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WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to renominate the following individual to continue serving as a key leader in his administration:

• Anton Hajjar, Nominee to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service Board of Governors

Anton Hajjar, Nominee to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service Board of Governors

Anton Hajjar was previously confirmed by the U.S. Senate via voice vote, and sworn into office as a Governor of the United States Postal Service on May 28, 2021.

Anton Hajjar is the former General Counsel of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, and has significant experience representing unions and union workers. Since his retirement from active practice at the end of 2016, he has concentrated on pro bono legal work in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

He worked for seven years for the National Labor Relations Board in the New Orleans regional office and the Appellate Court Branch in Washington, D.C. In private practice, he was a Principal with O’Donnell, Schwartz & Anderson, PC and Of Counsel with Murphy Anderson PLLC. Hajjar has written articles and given presentations to federal judges, lawyers, union officials and lay audiences on labor and employment subjects. He has been an advisor and pro bono attorney in numerous employment discrimination cases. In 2002, he was elected to membership in the American Law Institute, and has served as a member of its governing board since 2010. The American-Arab Antidiscrimination Committee presented Hajjar with its Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award in 2012 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. 

Hajjar has a J.D. from Tulane Law School and clerked for the Honorable John Minor Wisdom of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before law school, he was employed for three years as a U.S. Customs Inspector. Hajjar has also worked as merchant seaman, factory worker, truck driver, laborer, and hospital attendant.

He now lives in Chevy Chase, MD, with his wife Sandra Hughes, who was a labor attorney and consults on aging issues. They have two adopted children, Claire and Gregory, who were born in Lebanon. They have one grandchild.

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The post President Biden Announces Key Nominees appeared first on The White House.

WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to renominate the following individual to continue serving as a key leader in his administration:

• Anton Hajjar, Nominee to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service Board of Governors

Anton Hajjar, Nominee to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service Board of Governors

Anton Hajjar was previously confirmed by the U.S. Senate via voice vote, and sworn into office as a Governor of the United States Postal Service on May 28, 2021.

Anton Hajjar is the former General Counsel of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, and has significant experience representing unions and union workers. Since his retirement from active practice at the end of 2016, he has concentrated on pro bono legal work in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

He worked for seven years for the National Labor Relations Board in the New Orleans regional office and the Appellate Court Branch in Washington, D.C. In private practice, he was a Principal with O’Donnell, Schwartz & Anderson, PC and Of Counsel with Murphy Anderson PLLC. Hajjar has written articles and given presentations to federal judges, lawyers, union officials and lay audiences on labor and employment subjects. He has been an advisor and pro bono attorney in numerous employment discrimination cases. In 2002, he was elected to membership in the American Law Institute, and has served as a member of its governing board since 2010. The American-Arab Antidiscrimination Committee presented Hajjar with its Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award in 2012 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. 

Hajjar has a J.D. from Tulane Law School and clerked for the Honorable John Minor Wisdom of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before law school, he was employed for three years as a U.S. Customs Inspector. Hajjar has also worked as merchant seaman, factory worker, truck driver, laborer, and hospital attendant.

He now lives in Chevy Chase, MD, with his wife Sandra Hughes, who was a labor attorney and consults on aging issues. They have two adopted children, Claire and Gregory, who were born in Lebanon. They have one grandchild.

# # #  

The post President Biden Announces Key Nominees appeared first on The White House.

            Few Americans have had deeper influence in shaping labor and social policy in the United States than Frances Perkins.  Perkins became the first woman to serve as a Cabinet Secretary when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt appointed her as the Secretary of Labor in 1933.  During the subsequent 12 years, Secretary Perkins played a pivotal role in constructing the New Deal and helping to guide the country out of the Great Depression by designing and leading the implementation of sweeping labor and economic reforms that have made life better for generations of Americans.  The longest serving Secretary of Labor in United States history, Secretary Perkins was the architect of many programs and standards — including a minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, and prohibitions on child labor — that have endured as the backbone of Federal support for workers and families and continue to benefit millions of Americans today.  Secretary Perkins chaired President Roosevelt’s effort to investigate the benefits of social insurance and then worked to achieve passage of the Social Security Act, which became one of the most successful programs in the United States to prevent poverty among older adults.  When the United States and other nations initially failed to face the horrors of the Holocaust, Secretary Perkins demonstrated leadership on behalf of immigrants and refugees by actively working to bring Jewish children and adults from Europe to the United States to ensure their safety.
     The Perkins Homestead in Newcastle, Maine, played a pivotal role in Frances Perkins’ life and supported her work to deliver lasting protection and benefits to American workers and families.  The rural setting of the Perkins Homestead on the Damariscotta River was the place she felt most at home.  She spent her childhood summers there and returned frequently for respite throughout her career.  Continuously owned by her family for over 260 years, the Perkins Homestead remains much as it was during Secretary Perkins’ lifetime, including the buildings, structures, gardens, and paths where she spent substantial time throughout her life.  The core area contains historic structures including a brick house, an attached barn, a gravel driveway, a garden, and portions of a stone wall.  The surrounding landscape of the Perkins Homestead contains additional portions of the stone wall, an ice pond, walking trails, a family cemetery, foundations of the 18th and 19th century Perkins Homestead buildings, and remnants of a pre-Revolutionary era garrison.  Visitors to the Perkins Homestead today can wander through these places where Perkins returned time and again during her Government service.  They can view the stone wall where she sat listening to the radio on September 1, 1939, when it was reported that the Germans invaded Poland, prompting her to rush back to Washington, D.C., to assist the President.  Preserving the core area of the Perkins Homestead and its associated historic objects will ensure that current and future generations have the opportunity to learn about Secretary Perkins’ foundational contributions to the Nation’s social and labor policy through the place that helped shape her as a person and support her throughout her extraordinary career.
     Frances Perkins was born in Boston as Fannie Coralie Perkins in 1880.  At the age of 25, she changed her name to Frances Perkins, which she used for the rest of her life, even after marriage.  She graduated in 1902 from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where she credited a class trip to a nearby mill with inspiring her early interest in improving working conditions for women and children.
     After college, Frances Perkins worked with social service organizations in Chicago and Philadelphia, including settlement houses for poor and unemployed people and an organization to support and protect immigrant and Black women and girls from labor and sexual exploitation they faced upon arrival in these cities looking for work.  These experiences deepened her resolve to help reduce poverty and support the working poor.
     In 1911, while employed at the New York City Consumers’ League, Frances Perkins heard the sirens of fire engines racing to put out flames that had engulfed the nearby Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.  Running to the site of the fire, she witnessed the horrific scene of workers, mostly young women, jumping to their deaths after being locked in the factory.  In total, 146 people died in the fire –- including many immigrant workers.  Perkins later cited that tragic day as the impetus for policies that would become central to the New Deal.
     Perkins’ subsequent work at the New York Factory Investigating Commission, where she investigated and advocated for worker health and safety reforms, led to 33 new State laws that improved worker safety, workplace sanitation, and working conditions; provided workers’ compensation; and placed limits on child labor.  These were some of the first workplace health and safety standards in the Nation, and they became models that other States and the Federal Government adopted.
     In 1919, Perkins was named to the New York State Industrial Commission, making her the first woman appointed to serve in a New York State government administration.  In 1929, newly elected Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked Perkins to become the State’s Industrial Commissioner and oversee the labor department.  As the United States careened toward the Great Depression, Perkins used her position to shine a national spotlight on rising unemployment while also helping workers in New York and elsewhere by connecting them to jobs through a State employment service and inviting surrounding States to participate in an unemployment insurance system.  Her early warnings regarding the depth of the Nation’s economic problems and her work to develop solutions established Perkins as a national leader in the 20th century employment and labor reform movements.
     When President Roosevelt formally asked Perkins to join his Cabinet as Secretary of Labor, she responded by saying that if she accepted the position, she intended to execute an ambitious plan of action that included establishing maximum hours and minimum wages, ending child labor, developing unemployment relief through public works, providing unemployment insurance, and creating an old-age pension and a national health insurance program.  After detailing her plan, she asked if President Roosevelt was sure he wanted this list of policies put in place, explaining that, “you won’t want me for Secretary of Labor if you don’t want those things done.”  President Roosevelt responded that he would back her; he had promised the American people that he would improve their lives, and he intended to keep his promise.
     At a time when few women were in leadership positions and just 13 years after the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, Frances Perkins became Secretary of Labor.  During an unprecedented 12 years in the position — from 1933 to 1945 — Secretary Perkins achieved hard-fought social and economic reforms, often over vocal opposition and personal attacks from critics.  She summarized her work in a five-page letter to President Roosevelt, describing the reforms as “a turning point in our national life — a turning from careless neglect of human values and toward an order . . . of mutual and practical benevolence within a free competitive industrial economy.”  The list of accomplishments detailed in her letter encompasses many programs and laws that continue to undergird the Nation’s economy and social safety net, including establishing Social Security and contributing to the development of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act.  She also helped create millions of jobs across the country through the novel Civilian Conservation Corps and Public Works Administration. 
     As Secretary of Labor, Perkins often supported the rights of workers to organize unions and to negotiate with employers through collective action, laying the foundation for the rebirth of American labor –- including through helping write recovery legislation that provided a right to collective bargaining and laid the groundwork for the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (also known as the Wagner Act).  She used her post not only to advance labor protections in national policy, but also to call personally for workers’ fair treatment and access to the halls of power.  She persuaded President Roosevelt not to deploy Federal troops to quell the 1934 San Francisco General Strike, and instead encouraged the parties to settle their differences, which was accomplished within a week, and she frequently advised President Roosevelt to help resolve contentious strikes for the benefit of workers.   
     At the close of her time at the Department of Labor, Perkins had accomplished nearly all of the items in the ambitious plan she laid out for President Roosevelt when he asked her to serve, but she lamented the one exception:  health care benefits for American workers.  Historians have also noted that, because of deep racial inequities and injustices of the time –- including segregation -– the benefits of the New Deal were not available to all Americans initially. 
     When her time as Secretary of Labor concluded, Perkins continued in public service as President Harry Truman’s appointee to the United States Civil Service Commission, a post she held from 1945 until 1953.  She then became a lecturer at the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, a role she held until her death in 1965. 
     When Secretary Perkins died, the Secretary of Labor at the time, W. Willard Wirtz, recognized her legacy as central to the New Deal, stating that “every man and woman in America who works at a living wage, under safe conditions, for reasonable hours, or who is protected by unemployment insurance or social security is her debtor.”  The final resting place of Secretary Perkins is near her daughter, husband, sister, parents, and grandparents in the Glidden Cemetery, located a half mile north of the Perkins Homestead in Newcastle, Maine. 
     Throughout Perkins’ life and career, the Perkins Homestead served as a place of rejuvenation and reflection, including during her time as Secretary of Labor.  Throughout her working life, she continued the family tradition of summer visits to Maine, often living there with her daughter from August into September.  Perkins and her sister became joint owners of the property in 1927 and it stayed within the family until 2020.  Perkins wrote about how the woods surrounding the brick house and the shoreline at the Perkins Homestead’s edge restored and comforted her, and how the brick house provided a place for her to relax and to recover from her work as Secretary of Labor.
     The Perkins Homestead, originally over 200 acres, was settled by Perkins’ great-great grandfather in the early 1700s.  A mid-18th century garrison existed on the property that was in use for 3 years during the French and Indian War. 
     The core area, on the west end of the Perkins Homestead, has a brick house built by the Perkins family in 1837 along with a connected barn.  The two-story home is constructed of bricks manufactured on site at the family brickyard.  The east end of the Perkins Homestead borders the Damariscotta River and has a family cemetery, foundations of the 18th and 19th century Perkins Homestead buildings, the remains of the brick kilns, wharves, and a clay pit from the 19th century brickyard, as well as the remains of the garrison.  Agricultural fields, pastures, woodland, and planted trees connect the two sides of the Perkins Homestead.
     The National Park Service first documented the Perkins Homestead through the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1960, while Secretary Perkins still occupied the home.  In 2009, the National Park Service listed the Brick House Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places; the Brick House Historic District included the brick house, adjacent structures, and the wooded and agricultural lands extending to the shoreline of the Damariscotta River.  In 2014, the Secretary of the Interior designated this same 57 acres as the Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark, recognizing the property’s historic importance and nationally significant association with Frances Perkins.
     The Perkins Homestead contains several objects that reflect Secretary Perkins’ lifelong commitment to supporting and protecting American workers.  Hanging above a doorway in the brick house is a custom “No Smoking” sign that reflects the lasting influence the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire had on Perkins.  It reads:  “Please Do Not SMOKE In Any Part of This Building.  DANGEROUS.  F. Perkins.”  The brick house also includes Secretary Perkins’ Award for Distinguished Service, which the Department of Labor presented to her on March 4, 1963, on the occasion of the Department’s 50th anniversary.  The Award citation reads:  “For her courage in entering an arena previously considered a masculine domain; for her strength in guiding the Department through a dozen years of domestic stress and international travail; for her spirit in waging the good fight for good objectives; and finally, for herself.”  
     Conserving the Perkins Homestead will ensure that the family home and surrounding landscape that were a constant source of support for Secretary Perkins will remain protected and accessible in perpetuity for the benefit of all people to learn about her life, her unparalleled contributions to labor and social policy that would eventually benefit generations of Americans, and core principles at the heart of the New Deal that she championed:  economic security and dignity for workers.
     WHEREAS, section 320301 of title 54, United States Code (the “Antiquities Act”), authorizes the President, in the President’s discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated on land owned or controlled by the Federal Government to be national monuments, and to reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected; and
     WHEREAS, the Perkins Homestead was designated a National Historic Landmark on August 25, 2014, establishing its national significance as the ancestral home and lifelong summer residence of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve as a Cabinet Secretary and one of our Nation’s most influential and effective public servants whose legacy includes the historic New Deal; and
     WHEREAS, the Frances Perkins Center has been managing and preserving the approximately 57-acre Perkins Homestead, including the objects identified above and additional archives and collections illustrating the historic value of this site, and has expressed support for inclusion of the Perkins Homestead in the National Park System; and
     WHEREAS, the Frances Perkins Center has donated to the Federal Government for the purpose of establishing a unit of the National Park System fee interest in the core area comprising approximately 2.3 acres of land in Newcastle, Maine, which includes several historic objects associated with the Perkins Homestead and Perkins’ life located on this site, including the brick house, the connected barn, and portions of the stone wall; and
     WHEREAS, in support of the establishment of a national monument to be administered by the National Park Service, the Frances Perkins Center has also indicated its intent to develop a partnership with the National Park Service to help manage, oversee, interpret, maintain, and protect the Perkins Homestead (including the core area) and the historic objects it contains as appropriate; and
     WHEREAS, the Frances Perkins Center has indicated an interest in donating a majority of the remaining approximately 54.7 acres of the 57-acre Perkins Homestead to the Federal Government in the future; and
     WHEREAS, the designation of a national monument to be administered by the National Park Service would recognize the historic significance of Frances Perkins and her role in the New Deal, particularly her contributions to social welfare, safe working conditions, and protection of workers’ health and well-being, and would provide a national platform for preserving and interpreting this important history; and
     WHEREAS, I find that all the objects identified above, and objects of the type identified above within the area described herein, are objects of historic interest in need of protection under section 320301 of title 54, United States Code, regardless of whether they are expressly identified as objects of historic interest in the text of this proclamation; and
     WHEREAS, I find that the boundaries of the monument reserved by this proclamation represent the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects of historic interest identified above, as required by the Antiquities Act; and
     WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to preserve and protect the objects of historic interest associated with the Perkins Homestead in Maine;
     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by section 320301 of title 54, United States Code, hereby proclaim the objects identified above that are situated on lands and interests in lands owned or controlled by the Federal Government to be part of the Frances Perkins National Monument (monument) and, for the purpose of protecting those objects, reserve as part thereof all lands and interests in lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States within the boundaries described on the accompanying map, which is attached to and forms a part of this proclamation.  The monument’s boundaries are coextensive with the Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark boundaries, and the reserved Federal lands and interests in lands within the monument’s boundaries comprise approximately 2.3 acres.
     All Federal lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of the monument are hereby appropriated and withdrawn from all forms of entry, location, selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under the public land laws, including withdrawal from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and from disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing. 
     The establishment of the monument is subject to valid existing rights.  Specifically, the Frances Perkins Center retains reserved rights to occupy and use the premises; complete preservation, maintenance, and renovation work; and store and maintain artifacts currently located in the brick house.  These reserved rights shall expire not later than 25 years after the date of this proclamation. 
     If the Federal Government acquires any lands or interests in lands not owned or controlled by the Federal Government within the boundaries described on the accompanying map, such lands and interests in lands shall be reserved as part of the monument, and objects of the type identified above that are situated upon those lands and interests in lands shall be part of the monument, upon acquisition of ownership or control by the Federal Government.
     The Secretary of the Interior shall manage the monument through the National Park Service, pursuant to applicable legal authorities and consistent with the purposes and provisions of this proclamation.  For the purpose of preserving, interpreting, and enhancing the public understanding and appreciation of the monument, the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, shall prepare a management plan for the monument.  The management plan shall ensure that the monument fulfills the following purposes for the benefit of present and future generations:  (1) to preserve the historic objects and other resources within the boundaries of the monument, and (2) to interpret in its entirety the story of Frances Perkins and the history of the New Deal, including the impact Perkins had as the first woman Cabinet Secretary; the complexities of Perkins as an individual and of her ideas, perspectives, and views; and her role in advancing hallmark labor, economic, and social reform within the historical and political context of the early-to-mid 20th century. 
     The National Park Service shall consult with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies; local communities; nongovernmental organizations; and the general public in the region of the monument — including the Frances Perkins Center and the Damariscotta River Association — in developing the management plan for the monument, which shall include resource management, interpretation and education, visitor access, and services at the monument.  The National Park Service shall also consult on all aspects of the management plan with the Penobscot Nation and other Wabanaki Peoples, whose ancestral lands include areas in Maine near the monument.
     The National Park Service is directed, as appropriate, to use applicable authorities to seek to enter into agreements with other entities, including the Frances Perkins Center, to address common interests and promote management efficiencies, including the provision of visitor services, interpretation and education, establishment and care of museum collections, and preservation of historic objects. 
            Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to revoke any existing withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation; however, the monument shall be the dominant reservation.
     Warning is hereby given to all unauthorized persons not to appropriate, injure, destroy, or remove any feature of the monument and not to locate or settle upon any of the lands thereof.
     If any provision of this proclamation, including its application to a particular parcel of land, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and its application to other parcels of land shall not be affected thereby.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
 
 
 
                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on the Establishment of the Frances Perkins National Monument appeared first on The White House.

            Few Americans have had deeper influence in shaping labor and social policy in the United States than Frances Perkins.  Perkins became the first woman to serve as a Cabinet Secretary when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt appointed her as the Secretary of Labor in 1933.  During the subsequent 12 years, Secretary Perkins played a pivotal role in constructing the New Deal and helping to guide the country out of the Great Depression by designing and leading the implementation of sweeping labor and economic reforms that have made life better for generations of Americans.  The longest serving Secretary of Labor in United States history, Secretary Perkins was the architect of many programs and standards — including a minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, and prohibitions on child labor — that have endured as the backbone of Federal support for workers and families and continue to benefit millions of Americans today.  Secretary Perkins chaired President Roosevelt’s effort to investigate the benefits of social insurance and then worked to achieve passage of the Social Security Act, which became one of the most successful programs in the United States to prevent poverty among older adults.  When the United States and other nations initially failed to face the horrors of the Holocaust, Secretary Perkins demonstrated leadership on behalf of immigrants and refugees by actively working to bring Jewish children and adults from Europe to the United States to ensure their safety.
     The Perkins Homestead in Newcastle, Maine, played a pivotal role in Frances Perkins’ life and supported her work to deliver lasting protection and benefits to American workers and families.  The rural setting of the Perkins Homestead on the Damariscotta River was the place she felt most at home.  She spent her childhood summers there and returned frequently for respite throughout her career.  Continuously owned by her family for over 260 years, the Perkins Homestead remains much as it was during Secretary Perkins’ lifetime, including the buildings, structures, gardens, and paths where she spent substantial time throughout her life.  The core area contains historic structures including a brick house, an attached barn, a gravel driveway, a garden, and portions of a stone wall.  The surrounding landscape of the Perkins Homestead contains additional portions of the stone wall, an ice pond, walking trails, a family cemetery, foundations of the 18th and 19th century Perkins Homestead buildings, and remnants of a pre-Revolutionary era garrison.  Visitors to the Perkins Homestead today can wander through these places where Perkins returned time and again during her Government service.  They can view the stone wall where she sat listening to the radio on September 1, 1939, when it was reported that the Germans invaded Poland, prompting her to rush back to Washington, D.C., to assist the President.  Preserving the core area of the Perkins Homestead and its associated historic objects will ensure that current and future generations have the opportunity to learn about Secretary Perkins’ foundational contributions to the Nation’s social and labor policy through the place that helped shape her as a person and support her throughout her extraordinary career.
     Frances Perkins was born in Boston as Fannie Coralie Perkins in 1880.  At the age of 25, she changed her name to Frances Perkins, which she used for the rest of her life, even after marriage.  She graduated in 1902 from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where she credited a class trip to a nearby mill with inspiring her early interest in improving working conditions for women and children.
     After college, Frances Perkins worked with social service organizations in Chicago and Philadelphia, including settlement houses for poor and unemployed people and an organization to support and protect immigrant and Black women and girls from labor and sexual exploitation they faced upon arrival in these cities looking for work.  These experiences deepened her resolve to help reduce poverty and support the working poor.
     In 1911, while employed at the New York City Consumers’ League, Frances Perkins heard the sirens of fire engines racing to put out flames that had engulfed the nearby Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.  Running to the site of the fire, she witnessed the horrific scene of workers, mostly young women, jumping to their deaths after being locked in the factory.  In total, 146 people died in the fire –- including many immigrant workers.  Perkins later cited that tragic day as the impetus for policies that would become central to the New Deal.
     Perkins’ subsequent work at the New York Factory Investigating Commission, where she investigated and advocated for worker health and safety reforms, led to 33 new State laws that improved worker safety, workplace sanitation, and working conditions; provided workers’ compensation; and placed limits on child labor.  These were some of the first workplace health and safety standards in the Nation, and they became models that other States and the Federal Government adopted.
     In 1919, Perkins was named to the New York State Industrial Commission, making her the first woman appointed to serve in a New York State government administration.  In 1929, newly elected Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked Perkins to become the State’s Industrial Commissioner and oversee the labor department.  As the United States careened toward the Great Depression, Perkins used her position to shine a national spotlight on rising unemployment while also helping workers in New York and elsewhere by connecting them to jobs through a State employment service and inviting surrounding States to participate in an unemployment insurance system.  Her early warnings regarding the depth of the Nation’s economic problems and her work to develop solutions established Perkins as a national leader in the 20th century employment and labor reform movements.
     When President Roosevelt formally asked Perkins to join his Cabinet as Secretary of Labor, she responded by saying that if she accepted the position, she intended to execute an ambitious plan of action that included establishing maximum hours and minimum wages, ending child labor, developing unemployment relief through public works, providing unemployment insurance, and creating an old-age pension and a national health insurance program.  After detailing her plan, she asked if President Roosevelt was sure he wanted this list of policies put in place, explaining that, “you won’t want me for Secretary of Labor if you don’t want those things done.”  President Roosevelt responded that he would back her; he had promised the American people that he would improve their lives, and he intended to keep his promise.
     At a time when few women were in leadership positions and just 13 years after the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, Frances Perkins became Secretary of Labor.  During an unprecedented 12 years in the position — from 1933 to 1945 — Secretary Perkins achieved hard-fought social and economic reforms, often over vocal opposition and personal attacks from critics.  She summarized her work in a five-page letter to President Roosevelt, describing the reforms as “a turning point in our national life — a turning from careless neglect of human values and toward an order . . . of mutual and practical benevolence within a free competitive industrial economy.”  The list of accomplishments detailed in her letter encompasses many programs and laws that continue to undergird the Nation’s economy and social safety net, including establishing Social Security and contributing to the development of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act.  She also helped create millions of jobs across the country through the novel Civilian Conservation Corps and Public Works Administration. 
     As Secretary of Labor, Perkins often supported the rights of workers to organize unions and to negotiate with employers through collective action, laying the foundation for the rebirth of American labor –- including through helping write recovery legislation that provided a right to collective bargaining and laid the groundwork for the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (also known as the Wagner Act).  She used her post not only to advance labor protections in national policy, but also to call personally for workers’ fair treatment and access to the halls of power.  She persuaded President Roosevelt not to deploy Federal troops to quell the 1934 San Francisco General Strike, and instead encouraged the parties to settle their differences, which was accomplished within a week, and she frequently advised President Roosevelt to help resolve contentious strikes for the benefit of workers.   
     At the close of her time at the Department of Labor, Perkins had accomplished nearly all of the items in the ambitious plan she laid out for President Roosevelt when he asked her to serve, but she lamented the one exception:  health care benefits for American workers.  Historians have also noted that, because of deep racial inequities and injustices of the time –- including segregation -– the benefits of the New Deal were not available to all Americans initially. 
     When her time as Secretary of Labor concluded, Perkins continued in public service as President Harry Truman’s appointee to the United States Civil Service Commission, a post she held from 1945 until 1953.  She then became a lecturer at the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, a role she held until her death in 1965. 
     When Secretary Perkins died, the Secretary of Labor at the time, W. Willard Wirtz, recognized her legacy as central to the New Deal, stating that “every man and woman in America who works at a living wage, under safe conditions, for reasonable hours, or who is protected by unemployment insurance or social security is her debtor.”  The final resting place of Secretary Perkins is near her daughter, husband, sister, parents, and grandparents in the Glidden Cemetery, located a half mile north of the Perkins Homestead in Newcastle, Maine. 
     Throughout Perkins’ life and career, the Perkins Homestead served as a place of rejuvenation and reflection, including during her time as Secretary of Labor.  Throughout her working life, she continued the family tradition of summer visits to Maine, often living there with her daughter from August into September.  Perkins and her sister became joint owners of the property in 1927 and it stayed within the family until 2020.  Perkins wrote about how the woods surrounding the brick house and the shoreline at the Perkins Homestead’s edge restored and comforted her, and how the brick house provided a place for her to relax and to recover from her work as Secretary of Labor.
     The Perkins Homestead, originally over 200 acres, was settled by Perkins’ great-great grandfather in the early 1700s.  A mid-18th century garrison existed on the property that was in use for 3 years during the French and Indian War. 
     The core area, on the west end of the Perkins Homestead, has a brick house built by the Perkins family in 1837 along with a connected barn.  The two-story home is constructed of bricks manufactured on site at the family brickyard.  The east end of the Perkins Homestead borders the Damariscotta River and has a family cemetery, foundations of the 18th and 19th century Perkins Homestead buildings, the remains of the brick kilns, wharves, and a clay pit from the 19th century brickyard, as well as the remains of the garrison.  Agricultural fields, pastures, woodland, and planted trees connect the two sides of the Perkins Homestead.
     The National Park Service first documented the Perkins Homestead through the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1960, while Secretary Perkins still occupied the home.  In 2009, the National Park Service listed the Brick House Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places; the Brick House Historic District included the brick house, adjacent structures, and the wooded and agricultural lands extending to the shoreline of the Damariscotta River.  In 2014, the Secretary of the Interior designated this same 57 acres as the Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark, recognizing the property’s historic importance and nationally significant association with Frances Perkins.
     The Perkins Homestead contains several objects that reflect Secretary Perkins’ lifelong commitment to supporting and protecting American workers.  Hanging above a doorway in the brick house is a custom “No Smoking” sign that reflects the lasting influence the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire had on Perkins.  It reads:  “Please Do Not SMOKE In Any Part of This Building.  DANGEROUS.  F. Perkins.”  The brick house also includes Secretary Perkins’ Award for Distinguished Service, which the Department of Labor presented to her on March 4, 1963, on the occasion of the Department’s 50th anniversary.  The Award citation reads:  “For her courage in entering an arena previously considered a masculine domain; for her strength in guiding the Department through a dozen years of domestic stress and international travail; for her spirit in waging the good fight for good objectives; and finally, for herself.”  
     Conserving the Perkins Homestead will ensure that the family home and surrounding landscape that were a constant source of support for Secretary Perkins will remain protected and accessible in perpetuity for the benefit of all people to learn about her life, her unparalleled contributions to labor and social policy that would eventually benefit generations of Americans, and core principles at the heart of the New Deal that she championed:  economic security and dignity for workers.
     WHEREAS, section 320301 of title 54, United States Code (the “Antiquities Act”), authorizes the President, in the President’s discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated on land owned or controlled by the Federal Government to be national monuments, and to reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected; and
     WHEREAS, the Perkins Homestead was designated a National Historic Landmark on August 25, 2014, establishing its national significance as the ancestral home and lifelong summer residence of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve as a Cabinet Secretary and one of our Nation’s most influential and effective public servants whose legacy includes the historic New Deal; and
     WHEREAS, the Frances Perkins Center has been managing and preserving the approximately 57-acre Perkins Homestead, including the objects identified above and additional archives and collections illustrating the historic value of this site, and has expressed support for inclusion of the Perkins Homestead in the National Park System; and
     WHEREAS, the Frances Perkins Center has donated to the Federal Government for the purpose of establishing a unit of the National Park System fee interest in the core area comprising approximately 2.3 acres of land in Newcastle, Maine, which includes several historic objects associated with the Perkins Homestead and Perkins’ life located on this site, including the brick house, the connected barn, and portions of the stone wall; and
     WHEREAS, in support of the establishment of a national monument to be administered by the National Park Service, the Frances Perkins Center has also indicated its intent to develop a partnership with the National Park Service to help manage, oversee, interpret, maintain, and protect the Perkins Homestead (including the core area) and the historic objects it contains as appropriate; and
     WHEREAS, the Frances Perkins Center has indicated an interest in donating a majority of the remaining approximately 54.7 acres of the 57-acre Perkins Homestead to the Federal Government in the future; and
     WHEREAS, the designation of a national monument to be administered by the National Park Service would recognize the historic significance of Frances Perkins and her role in the New Deal, particularly her contributions to social welfare, safe working conditions, and protection of workers’ health and well-being, and would provide a national platform for preserving and interpreting this important history; and
     WHEREAS, I find that all the objects identified above, and objects of the type identified above within the area described herein, are objects of historic interest in need of protection under section 320301 of title 54, United States Code, regardless of whether they are expressly identified as objects of historic interest in the text of this proclamation; and
     WHEREAS, I find that the boundaries of the monument reserved by this proclamation represent the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects of historic interest identified above, as required by the Antiquities Act; and
     WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to preserve and protect the objects of historic interest associated with the Perkins Homestead in Maine;
     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by section 320301 of title 54, United States Code, hereby proclaim the objects identified above that are situated on lands and interests in lands owned or controlled by the Federal Government to be part of the Frances Perkins National Monument (monument) and, for the purpose of protecting those objects, reserve as part thereof all lands and interests in lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States within the boundaries described on the accompanying map, which is attached to and forms a part of this proclamation.  The monument’s boundaries are coextensive with the Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark boundaries, and the reserved Federal lands and interests in lands within the monument’s boundaries comprise approximately 2.3 acres.
     All Federal lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of the monument are hereby appropriated and withdrawn from all forms of entry, location, selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under the public land laws, including withdrawal from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and from disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing. 
     The establishment of the monument is subject to valid existing rights.  Specifically, the Frances Perkins Center retains reserved rights to occupy and use the premises; complete preservation, maintenance, and renovation work; and store and maintain artifacts currently located in the brick house.  These reserved rights shall expire not later than 25 years after the date of this proclamation. 
     If the Federal Government acquires any lands or interests in lands not owned or controlled by the Federal Government within the boundaries described on the accompanying map, such lands and interests in lands shall be reserved as part of the monument, and objects of the type identified above that are situated upon those lands and interests in lands shall be part of the monument, upon acquisition of ownership or control by the Federal Government.
     The Secretary of the Interior shall manage the monument through the National Park Service, pursuant to applicable legal authorities and consistent with the purposes and provisions of this proclamation.  For the purpose of preserving, interpreting, and enhancing the public understanding and appreciation of the monument, the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, shall prepare a management plan for the monument.  The management plan shall ensure that the monument fulfills the following purposes for the benefit of present and future generations:  (1) to preserve the historic objects and other resources within the boundaries of the monument, and (2) to interpret in its entirety the story of Frances Perkins and the history of the New Deal, including the impact Perkins had as the first woman Cabinet Secretary; the complexities of Perkins as an individual and of her ideas, perspectives, and views; and her role in advancing hallmark labor, economic, and social reform within the historical and political context of the early-to-mid 20th century. 
     The National Park Service shall consult with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies; local communities; nongovernmental organizations; and the general public in the region of the monument — including the Frances Perkins Center and the Damariscotta River Association — in developing the management plan for the monument, which shall include resource management, interpretation and education, visitor access, and services at the monument.  The National Park Service shall also consult on all aspects of the management plan with the Penobscot Nation and other Wabanaki Peoples, whose ancestral lands include areas in Maine near the monument.
     The National Park Service is directed, as appropriate, to use applicable authorities to seek to enter into agreements with other entities, including the Frances Perkins Center, to address common interests and promote management efficiencies, including the provision of visitor services, interpretation and education, establishment and care of museum collections, and preservation of historic objects. 
            Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to revoke any existing withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation; however, the monument shall be the dominant reservation.
     Warning is hereby given to all unauthorized persons not to appropriate, injure, destroy, or remove any feature of the monument and not to locate or settle upon any of the lands thereof.
     If any provision of this proclamation, including its application to a particular parcel of land, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and its application to other parcels of land shall not be affected thereby.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
 
 
 
                             JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on the Establishment of the Frances Perkins National Monument appeared first on The White House.

On Wright Brothers Day, we celebrate the bold vision, steadfast determination, and transformative innovation of Orville and Wilbur Wright.  Their aircraft, which completed the first sustained, controlled, and powered flight 121 years ago, forever altered the course of human history and took our Nation to new heights.

     The Wright brothers embody the best of America’s grit, heart, and unstoppable spirit of ingenuity.  Before they took to the skies that fateful December day, the Wright brothers had spent years conducting arduous research, redesigns, and dangerous trials.  They were driven by the belief that what so many had written off as impossible could actually be done — that sustained, controlled, and powered flight was possible.  And on the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, they were proven right — their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, took flight for 12 seconds.  In less than a minute, that one feat altered our understanding of technological possibilities and human potential forever, laying the foundation for putting a man on the moon; breaking the sound barrier; and beginning a new, deeper exploration of our universe. 

     My Administration has been committed to building on their legacy of innovation and advancement.  We have made improvements to modern air travel — from making airports more accessible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to making air travel safer.  And we have harnessed the spirit of American ingenuity in everything we do, like tackling the climate crisis, working toward ending cancer as we know it, and ensuring that the technologies of the future will benefit Americans for generations to come.

     On Wright Brothers Day, we honor two visionary men from Dayton, Ohio, who chose to look to the sky with not just wonder but with an ambition to take Americans where no one had gone before.  Because of their work, generations of visionary scientists, engineers, and dreamers and doers have followed in their footsteps, believing that, here in America, we do big things and nothing is beyond our capacity. 

     The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 17, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 of each year as “Wright Brothers Day” and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2024, as Wright Brothers Day.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Wright Brothers Day, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

On Wright Brothers Day, we celebrate the bold vision, steadfast determination, and transformative innovation of Orville and Wilbur Wright.  Their aircraft, which completed the first sustained, controlled, and powered flight 121 years ago, forever altered the course of human history and took our Nation to new heights.

     The Wright brothers embody the best of America’s grit, heart, and unstoppable spirit of ingenuity.  Before they took to the skies that fateful December day, the Wright brothers had spent years conducting arduous research, redesigns, and dangerous trials.  They were driven by the belief that what so many had written off as impossible could actually be done — that sustained, controlled, and powered flight was possible.  And on the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, they were proven right — their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, took flight for 12 seconds.  In less than a minute, that one feat altered our understanding of technological possibilities and human potential forever, laying the foundation for putting a man on the moon; breaking the sound barrier; and beginning a new, deeper exploration of our universe. 

     My Administration has been committed to building on their legacy of innovation and advancement.  We have made improvements to modern air travel — from making airports more accessible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to making air travel safer.  And we have harnessed the spirit of American ingenuity in everything we do, like tackling the climate crisis, working toward ending cancer as we know it, and ensuring that the technologies of the future will benefit Americans for generations to come.

     On Wright Brothers Day, we honor two visionary men from Dayton, Ohio, who chose to look to the sky with not just wonder but with an ambition to take Americans where no one had gone before.  Because of their work, generations of visionary scientists, engineers, and dreamers and doers have followed in their footsteps, believing that, here in America, we do big things and nothing is beyond our capacity. 

     The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 17, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 of each year as “Wright Brothers Day” and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2024, as Wright Brothers Day.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

The post A Proclamation on Wright Brothers Day, 2024 appeared first on The White House.

Via Teleconference

4:47 P.M. EST

MODERATOR:  Hi, everyone.  Thanks for joining our gaggle late in the day today.  Kirby has some words here at the top, and then we’ll get into as many questions as we can. 

MR. KIRBY:  Hey, everybody.  Good afternoon.  Sorry for the late afternoon gaggle.  Obviously, lots going on here.  So, again, thanks for joining late.

I do want to start by expressing our deep condolences to all the victims and the families, and certainly the community of Madison, today.  Just horrific news, and news that no family, no parent, no sibling, no son or daughter ever wants to hear.  So, just terrible. 

And we will continue to stay focused on the community there in Madison, and we’ll obviously offer whatever help may be required or needed of local and state authorities. 

I can tell you that the President has been briefed on the school shooting there and that senior White House officials are, as you would expect we would be, in touch with our local counterparts there in Madison to provide whatever support that they need. 

Now, I want to address a couple of more things here before we take your questions, and first to the continued interest in drones. 

And just at the outset, I think it’s important to remember a bit of context here.  There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States, and there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day.  That is the ecosystem that we are dealing with.  And it is legal.  It is proper.  In fact, in many cases, these drones provide valuable services, both on the commercial side and on the law enforcement, public safety side. 

And with the technology evolving as it is, we have every expectation that the number of drones in the skies over the United States is going to increase over time.

Now, with respect to what’s going on in and around New Jersey, the FBI has received now tips of some 5,000 reported drone sightings in the last few weeks, about 100 of which they felt needed to be followed up on.  So out of 5,000 tips, they did the analysis and determined that about 100 required following up on.

We also have federal government resources and personnel supporting state and local officials as they investigate these reports.  We’re obviously quickly working to help state and local authorities prioritize and follow up on the leads that are still being followed up on.  As Secretary Mayorkas said, we have sent additional advanced detection technology to the region, and of course, we’ve sent some trained visual observers as well.

Having closely examined the data, having closely looked at the tips and collated them as best we can from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones.  We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast. 

The work continues.  So that said, we obviously
recognize the concern among many communities.  We continue to support state and local authorities, as I said, with technology and law enforcement support.  And we will continue to follow up, as appropriate, on the leads that are still active. 

But I want to stress again: Our assessment at this stage is that the activity represents commercial, hobbyist, law enforcement drones, all operating legally and lawfully, and/or civilian aviation aircraft. 

As we continue to work through the leads that are out there, we’ll continue to share what we can.  And I would add that this assessment that I just read out is coming from law enforcement officials. 

I want to add that we urge Congress to enact counter-UAS — unmanned aerial systems — legislation that has been proposed and repeatedly requested by this administration that would extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities to help identify and counter any threat that does emerge.  There are gaps and seams, for instance, between the various government agencies — federal, local and state.  And this counter-UAV, counter-drone legislation would help us close some of those gaps and seams.  So we need Congress to act. 

And so, when Congress reconvenes in January, we’re going to be calling on them to put in place a bipartisan task force [commission] to examine congestion in the skies and to help set appropriate rules to address the public’s concerns.

Now, additionally, there have been a limited number of visual sightings of drones over military facilities in New Jersey and elsewhere, much of which is, of course, restricted airspace.  Such sightings near or over DOD installations are not new.  And DOD takes unauthorized access over its airspace seriously, as you would expect them to do, and they coordinate closely with federal and law enforcement authorities as appropriate.  And they are actively engaged with local commanders to ensure that there are appropriate detection and mitigation measures in place. 

And lastly, if I could, turning to North Korea and Russia. 

Throughout this conflict, we’ve seen North Korean support for Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war, including the transfer of missiles, artillery ammunition.  And, in October, of course, we announced that more than 1,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia on a purported training mission. 

In reality, Russia, due to Ukraine’s strong defense, and out of military desperation, sought additional support to facilitate and to perpetuate its war. 

Over the past few days, we have seen these North Korean soldiers move from the second lines on the battlefield to the front lines on the battlefield meant to be actively engaged in combat operations.  It’s not surprising — and of course, it’s also not surprising that now North Korean soldiers are suffering losses on the battlefield in response to Russia’s escalation, which, of course, the introduction of North Korean soldiers represents in terms of escalation.

The United States has announced new assistance, including the use of long-range capabilities to degrade North Korean and Russian forces before they attack.  And we have continued to surge security assistance, announcing two drawdowns in just recent weeks, and one USAI package.

Today, the Biden-Harris administration is announcing new sanctions on nine DPRK — North Korean — individuals and seven entities, including banks and shipping companies, all of which is over, of course, Kim Jong Un’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as the DPRK’s continued ballistic missile testing. 

These sanctions contribute toward broader efforts to degrade the DPRK’s ability to continue generating revenue for its weapons of mass destruction program and for providing munitions and ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine. 

We’re going to continue to hold accountable all actors who facilitate financially and militarily Russia’s illegal and brutal war in Ukraine.  And it goes without saying, or at least I hope it goes without saying, that we stand by Ukraine and the Ukrainian people as they defend their freedom, their territorial integrity, their sovereignty, their citizens, their lives, and their livelihoods.  That’s been a consistent theme, it’s been a consistent effort by this administration since Mr. Putin decided to cross the line in February of ‘22.  And I can assure you, with every day that we have left in this administration, we’re going to make good on that commitment. 

With that, I can take your questions.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our first question will go to Nandita with Reuters.

Q    Hi.  Can you hear me?

MODERATOR:  Yep.

Q    Thank you.  I wanted to ask about President-elect Trump’s comments on Ukraine today.  He’s obviously raised doubts about President Biden’s strategy of sending long-range missiles to Ukraine.  Today he said Ukraine has to agree to a deal.  I’m curious what you think of Trump’s comments and what they mean for President Zelenskyy and the future of Ukraine.

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not going to engage in a public back-and-forth here, but I do want to make a couple of points. 

There are things you’ve heard me say before, but, my goodness, if you need to hear, I’ll say it again: Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.  We’re not going to have talks about them without them involved.  We’re not going to force their hand in terms of what their next steps might be. 

President Zelenskyy was elected by the Ukrainian people to be their representative in the executive branch of their government, and he is.  And he gets to decide if and when there’s going to be a negotiation. 

Now, we all believe there should be a negotiated end to this war.  That’s probably the most likely and the best way it’s going to end.  We recognize that.  But President Zelenskyy gets to determine under what terms, what conditions, when, and how he wants to engage in negotiations.  And as we have made clear to him in the past, so I can today: When he makes that decision, as long as President Biden is Commander-in-Chief, he will find in this administration a supporter as he moves forward to negotiating.  But he gets to determine that.  And if he does do it, he gets to determine the conditions.

What we’re going to — the third thing I’ll say is that between now and that day, whenever that day is, we’re going to make sure that his army has what they need to continue to succeed on the battlefield and to push the Russians back and to make it harder on Mr. Putin to continue to fight this war. 

I mean, even as we’re talking here, it is true that the Russians have made some plodding progress in the east, and it is true that they are going after Ukrainian lines in and around Kursk, but they’re doing it with North Korean soldiers, because that’s how desperate he is.  And the progress that they’re making in the east, yes, not denying that they’re making progress, but it’s coming at a heavy cost for Russian soldiers as well. 

One of the things that Mr. Putin has had to buy a lot of in terms — and he’s bought a lot of missiles, he’s bought drones, he’s bought artillery shells, and he’s getting them from all kinds of different places.  He’s also had to buy a lot of body bags.  And I think that shouldn’t be forgotten.  And that’s it.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Aamer with the AP.

Q    Hey.  Thank you, John.  One question I had was: Did the administration consult with President-elect Trump’s team before the decision to loosen restrictions on the use of American-provided ATACMS? 

And then, just secondly, on your point about North Koreans now being seen moving up to the front lines, is there anything specific triggering this?  And is there an assessment of how many North Korean troops have been injured or lost thus far?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  So, let me take your second one first.  I don’t know that we have an exact number, but we do believe that they have suffered some significant losses, killed and wounded, but it’s difficult for me to put an actual number on it.  I would say certainly in the realm of dozens, several dozens. 

And we’re just now starting to see this movement of them from the second line to the front line.  So it’s a fairly new development, Aamer, and we might be able to have a little bit more granularity as days go on, but I wouldn’t have put it in this opening statement if we didn’t assess that these were fairly significant losses.  Again, we just don’t have a hard number on it, but just the figures that we are seeing and trying to triangulate tell us that, again, this has not been an insignificant set of losses for these guys. 

And, look, we said it at the time: If they want to enter the fight, they do so at their own peril, and now they’re learning what that means.

On your first question: Look, the conversations that we were having inside the administration about ATACMS started before the election.  All I can assure you is that in the conversations we’ve had with them since the election, and we’ve had it at various levels, we have articulated to them the logic behind it, the thinking behind it, why we were doing it, and to stress to them that this was in response, quite frankly, to the North Korean troops being put on the battlefield, which they did before the election.

Q    John, just real briefly, is it incorrect when President-elect Trump said that he wasn’t consulted?

MR. KIRBY:  Again, Aamer, I’m not going to get into a back-and-forth with the President-elect or his team.  I can only tell you the decision about ATACMS was made before the election, before we had a result, and it was made internal to this administration, as it should be.  And it was made because of a decision by Putin to use North Korean troops, which was a decision he made before the election.  So, all that happened pre-election.

Post-election, we have had the appropriate level of conversations with the incoming team about various national security issues, including the war in Ukraine, to explain what we’re doing, what we’re seeing, why we’re doing it, you know, so that, as I said the other day — I think I said this in the briefing room — there should be no decision we are taking or that we have taken in recent weeks that should come as a surprise to them.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Francesca with USA Today.

Q    Thanks so much for doing this.  I had a question about something else that the President-elect had said today.  Kirby, he said that the U.S. military and both President Biden know where the drones are coming and going from.  He indicated perhaps that you know more than you’re letting on, and said that you should stop keeping people in suspense, that you should tell them what you know.  Could you just respond to that and whether the administration does know more, whether the military and the White House do know more about where the drones are coming and going from?

MR. KIRBY:  I’ve talked to you guys last week.  We did a backgrounder over the weekend.  And I’m talking to you all today.  And today, as I think you hopefully picked up in my opening statement, we are now able to tell you what our assessment is to date, and our assessment is to date, as I indicated, what we believe these things are. 

Now, again, that’s the assessment to date.  So I would say that we are making a very good-faith effort to be as open and direct with all of you and with the American people as we can.  And that will continue.  That will continue all throughout the coming days.  There’s absolutely no effort to be anything other than as upfront as we can be. 

Now, what we’re not going to do is speculate, and we’re not going to hypothesize.  We’re not going to provide content that we can’t be sure is accurate. 

So, you know, I recognize that some of the criticism over the last few days has been that we haven’t said more of what we know.  It’s because we didn’t have as much information as we do now after a few more days of extra resources, extra personnel, extra analysis. 

And so, that’s why I’m coming out here at 4:30 on a Monday to let you know what we’ve learned.  And we’re going to continue to do that, because we know there are, you know, ongoing concerns about this. 

But I want to stress again: Please, if you do anything in your coverage, please make sure that you remind people that there are over a million legal drones in the country and that thousands of them are flying around on any given day, legally, lawfully, performing valuable services, including for the betterment of citizens on the ground.  It’s okay to fly drones.  It’s legal to do it, you know, if you’re registered with the FAA, and our assessment is that the vast, vast majority are. 

And the other thing I’d ask you to please keep front and center is that we’re watching — we’re monitoring this in real time and analyzing it in dang near real time.  And still today, on Monday, we have not seen anything that indicates a threat to national security or a public safety risk.  And obviously, if we did, we would, as appropriate, take the right action, do the right things, execute the right policies, and be as transparent with the American people about it as we could.

Q    Kirby, if I just could really quickly, not to get into intelligence assessments, but is there anything that you’re seeing in the intelligence that perhaps he was referring to that you’re not able to tell us about right now?

MR. KIRBY:  No.  I mean, the short answer to that is no.

Look, you know that I’m always careful when I’m asked about intelligence assessments one way or another.  But if there was something there that would indicate — that would contradict my statement that there was no national security threat at play right now that we know of, or a public safety risk, obviously I wouldn’t say it that way.  You know, it’s not like there’s a bit of intel out there that I’m obfuscating or obscuring from you. 

If we had information, intelligence or otherwise, that told us that there was a national security threat posed by this drone activity, I would say that.  Maybe I wouldn’t be able to tell you exactly what the threat is or who it’s from or what the purpose is, but I would.  And I can’t — I just can’t say that to you honestly, because we haven’t seen it.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Kayla with CNN.

Q    Thank you.  And thank you, Admiral, for doing this. 

First, I just wanted to see if you could elaborate at all on the nature of the discussions between the White House and Trump teams on Ukraine, in which the President-elect has said he wants to see a ceasefire on day one. 

And second, I wanted to see if you could comment on the impeachment of President Yoon in South Korea, what it means for the alliance, and whether the U.S. believes, as some in the country do, that President Yoon should be charged with insurrection.  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  I will defer to the incoming team to speak to whatever policies that they want to pursue from a national security perspective.  That’s the appropriate thing.  You know, they should speak to whatever decisions that they believe they’re going to make or approaches that they want to take.  I mean, that’s not for me to comment on or to go into any depth on.

I would just tell you — well, I don’t want to just repeat what I said before.  I’d point you back to my previous answer.  Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.  We want to put President Zelenskyy in the best possible position so that if and when he’s ready to negotiate an end to this war, he can do it from a position of strength, from a position of some leverage.  And that’s why we continue to flow so much security assistance to him in these closing weeks of the administration.  And that’s going to continue.

What the next team decides to do or how they want to handle that, that really would be for them to speak to.  And I just don’t think it’s useful or productive for me to go beyond that. 

Obviously, we continue to watch events in South Korea very, very closely.  A significant ally.  Remains a significant ally.  An alliance that is incredibly healthy now after the result of these last four years of really working on our alliances and partnerships in the Pacific. 

As you know, the President spoke with the acting president, Han Duck-soo, over the weekend — I think it was on Saturday evening — to congratulate him and also to reaffirm our commitment to the South Korean people, to the alliance.

I will not speak to internal domestic issues inside South Korea, your question about whether he should be charged with insurrection.  Those kinds of things are for South Korean officials, South Korean legislators, the South Korean people to determine, not the United States.  All I’ll say is that, as the President said to Acting President Han Duck-soo, this is an important relationship for us, it’s a terrific alliance.  The United States is going to stay committed to it.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Cheyenne with ABC.

Q    Hi.  Thank you for doing this.  The President-elect also mentioned changing a trip to Bedminster.  Do you have any reason to believe that Bedminster, New Jersey, has been at all at risk with any of these drone sightings?

And also, you’ve talked about the thousands of drones flying around legally on any given day.  What’s your explanation for why this became a concern just recently in New Jersey?  Do you think it’s just a chain reaction?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t know the answer to that.  I don’t.  But I can tell you we’re working hard to triangulate all of these sightings.  And as I said, of the 5,000 that the FBI took in, and the local law enforcement, there were about 100 that were deemed — that required, I should say, to follow up on. 

So, I don’t know.  I can’t explain the number of sightings.  Many of them are duplicative.  In other words, you might get, like — this is an example, not — a hypothetical example — but you might get 10 sightings of a single aircraft.  So that counts as 10 sightings, but it may only be one aircraft.  So, as this has become a story locally and certainly through the media, more and more people are looking skyward, and more and more people are seeing things, and more and more people are calling them in and taking video of them.  But in a lot of instances, it turns out to be the same thing seen by multiple people.  But I just can’t explain.  I don’t know.

But your question, I think, gets to why I made those comments at the beginning: to remind people of the sheer size and scope of unmanned aerial systems that are flying legally and lawfully every day over this country.  And again, it’s to our benefit, commercially and even from a public safety and law enforcement perspective.  So, that there are lots of drones in the sky I think is without dispute, and that the vast, vast majority of them are doing good things for people on the ground also should not be in dispute. 

As for the issue of Bedminster, it is already designated as restricted air space, so it is unlawful to fly in that space, with or without it being a manned aircraft, without the FAA’s approval.  So it’s already restricted.  I can’t speak to the President-elect’s travel or what he’s decided to do or where he’s decided to go, but I think it’s important to remember that it is already restricted airspace.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Nadia.

Q    Thank you.  I have a couple of questions.  First, the mother of Austin Tice has sent a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, asking him to hold Israeli strikes outside of Damascus because she believes that Austin Tice might be held in a jail there.  Do you think that Israeli strikes might affect his chances of being found alive?  And I have another question.

MR. KIRBY:  I really don’t have anything for you on that one, Nadia.  That’s a — you know, I think that’s a question better put to the Tice family and to the IDF. 

I would just tell you that we continue to work very, very hard to try to find out where Austin is, how Austin is, and stemming from that information, what we can do to try to get him home.  And sadly, regrettably, I just don’t have additional detail to provide for you on that today.  We’re still working this very, very hard. 

Q    Okay.  Also, the President-elect Trump said today that Turkey holds all the keys to what’s happening in Syria.  In fact, he’s insinuating that Turkey is a major player of what’s taken on unfolding events in Syria, and he praised President Erdoğan as a smart guy.  What’s your assessment of Turkey’s role on what we have seen so far in the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime?

MR. KIRBY:  There’s no question that the Turks are significant players here in whatever the outcome in Syria is going to be, as they have been over the course of the last 14 years.  And that’s why Secretary Blinken went to Turkey last week.  It’s why we continue to have conversations with them at all different levels about what they’re doing, what their concerns are.

As I have said in the past, they have legitimate concerns with a terrorist threat along that border with Syria.  Turkish citizens have fallen victim to terrorist activities there.  You can’t very well blame the Turks for being concerned about that threat. 

On the other hand, we have a relationship with the Syrian Democratic Forces to go after ISIS.  We want to keep that focus of them and us, and so we have certainly talked about our concerns with respect to that mission set as it relates to Turkey’s military operations on the other side of that border. 

And if there’s a need — as there’s a need to deconflict and to work through some of those overlapping concerns, well, we’ll do that because Turkey is, as you rightly said, a NATO Ally. 

So they have had, and legitimately so, have had a large interest in what’s going on in Syria.  We recognize that.  We also recognize that sometimes their goals aren’t exactly the same as ours, and so we talk to them about that, and we’ll continue to do so.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Alex with the Wall Street Journal.

Q    Thanks so much.  Real quickly — Kirby, I noticed you said that this assessment is coming from law enforcement.  Just checking if any intelligence agencies, or especially military intel, is part of what went into this assessment, knowing that some of the drones went over Langley and Wright-Patt.

And just trying to get a sense of, you know, how did the administration work to get this info.  You mentioned, you know, you didn’t have it before.  Now you do.  Sort of what went into this?  Is this like — you know, were there a bunch of meetings?  Did FBI send a bunch of folks out?  Can you just give us some detail on how you’ve gotten to this point now in the assessment? Thanks. 

MR. KIRBY:  I kind of already did, Alex.  I said we surged resources, detection capabilities.  We surged personnel, including visual observers, from federal agencies, predominantly DHS.  The military, the Defense Department has surged some additional detection capabilities, certainly with respect to Naval Weapons Station Earle and Picatinny Arsenal. 

So, the assessment I was able to offer today was really the result of the collective action of all of these efforts, including continued work by local law enforcement and state officials. 

The work continues.  This is our assessment to date.  We will continue to look at this as hard as we can.  But it is really the result of an influx of resources and personnel applied to this particular problem set. 

I think the Pentagon already spoke to Wright-Patterson.  There was no — as I understand it, no disruption of operations.  I think some of the original reporting out of there was lacking some context that I think the Pentagon added to and provided. 

And, look, on intelligence, I would just say that this is a true interagency effort, and we’re all working really hard to apply the right resources to the problem set and to be as open and transparent with people as we can be.  And I think I best leave it at that.

Again, I want to foot-stomp what I said earlier.  It’s important for people to understand the ecosystem of drones over the skies of the United States.  I mean, there’s a lot of activity.  And again, the vast, vast, vast majority of it is legal and lawful.  And we believe — again, to date, our assessment is that the sightings thus far have been of that ilk.  But we’ll continue to keep looking.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We have time for one more question, and we’ll go to Robin Wright.

Q    Thank you, John.  Can I take you further afield to Syria and ask you: Has there been any more contact between the United States and HTS?

And secondly, can you give us a sense of what Iran is doing in Syria?  The head of the IRGC said that there have been evacuations of 4,000 citizens from Iran.  Do you have a sense of what Iran is doing in the aftermath of Assad’s demise or what it’s planning to do?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  I can tell you, on HTS, as Secretary Blinken indicated, we have been in direct contact with HTS, as we have been with other groups.  We also have indirect ways of communicating with all those groups as well, and we’re pulling on all those levers to make sure that we can very closely monitor this transition to what we hope will be — well, we hope it will be a peaceful transition, but to a stable, secure, sovereign Syria that meets the aspirations of its people. 

But I don’t have any additional or specifics about conversations with HTS, except to reiterate what Secretary Blinken said.  We have been in touch with them and I suspect we will be going forward. 

I also think, Robin, you shouldn’t — no one should expect that we’re going to get into a detailed readout of every single conversation that we have with every rebel group or opposition leader as it unfolds.  I wouldn’t expect that you’re going to see that. 

And as for Iran, you know, I would be lying to you if I said we had, you know, perfect visibility on everything that Iranian leaders are doing or deciding when it comes to Syria.  I can go so far as to say we certainly have seen indications that the Iranians are pulling people and resources out of Syria.  That is true.  But at what scale and on what timeline, it’s difficult for us to be very granular on that.  We just don’t have perfect visibility.  But it’s clear to us that they certainly weren’t willing or able to come to Assad’s rescue.  And in the aftermath of his departure, it’s clear to us that they are reevaluating, I think is the best way to put it, their presence in Syria and have already started to move some people and some resources out. 

That’s really as far as I can go.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  And thank you, everyone, for joining us today.  As always, if we weren’t able to get to you, please reach out to the NSC press distro, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.  Thanks all.

5:24 P.M. EST

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Via Teleconference

4:47 P.M. EST

MODERATOR:  Hi, everyone.  Thanks for joining our gaggle late in the day today.  Kirby has some words here at the top, and then we’ll get into as many questions as we can. 

MR. KIRBY:  Hey, everybody.  Good afternoon.  Sorry for the late afternoon gaggle.  Obviously, lots going on here.  So, again, thanks for joining late.

I do want to start by expressing our deep condolences to all the victims and the families, and certainly the community of Madison, today.  Just horrific news, and news that no family, no parent, no sibling, no son or daughter ever wants to hear.  So, just terrible. 

And we will continue to stay focused on the community there in Madison, and we’ll obviously offer whatever help may be required or needed of local and state authorities. 

I can tell you that the President has been briefed on the school shooting there and that senior White House officials are, as you would expect we would be, in touch with our local counterparts there in Madison to provide whatever support that they need. 

Now, I want to address a couple of more things here before we take your questions, and first to the continued interest in drones. 

And just at the outset, I think it’s important to remember a bit of context here.  There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States, and there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day.  That is the ecosystem that we are dealing with.  And it is legal.  It is proper.  In fact, in many cases, these drones provide valuable services, both on the commercial side and on the law enforcement, public safety side. 

And with the technology evolving as it is, we have every expectation that the number of drones in the skies over the United States is going to increase over time.

Now, with respect to what’s going on in and around New Jersey, the FBI has received now tips of some 5,000 reported drone sightings in the last few weeks, about 100 of which they felt needed to be followed up on.  So out of 5,000 tips, they did the analysis and determined that about 100 required following up on.

We also have federal government resources and personnel supporting state and local officials as they investigate these reports.  We’re obviously quickly working to help state and local authorities prioritize and follow up on the leads that are still being followed up on.  As Secretary Mayorkas said, we have sent additional advanced detection technology to the region, and of course, we’ve sent some trained visual observers as well.

Having closely examined the data, having closely looked at the tips and collated them as best we can from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones.  We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast. 

The work continues.  So that said, we obviously
recognize the concern among many communities.  We continue to support state and local authorities, as I said, with technology and law enforcement support.  And we will continue to follow up, as appropriate, on the leads that are still active. 

But I want to stress again: Our assessment at this stage is that the activity represents commercial, hobbyist, law enforcement drones, all operating legally and lawfully, and/or civilian aviation aircraft. 

As we continue to work through the leads that are out there, we’ll continue to share what we can.  And I would add that this assessment that I just read out is coming from law enforcement officials. 

I want to add that we urge Congress to enact counter-UAS — unmanned aerial systems — legislation that has been proposed and repeatedly requested by this administration that would extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities to help identify and counter any threat that does emerge.  There are gaps and seams, for instance, between the various government agencies — federal, local and state.  And this counter-UAV, counter-drone legislation would help us close some of those gaps and seams.  So we need Congress to act. 

And so, when Congress reconvenes in January, we’re going to be calling on them to put in place a bipartisan task force [commission] to examine congestion in the skies and to help set appropriate rules to address the public’s concerns.

Now, additionally, there have been a limited number of visual sightings of drones over military facilities in New Jersey and elsewhere, much of which is, of course, restricted airspace.  Such sightings near or over DOD installations are not new.  And DOD takes unauthorized access over its airspace seriously, as you would expect them to do, and they coordinate closely with federal and law enforcement authorities as appropriate.  And they are actively engaged with local commanders to ensure that there are appropriate detection and mitigation measures in place. 

And lastly, if I could, turning to North Korea and Russia. 

Throughout this conflict, we’ve seen North Korean support for Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war, including the transfer of missiles, artillery ammunition.  And, in October, of course, we announced that more than 1,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia on a purported training mission. 

In reality, Russia, due to Ukraine’s strong defense, and out of military desperation, sought additional support to facilitate and to perpetuate its war. 

Over the past few days, we have seen these North Korean soldiers move from the second lines on the battlefield to the front lines on the battlefield meant to be actively engaged in combat operations.  It’s not surprising — and of course, it’s also not surprising that now North Korean soldiers are suffering losses on the battlefield in response to Russia’s escalation, which, of course, the introduction of North Korean soldiers represents in terms of escalation.

The United States has announced new assistance, including the use of long-range capabilities to degrade North Korean and Russian forces before they attack.  And we have continued to surge security assistance, announcing two drawdowns in just recent weeks, and one USAI package.

Today, the Biden-Harris administration is announcing new sanctions on nine DPRK — North Korean — individuals and seven entities, including banks and shipping companies, all of which is over, of course, Kim Jong Un’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as the DPRK’s continued ballistic missile testing. 

These sanctions contribute toward broader efforts to degrade the DPRK’s ability to continue generating revenue for its weapons of mass destruction program and for providing munitions and ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine. 

We’re going to continue to hold accountable all actors who facilitate financially and militarily Russia’s illegal and brutal war in Ukraine.  And it goes without saying, or at least I hope it goes without saying, that we stand by Ukraine and the Ukrainian people as they defend their freedom, their territorial integrity, their sovereignty, their citizens, their lives, and their livelihoods.  That’s been a consistent theme, it’s been a consistent effort by this administration since Mr. Putin decided to cross the line in February of ‘22.  And I can assure you, with every day that we have left in this administration, we’re going to make good on that commitment. 

With that, I can take your questions.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our first question will go to Nandita with Reuters.

Q    Hi.  Can you hear me?

MODERATOR:  Yep.

Q    Thank you.  I wanted to ask about President-elect Trump’s comments on Ukraine today.  He’s obviously raised doubts about President Biden’s strategy of sending long-range missiles to Ukraine.  Today he said Ukraine has to agree to a deal.  I’m curious what you think of Trump’s comments and what they mean for President Zelenskyy and the future of Ukraine.

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not going to engage in a public back-and-forth here, but I do want to make a couple of points. 

There are things you’ve heard me say before, but, my goodness, if you need to hear, I’ll say it again: Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.  We’re not going to have talks about them without them involved.  We’re not going to force their hand in terms of what their next steps might be. 

President Zelenskyy was elected by the Ukrainian people to be their representative in the executive branch of their government, and he is.  And he gets to decide if and when there’s going to be a negotiation. 

Now, we all believe there should be a negotiated end to this war.  That’s probably the most likely and the best way it’s going to end.  We recognize that.  But President Zelenskyy gets to determine under what terms, what conditions, when, and how he wants to engage in negotiations.  And as we have made clear to him in the past, so I can today: When he makes that decision, as long as President Biden is Commander-in-Chief, he will find in this administration a supporter as he moves forward to negotiating.  But he gets to determine that.  And if he does do it, he gets to determine the conditions.

What we’re going to — the third thing I’ll say is that between now and that day, whenever that day is, we’re going to make sure that his army has what they need to continue to succeed on the battlefield and to push the Russians back and to make it harder on Mr. Putin to continue to fight this war. 

I mean, even as we’re talking here, it is true that the Russians have made some plodding progress in the east, and it is true that they are going after Ukrainian lines in and around Kursk, but they’re doing it with North Korean soldiers, because that’s how desperate he is.  And the progress that they’re making in the east, yes, not denying that they’re making progress, but it’s coming at a heavy cost for Russian soldiers as well. 

One of the things that Mr. Putin has had to buy a lot of in terms — and he’s bought a lot of missiles, he’s bought drones, he’s bought artillery shells, and he’s getting them from all kinds of different places.  He’s also had to buy a lot of body bags.  And I think that shouldn’t be forgotten.  And that’s it.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Aamer with the AP.

Q    Hey.  Thank you, John.  One question I had was: Did the administration consult with President-elect Trump’s team before the decision to loosen restrictions on the use of American-provided ATACMS? 

And then, just secondly, on your point about North Koreans now being seen moving up to the front lines, is there anything specific triggering this?  And is there an assessment of how many North Korean troops have been injured or lost thus far?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  So, let me take your second one first.  I don’t know that we have an exact number, but we do believe that they have suffered some significant losses, killed and wounded, but it’s difficult for me to put an actual number on it.  I would say certainly in the realm of dozens, several dozens. 

And we’re just now starting to see this movement of them from the second line to the front line.  So it’s a fairly new development, Aamer, and we might be able to have a little bit more granularity as days go on, but I wouldn’t have put it in this opening statement if we didn’t assess that these were fairly significant losses.  Again, we just don’t have a hard number on it, but just the figures that we are seeing and trying to triangulate tell us that, again, this has not been an insignificant set of losses for these guys. 

And, look, we said it at the time: If they want to enter the fight, they do so at their own peril, and now they’re learning what that means.

On your first question: Look, the conversations that we were having inside the administration about ATACMS started before the election.  All I can assure you is that in the conversations we’ve had with them since the election, and we’ve had it at various levels, we have articulated to them the logic behind it, the thinking behind it, why we were doing it, and to stress to them that this was in response, quite frankly, to the North Korean troops being put on the battlefield, which they did before the election.

Q    John, just real briefly, is it incorrect when President-elect Trump said that he wasn’t consulted?

MR. KIRBY:  Again, Aamer, I’m not going to get into a back-and-forth with the President-elect or his team.  I can only tell you the decision about ATACMS was made before the election, before we had a result, and it was made internal to this administration, as it should be.  And it was made because of a decision by Putin to use North Korean troops, which was a decision he made before the election.  So, all that happened pre-election.

Post-election, we have had the appropriate level of conversations with the incoming team about various national security issues, including the war in Ukraine, to explain what we’re doing, what we’re seeing, why we’re doing it, you know, so that, as I said the other day — I think I said this in the briefing room — there should be no decision we are taking or that we have taken in recent weeks that should come as a surprise to them.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Francesca with USA Today.

Q    Thanks so much for doing this.  I had a question about something else that the President-elect had said today.  Kirby, he said that the U.S. military and both President Biden know where the drones are coming and going from.  He indicated perhaps that you know more than you’re letting on, and said that you should stop keeping people in suspense, that you should tell them what you know.  Could you just respond to that and whether the administration does know more, whether the military and the White House do know more about where the drones are coming and going from?

MR. KIRBY:  I’ve talked to you guys last week.  We did a backgrounder over the weekend.  And I’m talking to you all today.  And today, as I think you hopefully picked up in my opening statement, we are now able to tell you what our assessment is to date, and our assessment is to date, as I indicated, what we believe these things are. 

Now, again, that’s the assessment to date.  So I would say that we are making a very good-faith effort to be as open and direct with all of you and with the American people as we can.  And that will continue.  That will continue all throughout the coming days.  There’s absolutely no effort to be anything other than as upfront as we can be. 

Now, what we’re not going to do is speculate, and we’re not going to hypothesize.  We’re not going to provide content that we can’t be sure is accurate. 

So, you know, I recognize that some of the criticism over the last few days has been that we haven’t said more of what we know.  It’s because we didn’t have as much information as we do now after a few more days of extra resources, extra personnel, extra analysis. 

And so, that’s why I’m coming out here at 4:30 on a Monday to let you know what we’ve learned.  And we’re going to continue to do that, because we know there are, you know, ongoing concerns about this. 

But I want to stress again: Please, if you do anything in your coverage, please make sure that you remind people that there are over a million legal drones in the country and that thousands of them are flying around on any given day, legally, lawfully, performing valuable services, including for the betterment of citizens on the ground.  It’s okay to fly drones.  It’s legal to do it, you know, if you’re registered with the FAA, and our assessment is that the vast, vast majority are. 

And the other thing I’d ask you to please keep front and center is that we’re watching — we’re monitoring this in real time and analyzing it in dang near real time.  And still today, on Monday, we have not seen anything that indicates a threat to national security or a public safety risk.  And obviously, if we did, we would, as appropriate, take the right action, do the right things, execute the right policies, and be as transparent with the American people about it as we could.

Q    Kirby, if I just could really quickly, not to get into intelligence assessments, but is there anything that you’re seeing in the intelligence that perhaps he was referring to that you’re not able to tell us about right now?

MR. KIRBY:  No.  I mean, the short answer to that is no.

Look, you know that I’m always careful when I’m asked about intelligence assessments one way or another.  But if there was something there that would indicate — that would contradict my statement that there was no national security threat at play right now that we know of, or a public safety risk, obviously I wouldn’t say it that way.  You know, it’s not like there’s a bit of intel out there that I’m obfuscating or obscuring from you. 

If we had information, intelligence or otherwise, that told us that there was a national security threat posed by this drone activity, I would say that.  Maybe I wouldn’t be able to tell you exactly what the threat is or who it’s from or what the purpose is, but I would.  And I can’t — I just can’t say that to you honestly, because we haven’t seen it.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Kayla with CNN.

Q    Thank you.  And thank you, Admiral, for doing this. 

First, I just wanted to see if you could elaborate at all on the nature of the discussions between the White House and Trump teams on Ukraine, in which the President-elect has said he wants to see a ceasefire on day one. 

And second, I wanted to see if you could comment on the impeachment of President Yoon in South Korea, what it means for the alliance, and whether the U.S. believes, as some in the country do, that President Yoon should be charged with insurrection.  Thanks.

MR. KIRBY:  I will defer to the incoming team to speak to whatever policies that they want to pursue from a national security perspective.  That’s the appropriate thing.  You know, they should speak to whatever decisions that they believe they’re going to make or approaches that they want to take.  I mean, that’s not for me to comment on or to go into any depth on.

I would just tell you — well, I don’t want to just repeat what I said before.  I’d point you back to my previous answer.  Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.  We want to put President Zelenskyy in the best possible position so that if and when he’s ready to negotiate an end to this war, he can do it from a position of strength, from a position of some leverage.  And that’s why we continue to flow so much security assistance to him in these closing weeks of the administration.  And that’s going to continue.

What the next team decides to do or how they want to handle that, that really would be for them to speak to.  And I just don’t think it’s useful or productive for me to go beyond that. 

Obviously, we continue to watch events in South Korea very, very closely.  A significant ally.  Remains a significant ally.  An alliance that is incredibly healthy now after the result of these last four years of really working on our alliances and partnerships in the Pacific. 

As you know, the President spoke with the acting president, Han Duck-soo, over the weekend — I think it was on Saturday evening — to congratulate him and also to reaffirm our commitment to the South Korean people, to the alliance.

I will not speak to internal domestic issues inside South Korea, your question about whether he should be charged with insurrection.  Those kinds of things are for South Korean officials, South Korean legislators, the South Korean people to determine, not the United States.  All I’ll say is that, as the President said to Acting President Han Duck-soo, this is an important relationship for us, it’s a terrific alliance.  The United States is going to stay committed to it.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Cheyenne with ABC.

Q    Hi.  Thank you for doing this.  The President-elect also mentioned changing a trip to Bedminster.  Do you have any reason to believe that Bedminster, New Jersey, has been at all at risk with any of these drone sightings?

And also, you’ve talked about the thousands of drones flying around legally on any given day.  What’s your explanation for why this became a concern just recently in New Jersey?  Do you think it’s just a chain reaction?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t know the answer to that.  I don’t.  But I can tell you we’re working hard to triangulate all of these sightings.  And as I said, of the 5,000 that the FBI took in, and the local law enforcement, there were about 100 that were deemed — that required, I should say, to follow up on. 

So, I don’t know.  I can’t explain the number of sightings.  Many of them are duplicative.  In other words, you might get, like — this is an example, not — a hypothetical example — but you might get 10 sightings of a single aircraft.  So that counts as 10 sightings, but it may only be one aircraft.  So, as this has become a story locally and certainly through the media, more and more people are looking skyward, and more and more people are seeing things, and more and more people are calling them in and taking video of them.  But in a lot of instances, it turns out to be the same thing seen by multiple people.  But I just can’t explain.  I don’t know.

But your question, I think, gets to why I made those comments at the beginning: to remind people of the sheer size and scope of unmanned aerial systems that are flying legally and lawfully every day over this country.  And again, it’s to our benefit, commercially and even from a public safety and law enforcement perspective.  So, that there are lots of drones in the sky I think is without dispute, and that the vast, vast majority of them are doing good things for people on the ground also should not be in dispute. 

As for the issue of Bedminster, it is already designated as restricted air space, so it is unlawful to fly in that space, with or without it being a manned aircraft, without the FAA’s approval.  So it’s already restricted.  I can’t speak to the President-elect’s travel or what he’s decided to do or where he’s decided to go, but I think it’s important to remember that it is already restricted airspace.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Nadia.

Q    Thank you.  I have a couple of questions.  First, the mother of Austin Tice has sent a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, asking him to hold Israeli strikes outside of Damascus because she believes that Austin Tice might be held in a jail there.  Do you think that Israeli strikes might affect his chances of being found alive?  And I have another question.

MR. KIRBY:  I really don’t have anything for you on that one, Nadia.  That’s a — you know, I think that’s a question better put to the Tice family and to the IDF. 

I would just tell you that we continue to work very, very hard to try to find out where Austin is, how Austin is, and stemming from that information, what we can do to try to get him home.  And sadly, regrettably, I just don’t have additional detail to provide for you on that today.  We’re still working this very, very hard. 

Q    Okay.  Also, the President-elect Trump said today that Turkey holds all the keys to what’s happening in Syria.  In fact, he’s insinuating that Turkey is a major player of what’s taken on unfolding events in Syria, and he praised President Erdoğan as a smart guy.  What’s your assessment of Turkey’s role on what we have seen so far in the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime?

MR. KIRBY:  There’s no question that the Turks are significant players here in whatever the outcome in Syria is going to be, as they have been over the course of the last 14 years.  And that’s why Secretary Blinken went to Turkey last week.  It’s why we continue to have conversations with them at all different levels about what they’re doing, what their concerns are.

As I have said in the past, they have legitimate concerns with a terrorist threat along that border with Syria.  Turkish citizens have fallen victim to terrorist activities there.  You can’t very well blame the Turks for being concerned about that threat. 

On the other hand, we have a relationship with the Syrian Democratic Forces to go after ISIS.  We want to keep that focus of them and us, and so we have certainly talked about our concerns with respect to that mission set as it relates to Turkey’s military operations on the other side of that border. 

And if there’s a need — as there’s a need to deconflict and to work through some of those overlapping concerns, well, we’ll do that because Turkey is, as you rightly said, a NATO Ally. 

So they have had, and legitimately so, have had a large interest in what’s going on in Syria.  We recognize that.  We also recognize that sometimes their goals aren’t exactly the same as ours, and so we talk to them about that, and we’ll continue to do so.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  Our next question will go to Alex with the Wall Street Journal.

Q    Thanks so much.  Real quickly — Kirby, I noticed you said that this assessment is coming from law enforcement.  Just checking if any intelligence agencies, or especially military intel, is part of what went into this assessment, knowing that some of the drones went over Langley and Wright-Patt.

And just trying to get a sense of, you know, how did the administration work to get this info.  You mentioned, you know, you didn’t have it before.  Now you do.  Sort of what went into this?  Is this like — you know, were there a bunch of meetings?  Did FBI send a bunch of folks out?  Can you just give us some detail on how you’ve gotten to this point now in the assessment? Thanks. 

MR. KIRBY:  I kind of already did, Alex.  I said we surged resources, detection capabilities.  We surged personnel, including visual observers, from federal agencies, predominantly DHS.  The military, the Defense Department has surged some additional detection capabilities, certainly with respect to Naval Weapons Station Earle and Picatinny Arsenal. 

So, the assessment I was able to offer today was really the result of the collective action of all of these efforts, including continued work by local law enforcement and state officials. 

The work continues.  This is our assessment to date.  We will continue to look at this as hard as we can.  But it is really the result of an influx of resources and personnel applied to this particular problem set. 

I think the Pentagon already spoke to Wright-Patterson.  There was no — as I understand it, no disruption of operations.  I think some of the original reporting out of there was lacking some context that I think the Pentagon added to and provided. 

And, look, on intelligence, I would just say that this is a true interagency effort, and we’re all working really hard to apply the right resources to the problem set and to be as open and transparent with people as we can be.  And I think I best leave it at that.

Again, I want to foot-stomp what I said earlier.  It’s important for people to understand the ecosystem of drones over the skies of the United States.  I mean, there’s a lot of activity.  And again, the vast, vast, vast majority of it is legal and lawful.  And we believe — again, to date, our assessment is that the sightings thus far have been of that ilk.  But we’ll continue to keep looking.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We have time for one more question, and we’ll go to Robin Wright.

Q    Thank you, John.  Can I take you further afield to Syria and ask you: Has there been any more contact between the United States and HTS?

And secondly, can you give us a sense of what Iran is doing in Syria?  The head of the IRGC said that there have been evacuations of 4,000 citizens from Iran.  Do you have a sense of what Iran is doing in the aftermath of Assad’s demise or what it’s planning to do?  Thank you.

MR. KIRBY:  I can tell you, on HTS, as Secretary Blinken indicated, we have been in direct contact with HTS, as we have been with other groups.  We also have indirect ways of communicating with all those groups as well, and we’re pulling on all those levers to make sure that we can very closely monitor this transition to what we hope will be — well, we hope it will be a peaceful transition, but to a stable, secure, sovereign Syria that meets the aspirations of its people. 

But I don’t have any additional or specifics about conversations with HTS, except to reiterate what Secretary Blinken said.  We have been in touch with them and I suspect we will be going forward. 

I also think, Robin, you shouldn’t — no one should expect that we’re going to get into a detailed readout of every single conversation that we have with every rebel group or opposition leader as it unfolds.  I wouldn’t expect that you’re going to see that. 

And as for Iran, you know, I would be lying to you if I said we had, you know, perfect visibility on everything that Iranian leaders are doing or deciding when it comes to Syria.  I can go so far as to say we certainly have seen indications that the Iranians are pulling people and resources out of Syria.  That is true.  But at what scale and on what timeline, it’s difficult for us to be very granular on that.  We just don’t have perfect visibility.  But it’s clear to us that they certainly weren’t willing or able to come to Assad’s rescue.  And in the aftermath of his departure, it’s clear to us that they are reevaluating, I think is the best way to put it, their presence in Syria and have already started to move some people and some resources out. 

That’s really as far as I can go.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  And thank you, everyone, for joining us today.  As always, if we weren’t able to get to you, please reach out to the NSC press distro, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.  Thanks all.

5:24 P.M. EST

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Today, as we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, we celebrate the tremendous progress our country has made in bringing clean drinking water to all Americans – and we recommit ourselves to the work still to come.  

I am proud to have been one of the Senators who supported this landmark legislation. Before the Safe Drinking Water Act, America’s drinking water was unreliable and too often polluted with industrial waste or disease-causing contaminants. The Act was passed to meet these challenges head-on, and five decades later, our nation enjoys some of the safest drinking water in the world.

Along with the long-standing leadership of Vice President Harris, I have fought to ensure that the full vision of the Safe Drinking Water Act is realized by tackling the key challenges facing our drinking water system today, including toxic lead pipes, PFAS “forever chemicals,” aging water infrastructure, and pollution impacting our rivers, streams, and wetlands. Our Administration combined historic investments – including more than $50 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – and regulatory policies – including the first-ever requirement to identify and replace lead pipes within ten years – to make historic progress investing in key water infrastructure, including in Indigenous and rural communities, while also creating good-paying jobs and helping advance environmental justice.

Vice President Harris and I have always believed that every person in this country deserves to turn on a faucet and have clean drinking water. And because of my Administration’s investments and actions in water safety, a new legacy of clean, high-quality drinking water for our families and communities will continue to be felt for generations to come.

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Today, as we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, we celebrate the tremendous progress our country has made in bringing clean drinking water to all Americans – and we recommit ourselves to the work still to come.  

I am proud to have been one of the Senators who supported this landmark legislation. Before the Safe Drinking Water Act, America’s drinking water was unreliable and too often polluted with industrial waste or disease-causing contaminants. The Act was passed to meet these challenges head-on, and five decades later, our nation enjoys some of the safest drinking water in the world.

Along with the long-standing leadership of Vice President Harris, I have fought to ensure that the full vision of the Safe Drinking Water Act is realized by tackling the key challenges facing our drinking water system today, including toxic lead pipes, PFAS “forever chemicals,” aging water infrastructure, and pollution impacting our rivers, streams, and wetlands. Our Administration combined historic investments – including more than $50 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – and regulatory policies – including the first-ever requirement to identify and replace lead pipes within ten years – to make historic progress investing in key water infrastructure, including in Indigenous and rural communities, while also creating good-paying jobs and helping advance environmental justice.

Vice President Harris and I have always believed that every person in this country deserves to turn on a faucet and have clean drinking water. And because of my Administration’s investments and actions in water safety, a new legacy of clean, high-quality drinking water for our families and communities will continue to be felt for generations to come.

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The post Statement from President Joe Biden on the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act appeared first on The White House.

Action Uplifts Women’s History by Honoring the First Woman Cabinet Secretary, Longest-Serving Secretary of Labor, and a Key Architect of the New Deal

Today President Biden will sign a proclamation establishing the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, Maine, to honor the historic contributions of America’s first woman Cabinet Secretary and the longest-serving Secretary of Labor.

Frances Perkins was the leading architect behind the New Deal and led many labor and economic reforms that continue to benefit Americans today. During her 12 years as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she envisioned and helped create Social Security; helped millions of Americans get back to work during the Great Depression; fought for the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively; and established the minimum wage, overtime pay, prohibitions on child labor, and unemployment insurance.

During a visit to the Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building, President Biden will showcase Frances Perkins’s foundational legacy, which civil rights and women’s rights leaders have built upon to further expand opportunities for all Americans. The President will also highlight how his Administration has continued to stand with labor and strengthen America’s workforce. President Biden is proud to be the most pro-union and pro-worker president in history, including creating the Made in America office; requiring Project Labor Agreements on nearly all major federal construction projects of over $35 million; signing the Butch Lewis Act to save more than one million pensions; and becoming the first president in history to walk a picket line.

The designation of this new national monument advances President Biden’s March 2024 Executive Order to strengthen the recognition of women’s history. In addition to establishing the Frances Perkins National Monument, today Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will announce five new National Historic Landmarks that will increase the representation of women’s history in historic sites across America and additional new actions to advance President Biden’s Executive Order.

Frances Perkins National Monument

At a time when few women were in leadership positions and just 13 years after the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, President Roosevelt asked Frances Perkins to become his Secretary of Labor. Perkins told President Roosevelt that if she accepted the position, she intended to execute an ambitious plan to protect American workers. Over her 12 years as Secretary of Labor, Perkins accomplished nearly everything on her list and laid the groundwork for the labor policy and social safety net that we continue to build on today.

The new national monument boundary encompasses the 57 acres of the Frances Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark site in Newcastle, Maine. The Perkins Homestead played a pivotal role in Frances Perkins’ life and was the place Perkins felt most at home. She spent her childhood summers there, and returned frequently for respite throughout her ground-breaking professional career.  

Owned by her family for over 270 years, the Homestead remains much as it looked during Perkins’ lifetime. The 2.3-acre core area of the Homestead has been donated to the National Park Service and is reserved as part of the new monument, including the Perkins’ family home known as the brick house, a barn and outbuilding, gardens, and part of the stone wall surrounding the property. The remaining Homestead landscape extends from the core area to the Damariscotta River to the east, and contains other buildings, structures, gardens, and the paths used by Perkins and her family throughout her life. These lands are currently owned by the Frances Perkins Center which has been managing and preserving them, and they will be reserved and protected as part of the national monument if they are ever donated to the Federal Government in the future.

Advancing Women’s History and Telling a More Complete American Story

The establishment of the Frances Perkins National Monument furthers the Administration’s commitment to recognizing women’s contributions to our country. TheBiden-Harris Administration has invested more than $40 million to restore and support sites that recognize and elevate the stories of women who have shaped American history. Today, the Department of the Interior (DOI) is announcing additional new actions that advance the President’s Executive Order on Honoring and Recognizing Women’s History, including:

• Secretary Haaland is announcing five new National Historic Landmarks, DOI’s highest recognition of a property’s historical, architectural, or archeological significance. These include:
  • The Charleston Cigar Factory in Charleston, South Carolina. This new landmark, historically known as the American Cigar Company Building, will recognize the site where cigar factory workers – led by Black women – went on strike for better pay and working conditions, and against gender and racial discrimination on the job.
  • The Furies Collective House in Washington, D.C. This new landmark recognizes the former home of a group of young activists who created a social and political community credited with recognizing the existence and needs of lesbians in the women’s movement in the early 1970s, and who published a newspaper focused on questions of women’s identity, relationships, and roles in society.
  • The Lucy Diggs Slowe and Mary Burrill House in Washington, D.C. This new landmark includes the residence of Lucy Diggs Slowe, the first dean of women at Howard University, and her partner Mary Burrill. An advocate for educational parity between men and women students, Slowe helped modernize student affairs at Howard and other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
  • Azurest South in Petersburg, Virginia. This new landmark is designed in the International Style, an architectural style developed in the United States and Europe in the 1920s and 1930s that dominated mid-20th century architecture, by Amaza Lee Meredith, a pioneering Black woman architect.
  • The Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth House and Studios in San Patricio, New Mexico. This new landmark recognizes the home and workspace of 20th century Realist painter Henriette Wyeth.    

• The National Park Service is announcing a $500,000 grant from the Historic Preservation Fund to support the renovation of the Seneca Falls Knitting Mill, a part of the Seneca Falls Village Historic District. The Fund’s support will enable the National Women’s Hall of Fame to expand its programming on women’s history and restore the mill, which was one of the few places in Seneca Falls, New York to employ women during its 150 years of operation.
  
• As directed by President Biden, DOI is releasing a new report on representation of women across sites of national importance, including National Historic Landmarks, national monuments, and national park sites. The report assesses which existing federal sites are significant to women’s history and offers opportunities to improve the recognition of women’s contributions to our country across the National Park Service, including through the National Historic Landmark program.

Background on Antiquities Act Designations

President Theodore Roosevelt first used the Antiquities Act in 1906 to designate Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. Since then, 18 presidents of both parties have used this authority to protect natural and historic features in America, including the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, the Pullman National Monument, and the César E. Chávez National Monument.

The Frances Perkins National Monument will be President Biden’s 13th use of the Antiquities Act and his fourth new national monument commemorating a site that helps tell a more complete American story. Other designations under President Biden include the creation of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, and the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument.

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The post FACT SHEET: President Biden Designates Frances Perkins National Monument appeared first on The White House.

Action Uplifts Women’s History by Honoring the First Woman Cabinet Secretary, Longest-Serving Secretary of Labor, and a Key Architect of the New Deal

Today President Biden will sign a proclamation establishing the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, Maine, to honor the historic contributions of America’s first woman Cabinet Secretary and the longest-serving Secretary of Labor.

Frances Perkins was the leading architect behind the New Deal and led many labor and economic reforms that continue to benefit Americans today. During her 12 years as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she envisioned and helped create Social Security; helped millions of Americans get back to work during the Great Depression; fought for the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively; and established the minimum wage, overtime pay, prohibitions on child labor, and unemployment insurance.

During a visit to the Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building, President Biden will showcase Frances Perkins’s foundational legacy, which civil rights and women’s rights leaders have built upon to further expand opportunities for all Americans. The President will also highlight how his Administration has continued to stand with labor and strengthen America’s workforce. President Biden is proud to be the most pro-union and pro-worker president in history, including creating the Made in America office; requiring Project Labor Agreements on nearly all major federal construction projects of over $35 million; signing the Butch Lewis Act to save more than one million pensions; and becoming the first president in history to walk a picket line.

The designation of this new national monument advances President Biden’s March 2024 Executive Order to strengthen the recognition of women’s history. In addition to establishing the Frances Perkins National Monument, today Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will announce five new National Historic Landmarks that will increase the representation of women’s history in historic sites across America and additional new actions to advance President Biden’s Executive Order.

Frances Perkins National Monument

At a time when few women were in leadership positions and just 13 years after the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, President Roosevelt asked Frances Perkins to become his Secretary of Labor. Perkins told President Roosevelt that if she accepted the position, she intended to execute an ambitious plan to protect American workers. Over her 12 years as Secretary of Labor, Perkins accomplished nearly everything on her list and laid the groundwork for the labor policy and social safety net that we continue to build on today.

The new national monument boundary encompasses the 57 acres of the Frances Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark site in Newcastle, Maine. The Perkins Homestead played a pivotal role in Frances Perkins’ life and was the place Perkins felt most at home. She spent her childhood summers there, and returned frequently for respite throughout her ground-breaking professional career.  

Owned by her family for over 270 years, the Homestead remains much as it looked during Perkins’ lifetime. The 2.3-acre core area of the Homestead has been donated to the National Park Service and is reserved as part of the new monument, including the Perkins’ family home known as the brick house, a barn and outbuilding, gardens, and part of the stone wall surrounding the property. The remaining Homestead landscape extends from the core area to the Damariscotta River to the east, and contains other buildings, structures, gardens, and the paths used by Perkins and her family throughout her life. These lands are currently owned by the Frances Perkins Center which has been managing and preserving them, and they will be reserved and protected as part of the national monument if they are ever donated to the Federal Government in the future.

Advancing Women’s History and Telling a More Complete American Story

The establishment of the Frances Perkins National Monument furthers the Administration’s commitment to recognizing women’s contributions to our country. TheBiden-Harris Administration has invested more than $40 million to restore and support sites that recognize and elevate the stories of women who have shaped American history. Today, the Department of the Interior (DOI) is announcing additional new actions that advance the President’s Executive Order on Honoring and Recognizing Women’s History, including:

• Secretary Haaland is announcing five new National Historic Landmarks, DOI’s highest recognition of a property’s historical, architectural, or archeological significance. These include:
  • The Charleston Cigar Factory in Charleston, South Carolina. This new landmark, historically known as the American Cigar Company Building, will recognize the site where cigar factory workers – led by Black women – went on strike for better pay and working conditions, and against gender and racial discrimination on the job.
  • The Furies Collective House in Washington, D.C. This new landmark recognizes the former home of a group of young activists who created a social and political community credited with recognizing the existence and needs of lesbians in the women’s movement in the early 1970s, and who published a newspaper focused on questions of women’s identity, relationships, and roles in society.
  • The Lucy Diggs Slowe and Mary Burrill House in Washington, D.C. This new landmark includes the residence of Lucy Diggs Slowe, the first dean of women at Howard University, and her partner Mary Burrill. An advocate for educational parity between men and women students, Slowe helped modernize student affairs at Howard and other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
  • Azurest South in Petersburg, Virginia. This new landmark is designed in the International Style, an architectural style developed in the United States and Europe in the 1920s and 1930s that dominated mid-20th century architecture, by Amaza Lee Meredith, a pioneering Black woman architect.
  • The Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth House and Studios in San Patricio, New Mexico. This new landmark recognizes the home and workspace of 20th century Realist painter Henriette Wyeth.    

• The National Park Service is announcing a $500,000 grant from the Historic Preservation Fund to support the renovation of the Seneca Falls Knitting Mill, a part of the Seneca Falls Village Historic District. The Fund’s support will enable the National Women’s Hall of Fame to expand its programming on women’s history and restore the mill, which was one of the few places in Seneca Falls, New York to employ women during its 150 years of operation.
  
• As directed by President Biden, DOI is releasing a new report on representation of women across sites of national importance, including National Historic Landmarks, national monuments, and national park sites. The report assesses which existing federal sites are significant to women’s history and offers opportunities to improve the recognition of women’s contributions to our country across the National Park Service, including through the National Historic Landmark program.

Background on Antiquities Act Designations

President Theodore Roosevelt first used the Antiquities Act in 1906 to designate Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. Since then, 18 presidents of both parties have used this authority to protect natural and historic features in America, including the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, the Pullman National Monument, and the César E. Chávez National Monument.

The Frances Perkins National Monument will be President Biden’s 13th use of the Antiquities Act and his fourth new national monument commemorating a site that helps tell a more complete American story. Other designations under President Biden include the creation of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, and the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument.

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Willard Hotel
Washington, D.C.

6:06 P.M. EST

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, everyone.  (Applause.)  Good evening.  Good evening.  Good evening.  Happy Holidays.  And thank you all for what you are, what you have done, what you will do. 

Dr. Jill Biden, let me just say, it has been an extraordinary four years, as you have said.  And the work that we have done together — the four of us — I wish some of you were privy to seeing just, you know, before we come on stage when we’re hanging out in the back, or just those long nights when we’re talking about what we want to get done, the challenges we face, but our commitment to seeing it through.

And I’ll say about Jill Biden something that probably most of you know: She’s a tough cookie — (laughter) — who cares so deeply.  You know, Jill is tough.  She has a tough exterior.  She has one of the biggest hearts of anybody I know.  (Applause.)

She cares about the people.  The way she talks, for example, about her students, the way she talks about people who are often overlooked, are just not thought of in any way that they should be, that’s who Jill is.  And so, Jill, it’s been an extraordinary experience to work with you, and our friendship is lifelong, as you know, and I love you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you. 

And can we hear it again for the first second gentleman of the United States — (applause) — also known as my Dougie.  (Laughter.) 

It is so good to be here with everyone this evening, including Chair Jaime Harrison, Finance Chair Chris Korge, and so many others.  (Applause.)

And we are here tonight to thank you all for the work that you have done.  And it has been tireless work. 

When it mattered most, through the entire campaign, including those 107 days, you all rallied.  You rallied.  You opened your homes.  You reached out to your friends and your family. 

You put your personal capital — and by that, I mean your relationships — at stake to talk with people because you care so deeply, and you connected with people and took the time to remind them of what is at stake and what was at stake. 

You sacrificed an extraordinary amount of time not doing other priorities in your life to focus on this campaign and, by extension, to focus on our country and its future. 

With your help, we brought together people from every walk of life and every background, all united by a deep love of country, all motivated by enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future. 

And as a result of your leadership and your support, the National Finance Committee held more than 700 events across the country and raised nearly $700 million — (applause) — an historic achievement, which without a doubt made our campaign stronger. 

So, I thank you again for all you have done.  And I ask that — everyone here that you hold onto and know in your heart and in your spirit that everything you did made a difference and mattered and has impact that is lasting. 

All the work you did to bring these resources together allowed us to do rallies where people from every walk of life would come and they would look around and see that we are one community of people called Americans.  They would look and they would see people they had never met before and feel a sense of their own power in knowing that they are not alone and that we are all in this together. 

You gave people and allowed them to have that feeling, and that can’t be taken away. 

And as we look to the future, we will continue then to rely on your support to make sure our party can continue to do that kind of work, which is about being on the ground, being where the people are, going to them to organize and mobilize and remind people of the power of their voice. 

So, look, the holiday season is one of my favorite times of year — that and my birthday — (laughter) — and our — and our wedding anniversary, of course.  (Laughter.)  Just going to keep digging this hole deeper and deeper.  (Laughter.)

But it’s a time of gratitude and a time of celebration.  And so, it is so important this holiday season to remember we all have so much to celebrate. 

We have a country we love.  We have ideals that we’re very clear about in terms of their importance and the importance of us fighting for those ideals.  And we have each other.  And our work is about being intentional about building community.  Our work is about being intentional about building coalitions.  Our work is fueled by our knowledge that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us. 

We, who understand that we are all in this together.  We, who, as I like to say, look in the face of a stranger and see a neighbor.  That’s how we do our work.  And we, who know that the true measure of the strength of a leader is not based on who you beat down, it’s based on who you lift up.  (Applause.) 

And that spirit — the spirit with which we do our work — and hear me when I say this — that spirit that fuels the countless hours and days and months of work that you have put into this, that spirit can never be defeated.  Our spirit is not defeated.  We are not defeated.  Let’s be clear about that. 

We are strong.  We are clear about why we are in this.  And because you’re here right now, I say, again, thank you, because not only are you clear about all of that, you’re willing to put in the hard work.  And that work must continue.

We cannot let any circumstance or situation or individual ever take away our power to know why we do what we do and our ability to then get that work done.  And especially because we know what we stand for, and that’s why we know what to fight for. 

We here believe in the promise of America.  We believe in the promise of freedom, of justice, of opportunity and dignity not just so- — for some but for all. 

We know that fighting for the promise of America takes hard work — now, you all can help me finish this; many of you have heard me say it — but we like hard work.  Hard work is good work.  Hard work is joyful work.

And in the new year, we will continue our work with hope, with determination, and with joy. 

So, I’ll close by saying, this holiday season, like any time of the year, let us really be conscious of all the blessings we have.  Let us celebrate the blessings we have.  Let us celebrate in advance the blessings we have yet to create. 

And let us always remember our country is worth fighting for and our spirit will not be defeated.

And I promise you, I will be with you every step of the way.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

And with that, it is my great honor to introduce an incredible leader, who I have had the great blessing and honor and joy of working with for the last four years — spending time with this leader, be it in the Oval Office, the Situation Room, or just sitting around talking about, “Hey, I think we can get this Inflation Reduction Act done.  I think that actually people want a CHIPS and Science Act, and we can get it done.  I think that even though there have been, you know, about 150 years b- — since there’s been a real upgrade on America’s infrastructure, I think we can get it done.  Think we can get done bipartisan work around smart gun safety laws.” 

And I’m going to tell you something about Joe Biden.  He is relentless.  He never gives up.  He cares so deeply about the American people.  And he spends full time in all these places that I just mentioned, including on the world stage, fighting for the American people and fighting for our strength, the respect which we are due, our honor, and our ability to have vision that actually benefits people around the world.  And, most importantly, he is a dear friend to Doug and me and our family. 

I bring you our president, Joe Biden.  (Applause.) 

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello.  (Applause.) 

Hello, DNC.  (Applause.)

I want to thank Jaime Harrison for his leadership as chairman. 

There was a congressman down there in his state that called me one day.  He said, “Joe, you’re going to have to decide on a chairman.  Let me tell you who it is.”  (Laughs.)  I said, “Sure.  Whatever you say.”  (Laughter.)  Anyway, it turned out that, Jaime, you’ve done a hell of a job. 

And, you know, the fact is that when we started off — as you’ve heard me say many times, I didn’t plan on running again and — because things had changed in my life.  And — but I got a call from Chris Korge and — and others saying, “You know, we ought to do this.  There’s a lot at stake.” 

I spent my — I know I — you’ve heard me say it, but I know I only look like I’m 40, but — (laughter) — but I’ve been around a long time.  And there’s one advantage of having been the oldest president in American history: I’ve gotten to know virtually every world leader in the last 50 years. 

I know them pretty well.  And what I realized — and more intensely than I ever did before — that we are the essential country.  That’s not hyperbole.  It’s not about what we want to be. 

Ask yourself the question: If we don’t lead the world, who does?  Not a joke.  Who does?  Who leads if we don’t? 

And when I decided to run, it was so we — I thought we could win.  I determined I was going to have a c- — a — a — an administration that looked like America, representing every aspect of America.  And we’ve kept that commitment.  I don’t think anybody is going to be able to turn that around. 

And thanks to all of you for your support to the DNC.  Jill and I, Kamala and Doug could never have gotten to the White House without you.  And that’s not — again, not hyperbole.  We never could have gotten as much done as we did without you. 

You not only contributed to campaigns, but you were — you did something I think even more important.  You’re willing to lend your names, your reputations, and your character to the effort.  You signed that check, you knew what you were doing.  You were putting yourself on the line.  And we’re forever grateful for your character. 

The one thing I’ve always believed about public service, and especially about the presidency, is the importance of asking yourself: Have we left the country in better shape than we found it?

Today, I can say, without — with every fiber of my being, of all my heart, the answer to that question is a resounding yes — yes — (applause) — because of all of you assembled here.

We can be proud we’re leaving America in a better place today than when we came here four years ago. 

This country was living through the worst pandemic the country had seen in a hundred years.  Our economy was in a tailspin.  Millions of people were out of work.  Businesses were being shuttered.  Schools were closed.  And there was no plan for going forward.  Just two weeks before being sworn in, we had just witnessed something we thought would never happen in America: a violent insurrection, encouraged by the man sitting in the White House, on January the 6th.  And so much more.

We’ve come a long way since then.  We passed histor- — historic legislation — laws that literally — are literally building the strongest economy in the world.  There’s not a world leader you can name for me who d- — hasn’t told me at these G7, G20 meeting — all these meetings I meet with them — they wouldn’t trade place with us in a heartbeat.  Laws that, when fully implemented, are going to change America for decades to come. 

But we did know that many of the laws we passed were so consequential it wouldn’t be implemented right away.  It takes time to build those fabs, the factories for chips.  It takes time to get this construction going. 

Over $1.4 trillion in infrastructure — $1 trillion so far in private sector investments in America; the biggest investment ever in climate in the history of the world; and fundamentally transforming our economy to grow from the middle out and the bottom up, not just the top down. 

I fully believe that America is better positioned, because of all of you, to lead the world today than any point in the last 50 years of my career. 

That’s because of you.  Again, not hyperbole.  You lend your reputations, your names to this effort.  It’s not just the contributions you’ve made.  It’s just stepping up, putting yourself on the line.

You should be so damn proud of the work we’ve done together.  You should never forget all you’ve done for the country. 

I’m also proud that we can say we’ve done all this with a deep belief in the core values of America.  Those values are — were all created — I — you’ve heard me say it a hundred times.  You know, we’re the most unique nation in the world.  Every other nation was based on geography, religion, ethnicity, some common factor.  But in America, we were built on an idea — an idea — an idea — the only country in the world. 

We hold these truths — self-evident that all men and women are created equal.  Everyone should have a fair shot.  Hate should never have a safe harbor in America.  That’s what we’re about. 

We’ve never fully lived up to all of that, but we’ve never — we’ve — we’ve stuck with our principles and set a high standard of character, integrity in public life. 

Let me say, it’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but the title I’m most proud of is being Jill’s husband.  (Laughter and applause.)  No —

I know it’s well-known by now: I had to ask her five times.  Thank God, she said yes the fifth time.  (Laughter.)  But I think she’s been one of our greatest first ladies, and I mean that sincerely.  (Applause.)

She wasn’t kidding about the first speeches she made.  She was scared to death to go out and make those speeches.  But look at her now — whoa.  (Laughter.) 

Yo, I’m in trouble.  (The president makes the sign of the cross.)  (Laughter.) 

Well, look, it’s also been an incredible honor to serve with someone of immense character that she demonstrated through her entire career: Kamala Harris.  (Applause.) 

I knew what I was doing when I asked her to be my vice president.  I knew her.  I knew of her.  I knew about her.  I knew her record.  I trusted her.  She always served this country with purpose and integrity, and she always will. 

And you’re not going anywhere, kid, because we’re not going to let you go.  (Laughter and applause.)  You’re not going anywhere. 

You know, just as our great first second gentleman — (laughs) — I love that, “first second gentleman.”  (Laughter.)  This guy is one of the best lawyers in America.  This guy gave up a pra- — this — this guy is an incredible guy. 

And one thing we have in common — I used to practice the law for about 10 days, but I used to practice the law — (laughter) — and — but the thing Doug and I have in common: We both married way above our station.  (Laughter and applause.)

Thank you, Doug and Kamala, not only for your service, but Jill and I are grateful to call you dear friends. 

Look, let me close with this.  While our time in office is coming to an end, the America of our dreams is calling us to stay engaged.  We’re not — Jill and I — and I don’t think Kamala and — and Doug are — going anywhere.  We look to the future. 

It’s more important than ever to keep organizing, to keep talking to folks. 

We all get knocked down.  My dad would say, “When you get knocked down, you just got to get up.  Get up.” 

The measure of a person or a party is how fast they get back up, and to know what we believe in is really worth fighting for. 

That’s the road ahead: to never give up, to keep the faith, to know — to know that what we’re doing matters. 

I know.  I know I’m going to stay engaged.  I know Kamala and Jill and Doug are going to well — as well. 

And I know you will.  We need you, badly.  The country needs you, badly. 

We just have to remember — you’ve heard me say it a thousand times — remember who we are.  We’re the United States of America, for God’s sake. 

At — many of you are students of history.  No other nation in the world has come through every crisis stronger than they went into the crisis, and that — except the United States.

And, folks, look, all the things we passed — we knew people weren’t going to see it.  How long does it take to build a fab that’s going to h- — hire thousands of people?  Billions of dollars being invested.  It just takes time to get it built.  It takes time to get it going.  It’s not going to happen for another five, six months, in many places.  It’s just getting started. 

The United States of America — there’s nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.  But we knew a lot of this was going to take time.  But look what’s out there: everything from the —

Anyway, I won’t get — I’ll get going.  (Laughter.)  But you really did a hell of a job.  I really mean it. 

And the thing I most admire about working with all of you: You have great integrity — great integrity.  You’ve stuck with the deal.  You’ve been honest.  You’ve been decent. 

We’ve run a — we ran a campaign that’s basically scandal-free.  That’s hard to do in American politics these days. 

Anyway, I just want to thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. 

The bad news for you all is I ain’t going nowhere.  (Laughter and applause.)  We’re going to stay engaged.

And having been listed the poorest man in Congress for 36 years, I may be able to actually contribute now.  (Laughter.)

But all kidding aside, thank you very, very much.  You’re — you’re a group of the most decent people.  (Applause.)

God bless you all. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)

 6:28 P.M. EST

The post Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris at the Democratic National Committee’s Holiday Reception appeared first on The White House.

Willard Hotel
Washington, D.C.

6:06 P.M. EST

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good evening, everyone.  (Applause.)  Good evening.  Good evening.  Good evening.  Happy Holidays.  And thank you all for what you are, what you have done, what you will do. 

Dr. Jill Biden, let me just say, it has been an extraordinary four years, as you have said.  And the work that we have done together — the four of us — I wish some of you were privy to seeing just, you know, before we come on stage when we’re hanging out in the back, or just those long nights when we’re talking about what we want to get done, the challenges we face, but our commitment to seeing it through.

And I’ll say about Jill Biden something that probably most of you know: She’s a tough cookie — (laughter) — who cares so deeply.  You know, Jill is tough.  She has a tough exterior.  She has one of the biggest hearts of anybody I know.  (Applause.)

She cares about the people.  The way she talks, for example, about her students, the way she talks about people who are often overlooked, are just not thought of in any way that they should be, that’s who Jill is.  And so, Jill, it’s been an extraordinary experience to work with you, and our friendship is lifelong, as you know, and I love you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you. 

And can we hear it again for the first second gentleman of the United States — (applause) — also known as my Dougie.  (Laughter.) 

It is so good to be here with everyone this evening, including Chair Jaime Harrison, Finance Chair Chris Korge, and so many others.  (Applause.)

And we are here tonight to thank you all for the work that you have done.  And it has been tireless work. 

When it mattered most, through the entire campaign, including those 107 days, you all rallied.  You rallied.  You opened your homes.  You reached out to your friends and your family. 

You put your personal capital — and by that, I mean your relationships — at stake to talk with people because you care so deeply, and you connected with people and took the time to remind them of what is at stake and what was at stake. 

You sacrificed an extraordinary amount of time not doing other priorities in your life to focus on this campaign and, by extension, to focus on our country and its future. 

With your help, we brought together people from every walk of life and every background, all united by a deep love of country, all motivated by enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future. 

And as a result of your leadership and your support, the National Finance Committee held more than 700 events across the country and raised nearly $700 million — (applause) — an historic achievement, which without a doubt made our campaign stronger. 

So, I thank you again for all you have done.  And I ask that — everyone here that you hold onto and know in your heart and in your spirit that everything you did made a difference and mattered and has impact that is lasting. 

All the work you did to bring these resources together allowed us to do rallies where people from every walk of life would come and they would look around and see that we are one community of people called Americans.  They would look and they would see people they had never met before and feel a sense of their own power in knowing that they are not alone and that we are all in this together. 

You gave people and allowed them to have that feeling, and that can’t be taken away. 

And as we look to the future, we will continue then to rely on your support to make sure our party can continue to do that kind of work, which is about being on the ground, being where the people are, going to them to organize and mobilize and remind people of the power of their voice. 

So, look, the holiday season is one of my favorite times of year — that and my birthday — (laughter) — and our — and our wedding anniversary, of course.  (Laughter.)  Just going to keep digging this hole deeper and deeper.  (Laughter.)

But it’s a time of gratitude and a time of celebration.  And so, it is so important this holiday season to remember we all have so much to celebrate. 

We have a country we love.  We have ideals that we’re very clear about in terms of their importance and the importance of us fighting for those ideals.  And we have each other.  And our work is about being intentional about building community.  Our work is about being intentional about building coalitions.  Our work is fueled by our knowledge that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us. 

We, who understand that we are all in this together.  We, who, as I like to say, look in the face of a stranger and see a neighbor.  That’s how we do our work.  And we, who know that the true measure of the strength of a leader is not based on who you beat down, it’s based on who you lift up.  (Applause.) 

And that spirit — the spirit with which we do our work — and hear me when I say this — that spirit that fuels the countless hours and days and months of work that you have put into this, that spirit can never be defeated.  Our spirit is not defeated.  We are not defeated.  Let’s be clear about that. 

We are strong.  We are clear about why we are in this.  And because you’re here right now, I say, again, thank you, because not only are you clear about all of that, you’re willing to put in the hard work.  And that work must continue.

We cannot let any circumstance or situation or individual ever take away our power to know why we do what we do and our ability to then get that work done.  And especially because we know what we stand for, and that’s why we know what to fight for. 

We here believe in the promise of America.  We believe in the promise of freedom, of justice, of opportunity and dignity not just so- — for some but for all. 

We know that fighting for the promise of America takes hard work — now, you all can help me finish this; many of you have heard me say it — but we like hard work.  Hard work is good work.  Hard work is joyful work.

And in the new year, we will continue our work with hope, with determination, and with joy. 

So, I’ll close by saying, this holiday season, like any time of the year, let us really be conscious of all the blessings we have.  Let us celebrate the blessings we have.  Let us celebrate in advance the blessings we have yet to create. 

And let us always remember our country is worth fighting for and our spirit will not be defeated.

And I promise you, I will be with you every step of the way.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

And with that, it is my great honor to introduce an incredible leader, who I have had the great blessing and honor and joy of working with for the last four years — spending time with this leader, be it in the Oval Office, the Situation Room, or just sitting around talking about, “Hey, I think we can get this Inflation Reduction Act done.  I think that actually people want a CHIPS and Science Act, and we can get it done.  I think that even though there have been, you know, about 150 years b- — since there’s been a real upgrade on America’s infrastructure, I think we can get it done.  Think we can get done bipartisan work around smart gun safety laws.” 

And I’m going to tell you something about Joe Biden.  He is relentless.  He never gives up.  He cares so deeply about the American people.  And he spends full time in all these places that I just mentioned, including on the world stage, fighting for the American people and fighting for our strength, the respect which we are due, our honor, and our ability to have vision that actually benefits people around the world.  And, most importantly, he is a dear friend to Doug and me and our family. 

I bring you our president, Joe Biden.  (Applause.) 

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello.  (Applause.) 

Hello, DNC.  (Applause.)

I want to thank Jaime Harrison for his leadership as chairman. 

There was a congressman down there in his state that called me one day.  He said, “Joe, you’re going to have to decide on a chairman.  Let me tell you who it is.”  (Laughs.)  I said, “Sure.  Whatever you say.”  (Laughter.)  Anyway, it turned out that, Jaime, you’ve done a hell of a job. 

And, you know, the fact is that when we started off — as you’ve heard me say many times, I didn’t plan on running again and — because things had changed in my life.  And — but I got a call from Chris Korge and — and others saying, “You know, we ought to do this.  There’s a lot at stake.” 

I spent my — I know I — you’ve heard me say it, but I know I only look like I’m 40, but — (laughter) — but I’ve been around a long time.  And there’s one advantage of having been the oldest president in American history: I’ve gotten to know virtually every world leader in the last 50 years. 

I know them pretty well.  And what I realized — and more intensely than I ever did before — that we are the essential country.  That’s not hyperbole.  It’s not about what we want to be. 

Ask yourself the question: If we don’t lead the world, who does?  Not a joke.  Who does?  Who leads if we don’t? 

And when I decided to run, it was so we — I thought we could win.  I determined I was going to have a c- — a — a — an administration that looked like America, representing every aspect of America.  And we’ve kept that commitment.  I don’t think anybody is going to be able to turn that around. 

And thanks to all of you for your support to the DNC.  Jill and I, Kamala and Doug could never have gotten to the White House without you.  And that’s not — again, not hyperbole.  We never could have gotten as much done as we did without you. 

You not only contributed to campaigns, but you were — you did something I think even more important.  You’re willing to lend your names, your reputations, and your character to the effort.  You signed that check, you knew what you were doing.  You were putting yourself on the line.  And we’re forever grateful for your character. 

The one thing I’ve always believed about public service, and especially about the presidency, is the importance of asking yourself: Have we left the country in better shape than we found it?

Today, I can say, without — with every fiber of my being, of all my heart, the answer to that question is a resounding yes — yes — (applause) — because of all of you assembled here.

We can be proud we’re leaving America in a better place today than when we came here four years ago. 

This country was living through the worst pandemic the country had seen in a hundred years.  Our economy was in a tailspin.  Millions of people were out of work.  Businesses were being shuttered.  Schools were closed.  And there was no plan for going forward.  Just two weeks before being sworn in, we had just witnessed something we thought would never happen in America: a violent insurrection, encouraged by the man sitting in the White House, on January the 6th.  And so much more.

We’ve come a long way since then.  We passed histor- — historic legislation — laws that literally — are literally building the strongest economy in the world.  There’s not a world leader you can name for me who d- — hasn’t told me at these G7, G20 meeting — all these meetings I meet with them — they wouldn’t trade place with us in a heartbeat.  Laws that, when fully implemented, are going to change America for decades to come. 

But we did know that many of the laws we passed were so consequential it wouldn’t be implemented right away.  It takes time to build those fabs, the factories for chips.  It takes time to get this construction going. 

Over $1.4 trillion in infrastructure — $1 trillion so far in private sector investments in America; the biggest investment ever in climate in the history of the world; and fundamentally transforming our economy to grow from the middle out and the bottom up, not just the top down. 

I fully believe that America is better positioned, because of all of you, to lead the world today than any point in the last 50 years of my career. 

That’s because of you.  Again, not hyperbole.  You lend your reputations, your names to this effort.  It’s not just the contributions you’ve made.  It’s just stepping up, putting yourself on the line.

You should be so damn proud of the work we’ve done together.  You should never forget all you’ve done for the country. 

I’m also proud that we can say we’ve done all this with a deep belief in the core values of America.  Those values are — were all created — I — you’ve heard me say it a hundred times.  You know, we’re the most unique nation in the world.  Every other nation was based on geography, religion, ethnicity, some common factor.  But in America, we were built on an idea — an idea — an idea — the only country in the world. 

We hold these truths — self-evident that all men and women are created equal.  Everyone should have a fair shot.  Hate should never have a safe harbor in America.  That’s what we’re about. 

We’ve never fully lived up to all of that, but we’ve never — we’ve — we’ve stuck with our principles and set a high standard of character, integrity in public life. 

Let me say, it’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but the title I’m most proud of is being Jill’s husband.  (Laughter and applause.)  No —

I know it’s well-known by now: I had to ask her five times.  Thank God, she said yes the fifth time.  (Laughter.)  But I think she’s been one of our greatest first ladies, and I mean that sincerely.  (Applause.)

She wasn’t kidding about the first speeches she made.  She was scared to death to go out and make those speeches.  But look at her now — whoa.  (Laughter.) 

Yo, I’m in trouble.  (The president makes the sign of the cross.)  (Laughter.) 

Well, look, it’s also been an incredible honor to serve with someone of immense character that she demonstrated through her entire career: Kamala Harris.  (Applause.) 

I knew what I was doing when I asked her to be my vice president.  I knew her.  I knew of her.  I knew about her.  I knew her record.  I trusted her.  She always served this country with purpose and integrity, and she always will. 

And you’re not going anywhere, kid, because we’re not going to let you go.  (Laughter and applause.)  You’re not going anywhere. 

You know, just as our great first second gentleman — (laughs) — I love that, “first second gentleman.”  (Laughter.)  This guy is one of the best lawyers in America.  This guy gave up a pra- — this — this guy is an incredible guy. 

And one thing we have in common — I used to practice the law for about 10 days, but I used to practice the law — (laughter) — and — but the thing Doug and I have in common: We both married way above our station.  (Laughter and applause.)

Thank you, Doug and Kamala, not only for your service, but Jill and I are grateful to call you dear friends. 

Look, let me close with this.  While our time in office is coming to an end, the America of our dreams is calling us to stay engaged.  We’re not — Jill and I — and I don’t think Kamala and — and Doug are — going anywhere.  We look to the future. 

It’s more important than ever to keep organizing, to keep talking to folks. 

We all get knocked down.  My dad would say, “When you get knocked down, you just got to get up.  Get up.” 

The measure of a person or a party is how fast they get back up, and to know what we believe in is really worth fighting for. 

That’s the road ahead: to never give up, to keep the faith, to know — to know that what we’re doing matters. 

I know.  I know I’m going to stay engaged.  I know Kamala and Jill and Doug are going to well — as well. 

And I know you will.  We need you, badly.  The country needs you, badly. 

We just have to remember — you’ve heard me say it a thousand times — remember who we are.  We’re the United States of America, for God’s sake. 

At — many of you are students of history.  No other nation in the world has come through every crisis stronger than they went into the crisis, and that — except the United States.

And, folks, look, all the things we passed — we knew people weren’t going to see it.  How long does it take to build a fab that’s going to h- — hire thousands of people?  Billions of dollars being invested.  It just takes time to get it built.  It takes time to get it going.  It’s not going to happen for another five, six months, in many places.  It’s just getting started. 

The United States of America — there’s nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.  But we knew a lot of this was going to take time.  But look what’s out there: everything from the —

Anyway, I won’t get — I’ll get going.  (Laughter.)  But you really did a hell of a job.  I really mean it. 

And the thing I most admire about working with all of you: You have great integrity — great integrity.  You’ve stuck with the deal.  You’ve been honest.  You’ve been decent. 

We’ve run a — we ran a campaign that’s basically scandal-free.  That’s hard to do in American politics these days. 

Anyway, I just want to thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. 

The bad news for you all is I ain’t going nowhere.  (Laughter and applause.)  We’re going to stay engaged.

And having been listed the poorest man in Congress for 36 years, I may be able to actually contribute now.  (Laughter.)

But all kidding aside, thank you very, very much.  You’re — you’re a group of the most decent people.  (Applause.)

God bless you all. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)

 6:28 P.M. EST

The post Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris at the Democratic National Committee’s Holiday Reception appeared first on The White House.

Today, the White House is releasing new data illustrating the transformative impact the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda has already had in creating good jobs, especially union jobs, that expand the power of the American worker.

As the Investing in America agenda spurs record levels of job creation—particularly in construction, clean energy, and manufacturing—the Biden-Harris Administration has focused on ensuring federal funds continue to promote good-paying, high-quality jobs. In September, President Biden signed an Executive Order calling on agencies to embed high-road labor standards and best practices across Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science, and Inflation Reduction Act clean energy programs.

The Good Jobs Task Force, a group of federal leaders created by the President’s Executive Order, analyzed more than 80 programs as part of its work drawing a government-wide blueprint for expanding job quality through federal investments.

The review found agencies and their partners in the private and public sector have made significant, measurable progress towards creating and improving access to good jobs—including union jobs—which are leading to concrete improvements in workers’ lives

Better Wages through More Union Jobs

The Biden-Harris Administration invested billions of dollars in long needed infrastructure projects like fixing roads and bridges, upgrading ports and expanding airports, and building manufacturing facilities. $84B of these construction projects are covered by a union contract providing good paying jobs with benefits available to all Americans, not just those with a four-year college degree.President Biden and Vice President Harris are proud to represent the most pro-union Administration in American history.

Under the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda, more than 600 construction projects have collective bargaining agreements in place or in negotiation. These pre-hire agreements, known as project labor agreements, are used to set family-sustaining wages and benefits on construction projects. They can also help open career pathways through registered apprenticeship, the gold standard for training workers on the job.

This is also true in manufacturing: Because of job quality priorities, more than 100 federal investments are in manufacturing and clean energy projects covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Nearly 100% of the announced total funding awarded through Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grants, over 75% of total funding awarded through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) Program, and 70% of total funding awarded through the Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling grants are going to work places covered by Community Benefits Agreements.

By promoting these agreements, the Biden-Harris Administration has had a transformative impact on workers’ lives.

Promoting Paths to the Middle Class and Expanding Participation in the Workforce

More than 300 projects, representing an investment of $47 billion from across the U.S. government, provide workers with services like transportation and child care—the types of supportive services that allow workers to get and retain good jobs. This is especially true of lower-income and underserved populations in areas where there are limited, or no, child care or transportation options.

Additionally, this Administration has invested over $46 billion in projects that support registered apprenticeship programs. These programs make good jobs available to all Americans, not just those with a four-year college degree. Since January 2021, over a million individuals have started earn-while-you-learn training through registered apprenticeship programs, including over 100,000 women, and historically high numbers of Black Americans, Hispanics, and Individuals with Disabilities.

###

The post FACT SHEET: Progress by Biden-Harris Good Jobs Task Force appeared first on The White House.

Today, the White House is releasing new data illustrating the transformative impact the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda has already had in creating good jobs, especially union jobs, that expand the power of the American worker.

As the Investing in America agenda spurs record levels of job creation—particularly in construction, clean energy, and manufacturing—the Biden-Harris Administration has focused on ensuring federal funds continue to promote good-paying, high-quality jobs. In September, President Biden signed an Executive Order calling on agencies to embed high-road labor standards and best practices across Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science, and Inflation Reduction Act clean energy programs.

The Good Jobs Task Force, a group of federal leaders created by the President’s Executive Order, analyzed more than 80 programs as part of its work drawing a government-wide blueprint for expanding job quality through federal investments.

The review found agencies and their partners in the private and public sector have made significant, measurable progress towards creating and improving access to good jobs—including union jobs—which are leading to concrete improvements in workers’ lives

Better Wages through More Union Jobs

The Biden-Harris Administration invested billions of dollars in long needed infrastructure projects like fixing roads and bridges, upgrading ports and expanding airports, and building manufacturing facilities. $84B of these construction projects are covered by a union contract providing good paying jobs with benefits available to all Americans, not just those with a four-year college degree.President Biden and Vice President Harris are proud to represent the most pro-union Administration in American history.

Under the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda, more than 600 construction projects have collective bargaining agreements in place or in negotiation. These pre-hire agreements, known as project labor agreements, are used to set family-sustaining wages and benefits on construction projects. They can also help open career pathways through registered apprenticeship, the gold standard for training workers on the job.

This is also true in manufacturing: Because of job quality priorities, more than 100 federal investments are in manufacturing and clean energy projects covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Nearly 100% of the announced total funding awarded through Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grants, over 75% of total funding awarded through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) Program, and 70% of total funding awarded through the Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling grants are going to work places covered by Community Benefits Agreements.

By promoting these agreements, the Biden-Harris Administration has had a transformative impact on workers’ lives.

Promoting Paths to the Middle Class and Expanding Participation in the Workforce

More than 300 projects, representing an investment of $47 billion from across the U.S. government, provide workers with services like transportation and child care—the types of supportive services that allow workers to get and retain good jobs. This is especially true of lower-income and underserved populations in areas where there are limited, or no, child care or transportation options.

Additionally, this Administration has invested over $46 billion in projects that support registered apprenticeship programs. These programs make good jobs available to all Americans, not just those with a four-year college degree. Since January 2021, over a million individuals have started earn-while-you-learn training through registered apprenticeship programs, including over 100,000 women, and historically high numbers of Black Americans, Hispanics, and Individuals with Disabilities.

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The post FACT SHEET: Progress by Biden-Harris Good Jobs Task Force appeared first on The White House.

On December 13, 2024, President Biden met virtually with G7 Leaders.  During the meeting, the President observed that the G7 has been transformed during the past four years into a steering committee for decisive action – by helping to address the COVID crisis during its most acute phase, mounting an unprecedented economic, military, and diplomatic response to  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, speaking and acting together to address China’s non-market practices, accelerating the clean energy transition, and delivering tangible results for people across the developing world with a new infrastructure partnership.  As a result of acting together, the President and other leaders reaffirmed that the G7 is now more unified than ever. 
 
In the discussion, leaders reiterated their shared commitment to continue supporting Ukraine and standing up to Putin’s aggression.  President Biden highlighted that the United States has disbursed $20 billion to a new World Bank fund to provide economic support for Ukraine as part of the historic $50 billion G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loans commitment, which will be paid back by income earned from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.  President Biden encouraged other Leaders to unlock the full value of the immobilized Russian sovereign assets, including by finding a legal pathway to seize the principal value of the assets, which would provide Ukraine the resources it needs to rebuild its economy and defend itself into the future.
 
Leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the need for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process and for a global effort to help the Lebanon ceasefire succeed.  President Biden raised the importance of working toward securing a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.
 
Leaders also discussed addressing a range of global challenges, including non-market practices, climate change, artificial intelligence, and support for developing countries.
 
President Biden thanked Prime Minister Meloni for her leadership of the G7 over the past year, welcomed Canada’s G7 Presidency next year under Prime Minister Trudeau, and encouraged the G7 to continue its vital work. 

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The post Readout of President Joe Biden’s Virtual Meeting with G7 Leaders appeared first on The White House.

On December 13, 2024, President Biden met virtually with G7 Leaders.  During the meeting, the President observed that the G7 has been transformed during the past four years into a steering committee for decisive action – by helping to address the COVID crisis during its most acute phase, mounting an unprecedented economic, military, and diplomatic response to  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, speaking and acting together to address China’s non-market practices, accelerating the clean energy transition, and delivering tangible results for people across the developing world with a new infrastructure partnership.  As a result of acting together, the President and other leaders reaffirmed that the G7 is now more unified than ever. 
 
In the discussion, leaders reiterated their shared commitment to continue supporting Ukraine and standing up to Putin’s aggression.  President Biden highlighted that the United States has disbursed $20 billion to a new World Bank fund to provide economic support for Ukraine as part of the historic $50 billion G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loans commitment, which will be paid back by income earned from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.  President Biden encouraged other Leaders to unlock the full value of the immobilized Russian sovereign assets, including by finding a legal pathway to seize the principal value of the assets, which would provide Ukraine the resources it needs to rebuild its economy and defend itself into the future.
 
Leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the need for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process and for a global effort to help the Lebanon ceasefire succeed.  President Biden raised the importance of working toward securing a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.
 
Leaders also discussed addressing a range of global challenges, including non-market practices, climate change, artificial intelligence, and support for developing countries.
 
President Biden thanked Prime Minister Meloni for her leadership of the G7 over the past year, welcomed Canada’s G7 Presidency next year under Prime Minister Trudeau, and encouraged the G7 to continue its vital work. 

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The post Readout of President Joe Biden’s Virtual Meeting with G7 Leaders 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.

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.

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