gaza, what is it that you’ve been able to make progress on that makes you feel more confident? And what is it that you still need to figure out how to address to get that deal finalized this week?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, to answer that question, let me just take a step back. President Biden laid out a framework for a cease fire and hostage deal last June. That framework was endorsed by the U.N. Security Council and remains the operative framework for a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. It is the deal that the parties right now are working off of to try to close.

So, that broad framework includes the phases. It includes prisoner exchange for hostages. It includes a surge of humanitarian assistance once the guns go quiet, which we will be able to move trucks much more rapidly.

Since June, we’ve had multiple efforts to close the deal. We’ve come close and haven’t been able to get across the line. There have been some details, particularly around the formulas with respect to prisoner releases, formulas around the exact disposition of Israeli forces, and other things along those lines — those details we have been hammering away at week after week, month after month. And now, in the last period, just over the course of the last several weeks, we have accelerated that effort to try to bring this to a close.

I was in Israel in December, and then I was in Qatar and Egypt, and I met with the leaders of all three countries basically to try to help put this on a track to get it across the line.

President Biden sent Brett McGurk out to Qatar more than a week ago. He has been camped out in Doha, day in, day out, 24 hours a day, working to tighten up these details and try to get this done.

We have also coordinated very closely with the incoming administration to present a united message to all the parties, which says it is in the American national security interest — regardless of party, regardless of outgoing or incoming administration — to get this deal done as fast as possible.

And now, we think those details are on the brink of being fully hammered out and the parties are right on the cusp of being able to close this deal. Whether or not we go from where we are now to actually closing it, the hours and days ahead will tell. But I believe it is there for the taking, and we’re going to do everything we can to push it to get it across the line.

Yeah.

Q Thanks, Jake. Historians, one day, will write the history of the Biden foreign policy and probably end up summarizing it in two to three sentences. How would you write those two to three sentences?

MR. SULLIVAN: I would say that we made our alliances stronger. We made our enemies weaker. We made America’s sources of strength stronger. And we did all of that while keeping America out of war.

Yes.

Q And I didn’t hear you mention Afghanistan in your opening at all. How is that going to be addressed in the speech? How would he explain or defend it at this point?

MR. SULLIVAN: He will address Afghanistan in the speech. And — and it was, in a sense, referenced, because I said we kept America out of war.

In fact, President Biden ended America’s longest war after 20 years. It had been passed from president to president, sending American men and women to fight and die in a foreign land, year after year after year. President Biden was not going to hand that off, and he believes that history will judge his decision to end that war as being the right decision for the United States, that America is better off today, that we are not entering now our 25th year of war of Americans fighting and dying, of billions and billions of dollars spent in Afghanistan.

And what we have been able to do instead is refocus that effort and energy and attention on the challenges of the future.

Now, when you end a war after 20 years, with all of the decisions that have piled up over that time, there are going to be challenges and difficulties. And there were challenges and difficulties in the period of the drawdown.

But people predicted once we left Afghanistan, it would harm our alliances. Our alliances are at historic highs.

They predicted that we would have a safe haven in Afghanistan for plotting terrorist attacks against the American homeland. Terrorism remains a very real concern, but President Biden pointed out before he pulled out that it’s a more defer- — diffuse and metastasized threat, including the kind of homegrown violent extremism that we saw on display in New Orleans in January.

In fact, over the course of these four years, we have seen President Biden — that was the first terrorist attack that has happened on American soil. It was not connected to Afghanistan, as far as we know. It was connected to inspiration from ISIS.

And so, President Biden believes that the decision he took has left America in a profoundly stronger position, and he will explain in his speech today why he thinks that’s the case.

Yeah.

Q Can you talk at all about this unified U.S. approach between your administration and the incoming?

And 40-plus years ago, when President Reagan took over, there was this perception that there had been an intention to deny President Carter the announcement of the U.S. hostages. These are different times, different circumstances, but were there lessons from that or a different approach to try to avoid that kind of a repeat? What is the unity piece?

MR. SULLIVAN: So, I — I don’t think that that was primarily the thing on President Biden’s mind when he directed us to start working intensively with the incoming administration.

What was on his mind is we’re in this period of change and transition, and we can’t have anything missed between the cup and the lip in the handoff between our administration and the incoming administration.

So, he told us, he told me, “Sit down with your successor as soon as you possibly can and start working through and mapping out what they need to know and how we can work together in this period of transition to put ourselves in the best position possible.”

And in fact, we’ve seen in the context of the Middle East that we have coordinated on common messaging around the ceasefire in Lebanon, and we are coordinated — very closely coordinated, including with Steve Witkoff and Brett McGurk, around trying to bring this hostage deal to a close.

And it’s because there is a spirit being brought to this work which says: These are not partisan issues; these are American national security issues. And it’s the kind of spirit that President Biden has brought to this job from the very beginning that set the politics aside, do what’s right for the country, and have our team work with the incoming team in that regard.

And I have to say, our coordination thus far, the engagement we’ve had, it’s been professional. It’s been deep and substantive, and yes, we disagree on a lot of things, and I’m sure that in the months ahead, I’ll have my share of criticisms just as Mike Waltz has had his share of criticisms of me.

And this is not about us seeing everything exactly the same way or — or coming at things from the same perspective, but it is about a shared view that a time of transition is a time of risk and that it is critical that we close ranks as Americans to say, “No one can take advantage of us, but we will try to take advantage of every opportunity available to us in this critical period.”

Yeah.

Q Are there any assurances in the latest iteration of what’s being discussed in this hostage and ceasefire deal — deal — are there assurances that the Americans who are alive will be released as part of this phase of releases?

MR. SULLIVAN: So, obviously, we have been focused on ensuring that all of the Americans ultimately come home. That is part of the objective that President Biden set forth. It is part of the phases of this hostage deal that all of the Americans come home.

Now, what they are working through and hammering out are the details of the precise sequencing of people coming out over the course of the — the weeks and months of this deal. That’s getting hammered out as one of the final details, but a paramount priority for President Biden, as for the incoming team, is ensuring that we ultimately get all of the Americans reunited with the families and the remains of those Americans who have tragically passed away are also brought home so that they can get the — the proper burial that they deserve.

Yeah.

Q So, would they be in the first phase?

MR. SULLIVAN: So, like I said, the details of how exactly this is going to play out are being hammered out in the endgame, and I can’t report to you exactly how it will play with each of the Americans.

Yeah.

Q Jake, thanks for being here. So, just real quickly on the Gaza hostage situation, how many of the 98 hostages that are still held are believed to be alive? All 98?

MR. SULLIVAN: I have to give it — refer you to the Israelis, who have been taking the — the lead in terms of characterizing their best assessment, which is combined with our best assessment, of the answer to that question. We have a good sense, we believe, with respect to the Americans, but in terms of that broader universe, particularly the Israeli hostages, they’d be in the best position to answer your question.

Q And, sorry, Jake, I just — I wanted to ask you another question that has to do with the timing and the sequencing of some of the things that the administration has been announcing.

We’ve seen oil prices jump as a result of the tightened sanctions. Was there any — you know, and then we’ve got other things happening now — sort of new restrictions on AI and chips that are all coming in the kind of final days of this administration. Can you say a word to your thinking about the timing and then, also, you know, whether you expect, from where you sit right now, that oil prices are going to stay high and that American consumers will — will, you know, sort of bear the brunt of that decision?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, first, remember that when the Ukraine war kicked off — started in those early months in 2022, oil prices spiked way above $100. The price environment for us to put sanctions on Russia’s oil sector at that time would have meant a really significant hit to the American pocketbook and the American consumer. The price environment today is profoundly different.

And you said “spiked.” Actually, oil prices today are significantly lower than they have been, over an average, in the past few years. So, actually, we have just a fundamentally different price environment, and that is the reason for why now, because President Biden was not going to impose sanctions on Russia’s oil sector if it meant an undue burden on American working families.

He does not believe that the action he took places such an undue burden on them, and he believes, as you project out over the course of 2025 on supply and demand, that the oil market is very well supplied, that oil prices will stabilize in a place that does not impose undue burdens on American consumers, and that, on the one hand, we can hit Putin’s pocketbook without, on the other hand, taking too big a whack out of the American people’s pocketbook.

That was not an opportunity available to us one year ago. It is now an opportunity available to us, and that is why the president took this decision.

The other point that I would make is that the new team is setting up for a negotiation. And in a negotiation, you need leverage. And part of that leverage has to come from the kind of economic pressure that makes Putin see he’s going to continue to pay a significant price economically. And so, this is also in service of an effective diplomatic outcome that will produce a just and sustainable peace for Ukraine.

Q Did you coordinate that —

MR. SULLIVAN: With respect —

Q I mean, did you coordinate that with the — with the incoming team?

MR. SULLIVAN: I’m not going to say we coordinated it, but we informed them of what we intended to do, because we are trying to maintain transparency through the transition and share with them the actions that we are taking in advance so that they aren’t surprised by any of them.

That also goes for the AI diffusion rule. Again, not coordinated — and I’m not — I don’t want to suggest that. But we were — we were transparent with them about the steps in that regard.

We have been working on that issue for going on a year now. It is a complicated question, because we’re trying to strike the right balance between ensuring that the frontier of AI stays in the United States of America and our close allies while also ensuring that the rest of the world can benefit from AI and get the hardware that they need to power AI applications going forward.

So, that balance required a huge amount of work and back-and-forth and many principals’ meetings, conversations with the president. It ultimately came together towards the end, but we’ve been telegraphing for some time that this rule was coming, and the key for us was making sure that we had it in place.

But we also set up a hundred-and-twenty-day comment period so that we’re not putting the next administration in a position where they immediately have to start moving out. They can take comments and they can make judgments at that point about what the best way forward is.

We think this is, in a bipartisan spirit, the way to best preserve and protect America’s lead when it comes to artificial intelligence.

Yeah.

Q Thanks. Jake, I have two questions. First, can I go back to something Josh asked at the outset, which is
why you all believe that this ceasefire deal is sort of near — near its ending point — near the finish line? Can you offer some additional specificity about what has changed? Because I feel that we have heard you all express a level of optimism many times at various points over these last several months.

MR. SULLIVAN: I have to go back and check the record about my level of optimism, at least in recent months, because, in fairness to your question, there has been a little bit of a “Lucy and the football” quality where we thought we got really close and then it just didn’t happen.

But I haven’t stood at this podium and said anything particularly optimistic about a hostage deal in quite some time, and that’s because we haven’t been in the position that I find — I think we are in today.

Why is that? It’s because the gaps have fundamentally narrowed on the key issues — the formulas over prisoner exchanges, the formulas over the details of how Israel’s forces will be postured in their pullback in the Gaza Strip, the details over how to conduct the humanitarian surge in the wake of the guns going silent. These things now, on paper — the gaps between the two sides are slowly getting removed, one by one, and issues are closing.

I think there’s a couple of reasons for why this is happening, the biggest one of which is that Israel has achieved its substantial military objectives in Gaza and Hamas has suffered catastrophic losses — military losses — over the course of the conflict. And when you put those two factors together, we believe that the time is ripe to get a deal and to have it close. And our hope is that it will happen here in the near term.

Now, I cannot predict to you it will. I cannot promise you it will. And, you know, if in five days it hasn’t happened, I will be the person who is probably least shocked by that. But I think there’s a good chance we can close this. And I think because of that good chance, we have to use every ounce of our diplomatic effort to try to get it across the finish line, because that would be good for everyone, and it’s also profoundly in the national interests of this country.

Yeah.

Q Thanks, Jake. How do you view Donald Trump’s reelection in the context of President Biden’s foreign policy legacy? And how, in your view, is it not a rejection by voters of the Biden administration’s both world view and its robust engagement with multilateral institutions, which, by your own admission, has been a cornerstone of President Biden’s presidency?

MR. SULLIVAN: Look, I’ll leave it to others to judge the reasons for why the election went the way it did. I — I’m not in a good position to be a political pundit up here, but I do not believe that the evidence bears out that foreign policy or questions of multilateralism were the central driving issue in the outcome of the election.

The American people are complex beings — human beings. We’re all complex beings. So, we can think one thing about inflation and another thing about alliances. And a vote doesn’t mean that it’s a rejection of everything President Biden has done by any stretch of the imagination. So, there will be time for us to sort all of that out.

President Trump will make his own decisions about how he wants to pursue his foreign policy. The question for us is: Are we putting him in the best possible position, where the United States is actually standing with confidence and capacity in the world?

And I think if you look at the health of our alliances, you look at the fact that we are not bogged down in war, you look at the state of our competitors and adversaries, and then you look at these fundamental underlying sources of strength — I mean, whether it’s in manufacturing or it’s in technology or the reversal of the slide in our defense industrial base — these are the things we can give to the incoming team.

What they do with that is fundamentally up to them, and then the American people will judge whether they like that or don’t like that.

We are just going to do the best we can. And then I think when history judges the baton as we pass it off, the hand as we pass it off, I think it will judge that we are leaving things to Trump, in terms of America’s core strengths, better than we found them.

Yeah.

Q Jake, as you wrap up your time as national security advisor, what do you consider to be the greatest geo- — geopolitical threat facing the United States right now?

MR. SULLIVAN: So, I — look, I think one way of answering that question is to point to the potential for China’s aggression in the coming years, to point to Russia’s continuing challenge.

But I’m going to answer the question in a little bit of a different way, which is I genuinely believe the most consequential thing happening in the world right now is the scale, pace, and breathtaking speed with which AI is going to transform the global landscape. And it’s either going to work for us or it’s going to work against us. And in order for it to work for us, we have to stay ahead and we have to shape the rules of the road.

The Biden administration put forward the first international set of standards on artificial intelligence, codified by the U.N. General Assembly. There’s more work to be done on that front.

The Biden administration has made the investments to ensure we have the lead in AI right now. But if it’s China, not the United States, determining the future of AI on the planet, I think that is — the stakes of that are just profound.

And so, I hope that the new administration — because this shouldn’t be a partisan issue at all — sees that challenge and that opportunity and seizes it so that it’s America making technology work for us, rather than adversaries make technology work against us.

Q Jake?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q Thank you, Jake. When President Biden spoke at the State Department four years ago, he said that “American leadership must meet this new moment of advancing authoritarianism, including the growing ambitions of China to rival the United States and the determination of Russia to damage and disrupt our democracy.”

Now, four years later, President Biden will be leaving office and handing the reins to a man who he has repeatedly characterized as an authoritarian, as a threat to American democracy.

How can you say that, by President Biden’s metric, his administration has met those goals if he’s handing the reins off to someone who he’s described in those terms?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, first of all, American democracy includes elections, and there was an election in 2024. President-elect Trump won that election. Unlike in past circumstances, the outgoing administration is not challenging the democratic legitimacy of that victory. President-elect Trump won the election. So, that’s point one.

Point two, you mentioned China and Russia. You know, I’m obviously biased, but I just think an objective read on the situation from when we come into today about the position of the United States in the long-term competition with China — if you look at 2021 and you look at 2025 — we are much better positioned than we were four years ago.

And we are supporting our friends and allies in the same way in both the Indo-Pacific and Europe, as well as elsewhere.

And when you look at what we have rallied to push back against Russia’s desire to remove a major country from the map in Europe, we have said we are going to stand up to Russian aggression in a serious way.

Now, what comes in the period ahead with respect to America’s democratic institutions, the choices of the incoming team, we will have to see. I can’t judge that in advance.

All I can say, again, is what we are giving that team and — and what there is to be able to work with, and that’s what the president will reflect on today.

Q One — one follow-up.

Q Jake?

Q One follow-up, Jake. AP reported recently that the incoming team under Representative Waltz is asking career civil servants, detailees who they voted for in the last election. Is that an appropriate question that civil servants should be asked?

MR. SULLIVAN: I have not heard that directly from Mike Waltz or from anyone on the incoming team, so I’m not going to answer what seems to be speculation in the media.

What I will tell you is this, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart: The National Security Council staff is made up of career professionals, by and large. There’s a small number of political appointees who will leave when this administration leaves, but the overwhelming majority of NSC staff are career professionals from the Defense Department, the intelligence community, the State Department, the Energy Department, and the Department of Homeland Security, across the board. These are patriots. They are people dedicated to the national interests of this country, and they have served without fear or favor for both Democratic and Republican administrations. And many of them have raised their hands to say, “I’m ready to stay and keep serving.”

From my perspective, when we inherited the team from the Trump administration, I said, “I want those patriots. I want those people working for us, regardless of their political affiliation.” The incoming administration will have to make its own decisions.

Yeah.

Q Jake, going back to AI and a couple of other questions. As you’re saying that it’s a huge national security issue, is there a concern about how it does not — AI is — on the national security front, is not accurately depicting or scanning people of color, because we are understanding civil rights groups are very upset about that, how it’s misidentifying. Is that a concern with national security as well?

MR. SULLIVAN: Yes, it is. Of course, it’s — if you think about the series of concerns that are raised by the advent of artificial intelligence, they range across economic, military, and social risks. One of those is bias. And there have been a lot of studies to show that bias is a genuine challenge when it comes to artificial intelligence and the ways in which that could undermine social cohesion in the United States and globally; has national security impli- —

Q And terrorism, right?

MR. SULLIVAN: — and — and terrorism — has national security implications and is something that we have to contend with. It is part of the president’s executive order on national — on artificial intelligence, alongside a number of these other risks.

Q And also, two other questions. One on hate. On the national security front, where do you see hate going in the next couple of months, next couple of years, as we’re seeing a change in administrations and a change in attitude?

MR. SULLIVAN: I think hate-fueled violent extremism of multiple stripes is something that when we came into office we saw as a real challenge. And as we leave office, we’ve built a lot of tools to try to prevent and disrupt this kind of violence. And going forward, it remains a ongoing threat, and it takes many different forms.

But I think it’s incumbent upon every leader to try to work on a bipartisan basis, on an American basis, to address their — the root causes of this hate, to try to speak to how we turn our discourse in directions that reduce the oxygen that is given to it. And that’s something that when I leave government, I will personally try to contribute to — to lowering the temperature and to increasing the degree to which people feel that they have a place and do not need to turn to this kind of violence to express themselves.

Q And lastly, Sub-Saharan Africa has a large piece of national security connected to it. During the first term of the then-President Donald Trump, Africa was not on the page. Do you believe that Africa needs to be on the forefront for — when it comes to national security for the incoming administration?

MR. SULLIVAN: Absolutely yes. And I will say that in my conversations with my successor, one of the things that he’s asked a lot of questions about are the investments in infrastructure — physical, digital, energy infrastructure — in Africa; the high-standard investments we’ve tried to stimulate and that have gotten bipartisan support from the Congress. He’s asked a lot of questions about how to carry that forward.

So, my hope is that, in fact, just given the sheer significance and stakes at play with respect to the African continent over the coming years, that that is a priority for the incoming administration.

Q Thank you.

MR. SULLIVAN: I’ll take one more. Yeah.

Q Thank you, Jake. Our office in Jerusalem is reporting that the hostage deal is imminent, and actually President Trump might go and get the American hostages on his plane. Do you believe that the threat by him of turning the Middle East into an open hell has pushed both Hamas and the Israeli government to deliver this?

And second, what’s your reaction to the election of Lebanon’s new prime minister who is anti-Hezbollah but also he’s a judge on the ICJ that opened a case against Israel for crimes against humanity and war crimes?

MR. SULLIVAN: So, for — on the second question, President Biden had a good conversation with the new Lebanese president, President Aoun. I believe there is a huge opportunity for Lebanon to turn this ceasefire and the degradation of Hezbollah into a new chapter for Lebanon that is brighter and built not on terrorism but on the future.

President Aoun has made his selection of a prime minister. Now it’s up to the parliament in Lebanon to take that forward.

I’m not going to comment here today on the particular selection, other than to say that we believe President Aoun can steward a new chapter for Lebanon, and he’s making his selections of who will be a good partner for him in that regard.

With respect to the question about President Trump and his comments, you know, he’s talked about all hell to pay, all hell breaking loose, and so forth. One — one thing I would observe is that if you’re Hamas, all hell has been breaking loose on you for 14 months. The Israelis have destroyed their military formations, taken out their top leadership, removed their military capabilities in, you know, significant dimensions. So, the Israelis have not been holding back when it comes to going after Hamas, and I’m not quite sure what it would mean to add further military pressure to Hamas beyond what has already happened.

But I do believe that the consequence of all of that degradation is that we are finally at the point, both from Israel’s perspective and Hamas’s perspective, where a deal could come together.

And then, deadlines matter. And trying to drive to do this towards the end of the Biden administration is focusing the minds of people, and we are coordinating closely with the incoming administration to make maximum use of this particular period to get this thing done.

So, I’ll leave it there.

I just will say one last word, which is, this is — I hope this is my last time at this podium — (laughter) — at least for a little while, and I don’t mean that in a negative sense. I mean the only thing that would bring me back is an unexpected event in the next few days, which, as you all know, is totally possible given everything you’ve seen over the course of the past years.

But if it is, in fact, my last time before you, I just want to say thank you for what you guys do every day. And thank you for putting up with me. It’s been an honor to be able to really try to illuminate these issues through tough, probing, and penetrating questioning. And I’ve — can’t say I’ve always enjoyed every moment up here, but I certainly have been privileged to be able to do it. So, thank you guys very much.

Q Thanks, Jake.

Q Thank you.

Q We appreciate you coming. Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Oh, people clapping in the back. (Laughter.)

Thank you, Jake. Thank you for your service, and it’s been a — it’s truly been an honor to serve in this administration with you.

We — I wanted to give Jake as much time as possible. And we do not have a lot of time, because, as you know, the president is going to be heading out to the State Department to give his final speech on foreign policy. So, trying to figure out what’s the best thing to do here. I can take a couple questions, but we are —

AIDE: Two questions.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: — we are going to have to end in about —

AIDE: (Inaudible.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah, okay. I — I apologize for that.

Go ahead, Josh. Good to see you.

Q Good to see you. I’ll hit you with —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hopefully it’s not my last time I’ll see you at the podium.

Q I — I — we can do a separate briefing later.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay. Don’t put anything out there, please. (Laughs.)

Q True.

Some Republicans are saying that —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — wildfire aid should be tied to increasing the debt ceiling. What does the administration make of that? And what are the plans for continuity for people that are wondering about what the next week could hold for them?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah. So, look, I’m not going to get into these hypotheticals and potentials of — of policies and what’s going to happen moving forward. We are very much focused on what’s happening on the ground, helping local and state officials. And certainly, we see what the brave firefighters are doing to trying to contain these wildfires, protecting lives and property. And it has been — it has been just amazing to watch this certainly unprecedented event.

And so, what we’re going to do on the federal level, as you’ve heard, this president — we’ve read out calls that he’s done, briefings that he’s done. You’ve sa- — you’ve seen him in person take questions from your colleagues about the federal response here.

And what we want to do is — is ensure that we provide every resource available to firefighters, to first responders.

And so, we will — we will — our commitment right now is to — our commitment is to continue to support the communities on the ground through different disaster assistant programs and federal government — that the federal government could have — could — could certainly provide. And so, that’s our focus.

Not going to get into what it could look like down the road. What we want to do is make sure that we are dealing with this unprecedented — again, unprecedented, horrific, catastrophic moment that we’re seeing Southern California having to deal with.

And we are very appreciative of firefighters, first responders. And — and obviously, the community that we’re seeing on the ground is certainly heartwarming.

Hi.

Q Thank you, Karine. (Laughter.) If I don’t see you again —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I — well, you know —

Q — in the briefing, thank you for all what — you could have stopped taking the hard questions years ago, and you didn’t. So, we appreciate that.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Over two years, my friend. This is, let’s say, one last dance. Right? I don’t know how I’m going to fill my — my dance card now. How — how will I fill that void without you?

Q Whoo! Wow.

Q You tell me. (Laughter.) You tell me.

So, a wee- —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Start some rumors in here, I guess. (Laughter.)

Q He’s getting red, too. Look at him. (Laughter.)

Q So, a week from now, it’s all over.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Ah, yes.

Q Between next Monday and 2028 —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: 2028?

Q — who’s the leader of the Democratic Party?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Oh, my goodness. Wow. That is — honestly, that is for people much smarter than I to make that assessment, that decision. Obviously, voters will decide. That is not something for me to decide.

I could say right now, in this moment, in this room — as I’m looking at the clock, as it’s counting down, because we have to leave shortly — you have the president, President Joe Biden, who is obviously the president and the leader of the Democratic Party. I do not have a — I cannot predict the future, so that is not something that I’m going to do from here.

Q So, no leader of the party?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: That’s not what I said.

Q Well, it’s not President Biden —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Oh, my gosh. I regret —

Q — and it’s not Vice President —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m regretting this right now.

Q — Harris and there’s no chair of the D- — DNC.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m regretting all of this.

Q So, it’s nobody.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: That’s not what I said. I said that I am — you asked me about what’s 2028 is going to look like between now and 2028. I can’t — or post — post, obviously, this president’s tenure. That’s not for me to decide. That’s not for me to speak to.

I could only speak about the here and now, and that’s why I appreciate this job and what I’m doing right now.

Q And President Biden says that he’s not going to be “out of sight, out of mind.” But isn’t that what voters basically said that they wanted, is him gone?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, this is a president that has served more than 50 years, who has given all of himself, if you will — right? — as a public servant, whether as a senator, as a local elected official, as vice president, and now as president.

I think anybody who has served that long and does it from their heart and soul because they believe this country deserves so much more, they believe that the American people deserve more and has worked day in and day in — out, and certainly as president in the last four years, I think deserves some respect.
And I think he deserves some respect. And so, I’ll leave it there.

Q Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Mary.

Q One quick one on the fires. Obviously, 24 people so far we know of have died in the fires. Has the president reached out or been in touch with any of their families directly?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I — look, our hearts and — our hearts, obviously, go out to the families who have lost a loved one in these devastating fires and certainly the victims and the community out there. It is, again, horrific.

And as you know, and you all have been reporting this, local officials obviously confirmed additional deaths over the weekend. And so, we — the president — I don’t have any calls to read out, as the president has made to — to families.

Right now, the president’s commitment — and you’re going to hear him in a couple of hours when he returns from the State Department where he does wildfire briefing with his team. What we’re trying to do is use every resource available so that we can help the — to — we can help respond and certainly save lives.

And I’m going to let, certainly, Los Angeles County speak to the numbers and how — how the — any information that they may have, I don’t have anything right now to share on any conversations that the president may have done as it relates to families and victims.

But it is devastating, and we’re doing everything that we can to offer up resources on the ground. As you know, we’ve been talking about that.

AIDE: Karine, (inaudible).

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I know. One more. Go ahead.

Q Thank you, Karine. There are reports that the Biden an- — administration this week was set to announce Medicare price negotiations. And Bloomberg is now reporting that Eli Lilly has asked the U.S. government to pause its forward march with the drug price negotiations. I was just wondering if you could provide any update to if those rollouts could be coming this week and kind of give an update to what’s going on.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I don’t have any update to share at this time. Certainly not going to get ahead of any potential announcement that we may have.

As you know, the Inflation Reduction Act was incredibly important in lowering costs for Americans, as we think about — I mean, if you think about, obviously, climate change, it was the — and what we’re seeing with the wildfires, it certainly is the most proactive piece of legislation that we were able to get passed to deal with climate change.

But as you asked me about — about this particular question, look, we were able to beat Medicare. That is something that this president was able to do. Now you see Medicare is able to make negotiations.

I — I think you — you remember, about a year or so ago, Eli Lilly was able to bring down their cost on insulin. A lot of that was because of what this president did on ta- — capping insulin for — for seniors, which was — makes a big deal, makes it — makes it — is a chi- — a life-changing effort for seniors.

And so, look, not going to get ahead on any potential announcement. Don’t have anything to share. But lowering costs on medical — medical prescription drugs, making sure that we make things more affordable for Americans, that is something that the president has put at the center when he talks about his economic policy and, certainly, moving forward. I don’t have anything beyond that.

Guys, I will see you —

Q Karine —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’ll be back. I’ll be back. I’ll be seeing —

Q Karine, there’s been a lot of like —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — disinformation and misinformation about the response to the California fires. In the case of the Hurricanes Helene and Milton, there was some finding that Chinese and other foreign countries were amplifying messages or —

Do you have any evidence of that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I don’t have any evidence to share with you on — on that piece.

But what I will say about misinformation and disinformation: It is incredibly dangerous, as we all know, as we’re trying to provide resources, as we’re trying to — folks on the ground, local officials are trying to make sure that they’re tr- — they’re keeping people safe who are dealing with this wildfires. It gets in the way of that. It puts people’s lives in danger.

And so, certainly, we’re going to continue to call that out. And it is — it is something that needs to stop.

As far as if any entity, countries that are behind that, I can’t speak to that at this time. But certainly, we — we need to continue to call out the misinformation, defirmation [disinformation]. It is dangerous, it puts people’s lives at risk, and it needs to stop.

All right. Thanks, everybody.

Q Thanks, Karine.

Q Thank you.

Q You’ve going to have at least one more this week, right?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah. I’ll be back. (Laughter.)

1:17 P.M. EST

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Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of California by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency work undertaken in the State of California as a result of wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on January 7, 2025, and continuing.

Under the President’s order today, Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance have been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for a period of 180 days of the State’s choosing within the first 270 days from the start of the incident period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

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I am proud to announce that the next two Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers will be named for two former presidents: Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. 

When I personally delivered the news to Bill and George, they were deeply humbled.  Each knows firsthand the weight of the responsibilities that come with being Commander-in-Chief.  And both know well our duty to support the families and loved ones who wait and worry for the safe return of their servicemember.

The future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and the future USS George W. Bush (CVN 83) will begin construction in the years ahead. When complete, they will join the most capable, flexible, and professional Navy that has ever put to sea.  They will be crewed by Sailors who hail from every corner of the United States, and who will sail these ships into harm’s way, defending our interests overseas and our safety here at home. 

Those Sailors will demonstrate not only the example of our power, but the power of our example. And our nation remains grateful to them, their families, and all the talented shipyard workers who will bring these ships to life.

May God protect all who sail aboard USS William J. Clinton, USS George W. Bush and every other ship in our fleet.  And may God continue to bless our troops.

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Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost in the wildfires across Los Angeles. Jill and I pray for them and their loved ones. We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the unprecedented ongoing wildfires across Southern California.

I am being frequently briefed on intensive efforts to suppress the wildfires across Los Angeles, and have directed our team to respond promptly to any request for additional federal firefighting assistance. At my direction, hundreds of federal personnel and unique federal aerial and ground support has been sent to California to support the firefighting efforts and help communities in need. My Administration remains laser-focused on helping survivors and we will continue to use every tool available to support the urgent firefight as the winds are projected to increase.

To the brave firefighters and first responders working day and night to suppress these fires and save lives: our nation is grateful. You represent the best of America and we are in your debt.

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President Biden spoke today with Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar. The two leaders discussed the negotiations in Doha for a ceasefire and hostage release deal based on the May 27, 2024 arrangement described by the President last year and endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council. The President thanked the Amir for his leadership and praised the mediating role of Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani throughout the process. Both leaders emphasized the urgent need for a deal to be implemented to return the hostages to their families and bring immediate relief to the people of Gaza through a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by the ceasefire and called for in the deal. Both leaders agreed to remain in close coordination directly and through their teams at this critical point in the negotiations.

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Today, my Administration is approving student loan relief for more than 150,000 borrowers – bringing the total number of Americans who have had their student debt cancelled by my Administration to over 5 million. These 150,000 borrowers include: almost 85,000 borrowers who attended schools that cheated and defrauded their students, 61,000 borrowers with total and permanent disabilities, and 6,100 public service workers. 

My Administration has taken historic action to reduce the burden of student debt, hold bad actors accountable, and fight on behalf of students across the country. This includes fixing the broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and ensuring over 1 million public service workers receive the student loan relief they are entitled to under the law, approving student loan relief for 1.7 million borrowers who were cheated and defrauded by their schools, delivering student debt relief to 633,000 borrowers with total and permanent disabilities, and fixing administrative errors in the Income-Driven Repayment programs to deliver relief to over 1.4 million borrowers who have been in repayment for decades. My Administration also secured the largest increase to the maximum Pell Grant award in a decade to put higher-education in reach for more Americans.

Since Day One of my Administration, I promised to ensure higher-education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity, and I’m proud to say we have forgiven more student loan debt than any other administration in history.

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The Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) has issued its Annual Intellectual Property Report to Congress, which brings together the combined and coordinated efforts of the White House, the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Justice, State, and Treasury, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Copyright Office. The report provides an overview of the intellectual property enforcement strategy and related efforts undertaken by departments and agencies during fiscal year 2024.

To view the Annual Intellectual Property Report to Congress, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IPEC-FY-24-Annual-Report_Final.pdf

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Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming central to both security and economic strength. The United States must act decisively to lead this transition by ensuring that U.S. technology undergirds global AI use and that adversaries cannot easily abuse advanced AI. In the wrong hands, powerful AI systems have the potential to exacerbate significant national security risks, including by enabling the development of weapons of mass destruction, supporting powerful offensive cyber operations, and aiding human rights abuses, such as mass surveillance. Today, countries of concern actively employ AI – including U.S.-made AI – in this way, and seek to undermine U.S. AI leadership.
 
To enhance U.S. national security and economic strength, it is essential that we do not offshore this critical technology and that the world’s AI runs on American rails. It is important to work with AI companies and foreign governments to put in place critical security and trust standards as they build out their AI ecosystems.
 
To strengthen U.S. security and economic strength, the Biden-Harris Administration today is releasing an Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion. It streamlines licensing hurdles for both large and small chip orders, bolsters U.S. AI leadership, and provides clarity to allied and partner nations about how they can benefit from AI. It builds on previous chip controls by thwarting smuggling, closing other loopholes, and raising AI security standards.
 
Six key mechanisms in the rule catalyze the responsible diffusion of U.S. technology: 
 

• No restrictions apply to chip sales to 18 key allies and partners. This flexibility enables jurisdictions with robust technology protection regimes and technology ecosystems aligned with the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States to benefit from seamless large-scale purchases.
  
• Chip orders with collective computation power up to roughly 1,700 advanced GPUs do not require a license and do not count against national chip caps. The overwhelming majority of chip orders are in this category, especially those being placed by universities, medical institutions, and research organizations for clearly innocuous purposes. Streamlined processing of these orders represents an improvement over the status quo, rapidly accelerating low-risk shipments of U.S. technology around the world.
  
• Entities that meet high security and trust standards and are headquartered in close allies and partners can obtain highly trusted “Universal Verified End User” (UVEU) status. With this status, they can then place up to 7% of their global AI computational capacity in countries around the world – likely amounting to hundreds of thousands of chips. This trusted status is granted on a global and enduring basis, allowing responsible entities to expand rapidly and flexibly, and strengthening U.S. and allied global leadership while keeping frontier training at home.
  
• Entities that meet the same security requirements and are headquartered in any destination that is not a country of concern can apply for “National Verified End User” status, enabling them to purchase computational power equivalent to up to 320,000 advanced GPUs over the next two years. This provision permits trusted national entities to benefit from advanced U.S. technology, serving local, governmental, and regional customers, while guarding against diversion risks.
  
• Non-VEU entities located outside of close allies can still purchase large amounts of computational power, up to the equivalent of 50,000 advanced GPUs per country. This cap ensures that U.S. technology is available to service foreign governments, healthcare providers, and other local businesses.  
   
• Government-to-government arrangements cultivate an international ecosystem of shared values regarding the development, deployment, and use of AI. Governments that sign these arrangements – which align those nations’ export control, clean energy, and technology security efforts with the United States – can double their chip caps (up to 100,000 of today’s advanced GPUs).

Even as it encourages the diffusion of U.S. technology, the rule takes significant steps against countries of concern, constraining them from accessing advanced AI systems and the computing power used to train them. These actions include:

• Continuing to ensure that advanced semiconductors sold abroad are not used by countries of concern to train advanced AI systems, while still permitting access for general-purpose applications from telecommunications to banking.

• Restricting the transfer to non-trusted actors of the model weights for advanced closed-weight models. The rule does not in any way inhibit the publication of model weights for open-weight models.
  
• Setting security standards to protect the weights of advanced closed-weight AI models, permitting them to be stored and used securely around the world while helping prevent illicit adversary access.

The rule builds on previous regulations that aim to protect U.S. national security, including the October 2022 and October 2023 chip controls. It follows a broad range of relevant engagements over the past ten months with stakeholders, bipartisan members of Congress, industry representatives, and foreign allies and partners.

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru of Japan and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. of the Philippines to advance our continuing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.  This meeting follows the historic trilateral summit hosted at the White House in April 2024. Together the three Leaders discussed trilateral maritime security and economic cooperation, as well as the People’s Republic of China’s dangerous and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea. The three Leaders agreed on the importance of continued coordination to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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President Biden spoke today with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. The two leaders discussed the ongoing negotiations in Doha for a ceasefire and hostage release deal based on the May 27, 2024 arrangement described by the President last year and endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council. The President discussed the fundamentally changed regional circumstances following the ceasefire deal in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the weakening of Iran’s power in the region. He stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal. The Prime Minister thanked the President for his lifelong support of Israel and for the extraordinary support from the United States for Israel’s security and national defense.   

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Today, President Biden spoke with His Holiness Pope Francis and named him as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors. This is the first time that President Biden has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction.

Citation: 

As a young man, Jorge Bergoglio sought a career in science before faith led him to a life with the Jesuits. For decades, he served the voiceless and vulnerable across Argentina. As Pope Francis, his mission of serving the poor has never ceased. A loving pastor, he joyfully answers children’s questions about God. A challenging teacher, he commands us to fight for peace and protect the planet. A welcoming leader, he reaches out to different faiths. The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, Pope Francis is unlike any who came before. Above all, he is the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.

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Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of South Carolina and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding from November 6 to November 14, 2024.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in the counties of Bamberg, Calhoun, and Orangeburg.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Mr. Brian F. Schiller of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

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Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists for the Native Village of Kwigillingok and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribal Nation’s efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from August 15 to August 18, 2024.

Federal funding is available to the Native Village of Kwigillingok and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm and flooding.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Native Village of Kwigillingok.

Mr. Lance E. Davis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribal Nation and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

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Oval Office

12:15 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Here’s what we’re going to do.  We’re going to get a briefing from the governor and the mayor and FEMA, and then we’re going to lay out where we go from here.  Okay?

Ready?  Get set.  Go.

AIDE:  Ready.

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Vice President Harris and I are about to receive a briefing from Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and the FEMA Director Criswell.  So, both of them are on the ground leading the fight against this god-awful wildfire in Calif- — the worst in California history. 

And there has been some progress in the last 24 hours, so I want to give an update to where we think things are at the moment.

First, overnight, local, state, and federal firefighters were able to partially prevent some of the largest fires from spreading to new areas: 3 percent in Pasadena has been kept from spreading, 8 percent in the Pacific Palisades, 35 percent in Ventura, and 37 percent in Sylmar.  And — and I — but this time yesterday, these fires were mostly spreading out of control.

We — we’ve still got a long way to go, as we’re about to hear from the governor and others.  And while the winds have died down for the time, we expect they’ll remain a threat until early next week.  So, we’re going to keep working 24/7 to support state and local officials to fully stop these fires as soon as possible. 

Next, we’re going to make sure California has every possible resource to fight these fires and help survivors.  As soon as the fire started, I approved the — the Fire Management Assistance Grants, which is a fancy phrase for saying the grants to cover the cost of firefighting federally and the gear, equipment, and capabilities like search and rescue.

Then, I immediately approved the governor’s request of major disaster declaration, which will pay for things like debris removal, temporary lodging, and first responder overtime pay.  Both of these — the grants and the declaration — usually cover 75 percent of the state’s costs.  But yesterday, I directed the federal government to cover 100 percent of state costs for 180 days.

I also announced FEMA has — is go- — has turned on its Critical Needs Assistance program.  This program gives a one-time payment of $750 to survivors so they can quickly purchase critical items, like water, formula, gasoline, and prescription drugs.  And survivors should go to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.  We can’t help you if we don’t know you need the help, so call.  DisasterAssistance.gov — I mean, co- — contact or call 1-800-621-3362.

And I want to be clear: This is not the only aid that survivors can request from FEMA.  More programs are going to be available through the — that disaster declaration, but this is assistance that survivors can get now and get it fast.

We’re also helping the state and local law enforcement personnel keep people safe.  I’ve offered Governor Newsom additional support on — on that front too.  For example, the Defense Department — military personnel can help direct traffic, evacuate people where traffic lights have been destroyed. 

Finally, I want to thank all the first responders.  And I often say, “God made man, then he made a few firefighters.”  And these are men and women.  The firefighters of Los Angeles are proof of that.

The scope, the scale, and the erratic movements of these fires is truly unprecedented.  I mean, it’s truly unprecedented.  And — but day after day, these firefighters have been pulling 24-hour shifts, rushing the flames with har- — hurricane-force winds as well, to rescue people, to evacuate neighborhoods, and put these fires out.

Now, I speak for the American people when I say we owe you, we’re with you, and we’re going to make sure you get every resource you need. 

Now I want to turn it over to the vice president.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Mr. President.  As you’ve said, what we have been witnessing is truly mass devastation.  And whether we are talking about Sylmar to the Palisades to Altadena, it’s important to know that we’re talking about neighborhoods of people who, in many cases — I think about Altadena — these are — these homes have been in these families for generations.  And in many of these homes, it is a multigenerational family that lives there.

Also understand that, in a lot of these neighborhoods, the folks who live there also work in that neighborhood, which means they’ve lost their home and their livelihood.  So, the devastation that we are looking at is multigenerational and is going to linger for quite some time.

And the work, under the president’s leadership, that we are doing through the federal government to provide aid in every way to the governor, to the mayor, to local police and fire is critically important, and we are doing it with a sense of urgency.

I also would mention that not only are firefighters out there working around the clock, some of whom — sadly, more than a few who have lost their own homes in the fire — but so too with LAPD police officers who are working around the clock, and there are at least a dozen who have also lost their own homes to the fire.

So, there is a real human story that is associated with the mass devastation that we are seeing, and everything that we can do to support, we will do.  Also understanding there are moments where we should find optimism in the heroism of people who are taking in strangers, taking in friends, providing shelter to evacuees — people looking out for each other.  Regardless of where they come from or who they voted for, they’re looking out for each other and showing the best of the American spirit in a moment of crisis.

THE PRESIDENT:  In addition to that, I want to point out that — that this is not going to be over even when all the fires are out. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yes.

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s just going to be the beginning.  And the change in insurance policy in California for these modest homes —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yep.

THE PRESIDENT:  — as well as these really expensive homes and businesses.  So, the — we — we’re going to be around a long while, Gov, to help, the federal government. 

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  Yes.

THE PRESIDENT:  And the mayor as well.

So — but why don’t I yield to you, Governor, for any comments you have to make.  Bring us up to date.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  I — I appreciate it, Mr. President and Madam Vice President.  Let me just pick up, in the spirit of y- — of your comments.  But first, with just deep gratitude to both of you for being so solicitous, so supportive, hand in glove in this operation.  There’s simply not an ask that hasn’t been met.

The major disaster declaration, Mr. President, was a game changer.  In fact, you were able to do that within 36 hours.  I don’t know that there’s another precedent in American history for disaster that was in the making, was unfolding and for you to be there in real time and prescient as well.  It turns out that we’re going to need all of that support.  And the fact that you were able to provide 100 percent is just tremendous relief on the (inaudible) side and other disaster relief side. 

And I think the — the big focus now, to your point — and appreciate the recognition of some progress last night.  The winds were favorable.  We were able to address some of the perimeter issues.  Again, it’s been focus about life, property, and perimeter.  But the perimeter progress was real because we were able to get fixed-wing and helicopters up.

Last night, we had a new fire start.  Five fires that we’re actively battling as we speak.  The two large ones you’ve highlighted, the 8 and 3 percent contained.  But we’re able to — these guys just did an amazing job.  We had this fire, the Kenneth fire, that could have been one of the bigger headlines today, and these guys were able to knock that down. 

It was heroic.  I flew around it to see the dozers, the hand crews, Rattlesnake crews in the National Guard, the mutual aid system.

Mr. President, 175 engines from across this country, from New Mexico and Oregon and Washington State, Utah, Idaho — men and women coming out here, regardless of their differences, in the spirit of what the vice president said, working together in the spirit that defines the best of all of us.  And so, just with deep gratitude to you, your team. 

We had the National Guard out last night.  We had 43 key posts that they were — they were working — 855 National Guard men and women.  We’re stationing additional National Guard men and women to the extent we need it. 

We’ve searched all the assets and we drew down from all over the state and, obviously, now increasing across the country. 

I want to also highlight, because I think it’s incredibly important: We have 150,000 people still under mandatory evacuation orders.  These fires are not out.  Though, today, we’re going to make a lot of progress and continue to increase these containment numbers. 

But it is important, and I cannot impress upon you more how happy I was to hear, Mr. President, you say DisasterAssistance.gov. 

People are now naturally calling.  There’s tremendous anxiety out there around getting immediate assistance.  The reality of this is — is starting to come. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  The clarity is — as the, you know, smoke begins to — to move and, in daylight, people are starting to understand the magnitude.

I thought I never would see anything like the Tubbs Fire and then the Camp Fire.  This is up there.  This will be one of the most destructive fires, I mean, in terms of property damage, perhaps in the history of the country, but certainly in terms of scale and scope — 10-plus thousand structures already identified.  Ten people we fear have lost their lives; likelihood of more.  The magnitude of this is pretty profound. 

And — and in closing, you know, I appreciate, Madam Vice President, you bringing up Altadena as well.  You know, I was there yesterday, saw a middle school — it’s a beautiful middle school — burning down.  Lifestyles, places, tradition, kids, families, memories, communities completely, you know, torn — just torn asunder. 

It’s — it’s not just a home.  It’s — it’s their lives and their livelihoods, these businesses, community centers.  I can’t tell you how many churches burned down.

And so, you know, we had these hurricane-force winds, the likes of which we’ve never imagined in our lifetime — 99-plus-mile-an-hour gusts, couldn’t — you know, there was no helicopters that can go up in — in those gusts, in those wind shears.

But we had, you know, thousands and thousands of men and women that — that did everything in their power to hold the line.  And so, hats off to the first responders.

And in closing, hats off to those neighbors that are stepping up, these self-organizing communities that are coming together in the spirit of what makes us great, the spirit of neighbor to neighbor, of being there for each other. 

And final words: You know, I ask you, we’ve got to deal with this misinformation.  There were hurricane-force winds —

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  — of mis- and disinformation, lies.  People want to divide this country, and — and we’re going to have to address that as well. 

And it breaks my heart, as people are suffering and struggling, that we’re up against those hurricane force — forces as well.  And — and that’s just a point of personal privilege that I share that with you, because it infects real people that are out there, people I meet every single day, people the mayor has been meeting with.  And they’re having conversations that are not the typical conversations you’d have at this time. 

And — and you wonder where this stuff comes from, and it’s very damaging as well. 

But — but we’re here to get the job done, to be here for folks, to focus, yes, on this mitigation and then, absolutely, recovery in record time.  With your support, we’re going to be able to do that.  With FEMA’s support, we’re going to get people back on their feet.  We’re going to rebuild this remarkable community, and we’re going to come back. 

I know it’s rote and cliché.  It’s just a fact.  We’re going to come back stronger because we’re all in this together.  And — and we’re in this together because we have a leader in the Oval Office right now, Mr. President — Joe Biden, an American president, being there for the American people at a time of critical need. 

And I cannot impress upon you personally, on behalf of 40 million Americans that live in the great state of California, how proud we are of you, the vice president, and your leadership. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, Gov, thank you.  You know, that’s why I think it’s so important I — I — we speak plainly to the American people and let them know what we can and can’t do.

For example, those churches that get burned down you talked about, those public schools, the federal government will pay to rebuild those — rebuild those.  There’s a — so, we have to let people know that there are things that are going to be coming that we’ve declared — and there’s disaster relief legislation and others — that are going to be available. 

Because I think people say, “Okay.  I’m out.  But, God, what — what happens now?  What do I…” — and — but we’re — we’re not leaving.  We’re not leaving until we get it done. 

Karen — Mayor.

MAYOR BASS:  Yes.  Thank you, Mr. President and Madam Vice President.

I just can’t emphasize enough how important your support and involvement has been.  And how, in the midst of such incredible devastation and — and tragedy, that it has been comforting to know that you are — have been accessible. 

Again, you know, the governor certainly mentioned the fact that you moved so quickly in response to the emergency declaration, the idea of 100 percent reimbursement.  And we have made it clear to folks that that is not the norm, but that is what leadership does in response to such a devastating event. 

And the governor mentioned, and let me just repeat: hurricane-strength wind without the rain.  And that has led to such amazing devastation in terms of the Palisades fire and some of the other fires. 

I think it is important to acknowledge the successes that have been going on, where there have been evacuation orders that have been canceled, and people are going back to certain neighborhoods.  Fires have been extinguished in several neighborhoods — Pacoima, Hollywood, Studio City — where people were told they had to evacuate, and those evacuation orders have been rescinded.

And as our first responders are out there putting their lives on the line, as the vice president mentioned, they’ve been experiencing the losses as well, as well as the city and the county workforces.  We have a number of our employees who have had to evacuate.  While responding, their families have had to evacuate, or they’ve had the loss, the personal loss of their homes, their places to worship, their schools, or their businesses. 

But Los Angeles, the region, we are going to recover.  We’re going to recover, and we’re going to rebuild, and we’re going to rebuild better. 

One of the biggest challenges that is facing us — and I also know that it is a national situation — is insurance.  And so, today, I’m here at the County Hall of Administration.  We do two press conferences a day — one in the county, one in the city.  And we had our state insurance commissioner here. 

We do have a state plan, but that state plan certainly needs to be — and he’s — he talked about introducing emergency legislation to respond to some of the ways we need to strengthen our system. 

So, many of the homes in the area, especially in the Palisades area, had their insurance canceled — canceled a year or so ago.  And he talked about how he wanted to have a moratorium — he was going to use the power of his office to have a moratorium — that said that no policies can be canceled, even if your home was not damaged.  If you’re in the area and everybody around you burnt down but your home was not damaged, that your policy cannot be canceled. 

So, we have mobilized the philanthropic community.  The philanthropic community is already setting up funds to assist.  But we are also convening — and the city is — is taking the lead here — in the rebuilding effort, and we’re going to expedite rebuilding. 

It brings back a lot of memories for me, in 1992, when we experienced massive civil unrest, and we were able to get the majority of Los Angeles rebuilt quickly by coming together and suspending — waiving rules, you know, getting past bureaucracy. 

If you — if your home was devastated in the fire, there’s no reason for you to have to go all the way back through the permitting process. 

So, while we are saving lives, preventing further destruction, saving homes, saving businesses, dealing with the emergency at hand, we also have our eyes on the future and are preparing to put forward policies, executive directors next week that would address how we bring our city back together and how we expedite the rebuilding.

And so, again, let me just end by saying that, you know, your leadership — your leadership, period, over the last several years has just been outstanding, Mr. President, Madam Vice President.  Madam Vice President, who’s an Angeleno, we know that you know.

When I spoke with you yesterday, you mentioned that you had to evacuate.  You weren’t going to mention yourself, but I asked you, and you mentioned that you had to evacuate from your home here while you were in Washington, D.C.  And I just want to commend your outstanding leadership and let you know how the residents of Los Angeles are so deeply grateful. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT:  Karen, one of the things I’ve found in my experience in dealing with these disasters — similar, not as devastating than this — is: People take a look at the immediate help, and they’re satisfied, they’re happy.  But they look down the road and say, “My God, look at downtown.  It’s gone.  Look at — how are we going to do this?” 

We’re going to need the United States Congress to follow up with appropriations to help provide for significant help for our fellow Americans who need this help to pay for the — these programs that we have because a lot more is going to be c- — be happening.

And now, yield to a woman who’s an expert in all this.  She and I have traveled more states that are — flying over fires for the last four years, and we’ve literally observed, from the air or on the ground, more areas burned to the ground — burned to the ground — from Arizona all the way up to Idaho — than the entire state of Maryland.  Took it all — to the ground. 

And so, we’ve — but we’re used to this but nothing like the concentration that’s here.  This is profound. 

And so, we got the best person we could.

Go ahead, Deanne.

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Thank you.  Yeah, thank you, Mr.  President, Madam Vice President.  I mean, you and I, sir, have traveled many different disasters, and I can say from what I’ve seen here yesterday that this is certainly one of the most destructive that you and I have had to — to deal with during our time here. 

I had a chance yesterday to talk with the governor and the mayor, to hear some of their immediate concerns, but mostly to start to talk about what this recovery is going to look like. 

I had an opportunity to get briefings from the incident command post, both at the Palisades fire as well as the Eaton fire.

And, Madam Vice President, I had a chance to drive through Altadena and see just what the heart of this community is by hearing from the local officials and just witness the amount of loss that they are experiencing and going through.  I mean, in addition to the thousands of structures that we hear about that are — that are gone, many of those homes, an entire small-business district — a booming business district in Altadena that has just been burnt to the ground — churches and schools and other public facilities that are just gone. 

And so, this is going to be a very complex recovery, but I know that when we all come together and work together through all of our federal partners and bringing in our — our nonprofit and our private-sector partners, that we are going to get through this.

And your approval, sir, of the 100 percent for the debris removal and the emergency protective measures for 180 days is really going to be a game changer in helping to make sure that this recovery gets started off on the right foot. 

And the major disaster declaration itself is going to do so much.  It’s — so many people, as you heard, are evacuated, and there’s not very many in shelters.  And so, we know that so many people are either staying with friends and family or they’re staying in hotels. 

And with the changes that we have made to our programs over the last year, we are going to be able to cover most of those costs, if not all of those costs that people are incurring, whether they’re staying with family and friends or they’re staying in hotels, to help ease some of that burden.

And as they register for assistance — so, we’ve already got close to 10,000 people that have registered, but we know that that’s going to continue to go up, and we’re going to send more people into the community to make sure that they register.  They’re going to be able to get things to help support that recovery, whether that’s moving into the next-term and longer-term sheltering or their longer-term housing needs to help reimburse for some of the losses and damages, even though we know it’s not going to come close to the total devastation and the total loss that they had. 

Working together, again, if Congress approves additional funding, and working with our partners like the SBA, we’re going to really be able to help all of these families with their specific needs and what they’re going to need to do to help start this recovery journey. 

And one of the biggest things is going to be debris removal.  And, you know, we’ve had lots of conversations with the governor’s team about debris removal.  They have an excellent capability here within the state, and we’re going to be able to provide technical assistance through the Army Corps of Engineers to make sure that they’re getting everything done in the most expeditious way possible so they can start that recovery process. 

And I think, Mr. President and Madam Vice President, what I would just close with is that, as you have said and as, you know, the governor — and I’ve talked to the governor and the mayor — we are going to be here with you.  Governor, Mayor, just know that FEMA, the entire federal family, is going to be here with you throughout this entire recovery journey.  We are going to work through the complicated problems together.  We’re going to find the right federal resource to meet the needs and to get the outcomes that you want.  And we’re going to help every Angeleno with the — the impacts that they’ve had and help them on this road to recovery.

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  You know —

MAYOR BASS:  Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT:  — one of the things that —

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT:  — that you and I have done, Deanne, is we not only have to build back, we have to build back better.  There are certain things we can do to prevent things from being — if the same thing occurred — from as much damage occurring.  And that costs money, but it also saves money. 

There is climate —

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Yes.

THE PRESIDENT:  — change.  There is climate change.  This is part of it.  And we have to deal with it. 

And the other thing is that, you know, when I was with you, Gov, and we were looking around the state, it looked to me, as I traveled — when I was out with you in — in California,

it — what it reminded me of — it reminded me of — more of a war scene where you had certain targets that were bombarded, where artillery was — just blew them up with no — with — with no rhyme or reason.  In other words, you’d have this fire going crazy and burning everything down and three houses being fine —

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  Yeah.

THE PRESIDENT:  — noth- — nothing is happening.

Or neighborhoods that were still green — I mean, still green, and next to a place that — for example, you know, there was — we were just looking at a Secret Service house that was out there.  You know, all the vehicles were melted — melt — melt — yet that house next door still has green shrubbery on it, and, you know, it — the house is fine.  There’s only, I think, four or five houses in that 200 — you know, it’s in — in the Pasadena area. 

But — but my generic point is, it’s almost like it’s a — it’s a battle scene.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  But, you know, Mr. President —

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  Yeah.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — we saw that in South Carolina, North Carolina —

THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, I know.  That’s the point.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  — Georgia, and Florida with hurricanes. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, same thing.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  This is also the nature of, to your point, this changing climate, these extreme weather conditions, not only are they — they volatile and devastating, but there — there is no method necessarily to how — to the impact in terms of the predictability of where it might land, if we’re talking about a hurricane or — or a wildfire.

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, for example, we —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And so, resilience and adaptation becomes more important.

THE PRESIDENT:  You know, we found, Gov, that in these other areas, like the hurricanes from North Carolina to Florida, where you saw entire highways devastated —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

THE PRESIDENT:  — coming off the side of the mountains, dropping into —

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we got to build back the highway a different way — 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.

THE PRESIDENT:  — to make it stronger. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  That’s right.

THE PRESIDENT:  We’re — so, we — we’re going to have to deal with this, and we can make it — I know if anybody — any of your constituents are listening and saying, “My, God, don’t tell me about ‘better,’ just tell me when about getting back.”  But, you know, we can not only build it back, we can build it back better, God willing.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  A hundred percent.  No, it’s — it is remarkable, and it’s — yeah, to your point, particularly as — as the smoke is clearing, you see that, you know, very indelibly and visually here in this fire.  These — these newly constructed homes more likely to have survived — those with — with different materials, those with the latest home hardening investments. 

And that wou- — the — the chapter, verse, the lesson, the master class in this was the Camp Fire.  Remember, we lost 85 lives —

THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  — 18,000 structures up there in Paradise, California, and those structures that did survive — and so, we’ve changed our building codes.  We — we began to adapt to this new reality. 

And I just say this to the deniers out there: You may not believe in science, but you have to believe your own eyes.

You know, Mother Nature is — it’s been said by others — it’s just, you know, the chemistry, biology, and physics — she bats last; she bats a thousand. 

There’s been no rain.  It’s January — January in Southern California.  So, what is “time of year”?  None projected in the next many days.  There’s been a modest amount since last May here in Southern California.  The hots are getting hotter; dries, drier; wets a lot wetter with these atmospheric rivers.

And on that, Mr. President, this is an area that we need to focus right now, and that’s the likelihood that we may see some intense rain and a lot —

THE PRESIDENT:  Exactly.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  — of debris flow —

THE PRESIDENT:  Exactly. 

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  — and issues around massive flooding, which often is more deadly than the fires themselves.

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s what —

MAYOR BASS:  And we —

THE PRESIDENT:  — happened in North Carolina.  When — when we talked about the hurricane, you saw the entire rivers fill and —

Anyway, there’s a lot we can do though.

MAYOR BASS:  You know, I — I do remember when we used to have a fire season.  Do you remember that, Governor?  You —

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  No.  (Laughs.)

MAYOR BASS:  — used to have a fire season, right?  In your — in your entire term, that has not been the case. 

This is January.  (Laughs.)  Fire season used to be at the end of summer.  So, you know, ab- — absolutely correct.

And then we know that that was the reason for such massive, massive devastation. 

But, again, you know, sending out your Deanne Criswell — Criswell.  It was wonderful to meet you yesterday.  Everybody was very excited to know that you were going to be here and to know that FEMA was going to be a resource that they can access right away. 

Continuing that is really what is needed right now.  And I want to thank you once again.

THE PRESIDENT:  The vice president and I have initiated every federal agency, from the Department of Defense on — every federal agency — to be part of this. 

And the other thing is, look, you know, I think you get a bad rap.  I know you’re getting a bad rap about “these fire hydrants don’t have enough water in them.”  Give me a break.  Give me a break. 

What this is all about is the utilities, understandably — what they did is they cut off power because they’re worried about these high-tension lines coming down and causing more fires in the wind.  Right?  When they do that, guess what?  They shut off the power that controls the ability to pump the water.

And so, now they’re put- — they’re getting generators now.  I mean, this is complicated stuff. 

You’re going to have a lot of demagogues out there trying to take advantage of it, but you’re doing the right thing.  We’re going to get it done, God willing. 

And I say to the people of Southern California, “God bless you.  Stay strong.  Stay strong.  We’re not going anywhere.  We’re not going anywhere.”

MAYOR BASS:  Thank you.  Thank you very much.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  Thank you, Mr. President, for everything.

THE PRESIDENT:  And you know, all kidding aside, you both have my phone number, so —

MAYOR BASS:  Yes, we do.

THE PRESIDENT:  No — no, I’m for real.  Anything that comes up, if you have any ideas.

And — and if you didn’t, I’ve got a California vice president, man.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  Yeah, that’s — that helps too.

THE PRESIDENT:  She’s wildly focused on this.

MAYOR BASS:  The access to both of you is a tremendous benefit.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  Yeah.

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Well, thank you very much.  Keep in touch, okay?

MAYOR BASS:  Okay.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM:  Thank you for everything. 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

MAYOR BASS:  Bye-bye.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Take care, guys.

AIDE:  Thanks, press.  Thanks, press.  Let’s go.  Thanks guys.  Thank you, press. 

(Cross-talk.)

AIDE:  All right.  Thanks, folks.

(Cross-talk.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Whoa.  Hey, I’m going to be talking a little later this afternoon about a number of things you’re asking about, from Russian energy to what’s — what’s going on in terms of the economy, but — but focused on this issue now.  And let’s focus on this, and we’ll be back on the rest of it. 

So, about this, you can ask me questions. 

Q    Can I just ask you about — you mentioned yesterday that you’re about to leave office.  Are you coordinating with the incoming administration about this federal response?

THE PRESIDENT:  We are making — everything they know — every single thing we’re doing about the re- — what — the response, my hope is that they will have — at least acknowledge we have some significant experience in this.  We’ve done really well on it, and I’m praying that they continue to focus. 

Q    Mr. President, have you been told that the loss of life is likely to increase significantly in California?

THE PRESIDENT:  It is likely it will increase.  Whether it’s significantly or not, we don’t know yet.  There’s still a lot of people who are unaccounted for.  We don’t know where they are.  I think this toll is likely to go up.  Whether it’s significant or not — pray God it’s not — but it could be. 

Q    How concerned are you about looting, Mr. President, in this?

THE PRESIDENT:  (Inaudible.)

Q    How concerned are you about looting and incidents of looting in Los Angeles —

THE PRESIDENT:  We are concerned.  That’s why I provided more police officers and more military.  Look, the DOD is in full (inaudible) with this.  They’re providing everything from security through the military, the National Guard; supplementing the National Guard.  Because we are — there’s clear evidence that there’s looting.  There’s clear evidence that people are going into these surviv- — even places where they’re not — they’re evacuated, and it’s not all rubble, and people are going in and they’re looting. 

And so, that’s going to — that — we know that will continue, unless we make sure we — we’re providing the help to prevent it from happening. 

Q    Mr. President, what will you be seeking from Congress?  Is the supplemental for this, specifically, or is it broader for FEMA?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I think — I think whether I’m going to be here to suggest it, and I have 10 days left — we have 10 days left, but we’re briefing the opposition — “the opposition” — the incoming administration on what they’re going to have to do. 

Look, we have an awful lot of experience in this, unfortunately.  Climate change has been real.  It’s been real for the last four years of our administration.  We’ve seen devastating impacts of consequences of the changes. 

And it’s just like — you know, there are — it’s going to take more funding.  I mean, look, you’re the most informed people in the country.  I’m not being facetious.  You cover this every single minute.  You’ve seen what these downtowns look like.  I mean, they look like bombing.  They look like they actually have been blown up — entire sections of the cities blown up.  Just to remove the debris — just to remove the debris is an incredibly expensive undertaking. 

We’re going to do it for them.  We’re going to get it done.  We’re going to pay for it, but we’ve got to be prepared to pay for it.  And — and when we do, we’ve got to build back better than we did before. 

So, thank you. 

AIDE:  Thank you, press.

(Cross-talk.)

THE PRESIDENT:  One l- — one — one last question.  There was one last question: Do I have any estimates of cost?

I could tell you, based on my experience, what I think the cost would be, but I’m not going to do that because we don’t know.  We want to make sure when we — we get the cost estimate, it’s real.  We’ve thought it through.  We get — we got the engineers and the scientists in to give us the best assessment of what’s happening. 

And one of the things that is going to have to change, and it’s been — I’ve been a — been broken record on this for the last three years: We’ve got to change the way in which we transmit energy.  And these high-tension wires that are the things that cause — some — remember we had someone from the other team about, “Well, we just ought to sweep the floor of the — the forest floor so we have no fires.”  Come on, man. 

You know, we — the idea is if we had these wires underground, it’s a hell of lot safer.  We wouldn’t have as many fires as we have now or in the future, but it costs a hell of a lot of money to put it underground. 

So, we’re working out all those issues to determine what would be needed — when I say “build back better” — to build back in a way that diminishes the prospect that the change in weather and the environment is going to continue to cause such devastation. 

We can protect against much of it, but it’s going to cost a lot of money to do it. 

Thank you.

12:50 P.M.  EST

The post Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris Before Briefing on the Full Federal Response to the Wildfires Across Los Angeles appeared first on The White House.

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

2:40 P.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Hi, everybody.  Hi.  Good afternoon.

Q    Good afternoon.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  So, the president and the first lady continue to grieve the lives lost and livelihoods destroyed by the tragic wildfires that are burning communities in Southern California to the ground. 

Before I hand it over to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who has been on the ground in California and will provide further details on fer- — on the federal response, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone in this room and who is watching at home that this is not about politics.  This is about people.  This is about humanity — people who have literally lost everything.  Homes, schools, and businesses, entire communities burnt to the ground.  Treasured artifacts, like personal photos, precious family heirlooms, and other priceless belongings all reduced to rubble. 

And I know there’s many of you, your colleagues out there, who are on the ground trying to cov- — to cover all of the disastrous moments that we’re seeing on the ground with this event, and I hope you all are — are being safe out there.

We need to be thinking about Californians, their priorities, and how we can all come together to support them.  From Maui to North Carolina to — to California, we have seen that these disasters do not discriminate.  So, it is on all of us to show these people, to show folks in California some compassion as they are reckoning with an unimaginable disaster.

While nothing can bring back what many have lost, the president and his administration are continuing to use every tool at our disposal to help fight these fires and ensure that the communities impacted are able to recover.  The president has received regular briefings on the fires.  And at his direction, his team has been in contact — constant contact with their s- — with their state and local counterparts from the day the fire started.

Just last night, he spoke separately with Governor Newsom, Senator Schiff, Congressman Sherman and Lou, Mayor Bass, and LA County Supervisors Solis and Barger to discuss the latest updates on the wildfires across Los Angeles.  And earlier this week, the president was in California, where he received briefings from personnel on the ground and met with firefighters who are on the front lines of this response to ensure they have the resources they need.

As soon as the fires broke out, FEMA approved Fire Management Assistance Grants to reimburse California for firefighting costs, and the pre- — president immediately approved the state’s request for a major disaster declaration for California, allowing impacted communities and survivors to immediately access funds and resourc- — resources to jump-start their recovery.

As you just heard from the president moments ago, we have made some progress over the last 24 hours.  Overnight, local, state, and federal firefighters partially contained some of the largest wildfires.  There is still a long way to go, but we will continue to be with the people of California every step of the way.

Other actions the Biden-Harris administration has taken is to support local firefighting efforts, include five U.S. Forest Ser- — Forest Service large air tankers operating in Southern California, with an additional tanker en route; over 20 federal firefighting helicopters performing operational — operations in the area in support of state and local firefighters. 

Additionally, two air firefighting system units are being deployed from each of the California and National — Nevada National Guards, and 10 Navy helicopters with water buckets are en route from San Diego.  And Colorado is providing assistance, from the mobilization of aviation assets, as well as fielding of 50 engine companies to assist with firefighting on the ground.

As always, we stand ready to provide further support as needed, and we urge residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and heed the warnings of local officials, especially if you have been ordered to evacuate.

And to everyone impacted by this tra- — tragedy, please remember that we see you, we are with you, and we will do everything within our power to get you the help that you need.

With that, I will turn it over to the FEMA administrator, Criswell.  The floor is yours.

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Thanks, Kar- — thank you, Karine.  Good afternoon, everybody.

You know, I just want to start by telling everybody that has been impacted by these devastating fires that my heart is with each and every one of you, and I know that you continue to face these fires, as they are still working to bring them under control.  And unfortunately, this will probably be a life-changing event for so many of you. 

But FEMA is here, along with our entire federal family, to help you through this recovery process.  We are going to continue to support the state and the local jurisdictions, the local first responders as they continue to try to contain this fire and eventually extinguish this fire.

I arrived on the ground yesterday, as Karine said, at the direction of the president.  I had an opportunity to meet with Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass.  We discussed what their immediate needs were, as well as began the conversation about what their recovery needs are going to be.

The governor, the mayor, and I had an opportunity just before this to also brief the president and the vice president about what their concerns are, about what their needs are going to be, and provided an update on the current status of the firefighting operations.

Yesterday, I also had an opportunity to receive briefings from the incident command posts at the Palisades fire, as well as the Eaton fire. 

And I think the most important thing that I want to make sure I continue to get across to everyone, as this situation is still very dangerous: It is still very dynamic.  The winds have died down today, but as I just got a weather briefing at the county EOC, the winds are going to increase again in the coming days.  And so, people still need to stay vigilant.  They need to listen to their local officials.  They need to heed their advice so they can keep themselves and their families safe.

I also want to just take a minute to commend all of the amazing and heroic work that the firefighters are doing around the clock to fight these fires.  They have been working night and day. 

I had a chance to speak with several of them, some of them whose homes have also been lost or their families have had to evacuate, yet they still show up every day, supporting their communities, trying to keep them safe.

And I just want to say thank you.  I want to thank all of them for their heroic efforts, because they are making a difference.

Now, while the National Interagency Fire Center continues to provide resources to support Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County and City Fire Departments, FEMA is also supporting the recovery efforts.  We’re supporting those that have been impacted by this fire.  I even met with the SBA administrator here just briefly, who is also here to support them — businesses and individuals that have been impacted by these fires.

With the quick major disaster declaration, residents can now register and begin their recovery journey.  Some of the immediate things that we can provide to them are to cover the costs that they’re incurring as they have been evacuated, helping to support what their longer-term shelter and housing needs are going to be.  We can also help support crisis counseling and disaster unemployment. 

These are just a few of the programs that we have.  We have many more, and I encourage everyone to begin that process by registering now.

Recovery from these fires is going to be complex.  I’ve seen many disasters throughout my four years in this role.  This is certainly one of the worst that I have seen.

And the debris removal alone is going to be one of the major things that we have to accomplish — that the state has to accomplish to get this recovery journey started, and that’s why — when President Biden authorized 100 percent reimbursement for the first 180 days is really going to set the stage to jump-start this recovery for these communities. 

I had a chance to drive through some of the communities that were impacted as well, and it’s not just the homes that are lost.  We’ve seen schools that have been destroyed, businesses, small businesses, religious institutions.  These are things that we are going to be help being — are going to be able to help with temporary facilities, like temporary schools to help get children back into the schoolhouse, but also any other emergency measures as they begin the work of permanent repair.

Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and we continue to hear the numbers change, but know that this is going to be a long-term recovery for all of these individuals that have been impacted. 

And as I told the governor and the mayor yesterday and today, I assured them that our programs, our staff, the entire federal family are going to be here with them, alongside them, helping them achieve the outcomes that they need to — to not just rebuild these communities but also rebuild them in a way that’s going to make them stronger and more resistant to the types of weather events that they have been experiencing. 

This recovery journey is going to be long, but we are going to be there with them to support them every step of the way. 

And with that, Karine, I’m happy to take some questions. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you so much, Administrator.

Go ahead, Zeke.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Thanks, Administrator.  Hope you could speak to whether the admin- — whether your agency has enough money currently to fund the immediate response needs, or is there a need to go to Con- — Congress quickly to get additional funds.  And then, separately, 10 days out from the presidential transition, what steps are underway at FEMA to ensure that what has been done so far, what’s going to be done in the coming days is sustained at the career level and — and beyond, you know, into the new administration?  Thank you.

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Yeah, with the recent supplemental, FEMA received $27 billion, and so we are now able to continue to support the ongoing recovery efforts for all of the disasters that we have been supporting to include, now, the immediate response and the initial recovery efforts that are going to be needed here in California.  So, we’re very grateful for the bipartisan support from Congress to give us that additional funding so we can meet the needs of the individuals that have been impacted. 

And as far as going through the transition, you know, we have an amazing, dedicated workforce of women and men that are going to be able to continue to support them.  Our regional administrator here has worked many fires across several different administrations, and we are going to work day in and day out to continue to support them through the authorities that are given to us through the Stafford Act.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead. 

Q    Thank you, Administrator, for taking our questions.  I wonder, realistically, how quickly will people be able to obtain these temporary living quarters?  What are you doing to set those up?  Where are you setting them up, and how are you making sure to get in contact with people that may need those temporary shelters?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Yeah, so the first step that everybody needs to do — there’s two things.  They need to register for assistance with FEMA so they get in our system and we can continue to work with them on a case-by-case basis, because we know that everybody is going to have an individual and unique need.  And they need to contact their insurance company, because their insurance company may also provide alternate living expenses. 

We have a suite of tools, and one of the biggest tools and the best resources we have is reimbursing individuals for either the hotel costs that they’re experiencing right now, or if they find a place to rent, reimbursing them for rental assistance.  Given where we’re at right now, we know that there’s going to be a lot of rental resources, and that’s going to be the best resource and the best tool that we have to support the families that have been impacted, but we have other tools in our toolbox.

And so, again, we want to work with everybody individually because we know that everybody’s situation is going to be different, and we’re going to apply the right tool for their particular situation. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Mary.

Q    Thank you, Administrator.  I — I know you can’t, obviously, put a dollar sign on this, but can you just help us put into perspective a bit how you think the cost of this may compare to the cost of other recent natural disasters? 

And I’m hoping you could also comment on some misinformation that’s out there — we’ve seen these erroneous evacuation orders — and how concerned you are that that may lead to people to not responding to or not paying close enough attention to actual, real alerts.

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Yeah, it’s really hard right now on the — the cost of the disaster, to put a number on it, because we haven’t been able to assess how much of the infrastructure has been damaged.  I mean, we know that thousands of homes that have been impacted, but the real cost of these disasters comes from how much of the actual infrastructure has been damaged — the roads, the water system, the power — but also the soft costs and the economic impact. 

We know that this is going to be billions, and so we really want to continue to focus right now on whatever we can do to continue to support California in getting this fire suppressed and starting this recovery process. 

And, again, thanks to the bipartisan support of Congress, we have enough funding to support those recovery efforts and these response efforts.

And as far as the misinformation and the alert that went out, I mean, we want to make sure people are getting timely and accurate information.  And I will defer to the county for the specifics on what they’re doing as far as that alert, but know that it’s part of our wireless emergency alert platform that FEMA offers to state and locals, and we are providing technical assistance to them to make sure we can help them understand what happened and ensure that it doesn’t happen again, because we have to be able to send out accurate information so we — so we can give people the right information and they know to believe it. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Jeff.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Administrator, the president was referring in the Oval earlier and yesterday to, I guess, some misinformation about the fire hydrants.  Can you just spell it out clearly: Is there a water shortage?  Is there an issue with water?  And if not, what — what’s the issue?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Yeah, I mean, I would really defer to the city and the county for the specifics, but what I have been briefed is that it was an overload of the system, right?  There were so many simultaneous fires that happened at once.  There was multiple firefighting resources that were utilizing and — and putting — using the water system to put out these fires, and it put a strain on the system.  And it takes time for that system to then regenerate. 

But the specifics on it, I really just want to make sure that you talk with them.  As we heard from, you know, the — the Cal — Los Angeles City Fire chief yesterday, they have — they’ve planned for this.  They have other resources available with water tenders, and now we have the ability to fly the aircraft into these communities to help put that fire out. 

And so, it really — you talk about the multiple simultaneous fires that started, and it just put a strain on the system, from my understanding. 

Q    And just one follow-up on the coordination with the incoming administration.  Are you speaking to anyone, yourself, from — on the transition?  And has the misinformation aspect come up in those discussions?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  So, we have a whole team dedicated to be working with the transition team, and they’re providing regular briefings to them on a daily basis.  And so, we’re providing whatever information that they ask for.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    President Biden committed to 180 days of 100 percent match on — on recovery funds.  I- — how — just technically, how is he able to commit to six months when he’s only going to be in office for 10 more days?  Is that locked in, or could that change if the next administration has a different idea?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  You know, this is a practice that many administrations have utilized to help support the immediate needs in the — the response to one of these major catastrophic disasters.  And what we want to be able to do is recognize the catastrophic impact of that. 

And the president has the authority, through the statute, through law, to be able to commit this amount of funding to support the recovery efforts.  I would hope that we look at this, as I think Karine said earlier, that these are communities that have had a catastrophic impact and that we want to make sure that we are doing everything we can as a federal family to support them on this recovery journey. 

The statute, the law allows us to do exactly what we did and allows the president to make that determination.  And this is what they need.  They need this support in order to facilitate the recovery that’s going to have to happen. 

Q    And — and just a quick follow.  Does that mean that it can’t be rolled back?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  I — I mean, I’m certain that, you know, anybody can make a determination on if they want to do something or not, but this was done according to the statute, and I would think that the statute would say that this is the — the direction that needs to happen and that it shouldn’t be rolled back.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    In your — this is Arlette Saenz with CNN.  In your conversations with any of the local officials, have any of them expressed concerns about the possibility that that funding could be rolled back?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Well, I think I’ve gotten the question from several people about what’s going to happen over the transition, and — and the same thing that I’ve said to you is that we have dedicated career women and men that have been supporting disaster response for everywhere around the country, not just this administration but the previous administration and every administration before that.  And the actions that we have taken in this administration are no different than the types of declarations that have happened before. 

And I, you know, want to assure them that the law, the Stafford Act, that gives us the authority to — to provide these declarations is one that has withstood since 1979.  And — and we will continue to implement it as directed by the law. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Kelly O.

Q    Administrator, it’s Kelly O’Donnell From NBC.  Do you have concerns about the inventory of available housing for people who have been displaced and for the length of time it would take for rebuilding?  Obviously, it’s going to be some time before you can even clear parcels that people may own or what have you.  Do you see almost an extinction of some of these communities for a period of time?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  So, we’re going to work with the state to understand what the housing stock is, because, as I said, one of the — the best resources that we have is our rental assistance.  And we want to get people into that longer-term temporary situation as quickly as possible so they can continue on with their lives. 

We’re going to have to do an assessment to see what the availability is and then determine if we’re going to need to bring in other tools to help support the ongoing housing requirement for these communities. 

But know that our goal is to keep people in these communities.  We do not want them to move far from their communities.  This is where they work; this is where their schools are; this is where their family, their religious institutions are.  And so, our goal is to find everything we can as close to their communities so they can keep the community part of them intact.  Right?  The houses and the buildings might be gone, but the community stays, right?  That community spirit will always be there. 

And so, that is what our goal is, and that’s what we’ll work with the state and the county to achieve.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  In the back, go ahead.

Q    Thanks.  Thanks, Karine.  Thanks, Administrator.  The president previewed that the death toll was likely to increase.  Does the federal government have a handle on how many missing people there are, as well as any advice you have for people dealing with air quality issues at the moment?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  So, I didn’t hear the second question.  But to answer the first question, that’s something I would have to defer to the state.  All of those numbers come from the coroner to determine the number of fatalities, and the number missing is something that they’ll track. 

We’re just going to continue to support them if they need resources to help with that. 

And then what was your second question?

Q    Just about advice that you would have for people dealing with air quality issues in the area?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  With their what issues?

Q    Air quality.

Q    Air quality. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Air quality issues in the area — what’s your advice? 

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Oh, air quality.  Air quality issues.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What’s your advice to — to folks on the ground?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Again, listening to your — your local officials.  There’s definitely air quality issues around the area.  And, you know, the beauty of the wind dying down is that they can get better control over the fires, but it also doesn’t blow the smoke out. 

And so, there are definitely a lot of concerns from across the — the area here about what the air quality is going to look like.  And so, they need to make the decisions that’s best for them.  And I know that the Departments of Public Health at both the county and the state are providing information and guidance, and I would have them listen to them for what the best resources are for them to protect themselves from the air quality impacts from these fires. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  We’ve got to wrap it up.  Go ahead.  And then to you. 

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Thank you, Administrator.  I’m curious, as you’re briefing the incoming administration, are there specific steps you are recommending that they take in this response, given how long-term it’s likely going to be?

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Yeah, that’s something that — I mean, our career staff that are here on the ground in California that are going to be back at headquarters, they will continue to work through all of the requirements to support the recovery efforts.

And as the incoming administration comes on board, we will give them an update as to where we’re at with the status and any challenges that we’re finding and — and the direction and the vision that we need to do to achieve the governor, the mayor’s outcomes for this disaster recovery, but all of the disaster recoveries.  Right?  We had 179 disaster declarations just last year alone. 

And so, our team that has been working these day in and day out for the last four years will continue to do so within the new administration. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.  Last question.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  So, as the rebuilding gets underway, will there be any requirements around fire-resistant building materials to be used and other safety measures that, you know, construction folks should adhere to?  Thank you. 

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  I — I think — I just want to make sure I heard the question: As the rebuilding begins, are there going to be requirements on how they rebuild?  Did I hear that right?  I’m sorry.

Q    Yes.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yes, you did.

Q    On fire resistance, yeah. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, fire resistance.

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Yeah.  So, one of the things that we can do to help support these communities is we do have mechanisms through our mitigation programs, whether that’s in the — the public infrastructure that’s getting rebuilt or through our Hazard Mitigation Grants that the state can offer. 

As they rebuild, we want them to rebuild in a way that helps make them more fire resistant, and so we encourage the use of that flexibility within our authorities to make sure that these communities are stronger to face any future events that they might see like this.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  All right.  Administrator, since we have 10 days left, I wanted to be sure to say thank you so much for your service.  It’s been an honor to work with you.  Please stay safe in California.

And, again, thank you so much.

ADMINISTRATOR CRISWELL:  Thanks, Karine.  Thanks, everybody.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, I have actually two more things, and then I’ll get to questions. 

So, I’ll quickly turn to Venezuela, where Maduro once again demonstrated his complete disregard for democratic norms and proceeded with his illegitimate inauguration.  As President Biden emphasized during his meeting with President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia on Monday, January 6, we believe that it is essential that the will of the Venezuelan people is respected. 

In coordination with our partners, we’ve given Maduro and his representatives every opportunity to restore democracy, but they haven’t. 

So, today, we are building on all of our previous actions and taking further major actions.  We announced new sanctions on key Maduro-aligned officials as a part of our efforts to hold them accountable, and we imposed more visa restrictions, tot- — totaling nearly 2,000 individuals.  We also increased the reward amount to $25 million for Nicolás Maduro and his so-called minister of interior as part of the Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program — only the second and third to have the largest amount allowed.

It is important to note that we are taking these actions alongside similar actions taken by Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom to demonstrate a message of solidarity with the Venezuelan people and further elevate international efforts to maintain pressure on Maduro and his representatives.

Today, Maduro finds himself more alone than ever, with few friends in the region and in the world — and around the world.

And before I get to your question, just one more thing.  I didn’t want to hi- — I did want to highlight some good news we received this morning.  The final jobs report for the Biden-Harris administration was released today, and a remarkable 250,000 jobs were created last month, defying expectations.  Additionally, the unemployment rate ticked down to a low of 4.1 percent.

This is the only administration to gain jobs every month.  We had zero months with job losses.  This was no accident.  President Biden’s administration has delivered the strongest recovery in the world and laid a strong foundation for years to come by investing in America, empowering workers and unions, lowering costs, and supporting small businesses. 

Over 16.6 million jobs created; the lowest average unemployment rate of any administration in 50 years; record-high unemployment — record-high employment rates for working-age women; and lowest Black-white unemployment gap on record.  Inflation down faster than almost any other advanced economy, and incomes up almost $4,000.

And, again, this was no accident.  This is because of the president’s leadership. 

And as the president said, our nation faces an inflection point: Do we continue to grow the economy from the middle out and bottom up, or do we backslide to trickle-down economics?  And that is a question that we have to ask.

In the meantime, we’ll continue with this briefing.  Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  First off, yesterday, the Senate advanced the Laken Riley Act.  It passed the House.  If it’s presented to him before he leaves office on the 20th, would the president sign that bill or veto it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’m not going to get ahead of — of what’s happening.  The proced- — I know there was a procedural vote that happened in the Senate.  I’m going to let the process play — play out, let the — let the senators do — do their work on that.  I don’t want to get ahead of that.

So, we’re going to let it play out.  I’m not going to get into a hypothetical on this right now.

Q    I mean, the administration also often puts out a statement to the administration’s policy, where it stands.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    So, you’re not putting one out here?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, the — the process is still playing out, and so we’re going to — we’re going to certainly follow all of the latest developments on this.  And so, we want to evaluate the bill.  We haven’t done that yet.  We want to evaluate the bill, certainly, at the end of that process, and then we will have more to say.  I just don’t want to get ahead of it right now.

Q    And the president, in the Oval, said he’d be speaking to us later today about Russia and some other issues.  Is —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — is that going to happen?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, we’ll have more to share with all of you on what the president is going to — to be speaking on.  Certainly, we’ll — we’ll share that shortly.

Q    The event he’ll be speaking today?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  That’s what the president said, and that’s what we’re working out.  (Laughs.)

Q    And then, lastly, it is customary for presidents often to leave office with a final press conference.  Does the president — how does he — does he plan to schedule one for his final week in office?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  So, I don’t have anything to preview right now at this moment.  As you know, as you just mentioned, the president took questions today; he took questions yesterday.  He’s going to certainly continue to engage with all of you by taking your questions, as he’s done very — multiple times recently.

I — I don’t have anything to preview about a press conference.

Go ahead, Mary.

Q    Do you or do the — does the administration have any response to Donald Trump‘s sentencing earlier today?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we’re going to focus as — one of the reasons we had Administrator Criswell in the room, as you all know and you guys have done a very good job — some of you — certainly some of your colleagues who are out there on the ground — covering this disastrous, catastrophic fire.  And so, the president wants to continue to focus on that.  That’s what we want to continue to focus on.

We’re not focused on — on what occurred today, certainly, with the court decision.  We are — and we’ve been saying this — I know it’s probably ad nauseam we’ve been saying this — that we are running through the tape, and I think we have proven that almost every day, certainly, in 2025.  We’ve ha- — we’ve been pretty busy. 

And so, that’s going to be our focus: How — what can we do to continue to deliver for the American people, what can we do to make the lives of the American people better.  And that is our focus. 

I’m not going to — to speak to the decisions made in the court today.

Go ahead.

Q    Two questions, Karine.  One on Meta.  The — Meta made a decision this week about doing away with its fact-checking for Facebook and its other platforms.  Does the White House have a reaction to that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I th- — we’ve been pretty consistent here over the last four years when a — any co- — any corporation or company makes a decision — a private company, let’s — to be more specific — makes a decision, we just are not going to comment.  So, I’m not going to comment on this.  And so, I’m just going to leave it in that realm. 

But, look, social media — I’ll say this: Social media companies make their own rules about content mod- — moderation and — but, with that said, we have been outspoken about our belief that the social media companies have an important role to play in enforcing their own rules to prevent to — spread of misinformation.  That is a responsibility that that company has, and we’ve always been pretty clear about that.

But spe- — speaking specifically to an announcement, we’re just not going to comment on that.

Q    I mean, I understand, but that is something that you guys have been outspoken about, and they’re making a change on it.  So —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, but we’ve al- —

Q    I guess it’s something I thought maybe you would want to comment on.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.  I mean, look, we talk about social media companies having a responsibility.  We’ve always said that.  We’ve been — we’ve all been really clear about that.  We’ve also been clear that policy decisions that are made by private companies, we’re not going to speak to those specific an announcement. 

But we can speak broadly on our belief and how we see their responsibility, and that’s as far as we’ve always gone.  And we’re not just — we’re not going to go beyond that.

Q    And just briefly on another topic.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    With regard to the Russian sanctions that were announced today, does the president, does the White House have any concern that that could lead to an increase in gas prices for consumers? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we took aim today, in — in your question, at Russia’s largest resources of revenue and imposed significant sanctions on the Russian energy sector.  These sanctions certainly target both Russian oil and LNG, and we expect our actions to cost Russia upwards to billions of dollars per month.  And so, that’s important to note as well.

And these — also, let’s not forget that these are also — these sanctions really continue to — to — for us to make good on the commitment that we made — that the president made and his G7 counterparts made to target Russia’s ability to use its energy sector to fund and sustain this war.  We’ve talked about this for some time, and so now the president certainly made good on that commitment. 

So, it’s not just us.  Obviously, we won’t — we join these actions with the UK, which imposed significant and complementary actions of its own. 

And so, I — I think it is important to note that, you know, by taking these significant actions against Russia, the oil markets are in fundamentally a better place.  That’s number one. 

And, number two, the U.S. economy is a fundamentally better place as well. 

And so, that’s why we took this action now.  This is a commitment that the president wanted to uphold — not just the president but also the G7 — his G7 counterparts, and that’s th- — that’s what you’re seeing right now. 

Q    But my question was whether you’re concerned that it will lead to an increase in gas prices. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, you know, I’ve said — look, one of the things that we expect and we believe is that the supply of energy is going to exceed global demand through this year with ample capacity within the — outside of APAC — OPEC+ to increase production, if necessary. 

So, since the start of Russia’s war, benchmark oil prices have fallen almost 35 bucks per barrel, and average U.S. gasoline prices have dropped from roughly $4 to just $3 per gallon.  That’s because of the actions that this president has taken.

And so, that is what we want to continue to see, and so that’s what we also think will continue to be — like, the gas prices — you know, we’re — we believe the ca- — gas prices will continue to — to be where it is and continue to — to go down because of the pres- — the actions that the president has taken. 

Go ahead.

Q    President Biden was expected to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy when —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — he was in Rome today.  Is he planning to speak with him?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, the president did speak to President Zelenskyy moments ago.  We will have a readout for all of you. 

Obviously, the president wanted to reach out to President Zelenskyy because, as you just stated, they were supposed to meet in Rome.  It did not happen because the president decided to stay and be back here because of the catastrophic fires, obviously, that we’re seeing in Southern California.  So, the president decided to stay back. 

But they did have a conversation.  They spoke moments ago.  And so, we — I know the team, before I came out here, was going to work on a readout, and so we’ll have that out to all of you soon.

Q    Okay.  And in his interview with the USA Today earlier this week, the president talked a bit about preemptive pardons, saying that they are still potentially on the table.  Can you speak a little bit about the scope that he is considering —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — when it comes to that and if he’s any closer to a decision?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, we have been saying that the president will have more to say, more to announce on pardons and commutations.  So, that is — we have 10 days to go, so it’s — certainly, that will be very soon that we will make those announcement. 

I’m not going to get into the scope.  I’m not going to get ahead of the president, but we will be making some more additional announcements on pardons and commutations before the end of his term.

Go ahead.  Go ahead.

Q    You mentioned the president spokes with — spoke with Zelenskyy, but is he also going to have a conversation with the Pope?  I know he was also supposed to meet with him.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Or is there any thought that the Rome trip could sort of reemerge in the —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look —

Q    — final 10 days?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — I don’t have anything to say, to add, or to announce about a change in schedule.  What I can say is — I just mentioned that he spoke to President Zelenskyy.  He wanted to share with the president our continued support for Ukraine, which you’ve seen over the past three years, and so that was a part of their conversation.

As it relates to the Pope, I don’t have anything to announce about a conversation with the Pope.  And so, if we have anything to share, we certainly will share with that — with all of you. 

Go ahead, Kelly O.

Q    Has the president received any updated information about the status of his son’s home in California?  Also, his granddaughter lives there now.  He did make some reference to seeing some pictures — I couldn’t — I wasn’t quite certain I heard it correctly — related to Secret Service being burned out.  Can you give us an update on anything that relates to the family?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So — so, what I can say, Secret Service — you would have to reach out to the Secret Service to — for them to — to speak to any — any developments in what has occurred with them.

As it relates to the — to the president and his son, I don’t have anything else to add beyond what the president shared.  Just don’t have anything at this time.

Q    But is he get- — is he inquiring and getting any on-the-ground information related to that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I don’t have anything to share. 

What I can say is that, when it relates to Secret Service, certainly, you have to reach out to the Secret Service. 

But, obviously, he’s in close touch with —

Q    Right.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — his son —

Q    Well, I only ask about that because —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — and his family. 

Q    — he referenced that —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — and they would only be present if protectees were at issue, and — and they would be connected to the president.  So, that’s why I’m asking if he’s getting any update on anything related to that.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, again, I don’t have anything else to — to add to what the president shared.

As it relates to Secret Sl- — Service and protectees and what they’re doing specifically, you would have to reach out to the Secret Service, and we’ve been pretty consistent on that. 

Q    And did he have any opportunity at all to speak to the president-elect about the fires?  And they were obviously briefly in the same place yesterday with the Carter funeral and — and so forth. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Does he see a need to — I know there’s a full transition operation.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I was going to say, there’s a full transition operation.  You heard — 

Q    Fully aware of that, but —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You heard the administrator — the administrator talk about their kind of process on that side as it relates to FEMA.  Don’t have a conversation to read out that the president had with the president-elect. 

But, as you said, there is a transition happening.  We want it to be effective.  We want to make sure that they have what they need, and so that continues. 

Q    And one last one.  As —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — as a part of transition, is an office of the former president also being stood up?  And would that be in Delaware, presumably?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, I don’t have anything to say — to say about location, but the protocols that normally occur when a form- — when a president leaves his post, it’s going to continue.  I don’t have a location for you.

Go ahead.

Q    Yeah.  Just briefly, we talked about the president’s family being affected by this.  The vice president’s home was also under an evacuation order.  Any update there on her home there in Los Angeles area?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, I mean, it — it’s devastating.  This is her — her city, her neighborhood, and — and her state.  I — I would have to refer you to the vice president’s office on any updates that they might share with — with you. 

I don’t have anything for you at this time, but, certainly, it’s devastating.  So many people are affected by this, and it’s heartbreaking. 

Q    Just a quick follow-up.  Will she travel to the Los Angeles area this weekend?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Is there any travel plan for her?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I would refer you to the vice president’s office on any travel on — on her schedule.

Q    And one more.  One more.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  Sure.

Q    One quick — quick one, I promise.  So, we talk about the transition.  Have you hosted any conversations with your immediate successor?  And when will your final briefing take place?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Laughs.)  I’m sure you guys are all very excited about that. 

Q    No, I’m just asking for the folks (inaudible).

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I have not had a discussion with my successor.  I’m letting the transition team kind of manage that process and just doing my job, focusing on my job, on behalf of the president. 

And we will have a briefing next week, and, certainly, we will share that with all of you to — I guess, to — to say goodbye.  (Laughs.)

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Go ahead.

Q    Hi, Karine.  A couple of topics, if you don’t mind.  First, on Venezuela.  You mentioned the sanctions that the administration is putting on Venezuela in its final 10 days.  Are you in discussions with the incoming administration about policy towards Venezuela?  And are you expecting those sanctions to hold once Trump does take office?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And so, look, I can’t speak to what the next administration is going to do or not do.  What I can say is — and I believe Jake Sullivan talked about this when — the National Security Advisor talked about this a couple times, whether in a gaggle, here at the podium, saying that they’re — they are in constant communication with their incoming counterparts, the NSC is.  And so, I’m sure those conversations are happening on that side of things dur- — with the transitioning. 

I — you know, I can’t speak to what the next administration is going to do or not do, but we are in constant communication with — the transition team here is in constant communication with their transition — well, their transition team is in constant communication with our — our folks here. 

Q    Just another one on Havana syndrome —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — and AHIs.  There’s been a slight shift in the intelligence community assessment surrounding this phenomenon. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Does the White House believe that this is because of foreign actors — it’s happening because of foreign actors? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we put out a statement on this.  I would certainly refer you to the statement that came out from my colleague, out of the National Security Council.

What I will say is the intelligence — the intelligence community assessment is one element of — of an interdisciplinary approach this administration has taken to getting to the bottom of these incidents.  We believe it’s important to do so and ensuring our colleagues receive the support and care they need and that they deserve. 

So, the IC’s updated assessment is a product of ongoing analysis.  That’s basically what is stated in our — in our statement in — in — to make sure that we continue those efforts, which we welcome and which only reinforce why it is vital for the U.S. government to continue critical research, investigate credible incidents, and provide care. 

So, they’re an ongoing process.  And so, that is part of what, certainly, our statement stated, and also what the ICA said as well. 

Q    I read statement from Sean earlier —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, yeah.

Q    — and part of it said that the administration, current administration will be briefing the incoming administration about this to continue that work.  What does that kind of briefing process look like, and what does it involve?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, I’m not going to get into

private discussions or conversations.  Obviously, this is an intelligence community situation, so I’m going to leave it in their — certainly in their hands.  So, I’m not going to divulge or get into what those conversations will look like.

But like I’ve said multiple times, we are certainly keeping the transition team up to date on — on matters that ma- — that are important, certainly, to our national security, but to the American people.

Q    Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  Go ahead, Josh.

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Josh.

Q    The Supreme Court indicated today that it will allow the TikTok ban or divestment ruling to proceed with the deadline of January 19th.  Does the administration have a position on whether that should happen?  Of course, the —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — incoming administration, he’s changed his view. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I — look, we’ve been very clear about our position.  Obviously, the president signed the bill, and we believe it’s not a — it’s not a ban.  It’s a divestment. 

And obviously, there are provisions in that on how to move forward.  It’s in the courts.  We’ve allowed that process to play out.  I don’t have anything else to add beyond that.

Q    Can a divestment happen in nine days?  I mean, it seems like it’s door number one at this point. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, we’ve been very clear where we stand on this.  Nine, ten days — I would certainly leave it up to TikTok to speak to that. 

Q    Going back to the Russia sanctions.  Can you walk us through the thought process on this?  Is — is this — the president-elect has obviously made clear his desire for some sort of deal to end the fighting. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Is this trying to set the table for that by ratcheting up pressure on Russia?  Another way of asking that is: Why not do this earlier than now?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, this is — as I stated, this is a commitment that was made by the president and the G7 counterparts — his G7 counterparts.  And we’ve always said that we were going to find ways to put pressure on Russia.  We’ve always said that it is up to Russia to end this war.  They can do it today. 

And we’ve been, I think, pretty clear on that.  We — this is not the first sanctions.  We’ve done multiple sanctions over the past almost three years as this war has gone on. 

And so, this was — you know, it wasn’t just us.  This was also in coordination with our allies and partners.  And so, that’s what you saw.  You saw UK make an announcement as well.

And — but we’ve — we’ve been clear — we’ve been clear that we were going to take actions.  And so, that’s what you see from — from this administration. 

But this is not the first one.  Right?  We’ve done multiple, as I just stated, actions before, and we want to make sure that we hold Russia accountable here. 

Q    But by definition, these are — you made the choice not to do these specific actions, which are pretty significant —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, they are significant.

Q    — for — for a —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re right.

Q    — couple of — couple of years.  So, why now?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Again, I just said —

Q    You know, why didn’t you do it a year ago?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I hear you.

Q    Why now?  What changed?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And again, in my answer to you just moments ago, it’s not just us.  This is also being done with our G7 counterparts.  This is a — a — essentially, a group effort, and that’s what you’re seeing today.

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I know I have to — go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Do you have updates on the American citizens that are being detained in Venezuela?  The Maduro government claims one of them is an FBI agent.  If you can confirm? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I don’t have any updates for you at this time.  I certainly would refer you to the State Department.

Look, when it comes to Americans being held hostage, wrongfully detained, you have seen from this administration our efforts to make sure that we get Americans home.  I think we have shown some success in doing that, and that is going to continue to be our commitment, even though we have 9, 10 days left. 

I don’t have an update in this particular — on this particular individual.  I certainly would refer you to the State Department.

Q    And one more.  If we can get a reaction on Indonesia becoming a full member of BRICS.  Indonesia is obviously Southeast Asia’s largest economy.  That could lend credibility to BRICS’s ambition to become the alternative to the G7, particularly as we head into the new U.S. administration, which may have a different approach towards multilateral cooperation. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I don’t have anything specific to say about this.  I would have to refer you to our — our National Security Council on that particular question. 

Go ahead, Gerren.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Meta also reportedly eliminated its DEI programs in hiring, training, and picking suppliers, and they cite the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.  I know you said that you wouldn’t comment on business policies, but the administration really went out of its way to sort of convince businesses not to interpret that ruling as anything that — further than that.  Is there a disappointment there that — that companies like Meta and McDonald’s, Walmart are rolling back these DEI policies?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, not going to comment on a specific — a specific action that a private company takes. 

But what I can say is that you’ve heard from this president.  You’ve heard from this administration.  Diversity is our greatest strength.  You have seen this not just by words, by action that this president has taken.  And certainly, that is a sentiment you’ve heard echoed by leaders across — across businesses and government, not just us. 

And so, that continues to be our stance on this.  It is important to have different voices around the table.  It is important to have different important to have different voices, you know, working on policy to make sure that we are delivering for the American people. 

And that’s what we have done.  That’s what we have shown.  And as it relates to specific companies, I’m just not going to comment on that policy. 

But I think by our actions and what you have seen us do over the last four years — our commitment to that, our commitment to making sure communities that are normally left behind have a voice or not — or don’t feel like they don’t have access, and changing that around. 

We have done that in many ways, whether it’s the economy, whether it’s lowering cost on — on drug — on sper- — prescription drugs, making sure manufacturing jobs come back, helping t- — for wages to go up.  We have done this and shown our commitment to that. 

Again, I’m not going to speak to any particular company.

Q    Just one more question.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yep.  Sure.

Q    I recently spoke to Reverend Al Sharpton, and he said that he wanted the president to issue a pardon for Baltimore County State Attorney Marilyn Mosby and Jesse Jackson, Jr.  Can we expect to hear an announcement on any high-profile pardons such as these?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, I’m not going to get ahead of the president.  He’s going to make some more announcements on pardons and commutations.  Certainly, we’ve heard from groups out there who have certainly been very vocal about what they think the par- — the president should do.  The president and his team is working through it.  They’re trying to figure out the best way forward. 

Obviously, the president believes in Americans who have shown that they can get a second chance to have that second chance, and I think you’ve seen that.  This is a president that has been pretty historic in his actions in — in moving forward with pardons and co- — commutations.  I’m not going to get ahead of him.

All right.  Go ahead, Karen.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Does the president expect that President-elect Trump will be here in the morning before the inauguration?  Has that invitation been accepted by the president-elect?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I would refer you to the transition team to speak to what the president-elect is going to do or not do on January 20th.

Q    But he extended the invitation to come here —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  That is something that is a tradition, so, obviously, we are going to try to continue that con- — tradition, but I would have to refer it to his transition team.

Go ahead, Emily.

Q    Thanks.  I have a few follow-up questions on the transition process.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    To follow up on what Karen was asking, it’s also a tradition for the president — incoming president to stay at Blair House.  Is that an invitation that’s been extended?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have anything to share on if the president-elect is going to be staying at the Blair House.  What I — what I will say is we certainly are trying to continue the traditions here.  We want this to be an effected, efficient, peaceful transfer of power. 

Once we have more to share, certainly would share from our end of things.  And anything that’s related to the president-elect, I would refer you to the transition team.

Q    And then we’ve seen some moving trucks out here today.  (Laughter.)  Can you talk about where you guys are physically in the process?  And have there been any directives — because, I know, in the past, with the other administration, there’s been issues with classified documents and mix-ups, and I know you guys have said you want to be careful and follow the rules.  So —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We are going to do our best, certainly, to be careful, to follow the rules, to do this the right way, to follow traditions, obviously, as the president truly wants to do, as he showed right after the election, having the president-elect in the Oval Office, and putting everything aside and making sure that we were putting the American people first and what they wanted.  You know, respecting the results of the election, that’s what you’ve seen from this administration. 

And we have 9, 10 days left, and we’re trying to run through the tape, do everything that we can and — and get out of here in time on — on December — “on December” — on January 20th. 

Go ahead.

Q    Speaking of the days left, Monday, the president is going to deliver this capstone speech on — on foreign policy at the State Department.  I just wanted to sort of see what you could share from a preview.  Is this sort of a — a defense of his foreign policy?  Is it a warning to allies or advice that he wants to give the incoming administration?  How should we kind of view the speech that the president is going to give?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Laughs.)  Well, as I’ve stated many times already at the podium, as it relates to the pardon commutation, I’m not going to get ahead of the president.  And so, he is going — he wanted to make the speech.  There has been — you know, there’s a — there has been some key events, obviously, that has happened across the globe o- — in his — in his tenure.  And this is someone who has been — when it comes to foreign policy, that is something that has been a key pillar of who he is and how — in his career.

And — and let’s not forget, 50-plus years as a public official, elected official.  And so, he has some thoughts on the future, not just of the country but how — how this country moves forward as a leader, when you think about global events, glob- — important global issues.  And certainly, he will lay that out.

I don’t want to get ahead of him, but you could be — you could reassure there are major events happening right now: the — the — Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Middle East, and many other — Indo-Pacific, many other important matters that he’s going to certainly lean into.  But I — I don’t want to get ahead of the president.

All right.  Thanks, everybody.  I’ll see you next week.

Q    Thank you.

Q    Any reaction to the Title IX ruling, Karine?

3:32 P.M. EST

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MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

               THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY

SUBJECT:       Presidential Determination on the Proposed

               Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government

               of the United States of America and the

               Government of the Kingdom of Thailand Concerning

               Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

I have considered the proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the “proposed Agreement”), along with the views, recommendations, and statements of the interested departments and agencies.

I have determined that the performance of the proposed Agreement will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security.  Pursuant to section 123 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(b)), I hereby approve the proposed Agreement and authorize the Secretary of State to arrange for its execution.

The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to publish this determination in the Federal Register.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post Memorandum on the Presidential Determination on the Proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy appeared first on The White House.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy to express thanks for Italy’s role as a leader in the G7, NATO, and European Union. President Biden expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Meloni for Italy’s support for the people of Ukraine. The leaders affirmed the enduring strength of U.S.-Italy relations.

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