English subtitles for clip: File:9-23-16- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Earnest: Good
afternoon, everybody.

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I apologize for keeping
you waiting, but I assume

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that you enjoyed the music
that was playing

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in my absence.

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So I'm late, but at least
I arranged for some little

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entertainment before
we get started.

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TGIF.

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Let's get this going.

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Josh, do you
want to start?

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The Press: Sure.

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Thanks, Josh.

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Let's start with this
Saudi legislation.

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I'm disappointed that
you didn't erect like a

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countdown clock, cable
news-style, for us to sort

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of all build up
the anticipation.

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But I know there are some
folks that work in the

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legislative office that
are adept at counting votes.

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Do you have the sense that
at this point, given the

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work that you've done to
try and persuade lawmakers

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to reconsider, that you
have the votes to avert an

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override of the
President's veto?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, Josh,
we certainly are counting

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votes and having a number
of conversations with

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members of Congress in
both parties, in both

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houses of Congress.

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One of the particular
challenges of counting

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votes in this instance is
the frequency with which

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we hear private concerns
expressed that don't

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match the public votes
that are cast.

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So I don't have a solid
vote count to share, but I

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can confirm for you that
we continue to make a

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forceful case to members
of Congress that

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overriding the President's
veto means that this

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country will start
pursuing a less forceful

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approach in dealing
with state sponsors of

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terrorism, and it
potentially opens up U.S.

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servicemembers and
diplomats and even

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companies to spurious
lawsuits in kangaroo

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courts around the world.

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That's the crux
of our concern.

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And I know you described
it as the Saudi Arabia

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bill, and they certainly
are interested in

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the outcome here.

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But from the
administration

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perspective, our concern
extends not just to the

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impact this would have
on our relationship with

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Saudi Arabia, but rather
the impact that this could

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have on the United
States' relationship

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with countries around
the world.

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The Press: You've been
saying for a few days now

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that you're hearing one
thing from lawmakers in

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public and something
else in private.

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Are you suggesting that
members of Congress,

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including a lot of
Democrats, are being

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duplicitous by saying --
telling something to their

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constituents that's
contradictory to what

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they acknowledge
off the record?

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Mr. Earnest: I think what
I'm acknowledging is,

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first of all, I don't
think I'm the first person

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or even the first White
House Press Secretary to

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stand up here and to
say that we're getting

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conflicting signals from
members of Congress based

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on comparing their private
conversations and their

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public expressions of a
position on a

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particular issue.

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I'm also acknowledging
that the politics of the

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situation are
really tough.

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And if anything, I think
that is an illustration of

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the principled nature of
the President's position.

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The President is not blind
to the politics

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of this situation.

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The President understands
that the talking points

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that are being prepared
for the proponents of this

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bill have more political
upside than the talking

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points that I'm able to
present you from here.

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But if we're focused on
the substantive, long-term

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impact on our nation's
national security, that's

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what's driving the
position, that's what's

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driving the President's
decision to veto this bill

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-- not because it's
politically convenient,

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it's not; it's
political inconvenient.

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But when it comes to the
stakes and the impact that

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this could have on our
national security, the

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President is willing to
take some political heat

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in order to try to do the
right thing and stand up

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for a principle that has
an impact on the safety

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and security and risk
that's faced by our

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servicemembers and
diplomats around the world.

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The Press: I know he
disagrees with this

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substantively from the
points that you just

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described, but does the
President attach any

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symbolic significance to
the prospect of being

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rebuked by Congress in
a way that he never has

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before, and to having
another branch

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of government so
decisively overrule his

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decision-making
on a major issue?

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Mr. Earnest: No, the
President is

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not particularly
concerned about that.

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I mean, in part because
this President has gone

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longer in his tenure in
the White House than just

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about any other President
in modern history before

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facing the prospect
of having his veto overridden.

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That's not happened yet.

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We're going to continue
to make our case.

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But the President is much
more worried about the

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long-term impact of
this legislation on our

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national security than he
is about the impact that

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this could have in his
daily interactions with

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members of Congress.

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The Press: And on
one other topic.

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We learned today that
Cheryl Mills and two

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others officials were
granted immunities as part

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of the look the FBI was
doing into the Clinton

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email situation.

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Given that this whole
controversy is basically

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driven by the perception
that the Clintons play by

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different rules than
anyone else, does the

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White House think that it
was appropriate for the

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FBI to offer the
immunity to those

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three individuals?

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Mr. Earnest: Josh, off the
top of my head, I can't

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recall an instance in
which I second-guessed the

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decision made by the FBI
Director or an independent

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investigator at the FBI,
and I'm not going

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to start today.

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The fact is, the reason
that President Obama

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nominated Director Comey
to lead the FBI a few

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years ago is based on his
reputation and commitment

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to putting politics aside
and focusing on his

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responsibilities as a
public servant and as a

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senior law enforcement
official in the United

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States government.

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It's presumably that same
criteria that prompted

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just about every member
of the Republican Senate

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Conference to support his
nomination to this job,

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and to confirm
him in this job.

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So the President has got a
lot of confidence in the

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ability of senior
officials at the FBI to

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make decisions based on
their judgement, not

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on the politics.

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And that's what the
President wants his

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FBI Director to do.

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So I don't have any
insight into this decision.

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For more insight into it,
I'd refer you to the FBI.

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Ayesha.

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The Press: Thank you.

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Going back to the 9/11
bill, you say you're

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making your case.

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Has the President been
making any calls to

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lawmakers on this, trying
to prevent an override?

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Mr. Earnest: I don't
have any specific

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presidential-level
conversations to

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share with you.

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But there certainly
have been a number of

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conversations at the staff
level, here at the White

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House, with staff members
and members on Capitol

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Hill, again, in both
parties and in both

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houses of Congress.

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The Press: Secretary
Clinton has come out today

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-- or her campaign has
said that she should sign

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this legislation
if she was elected.

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Does that complicate
the efforts to persuade

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lawmakers to not
override this veto?

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Mr. Earnest: No.

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I don't think anybody was
particularly surprised by

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that announcement.

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The Press: Moving on to
the continuing resolution

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and trying to fund the
government, Democrats have

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opposed legislation from
Republicans in the Senate

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because it wouldn't
provide funding for

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Flint, Michigan.

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Now, I know that you're
not going to negotiate

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this from the
podium, but --

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Mr. Earnest: As easy
as that would be.

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(laughter)

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The Press: -- but I wanted
to know, does the White

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House support
that position?

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Should funding for the
government, should it

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include funding for Flint?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
the Republican Leader in

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the Senate put out a
proposal yesterday, and

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there are some attractive
elements of the proposal,

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the first of which is
Congress has a basic

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responsibility to keep the
United States government

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open for business, and
that's what the bill that

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he put forward would do.

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The President is obviously
pleased to see that, and

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that's certainly something
-- the President would

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like to avoid a
government shutdown.

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He believes that Congress
needs to do its job, and

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this is one element of it.

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This proposal also
includes funding to fight

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the Zika virus -- not as
much money as we initially

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requested, but after seven
months of waiting, it is a

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welcome development that
Republicans in Congress

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are finally moving forward
on a bipartisan proposal

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to give our public
health professionals the

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resources that they need
to fight the Zika virus.

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We were, however,
disappointed that Congress

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has not made a commitment
to addressing the

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situation in Flint.

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I know there are a bunch
of Democrats who are

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advocating for that
approach, but not

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enough Republicans.

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And the President is
concerned that that

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situation has not been
addressed in the

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context of these ongoing
negotiations.

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So he's concerned
about that.

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The President is also
concerned about the fact

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that the proposal includes
a rider that would

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essentially protect
the ability of special

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interests to funnel money
into political campaigns

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without having
to disclose it.

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First of all, I don't
really know what a

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proposal like that is
doing in a budget bill,

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setting aside the fact
that transparency in

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government and
transparency in politics

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is something that is
worthy of bipartisan support.

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So one of the reasons why
I was a little late in

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joining you all today is I
had an opportunity to talk

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with the President in the
Oval Office about

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this proposal.

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And after that
conversation it's not at

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all clear to me that he is
prepared to sign this bill

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because he believes that
Congress has got

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more work to do.

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And hopefully they'll get
to work on that and get it

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done without putting the
American people and the

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American economy through
another cliffhanger

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related to a
government shutdown.

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Michelle.

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The Press: When we're
talking about the 9/11

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bill, and you're saying
that sometimes what is

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said in these
conversations doesn't

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match the votes and that
the politics are tough, it

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sounds like you're saying
that Democrats are playing

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politics, just as you've
accused the Republicans of

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doing with other issues.

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Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
I think the -- I'm not

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going to generalize.

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I think what I would
encourage you to do is to

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go talk to these members
of Congress about what

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their position is.

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And the President has made
it quite clear about

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what his position is.

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It's a principled one.

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It's one that means he's
taken some political heat,

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but he's prepared to
take that political heat

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because he's committed to
protecting our

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national security.

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00:11:37,997 --> 00:11:39,997
But, look, here's the
other thing that

252
00:11:39,999 --> 00:11:40,999
I've acknowledged.

253
00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,000
The President is also in
a better position to take

254
00:11:43,002 --> 00:11:45,142
this political heat
because of his strong

255
00:11:45,137 --> 00:11:48,937
record of looking out for
the families of those who

256
00:11:48,941 --> 00:11:50,841
lost loved ones on 9/11.

257
00:11:50,843 --> 00:11:53,443
This is the President that
ordered the operation to

258
00:11:53,446 --> 00:11:55,646
take Osama bin Laden
off the battlefield.

259
00:11:55,648 --> 00:11:58,818
This is the President who,
time and again, advocated

260
00:11:58,818 --> 00:12:04,628
for legislation that
provided health care to

261
00:12:04,623 --> 00:12:07,463
recovery workers at Ground
Zero, even in the face of

262
00:12:07,460 --> 00:12:09,730
some Republican
opposition to that.

263
00:12:09,728 --> 00:12:12,228
And this is the President
who, time and time again,

264
00:12:12,231 --> 00:12:16,571
has spoken movingly about
the impact that 9/11 has

265
00:12:16,569 --> 00:12:19,239
had on our country and the
way that those who lost

266
00:12:19,238 --> 00:12:22,878
loved ones on 9/11 serve
as a daily inspiration to

267
00:12:22,875 --> 00:12:24,915
the President and to
Americans across the

268
00:12:24,910 --> 00:12:28,210
country in exhibiting
the kind of resolve and

269
00:12:28,214 --> 00:12:31,684
resiliency that's
unique to this country.

270
00:12:31,684 --> 00:12:33,854
And so, look, the
President is better

271
00:12:33,853 --> 00:12:37,153
positioned to take this
political heat than your

272
00:12:37,156 --> 00:12:38,286
average back-bencher
in the

273
00:12:38,290 --> 00:12:40,290
United States Congress.

274
00:12:42,328 --> 00:12:43,698
But that's heat that the
President is prepared to

275
00:12:43,696 --> 00:12:46,396
take, nonetheless, because
he feels strongly about

276
00:12:46,398 --> 00:12:47,898
looking out for the
interests of our

277
00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:49,240
servicemembers and our
diplomats when they're

278
00:12:49,235 --> 00:12:50,805
representing our
country overseas.

279
00:12:50,803 --> 00:12:52,643
The Press: But if he feels
that strongly about this

280
00:12:52,638 --> 00:12:54,938
particular piece of
legislation, why isn't he

281
00:12:54,940 --> 00:12:56,840
making calls or having
meetings with particular

282
00:12:56,842 --> 00:12:59,242
members of Congress?

283
00:12:59,245 --> 00:13:00,775
Mr. Earnest: Well, I
wouldn't rule out that

284
00:13:00,779 --> 00:13:02,979
he's had some
conversations about this,

285
00:13:02,982 --> 00:13:05,252
but I don't have any
specific conversations to

286
00:13:05,251 --> 00:13:06,991
tell you about.

287
00:13:06,986 --> 00:13:08,986
What I can say is there's
no doubt about the

288
00:13:08,988 --> 00:13:09,958
President's position.

289
00:13:09,955 --> 00:13:12,195
He stated it clearly,
both in answering your

290
00:13:12,191 --> 00:13:17,801
questions, and I've been
answering a number of

291
00:13:17,796 --> 00:13:19,796
questions about this every
day for the last

292
00:13:19,798 --> 00:13:20,798
couple of weeks.

293
00:13:20,799 --> 00:13:23,269
So I don't think there's
any doubt about what the

294
00:13:23,269 --> 00:13:25,869
President's position is
or why the President has

295
00:13:25,871 --> 00:13:27,871
adopted this position
even in the face of some

296
00:13:27,873 --> 00:13:28,873
political criticism.

297
00:13:28,874 --> 00:13:32,144
The Press: So in having
these conversations at the

298
00:13:32,144 --> 00:13:35,784
staff level, I mean, what
you said was a little bit

299
00:13:35,781 --> 00:13:38,181
vague -- that what is said
in these conversations

300
00:13:38,184 --> 00:13:39,924
don't necessarily
match the votes.

301
00:13:39,919 --> 00:13:42,259
But what would you say
about progress that is

302
00:13:42,254 --> 00:13:43,854
made in these
conversations?

303
00:13:43,856 --> 00:13:47,456
Do you feel like that -- I
mean, there's a positivity

304
00:13:47,459 --> 00:13:50,499
there, that this override
might not happen?

305
00:13:50,496 --> 00:13:55,406
Mr. Earnest: Well, let me
try to explain to you that

306
00:13:55,401 --> 00:13:59,871
in talking about this bill
to members of Congress,

307
00:13:59,872 --> 00:14:04,542
our staffers are saying
this opens up potentially U.S.

308
00:14:04,543 --> 00:14:05,543
servicemembers and U.S.

309
00:14:05,544 --> 00:14:10,054
diplomats to being hauled
into court under spurious

310
00:14:10,049 --> 00:14:13,519
charges or under spurious
claims in a way that would

311
00:14:13,519 --> 00:14:16,289
force the United States
to expend significant

312
00:14:16,288 --> 00:14:19,088
resources and, in some
cases, diplomatic capital

313
00:14:19,091 --> 00:14:21,091
to go and defend them.

314
00:14:25,297 --> 00:14:27,437
We also make a strong case
that the most effective

315
00:14:27,433 --> 00:14:29,533
way for the United States
to confront state sponsors

316
00:14:29,535 --> 00:14:32,335
of terrorism is to
level a government-wide

317
00:14:32,338 --> 00:14:34,638
designation against them
and take appropriate

318
00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:37,210
steps, including
sanctions, to isolate them

319
00:14:37,209 --> 00:14:39,209
from the United States
and the rest of the

320
00:14:39,211 --> 00:14:41,451
international community,
that that is a forceful

321
00:14:41,447 --> 00:14:45,887
way to compel them to stop
supporting terrorism.

322
00:14:45,884 --> 00:14:48,354
But if we delegate that
decision to a variety of

323
00:14:48,354 --> 00:14:50,354
judges in a variety of
courtrooms, at a variety

324
00:14:50,356 --> 00:14:53,496
of levels, that
unmistakable message of

325
00:14:53,492 --> 00:14:55,492
isolation is muddied.

326
00:14:56,862 --> 00:14:58,862
That's not a very
effective way for us to

327
00:14:58,864 --> 00:15:04,874
express and confront -- to
express opposition to and

328
00:15:04,870 --> 00:15:06,870
confront state
sponsors of terrorism.

329
00:15:06,872 --> 00:15:10,442
And when those arguments
are presented, some

330
00:15:10,442 --> 00:15:14,582
members of Congress
express some sympathy to

331
00:15:14,580 --> 00:15:17,550
that position and, in some
cases, even articulate

332
00:15:17,549 --> 00:15:21,549
their own unease about the
potential impact of this bill.

333
00:15:21,553 --> 00:15:27,893
I'll just point out that
members of Congress, those

334
00:15:27,893 --> 00:15:30,793
who do, in private,
express concerns about the

335
00:15:30,796 --> 00:15:34,096
potential consequences of
this bill are not alone.

336
00:15:34,099 --> 00:15:36,939
I read for you the letter
yesterday from George W.

337
00:15:36,935 --> 00:15:40,575
Bush's attorney general
expressing his deep

338
00:15:40,572 --> 00:15:43,872
concerns about the impact
of this legislation.

339
00:15:43,876 --> 00:15:45,846
He was joined by national
security experts in both

340
00:15:45,844 --> 00:15:49,814
parties who served under
President Bush and

341
00:15:49,815 --> 00:15:51,115
President Clinton.

342
00:15:51,116 --> 00:15:55,256
We got a letter our allies
at the European Union,

343
00:15:55,254 --> 00:15:57,724
some of our closest allies
and partners in the world,

344
00:15:57,723 --> 00:15:59,693
expressing their deep
concern about the

345
00:15:59,692 --> 00:16:04,232
consequences of this
legislation entering into law.

346
00:16:04,229 --> 00:16:06,769
So there's widespread
concern among our allies

347
00:16:06,765 --> 00:16:08,765
and among national
security experts in both

348
00:16:08,767 --> 00:16:11,167
parties that's consistent
with the argument that

349
00:16:11,170 --> 00:16:13,170
you've heard me make and
that you've heard the

350
00:16:13,172 --> 00:16:14,102
President make publicly.

351
00:16:14,106 --> 00:16:20,476
So the argument that I'm
trying to make here,

352
00:16:20,479 --> 00:16:26,789
Michelle, is to emphasize (that)

353
00:16:26,785 --> 00:16:29,385
much of the objection that
we encounter on Capitol

354
00:16:29,388 --> 00:16:33,188
Hill to our arguments is
not one that's based on

355
00:16:33,192 --> 00:16:36,192
the merits, but one that's
based on the politics.

356
00:16:36,195 --> 00:16:39,235
That's not a
new phenomenon.

357
00:16:39,231 --> 00:16:43,901
That's happened throughout
this presidency, and it's

358
00:16:43,902 --> 00:16:47,572
happened throughout the
presidency of the 43

359
00:16:47,573 --> 00:16:50,873
previous American
presidents.

360
00:16:50,876 --> 00:16:54,346
But in this case, we're
talking about our

361
00:16:54,346 --> 00:16:55,916
national security.

362
00:16:55,914 --> 00:16:57,884
We're talking about the
risk that is facing

363
00:16:57,883 --> 00:17:00,053
American diplomats and
American servicemembers.

364
00:17:00,052 --> 00:17:03,952
And that risk is
significant, and it's not

365
00:17:03,956 --> 00:17:05,826
one the President is
prepared to take.

366
00:17:05,824 --> 00:17:07,664
And he certainly is not --
does not believe that is a

367
00:17:07,659 --> 00:17:09,229
risk that the
country should take.

368
00:17:09,228 --> 00:17:10,298
The Press: Do you feel
these conversations have

369
00:17:10,295 --> 00:17:12,035
swayed any votes?

370
00:17:12,030 --> 00:17:14,700
Mr. Earnest: We'll see.

371
00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:16,270
Lana.

372
00:17:16,268 --> 00:17:17,868
The Press: You're running
a very persuasive case on

373
00:17:17,870 --> 00:17:19,510
behalf of the
administration for --

374
00:17:19,505 --> 00:17:20,275
Mr. Earnest: Thank
you, I appreciate that.

375
00:17:20,272 --> 00:17:21,542
The Press: -- well,
good for you on that.

376
00:17:21,540 --> 00:17:23,240
But you would think that
when you're talking about

377
00:17:23,242 --> 00:17:25,412
the diplomatic
consequences of that, when

378
00:17:25,411 --> 00:17:27,651
you're talking about
President Obama's own

379
00:17:27,646 --> 00:17:30,016
former Secretary of State
saying that that isn't a

380
00:17:30,015 --> 00:17:32,755
concern for her and that
she would, in fact, vote

381
00:17:32,751 --> 00:17:34,951
in favor of this bill if
she was in his position,

382
00:17:34,953 --> 00:17:37,023
how do you reconcile that?

383
00:17:37,022 --> 00:17:39,022
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
I'll let Secretary Clinton

384
00:17:39,024 --> 00:17:41,024
and her team talk about
the position that she's

385
00:17:41,026 --> 00:17:41,996
taken on this.

386
00:17:41,994 --> 00:17:43,564
The Press: You said you're
not surprised by it.

387
00:17:43,562 --> 00:17:45,232
Mr. Earnest:
Yeah, I'm not.

388
00:17:45,230 --> 00:17:45,900
I'm not.

389
00:17:45,898 --> 00:17:46,928
The Press: You're
saying she's taking the

390
00:17:46,932 --> 00:17:48,402
politically convenient
choice rather than the

391
00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:50,240
choice on the merits that
you've been talking about.

392
00:17:50,235 --> 00:17:51,335
Mr. Earnest: I didn't
characterize her position.

393
00:17:51,336 --> 00:17:53,836
I'll let her and
her team do that.

394
00:17:53,839 --> 00:17:56,639
The Press: So is there a
method by which somebody

395
00:17:56,642 --> 00:17:59,012
could look at all the same
information and come up

396
00:17:59,011 --> 00:18:01,411
with a different
conclusion about the

397
00:18:01,413 --> 00:18:04,153
potential diplomatic
consequences of this bill?

398
00:18:04,149 --> 00:18:05,049
Mr. Earnest: Potentially.

399
00:18:05,050 --> 00:18:07,490
You'd have to go ask
Secretary Clinton.

400
00:18:07,486 --> 00:18:09,456
I'm also not speaking on
behalf of the position

401
00:18:09,455 --> 00:18:11,455
that's taken by individual
members of Congress, either.

402
00:18:11,457 --> 00:18:13,457
They're going to have to
explain their own position

403
00:18:13,459 --> 00:18:16,929
and their own votes, and
if they want to reconcile

404
00:18:16,929 --> 00:18:19,629
their private
conversations with the

405
00:18:19,631 --> 00:18:22,401
White House about this,
then they're welcome

406
00:18:22,401 --> 00:18:23,401
to do that.

407
00:18:23,402 --> 00:18:25,402
And if they're -- I'm
not going to reveal any

408
00:18:25,404 --> 00:18:28,074
confidences here, so
they're going to have to

409
00:18:28,073 --> 00:18:29,913
sort of search their own
conscience in terms of

410
00:18:29,908 --> 00:18:31,108
making a decision about
how they want to talk

411
00:18:31,109 --> 00:18:32,679
about this publicly.

412
00:18:32,678 --> 00:18:37,078
I'm not aware of any
conversations between

413
00:18:37,082 --> 00:18:40,382
Secretary Clinton and
President Obama on this issue.

414
00:18:40,385 --> 00:18:42,785
So again, to get any
insight into the position

415
00:18:42,788 --> 00:18:44,658
that she's taken,
you'll have to ask her.

416
00:18:44,656 --> 00:18:45,626
The Press: Will you let
us know if they do have a

417
00:18:45,624 --> 00:18:47,164
conversation
on this issue?

418
00:18:47,159 --> 00:18:48,729
Mr. Earnest: Potentially.

419
00:18:48,727 --> 00:18:50,197
(laughter)

420
00:18:50,195 --> 00:18:50,865
The Press: All right.

421
00:18:50,863 --> 00:18:53,503
So, Monday night, does the
President have any plans,

422
00:18:53,499 --> 00:18:54,969
anything he's going to
tune into TV and watch?

423
00:18:54,967 --> 00:18:57,137
Mr. Earnest: Well,
Monday Night Football.

424
00:18:57,135 --> 00:18:58,105
The Press: Oh, Monday
Night Football.

425
00:18:58,103 --> 00:18:58,933
Is that what he's
going to be watching?

426
00:18:58,937 --> 00:19:00,007
Mr. Earnest: I know the
President is pretty fired

427
00:19:00,005 --> 00:19:00,935
up about Monday
Night Football.

428
00:19:00,939 --> 00:19:02,009
I don't know who's on the
calendar for Monday Night

429
00:19:02,007 --> 00:19:04,007
Football this week, but
I'm sure the President does.

430
00:19:04,009 --> 00:19:04,679
(laughter)

431
00:19:04,676 --> 00:19:06,876
Look, I would anticipate
that the President will

432
00:19:06,879 --> 00:19:08,749
watch much of, if not
all, of the debate.

433
00:19:08,747 --> 00:19:10,787
I didn't talk to him
about that today.

434
00:19:10,782 --> 00:19:17,552
But look, I think there
will be millions of people

435
00:19:17,556 --> 00:19:19,526
across the country who are
quite interested to see

436
00:19:19,525 --> 00:19:21,525
the two candidates on
stage together for the

437
00:19:21,527 --> 00:19:23,267
first time, and I imagine
the President will

438
00:19:23,262 --> 00:19:24,532
be one of them.

439
00:19:24,530 --> 00:19:26,530
The Press: And a follow-up
to yesterday's hack.

440
00:19:26,532 --> 00:19:30,232
You had said yesterday
that the White House was

441
00:19:30,235 --> 00:19:31,235
investigating this.

442
00:19:31,236 --> 00:19:32,206
Any updates?

443
00:19:32,204 --> 00:19:33,304
You weren't prepared at
that time to tell us

444
00:19:33,305 --> 00:19:35,105
whether or not that was in
fact First Lady Michelle

445
00:19:35,107 --> 00:19:36,107
Obama's passport.

446
00:19:36,108 --> 00:19:37,238
Can you confirm that now?

447
00:19:37,242 --> 00:19:38,512
Mr. Earnest: I'm not in a
position to confirm that.

448
00:19:38,510 --> 00:19:40,710
You can check with the
Secret Service, who

449
00:19:40,712 --> 00:19:45,052
obviously is at the
forefront of ensuring the

450
00:19:45,050 --> 00:19:49,450
safety of the
First Family.

451
00:19:49,454 --> 00:19:51,494
There continue to be
administration officials

452
00:19:51,490 --> 00:19:53,490
who do look at this
particular situation, but

453
00:19:53,492 --> 00:19:55,492
I don't have any update
on it at this point.

454
00:19:55,494 --> 00:19:58,494
The Press: And just one
more follow-up on that.

455
00:19:58,497 --> 00:20:01,597
Do you have any comment on
the potential Russian ties

456
00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:03,040
with this email hack?

457
00:20:03,035 --> 00:20:05,035
Mr. Earnest: I
don't at this point.

458
00:20:05,037 --> 00:20:06,037
Olivier.

459
00:20:06,038 --> 00:20:07,038
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

460
00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:10,939
On what's being called the
9/11 bill, can you share,

461
00:20:10,943 --> 00:20:13,613
or can you get us the
number of times that this

462
00:20:13,612 --> 00:20:17,112
administration has invoked
sovereign immunity and the

463
00:20:17,115 --> 00:20:21,355
circumstances surrounding
the most recent case?

464
00:20:21,353 --> 00:20:23,493
Mr. Earnest: Let me see
what I can find

465
00:20:23,488 --> 00:20:24,218
out about that.

466
00:20:24,222 --> 00:20:28,362
I'll look into it.

467
00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:30,330
The Press: And then just
on the substance of the

468
00:20:30,329 --> 00:20:33,629
question, why shouldn't a
government official who is

469
00:20:33,632 --> 00:20:36,632
responsible for, tied
to, whatever, an act of

470
00:20:36,635 --> 00:20:38,675
international terrorism --
whether it's a government

471
00:20:38,670 --> 00:20:41,110
official from this country
or another country -- why

472
00:20:41,106 --> 00:20:44,776
shouldn't there be civil
relief available to

473
00:20:44,776 --> 00:20:46,616
relatives of people who
were killed under

474
00:20:46,612 --> 00:20:48,142
those circumstances?

475
00:20:48,146 --> 00:20:49,686
Mr. Earnest: Well, because
I think the question

476
00:20:49,681 --> 00:20:52,981
really, Olivier, is to
evaluate -- well, I think

477
00:20:52,985 --> 00:20:54,985
the question is actually
about whether or not the

478
00:20:54,987 --> 00:20:56,987
country of Saudi Arabia
would be held responsible.

479
00:20:56,989 --> 00:20:58,989
The Press: But when you're
being asked, you're

480
00:20:58,991 --> 00:21:02,331
pointing to specific
American diplomats and

481
00:21:02,327 --> 00:21:03,697
servicemen and women.

482
00:21:03,695 --> 00:21:06,965
So, clearly, individuals
here -- there's got to be

483
00:21:06,965 --> 00:21:09,535
jeopardy for individuals.

484
00:21:09,534 --> 00:21:11,534
Mr. Earnest: What I'm
suggesting is that that

485
00:21:11,536 --> 00:21:14,036
could be the corresponding
response to this

486
00:21:14,039 --> 00:21:15,939
legislation going
into effect.

487
00:21:15,941 --> 00:21:18,341
And that would be a
reasonable reciprocation

488
00:21:18,343 --> 00:21:24,953
of the steps that the
United States Congress is

489
00:21:24,950 --> 00:21:26,450
poised to pass
into law here.

490
00:21:26,451 --> 00:21:29,721
So look, the
administration believes

491
00:21:29,721 --> 00:21:31,721
strongly that individuals
need to be

492
00:21:31,723 --> 00:21:33,193
held accountable.

493
00:21:33,191 --> 00:21:38,801
And, in fact, we also
believe that countries who

494
00:21:38,797 --> 00:21:41,797
sponsor terrorism should
be held accountable.

495
00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,740
And if anything, this
legislation waters down

496
00:21:45,737 --> 00:21:47,437
our ability to do that.

497
00:21:47,439 --> 00:21:51,479
There already is a well
codified -- there already

498
00:21:51,476 --> 00:21:56,616
is a codified process
enacted by Congress for

499
00:21:56,615 --> 00:21:59,015
designating specific
countries as state

500
00:21:59,017 --> 00:22:01,017
sponsors of terrorism.

501
00:22:02,421 --> 00:22:07,021
So there are countries
like Iran and Syria that

502
00:22:07,025 --> 00:22:10,395
fit that description, and
they are faced with a

503
00:22:10,395 --> 00:22:13,795
whole set of sanctions
and broader international

504
00:22:13,799 --> 00:22:17,769
isolation because
of that designation.

505
00:22:17,769 --> 00:22:20,069
And that's a forceful
way -- that's a

506
00:22:20,072 --> 00:22:22,142
forceful response.

507
00:22:22,140 --> 00:22:26,340
And if we were going to
essentially delegate that

508
00:22:26,344 --> 00:22:30,684
designation to individual
judges considering

509
00:22:30,682 --> 00:22:32,682
different pieces of
evidence and reaching

510
00:22:32,684 --> 00:22:35,184
different conclusions
potentially, that waters

511
00:22:35,187 --> 00:22:37,957
down our ability to send
an unmistakable signal

512
00:22:37,956 --> 00:22:42,296
that the United States is
prepared to confront, in

513
00:22:42,294 --> 00:22:45,964
the toughest possible
terms, governments that

514
00:22:45,964 --> 00:22:48,264
sponsor terrorism.

515
00:22:48,266 --> 00:22:49,136
Cheryl.

516
00:22:49,134 --> 00:22:50,034
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

517
00:22:50,035 --> 00:22:54,305
On the CR, we're one week
away from the end of the

518
00:22:54,306 --> 00:22:56,176
fiscal year and a possible
government shutdown.

519
00:22:56,174 --> 00:23:00,014
Do you believe that the CR
proposal that the Senate

520
00:23:00,011 --> 00:23:03,781
has is the best you're
going to get, or are you

521
00:23:03,782 --> 00:23:07,122
expecting them to
continue negotiating it?

522
00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:08,089
Mr. Earnest: The President
does believe that they've

523
00:23:08,086 --> 00:23:09,086
got more work to do.

524
00:23:09,087 --> 00:23:14,457
And I think there are
a lot of Democrats on

525
00:23:14,459 --> 00:23:17,559
Capitol Hill who share
that view, and I think it

526
00:23:17,562 --> 00:23:22,432
is unclear at best right
now whether or not this

527
00:23:22,434 --> 00:23:28,744
particular piece of
legislation will pass both

528
00:23:28,740 --> 00:23:30,740
houses of Congress and
make its way to the

529
00:23:30,742 --> 00:23:31,942
President's desk.

530
00:23:31,943 --> 00:23:36,013
Even if it were, it's also
unclear at best right now

531
00:23:36,014 --> 00:23:38,284
if the President
would sign it.

532
00:23:38,283 --> 00:23:43,253
So it sounds to me like
Republicans in Congress

533
00:23:43,255 --> 00:23:45,925
have some more work to
do to make sure that the

534
00:23:45,924 --> 00:23:47,924
government doesn't shut
down a week from now.

535
00:23:47,926 --> 00:23:53,166
The Press: How would you
describe, at least from

536
00:23:53,165 --> 00:23:56,135
the White House
perspective, the tenor

537
00:23:56,134 --> 00:23:57,134
of the negotiations?

538
00:23:57,135 --> 00:24:00,305
Clearly, there does not
appear to be panic that

539
00:24:00,305 --> 00:24:01,475
the government is
about to shut down.

540
00:24:01,473 --> 00:24:04,273
Would you say negotiations
are going well,

541
00:24:04,276 --> 00:24:06,146
better this year?

542
00:24:06,144 --> 00:24:09,514
Mr. Earnest: Well, I do
think it's too early for

543
00:24:09,514 --> 00:24:10,514
people to panic.

544
00:24:10,515 --> 00:24:11,515
So I'm not
advocating that.

545
00:24:11,516 --> 00:24:15,556
But there remains some
important work to be done.

546
00:24:15,554 --> 00:24:18,724
Fortunately, there are
seven days to get it done.

547
00:24:18,723 --> 00:24:21,623
And hopefully Congress
will not take all seven

548
00:24:21,626 --> 00:24:26,196
days, but will spend some
time working over the weekend.

549
00:24:26,198 --> 00:24:28,198
I don't think that's too
much to ask considering

550
00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:31,070
they recently completed
a seven-week vacation.

551
00:24:31,069 --> 00:24:34,909
So pulling a few hours
over the weekend to make

552
00:24:34,906 --> 00:24:36,576
sure this gets done in a
timely fashion I don't

553
00:24:36,575 --> 00:24:40,275
think is too much for the
American people to ensure

554
00:24:40,278 --> 00:24:42,678
that Congress is
fulfilling arguably their

555
00:24:42,681 --> 00:24:44,721
most basic responsibility,
which is funding the

556
00:24:44,716 --> 00:24:47,656
government and avoiding
a government shutdown.

557
00:24:47,652 --> 00:24:48,692
Ron.

558
00:24:48,687 --> 00:24:50,287
The Press: I'm not sure I
understand this argument

559
00:24:50,288 --> 00:24:53,188
about the bill, the 9/11
bill and state

560
00:24:53,191 --> 00:24:55,891
sponsors of terrorism.

561
00:24:55,894 --> 00:24:58,494
There's no other way to
designate a country or to

562
00:24:58,496 --> 00:25:01,766
impose sanctions
comprehensively on a

563
00:25:01,766 --> 00:25:06,576
country if this bill is --
aside from this mechanism?

564
00:25:06,571 --> 00:25:08,871
Mr. Earnest: Ron, the
point is that there

565
00:25:08,874 --> 00:25:13,374
already is an existing
system for doing that.

566
00:25:13,378 --> 00:25:14,378
That's the point.

567
00:25:14,379 --> 00:25:18,519
The Press: So what you're
saying is that if this --

568
00:25:18,516 --> 00:25:19,516
this would eliminate that?

569
00:25:19,517 --> 00:25:21,517
Mr. Earnest: No, no, it
wouldn't eliminate that.

570
00:25:21,519 --> 00:25:23,619
But it certainly would
cloud that judgement.

571
00:25:23,622 --> 00:25:25,722
Because right now, for
example, Saudi Arabia is

572
00:25:25,724 --> 00:25:29,594
not on the state
sponsors of terror list.

573
00:25:29,594 --> 00:25:35,334
And this kind of
legislation could open up

574
00:25:35,333 --> 00:25:37,703
the potential for a
variety of court decisions

575
00:25:37,702 --> 00:25:40,242
that could reach differing
conclusions about that.

576
00:25:40,238 --> 00:25:42,238
You could also imagine
other court cases being

577
00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:44,540
filed that would raise
similar questions about

578
00:25:44,542 --> 00:25:47,182
Iran's conduct or
Syria's conduct.

579
00:25:47,178 --> 00:25:50,848
And if we end up in a
situation where plaintiffs

580
00:25:50,849 --> 00:25:53,989
in a case do not succeed
in making their case

581
00:25:53,985 --> 00:25:58,895
against Syria,
hypothetically, it

582
00:25:58,890 --> 00:26:01,830
certainly muddies the
water when it

583
00:26:01,826 --> 00:26:02,826
comes to the U.S.

584
00:26:02,827 --> 00:26:07,597
government position about
whether or not Syria is

585
00:26:07,599 --> 00:26:10,369
complicit in
supporting terrorism.

586
00:26:10,368 --> 00:26:13,208
The Press: The other part
of this -- you were asked

587
00:26:13,204 --> 00:26:14,774
earlier about
sovereign immunity.

588
00:26:14,773 --> 00:26:18,213
What is the situation --
is there any situation

589
00:26:18,209 --> 00:26:22,349
that you can recall, or
if you can tell us about

590
00:26:22,347 --> 00:26:25,117
where, without that
protection abroad, a

591
00:26:25,116 --> 00:26:27,416
diplomat, a soldier,
someone would have

592
00:26:27,419 --> 00:26:28,089
been at risk?

593
00:26:28,086 --> 00:26:30,356
Mr. Earnest: Well, for a
specific case, I'd refer

594
00:26:30,355 --> 00:26:31,895
you to the Department of
Justice or even the State

595
00:26:31,890 --> 00:26:33,120
Department, and they may
be able to tell you a

596
00:26:33,124 --> 00:26:35,364
little bit more about a
particular situation

597
00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:37,800
where this cropped up.

598
00:26:37,796 --> 00:26:41,096
But in general,
we know that U.S.

599
00:26:41,099 --> 00:26:44,799
government personnel are
engaged in a variety of

600
00:26:44,803 --> 00:26:47,543
activities to protect our
national security, to

601
00:26:47,539 --> 00:26:51,209
advance our interests
around the world.

602
00:26:51,209 --> 00:26:53,609
And the prospect that in
carrying out that work

603
00:26:53,611 --> 00:26:56,751
they could get hauled
into court in some other

604
00:26:56,748 --> 00:27:00,518
country under dubious
pretenses, that's

605
00:27:00,518 --> 00:27:02,518
something that we're
deeply concerned about.

606
00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:06,760
But that's exactly the
kind of loophole that

607
00:27:06,758 --> 00:27:08,528
could potentially
be created here.

608
00:27:08,526 --> 00:27:09,726
The Press: Do you think
the Saudis would do that?

609
00:27:09,728 --> 00:27:12,768
Mr. Earnest: I'm not
going to speculate about

610
00:27:12,764 --> 00:27:14,334
individual countries and
what their potential

611
00:27:14,332 --> 00:27:15,262
reaction would be.

612
00:27:15,266 --> 00:27:17,506
But you can talk to
the Saudis about that.

613
00:27:17,502 --> 00:27:22,742
The Press: Have they
warned you or told you,

614
00:27:22,741 --> 00:27:23,611
told the U.S.

615
00:27:23,608 --> 00:27:28,678
what they will do if, in
fact, this bill is -- this

616
00:27:28,680 --> 00:27:30,020
veto is overridden?

617
00:27:30,015 --> 00:27:31,045
Mr. Earnest: Well, I know
they've said a number

618
00:27:31,049 --> 00:27:32,019
of things publicly.

619
00:27:32,017 --> 00:27:33,987
I'll let them characterize
their position.

620
00:27:33,985 --> 00:27:37,355
But our partners and
allies at the European

621
00:27:37,355 --> 00:27:39,325
Union are certainly
concerned about that, and

622
00:27:39,324 --> 00:27:41,624
that was the reason that
they sent the letter

623
00:27:41,626 --> 00:27:43,626
expressing their grave
concern about this

624
00:27:43,628 --> 00:27:45,628
particular piece of
legislation, because they

625
00:27:45,630 --> 00:27:48,230
understand that countries
around the world, and

626
00:27:48,233 --> 00:27:50,233
potentially countries
who are members of the

627
00:27:50,235 --> 00:27:53,635
European Union, would pass
legislation carving out

628
00:27:53,638 --> 00:27:55,638
exceptions to
sovereign immunity.

629
00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:57,910
And no country has more
to lose in the context of

630
00:27:57,909 --> 00:28:00,679
those exceptions than the
United States of America,

631
00:28:00,678 --> 00:28:02,678
given the preeminent role
that we play

632
00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:04,720
in global affairs.

633
00:28:04,716 --> 00:28:07,756
The Press: On Charlotte,
there's a DOJ team that

634
00:28:07,752 --> 00:28:09,652
went down there.

635
00:28:09,654 --> 00:28:12,354
Now, this is not an
"investigation," as in the

636
00:28:12,357 --> 00:28:13,587
case in Tulsa.

637
00:28:13,591 --> 00:28:15,731
Have they been able to
give the President an

638
00:28:15,727 --> 00:28:18,097
assessment of where the
situation stands there now

639
00:28:18,096 --> 00:28:22,136
in real time -- this
community relations

640
00:28:22,133 --> 00:28:24,603
team, essentially?

641
00:28:24,602 --> 00:28:26,802
Mr. Earnest: That team is
on the ground primarily to

642
00:28:26,805 --> 00:28:31,145
offer some expertise and
advice the local officials

643
00:28:31,142 --> 00:28:33,312
who are grappling with the
difficult situation right now.

644
00:28:33,311 --> 00:28:35,311
Their primary function is
not to report back

645
00:28:35,313 --> 00:28:36,713
to the White House.

646
00:28:36,714 --> 00:28:40,154
There are other ways that
the President can continue

647
00:28:40,151 --> 00:28:42,551
to be informed of
events on the ground.

648
00:28:42,554 --> 00:28:45,154
There are White House
staffers here who are in

649
00:28:45,156 --> 00:28:48,626
close touch with the
Charlotte mayor and her

650
00:28:48,626 --> 00:28:51,996
office, and the Tulsa
mayor and his office.

651
00:28:51,996 --> 00:28:54,336
I can tell you that senior
administration officials

652
00:28:54,332 --> 00:28:56,332
-- or senior White House
officials have been in

653
00:28:56,334 --> 00:28:57,934
touch with Anthony Foxx.

654
00:28:57,936 --> 00:28:58,966
He's currently
the Secretary of

655
00:28:58,970 --> 00:29:00,970
Transportation, but he's
also the former mayor of

656
00:29:00,972 --> 00:29:04,112
Charlotte, so he obviously
has a lot of ties to that

657
00:29:04,109 --> 00:29:07,649
community and a lot of
relationships with people

658
00:29:07,645 --> 00:29:08,785
who can offer an
assessment about what's

659
00:29:08,780 --> 00:29:09,610
happening there.

660
00:29:09,614 --> 00:29:11,984
So there are a variety of
ways for the President to

661
00:29:11,983 --> 00:29:13,253
get a very clear
understanding about what

662
00:29:13,251 --> 00:29:15,051
exactly is happening in
Charlotte right now.

663
00:29:15,053 --> 00:29:16,493
The Press: What is
the assessment now?

664
00:29:16,488 --> 00:29:17,758
Mr. Earnest: Well, look,
I think the assessment is

665
00:29:17,755 --> 00:29:21,225
one that -- the assessment
that the President has

666
00:29:21,226 --> 00:29:23,066
received is consistent
with the one that all of

667
00:29:23,061 --> 00:29:26,701
you have been reporting,
which is there continue

668
00:29:26,698 --> 00:29:28,568
to be protests.

669
00:29:28,566 --> 00:29:33,576
They appeared to have been
more peaceful last night

670
00:29:33,571 --> 00:29:37,141
than they were on the
two previous nights.

671
00:29:37,142 --> 00:29:39,142
That obviously is a
welcome development.

672
00:29:39,144 --> 00:29:41,144
And you heard the
President talk about this

673
00:29:41,146 --> 00:29:43,116
a little bit yesterday in
his interview

674
00:29:43,114 --> 00:29:44,114
with Robin Roberts.

675
00:29:44,115 --> 00:29:46,115
But this is a situation
that we're going to

676
00:29:46,117 --> 00:29:48,117
continue to closely
monitor from here in terms

677
00:29:48,119 --> 00:29:50,119
of the impact on that
broader community.

678
00:29:50,121 --> 00:29:54,561
The Press: And lastly, on
this issue of the release

679
00:29:54,559 --> 00:29:56,699
of the videotape and
all that, what is the

680
00:29:56,694 --> 00:29:59,994
President's thinking about
that particular aspect of

681
00:29:59,998 --> 00:30:04,968
this, given the demand
for transparency in that

682
00:30:04,969 --> 00:30:06,209
community and
so many others?

683
00:30:06,204 --> 00:30:08,344
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
the President believes

684
00:30:08,339 --> 00:30:10,339
that this is a decision
that should be made by

685
00:30:10,341 --> 00:30:11,341
local officials.

686
00:30:11,342 --> 00:30:14,982
And the mayor and the
police chief I think are

687
00:30:14,979 --> 00:30:16,979
the ones that ultimately
are going to have to

688
00:30:16,981 --> 00:30:20,381
decide, and they should do
so consistent with their

689
00:30:20,385 --> 00:30:22,355
judgment about the best
interest of the community.

690
00:30:22,353 --> 00:30:25,053
And they also are going to
have to make a judgment

691
00:30:25,056 --> 00:30:27,496
consistent with
state and local laws.

692
00:30:27,492 --> 00:30:30,732
And based on what I've
read, there may be some

693
00:30:30,728 --> 00:30:33,398
laws that could have an
impact on their decision.

694
00:30:36,534 --> 00:30:39,174
So I'm not going to be
able to speak precisely to

695
00:30:39,170 --> 00:30:41,170
the decision that needs to
be made by local

696
00:30:41,172 --> 00:30:42,172
officials in Charlotte.

697
00:30:42,173 --> 00:30:45,543
But as a matter of
principle, I think the

698
00:30:45,543 --> 00:30:47,983
President has reached
the pretty common-sense

699
00:30:47,979 --> 00:30:51,619
conclusion that when
you're in a position

700
00:30:51,616 --> 00:30:56,686
needing to build trust
with a group of people,

701
00:30:56,688 --> 00:31:01,388
being as candid as
possible is usually

702
00:31:01,392 --> 00:31:02,392
the best approach.

703
00:31:02,393 --> 00:31:03,893
The Press: And being as
transparent as possible?

704
00:31:03,895 --> 00:31:06,035
Candid, transparent -- I
don't want to put

705
00:31:06,030 --> 00:31:09,030
words in your mouth.

706
00:31:09,033 --> 00:31:10,003
Mr. Earnest: Candid as
possible is usually

707
00:31:10,001 --> 00:31:11,171
the best approach.

708
00:31:11,169 --> 00:31:12,399
Jerome.

709
00:31:12,403 --> 00:31:13,133
The Press:
Thank you, Josh.

710
00:31:13,137 --> 00:31:14,907
The EU President said
today that it was not

711
00:31:14,906 --> 00:31:17,706
realistic to get a
deal with the U.S.

712
00:31:17,709 --> 00:31:19,879
by the end of the
Obama presidency.

713
00:31:19,877 --> 00:31:23,617
The TPP, the prospect of
being ratified in Congress

714
00:31:23,615 --> 00:31:24,885
looks very limited.

715
00:31:24,882 --> 00:31:27,152
What's left of the
President's ambitious

716
00:31:27,151 --> 00:31:32,461
trade deals policy?

717
00:31:32,457 --> 00:31:35,827
Mr. Earnest: Well, Jerome,
the briefing room is an

718
00:31:35,827 --> 00:31:38,727
appropriate setting for
skeptical questions to be

719
00:31:38,730 --> 00:31:43,770
asked, but as is usually
the case in this setting,

720
00:31:43,768 --> 00:31:46,408
we're a lot more hopeful
than your question

721
00:31:46,404 --> 00:31:48,644
would suggest.

722
00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:50,840
There is plenty of
reason for Democrats and

723
00:31:50,842 --> 00:31:54,242
Republicans on Capitol
Hill to give careful

724
00:31:54,245 --> 00:31:56,215
consideration and
eventually support the

725
00:31:56,214 --> 00:31:57,614
Trans-Pacific Partnership.

726
00:31:57,615 --> 00:31:59,585
There certainly is
widespread public support

727
00:31:59,584 --> 00:32:01,984
all across the country,
and there are a variety of

728
00:32:01,986 --> 00:32:03,986
polls that have come out
in the last few months

729
00:32:03,988 --> 00:32:07,458
that indicate that a
majority of Democrats and

730
00:32:07,458 --> 00:32:09,458
a majority of Republicans
and a majority of

731
00:32:09,460 --> 00:32:13,300
independents across the
country support the

732
00:32:13,298 --> 00:32:18,638
Trans-Pacific Partnership
or trade deals like it.

733
00:32:18,636 --> 00:32:21,536
We also know that last
year the President was

734
00:32:21,539 --> 00:32:24,479
able to succeed in
building a bipartisan

735
00:32:24,475 --> 00:32:27,075
coalition to support
legislation that gave him

736
00:32:27,078 --> 00:32:29,918
the authority to complete
the negotiations.

737
00:32:29,914 --> 00:32:32,384
If you think about it,
that actually seems like a

738
00:32:32,383 --> 00:32:34,723
much tougher sell.

739
00:32:34,719 --> 00:32:36,359
Convincing Republicans
to give the Democratic

740
00:32:36,354 --> 00:32:40,494
President authority to do
something is a tough sell,

741
00:32:40,491 --> 00:32:44,131
but something we succeeded
in getting done.

742
00:32:44,128 --> 00:32:47,828
With regard to the TPP,
now we're in a position of

743
00:32:47,832 --> 00:32:50,402
just advocating to
Republicans in Congress,

744
00:32:50,401 --> 00:32:51,801
hey, do you want to vote
for a bill that will

745
00:32:51,803 --> 00:32:53,473
actually cut 18,000 taxes
that other countries

746
00:32:53,471 --> 00:32:55,611
impose on American goods?

747
00:32:55,606 --> 00:32:57,506
And we can go to Democrats
and say, hey, do you want

748
00:32:57,508 --> 00:32:59,508
to go raise labor
standards, and

749
00:32:59,510 --> 00:33:01,510
environmental standards,
and intellectual property

750
00:33:01,512 --> 00:33:03,512
protection standards in
countries all around the

751
00:33:03,514 --> 00:33:05,484
world in a way that will
level the playing field

752
00:33:05,483 --> 00:33:07,483
for American workers and
American businesses?

753
00:33:07,485 --> 00:33:09,485
We can actually do
something about these

754
00:33:09,487 --> 00:33:15,257
broader global trends
that, in some cases, have

755
00:33:15,259 --> 00:33:17,259
dealt a pretty tough blow
to some communities

756
00:33:17,261 --> 00:33:19,101
across the country.

757
00:33:19,097 --> 00:33:20,997
That's a pretty good case.

758
00:33:20,998 --> 00:33:22,998
Not a slam-dunk case, but
I think it's a pretty

759
00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:24,000
strong case.

760
00:33:24,001 --> 00:33:26,001
And based on the track
record of building a

761
00:33:26,003 --> 00:33:28,473
bipartisan majority last
year, we're hopeful that

762
00:33:28,473 --> 00:33:30,473
we'll be able to do the
same thing before

763
00:33:30,475 --> 00:33:31,545
the end of this year.

764
00:33:31,542 --> 00:33:33,082
But we'll see.

765
00:33:33,077 --> 00:33:39,987
With regard to T-TIP, the
European trade deal, it's

766
00:33:39,984 --> 00:33:42,684
not uncommon, over the
last several months, for

767
00:33:42,687 --> 00:33:45,457
people to be openly
worrying about whether or

768
00:33:45,456 --> 00:33:48,256
not this is something
that we can do.

769
00:33:48,259 --> 00:33:50,259
The President set an
ambitious goal earlier

770
00:33:50,261 --> 00:33:53,261
this year of trying to
complete negotiations

771
00:33:53,264 --> 00:33:54,664
before the end
of the year.

772
00:33:54,665 --> 00:33:55,835
They're not completed yet.

773
00:33:55,833 --> 00:34:00,033
They've got a lot of
negotiating left to do.

774
00:34:00,037 --> 00:34:02,937
But as I understand
it, the U.S.

775
00:34:02,940 --> 00:34:05,410
Trade Representative was
just in Europe within the

776
00:34:05,410 --> 00:34:08,380
last few weeks trying
to move this forward.

777
00:34:08,379 --> 00:34:10,679
So we'll see if we can get
you some more information

778
00:34:10,681 --> 00:34:13,281
from them about the
current status of

779
00:34:13,284 --> 00:34:14,454
those negotiations.

780
00:34:14,452 --> 00:34:16,352
But that's an ambitious
goal, I would acknowledge

781
00:34:16,354 --> 00:34:18,754
that on the front end, but
it's still one that we're

782
00:34:18,756 --> 00:34:21,596
aiming to achieve.

783
00:34:21,592 --> 00:34:22,832
Gregory.

784
00:34:22,827 --> 00:34:26,397
The Press: This 9/11
lawsuit bill seems to be

785
00:34:26,397 --> 00:34:29,237
framed as an up or
down proposition.

786
00:34:29,233 --> 00:34:31,503
Is that accurate, or is
there room for compromise?

787
00:34:31,502 --> 00:34:38,812
Mr. Earnest: Well, we
certainly would welcome

788
00:34:38,810 --> 00:34:41,550
congressional action that
would address the concerns

789
00:34:41,546 --> 00:34:43,546
that we've raised.

790
00:34:46,884 --> 00:34:49,854
So I guess that's the
reason that we're having

791
00:34:49,854 --> 00:34:51,994
conversations, is to try
to find an approach that

792
00:34:51,989 --> 00:34:55,829
would satisfy the concerns
and the desire of some

793
00:34:55,827 --> 00:35:00,297
members of Congress to
want to address the

794
00:35:00,298 --> 00:35:02,838
request of the
9/11 families.

795
00:35:05,369 --> 00:35:09,269
And we're hopeful that
they can find a way to do

796
00:35:09,273 --> 00:35:11,513
that that doesn't
carve out the kinds of

797
00:35:11,509 --> 00:35:13,879
exceptions that put
our diplomats and

798
00:35:13,878 --> 00:35:15,878
servicemembers at risk
around the world.

799
00:35:15,880 --> 00:35:17,880
The Press: But your answer
to Olivier before sort of

800
00:35:17,882 --> 00:35:19,352
suggested that there are
two moving parts here.

801
00:35:19,350 --> 00:35:21,350
There is the sovereign
immunity stripping

802
00:35:21,352 --> 00:35:25,652
provisions of JASTA, but
also the response from

803
00:35:25,656 --> 00:35:27,156
other nations, which may
or may not be

804
00:35:27,158 --> 00:35:28,998
reciprocal to that.

805
00:35:28,993 --> 00:35:33,063
So is there any -- am
I characterizing your

806
00:35:33,064 --> 00:35:34,264
position correctly?

807
00:35:34,265 --> 00:35:37,335
If that's true, is there
anything that you can do

808
00:35:37,335 --> 00:35:42,005
to reduce the immunity
protection without

809
00:35:42,006 --> 00:35:49,676
triggering some sort of
international law --

810
00:35:49,680 --> 00:35:53,080
Mr. Earnest: I guess what
I would say -- the best

811
00:35:53,084 --> 00:35:55,084
way I can answer your
question, Gregory, is to

812
00:35:55,086 --> 00:36:00,556
say that, yes, potentially
there is a way to address

813
00:36:00,558 --> 00:36:03,858
the significant concerns
that we've raised about

814
00:36:03,861 --> 00:36:05,201
the risk facing U.S.

815
00:36:05,196 --> 00:36:06,196
servicemembers and U.S.

816
00:36:06,197 --> 00:36:09,867
diplomats while also
addressing the requests

817
00:36:09,867 --> 00:36:10,937
of the 9/11 families.

818
00:36:10,935 --> 00:36:11,865
That's the --

819
00:36:11,869 --> 00:36:13,209
The Press: Are you
prepared to say (inaudible) ?

820
00:36:13,204 --> 00:36:16,304
Mr. Earnest: No, but I
think that's the nature of

821
00:36:16,307 --> 00:36:18,407
of Congress on
Capitol Hill.

822
00:36:18,409 --> 00:36:20,049
I don't know if something
like that exists, but

823
00:36:20,044 --> 00:36:23,344
we're certainly in
conversations to find out

824
00:36:23,347 --> 00:36:26,547
if it does.

825
00:36:26,551 --> 00:36:27,551
Toluse.

826
00:36:27,552 --> 00:36:28,352
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

827
00:36:28,352 --> 00:36:29,722
I wanted to ask
you about Syria.

828
00:36:29,720 --> 00:36:33,560
There's a new offensive
there in east Aleppo.

829
00:36:33,558 --> 00:36:36,158
I'm wondering if the White
House still believes that

830
00:36:36,160 --> 00:36:39,800
the ceasefire that was
agreed to is still in effect.

831
00:36:39,797 --> 00:36:42,937
And if you do, sort of
what kind of case can you

832
00:36:42,934 --> 00:36:45,474
make for it at this point?

833
00:36:45,469 --> 00:36:48,639
Mr. Earnest: Well, Toluse,
we clearly have seen an

834
00:36:48,639 --> 00:36:50,379
increase in violence over
the last several days.

835
00:36:50,374 --> 00:36:52,744
And that's not a welcome
development at all.

836
00:36:52,743 --> 00:36:54,643
In fact, the arrangement
that we tried to reach

837
00:36:54,645 --> 00:36:56,985
with the Russians was
engineered to try to

838
00:36:56,981 --> 00:36:58,881
reduce violence.

839
00:36:58,883 --> 00:37:03,083
And unfortunately, that
only worked for a rather

840
00:37:03,087 --> 00:37:05,287
short period of time.

841
00:37:05,289 --> 00:37:07,829
Look, over the last
several days we have seen

842
00:37:07,825 --> 00:37:10,095
Syria announce their
intent to unilaterally

843
00:37:10,094 --> 00:37:13,194
withdraw from the
Cessation of Hostilities.

844
00:37:13,197 --> 00:37:17,497
We saw an attack on U.N.

845
00:37:17,501 --> 00:37:19,671
aid workers, for which
we hold the Russians

846
00:37:19,670 --> 00:37:24,410
accountable, because know
that it was either carried

847
00:37:24,408 --> 00:37:28,378
out by the Russian
military or by the

848
00:37:28,379 --> 00:37:31,049
Syrian military.

849
00:37:31,048 --> 00:37:35,488
And Russia is the
party that's taken

850
00:37:35,486 --> 00:37:41,626
responsibility for keeping
the Syrian military in line.

851
00:37:41,626 --> 00:37:46,766
And obviously striking a
humanitarian aid convoy is

852
00:37:46,764 --> 00:37:50,404
way out of line, entirely
inconsistent with

853
00:37:50,401 --> 00:37:55,141
international principles,
and in the view of many

854
00:37:55,139 --> 00:37:59,139
people, potentially
a war crime.

855
00:37:59,143 --> 00:38:00,943
You also saw President
Assad make a statement

856
00:38:00,945 --> 00:38:06,485
yesterday falsely
ascribing blame to the

857
00:38:06,484 --> 00:38:13,154
United States for this
increase in violence.

858
00:38:13,157 --> 00:38:16,427
Nothing short of
a bald-faced lie.

859
00:38:16,427 --> 00:38:48,027
And then you had the
announcement overnight,

860
00:38:48,025 --> 00:38:50,025
East Coast time, of a new
offensive by the Syrian

861
00:38:50,027 --> 00:38:51,027
government in Aleppo.

862
00:38:51,028 --> 00:38:53,028
Considering that Russia is
the party that is taking

863
00:38:53,030 --> 00:38:55,030
responsibility for
ensuring Syrian compliance

864
00:38:55,032 --> 00:38:57,032
with the Cessation of
Hostilities,

865
00:38:57,034 --> 00:38:58,004
Russia is culpable.

866
00:38:58,002 --> 00:39:00,002
And if this arrangement
has a future, Russia is

867
00:39:00,004 --> 00:39:02,004
going to need to
step up and prove it.

868
00:39:02,006 --> 00:39:04,006
And they've got
some work to do.

869
00:39:04,008 --> 00:39:05,878
The Press: You've often
said that this is a test

870
00:39:05,876 --> 00:39:14,456
of whether or not Russia
is willing or able to sort

871
00:39:14,452 --> 00:39:17,392
of have influence on
the Syrian regime.

872
00:39:17,388 --> 00:39:20,658
I'm wondering if you've
been able to make an

873
00:39:20,658 --> 00:39:22,898
assessment on whether --
since this has basically

874
00:39:22,893 --> 00:39:25,393
broken down, whether they
were unwilling, or whether

875
00:39:25,396 --> 00:39:27,266
they were unable, and
if you think there's a

876
00:39:27,264 --> 00:39:29,764
difference in terms of
White House policy in

877
00:39:29,767 --> 00:39:33,007
terms of whether or not
it was one or the other.

878
00:39:33,003 --> 00:39:36,443
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen
-- well, that's an

879
00:39:36,440 --> 00:39:37,910
interesting
question, actually.

880
00:39:37,908 --> 00:39:41,448
I think it is -- I'm not
prepared to offer an

881
00:39:41,445 --> 00:39:44,885
assessment in each of
these cases whether or not

882
00:39:44,882 --> 00:39:55,162
it was weakness on the
part of Russia, where

883
00:39:55,159 --> 00:39:56,829
essentially they were
rebuked by the Assad

884
00:39:56,827 --> 00:40:00,227
regime, and despite
Russia's warnings, Assad

885
00:40:00,231 --> 00:40:05,541
went ahead and ordered
the actions that he did.

886
00:40:05,536 --> 00:40:11,646
Or if Russia failed to
clearly communicate to

887
00:40:11,642 --> 00:40:14,012
Assad what their
expectations were.

888
00:40:14,011 --> 00:40:18,721
It's too early to tell
exactly whether they were

889
00:40:18,716 --> 00:40:20,986
unwilling or unable.

890
00:40:20,985 --> 00:40:23,385
The Press: A third option
could be that they were

891
00:40:23,387 --> 00:40:25,157
not being straight
with the U.S.

892
00:40:25,156 --> 00:40:28,426
and they see some benefit
to having an agreement

893
00:40:28,425 --> 00:40:29,765
with the U.S.

894
00:40:29,760 --> 00:40:31,400
and not fulfilling
it on their end.

895
00:40:31,395 --> 00:40:32,295
Is that something that --

896
00:40:32,296 --> 00:40:33,466
Mr. Earnest: Yes, I
guess I would see that.

897
00:40:33,464 --> 00:40:35,464
I would put that in the
unwilling category, which

898
00:40:35,466 --> 00:40:38,666
is to say they weren't
willing to go to the Assad

899
00:40:38,669 --> 00:40:41,409
regime and actually make
them live up to the terms

900
00:40:41,405 --> 00:40:46,715
of the Cessation
of Hostilities.

901
00:40:46,710 --> 00:40:48,110
But I guess the question
you're asking is:

902
00:40:48,112 --> 00:40:54,382
"Does it matter?"

903
00:40:54,385 --> 00:40:58,385
I guess it's hard to say.

904
00:40:58,389 --> 00:41:01,459
It certainly matters if
they're unwilling, right?

905
00:41:01,458 --> 00:41:02,998
Because it certainly
does raise significant

906
00:41:02,993 --> 00:41:05,163
questions about
their credibility.

907
00:41:05,162 --> 00:41:07,502
If they were unable to, it
raises similarly difficult

908
00:41:07,498 --> 00:41:09,698
questions -- because the
only reason we're really

909
00:41:09,700 --> 00:41:12,200
having this conversation
with the Russians is they

910
00:41:12,203 --> 00:41:14,143
seem to be the only people
that we can talk to that

911
00:41:14,138 --> 00:41:18,308
do have any influence
over the Assad regime.

912
00:41:18,309 --> 00:41:22,579
And if they don't, then
I'm not really sure why we

913
00:41:22,580 --> 00:41:25,820
would continue to
talking to them.

914
00:41:25,816 --> 00:41:28,416
Well, again, we're going
to have to see how

915
00:41:28,419 --> 00:41:29,619
this plays out.

916
00:41:29,620 --> 00:41:31,490
And when I say how this
plays out, we're really

917
00:41:31,488 --> 00:41:35,628
just going to have to see
what the Russian response is.

918
00:41:35,626 --> 00:41:37,626
Their credibility is on
the line under

919
00:41:37,628 --> 00:41:39,868
either scenario.

920
00:41:39,864 --> 00:41:41,604
And they're going to have
to decide -- President

921
00:41:41,599 --> 00:41:44,099
Putin is going to have
to decide whether he's

922
00:41:44,101 --> 00:41:45,401
interested in protecting
that credibility

923
00:41:45,402 --> 00:41:48,202
in the international
community or not.

924
00:41:48,205 --> 00:41:49,405
The Press: One more
question on Wells Fargo.

925
00:41:49,406 --> 00:41:54,846
They obviously face about
$100 million in fines for

926
00:41:54,845 --> 00:41:58,285
setting up millions of
bogus accounts that

927
00:41:58,282 --> 00:41:59,982
customers didn't want.

928
00:41:59,984 --> 00:42:02,224
Now we're hearing from
Senator Warren that she

929
00:42:02,219 --> 00:42:04,119
believes the CEO should
resign and should

930
00:42:04,121 --> 00:42:05,661
be investigated.

931
00:42:05,656 --> 00:42:07,656
She just sent a letter
with eight other senators

932
00:42:07,658 --> 00:42:10,398
saying that Wells Fargo's
executive should be

933
00:42:10,394 --> 00:42:13,594
investigated by the Labor
Department for potentially

934
00:42:13,597 --> 00:42:15,437
unfair labor practices.

935
00:42:15,432 --> 00:42:17,372
I don't think we've heard
from the White

936
00:42:17,368 --> 00:42:18,038
House on this yet.

937
00:42:18,035 --> 00:42:19,975
So I'm just wondering, do
you agree with Senator

938
00:42:19,970 --> 00:42:22,410
Warren that the
CEO should resign?

939
00:42:22,406 --> 00:42:24,976
Do you think the fines
that were put out are

940
00:42:24,975 --> 00:42:26,445
enough of a punishment?

941
00:42:26,443 --> 00:42:28,543
And is the White House
going to weigh in any

942
00:42:28,545 --> 00:42:30,315
further on this
in the future?

943
00:42:30,314 --> 00:42:34,054
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
I can't recall an instance

944
00:42:34,051 --> 00:42:37,521
in which I called for
the resignation of an

945
00:42:37,521 --> 00:42:41,091
executive at a private
company, so that seems a

946
00:42:41,091 --> 00:42:43,191
little outside my purview.

947
00:42:43,193 --> 00:42:45,163
But maybe I'll reserve the
right to do that

948
00:42:45,162 --> 00:42:46,092
at some point.

949
00:42:46,096 --> 00:42:48,396
But I can't imagine a
scenario in which that

950
00:42:48,399 --> 00:42:50,739
would come up,
but we'll see.

951
00:42:50,734 --> 00:42:51,834
I haven't done that
before, and I'm not going

952
00:42:51,835 --> 00:42:55,005
to do it in this instance.

953
00:42:55,005 --> 00:43:00,875
With regard to the
Department of Labor, I

954
00:43:00,878 --> 00:43:02,748
can't speak to any
potential enforcement

955
00:43:02,746 --> 00:43:05,186
action that they
may be considering.

956
00:43:05,182 --> 00:43:07,122
Those kinds of enforcement
actions are conducted

957
00:43:07,117 --> 00:43:10,417
independent of any sort of
White House interference.

958
00:43:10,421 --> 00:43:12,291
And so I certainly don't
want to say something that

959
00:43:12,289 --> 00:43:14,529
could lead somebody to
conclude that there was

960
00:43:14,525 --> 00:43:17,165
inappropriate White House
interference in that

961
00:43:17,161 --> 00:43:20,061
decision, if there is even
a decision to be made.

962
00:43:20,064 --> 00:43:22,004
So I'll refer to them.

963
00:43:21,999 --> 00:43:23,739
More generally, though,
I do think that this

964
00:43:23,734 --> 00:43:32,544
announcement from the CFPB
is strong vindication of

965
00:43:32,543 --> 00:43:35,913
the President's pursuit of
tough Wall Street

966
00:43:35,913 --> 00:43:38,413
reform legislation.

967
00:43:38,415 --> 00:43:40,755
Republicans have been
foursquare against the

968
00:43:40,751 --> 00:43:45,251
CFPB since the day
that it was created.

969
00:43:45,255 --> 00:43:53,135
But the reason that the
CFPB was created is that

970
00:43:53,130 --> 00:43:57,430
there previously had not
been a financial regulator

971
00:43:57,434 --> 00:44:03,874
dedicated solely to
protecting consumers.

972
00:44:03,874 --> 00:44:08,384
The CFPB is the only
financial regulator with

973
00:44:08,379 --> 00:44:16,249
the express mission
statement to look out for

974
00:44:16,253 --> 00:44:18,853
American middle-class
families.

975
00:44:18,856 --> 00:44:23,196
And here it paid
off in spades.

976
00:44:23,193 --> 00:44:25,633
You had one of the
largest, most influential

977
00:44:25,629 --> 00:44:31,199
financial institutions
in the country scamming

978
00:44:31,201 --> 00:44:35,641
people who were trying to
set up checking accounts.

979
00:44:35,639 --> 00:44:37,879
And nobody was in a better
position to hold them

980
00:44:37,875 --> 00:44:40,675
accountable for
that than the CFPB.

981
00:44:40,677 --> 00:44:42,677
And they took action,
levying the largest fine

982
00:44:42,679 --> 00:44:46,679
in its history in response
to this egregious conduct.

983
00:44:46,683 --> 00:44:48,383
And that means that
they're going to be -- the

984
00:44:48,385 --> 00:44:52,355
fine was on the order
of $185 million.

985
00:44:52,356 --> 00:44:56,296
And that also -- when you
combine that with the

986
00:44:56,293 --> 00:44:58,233
other actions that the
CFPB has taken over the

987
00:44:58,228 --> 00:45:00,528
last several years,
they've put nearly $12

988
00:45:00,531 --> 00:45:05,541
billion back into the
pockets of 27 million

989
00:45:05,536 --> 00:45:08,006
American families that
have been harmed by

990
00:45:08,005 --> 00:45:10,045
financial institutions.

991
00:45:10,040 --> 00:45:15,080
I think that's a pretty
good illustration of the

992
00:45:15,079 --> 00:45:18,579
President making good
on his promise to bring

993
00:45:18,582 --> 00:45:20,522
change to Washington and
to change business as

994
00:45:20,517 --> 00:45:22,887
usual in Washington, and
making sure that there is

995
00:45:22,886 --> 00:45:24,026
somebody in Washington
looking out for

996
00:45:24,021 --> 00:45:25,521
middle-class families.

997
00:45:25,522 --> 00:45:28,522
And he took a lot of
political heat for making

998
00:45:28,525 --> 00:45:30,425
this a priority too.

999
00:45:30,427 --> 00:45:33,927
We saw millions of dollars
in lobbying efforts and

1000
00:45:33,931 --> 00:45:41,001
campaign ads spent by the
most influential financial

1001
00:45:41,004 --> 00:45:44,444
institutions in the
country to try to block this.

1002
00:45:44,441 --> 00:45:48,711
But the President stood up
to them and said no, even

1003
00:45:48,712 --> 00:45:53,352
though those financial
institutions have some

1004
00:45:53,350 --> 00:45:55,690
members of Congress in
their back pocket -- those

1005
00:45:55,686 --> 00:46:01,696
members of Congress who
have repeatedly tried to

1006
00:46:01,692 --> 00:46:04,692
gut funding for the CFPB.

1007
00:46:04,695 --> 00:46:08,095
So this is a good
illustration of why the

1008
00:46:08,098 --> 00:46:11,538
President fought so hard
for the CFPB, and I think

1009
00:46:11,535 --> 00:46:13,505
it's a pretty strong
vindication of his efforts

1010
00:46:13,504 --> 00:46:19,244
and the several million
American families that are

1011
00:46:19,243 --> 00:46:21,443
going to get the
benefit from it.

1012
00:46:21,445 --> 00:46:22,175
Bob.

1013
00:46:22,179 --> 00:46:24,419
The Press: Yeah, Josh,
on the 9/11 bill.

1014
00:46:24,414 --> 00:46:26,814
You keep saying it goes
against international

1015
00:46:26,817 --> 00:46:30,117
norms, and there's this
somewhat fuzzy area of

1016
00:46:30,120 --> 00:46:31,890
sovereign immunity
-- or is it fuzzy?

1017
00:46:31,889 --> 00:46:34,289
Correct me --

1018
00:46:34,291 --> 00:46:35,221
Mr. Earnest:
It's fuzzy to me.

1019
00:46:35,225 --> 00:46:37,165
I'm certainly no expert
in international law.

1020
00:46:37,161 --> 00:46:38,731
The Press: Well, that's
what I'm asking, I guess.

1021
00:46:38,729 --> 00:46:41,699
Can you say that this
would specifically go

1022
00:46:41,698 --> 00:46:44,038
against some kind of
international agreement?

1023
00:46:44,034 --> 00:46:48,134
Or is it just an
international norm?

1024
00:46:48,138 --> 00:46:53,908
Mr. Earnest: Listen, I
have not heard -- as a

1025
00:46:53,911 --> 00:46:56,411
technical matter, no one
has made the case to me

1026
00:46:56,413 --> 00:46:59,253
that this is the violation
of a specific agreement.

1027
00:46:59,249 --> 00:47:02,219
Maybe it is, and if it is,
then I'm sure one of the

1028
00:47:02,219 --> 00:47:04,059
White House lawyers will
be appearing at my door

1029
00:47:04,054 --> 00:47:05,724
when I get back to my
office to explain it to

1030
00:47:05,722 --> 00:47:09,122
me, in which case I'll
explain it to all of you.

1031
00:47:09,126 --> 00:47:11,466
My understanding, however,
the way that it's been

1032
00:47:11,461 --> 00:47:17,231
described to me, is that
there is a legal concept

1033
00:47:17,234 --> 00:47:20,604
of sovereign immunity that
countries around

1034
00:47:20,604 --> 00:47:23,304
the world observe.

1035
00:47:23,307 --> 00:47:25,907
And if the most
influential country in the

1036
00:47:25,909 --> 00:47:29,409
world starts carving out
exceptions to sovereign

1037
00:47:29,413 --> 00:47:31,813
immunity, then other
countries are going to do

1038
00:47:31,815 --> 00:47:33,185
the same thing.

1039
00:47:33,183 --> 00:47:38,793
Now, the problem with that
approach is that there's

1040
00:47:38,789 --> 00:47:44,699
no country in the world
that has more to lose from

1041
00:47:44,695 --> 00:47:49,035
carving out exceptions to
sovereign immunity than

1042
00:47:49,032 --> 00:47:51,732
the United States, given
the role that we play

1043
00:47:51,735 --> 00:47:54,705
around the world.

1044
00:47:54,705 --> 00:47:56,975
So that's what the --
that's the concern

1045
00:47:56,974 --> 00:47:57,574
that we have.

1046
00:47:57,574 --> 00:48:02,514
And what that means is it
means that there's more

1047
00:48:02,512 --> 00:48:05,852
legal risk that our
servicemembers and our

1048
00:48:05,849 --> 00:48:08,719
diplomats and, in
some cases, even U.S.

1049
00:48:08,719 --> 00:48:13,659
companies face as a
result of this action.

1050
00:48:13,657 --> 00:48:20,527
And at a certain level --
and so the concern is, is

1051
00:48:20,530 --> 00:48:22,600
not just the legal risk
that they would face, but

1052
00:48:22,599 --> 00:48:26,299
also the significant
resources and diplomatic

1053
00:48:26,303 --> 00:48:29,473
capital that the United
States government would

1054
00:48:29,473 --> 00:48:32,473
have to spend
to defend them.

1055
00:48:32,476 --> 00:48:38,486
So that's the principle
that's at stake, and

1056
00:48:38,482 --> 00:48:40,182
that's why the President
feels so strongly about this.

1057
00:48:40,183 --> 00:48:41,083
The Press: Is it fuzzy?

1058
00:48:41,084 --> 00:48:43,224
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
I'm not an attorney, so

1059
00:48:43,220 --> 00:48:45,420
I'm sure that there's --
somebody who is an expert

1060
00:48:45,422 --> 00:48:48,192
in the technical aspects
of this law would say that

1061
00:48:48,191 --> 00:48:50,831
the risk that we
face is really clear.

1062
00:48:50,827 --> 00:48:54,627
And look, I think in this
instance I'd be inclined

1063
00:48:54,631 --> 00:48:56,431
to believe them, because
it's not just White House

1064
00:48:56,433 --> 00:48:57,603
lawyers that have reached
that conclusion, it's

1065
00:48:57,601 --> 00:48:59,671
lawyers at the European
Union that have reached

1066
00:48:59,670 --> 00:49:02,810
that conclusion and it's
the top lawyer in the Bush

1067
00:49:02,806 --> 00:49:04,606
administration that has
reached that conclusion.

1068
00:49:04,608 --> 00:49:08,008
So this isn't some
partisan fight here.

1069
00:49:08,011 --> 00:49:11,211
This is basically
a contest between

1070
00:49:11,214 --> 00:49:12,214
politicians that are
worried about their

1071
00:49:12,215 --> 00:49:15,815
political standing and
experts in national

1072
00:49:15,819 --> 00:49:18,489
security who are focused
on the long-term best

1073
00:49:18,488 --> 00:49:20,428
interest of the country.

1074
00:49:20,424 --> 00:49:21,054
The Press: Can
I follow up?

1075
00:49:21,058 --> 00:49:22,088
Mr. Earnest:
Go ahead, John.

1076
00:49:22,092 --> 00:49:22,822
The Press: Thank you.

1077
00:49:22,826 --> 00:49:25,266
You're familiar with
the Foreign Sovereign

1078
00:49:25,262 --> 00:49:26,162
Immunities Act?

1079
00:49:26,163 --> 00:49:28,833
It's a law that was passed
-- signed into law in

1080
00:49:28,832 --> 00:49:31,532
1976, signed
by Gerald Ford.

1081
00:49:31,535 --> 00:49:33,675
And under the Foreign
Sovereign Immunities Act

1082
00:49:33,670 --> 00:49:36,110
there actually is one
exception that's carved

1083
00:49:36,106 --> 00:49:39,976
out for suing a foreign
government, and that's if

1084
00:49:39,976 --> 00:49:44,886
a foreign state engages
in commercial activity.

1085
00:49:44,881 --> 00:49:46,081
Are you familiar
with this already?

1086
00:49:46,083 --> 00:49:47,383
Mr. Earnest: I've
certainly heard of the

1087
00:49:47,384 --> 00:49:49,724
law, but I'm not familiar
with all the

1088
00:49:49,720 --> 00:49:50,720
consequences of it.

1089
00:49:50,721 --> 00:49:51,891
The Press: So there's a
carve-out -- there's a

1090
00:49:51,888 --> 00:49:52,688
carve-out that
exists right now --

1091
00:49:52,689 --> 00:49:53,219
Mr. Earnest: Yes.

1092
00:49:53,223 --> 00:49:53,923
The Press: -- under U.S.

1093
00:49:53,924 --> 00:49:56,264
law, and I assume the
President has no problem

1094
00:49:56,259 --> 00:49:58,529
with the Foreign Sovereign
Immunities Act and the way

1095
00:49:58,528 --> 00:49:59,868
this carve-out exists.

1096
00:49:59,863 --> 00:50:00,993
Is that correct?

1097
00:50:00,997 --> 00:50:01,527
Mr. Earnest:
That's correct.

1098
00:50:01,531 --> 00:50:02,971
The President does not
have an objection to the

1099
00:50:02,966 --> 00:50:04,036
Foreign Sovereign
Immunities Act.

1100
00:50:04,034 --> 00:50:06,374
The concern that the
President has is

1101
00:50:06,370 --> 00:50:07,570
carving out another one.

1102
00:50:07,571 --> 00:50:09,411
Carving out additional
exceptions only --

1103
00:50:09,406 --> 00:50:11,876
The Press: This carve-out
-- what's wrong with a

1104
00:50:11,875 --> 00:50:18,245
carve-out that would allow
an individual to sue a

1105
00:50:18,248 --> 00:50:21,888
foreign state engaged
in terrorist activity?

1106
00:50:21,885 --> 00:50:25,125
So you allow it for
commercial activity, but

1107
00:50:25,122 --> 00:50:26,492
why not terrorist
activity?

1108
00:50:26,490 --> 00:50:27,790
Explain that.

1109
00:50:27,791 --> 00:50:28,761
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
there are a couple of

1110
00:50:28,759 --> 00:50:29,259
things about this.

1111
00:50:29,259 --> 00:50:33,099
The first is, it's just
the principle that is at

1112
00:50:33,096 --> 00:50:36,236
risk of further erosion
and degradation as a

1113
00:50:36,233 --> 00:50:37,233
result of this bill.

1114
00:50:37,234 --> 00:50:39,804
And again, this is a
principle that insulates

1115
00:50:39,803 --> 00:50:41,343
and protects the U.S.

1116
00:50:41,338 --> 00:50:42,338
government, U.S.

1117
00:50:42,339 --> 00:50:43,439
servicemembers, U.S.

1118
00:50:43,440 --> 00:50:44,370
diplomats, and U.S.

1119
00:50:44,374 --> 00:50:45,874
companies around
the world.

1120
00:50:45,876 --> 00:50:49,116
This is a concept, this is
a principle of sovereign

1121
00:50:49,112 --> 00:50:51,552
immunity that is worth
protecting because the

1122
00:50:51,548 --> 00:50:53,488
United States benefits
more from that principle

1123
00:50:53,483 --> 00:50:56,653
and international regard
for that principle than

1124
00:50:56,653 --> 00:50:58,823
any other country
in the world.

1125
00:50:58,822 --> 00:51:00,762
Here's the other thing
that's important to

1126
00:51:00,757 --> 00:51:05,427
recognize, though, John,
which is there already is

1127
00:51:05,429 --> 00:51:10,329
a mechanism for
individuals who were

1128
00:51:10,333 --> 00:51:13,173
harmed by state sponsors
of terrorism

1129
00:51:13,170 --> 00:51:16,740
to be compensated.

1130
00:51:16,740 --> 00:51:22,650
So there already is a
mechanism for victims --

1131
00:51:22,646 --> 00:51:24,986
The Press: Individuals.

1132
00:51:24,981 --> 00:51:29,021
Mr. Earnest: --
individuals who were

1133
00:51:29,019 --> 00:51:31,659
harmed by state
sponsors of terrorism.

1134
00:51:31,655 --> 00:51:34,755
There's already a legal
mechanism for seeking that

1135
00:51:34,758 --> 00:51:39,298
kind of compensation.

1136
00:51:39,296 --> 00:51:40,496
The Press: After the
Foreign Sovereign

1137
00:51:40,497 --> 00:51:43,797
Immunities Act was signed
into law, I don't believe

1138
00:51:43,800 --> 00:51:46,000
there was any rush to the
courts all around the

1139
00:51:46,002 --> 00:51:49,972
world -- based upon that
one carve-out -- for

1140
00:51:49,973 --> 00:51:51,413
commercial activity that
a foreign

1141
00:51:51,408 --> 00:51:53,378
government maintained.

1142
00:51:53,376 --> 00:51:55,246
What makes you think there
would be this rush to the

1143
00:51:55,245 --> 00:51:58,015
courts based upon this
carve-out as it relates to

1144
00:51:58,014 --> 00:52:00,914
terrorist activity that
a foreign government may

1145
00:52:00,917 --> 00:52:02,287
take against U.S.

1146
00:52:02,285 --> 00:52:03,755
citizens on U.S. soil?

1147
00:52:03,753 --> 00:52:04,793
Mr. Earnest: Well, first
of all, John, I'll just

1148
00:52:04,788 --> 00:52:07,458
point out that Bashar
al-Assad did an interview

1149
00:52:07,457 --> 00:52:09,897
with the Associated Press
this week in which he cast

1150
00:52:09,893 --> 00:52:12,933
the kind of allegations
that, again, if there were

1151
00:52:12,929 --> 00:52:15,729
these kinds of exceptions
in Syria, could put the

1152
00:52:15,732 --> 00:52:17,872
United States at
grave legal risk.

1153
00:52:17,868 --> 00:52:20,808
So it's not exactly
uncommon for other

1154
00:52:20,804 --> 00:52:24,444
countries to irresponsibly
and falsely accuse the

1155
00:52:24,441 --> 00:52:26,241
United States
of terrorism.

1156
00:52:26,243 --> 00:52:31,013
The second thing is -- all
I can tell you is that

1157
00:52:31,014 --> 00:52:33,314
that is the legal
conclusion that the Obama

1158
00:52:33,316 --> 00:52:35,556
administration has reached
about the potential

1159
00:52:35,552 --> 00:52:37,522
consequences of
this legislation.

1160
00:52:37,521 --> 00:52:40,291
That conclusion was also
reached by officials at

1161
00:52:40,290 --> 00:52:41,960
the Europe Union.

1162
00:52:41,958 --> 00:52:44,258
And that legal conclusion
was also reached by

1163
00:52:44,261 --> 00:52:46,561
Michael Mukasey, who was
the Attorney General for

1164
00:52:46,563 --> 00:52:48,103
President George W. Bush.

1165
00:52:48,098 --> 00:52:50,938
So this isn't a partisan
conclusion or a partisan

1166
00:52:50,934 --> 00:52:52,574
analysis that's
been put forward.

1167
00:52:52,569 --> 00:52:55,339
This is an analysis that
is actually bipartisan in

1168
00:52:55,338 --> 00:53:00,908
nature and has been
reached by national

1169
00:53:00,911 --> 00:53:03,211
security experts
in both parties.

1170
00:53:03,213 --> 00:53:07,783
Again, I think that's
the reason that there is

1171
00:53:07,784 --> 00:53:10,184
sympathy for the case that
we're making to individual

1172
00:53:10,186 --> 00:53:11,386
members of Congress.

1173
00:53:11,388 --> 00:53:14,158
The question is, is it
actually going to show up

1174
00:53:14,157 --> 00:53:15,257
in the vote count.

1175
00:53:15,258 --> 00:53:16,728
And I don't
know if it will.

1176
00:53:16,726 --> 00:53:19,966
The Press: Your example of
Bashar al-Assad, does the

1177
00:53:19,963 --> 00:53:22,003
President -- does this
government consider him to

1178
00:53:21,998 --> 00:53:24,338
be the legitimate
leader of Syria?

1179
00:53:24,334 --> 00:53:26,434
Mr. Earnest: The President
believes that Bashar

1180
00:53:26,436 --> 00:53:28,476
al-Assad has lost
legitimacy to lead that

1181
00:53:28,471 --> 00:53:32,781
country; that, moving
forward, it is impossible

1182
00:53:32,776 --> 00:53:37,176
to imagine the country of
Syria coming together and

1183
00:53:37,180 --> 00:53:44,620
being led by a tyrant that
has used the military

1184
00:53:44,621 --> 00:53:47,361
might of the country to
attack his own people.

1185
00:53:47,357 --> 00:53:50,457
It is impossible for him
to have any -- just as a

1186
00:53:50,460 --> 00:53:54,730
practical matter --
setting aside the moral

1187
00:53:54,731 --> 00:53:58,931
questions here, just as a
practical matter, there's

1188
00:53:58,935 --> 00:54:04,575
no reasonable prospect
that President Assad would

1189
00:54:04,574 --> 00:54:10,544
build, earn, or win the
confidence of even a

1190
00:54:10,547 --> 00:54:13,387
majority of the
Syrian people.

1191
00:54:13,383 --> 00:54:17,523
The Press: Josh, the
Interior Department just

1192
00:54:17,520 --> 00:54:20,220
finalized a rule today
that would clear the way

1193
00:54:20,223 --> 00:54:22,063
for Native
Hawaiians to have a

1194
00:54:22,058 --> 00:54:24,198
government-to-government
relationship with the

1195
00:54:24,194 --> 00:54:25,764
federal government should
they form a

1196
00:54:25,762 --> 00:54:26,692
unified government.

1197
00:54:26,696 --> 00:54:29,596
Could you just explain
why the administration is

1198
00:54:29,599 --> 00:54:32,369
pursuing this, and whether
the President's own

1199
00:54:32,369 --> 00:54:34,809
childhood and experience
in Hawaii influenced the

1200
00:54:34,804 --> 00:54:36,004
approach the
administration has taken

1201
00:54:36,006 --> 00:54:37,576
on this issue?

1202
00:54:37,574 --> 00:54:39,274
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President took office

1203
00:54:39,275 --> 00:54:45,245
vowing to strengthen the
relationship between the

1204
00:54:45,248 --> 00:54:51,358
United States government
and tribal governments

1205
00:54:51,354 --> 00:54:56,194
around the country,
including the Native

1206
00:54:56,192 --> 00:54:59,062
Hawaiian population.

1207
00:54:59,062 --> 00:55:02,262
And next week -- I'm
jumping ahead here -- but

1208
00:55:02,265 --> 00:55:05,905
next week the White House
will convene the Tribal

1209
00:55:05,902 --> 00:55:08,742
Nations Conference here in
Washington, D.C. This is

1210
00:55:08,738 --> 00:55:11,008
something that the
President has prioritized,

1211
00:55:11,007 --> 00:55:13,977
and he's regularly
appeared at this

1212
00:55:13,977 --> 00:55:16,977
conference as a
demonstration of the

1213
00:55:16,980 --> 00:55:19,480
priority that he has
placed on improved

1214
00:55:19,482 --> 00:55:21,982
relations between the
federal government and

1215
00:55:21,985 --> 00:55:26,795
tribal governments.

1216
00:55:26,790 --> 00:55:29,390
The President obviously
does have his own personal

1217
00:55:29,392 --> 00:55:37,972
connection to the Native
Hawaiian population and

1218
00:55:37,967 --> 00:55:44,807
the rich cultural heritage
of the Native Hawaiian people.

1219
00:55:44,808 --> 00:55:46,808
The President got to
experience a little of

1220
00:55:46,810 --> 00:55:54,780
that when he traveled to
Hawaii a few weeks ago.

1221
00:55:54,784 --> 00:55:59,424
And the President believes
that that cultural

1222
00:55:59,422 --> 00:56:02,422
heritage isn't just worthy
of our respect, it's also

1223
00:56:02,425 --> 00:56:03,795
worth protecting.

1224
00:56:03,793 --> 00:56:08,633
And that's the reason
that, in designating the

1225
00:56:08,631 --> 00:56:16,171
marine monument out there,
the policy was careful to

1226
00:56:16,172 --> 00:56:21,942
ensure that local
populations could continue

1227
00:56:21,945 --> 00:56:29,315
to engage in their
ancient traditions.

1228
00:56:29,319 --> 00:56:34,159
So I think this also --
I would put this in the

1229
00:56:34,157 --> 00:56:36,657
category of the kind of
policies the President is

1230
00:56:36,659 --> 00:56:38,459
hopeful the next
president will pursue.

1231
00:56:38,461 --> 00:56:40,161
But there's a lot of
progress that we've made

1232
00:56:40,163 --> 00:56:43,733
in terms of strengthening
the relationship between

1233
00:56:43,733 --> 00:56:45,203
the federal government
and a variety of

1234
00:56:45,201 --> 00:56:47,541
tribal governments.

1235
00:56:47,537 --> 00:56:48,467
But there's more
work to be done.

1236
00:56:48,471 --> 00:56:50,011
And there certainly is
more work to be done in

1237
00:56:50,006 --> 00:56:54,176
terms of supporting and
empowering the next

1238
00:56:54,177 --> 00:57:00,047
generation of Native
Americans to ensure that

1239
00:57:00,049 --> 00:57:04,459
they've got access to good
schools and quality health

1240
00:57:04,454 --> 00:57:09,824
care and the kind of
stable home life that so

1241
00:57:09,826 --> 00:57:11,566
many other American
kids benefit from.

1242
00:57:11,561 --> 00:57:14,761
And we've made some
important progress, making

1243
00:57:14,764 --> 00:57:17,704
investments that would
ensure that kind of future

1244
00:57:17,700 --> 00:57:19,000
for native populations.

1245
00:57:19,002 --> 00:57:21,872
But there certainly is
more work to be done.

1246
00:57:21,871 --> 00:57:23,171
And the President is
hopeful that the next

1247
00:57:23,173 --> 00:57:25,873
president will build
on that progress.

1248
00:57:25,875 --> 00:57:27,475
Let's move around.

1249
00:57:27,477 --> 00:57:28,107
Kevin.

1250
00:57:28,111 --> 00:57:28,981
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

1251
00:57:28,978 --> 00:57:30,848
I wanted to ask you about
the Assad

1252
00:57:30,847 --> 00:57:32,647
sanctions legislation.

1253
00:57:32,649 --> 00:57:35,619
There are leaders on the
Hill who feel like the

1254
00:57:35,618 --> 00:57:37,358
White House is getting
in the way of that.

1255
00:57:37,353 --> 00:57:39,093
And given that there is
not only no longer a

1256
00:57:39,088 --> 00:57:41,488
ceasefire -- certainly not
one that's been consistent

1257
00:57:41,491 --> 00:57:43,861
-- to say nothing of the
fact that the President

1258
00:57:43,860 --> 00:57:47,060
himself feels like
this is a man who is an

1259
00:57:47,063 --> 00:57:50,803
illegitimate leader in
that nation, why would the

1260
00:57:50,800 --> 00:57:53,100
White House stand in the
way of such legislation?

1261
00:57:53,102 --> 00:57:54,602
Mr. Earnest: Well, to put
it bluntly, Kevin, we

1262
00:57:54,604 --> 00:57:56,444
already have got the
authority that we need to

1263
00:57:56,439 --> 00:57:58,439
impose sanctions against
the Assad regime if we

1264
00:57:58,441 --> 00:58:00,411
believe that's going to
advance our interests in

1265
00:58:00,410 --> 00:58:03,350
that part of the world.

1266
00:58:03,346 --> 00:58:07,186
What recent history
has shown is that our

1267
00:58:07,183 --> 00:58:11,723
sanctions strategy is
most effective when it is

1268
00:58:11,721 --> 00:58:13,961
closely coordinated and
implemented with our

1269
00:58:13,957 --> 00:58:15,957
allies and partners
all around the world.

1270
00:58:15,959 --> 00:58:17,959
We were able to apply
maximum pressure against

1271
00:58:17,961 --> 00:58:20,831
the Iranians and compel
them to come to the

1272
00:58:20,830 --> 00:58:24,070
negotiating table, and
ultimately give up the

1273
00:58:24,067 --> 00:58:26,567
most concerning aspects
of their nuclear program

1274
00:58:26,569 --> 00:58:30,469
because the United States
worked in concert with

1275
00:58:30,473 --> 00:58:32,443
other countries around
the world to apply tough

1276
00:58:32,442 --> 00:58:34,082
sanctions against them.

1277
00:58:34,077 --> 00:58:38,447
Unilateral sanctions
imposed by the United

1278
00:58:38,448 --> 00:58:41,588
States Congress are not
likely to have

1279
00:58:41,584 --> 00:58:43,854
the desired effect.

1280
00:58:43,853 --> 00:58:49,363
So Congress has already
given the President broad

1281
00:58:49,359 --> 00:58:51,759
authorities when it comes
to imposing sanctions, and

1282
00:58:51,761 --> 00:58:54,531
his administration has not
hesitated to use them, but

1283
00:58:54,530 --> 00:58:59,340
we only use them -- or at
least we use them most

1284
00:58:59,335 --> 00:59:01,975
effectively when we're
able to coordinate those

1285
00:59:01,971 --> 00:59:05,211
activities and that
strategy with our

1286
00:59:05,208 --> 00:59:07,548
partners and our allies
around the world.

1287
00:59:07,543 --> 00:59:09,043
The Press: Let me push
back for just a second,

1288
00:59:09,045 --> 00:59:11,515
though, because I want to
read just part of Speaker

1289
00:59:11,514 --> 00:59:13,014
Ryan's remarks
yesterday morning.

1290
00:59:13,016 --> 00:59:14,446
You may or may not have
had a chance to hear.

1291
00:59:14,450 --> 00:59:16,820
He said, "Listen, this
week we learned that the

1292
00:59:16,819 --> 00:59:19,659
Syrian military was
complicit in bombing a

1293
00:59:19,656 --> 00:59:21,526
humanitarian aid convoy."
You and I talked about

1294
00:59:21,524 --> 00:59:24,164
that this week; it should
come as no surprise.

1295
00:59:24,160 --> 00:59:27,430
"At no point has the Assad
regime stopped committing

1296
00:59:27,430 --> 00:59:30,370
atrocities against
the Syrian people."

1297
00:59:30,366 --> 00:59:32,936
When you have that as
a backdrop, you can

1298
00:59:32,936 --> 00:59:34,606
understand why there are
leaders who feel very

1299
00:59:34,604 --> 00:59:37,804
forcefully that anything
that can be done to punish

1300
00:59:37,807 --> 00:59:42,277
this regime, this lawless
regime, is a good thing.

1301
00:59:42,278 --> 00:59:45,648
It's difficult to
reconcile that you have

1302
00:59:45,648 --> 00:59:47,448
them thinking that this is
something that should move

1303
00:59:47,450 --> 00:59:50,150
forward when you also have
a White House that feels

1304
00:59:50,153 --> 00:59:52,853
like we need to do all we
can to not only punish

1305
00:59:52,855 --> 00:59:55,625
this specific regime, but
do all we can to

1306
00:59:55,625 --> 00:59:56,795
get him out of power.

1307
00:59:56,793 --> 00:59:58,463
Why wouldn't the two
sides come together?

1308
00:59:58,461 --> 00:59:59,961
Mr. Earnest: Because what
we're looking to do is

1309
00:59:59,963 --> 01:00:01,663
we're looking to maximize
the pressure that we can

1310
01:00:01,664 --> 01:00:02,864
apply to the Assad regime.

1311
01:00:02,865 --> 01:00:05,105
And applying unilateral
sanctions by the United

1312
01:00:05,101 --> 01:00:06,841
States is not the most
effective way for

1313
01:00:06,836 --> 01:00:07,806
us to do that.

1314
01:00:07,804 --> 01:00:09,874
The most effective way for
us to do that is to work

1315
01:00:09,872 --> 01:00:11,812
carefully with other
governments in the region

1316
01:00:11,808 --> 01:00:14,178
and countries around the
world to coordinate our

1317
01:00:14,177 --> 01:00:17,417
sanctions and apply
maximum economic pressure

1318
01:00:17,413 --> 01:00:18,353
to the Assad regime.

1319
01:00:18,348 --> 01:00:20,188
That's the approach that
we have taken with

1320
01:00:20,183 --> 01:00:21,483
regard to Iran.

1321
01:00:21,484 --> 01:00:23,354
That's the approach that
we've taken with regard

1322
01:00:23,353 --> 01:00:24,353
to North Korea.

1323
01:00:24,354 --> 01:00:25,624
That's also the approach
that we've taken with

1324
01:00:25,621 --> 01:00:27,061
regard to Russia.

1325
01:00:27,056 --> 01:00:29,626
And there are varying
levels of success that

1326
01:00:29,625 --> 01:00:36,065
we've had in each of those
instances, but what all of

1327
01:00:36,065 --> 01:00:40,135
them have in common is
that the force of our

1328
01:00:40,136 --> 01:00:43,476
sanctions are multiplied
when they are implemented

1329
01:00:43,473 --> 01:00:45,543
in coordination with other
countries around the world.

1330
01:00:45,541 --> 01:00:47,941
The Press: Let me run
back a bit on the CR.

1331
01:00:47,944 --> 01:00:49,944
Did you suggest that the
Senate hadn't really

1332
01:00:49,946 --> 01:00:50,876
addressed Flint?

1333
01:00:50,880 --> 01:00:53,180
Because they
actually have.

1334
01:00:53,182 --> 01:00:55,382
Funding for Flint was
included in the recently

1335
01:00:55,385 --> 01:00:57,585
passed WRDA bill.

1336
01:00:57,587 --> 01:00:59,557
It passed 95 to 3.

1337
01:00:59,555 --> 01:01:01,325
I'm not sure if
you're aware of that.

1338
01:01:01,324 --> 01:01:02,124
Mr. Earnest: I
am aware of that.

1339
01:01:02,125 --> 01:01:04,425
But in the current version
that the House is working

1340
01:01:04,427 --> 01:01:05,967
on, it's not
included in there.

1341
01:01:05,962 --> 01:01:10,832
And I did notice that
there is funding in the CR

1342
01:01:10,833 --> 01:01:14,233
that's dedicated to
meeting the needs of

1343
01:01:14,237 --> 01:01:18,107
people in places like
Louisiana, Texas and

1344
01:01:18,107 --> 01:01:21,707
Maryland who have been
victims of flooding.

1345
01:01:21,711 --> 01:01:24,781
The President is obviously
supportive of that.

1346
01:01:24,781 --> 01:01:27,851
The administration was
among the first to come

1347
01:01:27,850 --> 01:01:30,420
forward and say that we
believe Congress should

1348
01:01:30,420 --> 01:01:33,590
act as soon as possible
to provide relief to the

1349
01:01:33,589 --> 01:01:34,459
people of Louisiana.

1350
01:01:34,457 --> 01:01:37,327
The President promised
that he would fight for

1351
01:01:37,326 --> 01:01:39,296
the people of Louisiana
when he visited them in

1352
01:01:39,295 --> 01:01:40,995
the immediate aftermath
of that flooding.

1353
01:01:40,997 --> 01:01:42,167
The Press: And he
wouldn't forget them.

1354
01:01:42,165 --> 01:01:43,695
Mr. Earnest: And wouldn't
forget them, and he hasn't.

1355
01:01:43,699 --> 01:01:45,339
The President made a
similar commitment when he

1356
01:01:45,334 --> 01:01:47,074
went to Flint
earlier this spring.

1357
01:01:47,070 --> 01:01:49,310
He went to Flint, he
visited with people

1358
01:01:49,305 --> 01:01:50,445
in that community.

1359
01:01:50,440 --> 01:01:52,840
And he promised to help
them as much as he could

1360
01:01:52,842 --> 01:01:55,012
by providing them the kind
of resources that they

1361
01:01:55,011 --> 01:01:58,751
need to address the
infrastructure problems

1362
01:01:58,748 --> 01:02:03,488
that have put thousands
of kids at a pretty

1363
01:02:03,486 --> 01:02:05,156
significant risk.

1364
01:02:05,154 --> 01:02:08,124
Congress has a
responsibility to look out

1365
01:02:08,124 --> 01:02:09,964
for the needs of those
kids in Flint just as much

1366
01:02:09,959 --> 01:02:11,159
as they have a
responsibility to look out

1367
01:02:11,160 --> 01:02:14,800
for the needs of kids
in Louisiana, too.

1368
01:02:14,797 --> 01:02:18,537
So we need to see some
congressional attention

1369
01:02:18,534 --> 01:02:19,574
to this issue.

1370
01:02:19,569 --> 01:02:22,509
And look, I know a lot
of Democrats are quite

1371
01:02:22,505 --> 01:02:24,075
focused on this
issue in Flint.

1372
01:02:24,073 --> 01:02:26,113
It's time for some
Republicans to get

1373
01:02:26,109 --> 01:02:28,179
the message, too.

1374
01:02:28,177 --> 01:02:30,717
The Press: Let me -- one
more -- or a couple more.

1375
01:02:30,713 --> 01:02:33,183
Gitmo, I know I ask you
every week about the

1376
01:02:33,182 --> 01:02:36,052
possibility of, in
particular, bulk transfers

1377
01:02:36,052 --> 01:02:38,722
coming up certainly
in the days ahead.

1378
01:02:38,721 --> 01:02:40,921
Is there any reason to
believe that there will

1379
01:02:40,923 --> 01:02:43,023
now be more transfers in
the next week that

1380
01:02:43,025 --> 01:02:45,395
you would announce?

1381
01:02:45,394 --> 01:02:46,494
Mr. Earnest: Nothing I
have to announce from

1382
01:02:46,496 --> 01:02:48,336
here, but we'll obviously
keep you posted if

1383
01:02:48,331 --> 01:02:50,601
any of those transfers
take place.

1384
01:02:50,600 --> 01:02:51,000
The Press: Okay.

1385
01:02:51,000 --> 01:02:52,170
And last, on JASTA.

1386
01:02:52,168 --> 01:02:54,508
I want to run something by
you that Jack Quinn said;

1387
01:02:54,504 --> 01:02:57,304
he's an attorney for the
victims' families of the

1388
01:02:57,306 --> 01:02:58,976
tragedy of 9/11.

1389
01:02:58,975 --> 01:03:00,615
He says, "It's
increasingly apparent that

1390
01:03:00,610 --> 01:03:03,150
these false reciprocity
arguments reflect nothing

1391
01:03:03,146 --> 01:03:06,346
more than a desire to
protect the Saudis from

1392
01:03:06,349 --> 01:03:08,989
having to answer the
legitimate claims of the

1393
01:03:08,985 --> 01:03:11,685
9/11 families whose loved
ones were murdered on

1394
01:03:11,687 --> 01:03:14,287
September 11, 2001."

1395
01:03:14,290 --> 01:03:17,860
How sensitive is the
President to the notion

1396
01:03:17,860 --> 01:03:22,900
that there is a
perception, at minimum,

1397
01:03:22,899 --> 01:03:26,569
that by voting against
JASTA, or vetoing JASTA,

1398
01:03:26,569 --> 01:03:32,809
is somehow a nod to the
Saudi government and our

1399
01:03:32,808 --> 01:03:34,578
relationship with them?

1400
01:03:34,577 --> 01:03:35,407
Mr. Earnest: Listen, the
President has made a

1401
01:03:35,411 --> 01:03:37,581
forceful case and I've
made a forceful case that

1402
01:03:37,580 --> 01:03:41,350
our deepest concern is not
limited to the impact that

1403
01:03:41,350 --> 01:03:42,690
this bill would have on
our relationship

1404
01:03:42,685 --> 01:03:44,285
with Saudi Arabia.

1405
01:03:44,287 --> 01:03:46,157
Our deepest concern is
about the impact that this

1406
01:03:46,155 --> 01:03:47,655
bill would have on
our relationship with

1407
01:03:47,657 --> 01:03:49,997
countries all
around the world.

1408
01:03:49,992 --> 01:03:51,632
The Press: But we don't
sponsor terrorism.

1409
01:03:51,627 --> 01:03:52,197
Mr. Earnest: I'm sorry?

1410
01:03:52,195 --> 01:03:54,195
The Press: We don't
sponsor terrorism.

1411
01:03:54,197 --> 01:03:55,727
When we're talking about
JASTA, it's specifically

1412
01:03:55,731 --> 01:03:59,171
tailored against state
sponsors of terror.

1413
01:03:59,168 --> 01:04:00,538
The United States
doesn't do that.

1414
01:04:00,536 --> 01:04:02,276
Mr. Earnest: You and
I both know that.

1415
01:04:02,271 --> 01:04:04,071
But there are
irresponsible people all

1416
01:04:04,073 --> 01:04:05,843
around the world who
accuse the United States

1417
01:04:05,841 --> 01:04:08,341
of being complicit in
terrorism all the time.

1418
01:04:08,344 --> 01:04:09,884
Bashar al Assad just did
an interview with the

1419
01:04:09,879 --> 01:04:12,679
Associated Press
two days ago.

1420
01:04:12,682 --> 01:04:14,182
We know that this happens.

1421
01:04:14,183 --> 01:04:15,983
And here's the other
part of this, Kevin.

1422
01:04:15,985 --> 01:04:20,025
People like Mr. Quinn
stand to make some money

1423
01:04:20,022 --> 01:04:24,062
from these kinds of
exceptions being carved out.

1424
01:04:24,060 --> 01:04:26,300
Nothing wrong with that,
but we should acknowledge

1425
01:04:26,295 --> 01:04:28,865
the interest that he
has in this as well.

1426
01:04:28,864 --> 01:04:29,964
The President's interest
is focused on our

1427
01:04:29,966 --> 01:04:31,566
national security.

1428
01:04:31,567 --> 01:04:32,637
The President's interest
is making sure we're

1429
01:04:32,635 --> 01:04:35,005
looking out for the safety
and security and legal

1430
01:04:35,004 --> 01:04:37,344
risk that could be facing
our servicemembers, our

1431
01:04:37,340 --> 01:04:38,840
diplomats, and U.S.

1432
01:04:38,841 --> 01:04:40,611
companies around
the world.

1433
01:04:40,610 --> 01:04:42,410
The Press: Last, can you
give us a readout on what

1434
01:04:42,411 --> 01:04:44,581
you expect the President
to say tomorrow at the

1435
01:04:44,580 --> 01:04:49,020
opening of the African
American History Museum?

1436
01:04:49,018 --> 01:04:50,318
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
the President is quite

1437
01:04:50,319 --> 01:04:53,159
excited about the prospect
of appearing at the

1438
01:04:53,155 --> 01:04:56,555
dedication of the new
Smithsonian that's

1439
01:04:56,559 --> 01:05:00,259
dedicated to African
American history and culture.

1440
01:05:00,263 --> 01:05:02,263
The President and his
family had an opportunity

1441
01:05:02,265 --> 01:05:04,705
to get a behind-the-scenes
tour of the museum a

1442
01:05:04,700 --> 01:05:06,770
week or two ago.

1443
01:05:06,769 --> 01:05:10,439
And I was just talking to
him about what a special

1444
01:05:10,439 --> 01:05:13,009
opportunity that was and
how much he enjoyed being

1445
01:05:13,009 --> 01:05:15,209
able to take his
family there.

1446
01:05:15,211 --> 01:05:18,851
And he believes it's
something that all

1447
01:05:18,848 --> 01:05:20,488
Americans should see.

1448
01:05:20,483 --> 01:05:26,553
The story that African
Americans have to tell

1449
01:05:26,555 --> 01:05:32,825
about their history in
this country is in line

1450
01:05:32,828 --> 01:05:34,868
with the American story.

1451
01:05:34,864 --> 01:05:36,604
It's an important part
of the American story.

1452
01:05:36,599 --> 01:05:42,969
And the President was
talking about this in his

1453
01:05:42,972 --> 01:05:44,812
interview last night, and
I thought he made a real

1454
01:05:44,807 --> 01:05:48,947
interesting point, which
is much of the history

1455
01:05:48,944 --> 01:05:53,654
that's contained in that
beautiful new building is

1456
01:05:53,649 --> 01:05:56,189
not ancient history; it's
history that took place

1457
01:05:56,185 --> 01:05:59,385
in his lifetime.

1458
01:05:59,388 --> 01:06:02,158
And I think that says two
really important things,

1459
01:06:02,158 --> 01:06:05,998
particularly as we're
dwelling on -- and

1460
01:06:05,995 --> 01:06:09,295
rightfully focused on --
the situation in Charlotte

1461
01:06:09,298 --> 01:06:11,138
and Tulsa and other
communities that have

1462
01:06:11,133 --> 01:06:13,403
encountered some of the
distrust between law

1463
01:06:13,402 --> 01:06:18,312
enforcement and African
American communities.

1464
01:06:18,307 --> 01:06:23,217
The lesson is simply this:
Since that is not ancient

1465
01:06:23,212 --> 01:06:25,252
history, we need to
understand that there is a

1466
01:06:25,247 --> 01:06:26,787
legacy that's
still very present.

1467
01:06:26,782 --> 01:06:31,352
And I think that can help
white Americans understand

1468
01:06:31,354 --> 01:06:34,224
the concerns that many
African Americans have.

1469
01:06:34,223 --> 01:06:37,423
At the same time, the fact
that this is not ancient

1470
01:06:37,426 --> 01:06:41,166
history is also a great
indication of how much

1471
01:06:41,163 --> 01:06:42,803
progress our country has
made in a really

1472
01:06:42,798 --> 01:06:44,668
short period of time.

1473
01:06:44,667 --> 01:06:46,207
Some profound changes have
happened in this country,

1474
01:06:46,202 --> 01:06:50,072
and those who are
advocating and

1475
01:06:50,072 --> 01:06:55,582
demonstrating and
protesting should take

1476
01:06:55,578 --> 01:07:00,818
confidence from the
progress that was hard won

1477
01:07:00,816 --> 01:07:03,756
by people like John
Lewis and others who are

1478
01:07:03,753 --> 01:07:07,523
advocates of civil rights.

1479
01:07:07,523 --> 01:07:11,463
So this is an important --
this museum is important,

1480
01:07:11,460 --> 01:07:13,260
not just to the African
American community, but

1481
01:07:13,262 --> 01:07:14,802
it's important
to all Americans.

1482
01:07:14,797 --> 01:07:15,927
It says something
important about who we are

1483
01:07:15,931 --> 01:07:19,601
and what we can accomplish
when we put our minds to it.

1484
01:07:19,602 --> 01:07:22,502
And the President will say
it much more eloquently

1485
01:07:22,505 --> 01:07:23,475
tomorrow than I just did.

1486
01:07:23,472 --> 01:07:25,742
But he's got some strong
feelings about it, and

1487
01:07:25,741 --> 01:07:27,541
he's looking forward
to appearing at the

1488
01:07:27,543 --> 01:07:28,913
dedication tomorrow.

1489
01:07:28,911 --> 01:07:29,711
Lalit.

1490
01:07:29,712 --> 01:07:34,722
The Press: Last week,
around 18 Indian soldiers

1491
01:07:34,717 --> 01:07:36,817
were killed in a
terrorist attack

1492
01:07:36,819 --> 01:07:41,219
(inaudible) Kashmir. After, they (inaudible) .

1493
01:07:41,223 --> 01:07:44,123
What did the White House
think of the

1494
01:07:44,126 --> 01:07:46,166
situation there?

1495
01:07:46,162 --> 01:07:49,662
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
I've seen some of the

1496
01:07:49,665 --> 01:07:52,105
public reports
about this incident.

1497
01:07:52,101 --> 01:07:56,341
Obviously, the United
States strongly condemns

1498
01:07:56,338 --> 01:07:58,378
acts of terrorism
around the world.

1499
01:07:58,374 --> 01:08:09,854
And we have long urged
India and Pakistan to find

1500
01:08:09,852 --> 01:08:12,252
ways to resolve their
differences not through

1501
01:08:12,254 --> 01:08:14,324
violence but
through diplomacy.

1502
01:08:14,323 --> 01:08:16,163
And over the years,
they've made some

1503
01:08:16,158 --> 01:08:23,198
important progress in that
pursuit, and we're hopeful

1504
01:08:23,199 --> 01:08:25,739
that they'll be able to
continue to make the kind

1505
01:08:25,734 --> 01:08:29,204
of progress that will
bring greater stability to

1506
01:08:29,205 --> 01:08:32,945
what is a rather volatile
region of the world.

1507
01:08:32,942 --> 01:08:35,012
The Press: Has there been
outreach made by the White

1508
01:08:35,010 --> 01:08:37,410
House to the two
capitals of --

1509
01:08:37,413 --> 01:08:39,113
Mr. Earnest: I'm not
aware of any specific

1510
01:08:39,114 --> 01:08:42,054
conversations at the
White House level.

1511
01:08:42,051 --> 01:08:44,151
I can certainly tell you
that the White House is

1512
01:08:44,153 --> 01:08:46,153
aware of this incident.

1513
01:08:46,155 --> 01:08:48,425
But for any contacts with
either the Indian or

1514
01:08:48,424 --> 01:08:51,894
Pakistani government, I'd
refer you to the

1515
01:08:51,894 --> 01:08:53,094
State Department.

1516
01:08:53,095 --> 01:08:54,335
Jane.

1517
01:08:54,330 --> 01:08:55,560
The Press:
Thank you, Josh.

1518
01:08:55,564 --> 01:09:01,704
With regards South Korea
issues, yesterday South

1519
01:09:01,704 --> 01:09:05,204
Korean Foreign Minister
Yun Byung-se remarked

1520
01:09:05,207 --> 01:09:06,377
at the U.N.

1521
01:09:06,375 --> 01:09:10,015
General Assembly, and
Foreign Minister Yun

1522
01:09:10,012 --> 01:09:15,082
suggested its exclusion
of North Korea from

1523
01:09:15,084 --> 01:09:18,854
U.N. member states.

1524
01:09:18,854 --> 01:09:20,754
How would you
comment on this?

1525
01:09:20,756 --> 01:09:21,526
Mr. Earnest: I'm sorry,
can you repeat that

1526
01:09:21,524 --> 01:09:22,794
one more time?

1527
01:09:22,791 --> 01:09:23,491
Just the last part.

1528
01:09:23,492 --> 01:09:27,192
The Press: Foreign
Minister Yun suggested the

1529
01:09:27,196 --> 01:09:30,066
exclusion North
Korea from U.N.

1530
01:09:30,065 --> 01:09:32,805
member states.

1531
01:09:32,801 --> 01:09:34,101
Mr. Earnest: It's crucial
that North Korea --

1532
01:09:34,103 --> 01:09:39,373
The Press: -- from United
Nations member states.

1533
01:09:39,375 --> 01:09:40,645
Mr. Earnest: I see -- it's
important for North Korea

1534
01:09:40,643 --> 01:09:42,583
to hear from the
United Nations?

1535
01:09:42,578 --> 01:09:43,508
The Press: Yes.

1536
01:09:43,512 --> 01:09:44,752
Mr. Earnest: Was
that the statement?

1537
01:09:44,747 --> 01:09:45,517
The Press: Taken out.

1538
01:09:45,514 --> 01:09:47,054
The Press: No,
be excluded from.

1539
01:09:47,049 --> 01:09:47,619
The Press: Excluded.

1540
01:09:47,616 --> 01:09:48,246
Mr. Earnest: I see.

1541
01:09:48,250 --> 01:09:50,550
Obviously, I'm unfamiliar
with the comments made by

1542
01:09:50,553 --> 01:09:53,693
the Foreign Minister of
South Korea yesterday, so

1543
01:09:53,689 --> 01:09:55,389
why don't I take the
question and we'll see if

1544
01:09:55,391 --> 01:09:57,561
we can get you a
specific answer.

1545
01:09:57,560 --> 01:09:59,530
The Press: Also,
another one.

1546
01:09:59,528 --> 01:10:02,328
Is the United States
concerned about the North

1547
01:10:02,331 --> 01:10:07,641
Korea as a state sponsor
of terror country?

1548
01:10:07,636 --> 01:10:10,606
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
United States is certainly

1549
01:10:10,606 --> 01:10:18,146
deeply concerned about the
kind of provocations that

1550
01:10:18,147 --> 01:10:20,687
emanate from North Korea.

1551
01:10:20,683 --> 01:10:24,923
And you hear the President
on a regular basis express

1552
01:10:24,920 --> 01:10:29,490
his solidarity and our
nation's solidarity with

1553
01:10:29,491 --> 01:10:33,931
our allies in South Korea,
our allies in Japan who

1554
01:10:33,929 --> 01:10:40,669
are facing the biggest
risk from North

1555
01:10:40,669 --> 01:10:44,369
Korea's activities.

1556
01:10:44,373 --> 01:10:47,013
So the United States is
resolute in our stance in

1557
01:10:47,009 --> 01:10:49,179
support of our allies,
and the United States is

1558
01:10:49,178 --> 01:10:51,178
committed to playing
a leading role in the

1559
01:10:51,180 --> 01:10:53,250
international community in
working with not just our

1560
01:10:53,248 --> 01:10:55,748
allies but also our
partners like Russia and

1561
01:10:55,751 --> 01:10:58,291
China in applying
significant pressure on

1562
01:10:58,287 --> 01:11:00,987
North Korea and bringing
them into compliance with

1563
01:11:00,990 --> 01:11:02,560
their international
obligations and with a

1564
01:11:02,558 --> 01:11:03,928
variety of U.N.

1565
01:11:03,926 --> 01:11:06,726
Security Council
resolutions that they

1566
01:11:06,729 --> 01:11:09,829
violate all too
frequently.

1567
01:11:09,832 --> 01:11:10,902
Why don't we do the week
ahead, and then we'll let

1568
01:11:10,899 --> 01:11:12,999
you get started
on your weekend.

1569
01:11:13,002 --> 01:11:14,602
Mark Knoller is not here
to snicker at my joke.

1570
01:11:14,603 --> 01:11:19,843
On Monday, the President
will host the 2016 White

1571
01:11:19,842 --> 01:11:21,682
House Tribal Nations
Conference in Washington,

1572
01:11:21,677 --> 01:11:24,417
D.C. This will be the
President's eighth and

1573
01:11:24,413 --> 01:11:27,513
final Tribal Nations
Conference, providing

1574
01:11:27,516 --> 01:11:30,116
tribal leaders from the
567 federally recognized

1575
01:11:30,119 --> 01:11:32,359
tribes with the
opportunity to interact

1576
01:11:32,354 --> 01:11:34,424
directly with high-level
federal government

1577
01:11:34,423 --> 01:11:36,423
officials and members of
the White House Council on

1578
01:11:36,425 --> 01:11:38,025
Native American Affairs.

1579
01:11:38,027 --> 01:11:39,557
This year's conference
will continue to build

1580
01:11:39,561 --> 01:11:41,361
upon the President's
commitment to

1581
01:11:41,363 --> 01:11:43,003
strengthen the
government-to-government

1582
01:11:42,998 --> 01:11:44,998
relationship with Indian
Country and to improve the

1583
01:11:45,000 --> 01:11:48,240
lives of American Indians
and Alaska Natives.

1584
01:11:48,237 --> 01:11:50,077
On Tuesday, the President
will participate in

1585
01:11:50,072 --> 01:11:51,412
a DNC roundtable.

1586
01:11:51,407 --> 01:11:53,377
On Wednesday, the
President will welcome

1587
01:11:53,375 --> 01:11:55,675
Kyle Bush and his team
members to the White House

1588
01:11:55,678 --> 01:11:58,048
to honor his 2015 NASCAR
Sprint Cup

1589
01:11:58,047 --> 01:11:59,787
Series championship.

1590
01:11:59,782 --> 01:12:02,652
On Wednesday afternoon,
the President will travel

1591
01:12:02,651 --> 01:12:05,821
to Fort Lee in Virginia to
meet with servicemembers

1592
01:12:05,821 --> 01:12:07,661
and the post community
to thank them for their

1593
01:12:07,656 --> 01:12:09,726
outstanding service
to the nation.

1594
01:12:09,725 --> 01:12:11,295
While he's there, the
President will tape a CNN

1595
01:12:11,293 --> 01:12:13,763
town hall meeting with
Jake Tapper, where he will

1596
01:12:13,762 --> 01:12:15,302
have the opportunity
to take questions from

1597
01:12:15,297 --> 01:12:16,897
members of the
military community.

1598
01:12:16,899 --> 01:12:19,469
On Thursday, the President
and First Lady are looking

1599
01:12:19,468 --> 01:12:21,538
forward to welcoming
the 2016 U.S.

1600
01:12:21,537 --> 01:12:24,007
Olympic and Paralympic
teams to the White House

1601
01:12:24,006 --> 01:12:26,006
to honor their
participation and success

1602
01:12:26,008 --> 01:12:29,748
in this year's
Olympic Games in Rio.

1603
01:12:29,745 --> 01:12:31,715
On Friday -- next Friday
-- the President will

1604
01:12:31,714 --> 01:12:34,114
travel to a local high
school to discuss the

1605
01:12:34,116 --> 01:12:37,216
importance of a
high-quality education and

1606
01:12:37,219 --> 01:12:39,289
how the United States must
strengthen and reform our

1607
01:12:39,288 --> 01:12:42,158
education system to ensure
that our students have the

1608
01:12:42,157 --> 01:12:45,097
tools, skills and support
they need to succeed.

1609
01:12:45,094 --> 01:12:46,934
We'll have some additional
details about the

1610
01:12:46,929 --> 01:12:51,629
President's visit in the
coming days, and hopefully

1611
01:12:51,633 --> 01:12:53,173
we'll even have some more
details about the precise

1612
01:12:53,168 --> 01:12:55,638
location of that visit
before the end

1613
01:12:55,637 --> 01:12:56,367
of the day today.

1614
01:12:56,371 --> 01:12:57,811
So stay tuned on that.

1615
01:12:57,806 --> 01:13:00,076
But that will be somewhere
here in the

1616
01:13:00,075 --> 01:13:02,115
Washington, D.C. area.

1617
01:13:02,111 --> 01:13:03,811
Everybody have
a good weekend.

1618
01:13:03,812 --> 01:13:04,312
Take care.