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Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal will lead an interagency U.S. delegation to Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on January 30-31, to launch the U.S.-PRC Counternarcotics Working Group.  The Counternarcotics Working Group is part of ongoing efforts to resume bilateral cooperation to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking, including of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, at the direction of President Biden and President Xi Jinping. 

The U.S.-PRC Counternarcotics Working Group will provide a platform to facilitate ongoing coordination designed to tackle the illicit production, financing, and distribution of illicit drugs, and to support bilateral enforcement actions.

The delegation includes high-level officials from the Department of Homeland Security,  Department of Justice, Department of State and the Department of the Treasury.

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The post Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on the U.S.-PRC Counternarcotics Working Group appeared first on The White House.

8:05 A.M. EST

MODERATOR:  Good morning, everybody.  Thanks for joining us on a Sunday morning.

Just to go over the ground rules quick, the call will be embargoed until the conclusion of the call.  It’s attributable to senior administration officials.

For awareness, but not for reporting, joining us on today’s call are [senior administration official] and [senior administration official]. 

With that, I’m going to waste no time.  I’m just going to hand it right over to [senior administration official].

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thanks, [moderator].  And thanks, everybody, for joining this morning.  [Redacted] to be leading the counternarcotics working group meeting that is going to be taking place on the 30th of January. 

I think as everybody knows on this call, President Biden has made beating the overdose epidemic a key priority in his Unity Agenda for the nation, including a focus on cracking down on global illicit drug trafficking and disrupting the flow of illicit fentanyl and its precursors.

And as part of that effort, we are focused on pursuing all avenues to effectively reduce the flow of precursor chemicals that fuel the manufacture and distribution of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl. 

And I don’t think I have to tell anybody here that 100,000 people a year die in the United States from fentanyl overdoses.  More people in the United States between the ages of 18 and 49 die from fentanyl than any other cause. 

As all of you also know, for years bilateral cooperation between the United States and the People’s Republic of China on counternarcotics has been suspended, which has hindered our progress.  But that changed during the November 15th meeting between President Biden and President Xi Jinping at Woodside, California.

At that meeting, the leaders announced the resumption of bilateral cooperation on counternarcotics with a focus on reducing the flow of precursor chemicals that fuel illicit fentanyl and synthetic drug production. 

And so, we are announcing — this is an announcement to say that that first meeting is happening on January 30th.  It will take place in Beijing.  This is a key part of the implementation of the resumption of our bilateral cooperation on this effort. 

The working group is a whole-of-government effort.  It includes a delegation from DOJ, DHS, State, and Treasury.  And it is a platform for ongoing coordination to support concrete enforcement actions with the goal of countering the evolving threat of synthetic drugs and to address the supply and distribution of precursor chemicals and pill presses to those who manufacture and distribute these deadly substances. 

As I said, [redacted] going to be heading the delegation.  We will also be joined by:

• Rob Silvers, who’s the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans at the Department of Homeland Security;
• Anne Milgram, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration;
• Troy Miller, who is the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection at the Department of Homeland Security;
• Todd Robinson, the Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement;
• Scott Rembrandt, the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Office of Strategy Policy in the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes at the Department of Treasury;
• Bruce Swartz, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General and DOJ Counselor for International Affairs at the Department of Justice; 
• Katrina Berger.  She is the head of Homeland Security Investigations;
• And Vance Morgan from the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. 

And through this interagency working group, the United States will pursue a range of efforts across law enforcement actions, efforts to institute precursor chemical controls, monitor emerging front trends, counter illicit finance, and coordinate with other partners to help disrupt the global illicit drug supply chain. 

We also think that this working group is so important because it provides the enduring architecture that will help us continue the coordination and the communication that will allow us to help verify what progress we are making and to continue to push for new progress as time goes on. 

That said, this working group is, as I said, I think a really critical and pivotal moment for our direct diplomacy and the implementation on this issue.  It’s by far not the only marker of progress.  And our working-level officials from U.S. departments and agencies and PRC ministries meet regularly in Beijing and the United States and continue to do so on a quite regular basis to make progress on the commitments that President Biden and President Xi made and to share information to reduce the flow of precursor chemicals. 

I will stop there and, [moderator], turn it back to you.

MODERATOR:  Great.  I think with that, we’ll go ahead and open it up to questions.

Our first question is going to go to Cate Cadell with the Washington Post.

Q    Thank you very much for doing this on a Sunday morning.  I just want to start by asking: Are you going to come into these meetings with any specific outcome in mind? 

And also, Chinese officials who sort of repeatedly indicate that they feel that it’s the U.S.’s own inability to crack down on the fentanyl supply in the U.S., I mean, what is your read on how willing they are to make any major changes at home?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thanks for that.  Maybe I’ll take the first question — part of the question, [senior administration official], on PRC actions — and then turn it over to you for the asks, if that makes sense. 

Look, I think, as [senior administration official] had mentioned, counternarcotics cooperation has been stalled for quite a number of years.  Immediately, though, after the two presidents met last November, China issued a notice to its domestic chemical industry, advising on the enforcement of laws and regulations related to trade and precursor chemicals.  This essentially is a notice putting their companies — their chemical companies on notice that they will start to take law enforcement action if there’s trade in these precursor chemicals. 

A similar notice to industry that China sent out in 2019 led to a drastic reduction in seizures of fentanyl shipments to the United States from China.  And so, our expectation is that we’ll start to see the same happen in this precursor chemical industry as well. 

In addition, we have information that the PRC started taking action against Chinese synthetic drug and chemical precursor suppliers right around the time of the summit and in the following months.  So we saw companies shut down.  We saw international payment accounts blocked.  And this really is the first law enforcement action against synthetic drug-related chemical sellers by Chinese authorities since 2017. 

In addition, in November of last year after the two presidents met, for the first time in nearly three years China submitted 145 incidents to the International Narcotics Control Board Global Database.  This is the mechanism used to share real-time information internationally about things like shipments and suspected trafficking. 

And this information — our hope is that it will help global law enforcement agencies identify trends and conduct intelligence-driven investigations that disrupt illicit synthetic drug supply chains. 

And again, we’re starting to see reductions in seizures of precursors at some U.S. airports already.  I think the nature of the drug trade means that we can’t just rest on the laurels of this set of actions that happened right after the summit.  The hope is that — and our goal is that we use this working group to drive continued progress.  As the drug trade evolves, as we see these chemicals come online, we’ll need to continue that coordination with Chinese authorities to ensure they’re acting on those new trends and new developments in the drug trade. 

But let me stop there after addressing, again, the Chinese actions and turn it back over to [senior administration official] for our expectations coming out of the working group.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  [Senior administration official], I think you said it perfectly.  A big goal of this is continued pressure, continued dialogue, ensuring that we continue to push and encourage joint law enforcement actions, that we open up and improve our dialogue on illicit financing, that we continue to maintain communication about new chemicals as they come online, and that we set up robust information-sharing mechanisms for that communication to happen, and to continue to encourage the PRC to continue to submit information about chemicals to the U.N., as [senior administration official] just indicated. 

And so, we are coming in with goals of furthering the work that has already started in very concrete and specific ways.

MODERATOR:  Great.  Our next question will go to Christina Anderson.

Q    Thank you for taking my question.  So, I’m wondering: What’s to stop them from instead of shipping directly to the U.S., shipping via third countries so that they can sort of evade the whole mechanism?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thanks for the question.  I’ll take a stab at it.

I think what [senior administration official] described and what we’ve seen is actions with respect to the companies as a whole, which is not specific to them shipping to the United States but it is specific to the companies that supply and distribute regardless of where the chemicals go. 

And so, certainly our expectation and our ask and part of our continued dialogue will be to try to ensure that exactly what you’re talking about does not happen.  That would not be consistent with the goals of what we’re trying to achieve here.

MODERATOR:  Next, we’ll go to Demetri with the FT.

Q    Morning.  Thank you.  Two questions.  First, is China having a parallel discussion with Mexico?  Or do you have any kind of trilateral discussions with the U.S., Mexico, and China?

And then separately, is there anything that China is not doing right now that you want them to do?  Because it sounds like they’ve started the progress, but are there things that they’re reluctant to do that you want them to do?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Thanks, Demetri.  I can take the first part and then turn it over to [senior administration official] to address parts of it. 

Certainly, we know that China has started some conversations with the Mexicans on this.  I think I’d refer to you to either the Mexican or Chinese government to content — or comment on the content of those. 

But certainly, this is a problem that affects multiple different countries.  I think the President and Secretary Blinken have both said there are two kinds of countries: those that have a fentanyl problem and know it and those that have a fentanyl problem and don’t know it, that it’s so quickly spreading. 

So this is going to have to be an issue that goes beyond just the U.S., China, Mexico, Canada.  It will have to be an issue that is addressed globally as well.  And that’s our hope through some of the mechanisms that we have set up.

In terms of what China is doing, I think — you know, our initial ask coming out of this summit, as we discussed back then, was really the notice to companies to start focusing in on precursor chemicals, where they were going, know your customer, better labeling, disruption of financial transactions or specific company operations that we knew and we had passed information to the Chinese on, and we’ve seen that happen. 

And I think the next step — again, to [senior administration official]’s point — is really, as we see that trade continue to evolve, there are going to be new companies of concern that pop up.  The goal is to use these law enforcement-to-law enforcement mechanisms to pass that information and ensure that there’s action and follow-up.  That’ll have to be — that’s not a one-time ask; that is a continual process, I think. 

And then I think on the “know your customer” piece, that will be a big part of conversations as well.  Proper labeling, ensuring that there’s not diversion of some of these dual-use chemicals to cartels and other customers that are known bad actors. 

So, again, I think our hope is, in this working group, that we can really start to dig into the specifics.  This is such a complicated problem.  It’s not one that you can use one summit, you know, get action, and then consider it done.

The fentanyl listing back in 2017 was very different because, you know, it was one drug, and that one listing was able to really shut down the trade.  The precursor chemicals is just such a much more difficult problem to solve.

[Senior administration official], back to you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  Yep, what [senior administration official] just said was very comprehensive.  I would just add a couple of things.

One, in addition to seeking a situation where the PRC is responsive and acts upon information that we pass to them, I think, ultimately, we’d like to get to a place where the PRC is able to themselves identify and take action with respect to bad actors or actors that are clearly acting in ways that are concerning.  So, for example, chemical companies that are advertising and selling very large numbers of chemicals that we know have very limited commercial value, or as [senior administration official] said, companies that are doing bulk shipping by using pre-printed labels and in ways that are kind of clear triggers of certain kinds of deceptive practices. 

So a big ask of this trip is to encourage independent action as well.

And then, just on the Mexico point, I will — I just wanted to add that I think — I’m sure you also know the United States has a trilateral working group with Canada and Mexico on fentanyl-related issues.  And we have been closely, you know, encouraging and monitoring the conversations that are happening between Mexico and the PRC as well.  And I think it’s, as I said, really important that this is a multilateral issue, and it’s important that all affected nations are engaged in communicating with one another about the scope of the problem.

Q    Can I just get one clarification?  At the moment, is China only acting when it receives information from the U.S., or is it independently finding that information domestically and acting on that, and then telling the U.S.?  Or is it both?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  There is a combination of those things.  As [senior administration official] said, we would like to see more of all of it.

Q    Thank you. 

MODERATOR:  All right.  And it looks like that is our last question.  So, with that, we’ll conclude the call.  Thank you all.

8:23 A.M. EST

The post Background Press Call on the Counternarcotics Working Group Trip to Beijing appeared first on The White House.

11:13 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, hello.  (Applause.)  Please, si- — thank you.  (Applause.)

Thanks for bringing me home.  (Laughter.)  You all think I’m kidding.

For the longest time, when I was a young public defender and a United States Senator, I went to — if you’ll excuse me — an AME church — I apologize — (laughter) — with Reverend Beaman. 

You brought it all back, Rev.

REVEREND GRAHAM:  Amen.  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll tell you what, the man can preach, can’t he?  (Applause.)

To the whole congregation, I’m genuinely honored to be here.  I sincerely mean that.

And I’m especially honored to have one of your own working with me, your former mayor running things for me in Washington, D.C.  (Applause.)  And he was baptized here and married here. 

And A’ja Williams [Wilson] is from here.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)  Can that woman play basketball.  Whoa.  That’s the only reason I was coming.  I thought she was here.  (Laughter.)

I’m only joking.  I know she’s not.  I’m going to get in trouble with my wife if I keep fooling around.  (Laughter.)

But I want to thank Steve for his friendship and his leadership. 

You know, it’s a covenant we have with each other that comes from a — from the commands of scripture: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy mind and all thy soul.  Love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Easy to say but really hard to do.  Easy to say but hard to do.

But in those commands is the essence of the gospel, is the essence of what I believe to be the American promise.  And I mean that sincerely.

You know, we’re unique in all the world — America.  We’re the only country that is formed not based on ethnicity, based on geography — based on an idea — an idea — and I mean this sincerely — the only country in the world.  An idea we’ve never lived up to, but we’ve never walked away from.  That “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights” — life, liberty, et cetera.

It’s an idea that we can’t abandon.  And some want to see it abandoned.

In my life, I’ve tried to walk my faith.  Like I said — I was kidding with Jim — I — I’d always go to 7:30 mass at St. Joe’s, which is a — a church built — a Catholic church built by indentured serv- — Irish servants working for the DuPont family.  It’s kind of — kind of — it always kind of made me angry.  The head- — the cornerstone of the church, 1848, says, “Built for our Catholics.”  I never figured we were their Catholics.  But any rate —

But all kidding aside, then I’d go to 10:30 mass — 10:30 service at — with Reverend Beamon and — during the Civil Rights era, when I was working hard as a young man as a public defender. 

And, you know, you said it, Rev.  My — my mother would say, “You got to be who you say you are.  You got to do what you say you’re going to do.  Just get up.  Just get up.”  And that’s what I tried to do: tried to walk the — my walk of faith.

But here’s what I learned, as many of you might have learned as well: We’re all imperfect beings — all of us.  And we don’t know where fate is going to take us or when it’s going to take us.  It can, like many of you, sn- — and me, snatch an entire family from your grip with an accident.

But we can do our best to seek the light and the hope and love.  You know, from where I come from, that’s the power of faith.  That’s the power of faith.  That’s the power, as I was saying to the Rev outside when we — when — before he invited me in, that’s what the Black Church has done for American — Black Americans for their — I mean, imagine what would have happened would there been no Black Church all those periods of darkness.

Well, you give us a mountaintop.  You give us a promised land.  You give us a dream and a faith that we shall overcome, we can overcome.  You know, and you push us toward a more perfect union — you really do — to bend the arch of the moral universe toward justice together.  And what a gift to the nation and the world you’ve been.

Your prayers mean everything.  And they’re — we’ve — in my church, we’ve taken the 22nd Psalm and turned it into a — a hymn, basically.  It says, “May he raise you up on eagle’s wings and bear you on the breath of dawn, make the light to shine on — upon you.  And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

That’s my wish for all of you. 

Thank you for being so good to me.  (Applause.)  I appreciate it very much.

1:19 A.M. EST

The post Remarks by President Biden at a Political Event | Columbia, SC appeared first on The White House.

South Carolina State Fairgrounds
Columbia, South Carolina

(January 27, 2024)

7:37 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, hello, South Carolina!  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years! 

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you.

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s —

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Look, it’s — it’s good be home with so many friends I’ve known for so long.  And tonight, I’m thinking of so many of my friends who are no longer with us, like Fritz and Peatsy Hollings.  And they were here for me when I first got started in a tough time of my life, when I didn’t want to stay in the Senate.  They embraced me.  They included me in everything and kept me going.  They’re always with me in spirit.

The same goes for Emily Clyburn.  You know, Jim — Jim is the reason that I’m president, because he endorsed me and got all of you to help me.  (Applause.)  But I later learned Emily convinced him to endorse me.  (Laughter.)  Jim, we miss her.  And you’re the best friend anyone could have.

Folks, I — if I were smart, I’d say “Thank you” and leave — (laughter) — because Jim made the case for me better than I can make the case for me.  (Applause.)

Well, folks — and I love Columbia so much I asked your former Mayor to join me in the White House.  (Laughter.)  We’re fortunate to have Steve Benjamin at my side.  (Applause.)  But we’re really fortunate we put his better half on the federal bench.  (Laughter and applause.)  She’s doing an incredible job. 

Just like I’m fortunate for my better half, Jill, who was here in Columbia last night — (applause) — with the women of Alpha Kappa Theta — Alpha Kappa Alpha, excuse me.  She had a wonderful time.

And we’ve got so many real leaders here — two former Chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus: Joyce Beatty — and you heard Marcia Fudge.  Don’t mess with Marcia.  (Laughter and applause.) 

And my home state senator, Chris Coons, who — (applause) — a real quick story.  When my son passed away, a — well, anyway.  Chris was just wonderful.  He wouldn’t take the jo- — he wouldn’t run until he knew it was okay.  We had to call Chris and say, “Chris, please run.”  Because it was “Beau’s chair,” he said. 

Our great DNC chairman, Jaime Harrison, from South Carolina.  (Applause.)

But the truth is I wouldn’t be here without the Democratic voters of South Carolina, and that’s a fact.  (Applause.) 

So, I want to start with a very simple message: From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you. 

If you ever doubt that the power to change America is in your hands, remember this: You proved it.  You’re the reason I am president.  (Applause.)  You’re the reason Kamala Harris is a historic Vice President.  (Applause.)

And you’re the reason Donald Trump is a defeated former President.  (Applause.)  You’re the reason Donald Trump is a loser.  And you’re the reason we’re going to win and beat him again.  (Applause.)

Nearly four years ago, I came to Columbia to celebrate a primary victory, and I said then, and I quote, “For all those who have been knocked down, counted out, left behind, this is your campaign.”
That same message has defined my presidency. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible) Palestinians (inaudible) —

THE PRESIDENT:  I am determined —

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  No, no —

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m determined to give all those who have been knocked down, counted out, left behind in America a shot again — a fair shot at making a living, taking care of their children, starting a business, being able to buy a home, build real wealth for generations to come.

Now, maybe Donald Trump and his MAGA friends believe that they have — they — to — you have to hold us down to lift everybody else [themselves] up. 

I don’t believe that.  I believe that America is big enough, strong enough, blessed enough for all of us to succeed.  (Applause.)

And that’s why we’re finally building an economy that grows from the middle out and the bottom up, instead of trickle-down economy from the top.  Because when you do that, the poor have a ladder up, the middle class do well, and the wealthy still do very well.  We all do well.

Just think back to the mess Donald Trump left this country in: a deadly pandemic, economic freefall, a violent insurrection.

I promised to do everything in my power, I said at the time, to get us through one of the toughest periods in our history.  And together we are.

We vaccinated America.  We created a record 14 million new jobs in three years.  (Applause.) 

And let’s get something straight.  Trump talks about putting checks in pockets.  But in 2021, as soon as I came to office, I was the guy who sent every one of you those $1,400 checks.  (Applause.) 

On top of that, I sent those $300 checks per child per family per month for hardworking families.  That was thousands of dollars in pockets to get people through a real crisis.

And here’s what it did.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  You’re funding a genocide!  (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  And here’s what it did.  It helped cut Black poverty in half for Black children in America.  (Applause.)  Because no child in America should ever go hunger [hungry] — ever.

When Trump pushed Black small businesses to the back of the line in the pandemic [relief] funding, I moved them to the front of the line.  (Applause.)  And today, Black small businesses are starting up at the fastest rate in 30 years.  (Applause.)

But look, folks, things this country has — have been through have been pretty tough for a lot of people.  But we’re making progress.  There’s a lot more on the way.

Inflation is coming down.  It’s now lower in America than any other major economy in the world.  (Applause.)  The cost of eggs, milk, chicken, gas, and so many other essential items
have come down.

But for all we’ve done to bring prices down, there are still too many corporations in America ripping people off:  price gouging, junk fees, greedflation, shrinkflation. 

You see that article about the Snickers bars?  (Laughter.)  

Well, it’s going to stop.  Americans, we’re tired of being played for suckers.  (Applause.)  And that’s why we’re going to keep these guys — keep on them and get the prices down.

Folks, the bottom line is our economy has grown more in the last six months than it ever did in any point in Trump’s entire four years in office.  (Applause.)

And for too long, we imported projects — products and exported jobs.  But now, thanks to all we’re doing, we’re exporting American products and we’re bringing American jobs back home to America — (applause) — where they belong.

America is experiencing a manufacturing boom that no one thought was possible.  But I knew it was possible.  Eight hundred thousand new manufacturing jobs and counting — good-paying jobs.  (Applause.)  Record unemployment, including the lowest levels of Black unemployment ever recorded in American history.  (Applause.)  The racial wealth gap is at its lowest level in 20 years.

Trump’s $2 trillion tax cut when he was president benefitted the super wealthy but was never paid for, and it completely blew up the federal deficit.  We’ve brought that deficit down. 

And all the progress we’ve made comes down to a simple proposition: Promises made and promises kept.  (Applause.)

I promised, as Jim pointed out, that we’d beat Big Pharma, that charges more for prescriptions drug prices in America than anywhere else in the world — the same company, the same prescription.  And we did.  Thirty-five-dollar-a-month insulin for seniors, instead of $400 a month or more.  (Applause.) 

As Jim pointed out, we tried to make that $35 available to everybody, but the Republicans blocked us.  But with our vote in 2024, we’re going to make it happen for everyone — everyone.  (Applause.)

As Jim pointed out, out-of-pocket costs for seniors for all their prescriptions will soon be capped at $2,000 a year, even for expensive cancer drugs that cost $10-, $12-, $15,000 a year.  (Applause.)

I protected and expanded the Affordable Care Act, giving millions of families over $800 [a year] in premiums and protecting their care for preexisting conditions.  And, by the way, basically doubling the Pell Grants, which is another issue, but that’s —

Look, today, more Americans — more Black Americans — have health insurance than ever in history.  (Applause.)

A promise made and a promise kept.

I promised to help ease accumulated student debt for millions of folks carrying during the crisis of the pandemic.  The Supreme Court blocked me, but it didn’t stop me.  (Applause.)  I found another way to help more than 3.7 million people — teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters — with $130 billion in relief.  And causing the economy to grow faster as a consequence of that.  (Applause.)

And another 25,000 people a month, beginning next month, are going to start to get their student loans forgiven, because they’re getting notified with a letter from me — (applause) –you’re about to get that relief — because of their public service, so they can follow their dreams, start a business, buy a home, start a family.

And I’m not done.  Promises made and promises kept.  (Applause.)

I promised you we’d make record investment in HBCUs, including South Carolina’s eight HBCUs.  (Applause.)  HBCU students are just as talented as any student in America — (applause) — but their colleges and universities don’t have the funding and endowments for the cutting-edge laboratories and research centers.

Well, I’ve invested, so far, $7 billion in HBCUs and counting — (applause) — to help support our brilliant HBCU students.

And, again, a promise made and a promise kept.

I keep my promises when I said no one — no one should be in prison for merely possessing marijuana or using it, and their records should be expunged.

A promise made and a promise kept.  (Applause.)

Folks, I made a commitment to have an administration that looks like America, to tap into the full talents of our nation.  And I’m proud we have the most diverse administration in the history of America, because I know — (applause) — I know our diversity is our strength in America.

It was here in South Carolina that I promised to appoint the first Black woman to the United States Supreme Court.  (Applause.)  Her name is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.  And, by the way, she’s smarter than the rest.  (Laughter and applause.) 

I’ve appointed more Black women to the Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals than every other president in American history combined — combined.  (Applause.)

A promise made and a promise kept.

And that includes Judge Michelle Childs — (applause) — of the D.C. Circuit, who is making South Carolina proud.

I promised to take care of hundreds of thousands of veterans exposed to toxic materials and care for their families.  That’s why I wrote the PACT Act. 

As Commander-in-Chief, I think we have only one sacred obligation — I’ve said it many times — prepare those we send into harm’s way and care for them and their families when they come home.  (Applause.) 

Well, as Commander-in-Chief, I look at veterans completely differently than Donald Trump.  Think about this — especially here in South Carolina, a proud military state — Donald Trump, when he was Commander-in-Chief, refused to visit a cemetery — U.S. cemetery outside of Paris for fallen American soldiers.  And he referred to those heroes, and I quote, as “suckers” and “losers.”  He actually said that.  He said that.

How dare he say that.  How dare he talk about my son and all (inaudible) like that.  (Applause.) 

Look, I call them patriots and heroes.  The only loser I see is Donald Trump.  (Applause.) 

It makes me angry.

AUDIENCE:  Loser Trump!  Loser Trump!  Loser Trump!

THE PRESIDENT:  I apologize for losing my temper, but it really, really, really offends me. 

In recent weeks, we’re starting to see real evidence that American consumers are facing [feeling] real confidence in the economy we’re building.  Let me tell you who else is noticing that:  Donald Trump.  (Laughter.)

Did you see what he recently said about that wants to — that he wants to see the economy crash this year?  A sitting [former] President.  As they say in my faith, “Bless me, Father, for…” — (the President begins to makes the sign of the cross).  I mean, come on, man.  (Laughter.) 

“When there’s a crash” — “Wh-” — he said, “When there’s a crash, I hope in the next 12 months,” he went on to say.  It’s unbelievable.  It’s un-American.

How can anyone — especially a former president — wish for an economic crash that would devastate millions of Americans?

Well, let me tell you what he really means.  Donald Trump knows this economy is good and is strong and getting stronger.  (Applause.)  He knows that while it’s good for America, it’s bad for him politically.

Trump also said the one president he doesn’t want to be is Herbert Hoover.  Well, Donald, it’s too late.  (Laughter.)  There are only two presidents in American history who left office with fewer jobs than when they took office: Herbert Hoover and, yes, Donald “Herbert Hoover” Trump.  (Laughter and applause.)

And, by the way, have you noticed he’s is a little confused these days?  (Laughter.)  He apparently can’t tell the difference between Nikki Haley and Nancy Pelosi.  (Laughter and applause.)

Well, folks, we’re making real progress on one of the most important issues we’re facing: security at the border.  The first bill I introduced was for a massive change in security at our border.  Two months ago, my team beginning [began] to work with a bipartisan group of Senators to put together the toughest, smartest, fairest border security bill in history — the best one the nation has ever seen.  It would finally provide the funding I requested early on and again in October to secure our borders. 

It includes an additional 1,300 Border Patrols — we need more agents on the border; 375 immigration judges to judge whether or not someone can come or not come and be fair about it; 1,600 asaylum off- — asylum officers; and over 100 cutting-edge inspec- — injec- — inspection machines to help detect and stop fentanyl coming in our Sou- — — our Southwest Border.  (Applause.) 

It would also give me, as President, the emergency authority to shut down the border until it can get back under control.  If that bill were the law today, I’d shut down the border right now and fix it quickly.  (Applause.)

The bipartisan bill would be good for America and help fix our broken immigration system and allow speedy access for those who deserve to be here.  And Congress needs to get it done.  (Applause.)

Folks, we’re just getting started.  That’s why I’m so optimistic about our future. 

Forty thousand projects across America and counting, rebuilding our roads and our bridges; affordable high-speed Internet everywhere in America; ripping out every poisonous lead pipe in America so every child can turn on a faucet, drink clean water without worrying about brain damage.  (Applause.)

We passed the most significant gun safety law in decades.  (Applause.)  And I will not stop until we once again ban assault weapons, as I did once.  (Applause.)

Now, look, I want you to imagine — to imagine the future nightmare if Trump is back in office.  I’m serious.  Given the nightmare when he was in office, you know what is likely to come.  Trump and his MAGA friends are trying again to get rid of the Affordable Care Act and ripping away the protections you have under that, even if you have a preexisting condition.

I won’t let that happen.  Are you with me?  (Applause.)  I will not let that happen.

And instead of saving Social Security for working people and the middle class — although he said he wanted to get rid of it or change it — cut it drastically and now he says he’s for it.  But guess what?  Trump and his MAGA friends will give another massive tax break to the super wealthy and the biggest corporations.  I won’t let that happen.  (Applause.) 

Folks, I know you’re with me. 

I know this: Trump and his MAGA friends are determined to take away your freedoms, like the freedom to vote.  Trump brags about taking away a woman’s freedom to choose.  And now, they’re hatching a plan for a national ban — a national ban.

I won’t let that happen.  Are you with me?  (Applause.)

I’ve made it clear: If the MAGA Republicans try to pass a national ban on abortion, I will veto it.  And consider that a promise made, and a promise will be kept.  (Applause.)

And if you reelect me and Kamala with a Democratic House and a bigger majority in the Senate No- — this November, imagine a future where we restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.  (Applause.)

A promise made, and a promise will be kept.

Let me close with this.  A few weeks —

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  President Biden, you promised to (inaudible) — you promised to declare (inaudible) —

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  Let me close with this.  A few weeks ago, along with Jim, I spoke at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston.  I said there are extreme and dangerous forces at work in this country — dividing us, not uniting us; dragging us back to the past instead of leading us to a future; refusing to accept the results of legitimate elections; seeking, as Trump says, to “terminate” the Constitution; embracing political violence and white supremacy.

I said in Charleston, there is a second Lost Cause emerging in America.  The first Lost Cause perpetuated the lie that slavery wasn’t the cause of the Civil War.  And we’ve been paying a price for that lie for generations. 

The second Lost Cause is Trump’s Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen.  We cannot allow that lie to live either, because it threatens our very democracy.

Folks, there are truth, and there are lies — lies told for power, lies told for profit.  We must call out these lies with a voice that is clear and unyielding. 

The Bible teaches, “We shall know the truth, and the truth shall set us free.”  (Applause.)  My friends, we must speak the truth, that America, we still — in America, we still believe in honesty, decency, dignity, respect.  We li- — we believe we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. 

We leave no one behind.  Everyone deserves a fair shot.  We give hate no safe harbor.  (Applause.)  And we stand against the evil of racism, the poison of rite suprem- — of white supremacy — today, tomorrow, and always.

And we will live in the light, not darkness.  We’ll stand with the truth and defeat the lies.  (Applause.)

And when we do, we’ll be able to look back and say something few generations will have been able to say: America’s democracy at risk — was at risk, and we saved it.

Are you with me?  (Applause.)

Let’s finish what we started.  February 3rd is your primary — the first in the nation.  Organize.  Mobilize.  Vote.  (Applause.)

And let’s remember who we are.  We’re the United States of America.  (Applause.)  And there is nothing — nothing beyond our capacity if we stand together.

God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.

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

Thank you.  Thank you. 

8:02 P.M. EST

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Today, America’s heart is heavy. Last night, three U.S. service members were killed—and many wounded—during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border.  While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.

Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallen—and Americans across the country—in grieving the loss of these warriors in this despicable and wholly unjust attack. These service members embodied the very best of our nation: Unwavering in their bravery. Unflinching in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country— risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism.  It is a fight we will not cease. 

The three American service members we lost were patriots in the highest sense. And their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by our nation. Together, we will keep the sacred obligation we bear to their families. We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt — we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing. 

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The Chef Jeff Project
Las Vegas, Nevada 

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, let me start by saying it is wonderful to be back in Nevada.  And, Chef Jeff, I want to thank you for so warmly welcoming us and sharing with us the success of your dream of investing in the community and the capacity of everyone.  I’ve been reading about and hearing about the work that you are doing here for quite some time, so it’s been my joy to be here in person.

I do believe in a very fundamental principle — and it transcends religions, but it is an age-old concept — and it is the concept of redemption, which is the notion and the understanding that all people will make a mistake.  And, yes, there must be accountability, especially when it involves the commission of a crime, when it involves anything that might hurt another person; of course, there must be accountability.  But is it not the sign of a civil society to allow people the ability to come back and earn their way back?

And so, when I look at the spirit, I believe, behind the work that is happening here and the work that should be happening everywhere, it is about understanding that all people have some skill or gift or capacity to do good things.  And often, it is a function of whether we as a society put the resources into that possibility.

Do we and are we committed to access — meaningful access to opportunity for all people?

And that is the beauty of the work that is happening here and in many other places, and especially because of the Administrator and who — we have, in Administrator Guzman, the ability to understand, through the SBA, how we can make these opportunities real, in terms of giving businesses like this one access to capital to then create access to opportunity for all the young leaders who are here. 

And so, I applaud the work that is happening here.  I — I recognize it.  Many, many years ago — in fact, now almost two decades ago, when I was District Attorney of San Francisco, I created one of the first reentry initiatives of any place in the country focused on just this notion and idea, which is to give folks an opportunity to come back with the skills and the skill development that are necessary for the people to reach their capacity and achieve their dreams.

And I do believe this is work that we need to reinforce through the structures of our systems, including recognizing where the structures of some of our systems have been an obstacle to these possibilities.

So, on that point, I am pleased to announce today that what we are doing is ensuring that the millions of Americans who have served time or have a criminal record will soon be able to receive small business loans in a way that, before now — (applause) — they were not able to.

And when we look at this, right now, before this announcement, we are looking at millions of Americans who could not access loans for the Small Business Administration — loans that, on average, are about $40 billion a year — because they served time. 

And, again, they paid their — they — they have paid for the accountability that — that they needed to pay.  They have done their time.  They have served their time.  And the point is, if we are to be a society that understands their capacity to earn their way back, we have to remove the obstacles that will prevent them from doing that.

And so, I want to acknowledge and thank the Administrator for your leadership.  The President and I are so proud of the work you have done to make these ideals real.

I especially want to thank the Congressman, Steven Horsford.  He and I have had these conversations for years.  Everyone here in — in Las Vegas and in Nevada knows his background.  But this is a lifelong commitment he has had.  And a lot of the work that we have done as an administration in this regard has been with him as a partner and often as someone who is championing it in the United States Congress in a way that we can facilitate it and see it through.

So, I’ll close where I started: by saying that every person in America should have access to opportunity.  And we have to be very thoughtful and intentional about — and clear-eyed about where there are obstacles to just that end.  And let’s remove those obstacles so that we can have success stories like we have with the young men and women who are here.

And with that, I’m going to turn it over to the Administrator.  Please. 

Thank you.  (Applause.)

                               END         

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National Security Council

Via Teleconference

10:31 A.M. EST

MODERATOR: Good morning, everyone. And thank you for joining us on a Saturday morning.

Quickly, to go over ground rules, this call will be embargoed until the conclusion of the call. It’s attributable to a senior administration official.

For awareness but not for reporting, joining us on today’s call is [senior administration official]. And with that, I will waste no time and I will hand it over to [senior administration official].

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks so much. And, folks, thanks for giving up part of your Sunday mor- — or Saturday morning for this.

I wanted to give you a bit of a readout of the National Security Advisor’s meeting with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member Director Wang Yi — and Foreign Minister — Wang Yi.

The two met over 12 hours over two days, here in Bangkok. The discussion built on the candid and constructive meetings we’ve had not only in this channel, but also between President Biden and President Xi Jinping in Woodside, California, in November 2023.

The last meeting between Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang took place October 2023 in Washington, D.C. And I think altogether now, this is the fourth meeting in this channel with Director Wang but the eighth meeting between directors and national security advisors. As folks will remember, the previous incumbent of the role was Yang Jiechi. And Jake Sullivan often met frequently with that individual too.

This quite low-profile channel between the National Security Advisor and Director Wang is an important way to manage competition and tensions responsibly. The two-day format of these meetings, which is what we’ve done in every case, allows us to dive deeply into substance and have a strategic, thoughtful conversation about the direction of the relationship and key issues both countries face.

The two sides are committed to continuing this strategic channel of communication and agree to pursue additional channels of communication not just at the cabinet level, visits in both directions, but also a telephone call between the two leaders at some point in the coming months.

We’ve said this before, but it bears repeating, that U.S. diplomacy, these channels of communication, do not indicate a change in approach on the PRC. Mr. Sullivan underscored during the meeting that the United States and the PRC are in competition but that the United States does not seek conflict or confrontation, and there are areas of cooperation in the relationship.

During the meeting, Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang took stock of progress on key issues following the Woodside summit, including resuming military-to-military communication, advancing bilateral counternarcotics cooperation, and addressing AI safety and risks.

The United States and the PRC will launch a working group on counternarcotics, as agreed by the two leaders, on January 30th. I think we’ll have some more details and an announcement for you on that tomorrow.

On military-to-military channels, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Brown, held a virtual meeting with his counterpart on December 21. And the Defense Policy Coordination Talks, essentially a communication mechanism at DOD with their Ministry of Defense counterparts, took place in early January.

As next steps, we look forward to the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings sometime this spring, as well as communications between theater commanders and at the minister or secretary level in the coming months.

On AI, both sides reiterated their interest in discussing emerging challenges such as safety and risks posed by advanced forms of AI. We also discussed next steps towards the U.S.-China dialogue on this issue. We expect to hold it sometime in the spring; don’t have a date for you yet on that.

Mr. Sullivan underscored continued concern with the PRC’s unfair trade policies, non-market economic practices, and retaliatory actions against U.S. firms.

He reiterated President Biden’s commitments — or, rather, comments to President Xi that the U.S. will continue to take actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our own national security but that we are focused on de-risking, not decoupling. And our approach remains a small yard, high fence — that is we’re focused on the narrow band of technologies that are the most advanced and present military challenges.

The two sides welcomed ongoing communication on this issue in economic channels, including between Secretary Yellen and Secretary Raimondo and their counterparts.

Mr. Sullivan raised other specific issues in the bilateral relationship where we have differences. None of these would surprise you; they’re issues we consistently raise in conversations with PRC counterparts.

The two sides also discussed important global and regional security issues, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Middle East including the Red Sea, DPRK, the South China Sea, and, of course, Burma.

They discussed cross-Strait issues. Mr. Sullivan reiterated that the United States remains committed to our One China policy guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, Three Communiqués, and Six Assurances. He indicated the U.S. opposes unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, that we do not support Taiwan independence, and that we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved peacefully.

The two sides, as I mentioned before, discussed additional high-level diplomacy between the United States, and we’re committed to continuing consultation in key areas through the mechanisms that we’ve announced previously.

I’ll stop there, and happy to answer any questions you might have.

MODERATOR: With that, we’ll open it up to questions.

We’ll go to Trevor Hunnicutt with Reuters first.

Q Hey, thanks so much for doing the call. Two questions. Just curious if there was any specific date for the Biden-Xi call beyond the coming months.

And then also, I was wondering if you could give a little bit more detail around the conversation on Iran and its support for the Houthis, whether China had made any progress in terms of convincing Iran to change its support for the Houthis. Thank you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks so much. On the phone call, I don’t have a date for you yet, but we’re expecting it to take place this spring, some point in the coming months. This leader-level channel is absolutely critical to maintaining direction in the relationship and following up on some of the issues from Woodside. So, I think important that both sides go ahead with this. And, of course, at Woodside the two leaders discussed maintaining communication through telephone calls.

On the Red Sea, we certainly underscored that Iran continues to take irresponsible actions that exacerbate regional tensions and instability, including by supporting the Houthis’ attacks against civilian ships in the Red Sea. Mr. Sullivan raised the importance of Beijing using its substantial leverage with Iran to call for an end and bring an end to these dangerous attacks.

You know, we certainly — this is not the first time we’ve called on China to play a constructive role. Beijing says they are raising this with the Iranians, and I think you’ve seen that reflected in some of the press reporting. But we’re certainly going to wait to see results before we comment further on how effective we think — or whether we think they’re actually raising it.

MODERATOR: Next, we’ll go to Michelle Jamrisko with Bloomberg.

Q Hi, yes, Michelle from Bloomberg. Thanks for doing this. I just wanted to ask on the fentanyl piece. In previous discussions and previous rounds of trying to negotiate around this with China, there wasn’t — seemed to be much change in what they were doing. I’m wondering what kinds of measures may have been discussed in terms of holding them to account for delivering on the sort of cooperation on counternarcotics.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Sure. Great question.

I think we briefed on some of this back — right after the Woodside summit, so I’m going to pull from some of those discussions.

So when we announced the restart of the counternarcotics working group last November, that was a company that (inaudible) by actions the Chinese side took, including releasing a notice to their precursor chemical — actually their entire chemical industry — about trafficking in precursor chemicals to the United States. It listed out potential criminal liability. Specific, I think it included DEA’s list of chemicals of concern, called for additional scrutiny on pill presses and equipment.

So that notice that was sent out to the chemical companies, we’ve already seen tangible impact on the ground. China has moved to shut down a number of companies and operations that were trafficking in the illicit chemicals and precursors.

We have also seen, we understand, reductions in precursor chemicals seized at some U.S. airports, originating from China. So we are already starting to see immediate impact.

However, this type of cooperation, because of the nature of the drug trade, really needs to be continuous and ongoing. It’s not just one snapshot in time. So our goal is to use this counternarcotics working group, which will include participation from a broad cross-section of agencies on our part, to really ensure that what we’re doing is iterative, that we’re continuing to share information on cases on particular points of origin of these precursor chemicals.

MODERATOR: Next, we’ll go to Nike Ching with Voice of America.

Q Good morning. Thank you so much for the call briefing. On South China Sea, how was this issue being discussed? And how worried is the United States that escalating tensions between the People’s Republic of China and the Philippines over South China Sea may trigger a conflict in the Indo-Pacific?

And separately, if I may, was there a discussion on a potential trip by Secretary of State Antony Blinken this year to Beijing?

And finally, how was Burma discussed? How does the United States assess the Chinese influence over the junta to put an end to the conflict? Thank you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks for those questions.

First, on South China Sea, Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance the United States places on the South China Sea, that we remain committed to promoting freedom of navigation and overflights, respect for international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, in close coordination, of course, with our allies and partners, namely Philippines, in the case you’re mentioning.

I think diplomacy plays an important part of that peaceful resolution of disputes. We support ongoing diplomacy between the two parties there. And I’ll leave it at that for now.

You asked about Burma as well. Of course, while he was in Thailand, Mr. Sullivan also met the Thai prime minister and deputy prime minister and foreign minister. In those meetings, he discussed Burma, as well — the efforts to address the worsening crisis there; discussed the importance of providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma; welcomed efforts to advance meaningful implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus.

In his follow-up, then, with Director Wang Yi the following day, you know, I think it’s fair to say that China certainly does have influence in that region. But Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang discussed the ongoing crisis, and we hope to have follow-up discussions at lower level in the coming weeks and months, given the need to really remain focused on promoting a return to the path of democratic transition in Burma.

You asked one more question, which somehow has — oh, Blinken’s travel. We didn’t discuss specific dates, and I would refer you to the Department of State for any conversations on that. But we do expect at some point that Secretary Blinken would make another trip this year. That channel is incredibly important. And, of course, Secretary Blinken was the first Cabinet official last year to travel to China, and his counterpart has since traveled to the United States on a reciprocal visit. So it would be up for him to return to Beijing at some point soon.

MODERATOR: Next, we’ll go to Sangho Song with Yonhap News.

Q Thank you for doing this. You briefly mentioned the two sides also discussed the DPRK, so can you elaborate on that? Was there any discussion, ongoing concerns about the (inaudible) rhetoric and weapons tests, and cooperation between Russia and North Korea and China’s role vis-à-vis North Korea (inaudible)? Thank you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, thanks for that question.

Yes, the two sides did discuss DPRK. I think we are deeply concerned — I know we are deeply concerned about the recent testing of weapons. We are deeply concerned about the growing relationship between Russia and the DPRK and what that might mean for Mr. Kim’s intentions. We raised those concerns directly with China, given their influence on Pyongyang.

And we hope these discussions will continue further between our two envoys. For example, I think the Chinese just sent their vice foreign minister to Pyongyang this week, if I’m not mistaken. So our next step would be a call between our envoy and the vice foreign minister upon his return.

MODERATOR: And our last question will go to Demetri with the FT.

Q Thanks. Good morning. So, two questions. Again, on North Korea, can you give us a sense of is China actually playing a constructive role? Because it seems to be they haven’t been doing very much recently. Is that changing?

And secondly, on Iran, can you just give us a sense of where you think China has leverage over Iran and where might they not have leverage? I mean, how much leverage do they have and why?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks for the question, Demetri.

On DPRK, I’m not sure I would characterize anything recently as constructive. Russia certainly has a growing role there and growing influence. But certainly, Beijing certainly maintains influence as well. And I think our expectation would be that they have to use that to bring us back to the path of denuclearization.

On Iran, you know, China is one of, I think, Iran’s largest trading partners, obviously buys substantial quantities of Iranian oil. I think we would characterize both the economic and trade relationship as giving it leverage — as giving Beijing leverage over Iran to some extent. How they choose to use that, of course, is China’s choice. But Iran’s influence over the Houthis and the Houthis’ destabilization of global shipping raises serious concerns, not just for the U.S. and China but for global trade.

So, again, I think there should be a clear interest in China in terms of quiet some of those attacks. But whether it chooses to use that leverage in that way, I think that remains to be seen.

Q And you’ve been talking to Iran — to China about Iran for a couple of months. Have you seen any indications that they’re playing ball in a positive way?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We’ve seen in public press reporting, and it mirrors what the Chinese are telling us directly, that they are raising it with Iran. But, you know, I think we’re looking to actually facts on the ground, and those attacks seem to be continuing.

I’ll leave it there for now.

MODERATOR: That concludes our call. Thank you all for joining us. You can anticipate that a transcript of the call will be out later today. Thank you.

10:49 A.M. EST

The post Background Press Call on APNSA Jake Sullivan’s Meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of the People’s Republic of China appeared first on The White House.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met on January 26-27 with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok to follow up on the Woodside Summit between President Biden and President Xi last November.  This meeting was part of the effort to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage competition in the relationship as directed by the leaders.  Mr. Sullivan stressed that although the United States and China are in competition, both countries need to prevent it from veering into conflict or confrontation. The two sides discussed next steps on a range of areas of cooperation discussed at Woodside.  Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang Yi recognized recent progress in resuming military-to-military communication and noted the importance of maintaining these channels.  They also discussed next steps towards holding a U.S.-China dialogue on AI in the spring.  Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang welcomed advances in cooperation on counternarcotics issues, including the launch of the U.S.-China Counternarcotics Working Group on January 30.  The two sides held candid, substantive and constructive discussions on global and regional issues, including those related to Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Middle East, DPRK, the South China Sea, and Burma.  They discussed cross-Strait issues, and Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.  The two sides committed to maintain this strategic channel of communication and to pursue additional high-level diplomacy and consultations in key areas between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, including through a call between President Biden and President Xi.

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President Biden will welcome German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the White House on February 9.  The two leaders will reaffirm their resolute support for Ukraine’s defense of its land and its people against Russia’s war of aggression.  They will discuss efforts to prevent regional escalation in the Middle East, their steadfast support for Israel’s right to self-defense, and the imperative of increasing life-saving assistance and protection of civilians from harm in Gaza.  President Biden and Chancellor Scholz will also coordinate in advance of the NATO Summit in Washington. 

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The post Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Visit of Chancellor Scholz of Germany to the White House appeared first on The White House.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt. The two leaders discussed the ongoing war in Gaza and their efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. The President thanked President Al-Sisi for Egypt’s important role in this process, and they affirmed that all efforts must now be made to conclude a deal that would result in the release of all hostages together with a prolonged humanitarian pause in the fighting. They also discussed intensifying efforts to further increase the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance into and throughout Gaza. They agreed to continue their close coordination to increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza and set the conditions for a durable and sustainable peace in the Middle East, to include the establishment of a Palestinian state and equal measures of dignity and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar. The two leaders discussed the ongoing war in Gaza and their efforts to secure the immediate release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. Both leaders affirmed that a hostage deal is central to establishing a prolonged humanitarian pause in the fighting and ensure additional life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in need throughout Gaza. They underscored the urgency of the situation, and welcomed the close cooperation among their teams to advance recent discussions.  Both leaders committed to staying engaged until all hostages are reunited with their families and reaffirmed their shared vision of a peaceful, secure, and integrated Middle East region.

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James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

1:20 P.M. EST

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, everybody.  Good afternoon.  Happy Friday. 

A couple of things for you at the top — or, actually, one big thing at the top. 

This week, we saw more evidence that our economy is strong and inflation is falling under President Biden.  Inflation has now fallen back to pre-pandemic levels, and the economy grew 3.1 percent last year, stronger than during the Trump administration. 

At the same time, wages and household wealth are higher than before the pandemic.  In 2023, we also saw prices fall for key household purchases, like gas and milk, eggs, toys, appliances, and airfares. 

While experts predicted a recession — we heard that over and over again last year — President Biden helped grow the economy from the middle out and bottom up, and Americans are feeling the results.  2.7 million jobs were created last year.  And consumer sentiment surged 29 percent in the last two months, the biggest jump in more than 30 years. 

We know our work is not done.  President Biden will never stop fighting to lower costs and give hardworking American families more breathing room. 

This stands in stark contrast with House Republicans, who don’t have a plan to lower costs and whose MAGA-nomics fails the middle class with ta- — tax giveaways for wealthy and big corporations; cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare; and higher costs, from prescription drugs to utility bills. 

Now, tomorrow, as you all know — have been tracking, tomorrow is international Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time we mourn one of the darkest chapters in human history, when 6 million Jews were systematically targeted and murdered.  We also mourn the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.

As the President said in a statement this morning, this year our charge to remember the Holocaust is a press- — is as pressing as ever in the wake of the evil attacks by Hamas terrorists on the people of Israel, which amounted to the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. 

Additionally, since October 7th, we have witnessed an alarming rise of despicable antisemitism at home and abroad, which must continue to be met with our unequivocal condemnation. 

We must continue to call out Holocaust denialism and efforts to minimize the horrors that Hamas perpetra- — perpetrated on October 7th, including the horrific use of rape and sexual violence to terrorize victims. 

President Biden will continue to stand up to antisemitism and hate-fueled violence at home and abroad, including through the first-ever National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism he announced last year.

This is our charge: to ensure we cannot continue to say “never again.” 

All right.  Now, as you can see, we have two guests in the room with us today.  Since day one, President Biden has led the most ambitious climate agenda in history, unlocking clean energy breakthroughs, advancing environmental justice, and rallying the world’s leaders to transition away from fossil fuel. 

And our — and whether it’s historic hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, the science is clear.  Climate change isn’t — is the existential threat of our time. 

So, today, the Biden-Harris administration announced a temporary pause on pending decisions on exports of liquefied national — natural gas to — to certain countries until the Department of Education [Energy] can update the underlying assessments. 

And to talk a bit about — more about this is today — today with us is the President’s Na- — National Climate Advisor, Ali Zaidi.

Ali, thank you for coming back. 

MR. ZAIDI:  Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  The floor is yours. 

MR. ZAIDI:  Thank you. 

Thanks, everybody.  Today, as Karine noted, the Biden-Harris administration is announcing a pause on pending applications to export liquefied natural gas to non-free trade agreement countries from here in the United States. 

The department’s pause will remain in effect until the agency updates key economic and environmental analyses.  These are the analyses that underpin the way the Department of Energy makes decisions about these authorization applications. 

Specifically, the Department of Energy has said that it will focus on better understanding energy costs and the implications of future exports on energy costs for American consumers and manufacturers; on energy security for the United States here and around the world; third, on greenhouse gas emissions — and in particular methane emissions, which we now know are more potent than previously understood; and also on the burden that export potentially places for the frontline communities where this gas is chilled, liquefied, and then exported. 

We need to do that accounting with the benefit of also a sharper and more current read on the market, both on the demand for global LNG as well as the projections around long-term supply. 

Let me be clear: The U.S. is already the number-one exporter of LNG, and we have been and remain unwavering in our commitment to support our allies and partners around the world.  But we have to absorb — at this moment, we have to absorb very clearly all that is in front of us. 

From day one, President Biden has listened to the science, he’s looked out for frontline communities, and he’s followed the facts.  That’s absolutely critical. 

And that’s really been the story of the President’s leadership on climate from day one, whether it was signing us back into the Paris Climate Agreement, reversing countless rollbacks that threatened public health and our energy security, passing the biggest climate investment in the history not just of the U.S. but of the world, and rallying everybody around the whole world to raise our climate ambition.

In Glasgow, just a few years ago, that meant bringing people together around the Global Methane Pledge, which now over 100 countries have joined.

And just weeks ago, at the United Nations Con- — Climate Conference, that meant bringing the world together on the need to transition away from fossil fuels. 

So, today, from President Joe Biden and DOE Secretary Granholm, we hear more steps in the right direction as we work to tackle the climate crisis and to protect future generations. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  (Inaudible.)  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  And thank you, Ali, for being here.  So, why is this pause coming now and not on day one?  It’s almost three years into the President’s term.  And since he took office, the administration has approved thousands of oil and gas projects.  So, why didn’t you take this pause on day one to do all the critical analysis you just talked about?

MR. ZAIDI:  So — great question.  The Department of Energy — this analysis that the agency is undertaking, it’s not unprecedented.  It’s routine.  And the analytical basis for these decisions — the economic analysis, the environmental analysis — is, at this point, in most cases, about five years old.  We’ve also seen the market change dramatically over this period of time.

If you look just at the United States, which has now become the number one exporter, we’ve seen massive buildout here of LNG, as well as approvals that would double — just if you look at what’s under construction — double the export capacity just if the projects that are under construction, when they come to fruition.

So, the — that dynamic has changed.  The second thing that we’ve seen change is our evolving understanding of the environmental implications of this.

Look, over the last 10 years, for example, we’ve started to really understand the potency and threat that methane presents to the environment.  Methane is this super-polluting greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than CO2.  And, in some instance- — some scientists believe that it represents about half a degree of the warming we’re seeing here.

And so, one of the things that we need to do is take in and integrate some of that additional learning around lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis.  It’s really important that the department does this routine work.  And I think this will inform how we approach this program going forward.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Justin.

Q    Thanks, Ali.  I — the — I know the administration has said this review is expected to take several months.  Can you be a little more specific about the length of time this might take? 

MR. ZAIDI:  The department is going to move with speed.  They’re going to really take this head on.  It’s a commitment from the Secretary.  What we know is that there’s important information to collect.  I just spoke a little bit about the market dynamics. 

We need to understand, for example, also, the impact of potential costs on our consumers here in the United States, on manufacturers here in the United States.  A large group of manufacturers that have thousands of facilities across the country, making things like steel and aluminum, actually sent in a letter to the department saying they have a lot of input they’d like to provide. 

So, the department will be doing that work.  It will be engaged in a public comment process.  This has to be a transparent process and engaging one.  And — and they will continue to — to move that forward.

Q    And — and, as you mentioned, this — there’s been several reviews.  In the past, those generally haven’t involved pauses.  So, why this time is there a pause on these pending sales?  Some of your critics are saying it’s because of politics — trying to please environmental activists ahead of the election.  What do you say to that?

MR. ZAIDI:  I think we’ve got to be clear-eyed about the challenges that we face.  The climate crisis is that: an existential crisis.  And we’ve got to be, I think, really forward-leaning into making sure that we’re taking that head on.

But here’s — here’s, I think, the critical context for your question.  And that is that if you look at the approvals already that have been completed, you’ve got the number of projects that are under construction set to double the existing capacity, and then approvals beyond that that would double it yet again.  So, there’s a long runway here.  And we’re taking a step back and thinking, “Okay, let’s take a hard look before that runway continues to build out.”

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Monica.

Q    Can you share the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that this rule would cut in the short term?  Can you detail that in any specific way for people to understand?

MR. ZAIDI:  That’s a really — I think that’s part of what this review is all about: is to understand what are the implications of LNG.

We’ve started to learn more about leakage rates at different parts of the supply chain — upstream, midstream, downstream.  We’ve started to learn a lot about what happens to LNG as it’s chilled and then shipped overseas.  We’re also seeing major shifts in the demand for this product.  What is it backing out on the other end?

You think about a lot of our allies and partners who use that LNG today actually are on a trajectory to back out that demand, to replace it with things like clean energy and energy efficiency. 

So, this will take all of those factors in and, hopefully, produce a — an answer that helps us answer this — this really important question.

Q    And is there a specific benchmark that the administration is trying to reach when it comes to renewable scaling that gets to where you could restrict natural gas exports even further?
MR. ZAIDI:  I think the President has been very clear about his targets and ambition for the United States on climate as a whole.  That’s getting to an economy that does not put greenhouse gas pollution into the sky by the middle of the century — net zero by no later than 2050 and getting halfway there by the end of this decade.

The way we do that is by deploying clean energy.  We’ve already doubled the pace of deployment of technologies like solar and wind here in the United States. 

Under the President’s leadership, we’re really seeing a renaissance in the use of technologies, like advanced nuclear folks announcing commitments to invest in that and plants that were slated to retire staying on to continue to produce clean power. 
We deployed over a million electric vehicles last year in the United States.  So, I think it’s a sector-by-sector strategy pinned down in this North Star goal of getting to net-zero emissions economy wide.  And part of that conversation needs to be, as it was at the United Nations Conference, how we globally transition away from fossil fuels.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Aamer.

Q    This also comes at a time when the world is still grappling with a two-year-old wa- — war in Ru- — with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  What assurances on U.S. LNG can you give allies? 

And, second, can you just also just respond to the criticism we’ve heard today, particularly from the industry, that essentially the administration has handed a win to Russia? 

MR. ZAIDI:  Look, we have, I think, beat expectations in terms of our — the speed and alacrity with which we’ve moved to be a forceful ally to folks facing down energy challenges, especially our partners in Europe. 

Just to rewind, in the — right after the invasion — the Russian invasion, the U.S. and the EU got together — we launched a task force to focus on energy security.  And what that looked at was short-term needs, medium-term, and long-term. 

As part of that — and I think the numbers are really important here — we set targets for how much gas would be delivered to Europe to help it deal with the Russian aggression.  In 2021, we delivered 22 bcm.  The task force set a target of 37 bcm in 2022, 50 bcm in ‘23, and 50 in the years that followed.

We overdelivered in ‘22 — 56 relative to the 37 target; in ‘23, 65 relative to the 50 target.  And the capacity that we have online and that will come online will allow us to be a really strong partner to our allies. 

And let’s all — I mean, before we make an assessment or draw a conclusion based on what the industry is putting out, let’s listen to what our allies are saying.  We got a letter from 60 members of Parliament from across Europe saying, “Hey, be a partner to us in the short run — and you have been — but also be a partner to us in the long run as we all take on this existential threat.” 

And that’s what President Biden, I think, has done so effectively.  He’s — he listens to the science.  He follows the facts.  He stands with our allies and partners.  He deals with these near-term challenges without taking our eye off the ball on the existential threat that we all face.  The President has, I think, delivered exceptionally well on that.

Today’s step moves us continuing in the right direction. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  We kind of have to wrap it up.  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  Thanks, Ali.  The President in his statement today said, “We will heed the calls of young people in frontline communities who are using their voices to demand action from those with the power to act.”  To what extent is this a response to activists who have expressed some displeasure with the President’s overall record on climate so far?

MR. ZAIDI:  You know, young people have been such a central part of the coalition that really helped, I think, the President imagine this climate agenda and secure it every step of the way.  You see it in him standing up to the gun lobby, you see it in him with student debt cancellations.  But you really see it in the President’s climate agenda, where he’s launched an American Climate Corps, where he’s delivered the largest investment in climate — not just in the history of the country but of the world. 

He’s done it by bringing everybody in — farmers, ranchers, now part of the solution; folks who work upgrading buildings; electricians, auto workers, all powering this future.  And that’s the vision that I think young people are excited about — one that’s not about just getting sucked into the doom and gloom of the sky turning orange and the smoke that we breathe into our lungs but of what we can see together if we get this right. 

I think young people know they’ve got, in Joe Biden, a partner and ally, a leader who is willing to be forward-leaning and fearless and taking on this crisis and unlocking the massive, massive opportunity that sits on the other side of that. 

Q    And what’s your message to activists who say you have to — you should move beyond the pause to actually reject some of these projects?

MR. ZAIDI:  Look, if the question is does the science urge us to find every single way to move as quickly as we can faster and faster each day to take on the climate crisis, it does.  It’s code red.  That’s what the scientists say. 

And in Joe Biden, from literally day one, every single day of this administration, we’ve been creative, innovative, and, I think, intrepid in finding ways to move faster and faster in taking on this crisis. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Last question, Ed. 

Q    Yeah.  Thanks.  Thanks, Karine.  Thanks, Ali.  So, 32 oil and natural gas industry groups have signed on to a letter saying that the pause sends the wrong message to the allies but also that it will push countries specifically in Asia to turn to coal plants when they can’t get that increased LNG, you know, which we’ve seen in India, China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Germany when they couldn’t find enough natural gas.  So, what’s your response to that criticism?

MR. ZAIDI:  I think we’ve got to be really thoughtful about the interaction of energy supply and demand as we manage through a transition to a clean energy future.  And look, I hear you.  The industry that produces fossil fuels has a perspective on how to manage that supply and demand.  So do the industries that populate our economy and economies around the world — folks who are making steel and cement, folks who are making solar panels and batteries, folks who are just focused on delivering good products at a good price.

We’ve got to look at all of those things.  That’s part of the department’s analysis: economic and environmental. 

And in the meantime, you’ve got a system that is ready to meet our allies and partners where they are, provide that energy security.  But we’ve got to do both of these things at the same time: meet our energy security needs and look at the challenge that we face on climate change.  That’s what the President has been, I think, uniquely able to do is manage those near-term challenges, be really, really strong in standing with our allies as they work through the challenges that are right in front of them, and then work on this energy transition to a clean energy future. 

And, you know, we can — we can sort of go through where different groups are.  And that’s exactly — that’s exactly what the Department of Energy process is all about is making sure U.S. manufacturers, U.S. consumers, they’re all at the table, providing the input, providing the analysis so that we can come to the right bottom line.

Q    But does the pause then push other countries towards coal?

MR. ZAIDI:  That — I don’t think that bears out in fact.

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

MR. ZAIDI:  Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Appreciate you.  All right.  Okay.  Now we have the Admiral here, who’s going to — Admiral John Kirby, to be precise — (laughs) — who’s going to give an update on the Middle East. 

Go ahead, Admiral.

MR. KIRBY:  Thanks, Karine.  I just got a couple of things to get through here with you all. 

Today, President Biden spoke with Qatari Amir Sheikh Al-Thani and Egyptian President El-Sisi.  As a matter of fact, that second call with President El-Sisi just wrapped up here a little bit ago — to discuss the latest developments in Israel and in Gaza, including our efforts to secure the release of all the hostages taken by Hamas.

Now, we’ll have readouts of those conversations soon, as I think you can expect.  But to give a brief update of — of where things are, we continue to do everything we can to facilitate
another hostage deal, just like we did back in November.

Our Coordinator for the Middle East, Brett McGurk, is actually returning this afternoon to D.C. from a good set of discussions with counterparts in the region, to include, of course, Qatari officials.

We’re hopeful about progress, but I do not expect — we should not expect any imminent developments.  And I certainly won’t get into negotiating here from the podium or speculating about possible outcomes.

Suffice it to say that at every level — from the President right on down — we’re doing everything we can to bring these moms and dads, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters back home to their — their families.

Our thoughts remain with them and, of course, their loved ones, as well as all the innocent Palestinians that continue to be caught up in this war that Hamas and Mr. Sinwar started on the 7th of October. 

Now, shifting topics, if I can, to another part of the world.  As you may be tracking, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is in Bangkok today meeting with senior Thai officials and his Chinese counterpart.

Yesterday, Mr. Sullivan had a separate meeting with the Thai Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.  In those meetings, Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Thailand treaty alliance and partnership, and discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation across a range of bilateral and global issues.

And, of course, when he has the opportunity to meet with his Chinese counterpart, it will be a follow-on to the discussions that President Biden had with President Xi over — back in — in San Francisco and to continue to work for ways to — to improve our bilateral relationship, but also to make clear and — and be firm about issues where we don’t always agree with China.

And then, finally, I’d like to just take a moment to welcome Turkey’s approval of Sweden’s application to join NATO this week.

As many of you know, the Turkish parliament voted to approve the articles of ratification on Tuesday.  President Erdoğan signed those documents yesterday.  And we’re expecting the instruments of ratification to arrive in Washington, D.C., very, very soon to be deposited at the State Department, as per process.

We certainly encourage Hungary to move forward with their process quickly so that the Alliance can welcome Sweden into NATO without further delay.

And with that —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Nandita.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Kirby, I wanted to ask you about the World Court decision ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide, but it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.  You have suggested multiple times that South Africa’s claim does not really have merit.  And I’m wondering: How does the U.S. repair relations with South Africa, which is a big voice for non-aligned countries in the Global South?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t believe that our disagreement over the founding claim of the allegation causes any permanent damage to the bilateral relationship with South Africa.  We just happen to disagree on that point.  But we’re also going to keep working to — on that relationship, as we do many others.

Q    So, you fundamentally believe the U.S. — they claim that the U.S. is supporting a genocidal state.  That is not going to impact relations with South Africa?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t — I don’t believe I heard that from South Africa.  South Africa filed a case based on allegations that they believe genocide was being conducted by Israel in Gaza.  I don’t believe it was directed at us at all. 

We simply have said consistently we find that that — that that claim is — is unfounded.  And, you know, the — the court also did not find Israel guilty of genocide.

Q    Sorry.  One quick question on President Biden’s top migration advisor at the NSC departing the White House next week.  How does her departure impact border policy negotiations and asylum talks if (inaudible)?

MR. KIRBY:  She — Katie has done an amazing job as — particularly, helping us in the — in our Summit for Democracy and getting the L.A. Declaration on human migration going and really working on a truly hemispheric approach to trying to get at the root causes of migration.

She’s just been absolutely critical.  We’re all going to miss her.  She’s just a — a great professional and has — has been a true public servant in that regard.  And she wants to head on back to Chicago to spend more time with her family, and we — she certainly has earned that after three years with the administration.

I don’t have anything to — personnel announcements to make in terms of who’s going to replace her.  But I can assure you that — that we’ll find an appropriate professional to come in and — and take those duties.  And I have no doubt that the foundation of the great work that Katie has done will stand as well no matter who comes in behind her.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Aamer.

Q    Just to follow on the ICG — ICJ.  Is the President disappointed that the court did not definitively dismiss the genocide claim?

MR. KIRBY:  Actually, I mean, I think the court’s ruling is consistent with many of our — our — many of our positions, ma- — and — and much of the approach that we’ve taken with Israel. 

For instance, in, you know, the view that Israel has the right to take action against the terrorists of that — on the October 7th attack; that — that they have an obligation to be mindful of minimizing civilian casualties; that they have an obligation to assist the international community to get humanitarian assistance.  And all of these are things that we — that we have been pushing and urging for as well.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    In his phone call today with the Qatari Amir, did the President speak with him at all about these leaked comments from Netanyahu calling the country problematic?  And what kind of assurances did he offer?

MR. KIRBY:  The main purpose of the call was to continue to discuss the possibilities of another hostage deal and a humanitarian pause that would go along with that. 

Q    So, you can’t say if that came up?

MR. KIRBY:  The main purpose of the call was to talk about the — the possibilities of getting us back into another hostage deal.

Q    And the U.N. Relief Agency said that they have fired some of their staff after Israel has accused them of being involved in the Hamas attack.  What is the White House thinking on this?  I know the State Department have said — has said that they’re suspending aid temporarily.  Are there other steps the U.S. is considering taking on this?

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, we have suspended any outlying or yet to be allocated funds for — for UNRWA, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, pending the results of this investigation.  We’re obviously going to be watching this very closely.

We welcome the U.N. Secretary-General and the Commissioner-General of UNRWA — their comments today calling for a full investigation. 

As Secretary Blinken made clear in his call with the Secretary-General yesterday, we expect that that will be a complete and thorough and transparent investigation — we all want to see that; it’s good for everybody — and that those who are — who are — who — who should be, are properly held accountable for that.  And as — as you saw, the U.N. said even including the potential for criminal prosecution.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thank you, Karine and Admiral.  The death toll in Gaza is staggering, reportedly now more than 26,000.  Is there anything at this point that would stop the President from supporting Netanyahu?

MR. KIRBY:  We continue to believe that Israel needs to get the support that they need to defend themselves against a — a still viable threat by — by Hamas, an organization that wants to wipe them off the — the map.  So, we’re going to continue to support Israel. 

At the same time — and we can — we can still continue to urge Israel to be more careful and more precise.  We can continue to urge Israel to get more humanitarian assistance in.

Q    Does the President still believe his personal diplomacy with Netanyahu is as effective as it was earlier in this war?

MR. KIRBY:  It is as vital now as it was on the 7th of October, and I fully expect that you’ll continue to see the President and Prime Minister Netanyahu engage appropriately.

Q    So, to clarify, there is no red line, there is no point at which the President would stop his —

MR. KIRBY:  I would just tell you —

Q    — support?

MR. KIRBY:  — that we continue to believe the approach that we’ve been taking — on behalf of Israel to help them, as well as on behalf of the people of Gaza to help them — is — is showing results.  And we’re going to continue that approach.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Weijia.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  And thank you, Admiral.  When the President spoke with Netanyahu one week ago, did he press him to scale down the Israeli military option?  And did he talk about any timeframes for when he would like that to be done?  As an example, the President stressed that he is “not in it for a year of war,” according to reports.

MR. KIRBY:  Gee, could it be that you’re referring to some certain press coverage?  Huh?  I —

Q    Can you confirm that?

MR. KIRBY:  I cannot.  And I’m not going to get into more detail about the call.  We gave you a — a pretty fulsome readout.  I was up here talking about the call. 

Prime Minister Netanyahu and the War Cabinet have a big job in front of them.  We’re going to continue to make sure that they have the benefit not only of American security assistance, but American — American advice and counsel, which we have been providing since the very, very beginning.

Q    How much of the President’s asks to Netanyahu have to do with his concerns about how the war is impacting his chances of reelection?

MR. KIRBY:  It’s not about American asks.  It’s a conversation that we’re having with Israeli leaders about how they’re prosecuting this conflict, this war against Hamas.  And from the very beginning, we have not been bashful about offering our insights, our perspectives, our lessons learned from our own experience with urban warfare in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and we won’t be bashful going forward. 

And does that mean that there are going to be things that maybe we don’t see exactly the same way that the Israelis think — look at it?  Yeah, it probably will.  It has and it will going forward.  That’s what friends can do.  That’s what allies can do.

Q    But I’m asking how much is the President concerned that this war is impacting his chances of reelection?

MR. KIRBY:  The President is concerned about Israel’s right to defend itself from a legitimate terrorist threat.  The President is concerned about the humanitarian crisis that’s going on in Gaza right now — people in desperate need of food, water, medicine, and fuel so that they can drink fresh water and — and subsist. 

The President is concerned, as I said at the very outset, with the hundred-plus hostages that are still being held by Hamas and other Islamic Jihad groups there in Gaza and making sure that they get home to their families.  I mean, my goodness, just today, those two calls — he’s working at this personally at his level to see if we can’t get them home.  That’s what he’s concerned about. 

He’s not looking at the clock and the electoral calendar.  He’s looking at the clock in terms of the lives that are at risk in Gaza right now: hostage lives, Palestinian lives, and — you know what? — even Israeli Defense Force lives because they keep taking casualties.  That’s the clock he’s worried about. 

Q    Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Patsy.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  John, this ICJ ruling, it’s going to be part of a global conversation on this conflict.  Does it — does the ruling and the subsequent proceeding — will it impact U.S. policy or messaging at all?

MR. KIRBY:  Policy or messaging on — on what?

Q    On the conflict in Gaza.  I mean, I know that you’ve stated — or the statement that said that this goes in line with what you’ve been saying. 

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah

Q    But going forward, do you believe that it will change — it will sway the President one way or —

MR. KIRBY:  It gets hard — it’s hard to see that.  I mean, I think we’ll have to watch this — this is obviously just the — a provisional order by the court.  We’ll have to watch how the process plays out. 

But it’s difficult to see that it alone is going to change the approach.  As I said, the President believes the approach we have been taking has been getting results.  And we’re going to keep at that. 

Q    And I understand that the ICJ order does not call for a ceasefire, but more than 150 countries have.  And more than 1,300 Americans scholars and the majority of American voters are also calling for a ceasefire.  So, how would you respond to criticism that President Biden, at this point, is really out of touch with what Americans want and also what the U.S. — what the world demands of U.S. leadership on this issue?

MR. KIRBY:  The President would like this war to end too.  He would like to see the people of Gaza, the Palestinian people, live in peace and security.  He believes in that too. 

And we are pushing for pauses in the fighting so that we can get hostages out and — and aid in.  I mean, absolutely. 

We don’t believe that right now a general ceasefire is the best approach.  But that doesn’t mean that the President isn’t respectful of the wide range of views out there or — or the desire to — to end the violence and end the war.  Of course, he doesn’t want to see the war go on one more day than it — than it needs to go on. 

But it — but they do face a very viable — continued viable threat from Hamas that they have every right and responsibility to go after.

Q    And just really quickly on the Jake Sullivan meeting.  What was Jake’s message to Wang Yi on Taiwan?  Was there anything new that was conveyed, anything that’s more urgent in light of Beijing’s intimidation — increased intimidation on Taiwan?

MR. KIRBY:  As far as I know, the discussions with Wang Yi are just beginning and ongoing.  So, I mean, I can’t talk about it in the past tense.  And I’m sure when Jake gets back, we’ll be able to give you a little bit better sense. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Sabrina.

Q    Thank you.  The fact of the matter is that ICJ has not dismissed the allegations of — against Israel, wi- — with respect to genocide.  They do believe that those allegations warrant further investigation and deliberation.  So, do you stand by the words that you used earlier this month to characterize those allegations — that they are “meritless, counterproductive, and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever”?

MR. KIRBY:  Yes, ma’am.

Q    And what are you basing that off of if the U.N.’s top court believes that there is a plausible risk of genocide?  They’re specifically directing Israel to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide and, again, have not —

MR. KIRBY:  It was not found that they are committing genocide.

Q    But they — they do — they are not dismissing the case. 

MR. KIRBY:  And we have not found —

Q    And they do believe —

MR. KIRBY:  — that they are committing genocide.  We have no indication that that’s — that that’s going on, Sabrina.  And we have no indication that they are deliberately trying to exterminate the people of Gaza. 

Q    Well, the ICJ specifically cited inflammatory statements that were made by Israel’s defense minister, referring to human — Gazans as “human animals,” the President of Israel saying the entire population of Gaza is responsible.  Do you not see that as risking incitement?

MR. KIRBY:  Comments like that are certainly also counterproductive and unhelpful.  No question about that.  But we haven’t seen indications that the Israeli Defense Forces are getting up out of the rack every day, putting their boots on the floor, and saying that they’re designed — their whole effort is to go exterminate the Palestinian people.  They’re trying to eliminate the threat that Hamas poses.  

I want to be very clear — and I know I’ve said this a million times, and you’re all probably sick of me following up on this — but that doesn’t mean that we excuse any single innocent life lost.  The right number of civilian casualties is zero. 

But there’s no indication that we’ve seen that validates a claim of genocidal intent or action by the Israeli Defense Forces. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Peter.

Q    Thank you.  John, you said this month about the UNRWA, “You can’t hold them accountable for the depredations of Hamas.”  How about now?

MR. KIRBY:  Certainly, it — it looks as if, Peter — and again, there’s an investigation going on, so I’ll be careful — but it certainly looks as if there’s cause to be concerned about the actions of some of the members of UNRWA, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency.  But that does not, nor should it, impugn the entire agency and the entire — all the body of work that they’re doing. 

They have helped save literally thousands of lives in Gaza.  They do important work.  Doesn’t mean that there aren’t some folks in that group that — that need to be punished for, potentially, these kinds of behavior.  But that doesn’t impugn the entire organization. 

Q    That’s bad, though.  If there are 12 people who are accused —

MR. KIRBY:  It’s bad — it’s bad if there’s one.  It’s bad if there’s one.

Q    That’s bad.  And the U.S. is giving them money.  How much money?

MR. KIRBY:  We have suspended the — they have su- — we have suspended —

Q    How much before the suspension?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t have the dollar figures here, Peter.

Q    John —

MR. KIRBY:  It — I’ll take the question and get back to you.  But we have suspended unallocated funds pending the outcome of the investigation.

Q    Who does this White House vet?  Because we know that people coming across the southern border are not vetted.  Now we know that people that are getting hundreds of millions of dollars of U.S. money are not being vetted.  So, who do you guys check out?

MR. KIRBY:  It’s — it’s interesting that you’re combining the two — the border and this.  But let’s just — let me — let me — just give me a second. 

It’s not like — it’s not like we don’t have a process at the border.  And there is a challenge there.  And the President does want to get more Border Patrol agents.  But this idea that just there’s no vetting and there’s no proper immigration enforcement going on at the border just does not — does not comport with reality. 

There’s — a lot of work needs to be done to get better at that.  But that’s — put that aside, because that has nothing to do and you know it has nothing to do with UNRWA —

Q    (Inaudible) big picture —

MR. KIRBY:  — and Gaza.

Q    — of what this administration is doing and how —

MR. KIRBY:  It is a U.N. —

Q    — resources are being used. 

MR. KIRBY:  It is a U.N. agency.  And, yes, we have contributed to their work.  And that work has been meaningful, and it has been important in places like Gaza.  But we also are willing to hold them accountable for this particular incident and before the pa- — alleged behavior by these particular employees. 

Q    So —

MR. KIRBY:  And as I’ve said — wait, just give me a second now.  As I said, we want this investigation to be complete and thorough and transparent.  And if it — if the — if in the investigation it’s determined that people need to be held accountable, then obviously we want to see that too. 

Q    But up until today, the U.S. policy then has been: We don’t negotiate with terrorists, but we will give them hundreds of millions of dollars. 

MR. KIRBY:  Come on, now.  That’s — that’s conflating here.  This is not — you’re — you’re — that’s like saying the whole UNRWA is a terrorist organization.  You know who is a terrorist organization?  Hamas, not UNRWA. 

Now, if they have — if the investigation proves that — in this case, I think it’s about a dozen employees were assisting Hamas, and even to the point of maybe even, you know, involved in hostage taking, then absolutely, they need to be held to account. 

And we will — although we’ve already suspended any additional allocations to UNRWA, we’ll certainly consider additional — you know, what it — depending on the investigation, whether that requires any additional changes in the way we support UNRWA going forward. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Asma.

Q    Thank you.  I’d like to ask about the logistics of moving people from, kind of, place to place within Southern Gaza.  We have reports that the Israeli military ordered evacuations from Khan Yunis and some of the places where people had already moved to.  What is the guidance for where these Gazans are — go at this point?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t know that I’m qualified to — to speak to that.  I mean, the — the Israeli Defense Forces have been doing the best that they can to try to inform people about where to go and where not to go and — and where safe passage is. 

But I’m not — we’re not privy to that process.  And I — I don’t think it’s an appropriate question for me to answer.

Q    Okay.  One —

MR. KIRBY:  What we do just in general — I want to make sure — that they have provided safe corridors and safe passage for people to get out of harm’s way.  They — they’ve done that in the past.  Our expectation is that they should do that going forward. 

Q    And I wanted to go back to something that Selina had asked earlier about the relationship between Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.  Is there a sense thus far that the advice that you are giving, I guess, is being counseled and heard and listened to? 

And I guess I ask this in part because we’ve had, you know, in our ear, someone like Senator Chris Van Hollen, who has been rather outspoken that it seems like Netanyahu is — is not really abiding by the respect and guidance that has been given by this administration. 

And so, is it your sense that he’s listening?  And if not, how do you adjust or change behavior if there are no consequences?

MR. KIRBY:  We believe that the — the Israeli War Cabinet and the Israeli Defense Forces have been receptive to our advice and counsel on our lessons and perspectives.  And we know that in many cases, it’s led to actual changes on the ground — opening up Kerem Shalom, providing safe passage from the north to the south when they were operating in the north, moving in on the north in smaller forces than they were, relying less on airstrikes.  I could go on and on. 

They have been receptive to a lot of the things that we’ve wanted to see them do.  It doesn’t mean that we’re going to see eye to eye on everything and every aspect of the way they’re prosecuting this operation — their operation.  They are a sovereign nation. 

We provide our advice and counsel on the lessons learned.  They have to make these decisions, and they have to answer for the decisions that they’re making or unmaking.  That’s really for them to speak to.  But we are confident that we have the connective tissue with our Israeli counterparts to be able to provide that perspective.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Aurelia.

Q    Thank you so much.  I have a question on Haiti.  So, today, a court in Kenya blocked the government’s decision to send police forces —

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah.

Q    — to Haiti as part of an international mission.

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah.

Q    So, the — the administration has been very supportive of that move.  So, what are the next steps here?  Are there alternatives?  What are the next steps for Haiti?

MR. KIRBY:  As we understand it, the government of Kenya is appealing that — that court decision, and I think I’d let — let it stand there.  That’s really for them to speak to.  It’s an internal legal and judicial process in Kenya.

We still — we’re still very grateful for the government of Kenya’s willingness to participate in a multilateral — multinational, sorry, security posture there in Haiti.  We still think that’s really important because the — the gangs and the thugs and the criminals are still causing a lot of chaos, mayhem, killing, violence.  And the people of Haiti deserve a whole lot better than that. 

So, we’re still supportive of the mission set, but I’ll let the government of Kenya speak to this appeal.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.

Q    Thank you.  Thank — thank you.  Admiral —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, this gentleman right here.

Go ahead, sir.

Q    Thank you.  Coming back to Taiwan, Taiwan’s defense ministry has reported that, since December 7th, 54 Chinese balloons crossed the median line, roughly half of those entered Taiwan’s airspace, and 16 crossed over the island.  Are you aware of these incursions?  And what do you think is the purpose? 

MR. KIRBY:  Yeah, we — we’re aware that there were some of these surveillance balloons that were flown, particularly in — before and around the time of the election.  And, as I said at the time, these are questions that the Chinese government need to answer — what was the purpose and — and what they were doing.

I don’t — we — it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to answer that question.  Clearly, we made — at the time, asserted that there should be no interference in the people of Taiwan’s ability to conduct free and fair elections.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Janne.

Q    Thank you.  Thank you, Karine.  And thank you, John.  I have two questions.  It is known that North Korea is planning to (inaudible) provocations for targeting this year’s general election in the South Korea and the presidential election in the United States.  What are the United States’ pre- — preparedness measures for the possibility of North Korea intervening in the elections? 

MR. KIRBY:  No foreign actor, state or no- — or — or non-state should interfere in our elections, period.  And we’re going to be just as vigilant in this election cycle as we have been in past about doing what we can to identify and thwart any attempts for election interference.

Q    Based on the North Korea’s missile pro- — provocations so far, do you believe that North Korea actually has the ability to attack the United States?

MR. KIRBY:  I think I’ll refrain from getting into intelligence assessments.  We know that the North Koreans continue to pursue advanced capabilities, including ballistic missile capabilities, that — that they want to ha- — they want to be able to achieve long-range outcomes. 

And I think — but, look, obviously, we’re going to do what we have to do to make sure we can protect the United States, protect our allies and partners.  And the President has devoted more capabilities into the region and has worked really hard with our counterparts in Japan and South Korea, particularly on trilateral cooperation, to be able to defend ourselves.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Got to start wrapping up.  Go ahead, Nadia, in the back.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Back on the ICJ.  I want to follow up on Sabrina’s question.  There is a ruling that says 15 to 2 that Israel should not destroy evidence of crimes against Palestinians.  Do you agree with that ruling, at least?  Number one.

MR KIRBY:  Again, without — making it clear that we haven’t seen such crimes and we’ve seen no indication of such crimes, obviously we respect the court’s role as an arbiter of — of solving peaceful disputes.  And we would not want to see anybody, should there be that kind of evidence in any situation, move to destroy that evidence. 

Q    Okay.  And all of the collective incidents that we’ve been asking you over the month, whether it’s a civilian who was carrying a white flag that’s being shot dead, whether desecrating of graves, whether journalists who’ve been killed or targeted, can you tell us, when you said that you relayed this message to the Israelis, how can we get some kind of accountability?  How can we get answers for all these questions that, collectively, you call “incidents” and you cannot comment on each individual incident?

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not really sure how you want me to answer the question, so I’ll just repeat what I’ve said before.  We’re not going to react in real time to every single event.  When we —

Q    But my question — sorry.  My question is: Do you relay this to the Israelis?  Do we — can we get an answer from you about the Israelis been responding — whether they are really responding to you positively and they’re saying, “We are aware of this, and we’re investigating it,” et cetera?  Do you get an answer for us, from them?

MR. KIRBY:  To the — to the best of our ability, if we have something that — that we can speak to in terms of what the Israelis are doing, I’ll do- — we’ll do that.  But it is really for the Israelis to speak to their operations and what they’re doing and — and if they investigate what their investigation is finding. 

Doesn’t mean that we’re going to be bashful about speaking out if we have concerns.  We’ve done that in the past.  We’ll do — we’ll do that in the future.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.  Brian.

Q    Thanks, John.  On Hungary’s bid — on Hungary holding up Sweden’s bid for NATO.  Is the President — what’s the President’s understanding for why Hungary hasn’t approved Sweden’s bid for NATO?

MR. KIRBY:  I don’t know that we agree necessarily that, you know, Hungary is holding it up.  I mean, they’ve already indicated that they’re going to move on this.  And, as I said in my opening statement, we urge him to do that quickly now that Turkey has. 

So, we’re — we’re very, very optimistic that Sweden will soon become the newest NATO member.  And — and Hungary has said that they aren’t going to be the holdup, quite frankly.

Q    Is — is the President aware of any demands that Hungary has made before it moves the process forward?

MR. KIRBY:  I’m not — I’m not aware of any specific demands made by — by Hungary.  Again, they have said clearly that they’re not going to be the holdup, and we urge them to move quickly now that Turkey has.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Monica. Last question.

Q    Thank you so much.  Admiral, we know that Director Burns is traveling to Europe for these potential hostage talks.  But you said at the beginning of your remarks that we shouldn’t expect any imminent developments on that front.  So, is that your way of just lowering expectations for any outcome?  Is it —

MR. KIRBY:  No, that’s just my way of being honest with you about where we are in the process.  I mean, I’d love nothing better than to be able to stand up here on a Friday afternoon and tell you, you know, we’re — we’re there.  We’re not.  And it would be irresponsible for me to — to say otherwise. 

What I’m hoping you get away — and I won’t speak to the CIA Director’s travel one way or the other.  But what I hope you take away from all the work we’ve been doing in recent days and weeks, including the phone calls that the President had today, is how seriously we’re taking the issue, how hard we’re working to try to see if another hostage deal can be put in place. 

Q    And is there anything else the NSC can share on the Russian plane crash that was carrying those Ukrainian POWs?

MR. KIRBY:  I’m afraid I don’t have additional context or information to — to share on that, just we’re watching this and we’re — we’re certainly interested in getting as much information as we can.  But I don’t have anything more. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thank you so much, Admiral.  Thank you.  Have a good weekend.

MR. KIRBY:  You too.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right.  Got a couple minutes.  Aamer.

Q    Thanks.  Speaker Johnson said in a letter today if the details of the Senate deal were true, it — (coughs) — excuse me — it would be dead on arrival in the House.  So, how do you go forward with the Sen- — Senate legislation knowing it can’t pass the House?  Are — are negotiators trying to make adjustments to make it more palatable to House Republicans? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, the administration has been working for some time now with the Senate to work in a bipartisan way with Republicans and Democrats to find a solution, to find a way to deal with a broken immigration system and, obviously, the challenges that we’re seeing at the border.  And we feel that it’s been happening in a — in a good-faith — good-faith nature. 

And these — these negotiations about policy changes, obviously, and also funding resources, that will be important in dealing with that issue. 

Look, House Republicans, they have a choice to make, right?  They have to choose whether they want to solve a problem — actually solve a problem, like the Senate is trying to do in a bipartisan way, and — or, you know, get in the way and score political points. 

That’s a decision that House Republicans have to make.  It’s clear that senators, both Republicans and Democrats, have made their decision.  They have said, “We’re going to do this.  We’re going to try and figure out — negotiate in good faith and try to figure out how do we come to a bipartisan agreement.”

And, you know, the — the President has been very clear.  He asked in his supplemental request what he needed — what he think we needed as a country, what was the emergency ask that he had for our country in a nat- — as it relates to our national security.

House Republicans, they have to choose: Do they want to help, or do they want to score political points?

Q    Okay.  And then just one thing quickly.  The year anniversary of the East Palestine derailment is, I think, about a week away now.  When is he going to go?  And is — you know, it’s been almost a year.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    Is this becoming more of a hindrance to the President and a sign of, almost, insensitivity by not going?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m not sure it’s a — it’s a sign — I wouldn’t say it’s a sign of insensitivity.  Let’s be clear here.  From the moment — the day of the derailment that we saw in Eas- — East Palestine and what the community had to deal with, within hours — within hours, we’ve had federal assistance, federal employees on the ground — within hours.  And that was because of this President — right? — because he understood what that community would be going through. 

So, he was — he was ver- — we were proactive.  And we got folks there within hours.  We’re talking about EPA, Department of Transportation, talking about FEMA, HHS, CDC.  And we’ve been on the ground — folks have been on the ground sin- — since that day — since that day.  And this is a whole-of-government approach — whole-of-government approach. 

So — and the President is going to continue to ask Congress to act.  Obviously, there’s a rail safety act that needs to be strengthened.  And the President is going to continue to do that.

As it relates to the President’s trip, if — obviously, don’t have anything to announce at this time.  When it is — when it is appropriate or helps — help the community for him to be there, obviously, he will be there.  He’s done that. 

It doesn’t matter if it’s in a rural area, urban area, suburban area, red state, blue state, the President has always been there to — to as- — to — to assist and be there for the community.  So, when it is helpful, he certainly will do that. 

But I want to — you know, you asked the question about insensitivity.  But the President did do exactly what the community wanted him to do — that was right for the community — was give assistance within hours of the derailment. 

And we’re holding — let’s not forget, we’re going to hold accountable Norfolk Suffolk [Southern], like we are going to make sure that they — they actually, you know, stay to account what they caused on the ground with this derailment.

Go ahead, M.J.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Back to the border negotiations.  Can you share anything about where the President stands on scaling back his parole authority?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I want to be —

Q    Is that a —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I —

Q    — red line?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, no, no.  I hear you.  And I — and I get — I get the — the red lines and I get where we stand maybe policy-wise on particular issues. 

There are negotiations happening, as you know.  You hear me say this almost every time I’ve been at the — at the podium for the past month or two as we talked about this.  But we want to be careful because we want to give them the space to have a good-faith conversation, to have a good-faith negotiations about what policy — real policy changes, you know, subs- — you know, I won’t say “subst-” — “substantial” — but real, meaningful policy changes that they can make to deal with the broken system that we see in the immigration system. 

I just don’t want to get into characterizing or laying out or — or, you know, thinking through what our policies are any — are on particular issues, because we just don’t want to get in the way of that.

The moment I say something, the moment it goes into the room of the negotiations.  And we just don’t want to do that. 

Q    Okay.  Got it.  And then, does the President have any response to at least 25 Republican governors signing a joint statement supporting Texas in its standoff with the U.S. at the border?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, here’s what I would say.  My message to those — how many governors in that letter?

Q    I believe it’s 25 —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Twenty-five governors.

Q    — at least. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I would say to them that — are they Re- — you said Republican governors?

Q    Yes. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I would say to them that if they truly want to help with — with the issue at the border, with the immigration system, that they need to talk to their — they need to talk to the congressional members, the senators in their state.  That’s what they need to do.  They need to ask them to make sure that they have the resources they need within their respective states to take action — right? — to actually deal with a broken system. 

The way that we deal with this is legislatively.  The way that we deal with this is for Congress to act.  And so, that’s what those 25 Republican governors need to do. 

They ne- — they really want to help?  They really want assist?  They really want to see change with the immigration system?  They really want to fix the challenges that we see at the border?  Then they should talk to their senators and the conger- — and their congressmen or congresswomen who are in their states.  That’s how we get this doing — going. 

And we are appreciative of the senators right now, both Republican and Democrats, who are doing just that.  And we want to come to a bi- — bipartisan agreement.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Monica.

Q    Last night, Alabama executed a man with nitrogen gas, which is the first time that that new method has been used.  I’m wondering if the White House has any reaction to that. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, we do.  The reports of Kenneth Smith and the — and his death last night, obviously, is troubling.  It is very troubling to us as an administration.  It is very troubling to us here at the White House.  It underscores why the President support the — support the Attorney General’s mora- — moratorium on federal death penalty, pending review of the policies and procedures governing its use. 

The President has — long had said and has had deep — deep, deep concerns with how the death penalty is implemented and whether it is consistent — consistent with our — our values. 

So, we are deeply troubled by it, by what we he- — by — about Kenneth Smith’s death.  And so, you know, it is just troubling to hear.

Go ahead, Selina.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  How concerned is President Biden about Trump weighing in on these border negotiations, especially considering how much influence he has over the Republican Party?  Does he think it’s appropriate?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, look, that’s for the Republican Party to speak to.  Seriously.  It — I mean — I want to be really mindful, because that’s candidate Trump speaking, right?   So, I want to be careful — there’s upcoming elections, as you hear me say as often as I can.  Got to be careful, as a federal employee.  There’s something called the Hatch Act, as you all know.  So, don’t want to comment specifically on — on him. 

But, look, there is a real issue, a real challenge at the border.  There truly is.  The President understands that.  The President has said that himself.  And we know that the immigration system is broken, and it has been for decades now. 

We want to get that done.  We want to fix that.  We want to take steps to get to a place where we can — we can deal with the issues at hand.  And that’s why he put forth, on his first day, a comprehensive immigration policy.

The President is taking this very seriously.  He’s taking this very seriously on behalf of the American people. 

Q    But in terms of what’s happening right now, is the President concerned that politics is getting in the way, given the circumstances here, what he was just saying about what Speaker Johnson had said?  How can there still be optimism that this can move forward (inaudible) —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  There’s optimism because what we have seen in the Senate are Republicans and Democrats coming together in a bipartisan way to find an agreement.  That is optimism.  That is optimism.  This has been happening for the past couple of weeks, couple of months now.  And we feel that is an optimistic look on, you know, both — folks from both sides of the aisle coming together and having those negotiation conversation on real ways to fix the problem — to fix the broken immigration system. 

So, yeah, I think that’s — and — you know, you all — you all see this, in the way that politics is today, the fact that we’re seeing that in the Senate, that’s a good thing.  That’s a good thing.

And I already said, House has to make a decision — they have to make a decision — House Republicans have to make a decision if they want to be part of the solution or part of the problem. 

Q    Has the President spoken with McConnell since inviting him to the White House?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I don’t have any calls to read out.  As you know, as you just laid out, they were here just last week.  And this was obviously a conversation — the border — border security was a conversation for — in during that meeting.  Obviously, it was about Ukraine and getting that all-important, continued funding for Ukraine. 

But obviously, that came up.  I just don’t have anything else to read out. 

But I would say, folks here in our administration, and ov- — obviously the Office of Leg Affairs have been in constant communication with senators — senators over the border security bipartisan agreement negotiation.  And so that has continued and that will continue. 

Go ahead, Karen.

Q    Thanks.  A couple of questions on artificial intelligence.  There were fake sexually explicit images of Taylor Swift all over social media this week, likely generated by AI.  How concerned is the White House about the misuse of this kind of technology?  And does the White House want to see Congress move forward on legislation that would make sharing, posting images like that a federal crime?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’m glad you asked that question, because it is alarming.  We are alarmed by the reports of the — of the circulation of images that you just laid out — false images, to be more exact, and it is alarming. 

So, while social media companies make their own independent decisions about content management, we believe they have an important role to play in enforcing — enforcing their own rules to prevent the spread of misinformation and nonconsensual, intimate imagery of real people. 

Sadly — sadly, though, too often, we know that lax enforcement disproportionately impacts women and they also impact girls, sadly, who are the overwhelming targets — the overwhelming targets of online hara- — harassment and also abuse. 

So, the President is committed, as you know, to ensuring we reduce the risk of gener- — generative AI producing images, like through his latest executive order that we announced just — just in the fall of last year. 

So, this problem is not new.  And it’s one that the Biden-Harris administration has been prioritizing since day one.  We have taken this very seriously.  Again, this is alarming to us. 

You — as you know, he launched a task force to address online harassment and abuse.  And he did that just this fall.  The Department of Justice launched the first national 24/7 helpline for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. 

And so, our commitment and that we will continue to do and continue to take action and make sure that we continue to work on this. 

And, again, this is very alarming.  And so, we’re going to do what we can to deal with this issue.

Q    Should there be legislation, too, moving forward?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah, there — there should be legislation, obviously, to deal with this issue.  But as I just stated, the President is taking action — whether it is a task force, whether it’s Department of Justice doing what it’s can with the 20 — 24/7 online assistance.  And so, we’re going to continue to do what we can from here. 

Of course, Congress should take — should take legislative action.  That’s how you deal with some of these issues, obviously.  But, you know, it is alarming to us, and we’re going to continue to do what we can from the federal government. 

AIDE:  We got to (inaudible). 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead, Francesca.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  Following up on the border talks.  I assume there have been no conversations with Speaker Johnson since they were at the White House either. 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don’t — I don’t have any conversations to read out since last week. 

Q    Okay.  Sure.  And in his letter —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It would be just over the last week.

Q    — in his letter today, he also said that House Republicans would move forward next week with impeaching Secretary Mayorkas.  Given these strong differences of opinion on the border, how realistic is it really that there is a deal that it can even pass — that would pass the Senate and the House at this point?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, we have to be optimistic because there is actually conversations happening in the Senate — there are — in a bipartisan way.  Right?  And so, we feel confident about that. 

It’s been happening in good faith.  Right?  In order to have negotiations, you have to have it in good faith, and that’s what we believe.  There has been progress in their conversations. 

And so, we are optimistic about that.  Now, as I stated moments ago, multiple times already in this past couple of minutes, House — House Republicans have to make a decision here.  They have had to make a decision on if they want to be part of the solution or part of the problem.  That’s on them.  That is on them. 

I’ll say one thing about the impeachment of Mayorkas or the proceedings to impeach Mayorkas: It is shameful.  It is shameful that’s how they want to use their time to — you know, wasteful time to — to try to impeach Secretary Mayorkas.  I think it is shameful. 

And what they should do — they should do, which is the premise of your question, is work with us, work with Democrats, work with Republicans, you know, work with the senators who are actually trying to do something to find a solution. 

Q    Does the White House believe that House Republicans are intentionally dragging out these negotiations until after November’s election?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  House Republican — which negotiations?

Q    On the border — on border security.  

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, they’re not even —

Q    That they want them to drag out until —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — I mean —

Q    — until after the election.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, they have a choice to make.  The negotiations right now are happening in the Senate.  They’re working towards a bipartisan agreement, and  we appreciate that.  They’ve been happening in good faith.  We think it’s headed in the right direction.  They’ve been doing it for the past couple of weeks — past almost months now.  And so, we think that’s important. 

House Republicans have a decision to make.  They do.  They have a decision to make. 

Go ahead.

Q    If I could go back to the execution from last night.  Could you talk in a little bit more specifics about what exactly the White House finds so troubling about it?  Was it the prolonged death and the pain?  And then also, did President Biden himself have a reaction to this?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I have not spoken to the President about this.  So, I — I don’t have a reaction for — for you on him specifically. 

But, obviously, the President has spoken to this.  This President has spoken to this — he’s spoken to how it is — it is indeed — he had deep concerns with how the death penalty is more broadly, right?  The death penalty is something that he has deep concerns, and he feels like is implement — when it — the way it’s implemented, it — and he questions — right? — deep concerns on whether it is — whether it is consistent with our values.  So, that is something for sure that he’s been consistent about. 

It is troubling — the — you know, the use of nitrogen gas.  Of course, it is troubling — it is troubling to us. 

And so, there’s been a moratorium from the Attorney General on federal death penalty — a pending review.  We need to look into this pending review of the policies and procedures. 

And so, yes, there’s a more broad — more broad, obviously, concern of the death penalty.  And the President has been very consistent about that, has been very clear about that. 

Go ahead.

Q    Thank you, Karine.  Just back to the border.  Does the administration think Texas is failing to comply with court orders around the placement and removal of razor wire? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, look, I mean, the Supreme Court is the highest, you know, law — you know, court of the land.  It is.  And they made a ruling. 

And, you know, on Tuesday, as — as you guys probably saw, DHS sent a — Texas a letter outlining the access Border Patrol needs in Shelby Park, for example, to do their jobs and demanding Texas confirm this access will be honored.  Border Patrol needs to have access in order to do their job.  They just do. 

And, you know, what we’re seeing from Governor Abbott — you’ve heard me say this over and over again — they’re making harder — they’re making it harder — he’s making it harder for Border Patrol to do their jobs.  They need access.  They need access.  And right now, they don’t have that. 

And it’s under the Constitution of the United States, a federal law is the supreme law of the land, and any conflicting state is preempted.  That’s the law. 

Q    So, you think they’re failing to comply with the court’s orders?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, it’s the law.  It is literally the law.  I mean, they — you know, it is the law. 

And we are — what we want is Border Patrol to be able to do their job.  And right now, Governor Abbott is getting in the way. 

And you saw it — you see it — DHS sent a letter on this.  I would refer you to their let- — to — to what they wrote. 

Q    Is DHS still trying to work with the Texas National Guard? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, DHS wants the Border Patrol agents to have access.  They want them to be able to do their job so that they can follow the law.  In order — when Border Patrol is trying to have access to that — to that area, they’re actually trying to enforce the law.  That’s what they’re trying to do.  And Governor Abbott is getting in the way of that. 

And so, they’re trying to do their job, enforce the law, and make sure that, you know, they — they are able to — to do what they are meant to be doing as Border Patrol agents.

Q    So they’re communicating with the Texas National Guard? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, I would ref- — I — honestly, I would refer you to the DHS on communication.  I’m not — I’m not tracking every communication that they’re having.  What I’m saying more broadly, which is true, which is Border Patrol needs to be able to do their job, and they’re getting in the way of that. 

Q    And — and just a quick one on the border talks.  We understand — we and others have reported that the White House has said that they would accept limiting parole at the border as a condition in the Senate border talks.  Can you confirm?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — I cannot confirm that from here.  I’m going to let the negotiators have their — their process, go through their process.  We appreciate — we think it’s happening in good faith.  We think there’s been progress.  And we want to see a bipartisan agreement here.

Go ahead, Asma.

Q    Karine, if I can also go back to the death penalty.  I just wanted to seek clarification on the administration’s position broadly on this, because I do know that federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the Buffalo shooting incident that, of course, was a horrific tragedy.  But I wanted to understand: Is it the administration’s position that the death penalty as a whole should not occur?  And if so, how do you reconcile —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So —

Q    — that with the Justice Department’s case?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, here’s — what I will say is there is a moratorium currently — right? — on the federal executions while the Department of Justice is reviewing — right? — they are reviewing this process, reviewing the policies, reviewing procedures governing in this — in the use.  And I think that’s what’s important. 

And the President always has had deep concerns with how the death penalty is implemented.  He always has. 

So, there is a moratorium.  There’s a review happening.  We’re going to let the review continue via the — obviously, the Attorney General’s Office.

Q    Does the administration support the seeking of the death penalty in the Buffalo case?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  There — there is a moratorium.  There’s a review on that.  I’m just going to leave it to that.  I’m not going to speak to any particular case at this point in time. 

Go ahead, Gerren.

Q    Thanks, Karine.  A recent Joint Center for Housing Studies report from Harvard found that a record half of U.S. renters are renting — their rent is, like, t- — more expensive than they can actually afford.  And for those considered to be most burdened — obviously, Black and Latino households — they’re paying as much as 50 percent of their earnings on — on rent, and rent is still higher than pre-pandemic levels. 

Considering some of these successes that the White House has lifted up, whether it be the GDP report or this recent inflation report, how do you weigh that success compared to this type of data where renters are — are clearly needing relief? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, let’s talk through the Harvard study for a second.  It goes through the end of 2022.  So, I want to be clear about that. 

And over the course of 2023, this past year, we saw incomes rise faster than prices and many market-based measures of rents stabilize, which I think is important to note. 

But we know that housing, you know, affordability remains a challenge for — for families, as you just laid out, families –in particular, poor families, Black and brown communities, obviously. 

And so, while for decades there has been no action at — at all, as we — as we talk about housing affordability, and this President has taken some action to — making sure that we’re lowering housing costs — a couple of things: putting policies in place to build more housing, for example; reducing mortgage insurance premiums by 800 bucks per year for hundreds of thousands of first-time buy- — homebuyers; expanding rental assistance; and taking on unfair junk fees that drive up the cost of rent. 

So, those are actions that we have taken.  Remember, there’s been inaction on this for decades, but the President has taken some action. 

So, we have a plan that — that the President put forward on continuing to low- — lower housing costs.  And so, we want to House Republicans — you know, Republicans more broadly in Congress to take action.  There’s ways to — to really deal with this in a legislative fashion.  And so, we want them to take action. 

There’s a plan that the President put forward.  And so, look, we’re going to do what we can from here, but we need Congress to act. 

Go ahead, Kirstin.

Q    Yes.  Thank you.  This week, some senators say they’re planning to hold hearings that would investigate the root causes of safety lapses at Boeing after this most recent incident.  And, of course, this isn’t the first time that the Boeing Max program has faced review.  With all that said, has the administration considered expanding its quality control inspections for other Boeing planes?  And if so, what could that scope look like?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, a couple of things.  As you know, safety is the number-one priority for FAA.  So, that’s important to note. 

And let’s not forget, FAA actually recently launched an investigation and increased its oversight on Boeing.  So, that’s also important to note. 

This week, the FAA informed Boeing that it will not grant any production expansion of Max, including the 737-9 Max.  And additionally, added to that, the FAA approved a thorough inspection and maintenance process that must be performed on each grounded Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft. 

And so, any specifics on that, obviously, you would have to go to FAA to get more information on those particular things.  But there is an investigation.  FAA has launched one.  We want to make sure that — we want to make sure that safety — when it comes, obviously, to flying — is safe.  That is their number-one priority. 

Q    Is the administration satisfied with what Boeing has done so far?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, there’s an investigation.  We’re going to let the investigation move forward. 

Obviously, FAA is on top of this.  And so, we’re just going to — I don’t want to get ahead of — of that — of — of what’s currently at hand right now. 

Go ahead, Jared.

Q    Given the urgency on the Ukraine aid portion that I know the President has been pressing upon members of Congress and where they are in talks on the border and immigration, has there been any consideration or is there a thought that at a certain point in time, these two issues are going to have to be separated from the supplemental?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We are — very much continue to be where we’ve been for the past couple of months since the President put forward his supplemental — his national security supplemental back in October, which is — this supplemental ask is — all of it is important.  All of it.  And we want Congress to act on every part of the request that the President has made. 

We’re having these border security negotiations in the Senate in a bipartisan way.  We want to come up with an agreement.  But border security was also, obviously, in the supplemental. 

So, that is where we’re focused on.  We’re focused on moving all of the supplemental request that’s been asked by this President that was asked back in October.  That has not changed. 

Q    So, there’s not a concern that as these talks continue and even make progress that you’re going to run out of time to kind of get Ukraine what it needs? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think — I mean, look, I think you’ve heard from NSC, you’ve heard from the Admiral: We’ve already run out of time.  We have.  As it as it relates to Ukraine, you know, the funding for — for Ukraine ended last year — at the end of last year.  So, we have.

And we’ve seen what Putin has done — right? — he continues to — the barrage, the attacks on Ukraine has just intensified.  It’s intensified. 

And so, that is what — that’s been the consequence of the lack of action.  So, we have to continue to work with Congress and — and be very clear with Congress.  That’s why the President brought — one of the main reasons the President had every — had the leaders — some of the leaders and committee chairs here last week and ranking members here last week is to talk about Ukraine funding and how important it is that Ukraine has the funding that they need and the security assistance that they need to defend themselves against — against Putin’s aggression — and what that means not just for their national security and their democracy, but for our national security too. 

We know very well what happens if you don’t stop a dictator.  We’ve seen history.  If you don’t stop a dictator, what could happen?  Right?  And so, the President has been very clear about that: We need to help Ukraine. 

Q    And I guess that’s what my question is: Why not separate the two then if —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  We’re — right now, we’re moving in a fashion where we want to see the President — national security supplemental move forward.  There is a reason — and I said this moments ago — there is a reason why the President puts forth a supplemental plan — right? — it’s because he sees it as an emergency.  He sees it as an important request on behalf of the American people. 

Go ahead, Toluse. 

Q    Thanks, Karine.  President Trump — former President Trump yesterday said that he was encouraging all states to send their National Guard troops to the border to help Texas and to move migrants back across the border.  Do you have any response to this effort to have states take on federal immigration policies?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, I’ve been pretty clear about — you know, these states, if they really want to help and assist, if they want to help get more resources, to — to deal with the border — the challenges at the border, they should be calling on their senators and representatives to join the administration of working in a bipartisan agreement to get that done.  That’s our message.  That’s what we’ll tell all the governors — the Republican governors, obviously, in particular.

Look, Border Patrol needs — they need res- — they need resources.  They need to be able to have these resources to do their jobs. 

The immigration system has been broken for decades.  You hear me saying this over and over again — not just me.  It is the truth; it is a fact.  And so, in order to deal with this, we need policy changes.  We need funding and resources. 

So, that’s what we would tell them.  We would tell these governor — Republican governors to talk to their representative, call on them to take action — call on them to take action.

I know I have to —

Q    Can you speak to President Biden’s relationship with Governor Abbott?  I know there has been a lot of back-and-forth — there are court cases.  How is that relationship, and what can you say about it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Well, you know, they’ve — they’ve had opportunities to meet a couple of times.  The President has been in Texas.  You’ve seen it for themselves — for yourselves how they have engaged with one another. 

And, you know, we’ve been very — we will not shy away from calling out what we see as political games from the governor because it is not safe.  It does not protect our communities.  It’s not — it doesn’t help Border Patrol to do their jobs.  So, we will continue to call that out.  That’s not going to hold us back. 

But the President — you know, he is a president for all Americans.  You know, it’s not about the governor of Texas.  It’s about the people of Texas, because — you hear me say this, and he has said this — he’s gov- — he’s a governor for — I mean, he’s a president — pardon me — for red states, blue states.  And that’s who he cares about.  He cares about the people of Texas and the American people more broadly across the country. 

I know I have to — I have to start — I have to start going. 

Go ahead.  Go ahead.  Yeah, go ahead.

Q    Thank you so much.  In the letter that you mentioned that DHS sent to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, they asked, you know, Texas to give CBP full access to Shelby Park by today.  As of, you know, a couple of hours ago — about an hour or two ago, Texas National Guard hadn’t take down the — taken down the razor wire.  They still had these barriers up.

I guess, is the President concerned that, you know, Texas doesn’t seem to be backing down or listening to the letter that DHS sent?  And I guess, would it — how does the administration plan to respond if they don’t, you know —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    — give DHS access? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’m going to let DHS speak to how they’re going to respond — obviously, DOJ speak to how they’re going to respond.  What I will say, it’s — it’s shameful.  It’s shameful that politics is being played here, political stunts are being done here as — as we’re trying to deal with an issue that Americans really care about.  Right?

And all we are asking for is Border Patrol to have access to an area so that they can enforce the law.  That’s what they’re trying to do.  They’re trying to actually do their job to enforce the law.  That’s what Border Patrol agents are meant to do, and that’s what they’re trying to do.  And you have politics being played.  And you have a governor getting in the way of that — in the way of that. 

And so, it is a — it is — it is shameful that we continue to see these political stunts, and we continue to see these political games.  It is not safe.  It does not help solve the problem.  It does not help solve the issue. 

Q    On India?  On India?

Q    A follow-up?  

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All right, then I have to wrap it up.

Go ahead.  Go ahead, Brian. 

Q    Thanks.  Thanks a lot, Karine.  I had a question on the border.  With the President’s emergency ask — you know, he’s asked Congress to — for more money to hire more Border Patrol agents, to hire more officers to vet people who want to come in to make sure they have legitimate claims.  Should the American people be prepared for the situation on the border to get worse if that money is not approved?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, you know, I’m not going to get into — you know, read the future of what things — of how things are going to turn out.

What I can speak to is what we’re trying to do right now to deal with the challenges, to deal with the broken system — the immigration system.  That’s what I can speak to. 

What I can speak to is what the President has asked for.  You just laid out, he asked for more border agents.  Obviously, he’s asked for 2,000 — to hire 2,000 more Border agents and law enforcement officers; install new drug detention — detection and technology to stop fentanyl from coming into — into the country, going into communities; hire more immigration judges and asylum officers.  That’s what was in his — in his plan.  That’s what he’s asked for.  That’s what he wants to see. 

Now, we’re having a very important conversation with the Senate — Senate Republicans and Democrats.  We appreciate that.  We think Congress must act; they need to act.  And that’s how we’re going to deal with this issue. 

If you think about it this way too: Three years ago — more than three years ago, the President, on his first day, put forward a comprehensive immigration legislation and put it forward toward to — to Congress.  If Congress had taken action three years ago — if they had taken action, worked towards that, we wouldn’t be where we are today.  We just wouldn’t. 

But now we’re having these conversations, and hopefully we can get to a bipartisan agreement. 

Go ahead, Andrew.  You have the last question.

Q    Thank you.  On the subject of the border and the Texas Guard.  I understand, you know, you want to refer some of these questions to DHS, because DHS, you know, controls the Border Patrol, but at a certain point, Texas Guard — Texas National Guard soldiers and National Guard soldiers from other states are being used to frustrate federal authority.  They are being used to get in the way of federal immigration enforcement and to flout a court order from a federal court. 

At what point does the President step in and say, “Enough of that.  These are American soldiers.  I am federalizing the National Guard and ordering them to let the Border Patrol do their jobs, because they took an oath to the Constitution and I am their Commander-in-Chief”?  When does that — when does enough become enough?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’ll say this: I’m not going to speculate on any actions the President is — could — could use.  I’m just not.  I’m not — I’m just not going to do that.  It is very clear, and I would remind everyone that the circumstances under which the federal government can mobilize a state’s National Guard are outlined in the law.  Right?  So, that — I’ll leave that there.  But I — just not going to get into speculations on any actions the president is going to take at this time. 

And I’m going to reiterate — I’m going to reiterate: If these Republican governors actually cared about doing something to — to deal with the challenges at the border, about doing something — real, meaningful actions — right? — to deal with the immigration system that’s been broken for decades — under Democrats, under Republicans, not just this president — then they would — they would reach out to their representative — their congressional representatives, you know, their senators and congressmembers in their state who they — I’m assuming — they know well.  I’m assuming they’ve worked with them on issues that deals with the federal — the federal — the federal government. 

They should talk to them, and say, “Hey, we need you, Congressman X.  We need you, Senator X, in my state, to work with Congress to work — maybe with the senators who are — the Republican and Democrat senators who are doing this process, going through the negotiations.  We need you to work with them so that we can fix, so that we can deal with the challenges at the border.”  That’s an — that’s an easy ask.  That is not difficult.  That is something actually easy to do.  It does not take much work from them —

Q    I —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  — to make those requests and to talk to their congressional members that they probably talk to and speak to about many other issues as it relates to their state and the federal level.

Q    I — I understand that, Karine.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.

Q    I understand you’re talking about the political process.  But —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  It’s not a political process.

Q    But what I’m talking about is —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, hold on a second.  It’s not a political process for a governor in their state to talk to their congressional members about taking legislative actions.  That’s not politics.  That’s just the right thing to do on behalf of their constituents. 

Q    I — I understand the point you’re trying to make, but —  

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  That is not politics.

Q    — what I’m — what I’m saying is —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  No, I — go ahead.

Q    — that this appears to be a concerted effort, led by the governor of Texas and joined by Republican governors, encouraged by the Republican likely nominee for president — who I know you cannot talk about up there — to flaunt — to flout federal authority, to undermine federal authority.  And you — you don’t seem to be willing to say the President will uphold the authority of the federal government.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I’ve already answered this question multiple times.  And I’m happy to repeat myself to you, Andrew. 

Number one, the President has taken this incredibly seriously — incredibly seriously.  When you have a president — for their first legislative action is to deal with immigration and put forth a comprehensive plan to Congress, because that’s the way you’re going to actually deal with this issue, three years ago — three years ago, Andrew — and no action has been taken by Congress. 

When you have a president that has been working with negotiators — via, obviously, his team here — with Republicans and Democrats in the Senate to have a real conversation to talk about — in good faith to talk about comprehensive ways to deal with policy, comprehensive ways to deal with funding, to deal with the immigration system — that’s a president that’s taking it very seriously. 

The President had Republicans and Democratic leaders here — and ranking members of those committees — and that conversation was — had to deal with Ukraine, but that came up as well.  And the President said it is important for Congress to act.  We have been saying this. 

If you have a Republican governor that is playing political stunts and continues to do that, and put, actually, the Border Patrol agents in harm’s way and preventing them to do their job, that’s a political stunt.  We’re going to call that out too. 

DHS has taken action.  DOJ has taken action.  That’s a president that’s taking it really seriously.  I can’t speak to DOJ actions, obviously.  But the — those things are being taken very seriously, because Border Patrol agents need to get to the area to do their jobs to enforce the law. 

So, if you think about it, you’re asking about our legal authority.  The governor is literally getting in the way of Border Patrol agents to do their jobs, enforcing the law.  That’s a problem, and that’s something for him to answer. 

Guys, I got to go to a meeting with the President.  Have a great Friday, guys.

2:46 P.M. EST

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For too long, we all know the border’s been broken.
 
It’s long past time to fix it.
 
That’s why two months ago, I instructed my team to begin negotiations with a bipartisan group of Senators to seriously, and finally, address the border crisis. For weeks now that’s what they’ve done. Working around the clock, through the holidays, and over weekends.
 
Let’s be clear.
 
What’s been negotiated would – if passed into law – be the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border we’ve ever had in our country. 
 
It would give me, as President, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed.  And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law.
 
Further, Congress needs to finally provide the funding I requested in October to secure the border.  This includes an additional 1,300 border patrol agents, 375 immigration judges, 1,600 asylum officers, and over 100 cutting-edge inspection machines to help detect and stop fentanyl at our southwest border. 
 
Securing the border through these negotiations is a win for America.
 
For everyone who is demanding tougher border control, this is the way to do it.
 
If you’re serious about the border crisis, pass a bipartisan bill and I will sign it.

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On Friday, January 26, 2024, the President signed into law:
 
S. 3222, which provides for safety and security exceptions from rules regarding rented office space for Senators; and

Thank you to Senator Klobuchar for her leadership.

S. 3250, which requires Federal courts to provide victims and their relatives with remote access to certain criminal court proceedings related to the December 21, 1988 Pan American Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Thank you to Senators Cornyn and Gillibrand for their leadership.

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The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACO), hosted a Convening of County Association Presidents and Executive Directors to highlight President Biden’s Investing in America agenda’s local impact on communities across the country.

Senior Administration officials and county executives explored opportunities to continue to partner on implementation of the agenda’s programs, including the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act. County leaders discussed key issues of concern for local governments, including access to broadband infrastructure, housing, and mental health care.

Administration officials included Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, Senior Advisor and White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Director Tom Perez, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation John Podesta, and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor for Resilience and Response Caitlin Durkovich.

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On January 10, the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Office of Public Engagement hosted nearly 70 local elected officials and community leaders from Rhode Island and Connecticut as part of their “Communities in Action” event series.

During the half-day forum, senior Biden-Harris Administration officials highlighted the impacts of the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Inflation Reduction Act on communities across both states. Attendees included local elected officials, labor leaders, businesses owners, community advocates, and health care professionals who work to leverage the historic investments from the President’s Investing in America agenda to create and expand opportunities for working families.

Administration officials included Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Director of the Office of Public Engagement Steve Benjamin, American Rescue Plan Coordinator Gene Sperling, and Deputy Director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Greg Wilcox.  Senator Chris Murphy (CT) and Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) also participated in the event.

The forum was the twenty-fifth in a series of “Communities in Action” events that the White House hosts with state and local leaders to demonstrate how the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering critical progress for the American people.

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We learned this morning that inflation was at the pre-pandemic benchmark of 2 percent over the last six months of 2023. That’s an important milestone that means more breathing room for working families.

Our economy grew by more than 3 percent in 2023, while inflation has been at 2 percent in the second half of the year, and unemployment remained below 4 percent for a second year. This means significant progress for American workers—with wages, wealth, and employment all higher than they were four years ago. As more Americans are feeling more confident about the economy, I remain laser focused on doing everything in my power to lower costs for families and fight back against extreme Republican efforts to hand out massive giveaways to the wealthy and large corporations, while raising the costs of prescription drugs and cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

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Tomorrow, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we join nations around the world and pause to mourn one of the darkest chapters in human history, when six million Jews were systematically targeted and murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators in the Holocaust during the 1930s and 1940s. We also grieve the Roma, Sinti, Slavs, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ individuals, racial minorities, and political dissidents who were abused or killed. And we honor the courage of survivors and the heroism of people who bravely stood up to the Nazis, risking everything to save innocent lives.
 
This year, the charge to remember the Holocaust, the evil of the Nazis, and the scourge of antisemitism is more pressing than ever. On October 7 Hamas terrorists unleashed pure, unadulterated evil on the people of Israel, slaughtering approximately 1,200 innocent people and taking hundreds more hostage – including survivors of the Shoah.  It was the worst atrocity committed against the Jewish people in a single day since the Holocaust. 
 
In the aftermath of Hamas’s vicious massacre, we have witnessed an alarming rise of despicable antisemitism at home and abroad that has surfaced painful scars from millennia of hate and genocide of Jewish people. It is unacceptable. We cannot remember all that Jewish survivors of the Holocaust experienced and then stand silently by when Jews are attacked and targeted again today. Without equivocation or exception, we must also forcefully push back against attempts to ignore, deny, distort, and revise history. This includes Holocaust denialism and efforts to minimize the horrors that Hamas perpetrated on October 7, especially its appalling and unforgiveable use of rape and sexual violence to terrorize victims.                                                           
 
Under my presidency, and our first-ever National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, we are continuing to condemn and fight antisemitism at every turn. Because sadly, these events remind us that hate never goes away. It only hides until it is given a little oxygen. And we must each do our part to ensure that hate in all its forms has no safe harbor anywhere in the world. It is our shared moral responsibility to stand up to antisemitism and hate-fueled violence at home and abroad and to make real the promise of “Never Again.”
 
It was a promise my father first instilled in me at our family dinner table, educating my siblings and me about the horrors of the Shoah. It is a lesson I have passed down to my children and grandchildren by taking them to the Dachau concentration camp in Germany, so they could understand for themselves the depth of this antisemitic evil and the complicity of silence or indifference. And it is a message that I have strived to honor during my visits to Israel and by inviting Holocaust survivors and Jewish hostage families to the White House – so the entire nation bears witness.
 
On this somber International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we hold the Jewish community and the people of Israel close in our hearts. We recommit to carrying forward the lessons of the Shoah, to fighting antisemitism and all forms of hate-fueled violence, and to bringing the hostages home.  And we remember the enduring strength, spirit, and resilience of the Jewish people – even in the darkest of times.
 

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In every corner of the country and the world, people are suffering the devastating toll of climate change. Historic hurricanes and floods wiping out homes, businesses, and houses of worship. Wildfires destroying whole neighborhoods and forcing families to leave their communities behind. Record temperatures affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans, especially the most vulnerable.

From Day One, my Administration has set the United States on an unprecedented course to tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad – securing the largest climate investment in the history of the world, unlocking clean energy breakthroughs that will power a clean economy and create thousands of jobs, advancing environmental justice for all, and rallying world leaders to transition away from the fossil fuels that jeopardize our planet and our people.

But more action is needed.

My Administration is announcing today a temporary pause on pending decisions of Liquefied Natural Gas exports – with the exception of unanticipated and immediate national security emergencies. During this period, we will take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America’s energy security, and our environment. This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time.

While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my Administration will not be complacent. We will not cede to special interests.

We will heed the calls of young people and frontline communities who are using their voices to demand action from those with the power to act. And as America has always done, we will turn crisis into opportunity – creating clean energy jobs, improving quality of life, and building a more hopeful future for our children.

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President Biden has been clear that climate change is the existential threat of our time – and we must act with the urgency it demands to protect the future for generations to come. That’s why, since Day One, President Biden has led and delivered on the most ambitious climate agenda in history, which is lowering energy costs for hardworking Americans, creating millions of good-paying jobs, safeguarding the health of our communities, and ensuring America leads the clean energy future.
 
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing a temporary pause on pending decisions on exports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to non-FTA countries until the Department of Energy can update the underlying analyses for authorizations. The current economic and environmental analyses DOE uses to underpin its LNG export authorizations are roughly five years old and no longer adequately account for considerations like potential energy cost increases for American consumers and manufacturers beyond current authorizations or the latest assessment of the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. Today, we have an evolving understanding of the market need for LNG, the long-term supply of LNG, and the perilous impacts of methane on our planet. We also must adequately guard against risks to the health of our communities, especially frontline communities in the United States who disproportionately shoulder the burden of pollution from new export facilities. The pause, which is subject to exception for unanticipated and immediate national security emergencies, will provide the time to integrate these critical considerations.
 
The U.S. is already the number one exporter of LNG worldwide – with U.S. LNG exports expected to double by the end of this decade. At the same time, the U.S. remains unwavering in our commitment to supporting our allies around the world. Today’s announcement will not impact our ability to continue supplying LNG to our allies in the near-term. Last year, roughly half of U.S. LNG exports went to Europe, and the U.S. has worked with the E.U. to successfully economize consumption and manage its storage to ensure that unprovoked acts of aggression cannot threaten its supply. Furthermore, in 2022, the E.U and U.S. pledged to work toward the goal of ensuring additional LNG volumes for the E.U. market – with the U.S. exceeding our annual delivery targets to the E.U. in each of the past two years. Through existing LNG production and export infrastructure, the U.S. has – and will continue – to deliver for our allies.
 
As Republicans in Congress continue to deny the very existence of climate change while attempting to strip their constituents of the economic, environmental and health benefits of the President’s historic climate investments, the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to lead the way in ambitious climate action while ensuring the American economy remains the envy of the world.
 
Biden-Harris Administration’s Top Climate Accomplishments:

1. Signed into law the largest climate investment in history, the Inflation Reduction Act, which has already created 210,000 new jobs across nearly every state and attracted more than $200 billion in private clean energy investments ($365 billion since President Biden took office), while putting the U.S. on a path to meet our climate goals and reach 80% clean energy by 2030 – in addition to securing the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and CHIPS and Science Act
   
2. Established a whole-of-government strategy to tackle methane emissions – from plugging wells and leaks in the oil and gas sector, to reclaiming abandoned coal mines, to reducing food waste and agricultural emissions, and finalized a historic rule to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations by nearly 80%, delivering billions of dollars in health and economic benefits
   
3. Launched the American Climate Corps to mobilize a new, diverse generation of Americans – putting them to work conserving and restoring our lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficient technologies, and advancing environmental justice, all while creating pathways to high-quality, good-paying jobs 
   
4. Advancing the most ambitious environmental justice agenda in history, including by signing a historic Executive Order that calls on the federal government to bring clean energy and healthy environments to all and mitigate harm to those who have suffered from toxic pollution and other environmental burdens like climate change; delivering on the Justice40 initiative, which is ensuring that the benefits of President Biden’s historic investments in America – from clean energy projects to floodwater protections – reach communities that need them most; replacing lead pipes and taking action to protect communities from PFAS pollution; accelerating Superfund cleanups; tightening air quality enforcement near pollution facilities; and more
   
5. Protected 26 million acres of lands and waters – on track to conserve more lands and waters than any President in history – including five new national monuments that include protections for lands in Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and most recently, the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona; initiating new national marine sanctuaries as part of the President’s goal of conserving 30% of lands and waters by 2030, delivering billions of dollars to accelerate land, water, and wildlife conservation efforts in all 50 states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribal nations; and more
   
6. Canceled remaining oil and gas leases issued by the previous administration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, proposed protections for more than 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, and withdrew approximately 2.8 million acres of the Beaufort Sea, ensuring the entire United States Arctic Ocean is off limits to new oil and gas leasing
   
7. Signed an Executive Order that sets an ambitious target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions, while proposing strongest-ever limits on tail pipe emissions and issuing fuel economy standards, giving Americans more choices about the cars they drive, and saving Americans hundreds of dollars at the pump
   
8. Proposed carbon pollution standards for coal and gas-fired power plant emissions that would avoid hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions and protect people’s health
   
9. Accelerated permitting of clean energy projects, including 47 projects on public lands that total 11.2 megawatts of wind, solar and geothermal energy on public lands – enough to power more than 3.5 million homes, and broke ground on 10 major transmission projects, which are slated to connect 19.5 gigawatts of new generation to the grid
   
10. Rallied world leaders to raise global climate ambition, including by securing commitments from more than 155 countries to reduce methane emissions by at least 30 percent by 2030, joining leaders at COP28 to commit, for the first time, to transition away from fossil fuels, end new unabated coal capacity globally, and agree to triple renewable energy globally by 2030
    
11. Invoked the Defense Production Act using emergency authority on the basis of climate change to increase domestic production of key clean energy technologies, such as solar, transformers and electric grid components, and heat pumps 

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