Press Briefings

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

3:18 P.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Good afternoon, everyone.

Q Good afternoon.

Q Hi, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hi. I haven’t seen you in a while.

This is a good day. You all have just heard the terrific news from the president that after 15 months of war, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.

This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians who have been living in dire conditions, and it will reunite the hostages, including Americans, with their families after more than 8 — more than 15 months in captivity, experiencing unimaginable — unimaginable suffering.

Over the past few days, President Biden spoke with the leaders of Israel, Qatar, and Egypt to continue to push negotiations forward and reach the resolution we announced today.

The process has been steered out of the West Wing, at the direction of the president, by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and driven to completion through relentless diplomacy by Middle East Coordinator Brett McGurk, who has been actively negotiating day and night in Doha.

I will note that Brett is currently in meetings with foreign leaders. And when he emerges, the National Security Council is going to host a background call to answer more of your questions.

Secretary Blinken, Director Burns have traveled regularly to the region in recent months and throughout the past year and been in close touch with the key players in the region to advance negotiations forward.

President Biden has also directed his team to work closely with the incoming administration to ensure all spoke with one voice on the need to secure a deal.

As the president said, we have reached this point because of the pressure Israel has put on Hamas, while — with the backing of the United States. Sinwar was killed. Iran’s attacks against Israel failed thanks to the support from the United States. We have built a coalition of nations to defend against Houthi attacks. We negotiated a ceasefire after Hezbollah was significantly weakened. And Iran is weaker today than it has been in decades.

These developments, which the United States helped shape, have created new conditions in the region — conditions that have led to the outcome we are seeing today.

Today, even as we welcome this news, we remember all the families — all of the families whose loved ones were killed in Hamas’s horrific October 7th attack and the many innocent people who have been killed in the war that followed.

It is long time for the fighting to end and the work of building peace and security to begin.

The families of the American hostages are at the forefront of our hearts and minds today. They have been through a terrible ordeal that I cannot begin to imagine.

Under this deal, President Biden is determined to finally bring their loved ones home.

Now, again, Brett McGurk is the best equipped to answer the specific implementation questions, as he has been directly involved in extensive negotiations, obviously, on the ground.

In the meantime, we wanted to come out here to speak to the news and also answer any other questions that you may all have.

But before I even move forward to taking your questions, I want to do one of those, as the — as the — as a — as the former senator, now president Biden would say, one — a point of personal privilege here.

Today is the five-hundred and sev- — and thirty-seventh briefing of the Biden-Harris administration. This is my 306th briefing and the final briefing of the administration.

Before I get to all your questions, I just want to say a few things and — and also just give out a few thank yous, if that’s okay.

So, we had the first briefing of this administration on Inauguration Day because President Joe Biden wanted to make clear the importance of daily press briefings and the vital role that the press plays in our democracy.

President Biden believed in returning the norm of regular briefings and communicating to all of you and the American people about what we are doing and why it was important.

The president and all of us in this administration understand that a free press is a cornerstone of our nation and that the job you do — questioning leaders and holding the powerful accountable — is important.

And as I said during my first briefing when I took over this role, we might not see eye to eye here in this room all of the time, and that is okay. The give-and-take that happens here is incredibly healthy and it is a part of our democracy.

I have been honored to partake in it with all of you. Well, most of the time I’ve been — (laughs) — I’ve been hon- — honored to take it.

But in all seriousl- — seriousness, I also said at that first briefing I would not be here today if it were not for generations of barrier-breaking people before me. I have stood on their shoulders. I benefit from their sacrifices. I have — I have learned excellence. And I am eternally grateful to them.

And now, I will pass the torch.

It is my sincere hope that I will — that I — while I may be the first for many things at this podium, behind this lectern, I am not the last. I hope my presence at this podium has served as inspiration to many young girls out there who took — who look at me and look at this job and look at what we’ve been able to do and ha- — and have a similar background as me, and hopefully they can follow their dreams and never give up and know that you can achieve great things if you put your heart and mind and be passionate about it — no matter how many barriers you may need to overcome.

Progress is not always a straight line. But we all must do our part — in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birthday is indeed today — “bend it towards justice” and pay it forward.

I hope that and — I and my many barrier-breaking colleagues in this administration have played a small role in doing just that.

Standing here and having served in this role for this administration and this president has truly been the honor of a lifetime, one I am grateful for and I will never forget.

But it is a job I could never have done alone. And so, finally, I do want to say a few thank yous to a few people in this room that I’ve gotten the pleasure to work with.

I want to start off by thanking the best team in the business. Emilie, Andrew, Kelly, Robyn, Angelo, Jeremy, Sonja, Chloe, Jacob, Chris — you are simply, simply the best. And thank you so much for having my back and doing this job and having the president’s back and doing it so well. Truly, the best.

You work tirelessly, passionately, and with utmost professionalism. You serve the president and this nation well. I am proud to call you all my friends and colleagues. None of this would be possible without all of you.

I also want to acknowledge some of the former team members who are with us today. They’re sp- — spread about here in the back. And, you know, as you all know, they — many of them left to continue to do some impressive work outside and obviously continue to do some work within the administration.

Chris. Vedant is here as well, who just had a baby girl. Congratulations, Vedant. I had to call you out for that, which is wonderful. You and your wife brought in a beautiful little girl. Alexandra, Silas, Allyson, Angela, Natalie. It is all good to see you, and thank you for all that you have done. Thank you for your service.

And, Jen Psaki, who’s in the back, thank you so much. I see you. I see you, and I’m so grateful that you took the time to be here. And so, thank you for your kindness, thank you for your friendship, and we’ve missed you around here, and it’s so good to see your face.

I also want to thank — I also want to thank my parents. Growing up as an immigrant family in New York, they never imagined their daughter would be standing here today. They worked day and night to give me every opportunity possible. I can’t thank them enough.

And to my parents, sorry I didn’t become a doctor, but hopefully this is okay. (Laughter.)

And to my lovely, amazing daughter, you have gone too many nights without me being around and without me being there for school drop-offs and without your mom around. And I can’t wait to spend more time with you. I call her my “pudding,” so I can’t wait to spend more time with you, Pudding. Thank you for your love and support and your patience.

And finally — finally, I do want to say thank you to President Biden and First Lady Dr. Biden for this incredible opportunity.

As I said earlier, standing at this podium, behind this lectern, sever- — serving the American people and this administration has been an honor of a lifetime, and I will be forever grateful to the president for his trust and this amazing opportunity.

And with that — thank you for your patience, all. I appreciate that.

With that, Zeke.

Q Thanks, Karine. When will the American hostages who are being held by Hamas be released? Will that be in — will they be released in phase one, or will that come in subsequent phases?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: And so, the president answered this a little bit when he was speaking earlier today. He — he mentioned phase one. That’s when we’re going to be seeing that. And —

Q All the American hostages will come out in phase one?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, there will be more details that Brett McGurk will share right after this briefing.

But what I will say is — just to give you a little bit of how it will work. So, during the first phase, which will begin on Sunday, the fighting will stop, hostages will be — will be — begin to be released, and aid will surge into Gaza.

During these weeks, the second phase of the deal will continue to be negotiated to bring a permanent en- — end to this war.

If negotiations take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue to hold as long as negotiations continue.

This deal was developed by the president and — you know, and his team about eight months ago, back in May. You heard the president talk about that. So, this was the framework. And once he was able to put out the framework, it was endorsed by the world.

And so, we are certainly — as the president started off in his remarks to — to the American people, to all of you as well, this is a good day. This is a good day. This is a good step forward.

And so, Brett McGurk, after this — after this briefing, will have a call to give more details of how this is going to — to — how this is going to move forward.

But again, this is a very good step forward.

Q And then, as you mentioned, the president announced this framework back in May of last year.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yep. We did.

Q And it’s — and it’s — now it’s been — a deal has been reached five days before this administration’s term ends. It will go into effect a day before the next president is sworn in. Do- — is it clear — does the president want to give some credit to his successor and that there’s a forcing mechanism by that transition that’s helping push this deal do- — towards the finish line?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, a couple things, and you said this in — in your question to me. This is a framework that the president put forth about eight months ago, back in May. Again, it was endorsed by — by the world, when he put out this framework.

His team has worked — because of the direction of the president, obviously — has worked 24/7, night and day, to get this done. You’re going to hear directly from Brett McGurk, who’s been on the ground, who’s been in Doha at the direction of the president, obviously, with the leadership of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

And what we see this day as — this is a good day. This is a good day. Hostages are be- — are going to be able to go home, including American hostages, to their families, and
after — what? — 15 months since Hamas did something so unimaginable — launched an attack that was so dreadful.

We lost so many lives because of that attack on October 7th. And we have been working — working around the clock to get this done.

And so, that’s how we look at it. We’re going to continue — we’re going to continue to — to speak with the Trump transition. You heard even from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday talk about how they have been coordinating with the Trump team, keeping them abreast, having regular conversations with them about this.

And, you know, now we — we understand that this is going to be implemented by the next team. And so, we’re going to continue to work with the — until then, until January 20th, we’re going to continue to work closely with the Trump transition team.

We have to remember what we have seen from this president over the last 8 months, since — 15 months, as we — we’re talking about this particular matter, that’s what an American president does. That’s what they do. And that’s what we’ve seen from this president and his leadership.

Q And you mentioned that this deal will be implemented by the next president, and there’s coordination between the White House and — and the incoming administration. Has the president spoken at all with his successor? And outside of the very brief ceremonial tea that they will have on the morning of the 20th, does he plan on having a more substantive conversation with him about his strategy and the briefing and the relationships that went into this agreement?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well, Zeke, I will remind you, when he invited the president — President-elect Trump to the White House, they — they met for more than 90 minutes. And that’s a pretty long time — a significant time to — to have a heart-to-heart, a — a bi- — bit of a conversation. So, that happened, as you know, right after the election.

I don’t have anything to read out in this time — at this time of upcoming conversation or conversations that’s happened since their meeting in the Oval Office. But, again, the Trump transition team and our team have been in constant communication, having these conversations, keeping them abreast.

This president made a — made a commitment. He made a commitment that he wanted to see a peaceful transfer of power, something that he didn’t get four years ago. But he wanted to make sure to continue that tran- — that tradition and do a peaceful transfer of power. That’s what you have seen.

He wanted to make sure the transition was effective, efficient, and that’s what we have provided. And like I said, we’re going to be in close touch with our team and — our team and their team on the next — in the next couple of days.

Q And just lastly, on a different topic.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Sure.

Q You’ve said the president has been weighing preemptive pardons for all sorts of officials who have — who he fears may be targeted by the incoming administration. Has he made a decision? And given that this is the last briefing, if he were to decide to issue those pardons, could you commit now that there’ll be an opportunity to ask questions of the outgoing administration before noon on the 20th about any —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, I —

Q — presidential actions?

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

You are correct, I — you could expect more pardons. I’m not going to go into details of what that’s going to look like. It is not — it is not unusual for a president to — to do that, and so you’re going to — you should expect that from this president. I — I am not going to make any commitments right now. I’m not going to lock ourselves in — into — into a potential — another opportunity to ask questions about the pardons.

But what I can say is: Stay tuned, and there’ll be more to share, and I’m sure the president is going to want to continue to engage with all of you in the next couple days.

Go ahead, Weijia.

Q Thank you, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I haven’t seen you in a while. Good to see you.

Q It’s good to see you, and thank you so much for taking our questions so often.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thank you. I appreciate that.

Q Really appreciate it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thanks, Weijia.

Q So, in terms of implementing the terms of this agreement, how confident is President Biden that the incoming administration will do that? And have they offered any assurances that they will carry them out?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I think — look, I think there’s a commitment to move forward with this deal. I think there’s a commitment to make sure that there’s an end to this war. Obviously, hostages are going to be coming home. Obviously, we’ve been in very close touch with the Trump transition.

And the president was asked some variation of that question moments ago when he — after he spoke, and he said he is very much indeed confident.

So, look, we are — we understand this is going to be implemented by the next team. As I just stated, we are going to work closely — in close coordination with the Trump team.

As the president has said, and I has — have said also moments ago: We want this to be in one voice, right? And I think that’s what you have seen in the past couple of weeks, how we have moved forward in one voice. And this is what’s important for the hostages, to get them home, to make sure that we’re getting that humanitarian aid into Gaza, and to ending this war — ending this war that has taken a lot of innocent lives.

And so, that is the commitment — that is the commitment that you — that you can see from us, and that’s what the president is — believes that he is confident in how we’re going to move forward.

Q Tonight, President Biden is going to be delivering a farewell address. Ahead of that speech, we got a long list of what he views as his greatest accomplishments.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q Can you talk —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: A few hundred pa- — over a hundred pages I believe, right? (Laughs.) Did you read ev- — did you — every word? (Laughs.)

Q We have every — yes, I have, every word.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q Can you talk about what he thinks his greatest failures are and whether he will address those tonight to the American public?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, this is an important moment for the president. You know, he has been working on the speech, because, ob- — obviously, these — these are felwell — farewell remarks, but he is obviously going to be talking directly to the American people. It is not going to be partisan.

This is something that — and — and not just forget — it’s not just about the last four years of his administration. He is — he is stepping down from his career — right? — more than 50 years of public service that this president has done as senator, as vice president, as president. So, you can imagine, the president has a lot to say, a lot of thoughts that he wants to share, really touch on the moment that we’re in right now. And so, that’s what you’re going to hear from the president.

What he wants to do, obviously, is — is also be positive, talk about what we have been able to do. This is a president that speaks about possibilities and how he sees this country moving forward.

And so, that’s what I’m — could speak to. I’m not going to get ahead of what his — what — specifically what the president is going to say. I’m not going to go into — line by line, but I can say — and I love to say that from here — is stay tuned, and I will leave it from — leave it there.

Q And then finally, for you, because you’ve clearly reflected on your role —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — as press secretary. Is there anything you wish you had done or said differently during your time?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well, I will have a lot of time to reflect, right? (Laughs.) You’re not going to catch me up here, Weijia, today.

But I will have a lot of time to reflect on my time here. As you know, this is — and I think you’ve gotten to know a few press secretaries during your career — this is a job that’s nonstop. There’s not a lot of time to reflect.

It’s always: We have to do the job. We have to speak on behalf of the president. We have to make sure that we’re cor- — you know, communicating with all of you.

But what I can say with full heart is that this has been an honor and a privilege to do this job, and I have done it to my best of abilities on behalf of this president. And — and, you know, the best job that I will ever have. I truly believe that.

Q Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Mary.

Q Thank you, Karine. You and the president have stressed that this is the framework that he put forward last spring, but the president also made clear it was important to him to work with the incoming administration, that they be speaking in one — as one team, as he put it. Even the Qatari prime minister in his remarks personally thanked Steve Witkoff, the — the incoming administration’s Middle East envoy. So, do Donald Trump and his team deserve any credit for this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, look, everyone is going to want some credit. Everybody is going to want some credit. Get that. That’s how this goes when something good happens. Not unusual. It is not unusual at all. What I can say is, the president got it done, right? That’s what I can say.

And — and what I could also say is that — and you said it in your question to me — is that there was a framework that was put — put forward, and it was put forward by the president back in May — Ma- — May 31st of last year, and it was endorsed by the world. And you see a president that has done everything that he can. This is someone who has foreign policy experience — decades of foreign policy experience. He understands what it means to bring people to- — together. He understands what it means to get a deal done.

He also said in his remarks how difficult it was to negotiate. Negotiating is incredibly hard, and this wasn’t easy, but we got it done. And so, you know, this is someone who speaks from experience, and — and this is, again, not an easy thing to get done. But, as we have said and I have said multiple times — and I think Jake Sullivan said this, obviously, recently, when he was here on Monday — we were able to work closely with the Trump transition team and coordinate with them.

But, again, this is a framework that the president put out, and negotiations aren’t easy. And this was one of the toughest negotiations that — that he experienced, and this is something that the president shared with all of you.

Q And does the president have any plans to talk to the families of the hostages, or has he talked to them today?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, as you know, the president and this administration has been in regular touch with the hostages’ family — hostage family and have obviously always communicated with them that — how much we’re with them and the work — everything that we’re doing to try to bring their loved one ho- — home. And so — and we have stayed in constant communication with them.

I don’t have anything to read out as a — a call to any of the American hostages or — or the families at this time, but I can say that the president is — as he said, this is a really good afternoon. And, you know, our hearts go out — our hearts go out to the families who have been waiting 15 months to get their loved ones home. And so, this is — this is a big deal. This is a big deal.

Q And just on a slightly more personal note. On this, your 306th briefing, what advice do you have for your successor?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I was asked this question, I think, when my successor was — was announced. And it’s pretty much the same, which is, you know, obviously I wish her — wish her the best of luck. This is a great job, an amazing opportunity to be standing at this podium, behind this lectern to take — go back and forth with all of you and — and speak on behalf of this president, the president of the United States. There’s nothing like it.

And — and I hope she enjoys the job. I hope she continues to do this, what we’ve been doing for the past almost four years. And I — really, I truly wish her well.

Hey, Steve.

Q The decision the president made to include Steve Witkoff — how did that come about?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look, that is — I’m not going to —

Q And — and why did the president do it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well, look, this goes back to what the president said right after the election: a peaceful transfer of power — again, something he didn’t get four years ago — and wanting to make sure that we had an effective, efficient transition.

That’s — that’s what it looks like. The president is basically leading by example. That’s what he’s doing.

This is a president who understands norms, who understands institutions, and understands how important that is. And he wanted to respect the outcome of the election, the will of the people. And that is what you’ve seen this president do.

Q And at any point did the president think maybe this deal will not be reached on his watch?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: The president was hopeful. He was optimistic. This is, as you know — I think you know this, Steve, this is a president that tends to be optimistic and hopeful, but not just that — does the work, leans in, has the experience to get things done, which is what we saw from this president today. I think this is a great example of that.

And, you know, he never, never gave up hope — never gave up hope and — to your point, until the last minute. And we were able to get this done.

Go ahead.

Q Thank you, Karine. This is the second negotiated pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas. The first, as you know, was reached more than a year ago —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — in November 2023. Fighting then resumed just a few weeks later. So, what confidence does the U.S. have that this time will be different?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: We are going to have to have confidence. Right? I think it’s important — stepping back, negotiations are hard. They’re difficult. This was a difficult one.

This took multiple — you know, multiple sides to come together. The president, as you know, spoke to Qatar — the leader of Qatar, Egypt, and even Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu recently.

And this is what diplomacy looks like: having those continued conversations, making sure that voices are heard, and having those tough, tough, tough back-and-forth.

And so, we have to be — I think it is important to also be confident in that we can continue to get this done. And, you know, Steve just asked me why did we bring in Witkoff, why did we bring in the Trump ad- — this is why. Because we know that there has to be a continuation of this.

We know that this first phase is about to start. There’s going to be a second phase and it’s going to continue. We got to get to a place where this war is done permanently — ends permanently.

And so, bringing in the Trump administration, coordinating with them, and having — making sure that they’re having the information that we all have, we are hopeful that this will continue.

Q Under the framework, negotiations for that phase two would need to begin within a matter of days after phase one begins. What is the White House’s view of the commitment of the incoming Trump team and the competency of the Trump team to go through those negotiations and get a phase two and beyond?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I would refer you to the national security advisor. Jake Sullivan talked about his relationship and back-and-forth with his counterpart and how that has gone very well. And so, I think that — I think that’s a good sign of how this is going to certainly move forward.

Again, we have been in close coordination with — with their team, and — and we’re going to continue to do that. We’re going to continue to talk through with them on the next steps, and we’re going to — and what you have seen — really, what you have seen in the past, certainly, couple of days, couple of weeks, is one voice — coming together in one voice to get this deal done.

You know, I think a lot of your questions obviously go to the transition team, and — and they can certainly answer and speak for themselves. But what we can speak to, what I can speak to is what we’ve been doing, what we have actively done for the past couple of weeks to get this — to get this done in unison, to get this done in a way that — that when the transition happens, we have that confidence that we can move this forward, continue to move this forward.

Q Can you shed any more light on other officials from the incoming administration that you and your colleagues in the West Wing have been hosting for meetings and conversations and what those have looked like?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I — I can’t shed any light on that. What I can say is that we have been working closely with the transition team. We want this to be efficient. We want this to be effective. We are doing this — the president wants to do this on behalf of the American people, and that’s what you can count on.

I’m not going to list out names of — of folks who’ve been — who — who we’ve been talking to.

Q And just finally, Karine, a new CNN poll that’s out this morning shows that just s- — 36 percent of U.S. adults say they approve of the way that Biden has handled the presidency. To what do you attribute that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, look, I’ve been very careful in talking about polls and not speaking to every — every poll. I understand this is a CNN poll.

What I can speak to is what the president has done to get things do- — to get things delivered for the American people, if you — if you think about beating Big Pharma; if you think about lowering health care costs; bringing manufacturing jo- — jobs back or manufacturing back here, more broadly; if you think about insulin, to- — capping insulin at 35 bucks a month for seniors. All of those things that I just listed out are very popular with the American people. They are.

And that has always been at the forefront of the — of the president’s mind: What can he do to deliver for the American people on the needs that they care about? And that’s the type of economic policy that he put forward. That’s what he wanted — to make sure we didn’t leave any anym- — anybody behind.

And, you know, many communities have felt that they’ve been left behind. That’s why we talk about building an economy from the bottom up, middle out. That’s been his — that’s been his focus.

And — and you can see the results. More than 16 million jobs created. When you think about more than 20 million small businesses started. People don’t start bui- — small businesses unless they feel confident about the economy. And that — those two go hand in hand.

And so, look, we’re going to continue to do the work, continue to make sure that we do everything possible in the last couple of days to deliver for the American people. And that’s the president’s focus.

Let’s not forget, when he walked in, there was a pandemic — a once-in-a-generation pandemic, and he turned that around. He turned that around.

And so, I’m going to — you know, the president is going to address the American people later today — farewell address — and he’ll certainly have a lot to say.

Q Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead. Go ahead, Joe Joe.

Q Thanks, Karine. (Laughter.) Yeah. Thank- —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Last time I’ll be able to say that. (Laughs.)

Q I know. I know. Thanks for taking questions these last couple of years.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Oh, thank you.

Q Yeah, President-elect Trump, in a social media statement today, said the ceasefire deal could only have happened as a result of his election victory. What’s your response to that —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — assessment? Do you agree with that? Disagree?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look — and I think the president was asked some version of that question. I think that was the first question that he got after he spoke. And I said this: Everyone is going to want to take credit. That’s how these things work.

But the fact of the matter is: In order for this deal to have been done, there needed to be a framework. The person who provided that framework was President Joe Biden. And we have been working on this for some time. It didn’t just come together in the last cou- — couple of days. It didn’t just start the last couple of days.

And so — and not only that, he put together a framework. It got endorsed by the world. That’s not an easy thing to do.

And, you know — and it — and so, that’s part of the first thing that he was able to do.

The second part — thing that he was able to do was support Israel, and by supporting Israel, that badly weakened Hamas. You saw what happened to Hamas’s leadership and — and what we were able to do to the backers of Hamas.

And so, all of those things mattered. Our support and what we were able to do, how this president stepped in matters.

And now we are in a situation where we’re going to pass this over to the incoming administration. A lot of this is going to be implemented by the incoming administration. That is why we worked very closely with the incoming administration. And again, that is what an American president makes.

Q And — and secondly, President Biden is going to be spending his last — or final full day of his presidency in Charleston, South Carolina. Can you discuss what he’s going to be doing there?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: We’ll have more to share on that, and I don’t want to dive into that right now. But we’ll certainly have more to share on what that will look like — his last couple of days.

Go ahead, Karen.

Q Thanks, Karine. Just two quick ones. Does the president intend to leave a letter for President-elect Trump before he leaves office, as Trump did for him?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well, I guess we’ll see. (Laughs.) We’ll see. We’ll see. I don’t have anything. That is going to be up to the president. Don’t have anything on that. But it’s a good question. I’m curious too. (Laughter.)

Q And, after Monday, what is the president’s plan? What are he and the first lady doing when they leave Washington on Monday?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: And we’ll have — we’ll have — certainly, we’ll have more to share on that as well.

Go ahead. Go ahead.

Q Thank you for serving as press secretary and answering our questions for the last couple —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thanks.

Q — of years.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thanks, Peter.

Q A couple quick ones, just to clarify some things. Probably a yes or no. I know you have no readout of any calls between President Biden and President-elect Trump. Just declaratively, can you say, no, there has not been a call between them or in any of the last two weeks on this specific topic of Israel?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I — look, I have not asked that question, so I don’t want to get ahead of myself here.

Q You’re still press secretary for a few days. If you can give us a yes or no (inaudible).

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: (Laughs.) You always give me homework, Peter. Every time I come, you always tell me, “Can you come back and tell” — okay.

Q 24/7 job for all of us. Right?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: 24/7. Yeah.

Go ahead.

Q If I can ask you briefly about tonight’s address, if you can take us into that room.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q Who is going to be in attendance? I trust the first lady. Will family members be there?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q Who else will be there? And is there anything else surrounding it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: It’s a very good question. We’ll have more color for you later on in the evening.

What I can say is the president is certainly looking — very much looking forward to this moment, speaking directly to the American people. It’s not every day you get to do an Oval address. He gets to do another Oval address — obviously, his last one — in prime time.

And so, we will certainly have more color of who’s going to be in the room and what that would look like as we get closer.

Q And then, last question and then I’ll leave it to my colleagues is —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — it’s tradition that at the end of the year, the president would do a news conference in advance of departure. The president would take questions on a variety of different topics. What was the decision-making? Why did this president decide not to do either of those before his departure?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well, I think the president, especially in the past couple of days, has — has been pretty — very much, engaging with all of you, taking questions. He did it today. He — he himself wanted to stand up a — a moment to talk about the economy but also take your questions just a couple of days ago. That is something that he wanted to do. And your colleagues took — wait, let me — let me finish. Your colleagues asked some really important questions that he was able to answer — an array of questions.

And what I can say is I don’t have anything to preview at this time, but certainly he’s going to continue to engage with all of you. And, you know, we have been — you know, he’s been very much involved in — in going back and forth with all of you in the past couple of days. And that is something that he wanted to make sure that he — he did that. He —
Q Were there any concerns about his public performance in a setting like that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I — well, I mean — I think — the — the issue that I have with that question, Peter, is that he literally did a press conference with all of you days ago, with some of your colleagues, and —

Q Right. But again, I mean —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: — took multiple —

Q — that’s different, you know, than an hour-long press conference.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I — I — I — no —

Q That’s why I asked the question.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, look, but he — he took questions. He took questions on an array of issues, went back and forth, and he took questions today. He’s been pretty consistent over the past couple of days in doing that, and that shows his performance. That — those are questions that he doesn’t know what you guys are going to ask, and he takes them, and he answers them. And — and I think that is something that is important to him.

This goes back to the freedom of the press, understanding how important you all are to our democracy, and und- –understanding how having that continuation of a back-and-forth, even and when we don’t — we don’t agree, is important.

And so, I’m pretty sure you all will continue to hear from him in the last couple of days of his administration, and he certainly looks forward to it.

Q Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead.

Q Karine, we’re sort of dancing around who gets to take credit for this deal. You’re —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: No one is dancing around here. (Laughs.)

Q Your colleague — your colleague at that the State Department briefed our colleagues —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — that President Trump was “critical” in getting this deal over the line. Do you not agree with that statement?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I — I mean, look, I’m not going to — to speak to a — a random person.

Q It’s literally your colleague.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I — I don’t know who this person is.

Q Matt Miller.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Oh.

What I — what I can say is, look, obviously, Matt Miller will speak for himself.

What I can say is, there is — there are steps that were taken here that is really important and critical, and that started with this president’s starting a framework that was agreed upon by the world back in May. And that was because of this president. That was because he was able to lay out his thoughts, his thinking on how to move forward with this negotiation.

What I said before — this is someone who understands foreign policy, as we — as I’m talking about the president. He understands how difficult it is, and this was not an easy one. And so, he has the experience. He was able to — to get that going, to get that started. So, this has been going on for some time. It has. I mean, that’s just the reality of it. That is just the facts of it.

Have we been coordinating and working closely with the Trump adminis- — the — the incoming Trump administration, their transition team? Yes, and we’ve been very forthcoming about that.

But the fact of the matter is: It took someone who has the experience that this president had to get this going, to get this moving, to understand what negotiations look like, and that’s what this president was able to bring to the table.

And it got done under his watch. It got done today.

Q And then, secondly, obviously, this is a really big day on the foreign policy/national security front. This is your last briefing —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — or the administration’s last briefing. Is there a reason why John Kirby isn’t here to take our questions?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, I just mentioned that Brett McGurk is going to be holding — and National Security Council is holding up a call. I think that’s going to be really important. They will talk more about the implementation of this.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was just here two days ago, on Monday, and I think kind of laid out a really good framework for all of this — the thinking process, how this was going to move forward. And Brett McGurk will — he is on the ground. He has all of the information. He has been there at the direction of this president, certainly with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan leading that effort.

And so, I — he’s going to have a lot more information than any of us here will have, because he’s been on the ground, understanding, working with the negotiating — negotiators and understanding how this process has worked.

So, that’s how this works.

Go ahead. (Inaudible.)

Q You said that — that you — you wish your successor luck. Have you had any extensive conversations with her about —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: No, I —

Q — how this job is done, or —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: — I haven’t. I haven’t.

But, you know, I’m not — I’m not the only White House press secretary or soon-to-be former White House press secretary out there, so I’m sure there are many people for her to — to connect with and speak with, but I have not had a conversation with her.

Go ahead, Jacqui.

Q Thanks, Karine. How many Americans are going to be in the first tranche, and when will they start coming out?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: It’s a good question. That’s why Brett McGurk is going to be holding this National Security Council call. He will have all of that information. The president even said the same thing when he was asked a — a similar question, that we will have more details to share. And so, the National Security Council and Brett McGurk will — will share that with all of you, hopefully momentarily, once this is done.

Q I’m just confused on why we’re having the last briefing of the administration on what’s been one of the defining wars of this presidency without being able to answer those questions.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I just said he’s going to hold a — he’s going to hold a press call, and he’ll take your questions on that.

Q Okay —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I think that — I think that’s important to hear directly from the person who is on the ground. I think — I think that’s an important thing to do, right?

Q Okay. We were under the impression that there were folks here in the building who had those answers, who could tell us, but —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well, Brett McGurk — well, National Security Council is holding up a call so that Brett McGurk can get on that call and take your questions.

Q Okay.

Why is it that you seem unwilling —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — to extend any credit to Trump for this deal? Couldn’t he just have said, “You know, hold off until I’m in office?”

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: What I will say is that what we know to be true, what we know this process — how it has moved over the past eight months — this is a deal that happened under the framework that this president put forward and was endorsed by the world.

And this is also an administration that has had, certainly, the support, the back of Israel; that helped denigrate Hamas, their military — severely weaken them; and we created, because of — also being — doing that, we created the conditions for this deal. That is what has happened over the last eight months.

And we have talked closely, worked closely, coordinated closely with the incoming — in- — incoming administration, and that is how we’ve been able to get to this point.

And the reason we were able to do that — having that conversation with the transition team — is because this president believed — he believed in the importance of having a peaceful transfer of power — right? — of having a transition that worked for the American people, and had the American people at the forefront in trying to make sure that we got this done.

Q I guess if — we’ve heard variations of that answer through the briefing, but I guess more plainly —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — I’m wondering, you know, if you’ll just say your view, which seems to be that Trump gets no credit.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I — no, I — that’s — I’ve shared my view. I don’t have anything else to share. I’ve shared how we got to this point. The president shared that moments ago. He laid out in very succinct way on how we got to this — how we got to this point. I’ve talked about Brett McGurk, who’s on the ground talking to negotiators; has been there working at the direction of this president. The leadership, obviously, of the national security advisor. This has been something that has been in the works for months — for months — way before November. That is just how this has worked.

I’m not here to talk about the transition. I’m not talk- — here to talk about who gets credit, not get credit. I’m here to talk about what this president has been able to do.

And here’s what is also incredibly important here: We’re going to get hostages who are going to go home to their family after 15 months of — I don’t even want to think the horr- — the horror that they have gone through. I don’t — I can’t even imagine it. And I think that matters.

I mean, we’re going back and forth about credit, but people are going to go home to their families, and that is so important.

And, hopefully, the phases will continue, and we’ll get to an end of war here, and that is important. And let’s not forget, increase that humanitarian aid into Gaza, because there are people there who need that aid and the assistance.

I’m going to move on.

Go ahead —

Q And last question you’ll ever get from me, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go — no, no. I’m (inaudible). I just took three of your —

Q How will grade yourself on your goal —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m not — go ahead.

Go ahead. Go ahead.

Q — of being the most transparent administration in history?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahea- — I — I’ve — I’ve —

Q Have you achieved that goal?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’ve taken, like, three questions. I’m going to move on.

Go ahead.

Q Karine —

Q No answer there?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: No. Go ahead. I’ve already taken three of your questions. I’m going to make sure some of your colleagues get an opportunity as well.

Q Could you respond to the report released by the special counsel who prosecuted Hunter Biden? Specifically, he talked about Biden’s claims that his son was unfairly targeted, and said “the president’s characterizations are incorrect based on the facts in this case, and on a more fundamental level, they are wrong.” He also said that “politicians who attack the decisions of career prosecutors as politically motivated when they disagree with the outcome of a case undermine the public’s confidence in our criminal justice system.”

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I mean, a couple things there. Let’s not forget why the president came to his conclusion, how he got to this point of pardoning his son. And he talked about the circumstances of this — of this prosecution and how out of norm they were.

And let’s not forget there were legal experts that agreed with this president, who shared that conclusion of this president.

And one of those was a — one of those experts is a former prosecutor, as you all know, Attorney General Eric — Attorney General Eric Holder. And he was very clear. I just want to quote him, “No U.S. attorney would have charged this case given the underlying facts. Had his name been Joe Smith, the resolution would have been — fundamentally and more fairly — a declin- — a declination. Pardon warranted.”

And if you look at what happened here, and you look at paying your taxes, the vast majority of people who don’t pay their taxes on time are not charged with criminal penalties. They’re just not. They pay their penalties and fees, and that’s what Hunter Biden did.

And so, the president wasn’t alone in this. In making that — when he made that determination, he had legal experts who also agreed with how he — with hi- — making this decision on pardoning his son, Hunter Biden.

I’m getting —

Q So, no concern that he undermines the public perception of the justice system with his comments?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I just — I just answered that question. I don’t have anything else for you.

AIDE: Karine, that call has started.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay. Go ahead.

Q Hey, Karine. Thanks. I know that you said you don’t have details on what the president will be doing on Sunday, but can you — can you expound on why he chose to spend, you know, his last day in office in South Carolina?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: We’ll have more to share. I don’t want to get ahead of that. We’ll have more to share and why South Carolina.

Q Last thing. Has the president spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu? And — or does he plan to do so in the coming days?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well, as you know, he recently just spoke to him — spoke to the prime minister. And if we have more calls to read out, we certainly will do that.

I know, I have to start wrapping up.

Go ahead.

Q Thank you so much, Karine. On Monday, President Biden said he was more optimistic than ever about the future. Isn’t he afraid or concerned that part of his legacy could be or is about to be erased by the incoming president?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, look, when I answered this question about — I think it was a — a polling question from Kayla — I also talked about — in — in my answering that question — how popular some of the things that the president has done: CHIPS and Science Act, bipartisan infrastructure legislation, the PACT Act, and even the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. And I talked about the p- — the insulin being — the insulin at 35 bucks a month for seniors.

Those are things — all of those things that I just laid out are popular with the American people. And that is something that the incoming administration has to think about, Republicans on the other side of Pennsylvania has to think about. These are things that are incredibly popular.

Some of them — the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, CHIPS and Science Act, the PACT Act — were done in a bipartisan way. And so, to undo those successes — some of the things, again, popular with the American people — you know, that’s something that they have to seriously, seriously think about.

And, you know, what we have done in those historic pieces of legislation that obviously is now law will have lasting effects on people’s lives — lasting effect. So, he’s very confident about that.

Q And one about foreign policy, because President Biden said his presidency restored the U.S. credibility in the world. Jen Psaki actually said that in her first briefing here — that he was going to do this. But when we talk to foreign leaders or diplomats around, many say that the incon- — inconstancy of the U.S. foreign policy is make it harder to work together and really trust that U.S. can be a reliable ally. So, what do you tell them?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Wait, say that last part again. The inconsistency, you said?

Q Yeah. Is — yeah, of the U.S. foreign policy. Make it hard to work and trust that U.S. can be a reliable ally. So, what — what message do you —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: And wh- — and why are they saying that? What’s the inconsistency?

Q Well, one administration come in —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Oh.

Q — and do a lot of Cuba and there is another and then you put it back. And now, again, it’s about to be re- — you know, undo them also.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, look, I — I’m not going to get into what this — the next administration is going to do, not going to do. What I can talk about is what the president wanted to make sure and that he got done in his four years here, which is restore the reputation of the United States, which he was able to do; get things done on behalf of the American people; and make sure that we really mended our relationships with our partners and allies, and that’s what you were able to do.

You don’t expand NATO if it wasn’t for this president and his relationships and his experience. Right? You don’t support Ukraine the way that it was supported by more than 50 countries, the way that it was able to get what it needed to really be on the ground. Remember, Kyiv was supposed to fall within days. That didn’t happen. That didn’t happen because of this president’s leadership.

I’m not going to get into what the pres- — what the next president is going to do or not do.

And let’s not forget today. Today was a big day in the foreign policy space to get this hostage deal done. Hostages are going to go home. We’re going to be able to get humanitarian aid surged into Gaza. And we’re hopefully going to end this war. And that is incredibly important.

All right, guys, I have to go. Thank you.

Q Quick follow-up —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.

Q — about your successor. Have you been in touch with Karoline yet?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I —

Q Were you able to —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I was just asked this question. I was just asked this question. I have not. I have not been in touch with her. But I certainly wish her luck.

Thanks, everybody.

Q Karine, why have you not been in touch with her?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Come talk to me in the back. (Laughter.)

Q Thank you.

4:09 P.M. EST

The post Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre appeared first on The White House.

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

The post Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan 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

The post Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell appeared first on The White House.

Aboard Air Force One
En Route Kenner, Louisiana

3:45 P.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Sorry for the wait.  Oh, it’s chilly back here.

Q    Yeah, it’s cold.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, I have a — a long — a long couple things at the — a few things at the top, so it’s a little long.  So, please bear with me.  Hopefully we’ll answer some of your questions. 

We are on our way to New Orleans, where the president and the first lady will attend an Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace and Healing hosted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans at the Cathedral-Bas- — Basilica of St. Louis King of France.  While there, they will grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack that took place in New Orleans on January 1st.  This time with families will be a private meeting prior to the vigil. 

Immediately following this horrific attack, President Biden directed his team to provide every resource possible to support the state and local law enforcement response as well as the victims and their families.  The president and his administration have been in contact with the governor of Louisiana, the mayor of New — New Orleans, and other state and local officials to ensure they have the support they need and deserve. 

The FBI, DOJ, DHS, and Department of Defense are coordinating on all aspects of the investigation.  The FBI is operating a command post in its New Orleans office with federal, state, and local personnel, including the deployment of additional special agents, analysts, and bomb technicians to assist in the investigation and coordinate with local authorities. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA, has also announced that small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Louisiana may now apply for federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by this attack. 

Today, the president is committing additional federal resources to help the city of New Orleans prepare for upcoming major events, including Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl.  The Mardi Gras parades and certain related events occurring in New Orleans from February 1st [21st] to March 4th have been upgraded to a Special Event Assessment Rating of 1.  The Super Bowl event has also been upgraded to the same assessment rating.

The Biden-Harris administration has determined that these significant events require extensive federal interagency support, and we will use every tool available to fill — to fill local capability shortfalls to assure safe and secure events.  Federal assistance could include explosive detection canine teams, cyber risk assessments, venue screening and field intelligence teams, and air security and tactical operations support, in addition to the support already provided by state and local governments.

There’s no higher — higher priority to the president than the safety and security of the American people.  He will continue to ensure we do everything possible to get to the bottom of this horrific event while also ensuring that this community has the resources they need in the wake of this tragedy. 

And finally, today, President Biden took action to protect the — the entire U.S. East Coast; the eastern Gulf of Mexico; the Pacific off — off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California; and additional portions of the Northern Bering Sea in Alaska from oil for — from future oil and natural gas leasing. 

So, let’s be clear here.  The — the area President Biden is protecting has relatively minimal fossil fuel potential in the areas and do not justify the environmental, public health, and economic risks that would come from new leasing drilling.

As President Biden said in his statement, from California to Florida, Republican and Democratic governors, members of Congress, and coastal communities have worked and called for greater protection of our ocean and coastlines from the harms that offshore oil and natural gas drilling can bring.

From day one, President Biden has led and delivered on the most ambitious climate and conservation agenda in our country’s history.  And over the last four years, the president has conserved more than 670 million acres of America’s land, water — waters and more — more than any other president in history.

With that, Colleen.  Hi.

Q    Hi.  Okay.  A couple things real quick.  On the meeting with the families today.  Will he also meet with any first responders or law enforcement officials, or is it just for families?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, he’s — we’re hoping to also be able to say thank you to some first responders.

As you know, first responders always put their lives on the line when it comes to certainly events like this, but almost every day. 

And so, we’ll certainly have more to share.  We’ll have some pool notes for all of you as we get on the ground.  But that is — that is the hope.

Q    Okay.  And then on the offshore drilling.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Can you talk a little bit about the timing?  Because, you know, the president is leaving office in a couple of weeks.  The incoming president has been very clear that he doesn’t want any of this type of — these restrictions.  So, you know, why now?  Why not earlier, when there was more of an opportunity to push it out longer?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I think in — also, in the topper, I mentioned what the president has done, and over the last four years, he’s protected, I think, more than 46 million land and water.  Con- — you know, making sure we’re conserving that. 

So, this is — this has been a priority for the president over the past four years, and you see the success and what he’s been able to do.

So, the withdrawals have no expiration date and prohibit all future oil and natural gas leasing in areas withdrawn.  And, as I said, the — the area the president is protecting has relatively minimal fossil fuel potential in the areas and do not justify environmental, public health, and economic risks that would come from any loose le- — new leasing and drilling.

And so, look, the climate crisis continues.  It continues to be a threat to communities across the country.  And we are transitioning now to clean energy economy, as this has been a priority for this president. 

And so, we want to make sure that we protect these coasts for our children, for our grandchildren.  And so, that is what you’re seeing the president doing. 

So, previous administration also moved to protect off coast of Florida — off coasts of Florida, Georgia, South C- — South Carolina from drilling.  So, this is something that we’ve actually seen from the past administration, which is — obviously, was the Trump administration.

Q    One more.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, sure.

Q    On the — on January 6th.  So, I just wondered, the president’s op-ed in the Washington Post today talked a lot about the need to remember.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, and not — not — and to not rewrite history. 

Q    Yeah.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah. 

Q    I guess I wanted to ask: He doesn’t mention Trump by name at all in — in the op-ed.  And I wondered if that was intentional.  You know, and if we’re talking about remembering, should we also be thinking about the — the incoming president’s — you know, whatever role he may have played in January 6th?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, I think — you know, I read through — obviously, I saw the — the op-ed before it was published, and I got to — I read it a couple more times today.  And it’s incredibly powerful what the president was able to share.

Remember, he was speaking directly to the American people and wanted to make sure that we don’t forget this moment, we don’t forget what happened four years ago, and that history should not be rewritten. 

I think the American people know exactly what happened on that day.  I think he wanted to — as the day is today, he wanted to make sure that we — he — his voice was out there. 

He’s also very proud of what the vice president was able to do in certifying the election, which is, obviously — as she said herself in a very powerful video today that you all saw, talking about her duty and how she — this is — this is the norm and this is what we’re supposed to be doing. 

And I think — you know, I think the president wanted to stick to the message of what today means.  We can’t forget.  And the president says this in his op-ed.  This — certifying an election was the norm — was the norm.  And we can’t forget, as a country, as a people, that — that moments like today should be incredibly respected, and how powerful and how important it is, especially as we speak to our democracy and a peaceful transition of power, which is what the president has been trying to do and has said that he was going to do and has been doing that since the day of — since the — since the day of the election, or the results of the election.

And so, I think that’s what you’re seeing.  This peaceful — it’s not just about this being a norm, but also this continuing peaceful transfer of power. 

Q    Karine, does the — does the president or does the White House have a reaction to Prime Minister Trudeau’s announcement today about stepping aside?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, a couple of things here.  Prime Minister Trudeau has been a stalwart friend of the United States during his decade leading the Canadian government.  We have worked closely together on the full range of issues facing our countries and the world as close allies, neighbors, and as members of the G7.

The president is grateful for the prime minister’s partnership on all of that and for his commitment to defending North America from the geopolitical threats of the 21st century and the work we have done together to sustain North America’s status as the world’s most economically competitive region. 

As fellow democracies, we stand with the prime minister and the Canadian people as they select a new Liberal Party leader and organize a new government.

Q    Do you — on a separate issue, the steel companies — U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel — have filed lawsuits over the decision by the president to block that merger.  What’s his or what is the White House reaction to that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, as — as we’ve done many times, as you know, Jeff, we just don’t speak to lawsuits.  Obv- — you know, that is something that the Department of Justice will — will handle.  I’m — I’m not going to give comments on it. 

And I think the president’s statement from Friday — laying out his thought process and why he moved forward to blocking — to blocking that deal.  And so, I just don’t have anything else to add behi- — be- — besides what the president laid out. 

But as we normally do, we’re not going to speak to any lawsuits. 

Q    One question —

Q    Karine, can you —

Q    Sorry, just one last question.  Sorry, sorry, sorry.  On two things that Trump has — the president-elect has said in the last day or so.  One, there’s a report out about his — his plans on tariffs.  Wondering if this White House has any response or concerns about that. 

And two, he made a tweet — or a statement today about making Canada the 51st state.  Wondering if President Biden takes that seriously. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, I’m not going to comment on everything that the president-elect is — is going to say. 

As we know, we have about two weeks left in this administration.  The president is going to focus on what we’re doing today — right? — what we’re going to be doing in the West Coast in California.  We’re going to continue to show up for the American people, continuing to do the work on behalf of the American people. 

I — I’m just not going to comment on everything that is said by the incoming president. 

What the president believes in is what you’ve seen him do — when it comes to the economy, making sure that we don’t leave anybody behind, that we build an economy from the bottom up to — bo- — bottom to — bottom — top — from the bottom to the top and, obviously — and the middle out.  And that is something that the president is going to is — has always believed in and — and believes that is the way we move forward with an economy. 

He doesn’t believe in — in — in what Republicans have continued to say, which is giving a tax relief to — to the — to the richest, the billionaires and corporations.  That’s not what the president believes.  He wants to make sure that we give a little bit of breathing room to everyday Americans who are sitting around their kitchen table trying to make some really difficult decisions about how they’re going to move forward in their life.

And so, that’s our focus.  I’m just not — with two weeks left, I’m not going to comment on everything that the president-elect is going to say.

Q    Karine, earlier today, President-elect Trump, on Truth Social, said that the — that “Biden is doing everything possible to make the TRANSITION as difficult as [as] possible.”  I know you touched on the transition a little bit, you know, moments ago.  But is there just anything you can say from, you know, the White House’s response to his comments? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, again, I’m not going to respond to everything that the president-elect says.  What I can say is the president’s commitment — and I think — I think, hopefully, you all would agree with me — when the president, after the — the election, the president invited the president-elect to the White House.  They met for two hours — definitely more than an hour and a half, more than 90 minutes — in the Oval Office.  You guys — you all got to see them engage at the top for a f- — couple of minutes. 

And that — for the president, that was something that he wanted to bring back — right? — which is a peaceful transfer of power — something, I would, you know, put out there and remind everybody, that he didn’t get four years ago. 

And so, as you know, this is a president who is an institutionalist.  He believes in our democracy.  He believes on doing the right thing for this country, the right thing for the American people.  And he believed in the peaceful transfer of power.

Our mandate has been — from this president — is to make sure that we provide an efficient transfer, a tran- — a transition to the next incoming administration.  And it’s not about us; it’s not about this president.  It’s about the American people.

In order — it is important to do that so that we can — so that the American people can have a continuing democracy that works for — for all of us.

Q    And just one more, Karine. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Maybe this came out while — while you have been in the air, but Biden met with Venezuela’s president-elect this — this morning.  Is there any — are there any details you — you can share from —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — from that meeting and how that went?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, there’s — if it hasn’t come out, and you — I don’t even know if you all probably saw it or not — there’s going to be a readout.  If — and — and I haven’t paid close attention.  There was a readout of the meeting following the president’s meeting and the president-elect of Venezuela this morning and simply reiterated our support for Venezuelans’ democratic aspirations. 

Democracy depends that — demands, pardon me — demands that the will of the voters be respected, and the Venezuelan — Venezuelan people spoke resoundingly on July 28th making González Urrutia the president-elect.  And so, that is what you — that is what you saw.  That is basically what this meeting was all about.

And there’s a readout.  Again, I — I apologize if you all didn’t get a chance to read that, to see it, but we did put out a readout on this.

Q    Karine —

Q    Do you have any —

Q    Go ahead.  Go ahead.

Q    Do you have any reaction to Elon Musk — his repeated attacks on the British prime minister?  Just — if I could just — I mean, for example, you have him today calling Keir Starmer “despicable,” calling on King Charles to overthrow the British government. 

I mean, this is a key U.S. ally and a — you know, a political, you know, ally of President Biden.  What — I mean, what — what is your take on these?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I don’t have anything for you on that.  I — I just don’t.  I’m not going to comment on that.

Go ahead.

Q    Given the president’s op-ed on talking about remembering January 6th —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — from four years ago, does he have any reaction to the president-elect’s pledge to pardon the insurrectionists from four years ago and, given the president’s recent pardons himself, how that kind of contrasts?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, I’m not going to get into what the next president is going to do or not do. 

I think you’ve heard us talk about the president’s process when it comes to commutations, when it comes to pardons.  He bel- — he believes in giving a second chance to — to Americans who have shown that they can go back into the community and be part of a community, be productive in the community. 

The president certainly has taken more action than any president before him, and that is something that he believes in.  So, we will certainly — he — he’s thinking about other commutations and pardons that he will potentially announce before he leaves in two weeks. 

I just don’t have anything else to share.  I don’t want to get into what the next president is going to do, going to not do.  What I can speak to is how the president has been very deliberate, very thoughtful about this process and how he’s moved forward in it in the last couple years. 

Q    Karine, my colleagues at NBC this weekend — they reported that the president plans to give two big speeches before his term is up: one on foreign policy, one more of a farewell speech.  Do you have any additional information about that — when, where?  Anything we can expect to hear from the president?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I’m not going to get ahead of our — our schedule here.  Don’t have anything to confirm or to lay out. 

What I will say is the president the — I — I mentioned “two weeks.”  We have 14 days, and it’s going to be a jam-packed, certainly a jam-packed final sprint to the — to the — to the two — to the two weeks. 

As you know, we’re going to go to NOLA — New Orleans.  We’re going to go to California.  We come back, and the president is going to — there’s the Carter — obviously, the — the Carter memorial, so that will be something that the president will attend. 

And then we head out to Rome, and we — we have already laid out what the president is going to be doing on that — his final OCONUS — this coming weekend or this coming — at the end of the week.  And then we’ll have a lot more to share as we — as we get closer. 

But he is definitely jam-packed — jam-packed — as you all know, especially just looking at the weekend.  I think most of us were working every day this weekend, and so I think you can expect to see that — the president just continuing to work every day.

Q    On New Orleans and this ongoing investigation into the attack.  Have — do you have any updates, any progress on that?  I know the last time the president spoke on it is — he said he would make sure that any progress they made he would share it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, no — I mean, you’re — you’re right.  I don’t have any updates to share.  Obviously, as I stated at the top — and the president certainly continues to believe this and wants to — to get this done, which is get to the bottom of what happened.  There’s an investigation being done by the FBI.  I don’t have any updates to share at this time. 

And what — I think what you’re going to see this president do today is show up for the community, be there for the community in hardest time — right? — when you have these types of event or any type of event, whether it’s gun violence, a loss — lives lost in a community, in a family. 

This is something that the president understands: what it’s like to lose — to lose a loved one.  And the first lady — as you know, she’s with us as well.  And so they’re going to be there with the family.  They’re going to offer up — you know, grieve with them, listen to them.  And so, I think this is also an important part — he believes, this is also an important part of — of the job that he believes he — he needs to do as president and should do.

Q    And just — just quickly on January 6th.  Just to circle back to Colleen’s question.  By not naming Trump in this op-ed, is there any concern that that contributes to the ability of this incoming president to rewrite what happened and his role in there? 

I mean, you have a president — an incoming president here, a president-elect, who is posting pictures of January 6th; who is not doing anything at this point to, you know, try to explain it; who is kind of showing, “Look, I can’t be held accountable”; you know, and going as far as saying, “We’re — I’m going to pardon, you know, these people who participated.” 

Is there any concern by the president not naming him, that that allows, you know, the president-elect to skirt accountability?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And I hear your — your question, but I also think there are some — a couple things that we should focus on and what the president said, and I just want to read them really quickly.

“An unrelenting effort has been underway to rewrite — even erase — the history of that day.  [To] tell us we didn’t see what we… saw with our — with our own eyes.”  So, the president tries to address that, obviously, in his — in his op-ed.

“But when we sh- — but what” — and this — going back to the president’s op-ed, “but what — but we should not forget.  We must remember the wisdom of the adage that any nation that forgets its past is doomed to repeat it.  We cannot accept a repeat of what occurred four years ago.”

“Four years later, leaving office, I am determined to do everything I can to respect the peaceful transfer of power and restore the transi- — the traditions we have long respected in America.  The election will be certified peacefully.”  Obviously, that’s already happened, but this is from his op-ed this morning.

“I have invited the incoming president to the White House on the morning of January 20th, and I will be present for his inauguration that afternoon.” 

And I think what the president is trying to do is lead by example, calling out what happened four years ago, saying if we do not — if we do not pay attention and if we try to forget it, it will repeat itself.  And that — I think the president said that very clearly.

At the same time, the American people deserve a peaceful transfer of power.  They have spoken.  Right?  So, they — they deserve a peaceful transfer of power. 

Q    Is — is the implication there that if you were to get into naming Trump, that that puts that peaceful transfer of power at risk in some way?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think that we had an election, majority of Americans spoke, and the president is respecting a free and fair election — something that wasn’t afforded to him four years ago.  He is doing it now. 

And he is saying, by leading by example, it is important to make sure that we have a peaceful transfer of power.  And I think what you’re — again, what I’m — what you’re seeing from this president and even this vice president today — our vice president, obviously, Kamala Harris, what she did today — was — was show that this is what — this is what the norm is.  This is what the norm is.

Q    I guess the question is: If — if the norms were broken, you know, four years ago, is the — is the idea of returning to a norm even possible anymore, you know?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, I think we showed it today.  I think the vice president showed it today.  Right?  And I think the president continues to show that, especially in this transition of power.  And so, lead — lead by example, and you see that from — from the both of them.

And I think that’s — I would — I — I think, and we believe, that’s what the American people want to see.  They want to see some norm.  They want to see a peaceful transfer of power.  It is important for our democracy.

All right, guys.  Thank you. 

Q    Thanks, Karine.

Q    Thank you.

Q    Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  See you on the ground.  Thank you, guys.  Appreciate it.

4:08 P.M. EST

The post Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Kenner, LA appeared first on The White House.

Via Teleconference

11:40 A.M. EST

MODERATOR:  Hey, everyone.  Thanks so much for joining the News of the Day Gaggle with John Kirby.

I’m going to turn it over to him for a few thoughts at the top, and then we’ll take your questions.

Kirby, over to you.

MR. KIRBY:  Thanks, Eduardo.  Hey, just a short one on a programming note for you all, but I wanted to be able to announce for you that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will be traveling to New Delhi, India, on January 5th and 6th for a capstone meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.  That will span a range of issues across the breadth of our partnership with India, from space, defense, strategic technology cooperation, all the way also to shared security priorities in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. 

During the visit, Mr. Sullivan will meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other Indian leaders.  He will also visit the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, where he will be able to meet with young Indian entrepreneurs and give a speech outlining the significant steps that the United States and India have taken together to strengthen our innovation alliance under the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, otherwise known as iCET. 

This will be Mr. Sullivan’s final trip to the Indo-Pacific region as National Security Advisor.  He’s very excited and looking forward to these conversations at this critical time. 

And with that, we can take some questions.

MODERATOR:  Thanks.  First up, we’ll go to the line of Andrea Shalal.

Q    Oh, terrific.  Hey, John.  Thanks so much for doing this.  I have two questions for you.  One on the Nippon Steel deal, which was just announced, or the decision to block that acquisition. 

There are a lot of people out there who are concerned that this decision casts doubt on the reliability of the U.S. as a partner when its, arguably, closest ally in the Pacific region is denied an opportunity to buy a U.S. firm that needs help.  There are, you know, concerns about that being sort of a politicized decision.  And I just wonder if there’s anything that you’re doing or that Jake will be doing, particularly with some of those countries that have straddled the fence, you know, in this sort of U.S.-China competition and rivalry.  So that’s question number one. 

And I’ll wait, and then I’ll ask the second.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, look, Andrea, this isn’t about Japan.  This is about U.S. steelmaking and keeping one of the largest steel producers in the United States an American-owned company.  It is not about the extraordinary, close relationship and alliance that we have with Japan.  And the President has said so and made that clear to leaders in Japan on several occasions. 

I don’t think you can take a look — and I would just push back a little on the premise of the question that somehow that this or any other thing we’ve done has conveyed to people that America is an unreliable partner.  And this particular administration, over the last four years, we have proven time and time again, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, that we are a reliable partner, that we do take our treaty alliances and our commitments seriously, and that we are looking for ways to innovate and advance those.  I mean, the AUKUS arrangement is a great example of that. 

Take a look at the Camp David summit that the President hosted with the then-leader of South Korea, but also Prime Minister Kishida, where he talked about advancing not only bilateral cooperation between Japan and South Korea, and getting past some historical animosities there to a fare-thee-well, but also to improving trilateral cooperation between our three countries. 

I mean, I could go on and on.  I’m not going to do that in the gaggle.  We can certainly send you a factsheet with all the things that we’ve done to shore up alliances and partnerships around the world. 

I would add this: that where alliances and partnerships either weren’t doing the job or couldn’t do the job or weren’t designed for the job, President Biden invented new ones.  Fifty- plus nations — 50-plus coalition of nations that are supporting Ukraine, continue to support Ukraine.  And I think you’re going to see another iteration of the Ramstein Group here in coming days, as well as the 20-plus nations that the President put together as a coalition in the Red Sea to beat back Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. 

So I just, frankly, don’t think that this decision, or any other decision, points to anything other than solid, steady, consistent American leadership here and around the world. 

But this decision, as the President said yesterday, was based, in his view, on keeping one of the most valuable, one of the largest, one of the most important steel-producing capabilities as an American-owned company.

Q    Okay.  Thanks, John.  And also, I just wanted to ask about the attacks that we’ve seen, or, rather, the attack in New Orleans and then this explosion in Las Vegas.

To what extent — and can you just maybe outline for us who’s being briefed in the Trump transition team on this?  And can you say a few words about the heightened threat through vehicular attacks?  I mean, that’s a pattern that was seen, obviously, many, many years ago.  And, you know, there are —

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah.

Q    — security provisions in effect already.  But, you know, to what extent can you do anything to ensure, for instance, that there are no attacks during the inauguration or any other events that are coming up?

And is that, you know, a big topic of discussion with the Trump people?  And have enough people in the Trump transition team been vetted and have received security clearances?

MR. KIRBY:  Okay, that last part is a little bit off-topic here, and I’m not going to talk about the security clearances of the incoming Trump team.  You’re going to have to talk to them about their planning in terms of, you know, their readiness and the clearances that they have and that they need to take over on the 20th.  I’m not going to get into that. 

I will tell you that we absolutely have kept the incoming national security advisor apprised and up to speed, that those conversations continue with him and his team.  I’ll leave it at that level. 

On your other question about the threat of vehicle-borne attacks, you might have seen the FBI put out a notice today encouraging all state and local officials to be mindful that there could be — could be — copycat perpetrators that might want to conduct similar-like attacks than what happened in New Orleans and Las Vegas. 

I think it’s safe to say that federal law enforcement, federal investigative authorities, and our intelligence community are watching this very, very closely and will continue to do so. 

And I think it’s also safe to say, without getting into specific force protection measures around the inauguration, but that the security of the inauguration and of people attending it remain a high priority for all of us in the executive branch, and we’re working assiduously every single day to ensure the safety and security of the inauguration from any kind of attack, certainly any kind of attack that could result in physical harm. 

So we’re working on this very, very hard.  And, yes, we are keeping, as we would, as you would expect we would — across the interagency, keeping the incoming Trump team informed.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Alex Ward.

Q    Yeah, thanks, John.  Very quickly.  There were — there have been reports that, you know, Biden — or that there were — top Biden officials wanted this deal to go through, you know, including folks like Jake at the White House or some others.  And so, I’m wondering, you know, why were their arguments — why was Biden not convinced by their arguments?  What was it that, you know, made him sort of go against that advice?

And also, quickly: In the statement at the end, you know, the President says, you know, he wouldn’t hesitate “to protect the security of this nation and its infrastructure as well as [the] resilience of [its] supply chains.”  But he postponed this decision until after the election.  He held off on making a final call here for many months.  And so, you know, did election results play a part in waiting until now? 

And, you know, why, if he felt so confident about this before — I mean, obviously we’ve seen Karine and others say, you know, this was always going to be a U.S.-run company, that he wouldn’t let it fall in other hands.  So why wait until now to make the final call?  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  Alex, on your first question, I’m not going to get into internal interagency deliberations about this one way or another.  As the President said yesterday, the committee of national security and economic experts assessed that there was a national security risk at play here, and the President is acting against that risk.

And as the President said in his statement yesterday, that is the sole reason he made this decision — that he believed it was and remains important for a company like U.S. Steel, which is so critical to our own supply chains here at home — and one of the things that he’s done since coming into office in the wake of the pandemic was to shore up American supply chains and make them more resilient and, as he has said many times, having more and more of our supply chains beginning at home.  And that really drove his decision-making. 

It was, as he said himself, a decision based on his view as Commander-in-Chief and as President of the United States that it was important to keep this most critical company, with the capabilities it possesses, in American hands and American-owned. 

And he made this decision after receiving the analysis by the committee of national security and economic experts that CFIUS represents.  And after taking due deliberation to consider that, plus the views, of course, of his team — his economic team, his national security team, his domestic security team — all that weighed into what he finally ended up deciding to do.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Aurelia.

Q    Hi, and thanks so much for doing this and for taking my question.  I have a question about Elon Musk, who is now calling for new elections in the UK, after also weighing in on the upcoming elections in Germany, having comments about Romania, et cetera.  What’s your take on his various comments?  And is this in line with the national interests of the United States?

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not going to speak to what Mr. Musk is saying publicly about foreign elections.  He can speak for his comments, and those questions are better addressed to him as a private citizen. 

I’ll tell you where we have been, and there’s no change.  Obviously, these are allies.  These are partners.  These are democracies.  We respect the democratic process in all of those countries. 

And as we’ve said, I don’t know, time and time again: Who the people — who the German people, who the British people decide to elect to represent them is their decision to make, and we’re going to do everything we can to work with whatever new governments are put in office, because there’s just too much on the plate, too many national security agenda items that we’ve got to continue to work out with these allies and partners, and that’s what we’re focused on.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Jihan.

Q    Hi, John.  Thanks.  I just wanted to ask: For months, we’ve been hearing that Hamas’s capabilities have been degraded and that their allies have been essentially defeated.  Why haven’t we seen a corresponding decrease in Israeli strikes and casualties in Gaza?  Israel says it’s only targeting Hamas, but just in the past 24 hours, 77 Palestinians have been killed, 145 people have been injured.  If anything, we’re seeing more strikes on civilians, including in safe zones.  How can we square this?

MR. KIRBY:  That is a question better put to the IDF and not to the U.S. National Security Council.  I mean, I’m not going to — as I’ve said over and over again, I’m not going to speak to specific Israeli strikes or Israeli operations.  You got to talk to the IDF about the missions they’re conducting. 

No question that they have visited significant damage to Hamas’s military capabilities, their ability to resource, to operate, and to continue to conduct lethal attacks.  But Hamas still exists as a viable threat.  There are still Hamas fighters.  There is still some Hamas infrastructure.  Hamas still has some abilities.  And I’ll let the Israelis speak to the actions they’re taking to mitigate the threat that Hamas poses. 

What I would prefer to talk about today is the opportunity that Hamas has right now to sign on to a new hostage deal.  Let’s get those people home with the families where they belong.  Let’s get a ceasefire in place so that there isn’t the possibility of civilian casualties, each one being a tragedy, and that we can surge humanitarian assistance in to the people of Gaza who so desperately need it. 

Hamas started this war.  Hamas put them in this position.  And Hamas can easily end that suffering by signing on to this new hostage deal, which we are still trying to work to conclude.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Alex Marquardt.

Q    Thanks, John.  Perfect segue.  That’s what I wanted to ask about. 

Could you bring us up to speed on the latest moves from the U.S. side in terms of trying to get to a ceasefire deal?  We saw the PMO say yesterday that they’re sending a working-level team to Doha.  That doesn’t necessarily indicate that we’re that much closer.  Has there been any progress in the past few weeks?  Is there any travel that you can read out or meetings that you can read out?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t have any travel or meetings to read out, Alex, but we do note that the Israelis are sending another team to Doha.  We think that’s a good step.  And certainly it doesn’t diminish at all our hope that a deal can be had. 

We think that a new deal is both urgent and possible.  And again, we welcome the Israelis’ decision to send another team to Doha.  I can assure you, without speaking — I don’t have any travel to speak to today, but I can assure you that the President has made clear his national security team will be a participant all the way to the very end, and we’re going to be doing everything we can to see if we can broker a new ceasefire deal, again, that will get the hostages home. 

So I don’t have any breakthroughs to speak to today or announcements to make about participation physically, but I can tell you that we’re definitely going to stay focused on this.  And again, we welcome Israel’s decision to send another team to Doha, and we think that that’s an encouraging step.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Patsy.

Q    Thanks, Eduardo.  Hey, John.  I have a quick logistical question on Ukraine before I go to Nippon Steel, if I may.  You mentioned that the Ramstein Group here will be happening in the coming days.  Can you speak more about the logistics of this?  Will it be leader level, and would the President attend?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t have any more detail to offer.  I would refer you to the Pentagon to speak to that.  But I do think that there will be another iteration of the Ramstein Group here, certainly before the end of our administration. 

And as you saw last week, we announced yet more security assistance to Ukraine, the final USAI package and another presidential drawdown authority.  I think you can also expect additional security assistance announcements coming with respect to Ukraine, you know, in coming days. 

So I’d leave it at that, and the Pentagon may be able to give you more information. 

Q    Okay.  And on the Nippon Steel, can you just elaborate a little bit more what was the CFIUS recommendation?  There seems to be conflicting information on that.  I mean, we can’t see the final report, but as I understand, some members of the committee seem to be supporting letting the deal go through with certain mitigation measures in place. 

And then, just on that note, if you say that this is to secure supply chain, well, companies like U.S. Steel needs investment (inaudible).  So how would they get that investment without this deal?  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  Again, I’m not going to go into the CFIUS process.  That wouldn’t be appropriate at all. 

As the President said yesterday, the committee of national security and economic experts assessed that there was a security risk.  As Commander-in-Chief, he made a decision, as he said, based on his concurrence with that assessment and the risk that he saw, and that this is very much about keeping a critical company in American hands.  And I just — I cannot get into any more detail than that.

Q    And on the investment part?

MR. KIRBY:  Again, that is — you know, the decision the President made yesterday, as he said, was based on concerns about our national security and keeping supply chains in the United States resilient.  And I’ll let other economic analysts speak to the business implications here.  I’m not qualified to do that; that is not in my lane here, in the National Security Council.  I would just go back to what the President said yesterday about why he made this decision.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to Missy Ryan.

Q    Hi, can you hear me?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I gotcha, Missy. 

Q    Okay.  Just two questions, John.  So, first of all, there are some reports out there that the United States offered to reduce attacks on Yemen in exchange for the Houthis reducing their attacks on Israel.  I’m wondering if you could speak to whether there’s any truth to that. 

And then secondly, I wanted to ask you about Guantanamo.  There was a ruling a little while ago that was rejecting the Defense Department’s most recent request to delay the plea deal hearings for the 9/11 cases, and so it seems like they may go ahead next week as planned, more likely for that to happen.  I’m wondering if you can tell me will the administration appeal that, and just sort of any comments on the difficulty that the United States — that the Biden administration is having in halting this deal that was made.

MR. KIRBY:  On your second question, I certainly won’t get ahead of where things are in the legal process, Missy.  I think your questions are better put to DOD.

You have seen, or at least I hope you’ve seen, even in recent weeks, some additional transfers of Guantanamo detainees.  The President has pledged to continue those, and so, you know, we’ve acted on that commitment.  But on the legal process, I’m not really at liberty to discuss that in any great detail.  And again, I’d refer you to DOD.

On your first question, all I’ll say on that line of reporting is you have seen, certainly in recent days, attacks — U.S. strikes on Yemeni capabilities.  As long as Yemen continues to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea and certainly our partners in Israel, we are going to continue to take actions to degrade their capabilities.  It’s really that simple.  And I think I’ll leave it at that. 

MODERATOR:  Thanks.  We have time for a couple more questions.  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Janne Pak.

Q    Hi, can you hear me?

MR. KIRBY:  I gotcha, Janne.

Q    Hi, Kirby.  Happy New Year.  I have a couple of questions.  In South Korea, an unprecedented attempt by the judicial authority to arrest the president, the current commander-in-chief, has occurred.  The opposition party has also impeached the president and suspended most of military’s high-ranking officers from their duties.  This has raised the serious concern about security vacuum. 

I have a question now.  How does President Biden react to this and the current chaotic situation in South Korea?

And secondly, will the foreign policy and the security commitment made under the Biden administration continue to be maintained?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  So, there’s a lot there.  I’ll just offer you some topline thoughts here. 

Number one, we look to the ROK government, the National Assembly, and, of course, the Korean people to work together toward a stable path forward. 

Number two, we’re committed to working closely with the ROK government, including the acting president, to advance mutual interest in our shared values.  And we would note, in appreciation, the focus that Acting President Choi has placed on maintaining national stability. 

We also expect the ROK government to proceed in adherence with the processes set forth in their constitution. 

Fourth, we’re going to maintain open lines of communication at all levels with the ROK government, as you would expect we would as treaty allies. 

And finally, that commitment to the alliance remains ironclad.  I know that’s a word we say a lot, but when it comes to South Korea, we mean it.  It’s ironclad.  We’re going to continue to stand with the ROK and the Korean people.  We’re going to continue to remain committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.  And we’re going to stay committed to making sure that our defense posture, mutual defense posture, remains strong and ready to respond to any external provocations or threats.

MODERATOR:  Last question will go to line of Hiba Nasr.  Hiba, you should be able to unmute.

Q    Hi, how are you?  Can you hear me?

MR. KIRBY:  I gotcha.

Q    Hi, Kirby.  Happy New Year.  I have a question on Lebanon.  We are nearing now the end of the 60-day ceasefire period in Lebanon.  The Lebanese are saying that Israel is violating the agreement on a daily basis.  And there’s a genuine fear of a return to fighting, as well as the possibility of Israel remaining in Lebanon.  What are you doing to prevent this?

And also on Lebanon, my second question is: Next week, there’s a session to elect a president in Lebanon.  It’s not clear if they will succeed in doing that, but is there any message for them?

MR. KIRBY:  Look, on your first question, I think it’s safe to say, without getting into too much detail here, that we continue to want to see this ceasefire maintained.  And through intensive and active diplomacy, we’re working to that end.  And you’ll continue to see energy out of this administration to that exact outcome, to the ceasefire being maintained.  We believe that it has literally helped save lives, so we’re committed to it. 

I don’t have any comment today about the electoral situation in Lebanon, Hiba.  It’s important for the Lebanese people to have a voice and a vote in their futures so that their aspirations for peace and stability can be best achieved.  And we’ll leave it at that.  But, obviously, we’ll watch it very, very closely, of course.

MODERATOR:  Thanks, everyone.  That’s all the time we have for today.  Feel free to reach out to the NSC press team with any follow-up questions.  Thanks again.  Have a good rest of your day.

12:08 P.M. EST

The post On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby appeared first on The White House.

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

1:37 P.M. EST

MS.  JEAN-PIERRE:  Hello.  Good afternoon, everyone.  Happy New Year.

Q    Happy New Year.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.   Bear with me here.  I have a couple of things at the top.  

In the coming days, the president and first lady will travel to New Orleans, Louisiana.  The president and first lady will grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack on January 1st and meet with local and state officials on the ground. 

The president has been extremely focused on ensuring that everything possible be done to complete this investigation, ensure the safety of the community, and provide any and all federal assistance to support state and local officials. 

Since Wednesday, the president has held regular meetings with his Homeland Security team to receive the latest information on the investigation and convey the need to do everything possible to complete this investigation and keep the American people safe. 

The president has also spoken to the mayor of Lou- — New Orleans and the governor of Louisiana to offer support to both state and local officials.  His team remains in close touch with their teams.  And as the president said earlier today — you heard him moments ago — he has spoken with the families of the victims.

As he made clear, there is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities. 

The president continues to receive regular updates on both the investigation into the terrorist attack in New Orleans and the truck explosion in Las Vegas.  Both cases remain active investigations, and I will refer you to law enforcement to speak further about them. 

Next, as you all know, steel and steelworkers who produce it are the backbone of our economy and national security, powering our autos, our infrastructure, our defense.  Without domestic steel production and domestic steelworkers, our nation is less strong and less secure. 

CFIUS evaluation determined this acquisition would place one of America’s largest steel producers under foreign control and create a risk for our national security and our critical supply chains.  And CFIUS referred the matter to the president for his decision. 

So, the president took action to block the deal to U.S. Steel remains — so U.S. Steel remains a proud American company — American owned, American operated, by American union steelworkers, and the best in the world. 

The domestic steel industry is the strongest it has been in years because of the president’s actions to level the playing field for American steel and American steelworkers.  And the United States remains an open economy with record foreign direct investments under President Biden’s leadership.

As foreign competitors like China distort global steel markets through unfair trade practices, such as dumping and overproduction, it is critical that we have a strong domestic steel industry that protects our national security and our supply chains. 

Today, the president demonstrated once again that he will always act to protect the security of this nation, as well as the resilience of our supply. 

And then — so, with that, I’m going to — before I take questions, I want to add one more thing, which we haven’t done in a while, which is talk about the week ahead — next week — and then we’ll go into questions. 

In addition to his trip to New Orleans, the president and the first lady will travel to Los Angeles, California, on Monday.  The president will then travel to Eastern Coachella Valley, California, on Tuesday. 

On Thursday, the president and the first lady will attend the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter.  As President Biden said, “The world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.”  The president and the first lady look forward to honoring a great American who gave his life to service.

And finally, on Thursday afternoon, the president and the first lady will travel to Rome, Italy, from the 9th to — from January 9th to the 12th.  During the visit, the president will meet separately with His Holiness Pope Francis, the president of Italy, and the prime minister of Italy as well. 

And as always, we’ll have more to share as we get closer to the trips and events to come.  But before I even go to your questions, I have one more thing that I wanted to add — a personal note.  Jeremy and Jacob, thank you so much for your service.  They will be leaving our team.  This is going to be — next week is going to be really your last week, but we didn’t have an- — another opportunity to do this in the briefing room. 

So, I just wanted to say thank you to both.  You have been phenomenal to work with.  I’m going to miss you both and wish you the best in your upcoming endeavors in your career.  But just wanted to — to thank them here in the — at the podium.

And if you guys have a chance, make sure to — to offer you up your well wishes to Jeremy and Jacob next week. 

And with that, you have the first question.  Fatima.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  I have three questions. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Sure.

Q    Firstly, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has for years talked about friendshoring and countering the ambitions of China with allies.  Will the president’s decision on Nippon undercut efforts to strengthen relationships with our allies?  And could this decision potentially damage the U.S.’s relationship with Japan?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  This is not about Japan.  It’s not.  And you have watched this president, really, in the last four years, strengthen his relationship with our allies, obviously abroad. 

And, you know, we have worked, certainly, together to strengthen our economic partnership with Japan.  We have been in touch with Japan and conveyed — conveyed our thoughts directly to them.  This is about the need — you heard me talk about how now U.S. Steel is going to stay American owned and American operated, and this is what’s important to this president, and that he’s been very clear about that. 

So, this is about continuing that, making sure that we are strong domestically (inaudible) operated steel industry for our national security and for our — for our resilient supply chain, and how important that would be.

So — and I also stated at the top how if you look at the — the work that this president has done over the last four years, the steel industry is the strongest — it’s the strongest that it’s been in years because of the actions that this president has done every day since day one to make sure that we protect that.

And so, the president believes that we need major U.S. companies representing a major share of U.S. steelmaking capacity and to keep leading that fight on behalf of America’s national interests. 

And so, that’s why the president made this decision.  He’s always been very clear about that.  We’ve always been very consistent about that. 

And so, that’s going to be our focus — continuing to be our focus, obviously. 

Q    Earlier today, the president said he spoke with families of the victims of New Orleans attack.  What

did he tell them?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I’m not going to get into private conversation that the president has had with families.  We — we don’t do that. 

We’ll — certainly, if the families choose to speak about their conversation with the president, obviously they have the right to do that. 

Our hearts certainly go out to the families who lost their loved ones on a — a day that should have been a celebrated day to such — to such an act of violence.  Obviously, this is something that we will continue to condone [condemn]. 

But as I stated at the top, the president and the first lady are going to New Orleans in the upcoming days, and they’re going to grieve with the family. 

And, sadly, that is something that you have seen them do many times over the last four years.  When an awful event happens, they are there.  They want to be there, especially at this magnitude.  They want to be there and be — be with the family and mourn with the family. 

And so, again, this is — was a certainly an awful, awful event that happened on the day that we should have all been celebrating: an incoming new year.  And so, our hearts go out to the families and also to the communities who are dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy. 

Q    And does the vice president plan to oversee the certification of the election results on Monday?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I believe that is her plans.  I would have to refer you to the vice president’s office on her schedule, but I believe so.  Yes.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  How does the attack in New Orleans and the explosion in Las Vegas increase concerns in the administration about security surrounding the certification of the vote, the Carter funeral next week here in Washington, the inauguration, and even looking ahead to the Super Bowl next month in New Orleans?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, all of the events that you just laid out is a certainly high priority for this administration.

The Department of Homeland Security and federal law enforcement have well-established safety and security protocols in place, especially as we speak to the inauguration, obviously.  And so, they have been preparing for months to ensure that — the security of these events and the safety of those attending them.

So, again, this is something that we’ve worked through for months now.  And so, we are working, you know, tirelessly every single day to ensure the safety and security of the inauguration, the safety and security of major events that you just laid out. 

It is important to the president that we continue to protect, as I said at the top, American communities, communities across the country.  And, certainly, that’s what the president is going to — wants his team to focus on, and that’s what they have been focusing on.

Q    Both suspects in New Orleans and Las Vegas served in the military.  Does the president find that aspect of this troubling?  And is he concerned about a problem of radicalization in the military?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, I’m going to — obviously, the FBI is continuing their investigation.  So, they can speak to the FBI and the Department of Defense, as you just stated, because of their — of their status and affiliation to the — to — to their military service, I would have to refer you to Department of Defense to speak to that specifically.

I don’t want to get into — into a back-and-forth on this — on this.  What we can say is: continue to condemn any form of violence and do whatever we can and continue to do the work, obviously, to make sure that there is — a security protocol continues and we protect Americans and Americ– and certainly communities across the country. 

I’m not going to dive into the two — the two subjects.

Q    Can you say if the president had any reaction when he heard that detail about both of these suspects, though?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What I can say is the president is — his heart is going out to the family who were certainly affected and lost a loved one that day.  And what he wants to do is to make sure that his — his team is continuing to do the work to make sure that Americans are protected, communities are protected, and that’s what I can speak to. 

You heard that from the president multiple times this week already, and that’s going to be the president’s focus.

Yeah.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  President-elect Trump, a little while ago today, seemed to take issue with the fact that American flags will be flown at half-mast at the time of his inauguration, considering the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.  Is there any potential for that to not be the case?  Is that a decision that the White House would change?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Just say that one more time.  Say that one more time.  The pr- — the president-elect —

Q    The flags are due to be flown at half-mast at the time of the inauguration, and President Trump seems to be taking issue with that.  Is that a decision that the White House would consider reversing or reevaluating?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.

Go ahead.

Q    On U.S. Steel.  The U.S. relationship with Japan is strong.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    What is the national security concern the president sees by having this investment in — in an American company?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, you saw the president’s statement.  He — he talks about the CFIUS evaluation, how they ter- — determined that evaluation, how they got to their, again, determination that this acquisition would place one of America’s largest steel producers under the foreign control and create risk of our national security. 

This is from CFIUS.  They are independent.  The president said he was going to let the process play out, and it has played out. 

And so, if you think about our national security and our critical supply chain, you know, CFIUS, you know, referred the matter to the president to make that decision. 

And so, the president ta- — took that very seriously.  He’s always going to make sure that we put Americans first.  And that is how you saw this decision play out from this president. 

And I talked about China and how they tend to distort the global market’s steel with — through unfair trade practices.  And so, you know, this is something that the president took very, very seriously, and — and took CFIUS determination. 

We’ve got to remember, this is a cross-government — cross-government panel, when you think about CFIUS and the decision that they — they made. 

And so, that’s how the president came to this decision.  It is about making sure that a U.S. company is U.S. owned, U.S. operated; supporting, continuing to protect the — the U.S. steelmakers; obviously, a union.  And that’s what the president wanted — led with, and that’s how he made this — his decision. 

Q    Is it political?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, it’s not.  This is — again, as I was answering that question, I said, he said that CF- — we’ve al- — always said CFIUS is an independent body.  We let this process play out.  We made sure that this plocess [process] play out and — and that’s exactly what we did. 

And CFIUS made a determination, and they said this acquisition would create risk for our national security and our critical supply chain.  And the president took that, really, very seriously.  And he took a careful look — a careful look at the CFIUS evaluation.  And so, he decided to block this deal.

Q    One other.  President-elect Trump had communicated on his social media some inaccurate information related to New Orleans early on.  Is the president at all concerned about the flow of information and briefing and access to whatever intelligence or whatever he might need in terms of this transition?  Are you — is he comfortable with the information flow to the president-elect on matters like this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look — and — and I’m — I’m actually glad you asked this question, because one of the things that you all do as a — a journalist bod- — a journalist body is that you are able to fact-check and say that what was stated by the president-elect was simply false.  And I think that is important — right? — which is why we respect the — the hard work that all of you do.

As it relates to the president and the information that he gets, obviously, that’s something for ODNI, if it’s — if it’s related to intelligence and specific information in that nature.  I’m not going to speculate beyond that, and I’m just going to leave it there.

Go ahead.

Q    Just three things.  The FBI, NCTC, DHS put out a law enforcement bulletin earlier today warning of copycat attacks in the wake of New Orleans.  What assurances can the White House offer to the public, many of whom might be scared of this kind of vehicle-ramming attack? 

And to build on the earlier question, beyond just radicalization, you know, is there a wider concern about the mental health implications connected to service members, given the similarities?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, so, as it relates to the second part of your question, I’m going to have to refer you to the Department of Defense.  They can speak to that.  I’m not going to litigate that from here. 

Look, when it comes to — and you’re right, the bulletin was put out.  And what I can say is: DHS and law enforcement remain vigilant to any potential copycat.  And so, they’re going to cons- — consistently — DHS and law enforcement are going to consistently — consistently evaluate threats and going to share the latest information to disrupt any potential copycats, potential threats.  And so, that is their commitment.  That’s what they’re working hard to do.  And so, they’re going to be vigilant — continue to be vigilant on that aspect.

Q    On bird flu.  The bird flu outbreak is escalating.  At least 66 human infections across 10 states now.  The federal government has two bird flu vaccine candidates available.  Why not ask the FDA to authorize them, even for particularly vulnerable farmworkers?  Why defer a decision on a vaccine to the next administration? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And so, look, that is something, as you know, the FDA — that is something that they decide on.  They have a committee that — when they have to make decisions like this.  So, I would have to leave it to them on how they move forward with that. 

Look, we remain — we take this very seriously.  And USDA, HHS are — are on top of this.  We are in touch with them.  They’re certainly in touch with local authorities on this. 

And so, I do want to be very clear that CDC has been on top — have said themselves that the risk to the general public is — is still low.  And so, we want to make sure that the American people are listening to CDC, and they can — and they certainly need to continue to do so.  And we want to make sure, obviously, the nation’s food — food supply remains safe. 

And so, a couple things that I do want to lay out that we have been able to do that the — from this administration, which is protect — directed the — we made sure that — since March, when this was detected — to protect the public health, protect animal health, protect our nation’s food supply, and monitor all trends to prevent the spread of avian flu.  So, this work is going to continue. 

All relevant federal agencies continue to coordinate, as I just stated, with local authorities, and so we’re going to do that as — be consistent with that as we’ve done since March.  And so, that’s what the administration is going to fo- — focus on. 

Q    But is the president concerned about deferring a decision about a vaccine to the next administration?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m — I’m not going to get into hypotheticals about what the next administration is going to do or not do. 

This is something that rests in the world of FDA.  And so, we want to let them lead by science and the facts.  We’ve been — that’s — we’ve been pretty consistent on that over the last four years.  And so, we’re going to leave it to FDA. 

But I — I’m just not going to get into hypotheticals about what the — what the next administration is going to do or not. 

Q    Last thing on a different topic.  There have been reports that Chinese government hackers have breached a really sensitive office within the U.S. Treasury.  OFAC, of course, administers economic sanctions.  What more can you tell us about the scope of this and what information has been compromised?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, what I can say is the president was briefed on this.  We are closely tracking the incident.  We’re working to identify actions to mitigate the future risk to U.S. government networks.

And anything further, I would have to refer you to the U.S. Treasury Department, FBI.  They could speak to specifics on this particular incident.

But the president has been briefed, and we’re certainly closely tracking the incident. 

Q    Do you know of any taxpayer information or any PII —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I would have to —

Q    — has been compromised?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I would have to refer you to the Treasury Department on that.  And the FBI, as you know, is investigating this.

Go ahead.

Q    Hi.  Has the president signed the Social Security Fairness Act?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, he will sign the Social Security Fairness Act in the upcoming days.  Once we have that information, we’ll certainly share with you on that day — particular day. 

Q    Can you just clarify?  My understanding was it would be pocket vetoed if he didn’t sign it by noon today.  Are you saying that’s not the case?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I can say to you that the president is going to sign it.  I can’t speak to the specifics of what you just laid out.  I know the president is — is looking forward to signing that.

Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  U.S. Steel has warned that — that it may or likely would have to close steel mills if the deal fell through.  To what degree did the — did the president take that into consideration?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I can say this — that we are confident — the president is confident that domestic steel and domestic steelworkers are going to continue to thrive because of the work that he’s done, because of the commitment that he has had to — to this industry. 

As I said at the top, this is the strongest — it is i- — it’s in its strongest — the — the steel industry is the — stronger than it — that it’s been in years because of what the president has been able to do. 

And you think about manufacturing investment, you think about tariffs on Chinese steel imports, that’s — has made the industry stronger, those actions that the president has taken.  You’ve seen more than 100 new steel and iron mills have opened since the president took office. 

So, we’re very confident that this is an industry that’s going to continue to thrive. 

Q    If — if there are — if there are mills that are closed, if there are layoffs, would the president need to take some responsibility for that? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I mean, that’s a — that’s a hypothetical.  I’m not going to get into hypotheticals.  What I can say is the president has taken strong actions over the last four years. 

I just mentioned a hundred new steel mills that were created.  What he was able to do on — on Chinese steel imports, tariffs on Chi- — Chinese steel imports.  That has made — made that industry stro- — stronger.  Manufacturing investments, all of that has made that industry stronger.

And so, we believe it’s going to continue to thrive.  I’m not going to get into hypotheticals from here.  Obviously, the president took — took this decision really — you know, he — he really took it seriously and made a decision on behalf of — a behalf of — on behalf of the American people, and that’s how he came to this decision. 

Obviously, this is a president that has had a lot of — a lot of focus and wanting to continue to make sure we uplifted, certainly, union workers.  And that’s what you’ve seen from this president.

Yeah.

Q    Karine, a number of the — the president’s actions in recent days have — have seemed intended to undercut some of the threats that the president-elect has made or actions that he’d said he’ll put into place.  You know, he awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, who the president-elect has said should be in jail.  You all have the upcoming monument declarations next week and, also, the decision that the president is expected to make on banning drilling in certain federal waters.  Are there other actions that we should expect from him in the coming days that — that he’s planning to take in anticipation of President Trump — President-elect Trump taking over?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’m going to be clear.  I don’t have any announcements to make on — on any of the things that you just laid out — policy announcements to make.  So, don’t want to get ahead of — of where we are.

What the president is doing and what he said he would do is continue to focus on the American people, continue to deliver on critical investments that he thinks matters of the direction as — as we go — as we move forward as a country. 

Look, if you think about, for example, the monuments and those decisions that he’s made on protecting more than 46 million land and water, I think that’s — shows the president’s commitment to make sure that we preserve — to preserve our — our environment, that we can really focus on climate — climate investment, climate change. 

I mean, there’s nothing new there.  That’s been part of the president’s platform from the beginning.  He happens to really respect Liz Cheney.  He happens to really respect the congressman.  And that’s why he made that decision. 

And, look, the president is always going to lift up Americans that have put their country first is what we have seen.  And he’s done that throughout the four years, not just this past week.  He’s going to always make decisions that he believes is best for the American people. 

I mean, there’s nothing new there.  I think that is — if you look at what the president has done in the last four years, this is all consistent to what he believes and he believes — and what he believes is the best way to move this country forward. 

Q    Are there other actions that we should anticipate?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to get ahead of the president.  We have 17 days left in this administration.  The president has a jam-packed schedule, and he’s going to continue to focus on ways that we can move forward — invest in this country, invest in — in communities, and continue to lift up — lift up all the — all — you know, all what he believes this country can be.

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  President Biden has staked his presidency on the preservation of democracy and has commemorated January 6th in different ways every year.  What, if anything, will he do to commemorate the anniversary on Monday?  And in that context, does he still believe Donald Trump is a threat to democracy?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I don’t have anything to share at this moment.  You will hear from the president on Ja- — about January 6th — his thoughts on January 6th in 2021.  Nothing has changed. 

And I think this is a president that has spoken multiple times in the last four years and beyond about democracy — the importance of democracy, protecting our democracy.  And so, I would expect that he will continue to be steadfast on that. 

Q    And then, I imagine the president is reflecting on Jimmy Carter this week.  And so much of Carter’s legacy is his service to both the nation and the world in his post-presidency.  So, I wonder how President Biden is thinking about his own post-presidential service and what he wants that legacy to be. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to get ahead of this president.  He’s going to have an opportunity to speak to all of you.  You’re going to hear ma- — from him many times in the next 17 days about his thoughts about his presidency.  I’m going to let him speak for himself.  

But I think if you look at the last four years, what he’s been able to do — whether it’s climate change, whether it’s bringing the economy back on its feet, whether it’s investment — manufacturing investment in this country — he’s had a historic presidency.  He’s done more in one term than most presidents have been able to do in two terms. 

And that is — that is just the facts.  That is what we’ve been able to see from the Biden-Harris administration. 

So, I think it speaks for itself.  But as far as the president and his personal thoughts, his personal views, I’m going to leave it to him to speak to.

Go ahead, Jared.

Q    One more on U.S. Steel.  I guess, more broadly, what message should other foreign companies who are considering investing in the United States take away from this decision by the president?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, again, this wasn’t about Japan.  It’s not about Japan.  This — we have a strong alliance with Japan.  We have worked together — as you know, I’ve mentioned before — to — to strengthen our economic partnership.  That is something that you’ve seen this president work tirelessly on over the past four years.

And certainly, we talked to Japan about this particular decision.  We’ve been in direct touch. 

This is about a domestically owned, operated steel industry.  And we’re talking about our for- — our — our national security, of course, but also our supply chain — our resilient supply chain.

so, that’s what the president wanted to focus on.  That’s what you saw, this action from this president.

And so, that is going to be our focus.  We’re going to continue to work on our relationships with our allies across the globe.  That is something that we’re going to continue to do. 

I just talked about the president going to Rome next week.  Certainly, that is very important. 

The president, in the past four years, has been able to mend many of those relationships, and you’ve seen the president on the global stage and how those relationships have really mattered to our — to our friends across the — across the world. 

And so, that’s how we should — that’s how we see this.  This is not about Japan.  This is about what is right for — for America and what is right — and how we — how he saw the best way to move forward with this decision. 

Remember, CFIUS did this — did this analysis, and they provided us with their thoughts.  And the president took this very seriously.

Q    So, if it’s specific to steel, that — that’s sort of an industry that is —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — really viewed differently than other — like, whether it’s IT or — or chips or any other industry that a lot of foreign investment has come into the — the country for.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Say —

Q    I’m saying, there’s been a lot of foreign investment in other industries —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — beyond steel.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Those investments are not at risk, or they shouldn’t rethink those —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well —

Q    — as a result of the —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, let’s —

Q    — U.S. Steel decision?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, let’s step back.  CFIUS took this on.  It’s an independent — independent evaluation and an independent agency.  And they gave their thoughts.  They gave their report to the president, and the president made this decision. 

So, let’s not forget how we even got here. 

And so, I’m not going to get into other industries.  I’m focusing on what CFIUS presented to this president and the decision that the president made. 

You heard from him.  He put out a statement on this in his voice, obviously, so you heard from directly.  You’ve heard from me on why the president made that decision. 

So, that’s why we are where we are today.

Go ahead.  Go ahead.

Q    Prior to the announcement today about U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel had said that it was going to sue if

this decision came to be.  Has there been any preparation for that?  Was that involved in the decision?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not — I’m — I’m not going to get into litigation, potential lawsuits from here.  That is something I would refer you to Department of Justice.  I’m just not going to do that — be pretty consistent. 

Go ahead. 

Wait, did I call on you already?

Q    You did.  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  I’ve got to call on somebody else.  I’m sorry. 

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Human rights and upholding international law has been made priority for the Biden administration.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  S- — say that one more time.

Q    Human rights —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Mm-hmm.

Q    — and upholding international law has been a priority for this administration.  We’re not disputing that, right?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I’m not disputing that.  You’re correct.  That is something that when I’m asked about it, we say that the president brings that up when he has meetings or bilateral meetings with — with world leaders.  He brings that up, and it’s always something that we certainly focus on, for sure.

Q    So, I don’t know if you’ve seen Amnesty International report, but basically detailing the arrest of doctors, health workers in Gaza.  And some of them has endure torture.  On December 27th, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya — he is the doctor for Kamal Adwan Hospital — was arrested.  And until now, we don’t know what it is his whereabout.  And there is fear from Amnesty International for his life. 

What is the White House doing to talk with a close ally like yours, which is Israel, to make sure that his life is spared and he is safe?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, on that particular matter, I would — I don’t have anything to share on any conversation on that specific Amnesty situation. 

Obviously, when it comes to humanitarian assistance, we continue, certainly, to be concerned of the lack of humanitarian assistance. 

This is something that we talk directly with our Israeli counterparts in the government, and so we will continue to do that.  You’ve seen Secretary Blinken and others who have gone into the region and have those conversation with Israel about that. 

I don’t have anything to share about that particular instance.  I would have to talk to the team, but — but that is something that we certainly take very seriously, when it comes to humanitarian aid and humanitarian workers being able to be allowed to do the job. 

But I — I can’t speak to that particular report.  I have to talk to our team.  I — I want to be really, really mindful on that. 

Q    But would you agree that arresting doctors in hospitals is a violation of human rights and international law?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  A- — again, I want to be super

mindful because you’re asking me about a particular incident that has occurred, and I just want to make sure I have all of the information.  I don’t want to give you an answer without having all the information.  And so, I’m just going to be super mindful and — and leave it there.

AIDE:  (Inaudible) time for one more.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  All right.

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  Is the president following the House speaker election process today? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So —

Q    He has worked with Mike Johnson.  Does he want to see the process play out smoothly?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we’ve always been very clear from here, from this administration, that we do not inject ourselves into any leadership election that is happening in Congress.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a Democrat or — or Republican, we stay out of it. 

The president is going to continue to focus on the job that he has ahead: 17 days of a — of a jam-packed schedule, focusing on the American people. 

We’re going to let Congress do their business.

Q    And why is the administration calling for cancer warning labels on alcohol now, at the end of the term, when there’s minimal political capital?  Were there conversations with Congress, and was there any pushback?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we obviously take any — any report that comes ind- — from an independent advisory –obviously, we take the findings very seriously, as we do now. 

It is important that Americans are informed and — about decisions that they have to make for themselves.

When it re- — w- — as it relates to this particular report, I have to refer you to the surgeon general’s office, but certainly we take any independent advisory report very, very seriously.

I don’t have anything beyond that. 

Thanks, guys.

Q    How about one from Fox? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you, everybody.  Have a good one.

Q    Does the president still consider white supremacy the greatest terrorist threat to the United States?

2:11 P.M. EST

The post Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre appeared first on The White House.

10:35 A.M. EST

MODERATOR:  Hi, everyone.  Good morning.  And thanks so much for joining today’s News of the Day Gaggle with National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger.  This call, as a reminder, is on the record.  I’ll turn it over to John Kirby to kick us off. 

MR. KIRBY:  Hey.  Good morning, everybody.  Thanks for doing this during the holiday week.  I hope, for those who celebrate, you all had a good Christmas and a peaceful and joyous Hanukkah season. 

We are really lucky in this gaggle, this last gaggle of 2024, to have a guest with us today.  As Eduardo said, our Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber, Anne Neuberger, is on the line.  Anne has an update on the Salt Typhoon incident that she’s going to provide.  Then, I’m going to join.  I’ve got a short topper on Russia-Ukraine that I want to share with you all.  And then we’ll open up questions, and we’ll try to knock this out in about a half an hour and let you get back to your eggnog. 

But, Anne, over to you.

MS. NEUBERGER:  Thanks so much, John.  Hello, everybody.  And just echoing and repeating John’s happy holidays greetings to everybody and best wishes for a healthy new year.

So I wanted to provide an update on the Salt Typhoon incident as we’ve continued to work with the companies who were affected and as we’ve continued to better understand the techniques that the Chinese actors use to compromise our telecom infrastructure and what we need to do about it. 

So, first — and then I will also provide a quick update on a rule that we’ll be posting shortly on the Federal Register related to the first update in 20 years of rules around protecting Americans’ healthcare data from rising cyber threats. 

So, first, as we look at China’s compromise of now nine telecom companies, the first step is creating a defensible infrastructure.  We wouldn’t leave our homes, our offices unlocked, and yet our critical infrastructure — the private companies owning and operating our critical infrastructure often do not have the basic cybersecurity practices in place that would make our infrastructure riskier, costlier, and harder for countries and criminals to attack. 

So, the first step, as I’ve mentioned, is creating that defensible infrastructure.  And what we’ve learned from the investigation, in fact, is that there’s four categories of things that are needed in this space: better management of configuration; better vulnerability management of networks; better work across the telecom sector to share information when incidents occur and the same techniques are used to compromise telecoms. 

That’s why we stood up the Enduring Security Framework 60-day effort that involves all of the telecoms.  Their CEOs signed off on their participating.  And we are documenting rapid, high-impact efforts, bringing the best experts from the intelligence community, CISA, and the FBI, together with the best telecom security experts, to document what is needed. 

However, we know that voluntary cybersecurity practices are inadequate to protect against China, Russia, and Iran hacking of our critical infrastructure.  That is why the FCC launched their notice of a public rule.  They’re waiting for all FCC commissioners to vote on that rule by January 15th, and we really are eager to have the bipartisan support across the FCC to ensure that telecom companies must put in place those basic cybersecurity practices that would make it harder, riskier, and costlier for the Chinese to compromise those networks in the future. 

In addition, GSA is reviewing our government contracts to ensure that we’re using the power of government procurement to also require high-impact cybersecurity practices.  And I would note that we would be following in the footsteps of Australia and the UK, who have already put in place telecom regulations because they recognize that the nation’s secrets, the nation’s economy lies on their telecommunications sector. 

And when I talked with our UK colleagues and I asked, you know, “Do you believe your regulations would have prevented the Salt Typhoon attack,” their comment to me was, “We would have found it faster, we would have contained it faster, it wouldn’t have spread as widely and have had the impact and been as undiscovered for as long had those regulations been in place.”  And that’s a powerful message. 

In addition, I wanted to, as I mentioned, give an update on the notice that HHS will be publishing later today of a proposed rulemaking to modify the HIPAA security rule from 1996 to strengthen cybersecurity protections for electronic protected health information. 

The proposed rule would add new cybersecurity requirements and improve existing security requirements, adding additional clarity and specificity.  And this is — in the last five years, there’s been an alarming growth, 1,002 percent, in the number of Americans affected by large breaches of healthcare information, over 167 million individuals in 2023 alone.  Since 2019, large breaching caused by hacking and ransomware have increased 89 percent and 102 percent. 

And I must say, in this job, one of the most concerning and really troubling things we deal with is hacking of hospitals, hacking of healthcare data.  We see hospitals forced to operate manually.  We see Americans’ sensitive healthcare data, sensitive mental health procedures, sensitive procedures being leaked on the dark web with the opportunity to blackmail individuals with that. 

And because of that, you know, the Biden administration, President Biden, HHS is committed to protecting the security of health information. 

Given the significant increase in cyberattacks and common compliance deficiencies, HHS is issuing this new rule.  And what I want to highlight is the security rule was first published in 2003.  It was last revised in 2013.  So, this is the first update to this 20-year rule in over a decade.  And it will require entities who maintain healthcare data to do things like encrypt that data so if it’s hacked, it cannot be leaked on the Web and endanger individuals and monitor their networks, do compliance checks of their networks to see that they meet those cybersecurity rules.  And I’m happy to go into more details or further questions later.

I want to hit the question of cost.  While there would indeed be an increase in the implementation costs for the proposed rule, if finalized — and we estimate it would be $9 billion for the first year, $6 billion for year two to five — the cost of not acting is not only high, it also endangers critical infrastructure and patient safety, and it carries other harmful consequences. 

I’ll give just two examples.  In 2023, the average cost of a breach in healthcare was $10.1 million.  The two biggest healthcare breaches we have ever experienced, Ascension Health and Change Healthcare, both occurred in the last year, and you may have noted Change Healthcare noted that the cost of the breach will be approaching $800 million in the cost of recovery and the cost of operations, and, frankly, in the cost to Americans’ healthcare data and the operations of hospitals affected by it. 

So, happy to answer questions.  And with that, I’ll turn it over to John with warmest wishes for you for a happy holiday season.

MR. KIRBY:  Thank you, Anne.  And same to you.  I appreciate that very much. 

Okay, so what I wanted to talk a little bit about was the situation in and around Kursk.  We now assess that North Korean forces are conducting massed — massed, dismounted assaults against Ukrainian positions in Kursk.  And these human wave tactics that we’re seeing haven’t really been all that effective.  In fact, we assess that they’ve resulted in heavy casualties for these North Korean forces.  Our estimate is that, to date, they have suffered more than 1,000 killed or wounded in this particular fighting in just the past week of them fighting on the front lines.  So, 1,000 in just the past week.

It is clear that Russian and North Korean military leaders are treating these troops as expendable and ordering them on hopeless assaults against Ukrainian defenses.  These North Korean soldiers appear to be highly indoctrinated, pushing attacks even when it is clear that those attacks are futile. 

We also have reports of North Korean soldiers taking their own lives rather than surrendering to Ukrainian forces, likely out of fear of reprisal against their families in North Korea in the event that they’re captured. 

And I think it’s important to keep all this in mind and it all comes in context, of course, is the — in the early hours of Christmas when the Russians launched waves of missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities, particularly critical energy infrastructure.  No doubt this was all about weaponizing winter and weaponizing energy, making it harder for the Ukrainian people to get the heat that they need simply to subsist. 

That’s why we’re going to stay absolutely committed to making sure that we are bolstering Ukrainian air defense capabilities as well as other capabilities, of course.  And I think you’re going to see — well, no, I know you’re going to see here in the next day or so, certainly over the course of the next couple of days, yet another security assistance package by the United States, approved by the President, which will include, of course, air defense systems for Ukraine to help them beat back against these attacks and also to help them in fighting in and around Kursk to beat back these North Korean waves, as well as continue their defensive operations against the Russians in the east, where the Russians continue to make some plotting progress. 

So with that, Eduardo, we can open it up for questions.

MODERATOR:  Awesome.  Thank you.  First up, we’ll go to the line of Mike Memoli.

Q    Hey, John.  Greetings from St. Croix.  I hope you’re having a good holiday. 

I wanted to ask about comments overnight from President Putin seeming to signal openness to peace talks in Slovakia.  The prime minister had just been at the Kremlin and reiterated and made that offer to the Russians.  What does the U.S. think of that possibility?

And secondly, if I can ask as well, I’m wondering if you can weigh in any more on how the U.S. assesses the possibility of Russia having downed that Azerbaijan jet.  Obviously, we had a statement yesterday, but how — if there’s anything more you can say about how the U.S. came to that assessment. 

MR. KIRBY:  So, on your first question, we have always said from the beginning: Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.  Ukraine has got to be center stage when it comes to any kind of negotiation.  We’ve also always said that any other nation that wants to get involved in helping a negotiated settlement in this war needs to be in complete lockstep with President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people.  He gets to determine if and when he’s ready to negotiate, and he gets to determine the circumstances and the conditions under which he would do that. 

The last thing I’d say, Mike, is that Putin’s comments are pretty vacuous.  I mean, he has shown absolutely zero interest in a negotiated settlement.  I mean, as I just said — mentioned in my topper and you saw the statement by the President, I mean, just over Christmas Day he’s launching waves of missiles and drones against Ukrainian infrastructure.  This is not a man who anyone should take seriously when it comes to saying he’s ready for a negotiated settlement.  He has proven quite the contrary in almost every single possible way. 

So, again, we would obviously want to make sure that if and when it comes to a negotiated settlement, no matter who hosts that settlement, that it is done in full concert with President Zelenskyy.  And in the meantime, until he’s ready, we’re going to make sure that he can negotiate in the best position of strength, which is why, as I said earlier, you’re going to see yet another presidential drawdown package here in coming days that will continue to bolster his ability to defend himself. 

On your second question, I really don’t have anything more to add.  We do have — have seen some early indications that would certainly point to the possibility that this jet was brought down by Russian air defense systems.  That said, there’s an ongoing investigation right now.  Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are conducting this jointly.  We have offered our assistance to that investigation should they need it, should they want it.  But we’re going to respect that process, and I really don’t have anything more to add.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Dustin Volz.

Q    Hi there.  Thank you so much for doing this.  If I could just go back to Anne on Salt Typhoon.  Thank you for the update.  This ninth U.S. telecom victim, I was just wondering if you could give any more details on sort of the timing of that discussion, (inaudible), you could clarify sort of how recently that was detected, and if you anticipate that more victims will continue to be discovered as this investigation continues.  Thank you. 

MS. NEUBERGER:  Thanks, Dustin.  So, one of the steps we took early on was to release two guidance: one, a hunting guide and a hardening guide.  And the hunting guide essentially captured the Chinese techniques, and it went out to key telecom companies to have them look for those techniques on their networks and call in for help if they discover it.  So, from that, yes, a ninth company was identified.

And the hardening guidance is its companion.  As we’ve been working with key telecom companies that were affected, on the hardening guidance, we’re now refining it based on what we’re learning.  I mentioned that’s why we stood up the ESF effort, because we see that very specific things would actually make it riskier, costlier, and harder for the Chinese, managing the management plane of the network, treating configuration management differently, segmenting the network. 

One of the things that happened is the Chinese gained access to networks, essentially had broad and full access.  That’s why they’ve been able — we believe that’s why they had the capability to geolocate millions of individuals, to record phone calls at will, because they had that broad access. 

So, some of the recommendations, some of the requirements that we’re looking for the FCC to include include segmenting the networks.  Even if an attacker like the Chinese government gets access to a network, they’re controlled and they’re contained. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Next up we’ll go to the line of Karen DeYoung.

Q    Hi.  I wanted to ask about Yemen and the Israeli strikes against the international airport.  I wondered if the United States is in agreement with that, targeting those places, especially when a lot of civilians are there, if you think that was a worthwhile strike.

Also, if you could give us a readout on the recent round of U.S. and UK strikes, how successful they were, and if you plan on continuing that. 

And finally, to ask about the shipping.  There seems to have been — we haven’t heard about any shipping-related strikes recently.  Is that because the Houthis have sort of stopped attacking ships as they’ve been attacking Israel?  Or is there some — do we have some shortage in our interceptor supplies?

MR. KIRBY:  There’s an awful lot there, Karen.  I’ll try to take them in order.

On your first question, I’ll let the IDF speak to their military operations, as we typically do.  I’m not going to comment on individual strikes that they take to defend themselves.  I would just say that the Houthis continue to pose a real, a present, and a viable threat to the safety and security of the Israeli people as the Houthis — and you mentioned it in your question to me — continue to launch strikes against Israeli soil itself.  So they have a right to defend themselves.

Now, as we’ve also said and continue to say, how they defend themselves matters, of course, and we want to see them conduct our operations with a minimal impact on civilian infrastructure and certainly at much less risk to the civilian population, and that’s a conversation that we continue to have with them, and I can assure you that those conversations are ongoing.

On the strikes that we’ve been conducting as part of our coalition effort, I would point you to the Pentagon to speak to battle damage assessment.  I’m afraid I don’t have that level of detail here this morning. 

That said, those missions are important in terms of further degrading Houthi capabilities.  We believe that, in the main, these strikes have been effective, but clearly there are continued threats posed by the Houthis, continued capabilities that they are able to deploy and use against commercial and warship activity in the Red Sea.  And so, these strikes will continue for as long as that threat remains.  Clearly, they still have some capability to conduct these attacks, and not just against shipping but against the Israeli people as well. 

On the reduction, I think it’s most likely a combination of factors, Karen.  We believe it is certainly due in part to the strikes that we have been conducting and the degradation of their capabilities.  We haven’t eliminated that.  They still have the ability to strike out at shipping, but we do believe we have further degraded their ability to do so.

We also have extensive defensive capabilities as well.  I mean, we believe one of the reasons that you haven’t seen successful attacks against commercial shipping lately is because we also continue to sharpen and hone our defensive capabilities to prevent those attacks from succeeding.  And then, as you rightly also noted, one other factor could be that they have increased their attention on Israeli soil and attacks against the nation of Israel. 

So, I think it’s a combination of things, but the strikes will continue against their capabilities for as long as we believe those capabilities remain viable, and they still remain viable.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Martin Montague.

Q    Good morning.  Happy holidays.  I have questions for

Anne.  Anne, thank you for the update.  Appreciate it. 

You know, the number has come up from eight to nine.  I’m wondering if there’s any evidence that any of the firms have been able to fully evict the Chinese from their networks. 

And I’m also wondering if there’s any sort of idea, now that we’re a few weeks — few months, I should say, into this investigation, the total universe of Americans impacted by this breach, is there any sort of ballpark figure, rough estimate, back-of-the-envelope number you might be able to share?  Thank you.

MS. NEUBERGER:  Thanks so much, Martin.  So, two things I would say.  One is, you know, I’ve had the opportunity to lead both offensive and defensive operations, and the reality is that from what we’re seeing regarding the level of cybersecurity implemented across the telecom sector, those networks are not as defensible as they need to be to defend against a well-resourced, capable, offensive cyber actor like China. 

The reality is that China is targeting critical infrastructure in the United States — those are private sector companies — and we still see companies not doing the basics.  So, you know, in one telecoms case, there was one administrator account that had access to over 100,000 routers.  So, when the Chinese compromised that account, they gained that kind of broad access across the network.  That’s not meaningful cybersecurity to defend against a nation-state actor. 

So I think, at this point, what we need to see is we need to see the FCC’s rules, we need to see every member of the — all the FCC commissioners vote to implement the required minimum cybersecurity practices across telecom, because once those are in place, once companies are taking those steps to make their networks defensible, we would feel more confident to say that the Chinese actors have been evicted and can continue to not be able to come in. 

With regard to the total number impacted, we don’t yet have a good sense.  Our understanding is that a large number of individuals were geolocated in the Washington, D.C./Virginia area.  We believe it was the goal of identifying who those phones belong to and if they were government targets of interest for follow-on espionage and intelligence collection of communications, of texts, and phone calls on those particular phones. 

So, we believe a large number of individuals were affected by geolocation and metadata of phones; a smaller number around actual collection of phone calls and texts.  And I think the scale we’re talking about is far larger on the geolocation; probably less than 100 on the actual individuals. 

But everything we’re learning — we’re continuing to learn in the incident.  The Chinese, you know, were very careful about their techniques.  They erased logs.  In many cases, companies were not keeping adequate logs.  So, there are details likely, Martin, that we will never know regarding the scope and scale of this.  And that’s why we’re looking forward and saying let’s lock down this infrastructure.  And, frankly, let’s hold the Chinese accountable for this. 

You saw the action, I’ll just reference, that the Department of Commerce took regarding China telecom.  There are further actions we’re working related to actions like that in that space as well that will be coming out over the next month and over the coming months.  Thanks.

MODERATOR:  Next up we’ll go to the line of Kellie Meyer.

Q    Hi, thanks for taking my call.  Merry Christmas, John.  Thank you for doing this today.

On the plane crash, I wanted to ask: Is POTUS monitoring this, the latest he’s been watching?  Can you share?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, Kellie.  Yeah, the President has been and will continue to be apprised and kept up to date on what’s going on.  But as I said, it’s actively being investigated.  He wanted to make sure that our team — and we did this both through our diplomats, but also through some NSC officials — made very clear to the Azerbaijani government that we stand ready and willing to help them, should they need it, with their investigation. 

But again, I don’t want to get ahead of where we are.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Sara Cook.

Q    Hey, thank you so much for doing this.  I had a couple questions.  One, on the crash.  Can you expand on what these early indications are that you’re seeing that it might have been a Russian missile system? 

And separately, can you comment on Marc Fogel receiving wrongfully detained status in Russia?

And if I may, on the strike that Israel conducted near a hospital on Thursday that left about 50 killed, including five hospital workers and five journalists, I’m wondering if you can comment on that as well. 

MR. KIRBY:  All right, I’m going to be completely unsatisfying to you on almost all of these. 

I’m not going to get into what the early indications are that we’re looking at.  I think hopefully you can understand why I won’t do that, but we do have early indications. 

Again, I want to clarify: These are early indications.  There is an active investigation going on, and I don’t want to get ahead of where we are right now. 

I’m going to leave the State Department to speak to Mr. Fogel and his classification.  That is a determination that they make, and they have a process for that.  And I really think it’s better if you ask them what that — about that process and his particular case.

And on your last question, we’ve said time and time and time again: Hospitals should not be active scenes of combat and conflict.  People should be able to — be able to feel safe going to a hospital, get the medical care that they desperately need.  Sadly, we have seen in the past — again, time and time and time again — that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure, like schools and like hospitals, to store caches of weapons, to house fighters, to plan and coordinate. 

I can’t speak to this particular strike.  You guys are probably sick of me saying it, but I’ll say it again: I’m not going to speak to every IDF strike that they take.  I’ll let them speak to their operations.  But again, they still have an active threat from Hamas — Hamas fighters.  They should speak to how they’re dealing with that threat.  We don’t want to see hospitals as the scene of conflict.  And I’ll leave it at that. 

I do want to, if I could, while I remember — Karen DeYoung asked me about interceptor supplies for the United States Navy.  Again, this will be an unsatisfying answer, but I didn’t want to think — I didn’t want Karen to think I was blowing that off.  That would really be a question more for the Pentagon to speak to in terms of their inventory.  I would be surprised if they’re willing to publicly disclose what their inventory of air defense interceptors are aboard their surface ships in the Red Sea.  That’s not the kind of thing that we make public. 

But again, I would point you to the U.S. Navy or to DOD, and I just didn’t want you to think I blew that part of your question off.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We’ve got time for a couple more questions.  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Lucas Thompson.

Q    John, is President Biden committed to the destruction of the Houthis in Yemen before he leaves office?

MR. KIRBY:  Hey, Lucas.  This is about destroying their ability to conduct these kinds of attacks.  It’s not about wiping every Houthi fighter off the map.  This is about preventing them from threatening commercial and, quite frankly, naval ship activity in and around the Red Sea, as well as helping degrade and prevent their ability to continue to launch drones and missiles at Israel.  So that’s what this is about. 

And as I said in my answer to Karen, we’re going to continue that effort.  For as long as he’s Commander-in-Chief, we’re going to continue to conduct those kinds of strikes and continue to try to degrade those capabilities.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Eric Bazail.

Q    John, thanks so much for doing this.  Do you have any updates on the state of Gaza ceasefire talks, especially in light of some back-and-forth comments between Israeli and some of the Hamas leaders on Wednesday that Al Jazeera and other outlets reported on?

MR. KIRBY:  What I can tell you, in all honesty — and we had a conversation on this this morning — that our backs are to it, and we are continuing to work on this as hard as we can to try to get a ceasefire deal in place before we leave office.  And the team is, again, actively working this even today. 

I don’t have any specific updates to share with you.  Obviously, if we did, we would be sharing with you if we had some kind of breakthrough; we’re not there yet. 

I would just add again that Hamas is the obstacle.  As you get down towards what you believe is a conclusion of a negotiation, which we believe we are close to, it’s the specific details that become the issues over which the sides barter.  And the closer you get to the end, the more detailed those discussions occur.  And that’s where it gets more difficult, and that’s really where we are.  And it is because of Hamas throwing up obstacles or refusing to move on any of these details that we are still not at a conclusion. 

But we believe, as Jake has said, we’re very, very close, and so we’re not going to give up on it.

MODERATOR:  Next up, we’ll go to the line of Dmitry Anopchenko.

Q    Hello.  Thank you very much for taking my question.  John, two short questions please.  Firstly, you mentioned the situation with the North Koreans.  Previously, it was reported that Ukraine will have the opportunity to use the American or Western long-range missiles or long-range capabilities hitting any territory where the North Korea troops are.  So could you clarify the policy?

And secondly, there are a lot of talks about the upcoming meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group, the Ramstein Format, scheduled for January.  Could you share your understanding: Do you believe that it might be on the leaders’ level, or it will be on ministers’ level, as it was before? Thank you. 

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t have an update on the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Ramstein Format that you mentioned.  We’ll have more to say as we get closer to that, and I’m sure I’d point you to DOD to be the prime speaker to their plans for that. 

On your first question, I’ll let the Ukrainians talk about their operations and how they’re conducting their operations in and around Kursk.  Nothing has changed about our guidance to them in terms of how they can use long-range capabilities to defend themselves in that area.  But they should speak to what they’re doing, how they’re doing it, what they’re using.  I’m not going to get into that.  I haven’t done that for three years, and I’m not going to start doing it now. 

I’ll just say what I said before, and this kind of ties back to my topper: It remains deeply troubling that Mr. Putin has decided to use foreign troops on Russian soil to defend that soil, which is a historic move; hasn’t been done for decades.  We believe — continue to believe it’s a sign of his desperation as he tries to spread forces around a pretty wide front there and defend against the Ukrainians in and around Kursk. 

And as we said when they decided to move forward on this, those North Korean troops would be doing it at their own peril.  And, clearly, they’re under peril.  In just the last week alone, as I said, a thousand casualties that’s killed or wounded in the space of, what, seven, eight days. 

So I hope that for all the things — and I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again — for all the things that the Russian military has given these guys, whether it’s a rifle, ammunition, artillery, knapsacks, whatever the heck they’re getting, I hope they’re loading up their commanders with a bunch of body bags, because they’re clearly going to need it. 

MODERATOR:  Our last question will go to the line of Courtney Kube.

Q    Hi.  Thank you.  I know you don’t want to talk about the indications that you guys have on the plane, but I wonder if you can even say whether the U.S. indications, early indications, are more than just sort of the visual things that we’ve been hearing about from experts who are looking at the holes and saying it could be shrapnel and things.  Do you have actual — some kind of intelligence or information, whether it’s like infrared or something that’s beyond just sort of the informed speculation we’ve been seeing?

MR. KIRBY:  Short answer to your question, Court, is yes. And I’ll leave it at that.

MODERATOR:  And that’s all the time we have for today.  Thank you, Kirby, and thank you, Anne, for joining.  And thanks, everyone, for listening in and asking your questions. 

If you have any follow-up questions, feel free to reach out to our team, and we’ll get back to you.  Hope everyone has a great rest of your day.

11:10 A.M. EST

The post On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby appeared first on The White House.

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

12:32 P.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Good afternoon, everyone. 

Q    Hello.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  A few things at the top.

So, as we announced yesterday, the president will travel to Rome, Italy, in early January to meet separately with His Holiness Pope Francis; president of Italy, Sergio Marttarella [Mattarella]; and prime minister of Italy Meleni — Meloni, pardon me — Giorgia Meloni.

The president will have an audience with the pope to discuss efforts to advance peace around the world.  And during his meetings with the Italian leaders, he will highlight the strength of the U.S.-Italy relationship, thank Prime Minister Meloni for her strong leadership of the G7 over the past year, and discuss important challenges facing the world.

We will provide more information in the days to come.

And next, earlier this week, as you all saw, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation announced a $1 billion financial initiative to support cons- — conservation of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

This is a result of the president’s recent trip to the Amazon and a continuation of the administration’s effort to support innovative ways to address climate change through sustainable growth and development without burdening countries facing financial constraints.

Switching gears just for a second here.  Today, President Biden announced student debt cancelation for another 55,000 public service — public service workers, bringing the total number in- — of individuals who have been approved for student debt relief under his administration to nearly 5 million people.

The pe- — the people approved for debts cancelation today include teachers, nurses, service members, law enforcement officials, and other public service workers who have dedicated their lives to giving back to their communities and who are finally earning the relief they are entitled to under the law.

Under the Biden-Harris administration, more than 1 million public service workers have received debt — student debt relief, more than all other — more than all other administrations combined since the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program was first established by Congress in 2007.

And finally, yesterday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published their November 2024 data, which shows that since President Biden’s — announced new executive actions to secure the border on June 4th, unlawful border crossing have dropped by more than 60 percent.  That’s the lowest levels in four and a half years.

The Biden-Harris administration has implemented an effective and balanced approach to secure our border and make our immigration system more fair and just.

With that, Colleen, what you got?

Q    Thanks, Karine.  So, I wondered if the president has spoken to any lawmakers personally about the potential for a shutdown.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, let me first say this — and I know you’ve seen our statements coming from — from here this week about this particular issue.  And we’ll just continue to reiterate that Republicans blew up this deal.  They did.  And they need to fix this, period.  They have to.

Republican needs to stop playing politics with a government shutdown.  And they are doing the bidding — they’re doing the bil- — bidding of their billionaire friends — that’s what we’re seeing — at the expense of hardworking Americans.

And just to quote you something that we saw today, and I’m sure you all saw from the poach- — Punchbowl News, which is, and I quote, “This has been an absolute disastrous week for the speaker; the president-elect, Donald Trump; and Republicans on — on Capitol Hill.” 

This is a mess that they created, and they need to fix this.

On your question, the president — I can confirm, just moments ago, the president was able to connect with Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries.  And — and also, just to add, that the president does indeed get regular updates.  He has been getting red- — regular updates from his team.  His team has been in touch with members — congressional members from both sides of the aisle.  And certainly, he will continue to stay updated.

Q    Has there been any communication between the president or the administration and the incoming administration on this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think the pres- — I think we have to be really clear here, and that is, this is a mess that Speaker — Speaker Johnson created.  It is his mess to fix.  There was a deal on the table.  They wa- — a bipartisan deal.  A bipartisan deal.  In this day and age, they were able to come up with a bipartisan deal. 

And, you know, that agreement, Speaker Johnson needs to stick to.  He needs to hold his commitment to that agreement.  And so, they have to fix this.  This is their — this is their mess that they created, and they need to fix it.

And let’s not forget, we’re ta- — not just — when we talk about keeping the government opening — open, we’re talking about providing fu- — funds for disasters — disaster recovery efforts, loweri- — to lower costs of prescription drugs.  That’s what we’re talking about. 

And the impact of this would hurt our veterans and would hurt vulnerable Americans across the country.  That’s what we’re talking about.  And Republicans need to do their job, and they need to uphold their side of the deal here.

Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Why hasn’t President Biden said anything in the public about this?  Don’t the American people deserve to know why millions of federal workers could enter this holiday period without a paycheck?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, Americans need to know that Republicans are getting in the way here and they are the ones who have created this mess.  That’s the reality.  That’s the fact. 

And the president — and let me just take a step back.  We — this is not the first time we’ve been here, and the president has had this approach before.  He understands how Congress works.  He’s been around for some time.  He understand what strategy works here to get this done. 

So, this is not — this is not the first time that we’re — I’m being asked this question about the president and his outreach.  I just mentioned he made two calls.  He was in touch — he was in touch with the leader — the Democratic leaders of both the House and the Senate, Schumer and — and Jeffries.  So — and his team is continuing to have that conversation. 

But this is the mess that was created by Speaker Johnson.  He needs to fix this.  That’s what the American people need to be very clear about — very clear. 

There was a bipartisan agreement, and he’s not holding up his side of the bargain here. 

Q    Right.  We hear that message from you, but why aren’t we hearing that directly from the president?  Why haven’t we seen or heard from President Biden himself?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  This is something — this is a strategy that we have done many times before.  Not the first time.  And this is for Republicans in Congress — in the House, specifically — to fix.  They created this mess. 

There was a bipartisan agreement.  There was.  There was a bipartisan agreement —

Q    So, the president doesn’t feel the need to come in front of cameras to speak directly to the American people?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  There was a bipartisan agreement.  There was a bipartisan agreement. 

And so, what we want to do and what we want to — what the president wants to make sure we do is — he stands to — ready to help get a bipartisan deal through.  That’s what he wants to see. 

And, you know, this is something that Republicans should own here.  What they tried to jam at the eleventh hour doesn’t reflect and — what the deal — what that bipartisan deal that they came up with — obviously, with Democrats.  And, you know, they’re showing — Republicans are showing a disregard for the American public — people.

Q    And, just lastly, some leading Democrats are calling Elon Musk “President Musk” or “Copresident Musk.”  What is the White House’s and President Biden’s reaction to this labeling of Elon Musk and whether or not House Republicans are listening more to this billionaire than the president-elect?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What I can say is congressional Republicans, at the direction — and you all know this; you all reported this — of President Trump and Elon Musk are, you know, trying to pave the way — what they’re doing is trying to pave the way for $5 trillion to nat- — to our national debt.  That’s what this decision does.

I mean, you’re talking about with — cuts for billionaires, slashing Social Security, slashing Medicare, slashing Head Start. 

Congressional Republicans did what they did because of what the president-elect said and what Elon Musk said.  That’s the reality.  You guys all reported this.  That’s why we are where we are today. 

So, this is for Speaker Johnson to fix.  This is the mess that he created.  He needs to fix this.

Again, a bipartisan agreement.  There is a bipartisan

agreement. 

Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Would the president support a four-bill strategy that we’ve seen discussed today, which would separate a clean CR from a Farm Bill extension and disaster aid and a debt limit increase?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to get into hypotheticals.

What I can say is there is a bi- — I’m going to get very repetitive here, because it is true and it needs to be said.  There is a bipartisan agreement.  There’s a deal that was agreed upon, and that’s what they need to move forward with. 

And when I mean “they,” I mean the Republicans in Congress.  They need to move forward with that deal.  That’s what they said w- — the deal that was agreed upon, that’s what they said they would move forward with.  The speaker said that, and he’s not holding up his side of the bargain.  He’s not.  His side of the deal, he is not holding up.

Q    Any response to President-elect Trump’s statements this morning that “This is a Biden problem, but if Republicans can help solve it, they will”?  I imagine you’ll repeat some of what you just said, but in response to that —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Congressional Republicans made their decision because of what the president-elect said — at their direction — the direction of the president-elect and the r- —  direction of Elon Musk. 

There was a bipartisan deal on the table.  They were moving forward.  The speaker agreed to do this — to move forward the bipartisan deal.  And they stopped that because of what the president-elect said and what Elon Musk said.  They wanted to clear a way for their billionaire friends — a tax cut — $5 trillion — $5 trillion to the national debt with tax cuts to billionaires — for billionaires. 

So, that’s the reality.  You all have reported this.  We’ve seen this.  We saw — we saw what was being stated, what was being put out there by the president-elect and Elon Musk.  There’s no hiding from that.  That’s the reality. 

And — and so, you know, we’re talking about — this is not politics here.  We’re talking about American — the American people who need these programs — who need it.

And so, Political [Politico] Playbook said — had to say — what they had to say about this: “Trump picked the fight.”  He picked the fight.  “And it was Trump — well, with — him and Elon Musk — who sank the bipartisan deal.”

That’s what you all are reporting.  You can’t — you can’t twist the facts or change history here. 

Go ahead.

Q    So, based on the White House’s assessment of where things stand right now on Capitol Hill, should Americans be prepared for the government to shut down tonight at midnight?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  There’s still time.  We believe there’s still time for that to not happen; for Republicans to do the right thing, to hold up their part of the deal and move forward with the bipartisan agreement.  There’s still time. 

And our focus is keeping the government open.  That’s what we want to see, and we hope Republicans want to do that — Republicans in Congress want to do that as well.  And there’s still time. 

Q    And we’ve talked a little bit here about how the president really has not been a player at all in these negotiations.  I know you said he spoke with Schumer and Jeffries today.  But what exactly is the strategy behind that?  Is there a sense that perhaps having him involved at this moment would do more harm than good?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I just — I just — I kind of took this question.  I got some formulation of that question moments ago.  The president knows how to deal with Congress.  He’s been around for some time, as you all know.  And this is not the first time that we’ve had this strategy where we have said it is Congress’s — one of their number one jobs is to keep the government open. 

In this particular instance, you saw what Republicans did with Speaker Johnson, obviously, leading us to this mess, to where we are right now.  And they need to fix it, period.  It is their mess to fix.  It is.  There was a deal — a bipartisan deal — there was — just days ago. 

And they created this mess.  Speaker Johnson needs to fix this.  Republicans in Congress needs to fix this.  It is their mess to fix, and they allowed this bipartisan deal to be scuttled by the president-elect. 

Q    And if the government shuts down for an extended period of time, would President Biden commit to remaining here in Washington and not going through with his holiday plans?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have anything.  I can’t get into hypotheticals.  I don’t have anything to share on this.  We believe, as I just said moments ago, there’s still time to get to a bipar- — to get to a deal here or move forward — I shouldn’t say “get to a deal” — move forward with a bipartisan agreement. 

They can avoid a shutdown.  They can.  They were on their way to doing that, and it was scuttled by the president-elect and Elon Musk.  This is why we’re here today.  That’s why we’re here today. 

Go ahead.  Yep.  Go ahead.

Q    Karine, you said that House Speaker Mike Johnson needs to fix this.  Has President Biden spoken to the House speaker, or does he have any plans to?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’ve answered this in so many ways, and I’m going to answer it now.  We got to be really clear.  Speaker Johnson created this mess, and he needs to fix it.  I don’t have anything else to add beyond that. 

He knows — the speaker knows how to fix this.  They got to a bipartisan deal.  He said he was going to move forward with it.  They stopped it because of the direction that they were given by the president-elect and Elon Musk. 

And right now, we need to focus and we need to continue to focus on the American people.  We’re talking about shutting down the government.  That will impact veterans’ programs, services that Americans truly need. 

They know how to fix this.  Republicans actually know how to fix this.  That’s why they — they were able to get a bipartisan agreement on the table. 

They know, in order to move forward with this, you need a bipartisan agreement, and there was one, and they did not move forward with it because of what they were told by President-elect Trump and also Elon Musk.

Go ahead, Gabe.

Q    Hi, Karine.  I’ll go at the question another way.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    In this moment, is the president leading?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  The president is the president of the United States, and he is leading. 

And to be very clear, as it relates to this, I’ve said this many times before — moments ago — and I’ll say it again.  We have done this strategy before — this is not new — where we have said Congress needs to deal with this.  This is — their number one job is to keep the government open.  And there was an agreement on the — on the table — not just an agreement, a bipartisan agreement. 

Speaker Johnson created this mess.  He needs to fix it, period.  Period.

Q    To be clear, the strategy is he is leading by staying in the background?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  The strategy is the Congress — Republicans, in particular — need to do their jobs and get out of their own way and focus on the American people, not their billionaire friends.  That is what needs to happen, and that’s what the president wants to see. 

Q    Does the president believe that the U.S. debt ceiling should be eliminated?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You all know where the president stands on this. 

His focus right now is keeping the government open.  That’s what he’s going to focus on. 

Q    The vice president canceled her trip to California.  Can you say why?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You would have to speak to her office.  I don’t have — I —

Q    And then —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — I can’t speak to that. 

Q    And then, finally, on Syria, really quickly.  The DOD said yesterday that there are about 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria.  That’s double what the administration has said beforehand.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Why the discrepancy?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I would have to refer you to the Department of Defense to speak to troop numbers.  That is their purview.  That is something that we have always been pretty consistent on that they have to speak to. 

I know that they said yesterday that the additional forces are considered temporary, that they are deployed to — to meet shifting mising req- — mission requirements, but I have to leave it to the Department of Defense, to the Pentagon to speak to troops. 

Q    But so — last question, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah. 

Q    And I know you have tried to answer it several times. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Laughs.)

Q    But shouldn’t Americans hear from the president of the United States just hours from a shutdown? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What Americans need to know is that you have Republicans in Congress, in the House, who got in a way, who stopped a bipartisan agreement.  They got in the way.  They created this mess. 

And I — and I said this mo- — earlier, when I said — and you all know this; you report this — it is not easy to get to a bipartisan agreement here in this town.  And there was one.

Both sides sat down.  They came to an agreement, which is a good thing for the American people.  We thought we were moving in that direction, and they decided to — Republicans decided to, instead, listen and give — give space to their billionaire friends and not put the American people first.  That’s what is happening.  That’s what we’re seeing. 

Go ahead, Michael.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Just wondering if you could give us an update on Nippon Steel’s pending purchase of U.S. Steel.  (Coughs.)  Excuse me.  The panel that is reviewing that transaction is expected to issue its recommendation soon.  So, I’m just wondering if you have any update on the timing.  And, also, is the president prepared to accept those recommendations, regardless of what they are, or does he plan to block this transaction?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to get ahead of the president.  I don’t have any announcement to make.  And — and so, I’m just going to leave it there.  Just don’t have anything to share.  Don’t have an announcement to make at this time and certainly not going to get ahead of the president at the podium. 

Q    (Inaudible) even the timing or —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I don’t — you know, CFIUS — that’s a CFIUS review.  They are independent.  We leave it to them to — to make that decision on the timing.  I just don’t have anything to share on this.

Go ahead, Karen.

Q    Could you talk a little bit more about the president’s trip next month to Italy? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    In your statement last night, you said that he had accepted the invitation of the pope to visit next month. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    How did that come about?  Did that just happen on the phone call yesterday? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Did the president express interest to the Vatican that he wanted to make this trip?  It’s pretty late in a term to be traveling so —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — soon — you know, close to the end like that.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So — so, I don’t have any information for you.  I would have to talk to the team about the timeline. 

Look, the president is looking forward to going back to — to Italy.  As you all know, he’s been there a couple of times in this — in — in his first term — in this term, and so he’s going to — and he’s met, obviously, a couple times in this administration alone with His Holiness Pope Francis, and obviously he’s — he looks forward to that. 

As you know, he is — he is a proud Catholic, and so that is something that he certainly was looking forward to that.  And — and having a conversation about peace around the world.  We know that is an issue that His Holiness cares about. 

I don’t have specifics or — or behind-the-scenes private conversations on how this landed and the timing of this.  What we can share is that it’s happening, the president looks forward to it, and we certainly will have more to share as we get closer, like we normally do when an OCONUS trip —

Q    And should —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — happens.

Q    — we should we expect domestic travel for the president in January?  Is he going to be out there doing any farewell speeches on policy issues in other parts of the country?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I would say, stay tuned.  We’ll certainly have more to share about what January will look like for the president.  Don’t have anything to — specifically to announce right now.

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  I’m just going to try to ask this a different way.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    The president is still —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re going to get the same answer.  (Laughs.)

Q    — in office.  I — I’m just going to try. 

He’s still in office for —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Feel free.  (Laughs.) 

Q    — a month.  The American people really haven’t heard from him on whether or not the government is going to shut down.  Wouldn’t the message hit differently if the president were out there countering the message that we’re hearing from the president-elect and Elon Musk?  Why isn’t he speaking on this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Republicans are breaking their word.  They are breaking their word to support a bipartisan agreement.  We would not be in this position if Republicans in the House did not break their word.  That’s where we are. 

And we’re talking about what the agreement — when you look about — when you think about what their agreement would do, it would lower prescription drugs costs and make it harder — make it harder to offshore jobs to China.  We’re talking about veterans who needs some- — this — these services.

And they — instead, what they want to do is they put forth a bill that would pave the way for tax break for billionaires.  That’s what they did.  Instead of going with a bipartisan agreement, they put forth something that would pave the way for their billionaire friends.  That’s not about the American people.  That is just not about the American people.  

And we have been here before when we’re trying to make sure that there’s not a government shutdown.  The president has had the same — kind of the same strategy.  He knows how to work with Congress. 

And so, in this instance, the Republicans blew this deal up.  They did.  They blew it up, and they need to fix it.  This is not for the president to fix.  This is not for us to fix.  This is for Republicans in Congress to fix this — the — the mess that they created. 

Q    But has he expressed any thoughts or feelings on the president-elect and Elon Musk’s —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You — you —

Q    — inter- —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re —

Q    — talking about this process?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re hearing what I’m saying, right? 

I speak for the president of the United States, so you’re — when I speak for the president of the United States, I’m speaking directly for him.  So, you are hearing where he feels about this, what his thoughts are about this.  And we tr- — believe, and the American people should know this, that Republicans need to fix the mess that they caused. 

The Speaker knows how to get this right.  To get this right is to move forward with a bipartisan agreement — the bipartisan agreement that they had come to not too long ago. 

We thought we were going to move forward with that agreement, and they blew it up.  They blew it up.

Q    Thanks, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re good?

Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Has agencies, has the government started informing employees who might be furloughed? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    You know, those specific folks, especially heading into the holiday season, are they being informed —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — that they might not get their paycheck? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we believe that Co- — there’s still time for Congress to prevent a partial shutdown.  We believe that.  But in the interest of t- — of prudent planning — we want to be prudent here — agencies did start notifying their employees for — of — of their potential furlough today at noon.  And so, on that specific — as it relates to furloughs, I would certainly refer you to OM- — OMB on those specifics. 

Q    And given the high stakes of this shutdown, again during the holiday season —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — affecting people like veterans, police officers —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Exactly.

Q    — et cetera, will the president speak to the American people if there is a shutdown so that they can hear from him directly —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I am not —

Q    — in that moment?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I am not going to get into hypotheticals, because we believe, as I just — the beginning of answering your last questions — that there’s still time to prevent a partial shutdown.  We believe that th- — that Congress — Republicans in Congress could get to a place where they prevent this.

Q    When is the next time that people will hear from the president?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to get into hypotheticals.

Q    (Inaudible.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It is very easy — it — I hear your question, but it is very easy to fix this. 

The mess that Republicans created, it is very easy for them to fix this: bipartisan deal agreement.  Move forward.  Keep — keep your word, Republicans in Congress.  Keep your word.  Keep your word. 

Go ahead. 

Q    Thank you, Karine.  I have a question on China.  In the final month of this adm- — administration, we continue to see high-level talks between the U.S. and China, including last week.  Is President Biden making his final effort to strengthen U.S.-China relationship ahead of Trump administration?  And are you concerned those (inaudible) you’ve established with China ma- — might be abandoned next year?  Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So — and I’m just going to repeat what the president has said, what the national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, have said from this podium ha- — about the relationship — the U.S. relationship with China.  And what the president remains doing is — and is incredibly focused on is managing the most consequential relationship.  You’ve heard both of them say that it is the most consequential relationship.  And it is because of the work of this administration that we are handling — handing off the U.S.-China relationship in a stronger, competitive position. 

Remember, in the beginning of this administration, we would talk about how it is about competition.  That’s how we wanted to kind of see that relationship as well — about competition.  So, that’s what the president and this administration is leaving the incoming relationship.

Under President Biden, we have made America stronger and positioned us to outcompete China through significant investments in the United States, developed closer relationship with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, increase our deterrent capabilities, and diminished China’s ability to exploit our most sensitive technologies. 

At the same time, we are carefully managing — and we have carefully managed this relationship through skilled diplomacy to prevent com- — competition from vering — veering into conflict.  Remember, that’s what we want.  We want competition, not conflict. 

So, we’re going to continue to manage this relationship.  I’m not going to get into hypotheticals of what the next administration may or may not do.  But what I can lay out, as I just did, is how the president has focused on this consequential relationship with — with China — the U.S.-China relationship.

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  Just following up on Karen’s question on the trip to Italy and what would be the second meeting with the pope.  We all know that for the president, his faith is very important, but this isn’t a trip he’s taking as a private citizen.  This is a —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — a trip he’s taking as head of state. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    So, what’s the broader message here?  Why this choice for what might be his final international trip?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we’re going to have more information, as we normally do.  We do background calls, press calls with all of you as we head into an OCONUS.  We’re going to do the same.  Nothing has changed.  And we will lay out the goals, the reasons, what we expect to get out of this trip. 

But I tried to give you a little bit of — of what the president — the logistics of what the — who the president is going to meet and — and the discussions that he’s hoping to have.

And let’s not forget, the prime minister is — she’s — she’s the leader of the G7 right now — right? — and has strong — has shown strong leadership.  So, that’s in- — important, too, to have — for him to — to have that — continue that diplomatic conversations with her as well. 

And so, certainly, we will have more to share as we get closer to — to the travel.

Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  There are some Republican lawmakers who are actually advocating for a government shutdown.  One example is Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia.  She says, “Shut it down.”  Can you explain the repercussions of what a partial government shutdown would be for specific groups?  For seniors —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — for veterans, for those that depend on government services, can you explain what —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — this possibility would mean for those individuals?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And it is sad that I have to explain that.  Really.  They are congressional members.  Their — one of their p- — duties is to keep the government open because, as you just stated, we’re talking about veterans, we’re talking about vulnerable Americans who need services that the federal government provides in order just to make it to the — through the day. 

And it is sad that — you know, what we’re seeing from Republicans is picking their billionaire friends — that’s what they’re doing — not the American people, not our veterans.  And we’re talking about basic services that are needed. 

OMB certainly could dive in and lay out the different programs that will be affect- — that — that will be impacted, that will impact Americans if this indeed happens. 

But, you know, Jon, we can avoid this.  They can avoid this.  This does not have to end this way.  We do not have to end with a government shutdown and — and really put a — a negative impact on American families, a negative impact on — on our veterans. 

This could be avoided.  Republicans in Congress don’t have to go this route.  They don’t.  There was a whole different route that they were going, which would have actually been done in a bipartisan way. 

We believe — this president believes that it is important as we move policies, as we move forward on behalf of the American we- — people, we do it in a bipartisan way.  And they had that deal.

Q    Do you happen to know if there would be a delay of any kind for Social Security recipients from receiving their checks —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — or members of the military from receiving their pay?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re laying out everything that we are concerned about.  Those are the things that we are concerned about.  Yes, those are concerns.

But there’s a way out of this.  There is.  Republicans need to fix this.  They need to fix this mess that they created.  It’s very easy to do.

Q    You do an excellent job advocating on behalf of the president, but do you think the president would do a better job if he was out there making those same ideas —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — present to the public in terms of what a shutdown would mean for all of those vulnerable Americans?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What I will say is Republicans need to do their job.  I would not be taking — fielding these questions from you all if Republicans didn’t lead us here.  They did.  They — they created this mess. 

The only reason we’re having this back-and-forth is because Republicans created this mess in Congress — in the House, specifically.  They created this mess, and they can fix it.  They were on their way to fixing this with this bipartisan agreement. 

So, I think the onus is on them to get this right.

Go ahead.

Q    Does the administration have any updates on the whereabouts of Austin Tice compared to last week?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, I don’t have any updates to share.  Obviously, it is a priority for this president to get Austin home.  That is something that certainly we want to see. 

I will speak to As- — Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf and Ambassador Roger Carstens’ travel to Damascus, Syria, to engage with Syrian people — with the Syrian people, including members of civil society, activists, and other Syrians, about their vision for the future of their country and how the United States can help support them. 

They also met with representatives of the interim authorities to discuss transition pri- — principles shared by the United States and regional partners.

In their meetings — to your question — they stressed the immense importance of finding missing U.S. citizens, including Austin Tice, and bringing them home.  So, that is a — continues to be a priority.

Any specifics about that — that meeting, I would refer you to the State Depart- — Department.  I know at 12:30, the two State — State Department officials held a — a on-the-record press conference.  So, I would refer you to that press conference that they had.  It might still be going, but they certainly were able to talk in more details and take questions about this.  And, again, they — they talk — they touched on — on Austin Tice and this and, more broadly, obviously, bringing U.S. citizens home.

Go ahead.

Q    Does the president have, say, three top priorities for things he still wants to accomplish in the next 31 days he is in office?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, one of the things that I can say is keeping the government open.  Right?  We want to make sure that that happens. 

Congress had a bipartisan agreement.  They should move forward.  Republicans should not get in the way.  Should pi- — should choose the Americ- — American people first, not Republican — Republican or their billionaire friends. 

And so, that is something that we have said many times from here: that that was a priority for this president.

Certainly, we want to continue to implement — excel the implementation of key priorities that the president has had, meaning the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, the CHIPS and Science Act.  We want to make sure that those investments — that continues, and we want to excel on that. 

And we’ve talked about continuing to lower costs as — as it relates to prescription drugs, but lowering costs more broadly, certainly, for the American people. 

And so, that’s our focus.  That’s what we’ve been doing.  And — and we’re going to continue — continue, certainly, to do that.

Q    Can we expect more announcements at — on at least some of those fronts in the next few weeks?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — look, I would say “stay tuned.”  We are trying to truly, truly run through the tape here and get as much done as we can for the American people. 

And we know that the American people wants us to continue to work on behalf — on their behalf, and that’s what the president is going to be focused on.

Q    And then, real briefly, since you mentioned the shutdown — different angle on that question.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Sure.

Q    Potential shutdown, I should say.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Should the American people be confident that, in the event of a shutdown, there would still be a smooth transition and inauguration process?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  That has been the president’s commitment.  That ha- — and that you’ve heard directly from him.  We want to make sure that there is a responsible — committed to a responsible transition.  And, as you know, his team — he and — he and his team have certainly been working towards that.  The team has been preparing for months to make sure that happens. 

I will say, though, if there is a shutdown — and I don’t want to get too much into hypotheticals, but this is the reality — transition activities will be restricted and — and with limited exceptions, obviously, but — such as prevent imminent threats to the safety of human life or the protection of property.  Those are the things that we would — that — you know, that we would have to be concerned about. 

And so, we’re doing everything to ensure a smooth transition, but the choice to allow a transition to move forward is within the hands of Republicans in Congress. 

You know, we can continue to have this footh transition — smooth transition of power if they stop threatening a shutdown.  And a — and, you know, they have an opportunity — Republicans in Congress have an opportunity to keep the government open so that we can continue — what the president commitment has been for months now is to make sure that there is a smooth transition of power.

AIDE:  Karine, you have time for one more.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  

Go ahead.

Q    Just two clarifications.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    So, I guess, the first one.  Is this trip to Rome the last foreign trip that the president will take?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What I can say is the president is going to Italy and is going to go on an OCONUS trip in January.  I — I’m always very careful.  (Laughs.)  Anything could happen.  But what I — what I can say for sure is that the president is certainly going to be going to Italy. 

We announced that.  We’ll have more to share.  I don’t have anything else to share.

Q    And then, secondly, related to the CR.  Given what you said about the president’s views on — on debt limit increases or eliminating the debt limit, does that mean that that would be something that would be vetoed by the president if it reached his desk?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I’m not going to get into hypothetical.  I’m just not.

I think what is important here is there is a path forward.  There has been a path forward.  There is a bipartisan agreement that Republicans tanked because of what they were directed to do by Elon Musk and President-elect Trump.  That’s what happened.  That is the reality that we’re in now. 

And this is not the direction that we thought we were going just a couple of days ago. 

And so, Republicans blew up this deal.  They can fix it.  It is their mess to fix, and they have to choose the American people.  They have to do their basic job — is choosing the American people and delivering for them. 

Thanks, everybody.

Q    Thanks, Karine.

1:09 P.M. EST

The post Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre appeared first on The White House.

Via Teleconference

2:03 P.M. EST

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Hi.  Good afternoon, everyone.  Thank you for joining today’s embargoed press call.  This press call will begin with on-the-record remarks from White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi and Senior Adviser to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta. 

After the remarks, there will be a question-and-answer period, which will be on background and attributable to “senior administration officials.” 

The contents of this call and the related materials you all should have already received over email are embargoed until tomorrow, Thursday, December 19th, at 5:00 a.m. Eastern. 

With that, I will turn it over to Ali.

MR. ZAIDI:  Thanks so much.  And thanks, everybody, for joining us.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries are called on to develop nationally determined contributions — NDCs — that collectively advance global progress on climate change.

In April 2021, the United States communicate — communicated its most recent nationally determined contribution.

When we did, we were cognizant of the baseline, a business-as-usual trajectory that projected 15 to 20 percent emissions reductions 2030 relative to 2005 levels.

Under President Biden’s leadership, against that backdrop, we set an ambitious path — a new target for the United States that sought to reduce emissions by 50 to 52 percent in 2030.

In the time since, the United States has deployed a paradigm-shifting strategy that has both accelerated decarbonization and also expanded economic opportunity and economic growth.

We found a way to take on a global problem that was decades in the making, with an approach that makes a visible difference in communities right now — a chance to deliver cleaner air, lower costs, better jobs, and a real sense of pride and purpose.

The U.S. strategy is manifest in the investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act and in a complementary architecture of federal standards that spur demand and generate the regulatory certainty needed to accelerate capital formation and encourage entrepreneurial risk-taking.

It is an important combination that has changed the equation: Climate action is no longer about gloom and doom but about hope and possibilities.

Catalyzed by these incentives, fiscal and regulatory, our partners have come together to swing for the fences in every sector of the economy.  Looking for wins everywhere — power and transportation, buildings and industry, lands and agriculture — gives us a better shot at sticking the landing and at delivering for everyone.

The coming together is key.  The robustness of the U.S. strategy comes from an approach that has mobilized public and private, at every level of government and every layer of the capital stack, in a tech-agnostic race to net zero as our North Star.

You can see this, as I have, not just in communities across America but as business leaders, mayors, governors, Tribal leaders, have joined every single United Nations Conference of the Parties since the president took office.  In Glasgow, in Sharm, in Dubai, and in Baku, these leaders showcased the efforts of the United States of America, of all our capacities and capabilities working together. 

Today, together, we set a new ambitious target for America — the United States communicating a new nationally determined contribution under the leadership of President Joe Biden.

The United States — all of us working together — will reduce our emissions by 61 to 66 percent by 2035, relative to 2005 levels — all greenhouse gases covered, every sector of the economy reached.

This entire range is on a linear or steeper-than-linear trajectory to net zero by 2050, meaning that America will do its part to keep 1.5 degrees alive.

Today, the U.S. is adding more capacity to its grid than it has in decades.  Ninety-six percent of that electricity will be clean.  Helped by clearer rules and faster permitting, pioneering offshore wind farms are delivering clean power, retired nuclear plants are coming back online, America is racing forward on solar and batteries — not just the deployment but also the means to stamp those products “made in America.”

Today, the U.S. is mining everything from nickel to the lithium, upgrading it, making the anodes and cathodes and the separators for batteries manufactured by union workers in factories that had once shut down. 

From laggard to leader, the U.S. is in the race again on electric transportation — a way to get from point A to point B without putting pollution in the sky or putting our kids and their health at risk.

Today, the U.S. has over 80,000 farmers and ranchers, over 75 million acres, advancing climate-smart agriculture practices; millions of families benefitting from energy efficiency upgrades; and countless new factories on the fore of clean materials, like clean steel and cement, in areas once seen as too hard to decarbonize.

In fact, across the country, we see decarbonization efforts to reduce our emissions in many ways achieving escape l- — velocity — an inexorable path, a place from which we will not turn back.

These proof points show what is possible when we set an ambitious target — informed through rigorous engagement with the techno-economic data — with federal agencies and scientific experts from across civil society, when we take stock of all that is possible when all of us work together. 

These proof points also show the massive prize — more good jobs, better public health, increased energy security, bolstered economic competitiveness — if and when we meet this new 2035 climate target.

We are excited about the ambition laid down by the president in this new NDC, and we are confident that, working together, the United States can achieve this goal.  And this progress that we continue to see here across the country is positioning America to lead and continue to push the ambition all around the world.

And with that, appropriately, let me hand it over to my partner and to the senior adviser for international climate policy here at the White House, John Podesta.

MR. PODESTA:  Thanks, Ali, and thanks to everyone for joining today’s call.

President Biden’s new 2035 climate goal is both a reflection of what we’ve already accomplished, as you’ve heard from my colleague, and what we believe the United States can and should achieve in the future.

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re on a path to achieve the goal President Biden set in 2021: to cut our emissions in half by 2030.

We’re working to slash pollution from every sector — power, buildings, transportation, industry, agriculture, and forestry — and we’ve ignited a clean energy boom across the country: north, south, east, and west.

Since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, the private sector has announced over $450 billion in new clean energy investments.  Those projects are getting built as we speak.  They’ll keep creating good-paying jobs, and they’ll continue to reduce emissions.

Because we’ve implemented a government-enabled but private sector-led strategy, our investments under this administration are durable and will continue to pay dividends for our economy and our climate for years to come, allowing us to set an ambitious and achievable 2035 target.

And in this NDC, we’re being explicit about a methane reduction of at least 35 percent in 2035, showing that the U.S. is maximizing our ability to tackle the climate crisis by targeting all greenhouse gases, including the super pollutants.

The Biden-Harris administration may be about to leave office, but we’re confident in America’s ability to rally around this new climate goal, because while the United States federal government under President Trump may put climate action on the back burner, the work to contain climate change is going to continue in the United States with commitment and passion and belief.  That’s not wishful thinking; it’s happened before.

In the wake of COP22 in Marrakesh and President Trump’s decision in 2017 to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, the “We Are Still In” movement was born in the United States.  It’s now grown into the most expansive coalition ever assembled in support of U.S. climate action, with more than 5,000 businesses, local governments, Tribal nations, universities, and more, covering all 50 states.

That coalition, now called “America Is All In,” represents nearly two thirds of Americans, three quarters of U.S. GDP, and half of U.S. emissions.  Governor Inslee of Washington and other subnational leaders came to COP29 in Baku last month to share the same message with the world.

We’re looking to governors, mayors, business leaders, and more to carry this important work forward, because the rest of the world will now be looking to them to show how many Americans still care about the future of our planet and our communities.

The truth is, U.S. climate leadership has motivated the world to move faster.

After President Biden set an ambitious 2030 climate target in 2021, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and others delivered stronger, more ambitious targets.

Once we passed the IRA, other countries — like Japan, Australia, the EU, and the UK — adopted our government-enabled, private sector-led strategy to investment in clean energy. 

I’ve spent a significant amount of time this year engaging in productive dialogue with my Chinese counterpart, Liu Zhenmin, and other leaders of the PRC government to encourage the — and I would note, the Pe- — the People’s Republic of China is now by far the world’s largest emitter — but I’ve encouraged them to submit a 2035 NDC target that is aligned with a 1.5-degree world that is economy wide and covering all greenhouse gans- — gasses in the range of a 30 percent cut off their peak emissions.

And at COP29 last month, we saw the UK, the UAE, and Brazil announce new, ambitious climate targets early and a coalition of leading — of leaders — including the European Union, Mexico, Chile, and others — committed to setting NDC targets that reflect a linear, steeper pathway to net zero, which is critical for 1.5 degrees.

Our new commitment meet — meets that standard. 

Some national leaders in the United States can continue to show the world that American climate leadership is determined by so much more than whoever sits in the Oval Office.

It happens on the ground, in our cities and states, from Phoenix to Pittsburgh, from Boise to Baltimore.  And I believe that with this new 2035 target as their North Star, leaders across Amer- — America can show the world that we are still in this fight for a better future.

Thank you, and let me turn it back to Angelo for your questions.

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thank you, John.  And thank you, Ali.

As a reminder, we will be moving to the question-and-answer portion of the call.  Please use the “raise hand” function, as so many of you are already doing.  We love to see some excitement. 

As a reminder, this will be on background and attributable to “senior administration officials.”

With that, I will start with Jennifer.  You should be unmuted now.

Q    Thanks for doing this and taking my question. 

Just a quick clarification, because we haven’t seen the actual NDC submission yet.  I’m curious what kind of language it will include on fossil fuel transition.

And then, you know, there was some discussion, obviously, of the incoming president and his plans.  How much downward revision did you all do from the final target based on your assessments and expectations just prior to the election, which I understand were around 65 percent?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thanks for the question.

On the first, our nationally determined contribution will reflect the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to the Dubai consensus and to carrying that forward, and you’ll see that reflected in our submission to the United Nations.

On the second, this is a dynamic exercise.  And what we’ve really focused on is what are the multiple pathways to accelerate decarbonization across the economy while continuing to grow jobs and attract private capital.  The fundamentals of that exercise, where that economic opportunity lies, largely remain the same: are formed by the techno-economic trends that we see prevailing, notwithstanding outcomes in elections. 

The next four years will neither pause the impacts of climate change, nor will the next four years pause the continued acceleration in technology improvement and availability across every sector of our economy to decarbonize.

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thanks, [senior administration official].

We will go to Lisa next.  You should be unmuted now.

Q    Thanks so much for doing this.  I appreciate it.

To what extent does this target consider that, you know, a future Democratic administration could reimpose regulations o- — you know, on power plants or automobiles and the like?  And, you know, similarly, I mean, if a Republican is elected again in 2028 — which would give us eight years without federal regulations, at minimum, and other things — can states meet this on their own?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Great question.  We have, you know, in the United States, a track record of continuing to reduce our emissions when administrations that don’t prioritize climate or clean energy at the federal level are in charge.

In fact, the AIM Act, which helped drive down over a hundred million metric tons of emissions from hydrofluorocarbons, was passed in 2020, signed into law by the previous administration.

We have seen the tax code help accelerate private investment into clean energy deployment during Republican administrations and Democratic ones.

And it’s worth noting that — setting aside some of the more recent rhetoric around climate — that historically this has been an area of bipartisan focus.  And even in this last few years, after a party-line vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats and Republicans came together to ratify Kigali.  Democrats and Republicans came together to help accelerate the deployment of nuclear technologies in the United States. 

Those are bipartisan bills from the last two years, and I think they give us proof points that there is possibility even at the federal level.

To go to your analytical question of “what happens if,” this NDC is based on an analytical underpinning that actually allows us to carry forward this level of emissions reduction, largely propelled by state, local, Tribal action, as well as what we are seeing from the private sector and in terms of technology cost reductions.

America is going to claim the biggest share of the economic prize that comes from the clean-energy economy if we have a federal government that leans in and does what’s best for our economy, our people, and the environment we will hand to future generations. 

But the lower end of what we have laid out can largely be carried out without significant additional effort at the federal level.  That’s not where we should aim as a country, but analytically, we’ve grounded in multiple pathways, many of which do not rely on significant additional federal action.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  (Inaudible) let me — let me add a word on this. 

I think what we’re both saying is the direction of travel is firm.  Of course it matters who’s elected president of the United States and the level of ambition.  I think that’s particularly true in the international sphere where — the president’s leadership by rejoining Paris; by convening the MEF; by putting forward an ambitious NDC in 2021, by both pledging to come forward and raise the level of bilateral assistance in the international sphere to $11 billion, which we met this year — those things matter. 

The direction of travel is firm.  We’re moving in a direction that is going to invest in clean power, in clean transportation, and reduced emissions from the industrial sector. 

The pace is, of course, at issue.  And I think what [senior administration official] was just noting is that, given the weight in those states that, as I noted, have such a strong history of innovation and strong contribution to the overall GDP of this country, we’re going to see emissions reductions.  We can achieve the goal that the president is putting forward with that action.  But, of course, with strong leadership in the Oval Office, we can — we can do that and more. 

And it goes a little bit to Jen’s earlier question.  We did take account and consulted closely with those economists and modelers who work extensively with our subnational partners in trying to put forward an ambitious NDC, but one that’s also realistic.

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thank you, [senior administration official].  We have time for a few more questions. 

We will go to Sara next.  You should be unmuted now.

Q    Thanks.  Thanks for doing this. 

So, I guess just a question on the Trump administration.  The president-elect has been quite clear that he intends to roll back and make great efforts to not continue forward momentum on all the — a lot of these climate policies.  So, why release this NDC?

And just to clarify, I believe there’s been quite a bit of modeling that shows the U.S. is still short of reaching the 50 to 52 percent target.  So, how does it pencil out to increase it by this much?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thanks for that, Sara. 

So, a lot to unpack there.  First, on the emissions trajectory for 2030, the U.S. will also be submitting a report to the U.N. — the BTR.  This is our sort of biennial review of our progress relative to our goals. 

There is progress that we anticipate will continue to sort of make as a result of technology improvements, states continuing to promulgate new policies.  So, there’s, I think, both the means and the need to fill the gap. 

But what we have found in our latest analysis is that we are very much positioned to close that gap.  The trajectory right now reaches up to 45 percent — 45, 46 percent, which leaves, as you know, some additional work to do over the next, essentially, five years to close the gap.  And that work — I think, part of what you heard from both me and from [senior administration official] is that work is not just propelled by the climate imperative but by a strong set of economic interest to race to close the gap. 

The second is, you know, underlying the first part of your question is this notion that one administration can somehow pause the progress we’re making or reverse the direction in which we’re traveling or close off the ability of the collective of state, local, Tribal actors and the United States private sector from moving to where it really wants to head over the next decade. 

And I think that just doesn’t — we haven’t seen that play out as federal policy has zigged and zagged in the past.  Instead, what we’ve seen is laying out a clear, analytical, and informed target has been animating of all of these actors running in the direction of further decarbonization and economic growth.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  I think — look, Sara, I think it — it’s important we’re — we are members of the Paris Accord and of — and it’s important to signal to subnational actors, as [senior administration official] just noted, what we think ambition looks like and what people need to work and strive for and to set off that virtuous cycle of investment and enhanced ambition.  And it’s important to do that across the globe to show that the United States has the means and the will, at least at the subnational level, to continue to be constructive players in the system and to move the world forward, because I think in every conversation, you know, I’ve had, people understand the stakes that we currently face: the effects of extreme weather, the burden on human security, the ability to deal with the consequences of — that we’re already seeing and that are only going to get worse on climate change. 

So, laying out this marker, I think, is, as has been noted, important to the private sector, to subnational actors to give people a guide star.  That — that occurred, as I — as I said, during the last Trump administration, and I think it will occur now.  But it’s also an important signal to the world about what the United States can do, even in these circumstances, and will do because of the drive, commitment, and resources available at the subnational level. 

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Thank you, [senior administration official]. 

We will go to CNN next.  Ella, you should be unmuted now. 

Q    Hi, everyone.  Thanks for doing this call and for taking my question. 

I wanted to ask about the differences between this NDC and some of the independent analysis that’s been done.  I know that there’s a lot of different analysis out there, but I’m looking at the University of Maryland. 

You know, basically, their high-ambition pathway kind of lines up with what you all have here, but when federal action is taken out of the equation, you know, it falls — it falls lower to 54 to 62 percent emissions reductions by 2035.  And so, I just wanted to ask about, you know, the difference between some of this independent analysis and the NDC here. 

And secondly, just wanted to ask about how important the IRA — I know that we don’t know exactly the future of it, how much it will get clawed back — but just how — how important that is in all of this.  Thanks.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  So, two — two things I want to maybe point out, Ella, in the first part of your question. 

The first is the expectations around what state and local actors can help drive in the economy.  The University of Maryland analysis is really, I think, unique in helping compute that, bring together those capacities and capabilities and put them into the model. 

As you noted, in their own analysis, when you take out additional federal action and you really make state and local governments be the load-bearing beams, in that — in that set of scenarios, they themselves forecast an ability of the United States, working together, to reach in the — up to 62 percent. 

So, I think that, in some ways, is reinforcing of the theory we’ve laid out here, which is that the state and local governments can actually carry a great deal of ambition.

One of the, I think, big factors that distinguishes, I think, our analytical work from — from some of what is out there is a real engagement with the technology — the sort of techno-economic cost curves and projections empowered by what our national labs know and have been able to collect — in some cases on a proprietary basis — with technology providers and firms in the field. 

That, to — to us and to our process, has actually provided an even more robust sense of what is achievable if the federal government is largely stagnant or even putting some downward pressure. 

This all sort of avoids the possibility and, I think, the — frankly, the real demand over the next several years for the federal government to actually do things that will be climate enhancing. 

There is a Farm Bill debate that must get engaged over the next year or maybe two that will pose the question: Will the United States government continue to stand with those 80,000 farmers and ranchers, or will we pull a critical revenue line out of those family businesses; where lawmakers will have to answer the question, as the Europeans and others race towards a trade system that prioritizes cleaner products, will the United States invest in our economic competitiveness to make sure our firms are well positioned for that global race — a hard-to-decarbonize sector that’s actually moving ahead around the world?

So, I — you know, I think the combination of what I think UMD very uniquely and smartly has done to understand and catalog the capacities at the state and local level paired with our sense of what is happening and potentially could happen from a techno-economic perspective actually gives us a sense of real robustness in the range that we have put forward. 

Of course, the higher ends of this range require the federal government to do what a responsible federal government would do in the face of an existential risk and the biggest economic opportunity the world has ever seen to invest in America.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  [Senior administration official], anything you want to add?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thanks.  I think [senior administration official] did a great job of laying all that out. 

I will say that even in that UMD analysis, there is another scenario, which was kind of along the lines [senior administration official] was just talking about, showing a 65 to 67 outcome as well.  So, there is some documentation there, if people are interested. 

Thanks.

MR. FERNÁNDEZ HERNÁNDEZ:  Great.  Thank you.  And thank you, everyone, for joining us.  That’s all the time that we have today.

As a reminder, the contents of this call and the materials you received over email are embargoed until 5:00 a.m. Eastern tomorrow. 

Thanks again for joining us. 

2:35 P.M. EST

The post Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on the U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution appeared first on The White House.

Via Teleconference

MODERATOR: (In progress) — discuss the ongoing interagency response to the reported drone sightings.

Today, we have representatives from the FBI, from DHS, from FAA, who will open remarks and talk through their respective roles and authorities when it comes to these reported sightings.

Today’s call will be on background, and it will be — and speakers from each agency can be attributed as representatives from their respective agencies. For example, speakers from DHS can be attributed as a DHS official. Speaker from FBI can be attributed as an FBI official, and so on, but not quoted by name.

Each representative will provide opening remarks at the top of the call, and then we will go ahead and take some questions.

So with that, I will turn it over to the FBI to kick us off.

FBI OFFICIAL: Thank you very much, and good afternoon, everyone.

On Monday, 18 November 2024, multiple suspicious activity reports were generated through the New Jersey Suspicious Activity Report System regarding unidentified and unknown subjects operating multiple unmanned aircraft, otherwise known as UAS, in the vicinity of critical infrastructure locations in the state of New Jersey.

On Wednesday, 20 November 2024, FBI Newark opened an investigation into the sightings.

On Tuesday, 3 December 2024, FBI Newark established the 800 and online tip lines at the request of our local law enforcement partners to help free up 911 call centers that were being inundated with calls about drones.

Since the UAS activities were first reported, FBI Newark has done extensive investigative work to determine if any threats or threat actors are behind them, or if they pose a threat to the public or national security. We have been engaged with over 50 local, state, and federal partners consistently, and have so far completed a number of investigative activities, including serving legal process to relevant companies surrounding key UAS events.

We have visual observation teams deployed at various locations throughout the state of New Jersey, to include our military installations, conducting video radar analysis, alongside with our partners, which have determined all large fixed-wing reported sightings have been manned aircraft.

We established a tip line, and in that tip line process, the process approximately 5,000 tips — have received 5,000 tips through that national tip line. And of those 5,000, less than 100 leads have been generated and deemed worthy of further investigative activity.

We have conducted dozens of interviews, and collected and reviewed multiple videos, and that analysis of those videos is ongoing.

We have also conducted intelligence analysis in comparison to other activities. We are working actively with our law enforcement partners all over the country to bring equipment into our AOR to assist with tracking and identifying drone activity.

We have consulted with our counterparts in other regions that have experienced similar sightings. We established a tip line to collect additional information about these and other drone sightings. We have and continue to actively investigate leads, searching out the most relevant information, doing interviews, and responding to reports of downed UAS.

The reported down UAS so far have been relevant — have not been relevant to our investigation. We are consulting with experts in the field of unmanned aircraft. Most of the reports of UAS have originated from the ground, with very, very few reports of UAS activity from pilots of manned aircraft. And that was the origination of our investigation, opening of our investigation with New Jersey State Police (inaudible).

In overlaying the visual sightings reported to the FBI with approach patterns for Newark-Liberty, JFK, and LaGuardia airports, the density of reported sightings matches the approach patterns of these very busy airports, with flights coming in throughout the night. This modeling is indicative of manned aviation being quite often mistaken for unmanned aviation or UAS.

The combination of efforts so far as noted above, to include technical equipment, tip line information, and noted consults has found — has not found any evidence to support large-scale UAS activities.

It is important to note, though, that they’re without a doubt — without a doubt have been UAS’s flying over the state of New Jersey. With nearly a million registered UAS in the United States, there’s no doubt many of them are owned and operated here within the state.

The national airspace is designed to be as minimally restrictive as possible. And all indications are these UAS operators are operating within the parameters established for their use in that airspace. This is not to say the FBI does not believe UAS’s are used for criminal or other nefarious activity, and it is well known to us that criminals breaking the law do, in fact, use UAS to support their actions.

The FBI will continue to investigate all allegations of criminal activity involving UAS, and we’ll continue to work with our partners to defend and disrupt criminal and national security threats. Thank you.

MODERATOR: Thank you so much. We will now go to [DHS official] with DHS.

DHS OFFICIAL: Yeah, thank you, Michael. On the DHS side of the house, we certainly understand why people are concerned. That’s one of the reasons we’re devoting significant resources to support New Jersey and our federal and state law enforcement partners who are actively investigating these reported sightings.

At the same time, it’s important to understand that we don’t have any current evidence that there’s a threat to public safety.

The FBI, DHS, and our federal partners, in very close coordination with New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate the situation, to confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or otherwise inaccurate sightings.

You’ve probably heard there hasn’t been any electronic detections to confirm the visual reports, but one thing we do have, and I’ll reiterate as our partners at FBI said, is the geospatial modeling, where we’re overlaying the drone sightings and the manned aircraft tracks, and we’re confident that many of the reported drone sightings are, in fact, manned aircraft being misidentified as drones.

Historically, we’ve experienced many cases of mistaken identity where reported drones are, in fact, manned aircraft or facilities.

Now, as the FBI said, that does not mean that we’re dismissing all reports as noncredible, but it does help us understand that the amount of actual drone activity is likely less than what’s being reported. In fact, we absolutely share New Jersey’s concerns with the amount and type of activity being reported, which is why our HQ and component field offices continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reportings.

Some examples of our support include the U.S. Coast Guard and other partners determined that there is no evidence to date of any foreign-based involvement in sending drones ashore from marine vessels in the area. DHS also sent New Jersey State Police advanced camera and radar equipment directly out of our R&D pipeline.

This kit is drone-specific radar that also cues a highly capable EO/IR, or electro-optical infrared camera system. If the radar detects a drone, the camera will be able to identify and track it. This is extremely helpful for drones without a standard radio frequency signal. The imagery can also help determine the type of drone and whether there is a payload, for example.

So far, the equipment has not detected anything unusual. We are aware that additional equipment is being provided by our partners as well.

Lastly, CISA and the U.S. Coast Guard also continue to monitor and evaluate security for critical infrastructure like power plants, and may adjust our positions as necessary. At this time, however, no threat has been identified.

And while there is no known malicious activity in New Jersey — occurring in New Jersey right now, the reported sightings there do highlight a gap in our current authorities, and so we would also urge Congress to pass our important counter-UAS legislation that will extend and expand our existing counter-drone authorities so we’re better equipped to identify and mitigate any potential threats at airports or other critical infrastructure, but also so state and local authorities are provided the tools that they need to respond to such threats as well.

We’ll be happy to answer questions as we move forward. Thank you.

MODERATOR: Thank you. We will now go to [FAA official] with FAA.

FAA OFFICIAL: Yes, thank you. And good afternoon, everyone. As you’ve heard, there is a considerable interagency effort underway here. So, worth mentioning also that the FAA is a safety organization, and I wanted to mention that as this interagency effort is multifaceted, with different responsibilities of different agencies.

Also worth mentioning: It is not illegal to fly drones in U.S. airspace. Generally speaking, it is legal to fly a drone in most locations, both during the day and at night, as long as you remain below 400 feet and you keep those drones in sight at all times, avoiding other aircraft and not causing hazard to any people or property, and avoiding restricted airspace. Some local municipalities may also have additional requirements that are levied, that will change from municipality to municipality.

Flying for any other purposes, like videography or news gathering, require additional authorities. Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the agency and something we take very seriously.

The FAA received the first reports of drone activity near Morris County, New Jersey, on November 18. At the request of federal security partners, the FAA published two temporary flight restrictions — I may refer to them as TFR, (inaudible) — prohibiting drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal as well as Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

The Picatinny Arsenal temporary flight restriction was published on November 20, and that is a 2-nautical-mile, 2,000-foot restriction that currently expires on December the 26th but can be extended. We’re also working on a permanent restriction over that location.

November 22nd, Bedminster Golf Course, temporary flight restriction went into effect with a 1-nautical-mile, 1,000-foot restriction that expires on December 20th. Also may be extended.

We continue to support our interagency partners regarding reported drone sightings, and we also continue to highlight our website as a resource for drone information, and continue to engage with industry and the user community to educate operators on the requirements of operating drones within the National Airspace System.

And we are also able to take any questions.

MODERATOR: Great. Thank you so much. We will now go into the Q&A portion. We also, for this, have representatives from the Department of Defense on the line to answer questions related to their equities.

And then, just as a reminder to everyone, the attribution for this call is on background and can be attributed as representatives of their agencies, but not by name. Thank you very much. We will now go to Q&A.

Our first question is going to go to Andrea Shalal. You should be able to unmute yourself.

Q Hi. Hey, thanks so much for doing this. I guess my question is: You know, Kirby answered these questions pretty, you know, comprehensively on Thursday. You know, first of all, why did you decide to have another press conference today, or another briefing or call?

And two, you know, I’m seeing reports that these sightings have now sort of spread. I mean, can one of you sort of say what you think is happening here, which is sort of like, you know, a sense of panic is setting in, that people are worried despite your assurances that these reports have been, you know, manned aircraft, general aviation aircraft?

And what — sorry — just, like, help us contextualize it, if you will. And then, you know, is it — how long will this go on? How long will this investigation go on? Is there some sort of end time that you have envisioned? Thanks.

MODERATOR: FBI, would you want to come in on the question about the investigation?

FBI OFFICIAL: Yeah, I’ll talk briefly about the nature of the investigation. I’ll talk maybe, perhaps, about our authorities. We investigate the criminal misuse of drones, and so I think that’s an important piece to highlight, particularly if they’re smuggling — if the drones are used to smuggle contraband into prisons or conducting some type of illegal surveillance, stalking, or some type of terrorist threat.

But there are — you know, it’s important to note that any investigation that we’re conducting as a result of the use of UAS is limited in scope. There is legislation — I echo the concerns of the partners at DHS — there’s legislation that’s introduced in both houses, and that will expand our legal authorities as it relates to the counter use — the counter-UAS tools and technology that we have in those efforts that will help us quickly identify or quickly mitigate some of the threats that would exist as a result of that utility of UAS.

Now, as it relates to how long this investigation will occur, I can’t speak to how long. What I can say is that we are doing everything we can alongside our partners to understand what is happening and whether or not there is more nefarious activity that we need to explore.

I can’t speak to any other press releases or press conferences.

Q Michael, can you just sort of say anything about whether the investigation has expanded to include sightings in Maryland? The former governor of Maryland posted a note yesterday on X, saying that he’d seen activity going on for something like 45 minutes, shared a video. Has your investigation expanded to include Maryland and other states, or is it still focused mostly on New Jersey?

FBI OFFICIAL: Yeah, you know — this is FBI again here. You know, there’s evidence to support that, you know, again, as relayed, a lot of sightings are manned aviation.

I think there’s two parts to this. Is there are the initial sightings that took place here in New Jersey and perhaps in other locations throughout the country, and then now there is this expanded level of drone activity that may not have been coordinated as part of what occurred in the initial stages that we observed. So, in other words, the initial reports that we were getting, (inaudible) there’s no confirmation that any of those relate to anything that’s being observed throughout the country or at other locations.

MODERATOR: And I’ll just add, Andrea, on your first point: You know, I think our goal in doing this is just to continue to provide the most accurate picture of how we see this and the ongoing work that’s happening. You know, I think that given how much focus there has been here, we just wanted to provide another opportunity to hear from the experts who are working every day on this to get the latest — to let you know the latest information. I

Q I mean, do you think people are panicking?

FBI OFFICIAL: Yeah, I think there is — you know, look, if we are talking about the 5,000 leads that we received, again, less than 100 of those have been actionable to us.

I think there is — I don’t want to cause alarm and panic, but you can’t ignore the sightings that have been there, and we are concerned about those just as much as anybody else is. I’m a resident here of New Jersey. I live here. My kids have those same types of questions. And we’re doing our best to find the origin of that specific — of those drone activities. But I think there has been a slight overreaction.

Q I’m sorry, it’s hard to hear you. There has been a slight —

MODERATOR: Our next question is going to go to — sorry, next question is going to go Pierre Thomas. You should be able to unmute yourself.

Q Can you guys hear me okay?

MODERATOR: Yes.

Q So, my question is this: Have there been confirmed drone sightings near sensitive or military installations? Have you confirmed any? And give us a sense of whether they were nefarious or — I mean, I think based on what you said, no, but I just wanted to be specific in that question. Have there been any confirmed drone sightings near sensitive or military installations?

DOD OFFICIAL: Yeah, this is Joint Staff here. I can talk to the military bases. We have had confirmed sightings at Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle. They are — you know, I refer to them as sightings. They’re all visual, but they are by highly trained security personnel.

This is not a new issue for us. We’ve, you know, had to deal with drone incursions over our bases for quite a time now. It’s something that we routinely respond to in each and every case when a reporting is cited. We have electronic means to detect and respond, and we train our security personnel to identify, categorize, and then employ their equipment to deny the drone use over our bases.

In some cases, it is at the low end a violation of the local, state force protection measures, which, you know, they are essentially all no-drone zones, so there’s no unauthorized drone use over our facilities. In other cases, it is federally controlled airspace, and it is, in fact, a federal airspace violation.

So, there are different things that we can do, different authorities based on what type of violation it is.

But, yes, in December we have had sightings over Picatinny and Naval Weapons Station Earle.

Q As far as you can determine, did they have cameras or anything, or were they just people inadvertently in the wrong space?

DOD OFFICIAL: Yeah, to date, we have no intelligence or observations that would indicate that they were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent. But I just got to simply tell you we don’t know. We have not been able to locate or identify the operators or the points of origin. We have very limited authorities when it comes to moving off base. We have to coordinate with local and as well as federal law enforcement to try and locate these persons and where they’re launching from, to either cite them or execute law enforcement activities that we’re restricted from doing off base.

So, we simply don’t know. And I know there’s been a lot of press reporting on this. We don’t know. We’re also significantly restricted, and rightfully so — in fact, prohibited — from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance here in the homeland.

So we don’t have the same capabilities and the same methods that we would employ in other locations outside of the homeland to determine points of origin and identify very quickly where these operators are located and then respond to that location. We just can’t do that here in the homeland. We have to coordinate with law enforcement to try to do that, which we are doing, and we do that on a routine basis at nearly all of our locations. We have good relationships and excellent coordination, and we respond quickly to try to identify them.

But the main point is to deter the activity using some of our electronic means that can respond to most of these small commercial systems and deny them access to the airspace over our bases.

But we don’t know what the activity is. We don’t know if it malicious, if it is criminal, but I will tell you that it is irresponsible. And, you know, here on the military side, we are just as frustrated with the irresponsible nature of this activity.

MODERATOR: Thank you so much. We got to move to the next question. Sorry.

The next question is going to go to Eric Martin. You should be able to unmute yourself. Eric, you’re still on mute if you’re trying to speak.

Q Yes, can you hear me?

MODERATOR: Yeah.

Q Sorry about that. Thank you so much for doing this. Just to follow up on Andrea’s question, you know, what has changed today, December 14th, from what you knew earlier in the week? I mean, can you just — because it seems like a lot of what’s being provided is review of things that have already been briefed upon.

I’m just wondering if you can — you know, in terms of the nuance of what you know now that you didn’t know two or three days ago, if you can just explain, kind of chronologically, what it is that you’ve learned from the investigation in the last day or two, or what events there is. Or has this just reconfirmed the initial findings that we were told about earlier this week?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I’ll just jump in. I mean, I think, one, it’s our responsibility to update the public on what we’re learning, and that’s part of what we’re doing. I think it’s notable that — I mean, I think the toplines are the same, which is: At this point, we have not identified — obviously, we are taking this incredibly seriously. At this point, we have not identified any basis for believing that there is — that these drones — that there’s any criminal activity involved, that there’s any national security threat, that there’s any particular public safety threat, or that there’s a malicious foreign actor involved in these drones.

That said, as you’ve heard from all of the experts on this call, all of the departments and agencies are taking this incredibly seriously and investigating every possible lead and working to try to understand what these sightings are.

I think you’ve also heard, consistent with what I believe was briefed to you earlier this week, that at least some portion of what has been reported to be drones have on further inquiry turned out to be manned aircraft that were lawfully in the airspace. And that is not uncommon for people to see things that appear to be drones that turn out not to be drones.

So I think, largely, the toplines are the same, but I also think that it is our responsibility to make sure that the public has the latest information available.

MODERATOR: Thank you so much. I think we have time for maybe one more question, and we’ll go to Celia Mendoza.

Q Yes. Thank you so much. I have a question in terms of what local authorities can do versus the federal authorities. We understand that the governor of New Jersey had sent a letter to the President asking for not only more resources, but capabilities to do more. Can you, kind of, give us an understanding of what are the limitations of local authorities when it comes to bringing down this type of objects, or what could be the expanded options that they might get if the President decides to?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I’ll take a stab real quick, and then others should fill in.

The administration has been seeking, for several years now, additional authorities to expand the counter-UAS authorities, both of the federal government, which are themselves very limited, and also to give state and local authorities the authority to use certain C-UAS technologies with federal oversight.

That legislation has been pending. I think, again, emphasizing that while at this point we have no evidence to believe that these drones pose a national security or a public safety threat, or that they are the work of a malicious foreign actor, nonetheless, this incident and the concern about the drone sightings highlights the importance of expanding authorities so that state and locals can have some of the authorities that you’re referencing and that the federal government can also — would also be able to take additional actions beyond what is currently authorized by the limited statutory grants.

MODERATOR: Thank you so much. And, unfortunately, that’s all the time we have today. Thank you all for joining. Thank you to our speakers.

I know it’s a Saturday afternoon, but we wanted to bring everyone together to share the latest information we had and an update. So, appreciate everyone joining, and thank you to all of our speakers here.

Any follow-up questions, feel free to reach out to myself at the NSC or our press distro on this. And thank you again, and have a great rest of your day.

The post Background Press Call on the Ongoing Response to Reported Drone Sightings appeared first on The White House.

1:44 P.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Hello.  Hi, everybody. 

Q    Hi.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Happy Thursday.  (Ms. Jean-Pierre adjusts the lectern.)  Just mess- — be messing with this lectern.

Okay.  So, today, President Biden announced that he is granting clemency to approximately 1,500 Americans — the largest act in a single day — who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation as well as a strong commitment to making their communities safer. 

The president is commuting the sentences of 1,500 individuals who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and who have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities.

He is also pardoning 39 individuals who were convicted of nonviolent crimes. 

The Americans receiving relief today include a decorated military veteran, a nurse who has led response for a number of natural disasters, and an addiction counselor who volunteers his time to help young people.  That’s just to name a few.

Today’s actions build on the president’s record of criminal justice reform to help reunite families, strengthen communities, and reintegrate individuals back into society.

The president has issued more sentence commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms.  He is also the first president ever to issue categorical — categorical pardons to individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana and to former LGBTQI+ service members convicted because of their sexual orientation.

As the president has said before, America was founded on the premise of second chances.  For far too long, our criminal justice system has closed doors of opportunity for too many people who should have the chance to once again participate in daily life and contribute to their communities. 

And as the president said in his statement, he will take more steps in the weeks ahead.  He and his team will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehab and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances.

And with that, I have my colleague here from the National Security Council, Admiral Kirby, to talk about foreign policy news of day.

MR. KIRBY:  Thank you so much, Karine.

Afternoon, everybody. 

Q    Hello, sir.

Q    Hello.

MR. KIRBY:  Sorry?

Q    We’re just saying hi.

Q    Hello, sir.

Q    We’re just saying hi.

MR. KIRBY:  All right.  (Laughs.)  Look, as you all know, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is in Israel today.  He just wrapped up a full day of meetings, including one with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Jake’s meeting with the prime minister focused on the progress we’ve made in the region.  That means ensuring the Lebanon ceasefire continues to hold, that we continue to engage with all Syrian groups to establish a transition toward an independent and sovereign Syria, and, most importantly, that we continue to make progress toward closing a hostage release and ceasefire deal in Gaza so that the hostages — including Americans — can be reunited with their families, so that civilians in Gaza can receive the humanitarian assistance that they desperately still need, and so that this war can come to an end.

Jake will now travel to Doha and to Cairo to continue these efforts.

His travel, of course, coincides with that of Secretary Blinken, who is traveling to Jordan and Turkey, making clear our commitment to a Syrian-led transition process so that the Syrian people and their aspirations can be realized.

The president is being regularly briefed on all these meetings and remains in close touch with his national security team as the situation in Syria continues to develop — and it does continue to develop.

Tomorrow, he’s going to speak virtually with his fellow G7 leaders.  They will discuss a range of issues: our shared support to Ukraine, which comes, of course, after the United States disbursed $20 billion to a new World Bank fund that will provide economic support for Ukraine as part of the $50 billion G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loan effort. 

And that, of course — I think, as you all know — leverages income earned from frozen Russian sovereign assets and increasingly puts the cost of war on Russia with no burden to the taxpayer here in the United States.  We’re going to continue to explore ways to make maximum use of those assets, by the way.

And I’d note that also today the president approved a new security assistance package for Ukraine that will provide them with additional air defense, artillery, drones, and armored vehicles.  It’s the 72nd such drawdown package announced by the United States.  And as the president made clear, we’re going to continue to provide additional packages right up until the end of this administration.

I think G7 leaders can also be expected to discuss ongoing developments in the Middle East, of course — how we’re helping Israel defend itself against active threats and how we’re all working towards that Syrian-led process we talked about.

Now, I’d also be remiss if I didn’t just take a moment to highlight an important milestone in our efforts to keep faith with Afghan allies.

As of today, the State Department has issued 76,000 Special Immigrant Visas for Afghan partners and their families, surpassing the number of SIVs issued by all previous administrations combined since the program began back in 2009.  They did this by surging staff, by leveraging new technology, by consolidating some cumbersome processing steps, and working hard to verify, in better ways, applicants’ employment status.

And, of course, we’ve requested from Congress more visa numbers so that we can continue to do that.

Now, finally, I just want to add a few comments on the reports of drone activity here on the East Coast, particularly in and around New Jersey.

We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating these sightings, and they’re working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources, using numerous detection methods to better understand their origin.

Using very sophisticated electronic detection technologies provided by federal authorities, we have not been able to — and neither have state or local law enforcement authorities — corroborate any of the reported visual sightings.

To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully.

The United States Coast Guard is providing support to the State of New Jersey and has confirmed that there is no evidence of any foreign-based involvement from coastal vessels.

And, importantly, there are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace.

Now, that said, we certainly take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems, which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports, even though they have uncovered no malicious activity or intent at this particular stage. 

While there is no known malicious activity occurring, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight a gap in authorities.  And so, we urge Congress to pass important legislation that will extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities so that we are better prepared to identify and mitigate any potential threats to airports or other critical infrastructure and so that state and local authorities are provided all the tools that they need to respond to such threats as well. 

Now, tomorrow, there’s a little thing called the Army-Navy game.  We wish both sides a good game.  (Laughter.)  We thank them for their service now, of course, at these service academies and for their service in the future.  We don’t officially take sides here at the National Security Council, but “Go Navy, Beat Army.”  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Admiral.  Good luck. 

What is the White House reaction to President Xi being invited to President-elect Trump’s inauguration next month?

MR. KIRBY:  Well, that’s going to be up to President-elect Trump to decide who’s going to sit with him there at the inauguration and who’s going to be there. 

We’ve worked really hard on this most consequential of bilateral relationships.  The president met with Xi Jinping a number of times, including recently and, as you know, at the — at APEC. 

And we — we believe that as we get ready to turn over things to the Trump team that we’re turning ov- — turning over a U.S.-China relationship that is in better shape than the one we found it in.  That doesn’t mean that we don’t have disagreements.  We do and we will, and I’m sure they will too.  But we’re working hard on this relationship, and we’ll do that right to the end. 

Q    Did President Biden invite any foreign leaders to his inauguration in 2021?

MR. KIRBY:  Oh, geez, I don’t — I don’t know.  I’d have to take that question.  I don’t know.

Q    I think one — one other question about Travis Timmerman.  Was the U.S. aware that he was missing and being detained in Syria before this week?

MR. KIRBY:  I am not aware of any indication that we had that this gentleman was in Syria.  I would — I want to remind that we are just getting word of this, and we’re trying to confirm his identity at this point, so the State Department is working hard on that right now.  I — I am not aware that we had any prior indication that — that he was — was in Syria. 

It’s also a good reminder for everybody, if you’re traveling overseas, to enroll in the State Department’s STEP program so that, you know, they have an idea of who you are and where you are.  It’s voluntary, of course, but we recommend that to everybody.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  So, regarding Travis Timmerman, have there been any other — I don’t know, have there been any other Americans — or people who have been saying that they’re American uncovered in detention following what — the events in Syria?  And then, regarding Americans, do you have any updates on Austin Tice?

MR. KIRBY:  On your first question: Not that I’m aware of.

On your second question: We don’t have any additional context or information about Austin since the events of the weekend in Syria, but we are working very, very hard.  And as we’ve said in the past, we — we hope that developments in Syria could lead to some opportunities and some — and some more information, but right now we don’t have anything. 

Q    Are you concerned that there isn’t more information around Tice — there isn’t more of an update, considering the fact that we’re seeing these prisons — sort of, people released?  We’re sort of — would you have expected to have more news about Austin Tice at this point?

MR. KIRBY:  We’re concerned about Mr. Tice.  We’re concerned about finding out more about him — where he is, his condition.  We certainly, as the president said on Sunday, want to do everything we can to get him back with his family where he belongs.

Would we like to have had more information in the last 40, 48, 72 hours?  You betcha. 

And we’re working hard.  We’re in touch with interlocutors and counterparts in and outside Syria to try to get as much information as we can, but I just don’t — I don’t have anything additional to report to you today. 

Q    And just following up on the news that President-elect Trump’s press secretary confirmed that she was invited — you yourself have talked about wanting a competitive relationship that doesn’t have conflict — like you said, “a better relationship now than four years ago with China.”  So, what’s your take?  Was it a wise move?

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not going to — it’s — it’s not my place from the podium here to — to pass judgment on the invitations to the inauguration.  That’s really for the Trump transition team to — to speak to. 

Look, I would just again say this.  It is, without doubt, the single most consequential bilateral relation that the United States has in the world, and it is a relationship that is both fraught with peril and with opportunity. 

And when we get ready to turn over to the Trump team, we will — we will make sure they are fully informed about everything President Biden has done — and he has done a lot — to get this relationship on a more stable footing. 

And it’ll be up to them to determine how and to what degree they want to carry that forward.  And if — if that means having a conversation with President Xi around the inauguration that President Trump wants to do, well, again, that’s his prerogative. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead. 

Q    President-elect Trump —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, sorry.

Q    Karine?

Q    Thanks.  Sorry.  President-elect Trump this morning also kind of dismissed a question about protecting Taiwan.  Could you talk at all about conversations that the current Biden administration might be having with Taiwan in this moment, if there’s more security concern with those friends and partners than with an incoming Trump administration?

MR. KIRBY:  I think Taiwanese leaders know very well where President Biden stands on our continued support to Taiwan’s self-defense.  I think that they also clearly understand that we don’t want to see any cross-strait tensions resolved through violence or force and that — that we’re committed to our obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act. 

So, I’m not aware of any additional specific conversations that have happened in recent days, but I think it’s pretty apparent to everybody, including the PRC and President Xi, where we stand on the issue of Taiwan’s self-defense. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Danny.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Thanks, Admiral.  What’s your response to President-elect Trump saying in his TIME Magazine interview that it was a “foolish decision” by the Biden administration to let Ukraine fire long-range missiles into Ukraine? 

MR. KIRBY:  Hey, look, I’m not going to get into a back-and-forth with the president-elect and what he’s saying in the media space. 

All I can do is — is reiterate what President Biden’s policy and guidance has been, and that is to do everything we can, including today with this package that we’re announcing, to make sure Ukraine can continue to defend itself so that if and when this comes to some sort of negotiation, that President Zelenskyy is in the best possible position that has the most leverage possible, that he has the most success on the battlefield that he can — that he can take into that negotiation. 

That has included additional policy guidance that President Biden issued not long ago to allow for some long-range missile systems to be used to help Ukraine defend itself across that border, and that policy still stands. 

Q    Very briefly, will you be extending any congratulations to President-elect Trump on his second Time of the — Time Person of the Year award?  (Laughter.)

MR. KIRBY:  I actually didn’t know that — that that had happened.  I — I don’t have any — I don’t have anything more to say on that. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Nadia.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  I want to go back to Austin Tice.  Can you give us some information about the U.S. presence on the ground?  Who is there to secure his release?  Because it seems to me like it’s battle between journalists who are trying to reach to any American prisoners there and this — what happened this morning. 

MR. KIRBY:  Now let’s not get ahead of where we are right now.  Two things.  One, U.S. military presence in Syria is predominantly in the east and it’s designed solely to help us with the counter-ISIS missions.  And we’re working with the Syrian Democratic Forces to that end.  That’s why they’re there, and that’s the only reason that they’re there. 

We don’t have enough information right now about Mr. Tice and his whereabouts and his condition to develop any kind of policy options in terms of getting him home.  So, we — let’s just not get ahead of where we are right now. 

Right now, we’re really trying — and we hope that developments in Syria will give us the opportunity to glean more information.

Q    So, you — sorry, I just to follow on this.  So, you’re saying that there’s no FBI agents, there is nobody from the hostage departments that the U.S. was dealing who on the ground now in Syria?  Because I’m aware of the Hostage Aid — that’s an organization that trying to find all hostages all over, American hostages.  They are on the ground.  And there are journalists, including my station, who’s — who actually the first station to reach Mr. Timmerman this morning. 

MR. KIRBY:  The work that we’re doing, the presence that we have in Syria is — is largely around counterterrorism missions. 

Again, I don’t have policy options to speak to right now about finding and retrieving Mr. Tice.  We just don’t have enough information at this point.

Q    Okay.  One more on Gaza, please.  You have called on the Israelis many times from this podium to make sure they avoid civilian casualties and aid workers who have been working in Gaza.  In the last week, every single day there’s at least 50 civilians are being killed, including entire families and 34 aid workers.  So, has your message gone on deaf ears, or are you following up with what’s happening there?  How civilians are being killed every single day, and we don’t hear much about them?

MR. KIRBY:  We talk to the Israelis almost every day about — about their operations and about how we want to see them be more careful and minimize civilian casualties. 

And, my goodness, Jake Sullivan, our national security advisor, is in Israel today, and this very much was a part of the discussions he had with — not — with the Israeli national security team as well as the prime minister.  He brought it up today.  Secretary Blinken is in the region.  I have no doubt that he’ll be bringing it up as well.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Patsy.

Q    Thanks you, Karine.  John, two questions.  One on Afghanistan — if you have any thoughts on the death of the Taliban minister Khalil Rahman Haqqani in a suicide bombing claimed by a regional Islamic State affiliate.

MR. KIRBY:  I think that — look, we’re just getting information about this.  I think it’s a little too soon for me to — to make a comment.  The only thing I would say is that we recognize — and we said so at the time — that there was still an ISIS threat inside Afghanistan.  And clearly, they have set their sights on the Taliban.  But I don’t really have anything more say on that. 

Q    Is there anything in terms of U.S. over-horizon capability?  Can you comment on that, in terms of, you know, how — how this kind of suicide bomb- — bombing —

MR. KIRBY:  We maintain and have improved, since our withdrawal from Afghanistan, the ability to conduct over-the-horizon counterterrorism operations anywhere in the world — anywhere in the world — and we’ve proven our ability to do that, including in places like Afghanistan since we left. 

Q    And one quick one on Venezuela, if you don’t mind, John.  So, Argentina is accusing Venezuela of continually harassing members of the opposition that’s sheltering in their diplomatic compound in Caracas.  Do you have any comments on that?

MR. KIRBY:  Let me get back to you on that one.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Yeah.  John, thanks so much.  On Syria again.  What is the United States doing to ensure that there are no clashes between that Turkey-backed SNA and the U.S.-allied Kurdish militia there?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah.

Q    And then I’ve got one more.

MR. KIRBY:  One of the things we want to make sure is that the Syrian Democratic Forces stay partnered with us on counter-ISIS missions.  And we have seen in the past where — where certain parts of the SDF, if they pursue — perceived other — other threats and challenges, they’ve — in the past, they’ve kind of moved off that mission, and we don’t want to see that happen. 

So, we’re in very close touch with our SDF partners to — to try to maintain that focus on counter-ISIS missions, and we are just as importantly in touch with our Turkish counterparts, including Secretary Blinken, to — to make sure that we understand what they’re trying to do and that we both take steps that — that help preserve the effectiveness of the counter-ISIS mission and that it’s not diminished in any way. 

Q    Okay.  I mean, the relationship with the Turks hasn’t been the best.  So, how do you hope to ensure that this, you know, message gets through and is respected?

MR. KIRBY:  By being there and talking to them, which is what we’re doing today. 

Q    Okay.  And then just one more on — on Syria — or, rather, on Austin Tice.  There have been reports — scattered reports that he could be in Iran.  Can you say anything to that?

MR. KIRBY:  I can’t.  As I said — and it’s an honest answer — we just don’t have enough context right now to make a judgment about his whereabouts or his condition, and that’s why we’re working so hard.  And we are, as we speak — you and me today — we are asking those questions.  And we hope that what happened in Syria over the weekend may give us an opportunity to learn more. 

Q    Are you directly in touch with the Iranians about this at all?

MR. KIRBY:  We have been in touch — I’ll just say this.  As you would expect — or at least I hope you would expect us to be — we have been in touch with interlocutors and groups and leaders all over the region.  And we have various ways of being in touch, some is indirect — some is indirect. 

But I — I think it’s safe for you to assume that, given the events over the weekend, we’re — we’re — it’s a full-court press to see what we can do to find out more about Austin Tice, and that includes having a whole heck of a lot of conversations with a lot of different folks. 

Q    Okay.  And then just one more, quickly, on Gaza.  So, Jake said he thinks the ceasefire deal may be near.  We’ve obviously heard that before.

MR. KIRBY:  And Jake said we’ve heard that before — (laughter) — and we — and we haven’t al- — always been able to get it across the finish line.  We’re being pragmatic about this. 

Q    I know.  But, I mean, what — what — you know, how are the circumstances different now?  What dynamics could be different that would actually make a deal happen?

MR. KIRBY:  That’s a great question.  I think if — if you’re Hamas right now, which is still fairly a — a rudderless organization, and you look at the world today, you know, the options aren’t good.  Your — your military capabilities have been all but decimated.  Your main leader is gone.  The leader of your — your buddy, Hezbollah, he’s gone — Nasrallah is gone.  He- — Hezbollah is now in a ceasefire arrangement, which is still holding, with Israel.  And Iran is not coming to the rescue.  There is no cavalry for the Hamas right now — for Hamas right now. 

So, this is the time, and I think that’s what Jake was alluding to.  The — there has been an awful lot of pressure put on anybody who is supporting Hamas.  And now, given where they are and how weakened they are, this is the moment to make this deal. 

And that’s why, I think, Jake believes that we’re — that we’re getting close.  I mean, this is a great opportunity right now to do it.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Just to follow on Gaza.  In those comments in Jerusalem earlier today, Jake Sullivan said that the posture of both Prime Minister Netanyahu to do a deal and the posture of Hamas at the negotiating table in the wake of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon had changed favorably toward a deal.  I’m just wondering if you could elaborate a little bit more on that dynamic and what he’s referencing there.

MR. KIRBY:  Well, it’s kind of my — my answer to Andrea.  I mean, i- — the — the situation for Hamas has radically changed, particularly because of what’s happened. 

And I would add — one thing I didn’t add was events in Syria, because now Assad is gone.  And who was Assad’s main backer?  Iran. 

Iran was not only unwilling but unable to come to Assad’s rescue.  It’s just more proof — or should be more proof — to Hamas leaders that there is, as I said, no cavalry coming to the rescue. 

So, th- — they’re — they’re at a moment of weakness and desperation.  This is the time to make this deal and move forward on it.

Now, whether they’ll do it or not, as Jake said, you know, we can’t be certain, but we believe there’s an opportunity here — a moment — and that’s why Jake’s in the region.

Q    On Syria, the U.S. has stated that one of its primary goals is to make sure that ISIS does not reconstitute there.  In the days since the Assad regime has fallen, have you seen any information or any intelligence about cells or larger groups that are trying to exploit this opening?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, I’m not going to get into too much on the intel side. 

I’ll just tell you that we’re watching this real closely, and that is a risk.  That is a worry — that ISIS — I mean, this is a group that — that loves ungoverned space.  And you can expect — we have to expect that they’re going to look at what’s happening here with the fall of Assad and now Russia — or Iran not coming to the rescue; Russia now also not coming to rescue.  Russia is worried about their own presence in Syria and how that’s going to look.  You can expect — you would expect that a group like ISIS would try to exploit that. 

So, we’re watching it closely. 

I don’t have any, again, additional intelligence indicators to speak to — to today, but it is something we’re laser-focused on. 

Q    And then just broadly, on foreign policy.  There’s only one president at a time, but we’ve seen the president-elect wade into his preference for what the U.S. does or doesn’t do in Syria, the U.S. approach to Ukraine, to the Middle East.  And now the transition is also, as you guys have said, working hand in glove as you push for a ceasefire in the region there.  He’s also inviting world leaders to inauguration. 

Is this having an impact on your foreign policy?

MR. KIRBY:  No.  No. 

But I want to go back to your first question, though.  The oth- — the other thing I want to stress on this ISIS thing is that that is why — and the president said this Sunday — the — the concerns about ISIS is exactly why that mission in Syria, the mil- — the U.S. military mission and the partnership with the SDF is so important and why we want to see it continue.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Lalit.

Q    Thank you.  Two questions.  One on Bangladesh, then on India.

On Bangladesh.  Over the past few weeks, several Hindu American groups across the country have been holding protest march — one outside the White House over the weekend.  They’re protesting against the continued killings of Hindus and the temples in Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.  Is the president aware about it?  Did he raise this issue when he met his friend and the interim government chief Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the U.N.?

MR. KIRBY:  We’re watching this very, very, very closely, and the president is following events closely as well.

The security situation in Bangladesh has been difficult following the ouster of the former prime minister, and we’ve been working closely with the interim government to enhance the capability of their law enforcement and security services to deal with the challenge. 

We’ve been very clear in our engagement with all Bangladeshi leaders that protection of religious and ethnic minorities is absolutely critical, and the leaders of the interim government have repeatedly committed to providing security to all Bangladeshis, regardless of religion or ethnicity. 

We hol- — we want to hold them to that.

Q    And on India.  As the president concludes his four-year term, what do you think of the key achievements of India-U.S.’s (inaudible)?

MR. KIRBY:  The president is very proud of the way in which our bilateral relationship with India has transformed during his administration.  I mean, we’ve elevated the Quad now — the Indo-Pacific Quad.  I don’t know how many meetings he’s had now inside the Quad and bilaterally with the — the prime minister. 

There’s an awful lot in our relationship that has improved: military-to-military communication and — and defense security partnerships there in India and in the Indo-Pacific writ large, people-to-people ties, economic ties.  I mean, there’s been an awful lot.

Q    Quick follow-up on — on India.  You mentioned about Quad.  What are the president’s expectations on the coming administration on Quad and other American —

MR. KIRBY:  That’s going to be up to the incoming administration. 

Q    — U2I2 —

MR. KIRBY:  That’s — it’s going to be up to them to determine how they leverage the Indo-Pacific Quad.  We can only speak to the ways President Biden has.

Q    Do you expect there to be the bilateral — sorry, bipartisan support to India’s relationship? 

MR. KIRBY:  Do I expect —

Q    India’s relationship has — has been a bipartisan support — right? — for the — both the sides have supported it.

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t see anything in the future which would indicate a change in that.  There has been strong bipartisan support for growing this bilateral relationship, and I’m — I’m — I would expect that that will continue.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Hey, John. 

MR. KIRBY:  Oh, sorry.

Q    Yeah.  President-elect Trump last night named a new director for the Voice of America: Kari Lake.  Do you think that the president has the authority to name a new director of that news group?

MR. KIRBY:  I understand that there’s — I — I actually don’t — you know what, I — I’m going to — look, I’m — I think I should take the question, because I don’t understand enough about the process there to really weigh in on that.  So, why don’t we take that question?

Q    Could you just react generally to the fact that, you know, this is a nonpartisan agency, and Kari Lake is someone who just ran a Senate campaign?  Just any reaction to the fact that she —

MR. KIRBY:  I — I’m just not going to get into casting judgments on the names that the president-elect is putting forward for various jobs.  That is for him and his team to speak to.

The — but what I can tell you: President Biden and this entire administration — and that includes me, personally — have great respect for Voice of America and the work that they do here and around the world.  We value and we respect that they have an editorial independence, which I think is absolutely vital for them to be able to do their job credibly. 

If you’re going to have the name “Voice of America” on your bumper sticker, then, you know, you can expect that certain people around the world may look askance at that.  But the fact that they are editorially independent and do good, solid reporting on their own, I think, says — speaks volumes about how valuable they are to making sure that the proper news and context and information gets to audiences around the world. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

MR. KIRBY:  I’m very proud of them. 

Q    Hi.  Thanks, Karine.  Thanks, John.  At the top of your remarks, you talked about the administration’s commitment to an independent and sovereign Syria.  And, of course, Israel has sent its forces into the buffer zone adjacent to the Golan Heights and apparently beyond it.  The presence of foreign troops would seem inconsistent with an independent and sovereign Syria.  So, will the administration pressure its ally to withdraw those troops?

MR. KIRBY:  We are in discussions with the Israelis, as you might expect us to be, about their operations there inside that buffer zone and staying in close touch, as Jake did today, with better understanding what their goals and objectives are.

I would tell you — or I would point you to what they have said, which is this is a temporary measure to deal with exigent circumstances and what — what we — and we recognize what they recognize, that there are some legitimate threats that they’re trying to —

Q    Have they given any indication what they mean by “temporary,” given that they’ve been, you know, in occupation of the Golan Heights —

MR. KIRBY:  I think I’d point you to —

Q    — since 1967?

MR. KIRBY:  — the Israelis to speak to their military operations.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Jacqui.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  John, on the drones, does the U.S. government have any of its own imagery or video of these systems? 

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not aware that we have U.S.-government-produced imagery ourselves.  But as I said in my opening statement, we have certainly done federal analysis of the existing imagery.

Q    Like from people’s cell phones that we’re seeing? Basically, with what you’re looking at, how can you credibly tell people that there is no public safety threat, there’s no national security threat, that there’s no reason to believe that a foreign government is involved?

MR. KIRBY:  Because the analysis thus far, in an investigation that is ongoing, has not revealed any national security or malicious intent or criminal activity. 

But, Jacqui, I would remind you, we’re at the beginning here, not the end.  There’s a lot more work to be done, and we’re working closely with the state and local authorities to gain more information.

Q    It’s taking them a while.

MR. KIRBY:  I — I would argue that it’s — we’re — we’re moving pretty well here with a sense of energy to try to figure out what we can do to learn more about this.  We’re at — we’re still in the middle of an ongoing investigation, and I’m up here explaining to you and to let you know what we know so far, what we believe so far. 

If information comes to light that changes that characterization, then, my goodness, you know, we’ll be the first ones to let you know.  But right now, there’s just no indication that this is some sort of foreign malign activity or, in fact, even criminal. 

Q    Well, what I don’t understand is — you know, this has been happening since late November.  I don’t know that the law enforcement officials or residents in New York and New Jersey, or even the Democratic senators who wrote to Director Wray, Mayorkas, and the FAA administrator today would think that this has been handled with a sense of urgency. 

But, you know, that being said, has —

MR. KIRBY:  I —

Q    — has the president or the secretary of Defense issued any guidance to NORTHCOM or military installations to act on these systems if they are deemed to be a threat in any way?  And what’s the benchmark for that determination? 

MR. KIRBY:  So, two thoughts.  First of all, you — you’re right, late November.  It is now — what? — the 12th of December.  So, I think it shows that we’re moving on with this and we’re going to stay on it.  So, this — don’t — I want to disabuse you of any notion that we’re not taking this seriously, because we are. 

I can also tell you that if the president, as commander-in-chief, believed — based on the information that he’d been given — that there was a national security threat at play here or even a public safety threat at play here, he would issue the appropriate directives to — to not only law enforcement but perhaps even the military if that was needed. 

I want to go back to something I said at the top: There has been no evidence of any of this activity in or near restricted spaces. 

Q    That’s not what the senators said in the letter.  They said, in fact, that they’ve been observed maneuvering near critical infrastructure, sensitive locations, including reservoirs and military installations, and cited a concern from law enforcement about public safety threats because a medevac helicopter was prevented from transporting a seriously injured patient for care because of the presence of these drones.

MR. KIRBY:  I stand by my opening statement. 

Q    Can you make that make more sense?  Because I think people in New York and New Jersey see drones the size of an SUV over their house every night and think that that doesn’t make any sense. 

MR. KIRBY:  Certainly I understand why people would be looking at this and being concerned about it.  I — we’re concerned about it too, which is why we have the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, my goodness, looking at this, and we’re taking it seriously. 

And we — we understand that people are concerned.  We understand that they got questions.  We got questions too, and we’re working hard to get the answers to that. 

What I can tell you, as we sit here today, you know, at 2:16 in the afternoon on the 12th is we haven’t seen any indication thus far that there’s a public safety risk, and we haven’t seen —

Q    But does anyone in the government know what they are?

MR. KIRBY:  We are still investigating this.  I can’t tell —

Q    So, no.

MR. KIRBY:  — you definitively — I cannot characterize for you definitively what these sightings are.  I can just go back to what I said at the opening: We’ve looked at the imagery.  We can’t corroborate some of the reported sightings through our own expert analysis using sophisticated detection techniques.  But that doesn’t mean that, you know, we’re putting our pen down here this afternoon and calling it a day.  We’re going to keep at this. 

Q    What are you doing though?

MR. KIRBY:  We — we are continuing to investigate it, as I said in my opening statement.  Two federal agencies, as well as United States Coast Guard, and state and local law enforcement officials, which we are staying in close touch with.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Picking up on drones.  Has it reached a level or is there a level determined by which the president or the administration, more directly, would prohibit any use of the airspace — since it is regulated — for drones for a period of time to try to figure out who they are and to remove this anxiety that people in the northeast are feeling?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t know that we’re at a stage right now where we — where we’re considering that sort of a policy option, but I can tell you that we’re going to keep an open mind here.  And I think we’re going to — whatever policy options we determine are appropriate will be informed by the investigation. 

And thus far in this early stage of the investigation, there’s just no national security threat that we see and no public safety risk. 

So, again, you — you want to be careful that you don’t —

that you — you don’t jump to conclusions and you don’t jump to policy options that may not be appropriate at this particular stage.  But we’ll — we’ll obviously see where it goes and we’ll be informed by investigators. 

Q    One other topic.  With Jake in Israel and issues related to Ukraine and Russia, the Middle East, and so forth, with 40 days to go, do you feel that the Biden foreign policy team is in a — cooperate with a very vocal president-elect who is talking about these issues to — to achieve the aims that you have?  Or do you view it as this is really your negotiation to have, whether it’s in Israel, whether it’s with Ukraine?  Is it coordination, competition?  How would you describe —

MR. KIRBY:  I would say consultation.  We are keeping the incoming Trump team fully aware and read in of not only what we’re doing but what we’re thinking about doing so that — that they — there’s nothing they should see in the public domain — nothing I’m saying here, nothing Jake said in Israel — that would surprise them, that we’re keeping them fully informed. 

Q    And has the president or members of this administration asked the president-elect to pull back from public statements or phone calls or anything that might impinge on what you’re trying to do? 

MR. KIRBY:  Not that I’m aware of.

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

Q    What do you make of reports that were out today that Austin Tice was seen alive at a prison in Damascus in 2022?

MR. KIRBY:  I think I’ve answered this before.  I just don’t have — I — I’ve seen that press reporting.  I — I don’t have any information to verify that reporting, and I certainly don’t have anything today that gives us a sense of his whereabouts right now.

Q    I’m asking, though, because the Israelis bombed that facility over the weekend.  And so, I’m wondering if there are any conversations with the Israelis about, you know, maybe avoiding targets where Austin Tice or other prisoners might be held? 

MR. KIRBY:  We’re — we’re — as I said earlier, it’s a full-court press to get more information about Austin, and we are actively in touch with interlocutors and counterparts throughout the region, and that includes Israel. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Thank you so much. 

MR. KIRBY:  Thank you, Karine.

Q    Thank you, John.

Q    Thanks, John.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Before we continue, I was asked by one of my colleagues to — to flag Rodney’s sweater.  (Laughter.)  The amazing Christmas gear you got going on, sir, and the tie and all of it.  It looks good. 

Q    Thank you.  Thank you so much.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  And I hear that you — this is a normal thing during the season. 

Q    Yeah.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  All right.  (Laughter.)

That’s why he’s — this is why he’s behind the camera.  (Laughs.)  He’s like — he’s like —

Q    Aw —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I meant that nicely!

Q    No, no.  She’s right.  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I meant that really nicely.  He’s like, “Please don’t talk to me.”  (Laughs.)  That’s what I meant.  I meant “Don’t talk to me.”

Q    (Inaudible.)  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I appreciate you, Rodney.  Thank you for what you do.

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  With that — jeez.  Tough crowd. 

Colleen.

Q    Thank you.  So, let’s see.  On the pardons. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yes.

Q    I wondered if — you know, there’s been a couple categorical pardons — or categorical, I guess, grants of clemency by the president.  So, I wondered if we could expect more of those sort of categorical pardons, in particular related to the death penalty, which, you know, the president had said during the campaign trail in 2020 he wanted to get rid of.  And, you know, I know it’s paused, but it isn’t gone.  And there’s, I think, 40 people on federal death row.  The president-elect, you know, has made no secret of his — his desire to continue the death penalty. 

So, you know, wondering about that and any other possible categorical ones. 

Sorry to interrupt you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  So, I will say that during the president’s remaining weeks — and he said this in his statement overnight, and I said it at the top as well — that we’re going to continue to — he’s going to continue to talk to his team to review any steps that he’s going to be taking. 

He wants to take additional steps, obvi- — obviously, to — to provide meaningful second chances.  This is what this is all about when you look at the — what — the actions that the president not just took today but over, certainly, the last four years. 

And so, they’re going to continue to review clemency petitions, he and his team, in normal course.  And certainly, further — they want to further the criminal justice reforms in a manner that advances equity and justice; promotes public safety; supports rehab and re-entry, which is all the things that I said at the top; and provides, again, meaningful second chances. 

So, when we have more to share, we certainly will update all of you.  But I think if you look at what the president has done over the past four years, as I just — just laid out, granting — in addition to what he talked — what we announced today — granting 21 pardons, 122 commutations, he has certainly done more in — than his last four predecessors at this point in their first term. 

And so, the president takes this very, very seriously and is going to review all options and, especially, as you stated, clemency petitions as we, you know, close out these final — final few weeks.

Q    On pardons still.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Sure.

Q    We had a poll yesterday that just about 2 in 10 Americans approved of President Biden’s decision to pardon his son.  In particular, they were troubled by the fact that he’d gone back on his word.  So, I wondered what the president’s message is to those Americans. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, I’d just go back to his statement that he put out 12 days ago, I think, now — that Sunday.  And I think that last paragraph where he talks really, truly directly to the American people about this decision that he’s made, obviously, as president, as a father. 

But I would say more broadly, you know, legal experts — you’ve heard me say this — you’ve heard from legal experts, specifically an analyst, former U.S. a- — U.S. attorneys from across the country, who have said — and they have all agreed no one would be criminally prosecuted with felony offenses with these facts — the underlying facts that we have — certainly, have gone back and forth on. 

And I have quoted many times, and I’ll do this again, the former attorney general, Eric Holder, who said, “No U.S. attorney would have charged this case given the underlying facts.  Had his name been Joe Smith, the resolution would have been fundamentally and, more fairly, a declination.  Pardon warranted.” 

And so, I think the actions that the president took today, the actions that he’s taken over the last four years when it comes to clemency, I think, shows the president’s commitment when it comes to reforming — trying to reform the criminal justice system and his — obviously, his commitment to that but, also, giving people a second chance. 

And so, you know, I think that — as it relates to the American people, I think that — I understand that you had this poll, and I get that, but I hope that they will understand the decision that he made and — and, you know — and what he’s going to continue to do in these closing weeks as president. 

Q    Do you think he should apologize based on what the polling found?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What I think is — I think the president hopes that the American people hear him out.  Again, going to that last part of his statement — and I feel that I should continue to reiterate that the American f- — American people out there should take a look at the president’s own words, his statement, how much he wrestled with that decision, and how circumstances did indeed change for him and his view. 

And I quoted many times what Congressman Clyburn said when he spoke to the president two weeks prior — how the president was indeed reticent in making this decision.

And when he saw that Republicans weren’t going to let up, when he s- — you know, we talked about the recently announced Trump appointees for law enforcement who have said themselves that they were going to seek retribution, and there was no reason to not take them by their word.  The sentencing was coming up.  

All of these pieces certainly led to circumstancing — circumstances changing, and so he made a very difficult decision.  And I just hope that in time — in due time, the American people will — will see why he made this decision to move forward.  

In the meantime, I think this announcement — the statement from the president, this announcement today that we’re making: 15- — nearly 1,500 people getting this — their commutation —   I think it’s important.  I think it’s important about second chances, giving people second chances.

And — and so, that’s what the president certainly is going to continue to focus on.

Go ahead.

Q    Thanks.  Different than commuting a sentence, though, or pardoning someone who has been convicted of a crime, there was conversation at one point about the idea of preemptive pardons for somebody who hasn’t been convicted yet but who might be a target of the incoming Trump administration.  Is that still on the table?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to get ahead of the president.  As I said, we’ll have more — the president will have more to announce over the upcoming — upcoming weeks as we are — close out our time here.  

I’m not going to get into the president’s thinking.  He’s going to have conversations with his team.  He’s going to review clemency petitions.  He’s going to review options on the table.

And so, I’m — that’s where I’m going to leave it.  

And I think, you know, 1,500 individuals, as you all know, who are — who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and who have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities — and also pardoning 39 individuals –is — is a big deal.  

I think it’s important to those individuals and their families and their communities.  As I’ve said, they’ve rein- — -integrated into — into those really important pieces of their lives, and I think that’s really important — and just building on what the president has done over the past four years.

And I think that’s — I think those — today, I think it’s a good day for many of those folks who deserve that second chance and who have proven — proven to — to be able to take that on.  

Q    Absolutely.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Some of the names that have been floated around preemptive pardons, though — since it would just be such an unusual, extraordinary step — we’ve talked about — in the news, we’ve seen Liz Cheney, Dr. Fauci, Mark Milley —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You’re talking about the preemptive pardoning?

Q    Right.  I understand you don’t want to get ahead of the president’s thinking, but are any of those names wrong?  Still — can you tell —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m just —

Q    I mean, do you want to tell us anything about —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — it would be a bad move on my — on my — on my behalf if I preempted the president or previewed anything that the president was thinking about, considering.  And so, this is a — this is something that he’s going to talk with his team about.  And — and I just don’t have anything beyond that for you.  

Again, I think today is a very important day, as we talk about the criminal justice system, as we talk about giving people who have shown that they can reintegrate into their community, back into their families, a second chance.  I think that’s a big deal, and I think that shows the president’s commitment to this.  

And, you know, the president talks a lot about what this country has to offer and possibilities, and you see that in every — every action that the president certainly has taken when it comes to this issue and so many other policies that he’s put forward.

Go ahead.

Q    So, Karine — 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — I keep asking you this question.  I’m going to ask it one more time.  

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    You have been working on an Islamophobia — or an — a strategy to counter Islamophobia that would partner with the strategy that you’ve already released to countering antisemitism.  We’ve been waiting for it for a long time.  

Do you have any further updates on when that could be released?  Do you anticipate it coming before the end of the year?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I would say: Stay tuned.  This is obviously something that we’re very committed to when it comes to protecting communities across this country.  

You saw that in our antisemitism strategy, and obviously we’ve been talking about this Islamophobia strategy as well — or talking about coming up with a way forward in protecting communities.  Certainly, that’s the President’s commitment.

I don’t have anything to share right now at this moment, at the — at this podium, behind this lectern.  But I would say: Stay tuned.

Q    Given — given the former president’s ban on entry from — for people from Muslim-majority countries — also known as the Muslim ban — at the beginning of his term —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Which — which we — you know, which we repealed and dealt with that very early on.

Q    No, I understand.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    But there were — you know, there were many, many people on no-fly lists.  And there still are some people on no-fly lists. 

You know, do you — is there any preemptive action that the administration can take to guard against that kind of, you know, mass move again this time?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, you know where the president stands on this in this administration.  

I don’t have any policy announcement to share with you at this time.  And so, I’ll just leave it there.

Q    All right.  And then, just on the pardons and clemency acts.  You know, numerous groups have sort of asked the administration to go even further, to be even more bold in terms of saying that there’s something like 9,000 addition- — additional petitioners, some of whom are chronically ill, some who are aging, some have very young children.

Can you — I know that you are still reviewing these things, but can you say something about the scale?  I mean, is this the sort of the — you know, is this the big move that we’re going to see and then we’ll see sort of individual pardons coming forward?  Or will there — you know, do you anticipate that there could be another larger-scale move?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not going to get into the strategy.  I’m not going to get into numbers.  I’m not going to get into what the president is currently thinking through.  Not something that I’m going to do from here.

But I don’t want people to forget — and I said this at the top, and I just want to reiterate — we’re talking about Americans who — receiving relief who are decorated military veterans, a nurse who has led response for a number of natural disasters, and an addiction counselor who volunteers his time to help young people.  And that’s just naming a few.

And so, that is important to note, because these are the folks that we’re talking about, who are, again, reintegrating back into their communities in a way that’s effective, in a way that’s incredibly important, giving them second chances.  

And let’s not forget all of the other ways that the president has been able to give second chances to Americans over the past almost four years when he has made these types of important decisions.   So, I’m not going to preview.  I’m not going to get ahead of this president.   It would not be wise for me to do so, because he has to make those final — that final decisions, and he has to review what’s in front of him with his team.  

Q    And I just want to — one more real quick.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Sure.  Sure.

Q    There’s anniversary coming up on Saturday for the Sandy Hook shooting, and I know that this is something that’s very near and dear to the president.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, obviously.  Yeah. 

Q    Is he planning any kind of action or — or statement? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, don’t have anything for you.  As you know, we think — during his presidency and, I think, over the past couple of years, even before his presidency, he’s spoken to this day — this tragic, tragic day.  

And you’re right, this is — when it comes to Sandy Hook and any devastating, horrific events like we saw on that day and — you know, the president has always speak — spoken out to it.   This is a president that understands loss, understands what that means to a family, understands what that means to a community.  And Sandy Hook was one of those moments that tore us apart.  

If — I think if you think about that moment and, I think, if you are just a human and you remember that day, it is a heartbreaking, heartbreaking moment.  And obviously our hearts go out to the families and certainly their loved ones who are still dealing with — every year, dealing — dealing with a difficult moment, a difficult anniversary.  And so, I know the president thinks about them almost every day.

And I don’t have anything to — to read out to you on how we’re going to be acknowledging that day, but I’m sure you’ll be continuing to hear from this president.  

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  You talk about the clemency actions as historic — the “big deal,” as you called them earlier — and a real relief that is being brought to human individuals by the actions the president has taken.   So, in terms of sequencing, how did he come to the decision to pardon his son before these individuals?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I think we’ve gone back and forth on — on how he made that decision.  The president obviously — as I — as I said, the president put a statement out 12 days ago, made that decision over that weekend. 

It was a decision that he wrestled with.  I think we’ve talked about the — the politics around this, the decision that he made.  He put out a pretty comprehensive statement.  I’ve mentioned Congressman Clyburn’s — his own words, saying that the president, even two weeks before he had made that decision, was reticent in doing so.  And he wrestled this, and I — as I have said many times: For him, there were consequences that changed his decision.  I just laid that out moments ago. 

Q    But this action pending —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  Yeah.

Q    — for thousands of individuals —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — why not bring the relief to them before —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, I mean —

Q    — announcing the pardon on his son?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — and I was about to get to your question.  This is — what you see today, that was far from this being his first — right? — I think we can’t forget that — his first pardon or act of clemency. 

He has issued more — more — we cannot forget this — more sentence commutations at this point in his presidency than any other recent predecessors at this — at the same point of their first term.  And so — and I talked about what he was able to do in April when he issued historic categorical pardons as well to address marijuana possession convictions and military convictions in the LGBTQ+ community.   These are actions that this president has taken.

And, again, today is historic, but he has been taking these types of actions for some time now.  This is far from the first pardon that the president has taken.  

We’ve gone back and forth.  I’ve laid out what the president is thinking.  He has talked about it directly in a statement in his own voice to all of you about 12 days ago. 

And so, I don’t have anything beyond that, but we can’t look at today as being only the first action that he’s taken.  He’s taken many actions to try and deal with giving an opportunity to people who have shown that they deserve a second chance, giving them an opportunity to have that second chance.  

Q    Anita Dunn, who was for a very long time the senior-most communications aide here at the White House, has been very critical of the president’s decision to pardon his son.  She called it extraordinarily bad timing.   She said it was clear that the White House was “not part of this process.”   And she called the president’s rationale “an attack on the judicial system.” 

She goes, “The argument is one that I think many observers are concerned about.  A president who ran to restore the rule of law, who has upheld the rule of law, who has really defended the rule of law kind of saying, ‘Well, maybe not right now.’”

How would you respond to that?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I will respond in this way.  She also agreed that Hunter Biden, and I quote, “absolutely” deserved a pardon.   Those — “deserved a pardon” is her own words.  So, she supported that action and —

Look, I don’t want to take away the record that the president has made on providing the most individual commutations in a single — in a single day, and I think that matters.  And he’ll certainly have more news to share in this — in this area — in the clemency space, obviously, in the near future.  And we’ll have more to share and certainly more to speak to.

Q    Was she right that the White House was boxed out of the process —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I —

Q    — in reaching that decision?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What I can say is that I would obviously continue to refer you to the president’s statement 12 days ago.  He laid out his thought process, I think, in a very comprehensive way.  We’ve go- — we’ve gone back and forth here about how the circums- — circumstances had changed, but I — let’s not forget that she also said that Hunter Biden “absolutely” deserved a pardon, and I think that matters as well. 

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  What was President Biden’s reaction to FBI director Christopher Wray’s decision to step down?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What I will say is that the president ap- — certainly appreciates the service of Christopher Wray, the FBI director, and — and all that he has done to — in his role.  I don’t have anything more to say beyond that.  Certainly, he wishes the FBI director well. 

Q    Was the president disappointed that Wray is not going to be serving his full —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have any —

Q    — 10-year term?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t have anything else to share besides the service that the FBI director has been able to provide, and he respects his service.  And I don’t — don’t have anything beyond that.  

Q    Has President Biden spoken to FBI Director Wray since the director made that announcement, or was the White House given a heads-up about the decision?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I would say that I don’t have anything to share of a conversation between the FBI director and the president since this decision was — was made, but the president is grateful — is grateful for the director’s service to our country.  And I just don’t have anything else beyond that to share. 

Go ahead, Kelly O.

Q    Can you — given the breadth of the pardons, can you describe a little bit about the president’s process?  Did he read into the individual cases?  Did he accept a list from those who were working on this on his behalf?  How much did he personally dive into particular stories?  And did he decline on any of the ones brought to him for this time?  Or was it sort of a big package presented to the president?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’m not going to go into step by step of this process.

What I can say is this is a president who certainly takes this very seriously, understands the importance of when an individual is able to show that they can reconnect with their community, reconnect with their family, be — be part of a community in a way that I just laid out — when you think about military veteran, when you think about a nurse that’s been very helpful in disaster response — he takes that all into account.  He wants to make sure that — that there are specific criterias that are made, if you will. 

In this case, y- — the Bureau of Prisons, obviously, was very involved in the — in wh- — in looking at — when I say “very involved,” when they made the decision on — on the home confinement of these folks.  And so, obviously, that is a big part of it too. 

And, look, they’ve all des- — demonstrated good behavior, have shown that incarceration and at-home confinement has been successful in their rehabilitation.  And those are all important criterias to look at. 

But this is something, obviously, his team reviews.  It’s presented to the president.  He makes this decision on how to move forward. 

I’m not going to get into the nitty-gritty, but these are important facts that I just laid out to, certainly, look at when you think about getting — again, getting back into the community and showing — showing that, you know, it is — it is meaningful to get that second chance because what these individuals have been able to do.

Go ahead, Annie.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  On the pardons today, can you say whether the president has signed all the paperwork and it’s completely finalized with his signature on it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  Well, my assumption is that we — this is ready to go, since we made the announcement and that we’ve announced it, obviously, overnight.  And so, this is ready to go, and we’re moving forward.  We wouldn’t have made this announcement if we weren’t.  And so, that’s what I could speak to. 

This is something that the president has decided on, and we’re taking, certainly, the steps to make this happen.

Q    (Inaudible) be able to say sort of precisely when he signed it?  Or maybe (inaudible.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I don’t have specifics on signature — when — when it was signed, how the process even works. 

I know that we just made announcement, obviously, overnight on — on this, really — you know, this granted clemency of nearly 1,500 people.  I think that’s a big deal.  Thirty-nine individuals are — were, certainly, pardoned, were — who were convicted of nonviolent crimes.  And I think this is important to — to just not forget. 

But I don’t have the specifics of the process or how it works.  But, obviously, it’s out there, and we’re moving forward with it.

Q    And then one other thing.  You had been asked several times about whether Hunter Biden would receive a pardon and responded to that question.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    In that vein, can you tell me whether the president is considering a pardon for his son [brother] James Biden?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, what I can speak to is the p- — the president made that decision — right? — about Hunter Biden.  He put it in — in his own words.  I don’t have anything to share beyond that.  What I can say is: Not that I’m aware of, but I just don’t have anything else beyond that. 

And the president, certainly, is going to — as it — more broadly speaking, as we move forward to the next couple of weeks, he obviously is going to review with his team about other clemency decisions, and they’re taking additional steps.  And so, that’s what I can speak to at this time.

Go ahead, Zolan.

Q    Thank you.  During the past clemency actions you were talking about, it seemed like most of the time the recipients were nonviolent, you know, drug offenders — low-level drug crimes.  There were a couple recipients here, though — I mean, a judge who participated in a scheme that sent juveniles to for-profit jails; Medicare fraud; you know, real estate fraud.

I guess what I’m wondering is, was the crime that was committed also part of the criteria here?  Or was it the mere fact where, if you were somebody on home confinement — despite the crime you committed, but just the fact that you were on home confinement — you received a commutation? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, they’re two different things, right?  There is the 1,500 folks who — who were placed on home confinement during COVID —

Q    The examples I listed are part of the 1,500.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, th- — okay. 

Q    Yeah.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I didn’t know, because I — because those are commutation, right?  So, I didn’t know.  So —

Q    S- — those are commutations, right.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  So, you were saying “pardoned,” so I just wanted to make sure of that. 

Q    Yeah.  To clarify —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  Yes.

Q    — those examples I listed are —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Are the fif- —

Q    — part of the 1,500 that received commutations.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  Okay.  Because, as you know, there were 39 people who were — who were pardoned.  So, two different things, so I just want to make sure we were on the same page. 

So, this is definitely related to the home confinement from COVID.  Let’s not forget, there was the CARE[S] Act of 2020, right?  This is all connected, certainly, to that.  And that’s — those are the individuals who were — again, who had home confinement and they successfully reintegrated into their families, into their communities.  And that’s the group of people — that category, if you will — that we were looking at.

Q    But — but —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Like, if they — just the fact that they were on home confinement, they received a commutation here?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, no, no.  Because —

Q    Was there — did you factor —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  There was —

Q    — in any — like, in the process, do you also factor in the individual cases and the individual crimes that were committed?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, I think what’s important is that they were successfully able to reintegrate into their communities and back into their families, right?  They showed that having a second chance is something that they should be given, right?  And so, that is what’s important. 

That — let’s not forget that — the successfully reintegrating.  And I think that’s a huge factor.  That matters as well.  The home confinement, obviously, those — that’s the category that they — that they were in during that CARE[S] Act of 2020.  They were — they — as you know, there was a decision because of COVID-19 pandemic to move forward, back in 2020, before the president was, obviously, in office.

And these folks, this 1,500 that we’re talking about — the nearly 1,500, were able to successfully reintegrate.  And I think that’s a criteria that we can’t forget.  And that’s a criteria that’s incredibly important here as the president made his decision. 

Q    And to follow up on —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — I think, Kelly’s question.  Just, I know you don’t want to go step by step in the process —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — but c- — can we say accurately that the president reviewed, looked at any of these applications?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  What I can say is this president made this decision.  This is the president that made the decision to move forward on this. 

Q    What was his involvement, though?  Did they present him the applications and he said yes, or —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, obviously the president was presented from his team the — th- — granting the clemency — right? — of these approximately 1,500 Americans and also the 39 that he pardoned.  He was presented that by his team, and he made the decision.

This is a — this would not have happened — we cannot forget: This would not have happened if the president didn’t sign off on it, if the president didn’t decide to move forward. 

And we can’t forget what the president has done.  We’re talking about the — let’s not forget the past.  Yes, we’re talking about today, but we can’t forget the president has also done 122 commutations, 21 pardons before this.  We can’t forget that the president issued — issued categorical pardons for LGBTQ+ service members convicted because of their sexual orientation or identity — gender identity and individuals charged with simply possession of marijuana.  This is — and he just did that back in April. 

So, the president has certainly taken action to show the importance of giving Americans second chances, and this is a continuation.  This is not just a one-day thing.  This is a continuation of the person — of the president taking clemency and giving people second chances very, very seriously and understanding how much that means to families and, certainly, communities.

Go ahead.

Q    Yeah.  Has the president called any of the people he granted pardons to?  Do you have anything to read out on that front?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.  It’s a good question.  I don’t have

anything to read out on the president calling any — any of the 15- nearly 1,500 people or 39 folks that he was able to — to pardon today.  I just don’t have anything to share.

Q    And is he planning a farewell address at some point?  Is there something in the works?  Do you know where it might be, when it might be? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I don’t — we’ll certainly have more to share what the next — the last couple of weeks, last couple of days of the president’s administration will look like, if he’s going to be giving any big speeches or giving any important remarks as he — as he ends his presidency. 

I don’t have anything right now in this moment, but I would say stay tuned.  We’ll have a lot more to share as to what January post-holiday will look like. 

Go ahead.  I know — go ahead.  I know I was supposed to call on you and I didn’t.

Q    Thank you.  Back to Austin Tice —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.

Q    — with apologies.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No.  No apologies.  (Laughter.)  That’s an important — no, no.  It’s important.  No apologies.

Q    So, I believe it was last Friday when the family of Austin Tice said that they had spoken to officials here at the White House. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  They met with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the end of last week, yes.

Q    And then they had a statement at the National Press Club, where they said that they had been told from a reliable source — we assume Sullivan — that — that Austin was alive and that he was being treated well. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    So, now we don’t know any of that.  So, what — how did that — where did they get that information?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, I’m going to let the family speak for themselves.  I can’t e- — can’t even imagine what they’re going through.  I don’t want to imagine what they’re going through.  I know this has been a difficult time for them.

But what I can say is, when it comes to Austin Tice, this is a top priority for this president.  He said that himself.  And there is no indication that he is not alive, but there’s also no indication about his location or condition. 

And so, what our goal is is to bring him home.  And so, we hope, certainly, that he is alive. 

And — and as we have stated many times before, we are talking through the — through — through this with the Turks, and we want to do everything that we can to bring him home.  It is a top priority for this president and this administration, and that’s how we’re going to continue to move forward on this. 

All right, everybody. 

Q    Will there be further —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, go ahead.

Q    Will there be further meetings between now and the end of this administration?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, as you know, this administration, including the national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, has met with many family members of — of Americans who are wrongfully detained, held hostage.  That is something — and also the president has done this as well.  The national security advisor, as I just mentioned, just met with Austin Tice’s family just this past week — this past week. 

And so, we’re c- — we’re going to continue to certainly stay engaged and in touch. 

I don’t have any meetings to preview for you at this time, but we’ve been pretty con- — pretty consistent in staying in touch with these families.

Again, I — our hearts go out to them.  Our hearts go out to them as they are dealing with an incredibly, incredibly difficult time.

All right.  Thanks, everybody.

Q    Thank you.

P.M. EST

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