English subtitles for clip: File:4-16-15- White House Press Briefing.webm

1
00:00:00,567 --> 00:00:01,997
Mr. Earnest: How are you
doing, everybody?

2
00:00:02,001 --> 00:00:04,541
Appreciate the rousing
welcome today.

3
00:00:04,537 --> 00:00:06,537
(laughter)

4
00:00:06,539 --> 00:00:07,539
Nice to see you
all.

5
00:00:07,540 --> 00:00:09,540
We can go straight to your
questions.

6
00:00:09,542 --> 00:00:10,482
Jim, do you want to get us
started?

7
00:00:10,477 --> 00:00:11,877
The Press: Thank you, Josh.

8
00:00:11,878 --> 00:00:14,918
President Putin today gave a
lengthy interview and he

9
00:00:14,914 --> 00:00:18,254
says he wants to be treated
as an equal partner by

10
00:00:18,251 --> 00:00:19,391
the West.

11
00:00:19,386 --> 00:00:23,186
How does the White House
view Russia?

12
00:00:23,189 --> 00:00:24,859
Is it an equal partner?

13
00:00:24,858 --> 00:00:30,728
The President once dismissed
Russia as a regional power.

14
00:00:30,730 --> 00:00:34,370
I'm wondering if that's the
kind of, perhaps,

15
00:00:34,367 --> 00:00:37,807
dismissive view of Russia
that Putin has taken

16
00:00:37,804 --> 00:00:39,504
to heart.

17
00:00:39,506 --> 00:00:42,106
Mr. Earnest: Well, I'll say
-- a couple things come

18
00:00:42,108 --> 00:00:43,248
to mind.

19
00:00:43,243 --> 00:00:47,443
The first is simply that we
have acknowledged on a

20
00:00:47,447 --> 00:00:49,447
number of occasions that
Russia has played an

21
00:00:49,449 --> 00:00:54,989
important role alongside the
P5+1 in our negotiations

22
00:00:54,988 --> 00:01:00,598
with Iran to try to carve a
diplomatic pathway that

23
00:01:00,593 --> 00:01:03,633
would prevent Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapon.

24
00:01:03,630 --> 00:01:05,630
Russia has played a
constructive role

25
00:01:05,632 --> 00:01:06,632
in that effort.

26
00:01:06,633 --> 00:01:08,633
And you'll recall that even
earlier this week,

27
00:01:08,635 --> 00:01:11,735
the Russian Foreign Ministry
put out a helpful statement

28
00:01:11,738 --> 00:01:15,708
indicating that the document
outlining the parameters of

29
00:01:15,708 --> 00:01:19,678
the political framework that
was announced two weeks ago

30
00:01:19,679 --> 00:01:21,679
was consistent with the
agreement that was reached

31
00:01:21,681 --> 00:01:23,451
at the negotiating table.

32
00:01:23,450 --> 00:01:26,590
That means that Russia has
been an active participant

33
00:01:26,586 --> 00:01:30,126
in those discussions and
helpful.

34
00:01:30,123 --> 00:01:32,993
What's also true is that
Russia has been helpful in

35
00:01:32,992 --> 00:01:34,992
other circumstances.

36
00:01:36,596 --> 00:01:39,566
The other thing that comes
to mind is the assistance

37
00:01:39,566 --> 00:01:42,366
that Russia provided in
negotiating with and

38
00:01:42,368 --> 00:01:46,408
assisting in the destruction
of Syria's declared chemical

39
00:01:46,406 --> 00:01:47,606
weapons stockpile.

40
00:01:47,607 --> 00:01:49,607
That was an example of the
United States working

41
00:01:49,609 --> 00:01:54,219
closely with Russia to reach
a goal that was clearly in

42
00:01:54,214 --> 00:01:56,714
the best interest of the
region and the world.

43
00:01:56,716 --> 00:01:59,956
Russia has particular
influence with the Syrian

44
00:01:59,953 --> 00:02:04,493
regime and they uses that
influence to good effect.

45
00:02:04,491 --> 00:02:09,861
What's also true is that
there are expectations for

46
00:02:09,863 --> 00:02:13,003
influential world powers.

47
00:02:12,999 --> 00:02:15,339
One of those expectations is
that they are going to

48
00:02:15,335 --> 00:02:22,205
respect the borders of
sovereign countries.

49
00:02:22,208 --> 00:02:27,218
And right now, we see that
the Russian government has,

50
00:02:27,213 --> 00:02:30,253
time and again over the
course of the last year,

51
00:02:30,250 --> 00:02:32,350
flagrantly violated the
sovereignty of the

52
00:02:32,352 --> 00:02:34,252
Ukrainian people.

53
00:02:34,254 --> 00:02:38,324
And we have seen Russian
military activity inside of

54
00:02:38,324 --> 00:02:42,364
eastern Ukraine in support
of separatists.

55
00:02:42,362 --> 00:02:44,362
That is not at all
consistent with the kind of

56
00:02:44,364 --> 00:02:49,634
behavior that you would
expect of a world power.

57
00:02:49,636 --> 00:02:52,936
And that is not just the
opinion of the

58
00:02:52,939 --> 00:02:54,309
United States.

59
00:02:54,307 --> 00:02:56,807
That's the opinion of a
substantial number of other

60
00:02:56,809 --> 00:03:00,949
legitimate world powers that
have imposed sanctions and

61
00:03:00,947 --> 00:03:04,347
tried to negotiate around
the table with President

62
00:03:04,350 --> 00:03:06,490
Putin and other senior
members of the Russian

63
00:03:06,486 --> 00:03:10,226
government to deescalate the
situation in Ukraine,

64
00:03:10,223 --> 00:03:14,123
to get the Russians to
remove their military forces

65
00:03:14,127 --> 00:03:17,427
out of Ukraine, to stop
moving weapons and materiel

66
00:03:17,430 --> 00:03:22,770
across the border, and to
facilitate a genuine,

67
00:03:22,769 --> 00:03:25,969
diplomatic discussion -- or
political discussion --

68
00:03:25,972 --> 00:03:29,312
between the separatists in
Ukraine and the

69
00:03:29,309 --> 00:03:30,309
Ukrainian government.

70
00:03:30,310 --> 00:03:33,310
The Press: Does Russia's --
you addressed this earlier

71
00:03:33,313 --> 00:03:36,413
this week -- does Russia's
decision to supply Iran with

72
00:03:36,416 --> 00:03:41,186
a powerful missile system,
combined with Putin's

73
00:03:41,187 --> 00:03:45,857
comments today, suggest that
maybe the unity of the P5+1

74
00:03:45,858 --> 00:03:49,058
that you discussed earlier
this week is, in fact,

75
00:03:49,062 --> 00:03:50,492
in danger?

76
00:03:50,496 --> 00:03:51,466
Mr. Earnest: Well, I
wouldn't say that.

77
00:03:51,464 --> 00:03:54,864
And even President Putin,
I'm told,

78
00:03:54,867 --> 00:03:58,437
in the context of his very
long program today,

79
00:03:58,438 --> 00:04:00,678
indicated that he was
committed to preserving

80
00:04:00,673 --> 00:04:04,273
unity with the P5+1.

81
00:04:04,277 --> 00:04:06,877
We have raised -- you've
heard from me and you've

82
00:04:06,879 --> 00:04:07,949
heard from others in the
U.S.

83
00:04:07,947 --> 00:04:11,047
government the concerns that
we have about the sale of

84
00:04:11,050 --> 00:04:16,920
this defensive weapon system
from Russia to Iran.

85
00:04:16,923 --> 00:04:20,623
We've made that concern --
we've relayed that concern

86
00:04:20,627 --> 00:04:22,927
directly to senior officials
in the Russian government.

87
00:04:22,929 --> 00:04:25,199
So this is not just a
message that we've delivered

88
00:04:25,198 --> 00:04:27,198
publicly, it's one that
we've delivered

89
00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,240
privately as well.

90
00:04:29,235 --> 00:04:31,335
The transfer of this
defensive weapon system,

91
00:04:31,337 --> 00:04:34,807
however, is not prohibited
by U.N.

92
00:04:34,807 --> 00:04:36,807
Security Council
resolutions,

93
00:04:39,045 --> 00:04:41,885
and we would need to know
more about this specific

94
00:04:41,881 --> 00:04:47,451
program to determine the
impact it would have on U.S.

95
00:04:47,453 --> 00:04:49,453
sanctions programs.

96
00:04:52,258 --> 00:04:54,298
As I said earlier this week
when asked about this,

97
00:04:54,293 --> 00:04:56,633
I would hesitate to
speculate on the thought

98
00:04:56,629 --> 00:05:00,299
process behind the decision
to complete the sale.

99
00:05:00,299 --> 00:05:04,469
There are some who have
speculated that Russia has

100
00:05:04,470 --> 00:05:07,510
engaged in this transaction
simply because they need the

101
00:05:07,507 --> 00:05:12,877
money; that the sanctions
that we put in place against

102
00:05:12,879 --> 00:05:16,019
Russia, because of their
interference in Ukraine,

103
00:05:16,015 --> 00:05:18,855
has had a pretty significant
impact on their economy.

104
00:05:18,851 --> 00:05:21,951
And the latest illustration
of that is from the IMF's

105
00:05:21,954 --> 00:05:24,624
latest projections that were
just released this week that

106
00:05:24,624 --> 00:05:27,494
indicate that Russia's real
GDP -- the Russian economy

107
00:05:27,493 --> 00:05:32,333
this year is predicted to
contract by 3.8 percent.

108
00:05:32,331 --> 00:05:36,801
So it isn't a particular
surprise that Russia may be

109
00:05:36,803 --> 00:05:39,903
pretty desperate to generate
some income.

110
00:05:39,906 --> 00:05:44,546
And I do think it actually
does indicate that Russia's

111
00:05:44,544 --> 00:05:48,144
willingness to engage in a
controversial transaction

112
00:05:48,147 --> 00:05:51,247
like this one is an
indication of how weakened

113
00:05:51,250 --> 00:05:53,090
their economy has become.

114
00:05:53,086 --> 00:05:54,686
The Press: One on Iran.

115
00:05:54,687 --> 00:05:56,557
With talks I believe
scheduled to restart next

116
00:05:56,556 --> 00:06:00,726
week, I wanted to go back to
something the President said

117
00:06:00,727 --> 00:06:03,527
on Saturday at his press
conference, which was,

118
00:06:03,529 --> 00:06:06,629
when asked about the
comments that Ayatollah

119
00:06:06,632 --> 00:06:11,072
Khamenei made, he suggested
that politics was driving

120
00:06:11,070 --> 00:06:13,210
that internal politics in
Iran,

121
00:06:13,206 --> 00:06:17,246
that there were hardliners,
and that in the end that

122
00:06:17,243 --> 00:06:19,943
might not end up being the
final position that Iran

123
00:06:19,946 --> 00:06:22,846
takes in these negotiations.

124
00:06:22,849 --> 00:06:27,919
A month ago, when Prime
Minister Netanyahu said that

125
00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:33,190
under his watch there would
be no Palestinian state

126
00:06:33,192 --> 00:06:35,332
during the heat of the
campaign,

127
00:06:35,328 --> 00:06:37,568
and then he later walked
those comments back,

128
00:06:37,563 --> 00:06:40,463
the President still said
that he believed the Prime

129
00:06:40,466 --> 00:06:44,306
Minister's comments at that
time.

130
00:06:44,303 --> 00:06:48,043
I'm curious why the
Ayatollah gets the benefit

131
00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:51,740
of the doubt on his remarks
but Netanyahu does not.

132
00:06:51,744 --> 00:06:53,244
Mr. Earnest: Well, this is
the thing,

133
00:06:53,246 --> 00:06:55,446
Jim -- the Ayatollah does
not get the benefit

134
00:06:55,448 --> 00:06:56,518
of the doubt.

135
00:06:56,516 --> 00:06:59,356
We have indicated time and
time again that these

136
00:06:59,352 --> 00:07:01,992
negotiations with the
Iranians are not built

137
00:07:01,988 --> 00:07:02,988
on trust.

138
00:07:02,989 --> 00:07:08,999
The foundation of these
talks is ensuring that there

139
00:07:12,498 --> 00:07:17,468
are verification measures in
place to confirm their

140
00:07:17,470 --> 00:07:19,310
compliance with the
agreement.

141
00:07:19,305 --> 00:07:24,275
There's no indication that
it would be in the best

142
00:07:24,277 --> 00:07:26,277
interest of the
international community to

143
00:07:26,279 --> 00:07:27,849
just take Iran's word for
it.

144
00:07:27,847 --> 00:07:31,087
In fact, what will be
required,

145
00:07:31,083 --> 00:07:34,383
in addition to serious
commitments by Iran to roll

146
00:07:34,387 --> 00:07:38,427
back key aspects of their
nuclear program,

147
00:07:38,424 --> 00:07:41,594
is compliance with the most
intrusive set of inspections

148
00:07:41,594 --> 00:07:43,594
that have ever been imposed
on a country's

149
00:07:43,596 --> 00:07:44,666
nuclear program.

150
00:07:44,664 --> 00:07:50,674
So this is not a matter of
taking -- accepting the word

151
00:07:52,705 --> 00:07:54,805
of the Iranian leadership.

152
00:07:54,807 --> 00:07:57,747
In fact, we've been pretty
blunt about our approach to

153
00:07:57,743 --> 00:08:00,983
these negotiations being
distrust and verify.

154
00:08:00,980 --> 00:08:02,980
And that is going to
continue to be our approach.

155
00:08:02,982 --> 00:08:05,582
The one sign of
encouragement that we have

156
00:08:05,585 --> 00:08:10,185
seen is that Iran did make
commitments in the context

157
00:08:10,189 --> 00:08:13,829
of this political framework,
but there is a significant

158
00:08:13,826 --> 00:08:14,966
amount of work that remains.

159
00:08:14,961 --> 00:08:18,931
And that will begin next
week.

160
00:08:18,931 --> 00:08:22,471
As the EU has announced,
when the political directors

161
00:08:22,468 --> 00:08:24,868
will meet in Vienna, there
will be a plenary meeting of

162
00:08:24,871 --> 00:08:27,841
all P5+1 political
directors.

163
00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:29,980
And then there will be more
engagement -- I'm sorry,

164
00:08:29,976 --> 00:08:31,646
there will be a plenary
meeting of all the P5+1

165
00:08:31,644 --> 00:08:34,344
political directors, as well
as the EU and Iran at the

166
00:08:34,347 --> 00:08:35,947
end of next week.

167
00:08:35,948 --> 00:08:38,588
In parallel to that, we'll
have the technical experts

168
00:08:38,584 --> 00:08:40,554
sitting down and working to
continue to finalize

169
00:08:40,553 --> 00:08:41,753
the framework.

170
00:08:41,754 --> 00:08:46,224
So the fact of the matter
is, this is a diplomatic,

171
00:08:46,225 --> 00:08:52,465
negotiated agreement that
will require the Iranians to

172
00:08:52,465 --> 00:08:55,835
make both serious
commitments and demonstrate

173
00:08:55,835 --> 00:08:58,075
a willingness to cooperate
with the most intrusive

174
00:08:58,070 --> 00:09:00,070
inspections that have ever
been imposed on a nuclear

175
00:09:00,072 --> 00:09:02,072
program to verify that
they're living up to

176
00:09:02,074 --> 00:09:03,214
those commitments.

177
00:09:03,209 --> 00:09:07,149
The Press: And regarding his
relationship with Israel,

178
00:09:07,146 --> 00:09:09,716
last month you said you --
because of the Prime

179
00:09:09,715 --> 00:09:13,155
Minister's comments, you
were reevaluating the U.S.

180
00:09:13,152 --> 00:09:15,652
approach toward Middle East
peace.

181
00:09:15,655 --> 00:09:19,595
After a month, have you come
up with what that approach

182
00:09:19,592 --> 00:09:20,622
should be?

183
00:09:20,626 --> 00:09:21,896
Mr. Earnest: Well, what we
have done over the course of

184
00:09:21,894 --> 00:09:23,494
the last month is continue
to keep the lines of

185
00:09:23,496 --> 00:09:26,336
communication open with our
partners in Israel on a

186
00:09:26,332 --> 00:09:28,632
variety of issues.

187
00:09:28,634 --> 00:09:30,774
And I don't have any policy
changes or anything like

188
00:09:30,770 --> 00:09:33,710
that to announce today, but
we're going to continue to

189
00:09:33,706 --> 00:09:35,706
keep those lines of
communication open.

190
00:09:35,708 --> 00:09:37,708
Obviously, the other thing
that we have indicated is

191
00:09:37,710 --> 00:09:41,010
that the next step is for
Prime Minister Netanyahu to

192
00:09:41,013 --> 00:09:43,953
go about the important work
of forming the new

193
00:09:43,950 --> 00:09:44,950
Israeli government.

194
00:09:44,951 --> 00:09:48,721
And that's a process that
continues,

195
00:09:48,721 --> 00:09:51,621
and we're going to keep the
lines of communication open

196
00:09:51,624 --> 00:09:54,324
even as they undertake that
process.

197
00:09:54,327 --> 00:09:55,297
Jeff.

198
00:09:55,294 --> 00:09:57,494
The Press: Josh, has the
Saudi government indicated

199
00:09:57,496 --> 00:09:59,796
to the White House or the
United States any plans to

200
00:09:59,799 --> 00:10:02,969
start ground operations in
Yemen?

201
00:10:02,969 --> 00:10:05,239
And if it did, is that
something that the White

202
00:10:05,237 --> 00:10:07,337
House would support?

203
00:10:07,340 --> 00:10:12,040
Mr. Earnest: I don't have
any communications between

204
00:10:12,044 --> 00:10:13,144
the U.S. and our

205
00:10:13,145 --> 00:10:15,145
partners in Saudi
Arabia to read out at

206
00:10:15,147 --> 00:10:16,347
this point.

207
00:10:16,349 --> 00:10:19,449
What Saudi Arabia has
undertaken so far has been

208
00:10:19,452 --> 00:10:22,522
an air campaign against
Houthi forces that are

209
00:10:22,521 --> 00:10:26,091
destabilizing the region
along their southern border.

210
00:10:26,092 --> 00:10:30,192
And those are actions that
the Saudis have taken with

211
00:10:30,196 --> 00:10:32,196
the support of other
countries in the region,

212
00:10:32,198 --> 00:10:34,338
other GCC countries.

213
00:10:34,333 --> 00:10:39,043
The Saudis asked the United
States to offer some

214
00:10:39,038 --> 00:10:42,008
assistance, and we have
complied with that request

215
00:10:42,008 --> 00:10:44,348
in the form of providing
intelligence and logistical

216
00:10:44,343 --> 00:10:48,343
support to their ongoing
operation.

217
00:10:48,347 --> 00:10:52,287
But what we have always
believed and continue to

218
00:10:52,284 --> 00:10:55,684
impress upon everyone
involved in this situation

219
00:10:55,688 --> 00:11:00,188
is that our goal is to try
to bring about a political

220
00:11:00,192 --> 00:11:02,892
resolution to the conflict,
and that there are many

221
00:11:02,895 --> 00:11:04,895
grievances on the part of
many parties

222
00:11:04,897 --> 00:11:05,897
in that country.

223
00:11:05,898 --> 00:11:10,838
And it is in the clearest
security interest of every

224
00:11:10,836 --> 00:11:15,146
country that's partaking
here for this political

225
00:11:15,141 --> 00:11:18,941
resolution to be reached.

226
00:11:18,944 --> 00:11:20,914
And that is the best way for
us to try to bring some

227
00:11:20,913 --> 00:11:24,183
stability to the situation
and also succeed in rooting

228
00:11:24,183 --> 00:11:29,323
out the extremists that are
trying to foment instability

229
00:11:29,321 --> 00:11:31,321
not just in Yemen but across
the region.

230
00:11:31,323 --> 00:11:33,993
The Press: Would the United
States support Saudi Arabia

231
00:11:33,993 --> 00:11:37,363
expanding its campaign from
the air to the ground?

232
00:11:37,363 --> 00:11:39,103
Mr. Earnest: Well, we have
not seen an indication

233
00:11:39,098 --> 00:11:41,968
publicly from the Saudis
that that's precisely what

234
00:11:41,967 --> 00:11:43,237
they're planning.

235
00:11:43,235 --> 00:11:46,635
But the United States is
closely coordinating with

236
00:11:46,639 --> 00:11:49,309
the Saudis as they plot the
military aspects

237
00:11:49,308 --> 00:11:50,308
of this operation.

238
00:11:50,309 --> 00:11:52,949
The Press: The new Yemeni
vice president expressed

239
00:11:52,945 --> 00:11:55,085
some concern that that's
something that was on

240
00:11:55,081 --> 00:11:56,511
the cards.

241
00:11:56,515 --> 00:11:59,885
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I
don't have any comment on

242
00:11:59,885 --> 00:12:02,685
what the Saudis may be
considering or planning.

243
00:12:02,688 --> 00:12:05,088
You can ask them, and they
may be able to provide you

244
00:12:05,091 --> 00:12:07,491
more insight into their
thinking as they consider

245
00:12:07,493 --> 00:12:09,493
this dangerous security
situation.

246
00:12:09,495 --> 00:12:12,035
The Press: And on one other
issue -- today is Greek

247
00:12:12,031 --> 00:12:15,601
Independence Day.

248
00:12:15,601 --> 00:12:19,571
Speaking of, how confident
is the White House that

249
00:12:19,572 --> 00:12:22,072
Greece will reach an
agreement with its creditors

250
00:12:22,074 --> 00:12:23,514
by the end of this month?

251
00:12:23,509 --> 00:12:26,909
Mr. Earnest: Well, Jeff,
what we have indicated is

252
00:12:26,912 --> 00:12:29,982
that it is in the best
interest not just of the

253
00:12:29,982 --> 00:12:35,322
Greek people but all of the
nations of the EU to resolve

254
00:12:35,321 --> 00:12:37,561
this situation in an orderly
fashion.

255
00:12:37,556 --> 00:12:40,956
There are obviously a large
number -- this is obviously

256
00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,030
an extraordinarily complex
situation,

257
00:12:43,028 --> 00:12:46,068
and we have experts over at
the Treasury Department

258
00:12:46,065 --> 00:12:50,035
that, frankly, for years
have been working closely

259
00:12:50,035 --> 00:12:55,745
with their counterparts in
Greece and throughout Europe

260
00:12:55,741 --> 00:13:00,251
as they work through what is
an extraordinarily complex

261
00:13:00,246 --> 00:13:06,286
but also high-stakes
situation that the world

262
00:13:06,285 --> 00:13:07,885
economy, and certainly the
U.S.

263
00:13:07,887 --> 00:13:14,257
economy, benefits from the
quiet resolution of

264
00:13:14,260 --> 00:13:16,200
these challenges.

265
00:13:16,195 --> 00:13:19,535
And we have taken many steps
to try to encourage and

266
00:13:19,532 --> 00:13:23,032
foster that kind of
resolution,

267
00:13:23,035 --> 00:13:25,205
and we'll continue to do
that.

268
00:13:25,204 --> 00:13:27,204
The Press: The Greek Finance
Minister is coming to the

269
00:13:27,206 --> 00:13:28,236
reception this evening.

270
00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:29,310
We understand --
Mr. Earnest: I've heard.

271
00:13:29,308 --> 00:13:30,208
The Press: I'm sure you
have.

272
00:13:30,209 --> 00:13:32,909
We understand he's not
meeting with the President.

273
00:13:32,912 --> 00:13:33,842
Mr. Earnest: That's correct.

274
00:13:33,846 --> 00:13:35,016
Thank you for stipulating as
such.

275
00:13:35,014 --> 00:13:36,184
The Press: Is he meeting
with anyone else at the

276
00:13:36,182 --> 00:13:37,512
White House?

277
00:13:37,516 --> 00:13:39,116
Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware
of any formal meetings that

278
00:13:39,118 --> 00:13:41,018
he has at the White House.

279
00:13:41,020 --> 00:13:43,960
I wouldn't rule out that he
might see some senior

280
00:13:43,956 --> 00:13:47,326
administration officials who
will be partaking in the

281
00:13:47,326 --> 00:13:50,396
festivities today, but I'm
not aware of any specific

282
00:13:50,396 --> 00:13:51,396
formal meetings.

283
00:13:51,397 --> 00:13:55,167
Now, I know what's also true
is it's not uncommon when

284
00:13:55,167 --> 00:14:00,007
the Greek Prime Minister --
Greek Finance Minister is in

285
00:14:00,005 --> 00:14:02,445
town for the IMF World Bank
meetings, that he would,

286
00:14:02,441 --> 00:14:04,441
for example, have a meeting
with the U.S.

287
00:14:04,443 --> 00:14:05,813
Treasury Secretary.

288
00:14:05,811 --> 00:14:09,081
I'm not aware of what
Secretary Lew's schedule

289
00:14:09,081 --> 00:14:10,081
is today.

290
00:14:10,082 --> 00:14:13,082
I wouldn't be surprised if
the two men do have a

291
00:14:13,085 --> 00:14:15,085
meeting while he's in town,
but you can check with the

292
00:14:15,087 --> 00:14:17,157
Treasury Department about
that.

293
00:14:17,156 --> 00:14:17,886
Mark.

294
00:14:17,890 --> 00:14:19,530
The Press: Josh, are there
any lessons to be learned

295
00:14:19,525 --> 00:14:24,435
from the gyrocopter incident
on the Mall yesterday?

296
00:14:24,430 --> 00:14:28,070
Mr. Earnest: Well, there are
a number of temptations that

297
00:14:28,067 --> 00:14:30,067
are associated with the
posing of that question.

298
00:14:30,069 --> 00:14:31,069
I'll try to resist them.

299
00:14:31,070 --> 00:14:36,880
What I will say is that the
Secret Service takes very

300
00:14:36,875 --> 00:14:40,845
seriously the responsibility
that they have to protect

301
00:14:40,846 --> 00:14:43,686
the President, to protect
the White House,

302
00:14:43,682 --> 00:14:45,782
to protect those of us who
work at the White House,

303
00:14:45,784 --> 00:14:49,454
to protect the airspace
above the White House.

304
00:14:49,455 --> 00:14:54,055
And they obviously are
dealing with a very dynamic,

305
00:14:54,059 --> 00:14:56,499
challenging security
environment.

306
00:14:56,495 --> 00:14:59,635
Not only is there all kinds
of new technology that they

307
00:14:59,632 --> 00:15:02,872
have to be prepared for, but
there are also threats that

308
00:15:02,868 --> 00:15:05,608
emanate from a lot of
different places.

309
00:15:05,604 --> 00:15:10,174
And they have to balance all
of those concerns with the

310
00:15:10,175 --> 00:15:15,285
priority of ensuring that
the public continues to have

311
00:15:15,281 --> 00:15:17,481
access to the White House.

312
00:15:17,483 --> 00:15:20,653
And there are hundreds of
thousands of people who come

313
00:15:20,653 --> 00:15:22,723
to the White House every
year,

314
00:15:22,721 --> 00:15:26,361
on tours or for events like
Greek Independence Day.

315
00:15:26,358 --> 00:15:29,228
And balancing the need to
protect the President,

316
00:15:29,228 --> 00:15:32,468
protect the White House with
a need to preserve that

317
00:15:32,464 --> 00:15:36,304
openness is a central part
of their mission.

318
00:15:36,302 --> 00:15:38,242
It's a mission that I know
they take very seriously.

319
00:15:38,237 --> 00:15:41,577
I also know they take very
seriously the responsibility

320
00:15:41,573 --> 00:15:44,073
that they have to work with
other law enforcement

321
00:15:44,076 --> 00:15:46,546
agencies, whether that's the
Metropolitan Police

322
00:15:46,545 --> 00:15:49,085
Department here in the
District of Columbia,

323
00:15:49,081 --> 00:15:52,151
or the Capitol Police up on
Capitol Hill,

324
00:15:52,151 --> 00:15:54,151
to ensure that all those
agencies are sharing

325
00:15:54,153 --> 00:15:56,153
information about threats
that may exist.

326
00:15:56,155 --> 00:16:01,225
So I'm confident that there
will be a careful look at

327
00:16:01,226 --> 00:16:02,226
this incident.

328
00:16:02,227 --> 00:16:08,367
And while we certainly are
pleased that no one was

329
00:16:08,367 --> 00:16:13,137
harmed in this incident, it
may provide an opportunity

330
00:16:13,138 --> 00:16:15,008
for law enforcement
agencies,

331
00:16:15,007 --> 00:16:16,677
including the Secret
Service,

332
00:16:16,675 --> 00:16:20,045
to review their procedures
and to get some useful

333
00:16:20,045 --> 00:16:21,215
lessons from it.

334
00:16:21,213 --> 00:16:22,083
The Press: Can you tell us
about the President's

335
00:16:22,081 --> 00:16:22,981
reaction to it?

336
00:16:22,981 --> 00:16:24,551
First of all, when was he
told about it?

337
00:16:24,550 --> 00:16:28,050
Was there any alert while
this thing was in the air

338
00:16:28,053 --> 00:16:30,623
that caused the President to
be notified?

339
00:16:30,622 --> 00:16:32,362
Mr. Earnest: I don't know
that he was notified right

340
00:16:32,358 --> 00:16:34,428
away because he was on the
road when it occurred.

341
00:16:34,426 --> 00:16:36,566
He was not in Washington
when it occurred.

342
00:16:36,562 --> 00:16:40,062
But he was informed on the
trip by the military aide

343
00:16:40,065 --> 00:16:41,535
who was traveling alongside
him.

344
00:16:41,533 --> 00:16:42,803
The Press: And what was his
reaction to it?

345
00:16:42,801 --> 00:16:43,671
Mr. Earnest: I wasn't on the
trip,

346
00:16:43,669 --> 00:16:45,539
so I didn't see his initial
reaction.

347
00:16:45,537 --> 00:16:50,077
It might have been, what's a
gyrocopter?

348
00:16:50,075 --> 00:16:51,045
(laughter)

349
00:16:51,043 --> 00:16:52,043
I know that was
my reaction.

350
00:16:52,044 --> 00:16:54,044
But beyond that, I don't
know what his reaction was.

351
00:16:54,046 --> 00:16:56,716
So I guess I failed in my
resisting the temptation in

352
00:16:56,715 --> 00:16:57,715
your question.

353
00:16:57,716 --> 00:16:58,716
Jon.

354
00:16:58,717 --> 00:17:00,787
The Press: So on the Corker
bill,

355
00:17:00,786 --> 00:17:05,026
I understand the bill that
passed unanimously out of

356
00:17:05,023 --> 00:17:06,723
the Foreign Relations
Committee is one the

357
00:17:06,725 --> 00:17:08,595
President would sign,
correct?

358
00:17:08,594 --> 00:17:10,064
Mr. Earnest: Yes, in the
form in which it passed.

359
00:17:10,062 --> 00:17:11,162
The Press: In the form in
which it passed.

360
00:17:11,163 --> 00:17:13,963
And I also understand the
Republicans who control the

361
00:17:13,966 --> 00:17:15,836
Senate now are very much
into an open amendment

362
00:17:15,834 --> 00:17:22,004
process, and it's a virtual
certitude that an amendment

363
00:17:22,007 --> 00:17:25,577
to stipulate that the
administration would have to

364
00:17:25,577 --> 00:17:28,777
certify that Iran is not
supporting terrorism against

365
00:17:28,781 --> 00:17:33,121
Americans will almost
certainly be added -- would

366
00:17:33,118 --> 00:17:36,288
be presented and would be
added back on to this bill.

367
00:17:36,288 --> 00:17:38,658
If that were to happen, do
we go back to where we were,

368
00:17:38,657 --> 00:17:40,527
which is a presidential
veto?

369
00:17:40,526 --> 00:17:42,096
Mr. Earnest: Yes.

370
00:17:42,094 --> 00:17:44,794
There is an agreement that
was reached -- a strong

371
00:17:44,797 --> 00:17:48,367
bipartisan compromise -- in
the Senate Foreign Relations

372
00:17:48,367 --> 00:17:50,607
Committee that the President
has indicated he'd be

373
00:17:50,602 --> 00:17:51,802
willing to sign.

374
00:17:51,804 --> 00:17:54,774
But if there is an attempt,
and it succeeds,

375
00:17:54,773 --> 00:17:56,743
to undermine that
compromise,

376
00:17:56,742 --> 00:18:02,712
and returning it to either a
blatantly vehicle or a

377
00:18:05,984 --> 00:18:10,124
blatant attempt to undermine
diplomacy,

378
00:18:10,122 --> 00:18:12,322
the President would
absolutely veto that bill.

379
00:18:12,324 --> 00:18:14,324
The Press: Wouldn't that be
a tough argument to make

380
00:18:14,326 --> 00:18:17,326
that you would be vetoing
simply a provision that

381
00:18:17,329 --> 00:18:21,839
would certify that the
Iranians were not supporting

382
00:18:21,834 --> 00:18:23,834
terrorism against the
Americans?

383
00:18:23,836 --> 00:18:24,966
You really want to be up
there and make that --

384
00:18:24,970 --> 00:18:25,740
Mr. Earnest: Not
particularly.

385
00:18:25,737 --> 00:18:27,107
Not particularly, no.

386
00:18:27,105 --> 00:18:28,105
And let me explain to you
why.

387
00:18:28,106 --> 00:18:30,976
The first is that we know
that Iran,

388
00:18:30,976 --> 00:18:35,916
for at least a generation,
has been very active in

389
00:18:35,914 --> 00:18:38,684
supporting elements of
terror around the globe.

390
00:18:38,684 --> 00:18:42,324
That is why they are on that
now shorter list of state

391
00:18:42,321 --> 00:18:45,391
sponsors of terror, and that
is a designation that this

392
00:18:45,390 --> 00:18:47,760
administration takes very
seriously.

393
00:18:47,759 --> 00:18:51,599
And there are a whole host
of sanctions and other ways

394
00:18:51,597 --> 00:18:53,997
that we have made clear to
the Iranians that we have

395
00:18:53,999 --> 00:18:56,139
concerns about the way that
they sponsor terrorism

396
00:18:56,134 --> 00:18:58,174
around the globe.

397
00:18:58,170 --> 00:19:00,970
What we have also been clear
about is that we do not

398
00:19:00,973 --> 00:19:03,873
anticipate that these
nuclear negotiations are

399
00:19:03,876 --> 00:19:05,876
going to resolve our
concerns about their support

400
00:19:05,878 --> 00:19:06,948
for terror.

401
00:19:06,945 --> 00:19:10,445
It is highly likely that
Iran will continue to be

402
00:19:10,449 --> 00:19:12,989
supportive of some terror
elements,

403
00:19:12,985 --> 00:19:15,785
even if they are able to
successfully enter and

404
00:19:15,787 --> 00:19:19,027
complete these negotiations
about their nuclear program.

405
00:19:19,024 --> 00:19:25,794
Now, what, finally, is also
true is that our need to

406
00:19:25,797 --> 00:19:29,197
prevent Iran from obtaining
a nuclear weapon is made all

407
00:19:29,201 --> 00:19:31,201
the more important because
we know they

408
00:19:31,203 --> 00:19:33,173
support terrorism.

409
00:19:33,171 --> 00:19:36,571
Iran's support for terrorism
would be even more dangerous

410
00:19:36,575 --> 00:19:39,575
if we were dealing with a
nuclear-armed Iran.

411
00:19:39,578 --> 00:19:41,648
That's what makes the stakes
for these negotiations so

412
00:19:41,647 --> 00:19:44,887
high, and that's why we
wouldn't want to see a

413
00:19:44,883 --> 00:19:48,023
politically motivated
attempt to undermine these

414
00:19:48,020 --> 00:19:50,920
serious negotiations.

415
00:19:50,923 --> 00:19:56,493
The Press: As you know, many
of our Arab and Gulf allies

416
00:19:56,495 --> 00:19:59,635
don't see it the same way,
and they're very concerned

417
00:19:59,631 --> 00:20:04,171
that this agreement would
actually put Iran on the

418
00:20:04,169 --> 00:20:06,569
path towards becoming a
nuclear power.

419
00:20:06,572 --> 00:20:08,372
I know you disagree with
that.

420
00:20:08,373 --> 00:20:11,973
Is the administration open
to the idea that's been

421
00:20:11,977 --> 00:20:16,617
floated by some of a mutual
defense pact where the

422
00:20:16,615 --> 00:20:19,515
United States would
effectively guarantee that

423
00:20:19,518 --> 00:20:23,018
defense of our allies in
that region the way we do,

424
00:20:23,021 --> 00:20:24,691
say, with Japan?

425
00:20:24,690 --> 00:20:28,690
Mr. Earnest: Well, the thing
that we have said about our

426
00:20:28,694 --> 00:20:31,564
ally in Israel is, the
President I think on a

427
00:20:31,563 --> 00:20:35,463
number of occasions has
indicated how seriously he

428
00:20:35,467 --> 00:20:37,767
takes the security threats
to Israel.

429
00:20:37,769 --> 00:20:42,339
Israel exists in a very
dangerous neighborhood,

430
00:20:42,341 --> 00:20:44,341
and there are a number of
steps the United States has

431
00:20:44,343 --> 00:20:47,543
taken over the years to show
-- to demonstrate our

432
00:20:47,546 --> 00:20:49,616
commitment to their
security.

433
00:20:49,615 --> 00:20:51,615
And the most recent of those
was last summer when the

434
00:20:51,617 --> 00:20:55,657
United States ramped up our
assistance for the Iron Dome

435
00:20:55,654 --> 00:20:57,794
program, a program that was
initiated in the Obama

436
00:20:57,789 --> 00:21:00,959
administration, to protect
Israeli civilians who are

437
00:21:00,959 --> 00:21:03,329
under threat from rockets
that were being fired by

438
00:21:03,328 --> 00:21:05,328
extremists in Gaza.

439
00:21:07,933 --> 00:21:10,133
So the United States is
certainly committed to the

440
00:21:10,135 --> 00:21:13,875
security of the people and
the nation of Israel.

441
00:21:13,872 --> 00:21:17,442
The Press: Now, I'm asking
about our Gulf state allies,

442
00:21:17,442 --> 00:21:20,042
which have some of the very
same concerns that the

443
00:21:20,045 --> 00:21:21,415
Israelis have.

444
00:21:21,413 --> 00:21:23,513
And of course, you'll be
having the summit

445
00:21:23,515 --> 00:21:24,985
at Camp David.

446
00:21:24,983 --> 00:21:28,953
And I'm asking if the
administration would be open

447
00:21:28,954 --> 00:21:33,124
to the idea of effectively a
defense pact with our

448
00:21:33,125 --> 00:21:34,055
Gulf allies.

449
00:21:34,059 --> 00:21:37,299
We're worried that this deal
will pump in hundreds of

450
00:21:37,295 --> 00:21:39,465
billions of dollars
ultimately to the Iranian

451
00:21:39,464 --> 00:21:43,234
economy and make Iran a more
dangerous exporter

452
00:21:43,235 --> 00:21:44,335
of terrorism.

453
00:21:44,336 --> 00:21:48,676
And many also argue that
this ultimately puts them on

454
00:21:48,674 --> 00:21:50,374
the path towards becoming
nuclear power.

455
00:21:50,375 --> 00:21:53,945
Would the United States be
-- would the administration

456
00:21:53,945 --> 00:21:56,645
be open to the idea of a
defense pact?

457
00:21:56,648 --> 00:21:58,718
Mr. Earnest: Well, one of
the reasons that we've

458
00:21:58,717 --> 00:22:00,787
entered into these
negotiations is because we

459
00:22:00,786 --> 00:22:03,686
do believe it is the best
way for us to prevent Iran

460
00:22:03,689 --> 00:22:05,689
from obtaining a nuclear
weapon.

461
00:22:05,691 --> 00:22:07,691
And the case that we will
certainly make -- and I

462
00:22:07,693 --> 00:22:09,693
think we'll have some
evidence to substantiate

463
00:22:09,695 --> 00:22:13,735
this claim -- that these
negotiations would prevent a

464
00:22:13,732 --> 00:22:15,732
nuclear arms race in the
Middle East.

465
00:22:15,734 --> 00:22:17,804
In fact, that is one of the
reasons that we're pursuing

466
00:22:17,803 --> 00:22:19,303
these negotiations.

467
00:22:19,304 --> 00:22:21,304
And we will certainly --
we've made that case

468
00:22:21,306 --> 00:22:23,276
publicly and it's one that
we'll continue to make in

469
00:22:23,275 --> 00:22:24,275
private as well.

470
00:22:24,276 --> 00:22:26,276
The second is, we value
strongly the

471
00:22:26,278 --> 00:22:28,278
military-to-military
relationship that exists

472
00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:30,480
between the United States
and so many of our GCC

473
00:22:30,482 --> 00:22:33,122
partners, including Saudi
Arabia.

474
00:22:33,118 --> 00:22:35,758
And that
military-to-military

475
00:22:35,754 --> 00:22:39,394
cooperation is on display
right now as Saudi Arabia

476
00:22:39,391 --> 00:22:42,731
engages in this military
campaign in Yemen to protect

477
00:22:42,728 --> 00:22:45,198
their southern border.

478
00:22:45,197 --> 00:22:47,197
And I'm confident that these
are the kinds of

479
00:22:47,199 --> 00:22:50,069
conversations that we'll
continue to have with the

480
00:22:50,068 --> 00:22:53,138
leaders of the GCC countries
when they travel to the

481
00:22:53,138 --> 00:22:56,608
United States in the next
month or so to have a longer

482
00:22:56,608 --> 00:22:59,648
conversation -- an in-person
conversation -- with the

483
00:22:59,644 --> 00:23:01,044
President about all of these
issues.

484
00:23:01,046 --> 00:23:02,246
The Press: Does he have --
Mr. Earnest: There's one

485
00:23:02,247 --> 00:23:04,287
other thing that occurs to
me that I also want to make.

486
00:23:04,282 --> 00:23:07,652
We have seen that the
Iranian economy has been

487
00:23:07,652 --> 00:23:09,652
decimated by the sanctions
regime that's been put in

488
00:23:09,654 --> 00:23:11,694
place led by the United
States,

489
00:23:11,690 --> 00:23:17,230
but in cooperation with the
international community.

490
00:23:17,229 --> 00:23:21,599
Unfortunately, we have not
seen that economic pressure

491
00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:26,100
lead to a scaled-back
investment in terrorism.

492
00:23:28,173 --> 00:23:30,173
Iran's support for terrorism
is as strong as

493
00:23:30,175 --> 00:23:31,175
it's ever been.

494
00:23:31,176 --> 00:23:35,576
And I think the point is
that there are some people

495
00:23:35,580 --> 00:23:38,180
who say, well, why don't we
put in place even more

496
00:23:38,183 --> 00:23:40,983
sanctions and we could
probably convince Iran to

497
00:23:40,986 --> 00:23:42,416
change their calculus.

498
00:23:42,420 --> 00:23:44,460
And the fact is, we haven't
seen them change their

499
00:23:44,456 --> 00:23:47,396
calculus when it comes to
their support for terror.

500
00:23:47,392 --> 00:23:49,662
There are some indications
that they might change their

501
00:23:49,661 --> 00:23:51,501
calculus when it comes to
their nuclear program.

502
00:23:51,496 --> 00:23:53,696
And that's why we're
pursuing this diplomatic

503
00:23:53,698 --> 00:23:55,698
opportunity that currently
exists.

504
00:23:55,700 --> 00:23:57,700
The Press: Does the White
House have any doubt that

505
00:23:57,702 --> 00:24:01,942
the rebels in Yemen are
supported by Iran?

506
00:24:01,940 --> 00:24:06,310
That Iran is ultimately the
force behind what we're

507
00:24:06,311 --> 00:24:07,551
seeing happening in Yemen?

508
00:24:07,546 --> 00:24:09,316
Mr. Earnest: The latest
assessment that I've heard,

509
00:24:09,314 --> 00:24:12,254
that is not -- I haven't
talked about this with

510
00:24:12,250 --> 00:24:14,250
anybody today -- but the
latest assessment that I've

511
00:24:14,252 --> 00:24:18,322
heard in the last week or so
is that there are

512
00:24:18,323 --> 00:24:22,893
indications that Iran is
supporting the Houthis

513
00:24:22,894 --> 00:24:24,894
in Yemen.

514
00:24:24,896 --> 00:24:26,766
What continues to be
unclear,

515
00:24:26,765 --> 00:24:28,905
and there is some skepticism
about is,

516
00:24:28,900 --> 00:24:32,600
whether or not there is
command and control of the

517
00:24:32,604 --> 00:24:35,244
activities of the Houthis in
Yemen.

518
00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:39,540
So in other words, it seems
probable that there are

519
00:24:39,544 --> 00:24:41,814
weapons and equipment that
are being supplied,

520
00:24:41,813 --> 00:24:44,013
or other forms of support
that are being supplied to

521
00:24:44,015 --> 00:24:45,085
the Houthis.

522
00:24:45,083 --> 00:24:47,253
But it's not clear at this
point that the Houthis are

523
00:24:47,252 --> 00:24:50,922
essentially being directed
in how to use them.

524
00:24:50,922 --> 00:24:53,262
But there's an ongoing
assessment of this.

525
00:24:53,258 --> 00:24:58,068
Look, we are clear-eyed
about the risk that is

526
00:24:58,063 --> 00:24:59,933
emanating from Yemen right
now,

527
00:24:59,931 --> 00:25:03,001
and that there is certainly
a risk that the conflict

528
00:25:03,001 --> 00:25:06,901
there could spiral into a
broader,

529
00:25:06,905 --> 00:25:08,975
more regional conflict.

530
00:25:08,974 --> 00:25:12,644
And that is -- I listed
previously a substantial

531
00:25:12,644 --> 00:25:15,184
number of reasons why it's
in everybody's interest to

532
00:25:15,180 --> 00:25:17,520
try to resolve this
politically; in some ways,

533
00:25:17,515 --> 00:25:19,985
that may be the most
important one.

534
00:25:19,985 --> 00:25:21,155
Mara.

535
00:25:21,152 --> 00:25:25,092
The Press: A question about
the comments yesterday

536
00:25:25,090 --> 00:25:26,730
from Abadi.

537
00:25:26,725 --> 00:25:28,465
And then in response to
that,

538
00:25:28,460 --> 00:25:33,370
the Saudi ambassador arguing
about Saudi's regional

539
00:25:33,365 --> 00:25:36,635
ambitions versus Iran's
regional ambitions.

540
00:25:36,635 --> 00:25:40,075
Just in light of what you
just told Jon,

541
00:25:40,071 --> 00:25:43,871
how worried is the President
about a full-fledged

542
00:25:43,875 --> 00:25:46,375
Sunni-Shiite conflict in the
region?

543
00:25:46,378 --> 00:25:52,488
And how close is the
President or the White House

544
00:25:52,484 --> 00:25:56,254
to having a comprehensive
strategy to deal with that

545
00:25:56,254 --> 00:25:59,194
-- kind of beyond just
Iran's nuclear ambitions,

546
00:25:59,190 --> 00:26:03,560
a bigger strategy to contain
Iran's ambitions in

547
00:26:03,561 --> 00:26:04,761
the region?

548
00:26:04,763 --> 00:26:08,563
Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't
think it would be

549
00:26:08,566 --> 00:26:11,136
particularly surprising to
hear that this is something

550
00:26:11,136 --> 00:26:13,936
that we continue to be
concerned about.

551
00:26:13,939 --> 00:26:17,779
And it's precisely because
this conflict is manifested

552
00:26:17,776 --> 00:26:21,146
in much smaller conflicts,
but they do have the

553
00:26:21,146 --> 00:26:23,986
potential to spiral into
much broader ones.

554
00:26:23,982 --> 00:26:26,282
So that's everything from
the situation in Yemen that

555
00:26:26,284 --> 00:26:28,154
Jon and I were just talking
about;

556
00:26:28,153 --> 00:26:32,023
that situation is manifested
a little bit in Syria as

557
00:26:32,023 --> 00:26:35,663
well, where we have seen the
Iranian regime trying to

558
00:26:35,660 --> 00:26:40,870
prop up an Assad regime that
is under some pressure from

559
00:26:40,865 --> 00:26:43,605
their Sunni neighbors.

560
00:26:43,601 --> 00:26:46,741
So there is a danger of
conflicts like that that

561
00:26:46,738 --> 00:26:50,778
start out as relatively
small in the broader -- in

562
00:26:50,775 --> 00:26:54,945
the grand scheme of things,
spiraling into a much more

563
00:26:54,946 --> 00:26:59,116
dangerous regional conflict.

564
00:26:59,117 --> 00:27:06,387
And that's why the United
States has tried to pursue a

565
00:27:06,391 --> 00:27:12,431
strategy of engagement with
many of our Sunni partners,

566
00:27:12,430 --> 00:27:16,130
and to demonstrate that we
continue to be concerned

567
00:27:16,134 --> 00:27:18,704
about their security
situation.

568
00:27:18,703 --> 00:27:22,443
And that's also why we have
worked so aggressively with

569
00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:25,380
the international community
to try to prevent Iran from

570
00:27:25,377 --> 00:27:29,077
obtaining a nuclear weapon;
that that regional rivalry

571
00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:34,620
that exists would become far
more dangerous if one of the

572
00:27:34,619 --> 00:27:37,819
two parties in that rivalry
were to be armed with a

573
00:27:37,822 --> 00:27:40,522
nuclear weapon.

574
00:27:40,525 --> 00:27:42,495
It would create an incentive
for the other party to build

575
00:27:42,494 --> 00:27:43,694
a nuclear weapon.

576
00:27:43,695 --> 00:27:47,395
It would greatly increase
the risk of proliferation.

577
00:27:47,399 --> 00:27:51,439
And there obviously are
generational tensions that

578
00:27:51,436 --> 00:27:57,046
exist that, again, would be
only more dangerous if both

579
00:27:57,042 --> 00:27:59,312
side is nuclear armed.

580
00:27:59,310 --> 00:28:03,920
The Press: But if the Saudis
and the other Gulf states

581
00:28:03,915 --> 00:28:08,085
conclude that the deal with
Iran will turn them into a

582
00:28:08,086 --> 00:28:11,286
very much richer, more
troublesome nuclear power in

583
00:28:11,289 --> 00:28:14,089
10 or 15 years and decide
the best response is to go

584
00:28:14,092 --> 00:28:16,862
get nukes of their own, then
-- Mr. Earnest: Well,

585
00:28:16,861 --> 00:28:19,131
that's what -- right, and
that's why we're going to

586
00:28:19,130 --> 00:28:21,070
make the case -- and there
will be plenty of evidence

587
00:28:21,066 --> 00:28:23,866
to substantiate this -- that
that is why we're entering

588
00:28:23,868 --> 00:28:25,938
into these negotiations, is
to prevent them from

589
00:28:25,937 --> 00:28:26,867
obtaining a nuclear weapon.

590
00:28:26,871 --> 00:28:28,971
The Press: Right, but the
President himself has said

591
00:28:28,973 --> 00:28:31,973
that at the end of the
period of this agreement

592
00:28:31,976 --> 00:28:36,916
they're free to go ahead and
race for a bomb again.

593
00:28:36,915 --> 00:28:38,915
Mr. Earnest: No, I don't
think that's at all what the

594
00:28:38,917 --> 00:28:39,917
President has said.

595
00:28:39,918 --> 00:28:41,918
There will be very strict
controls that will continue

596
00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:46,520
to be in place on Iran for a
substantial period of time.

597
00:28:46,524 --> 00:28:48,564
The additional protocol --
Secretary Moniz has talked

598
00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:50,560
about this -- the additional
protocols that will be put

599
00:28:50,562 --> 00:28:54,232
in place by the IAEA would
be inspections and

600
00:28:54,232 --> 00:28:57,402
verification measures that
would be in place

601
00:28:57,402 --> 00:28:58,902
in perpetuity.

602
00:28:58,903 --> 00:29:04,113
And those kinds of
inspections are a critical

603
00:29:04,109 --> 00:29:07,579
part of the foundation of
this agreement,

604
00:29:07,579 --> 00:29:10,549
and that is something that
we're going to insist upon

605
00:29:10,548 --> 00:29:13,488
because of the legitimate
concerns that the United

606
00:29:13,485 --> 00:29:18,285
States has and that other
countries in the region have

607
00:29:18,289 --> 00:29:21,989
about Iran's previous
activity when it came to the

608
00:29:21,993 --> 00:29:25,163
covert attempt to develop a
nuclear weapon.

609
00:29:25,163 --> 00:29:26,733
The Press: But are you
planning to offer some kind

610
00:29:26,731 --> 00:29:29,601
of commitments to the Gulf
states to dissuade them from

611
00:29:29,601 --> 00:29:31,541
going out and getting nukes
of their own?

612
00:29:31,536 --> 00:29:33,576
Mr. Earnest: Well, we
certainly do not believe

613
00:29:33,571 --> 00:29:35,841
that adding nuclear weapons
to the equation in the

614
00:29:35,840 --> 00:29:38,240
Middle East is in anybody's
interest.

615
00:29:38,243 --> 00:29:40,243
The Press: I know what you
believe.

616
00:29:40,245 --> 00:29:42,245
I'm asking what you're
willing to do to --

617
00:29:42,247 --> 00:29:44,247
Mr. Earnest: Well, we're
certainly going to make that

618
00:29:44,249 --> 00:29:46,249
case to them directly; we
already have.

619
00:29:46,251 --> 00:29:49,651
And certainly one element of
-- well,

620
00:29:49,654 --> 00:29:51,554
let me say it this way.

621
00:29:51,556 --> 00:29:53,726
Many of the Sunni countries
may be in a position where

622
00:29:53,725 --> 00:29:56,795
they feel like it is in the
best interest of their

623
00:29:56,794 --> 00:30:00,194
country's security to
consider that approach.

624
00:30:00,198 --> 00:30:03,238
The other approach is for
them to continue to

625
00:30:03,234 --> 00:30:06,274
strengthen the security
relationship that they have

626
00:30:06,271 --> 00:30:08,841
with the United States and
that there's an opportunity

627
00:30:08,840 --> 00:30:16,110
for some of those countries
where they may choose to act

628
00:30:16,114 --> 00:30:18,114
in the best national
security interest of their

629
00:30:18,116 --> 00:30:20,116
country by strengthening
their ties with the

630
00:30:20,118 --> 00:30:20,688
United States.

631
00:30:20,685 --> 00:30:21,455
The Press: And one last
quick thing on

632
00:30:21,452 --> 00:30:22,122
another subject.

633
00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:24,060
Does the President still
have confidence in the DEA

634
00:30:24,055 --> 00:30:27,155
chief who was roundly
savaged yesterday on

635
00:30:27,158 --> 00:30:29,128
Capitol Hill?

636
00:30:29,127 --> 00:30:31,667
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
Office of the Inspector

637
00:30:31,663 --> 00:30:35,533
General in recent days has
published some pretty

638
00:30:35,533 --> 00:30:39,033
troubling details about the
conduct of some officers at

639
00:30:39,037 --> 00:30:40,777
that DEA.

640
00:30:40,772 --> 00:30:43,172
As you know, Mara, the
President has very high

641
00:30:43,174 --> 00:30:44,674
expectations for everybody
who serves in his

642
00:30:44,676 --> 00:30:47,946
administration about their
conduct and about keeping

643
00:30:47,946 --> 00:30:50,086
the public's trust.

644
00:30:50,081 --> 00:30:55,421
I know that these are
concerns that have prompted

645
00:30:55,420 --> 00:30:58,020
the Department of Justice to
take some steps to try to

646
00:30:58,022 --> 00:31:00,662
address them, and we're
certainly supportive of the

647
00:31:00,658 --> 00:31:04,028
efforts that are underway at
the Department of Justice to

648
00:31:04,028 --> 00:31:05,028
address those concerns.

649
00:31:05,029 --> 00:31:08,899
The Press: That doesn't
answer the question.

650
00:31:08,900 --> 00:31:11,900
Does the President still
have faith in the DEA chief?

651
00:31:11,903 --> 00:31:17,573
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I,
at this point -- we do have

652
00:31:17,575 --> 00:31:22,145
concerns about what's been
reported by the Office of

653
00:31:22,146 --> 00:31:23,946
the Inspector General.

654
00:31:23,948 --> 00:31:25,948
We do have high expectations
for those who serve this

655
00:31:25,950 --> 00:31:27,950
government and serve the
American people,

656
00:31:27,952 --> 00:31:29,952
and we do believe it's
important for the Department

657
00:31:29,954 --> 00:31:32,124
of Justice to do as they're
doing,

658
00:31:32,123 --> 00:31:34,123
following through on some
reforms to address

659
00:31:34,125 --> 00:31:35,125
those concerns.

660
00:31:35,126 --> 00:31:37,126
The Press: Is it fair to
interpret that as saying

661
00:31:37,128 --> 00:31:39,128
that you feel she has not
lived up to

662
00:31:39,130 --> 00:31:40,130
those expectations?

663
00:31:40,131 --> 00:31:43,401
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I
think I've said all I have

664
00:31:43,401 --> 00:31:46,201
to say about this topic.

665
00:31:46,204 --> 00:31:47,534
Pamela.

666
00:31:47,538 --> 00:31:49,108
The Press: The
administration has told

667
00:31:49,107 --> 00:31:51,077
Congress it's working to
resolve the issue of

668
00:31:51,075 --> 00:31:54,675
American fugitives in Cuba.

669
00:31:54,679 --> 00:31:56,619
Is the goal to get them back
here?

670
00:31:56,614 --> 00:31:58,584
And what are the chances of
that happening?

671
00:31:58,583 --> 00:32:00,583
Mr. Earnest: Well, I'd refer
you to the Department of

672
00:32:00,585 --> 00:32:04,385
Justice that's principally
responsible for bringing to

673
00:32:04,389 --> 00:32:08,929
justice American fugitives
who may be trying to hide in

674
00:32:08,926 --> 00:32:10,096
other countries.

675
00:32:10,094 --> 00:32:12,094
This is not a situation
that's unique to Cuba.

676
00:32:12,096 --> 00:32:14,796
As you know, there are a
number of other countries

677
00:32:14,799 --> 00:32:18,569
around the world where there
are fugitives that the

678
00:32:18,569 --> 00:32:24,379
Department of Justice is
interested in getting in

679
00:32:24,375 --> 00:32:30,945
touch with, and that is
true.

680
00:32:30,948 --> 00:32:36,288
What is also true is the
fact that a country may have

681
00:32:36,287 --> 00:32:39,227
some fugitives that need to
be brought to justice here

682
00:32:39,223 --> 00:32:42,493
in America does not merit
their inclusion on the state

683
00:32:42,493 --> 00:32:43,493
sponsor of terror list.

684
00:32:43,494 --> 00:32:45,494
And I know that's the
argument that's made by

685
00:32:45,496 --> 00:32:49,736
some, but it's not an
argument that withstands the

686
00:32:49,734 --> 00:32:52,904
scrutiny that's required by
a serious designation,

687
00:32:52,904 --> 00:32:57,044
like being added to the list
of state sponsors of terror.

688
00:32:57,041 --> 00:33:00,181
The Press: Is Cuba's
willingness to work on this

689
00:33:00,178 --> 00:33:03,648
issue the result of being
taken off the terror list?

690
00:33:03,648 --> 00:33:05,948
Mr. Earnest: No, it's a
completely separate issue.

691
00:33:05,950 --> 00:33:10,920
I think that the -- one of
the things I think that we

692
00:33:10,922 --> 00:33:13,922
would expect is that as we
start to take some steps to

693
00:33:13,925 --> 00:33:17,165
normalize relations between
our countries,

694
00:33:17,161 --> 00:33:22,631
that our conversations with
the Cubans about the need

695
00:33:22,633 --> 00:33:25,433
for the United States and
the Department of Justice to

696
00:33:25,436 --> 00:33:27,576
have access to these
fugitives might be more

697
00:33:27,572 --> 00:33:29,572
fruitful than they've been
in the past.

698
00:33:29,574 --> 00:33:31,674
The Press: Would the U.S.

699
00:33:31,676 --> 00:33:35,776
consider sending back any
people who are here that

700
00:33:35,780 --> 00:33:38,020
Cuba wants in exchange?

701
00:33:38,015 --> 00:33:40,555
Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm not
aware of anything like that

702
00:33:40,551 --> 00:33:43,351
that's being contemplated at
this point.

703
00:33:43,354 --> 00:33:44,354
Byron.

704
00:33:44,355 --> 00:33:45,355
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

705
00:33:45,356 --> 00:33:47,826
Senate Republicans have
previously floated the idea

706
00:33:47,825 --> 00:33:49,995
of using spending bills to
challenge the

707
00:33:49,994 --> 00:33:52,734
administration's regulatory
policies.

708
00:33:52,730 --> 00:33:54,430
And in an interview with us
-- Mr. Earnest: It didn't

709
00:33:54,432 --> 00:33:55,662
work out very well with the
Department of Homeland

710
00:33:55,666 --> 00:33:56,466
Security, did it?

711
00:33:56,467 --> 00:33:58,267
The Press: Well, in an
interview that published,

712
00:33:58,269 --> 00:34:00,839
granted, while you were up
here,

713
00:34:00,838 --> 00:34:02,878
Senate Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell promised big

714
00:34:02,874 --> 00:34:05,614
fights over funding the
bureaucracy.

715
00:34:05,610 --> 00:34:08,650
Can I get you to react to
that either specifically

716
00:34:08,646 --> 00:34:09,446
or generally?

717
00:34:09,447 --> 00:34:10,717
And does the White House
have concerns about

718
00:34:10,715 --> 00:34:12,045
another shutdown?

719
00:34:12,049 --> 00:34:13,949
Mr. Earnest: Well, Senator
McConnell himself -- I

720
00:34:13,951 --> 00:34:15,121
haven't seen the latest
interview,

721
00:34:15,119 --> 00:34:18,059
but I did see the interview
that he conducted shortly

722
00:34:18,055 --> 00:34:19,525
after the election in which
he promised that there

723
00:34:19,524 --> 00:34:21,694
wouldn't be any more
government shutdowns.

724
00:34:21,692 --> 00:34:28,862
So I guess I'll -- I think I
would anticipate that we're

725
00:34:28,866 --> 00:34:31,736
going to hold Senator
McConnell to his word.

726
00:34:31,736 --> 00:34:32,836
I guess I'll have to read
the story and find out if

727
00:34:32,837 --> 00:34:34,307
he's changed it.

728
00:34:34,305 --> 00:34:36,845
The Press: Switching
directions a little bit --

729
00:34:36,841 --> 00:34:39,041
as a candidate, the
President promised to use

730
00:34:39,043 --> 00:34:42,413
the word "genocide" to
describe the killing of

731
00:34:42,413 --> 00:34:43,783
1.5 million Armenians.

732
00:34:43,781 --> 00:34:47,581
He has not done that.

733
00:34:47,585 --> 00:34:49,525
Does he plan -- and this is
the 100th anniversary,

734
00:34:49,520 --> 00:34:50,920
by the way, this year.

735
00:34:50,922 --> 00:34:52,352
Does he plan to use that
word?

736
00:34:52,356 --> 00:34:54,496
And why, or why not?

737
00:34:54,492 --> 00:34:55,592
Mr. Earnest: Well, Byron, I
can tell you that the

738
00:34:55,593 --> 00:34:57,333
President and other senior
administration officials

739
00:34:57,328 --> 00:35:02,238
have repeatedly acknowledged
as historical fact that

740
00:35:02,233 --> 00:35:06,433
1.5 million Armenians were
massacred or marched to

741
00:35:06,437 --> 00:35:09,407
their deaths in the final
days of the Ottoman Empire.

742
00:35:09,407 --> 00:35:13,547
We further stated that we
mourn those deaths and that

743
00:35:13,544 --> 00:35:17,444
a full, frank, and just
acknowledgement of the facts

744
00:35:17,448 --> 00:35:21,788
is in the interest of
everybody, including Turkey,

745
00:35:21,786 --> 00:35:24,526
Armenia, and the United
States.

746
00:35:24,522 --> 00:35:25,552
That is our position.

747
00:35:25,556 --> 00:35:29,126
And one of the principles
that has guided the

748
00:35:29,126 --> 00:35:34,066
administration's work in
this area and in atrocity

749
00:35:34,065 --> 00:35:37,405
prevention more broadly has
been that nations grow

750
00:35:37,401 --> 00:35:41,071
strong by acknowledging and
reckoning with painful

751
00:35:41,072 --> 00:35:43,872
elements of their pasts, and
that doing so is essential

752
00:35:43,875 --> 00:35:46,475
to building a foundation for
a more just and more

753
00:35:46,477 --> 00:35:48,447
tolerant future.

754
00:35:48,446 --> 00:35:49,476
The Press: So you won't use
the word, though,

755
00:35:49,480 --> 00:35:50,950
to describe those events?

756
00:35:50,948 --> 00:35:54,248
Mr. Earnest: Well, this has
been our policy and our

757
00:35:54,252 --> 00:35:57,352
position and our approach to
this issue for a number of

758
00:35:57,355 --> 00:35:58,785
years now.

759
00:35:58,789 --> 00:36:02,289
It is customary for the
President to issue a

760
00:36:02,293 --> 00:36:07,803
statement on the situation,
on this terrible historical

761
00:36:07,798 --> 00:36:13,268
event, later in the month of
April.

762
00:36:13,271 --> 00:36:17,071
And I wouldn't anticipate
any updates on our policy

763
00:36:17,074 --> 00:36:19,144
until then.

764
00:36:19,143 --> 00:36:19,913
Chris.

765
00:36:19,911 --> 00:36:20,981
The Press: If I can go back
just for a second to

766
00:36:20,978 --> 00:36:22,478
the gyrocopter.

767
00:36:22,480 --> 00:36:25,150
And, by the way, Jeh Johnson
said his first reaction was,

768
00:36:25,149 --> 00:36:26,179
"what's a gyrocopter?"

769
00:36:26,183 --> 00:36:27,353
So -- Mr. Earnest: Well -- I
guess there's a little of

770
00:36:27,351 --> 00:36:28,021
that going around.

771
00:36:28,019 --> 00:36:29,119
(laughter)

772
00:36:29,120 --> 00:36:32,020
The Press: The
pilot had a blog where he

773
00:36:32,023 --> 00:36:34,593
wrote extensively about what
he planned to do.

774
00:36:34,592 --> 00:36:36,962
He spoke, apparently, with
Secret Service agents twice

775
00:36:36,961 --> 00:36:40,261
who came to his home.

776
00:36:40,264 --> 00:36:42,134
The local paper did a story
on him,

777
00:36:42,133 --> 00:36:44,303
and the local reporter said
he actually called the

778
00:36:44,302 --> 00:36:49,612
Secret Service while this
pilot was in the air.

779
00:36:49,607 --> 00:36:51,807
Does this raise concerns,
again,

780
00:36:51,809 --> 00:36:55,079
that the Secret Service, or
security in Washington is

781
00:36:55,079 --> 00:36:58,049
not on top of things?

782
00:36:58,049 --> 00:37:02,989
Mr. Earnest: Well, Chris,
what it does is I think it

783
00:37:02,987 --> 00:37:06,857
illustrates just, in a very
vivid fashion,

784
00:37:06,857 --> 00:37:11,127
just how difficult a
responsibility it is for the

785
00:37:11,128 --> 00:37:15,838
Secret Service and other law
enforcement agencies to

786
00:37:15,833 --> 00:37:17,833
ensure the security of the
nation's capital.

787
00:37:17,835 --> 00:37:19,975
The Press: But they don't
often, I don't think,

788
00:37:19,971 --> 00:37:26,011
get a heads-up from a
perpetrator and a reporter

789
00:37:26,010 --> 00:37:27,180
who says he's in the air.

790
00:37:27,178 --> 00:37:29,518
Mr. Earnest: Well, and I
know that the Secret Service

791
00:37:29,513 --> 00:37:33,413
has raised significant
doubts about that

792
00:37:33,417 --> 00:37:35,517
purported fact.

793
00:37:35,519 --> 00:37:39,319
I'd refer you to them; they
are in a position to know.

794
00:37:39,323 --> 00:37:41,363
I can only repeat what
they've said,

795
00:37:41,359 --> 00:37:44,029
and they have indicated that
they don't think

796
00:37:44,028 --> 00:37:45,028
that's true.

797
00:37:45,029 --> 00:37:47,699
But I'd refer you to them to
assess that.

798
00:37:50,301 --> 00:37:52,941
What they have also said is
that when they first learned

799
00:37:52,937 --> 00:37:59,477
of this individual's
interest in this endeavor

800
00:37:59,477 --> 00:38:02,417
more than a year and a half
ago,

801
00:38:02,413 --> 00:38:04,713
that Secret Service agents
showed up on his doorstep a

802
00:38:04,715 --> 00:38:06,185
day later.

803
00:38:06,183 --> 00:38:10,083
And again, I think that's
consistent with the kind of

804
00:38:10,087 --> 00:38:12,757
vigilance that you would
expect from an agency that

805
00:38:12,757 --> 00:38:15,357
has such a very serious
responsibility to protect

806
00:38:15,359 --> 00:38:17,359
the President, protect the
White House,

807
00:38:17,361 --> 00:38:19,361
and to work with other
agencies to protect the

808
00:38:19,363 --> 00:38:20,363
nation's capital.

809
00:38:20,364 --> 00:38:22,364
The Press: On a sort of
related note,

810
00:38:22,366 --> 00:38:24,366
the Commission on Fine Arts
voted today;

811
00:38:24,368 --> 00:38:26,368
it was just a first step to
do something interim to the

812
00:38:26,370 --> 00:38:28,840
White House fence after the
fence jumper.

813
00:38:28,839 --> 00:38:32,939
The fence jumping took place
in September;

814
00:38:32,943 --> 00:38:36,713
the independent report on
that came out in December

815
00:38:36,714 --> 00:38:39,284
and said -- and I'm quoting
-- "It must be replaced as

816
00:38:39,283 --> 00:38:41,053
quickly as possible."

817
00:38:41,052 --> 00:38:44,952
And later said, "It should
be done immediately."

818
00:38:44,955 --> 00:38:46,795
No one thinks permanent
replacement is going to

819
00:38:46,791 --> 00:38:49,991
happen at least until
sometime next year.

820
00:38:49,994 --> 00:38:52,564
They're not even looking at
a proposal until sometime

821
00:38:52,563 --> 00:38:54,133
this fall.

822
00:38:54,131 --> 00:38:56,301
Is there any concern that
this is just taking

823
00:38:56,300 --> 00:38:57,540
too long?

824
00:38:57,535 --> 00:38:59,975
Mr. Earnest: Well, Chris, I
can assure you that

825
00:38:59,970 --> 00:39:02,270
everybody who's working on
this issue has a sense of

826
00:39:02,273 --> 00:39:05,373
urgency to deal with it.

827
00:39:05,376 --> 00:39:10,386
And again, I just want to go
back to highlighting the

828
00:39:10,381 --> 00:39:11,881
difficult equities that need
to be balanced here.

829
00:39:11,882 --> 00:39:14,552
Obviously, the very first
priority is ensuring the

830
00:39:14,552 --> 00:39:16,552
safety and security of the
President,

831
00:39:16,554 --> 00:39:18,554
the First Family and the
White House.

832
00:39:18,556 --> 00:39:19,826
That is priority number one.

833
00:39:19,824 --> 00:39:22,794
But what is also important
-- and this is also an

834
00:39:22,793 --> 00:39:25,463
element of their
responsibility that the

835
00:39:25,463 --> 00:39:28,663
Secret Service takes very
seriously -- is ensuring

836
00:39:28,666 --> 00:39:31,906
that the White House
continues to be open to the

837
00:39:31,902 --> 00:39:35,342
public; that there are large
public tours that take place

838
00:39:35,339 --> 00:39:38,939
almost every day; that there
are large events,

839
00:39:38,943 --> 00:39:41,513
like Greek Independence Day,
that can be hosted in the

840
00:39:41,512 --> 00:39:44,082
East Room of the White House
where hundreds of people

841
00:39:44,081 --> 00:39:48,521
attend; that this is part of
our philosophy when it comes

842
00:39:48,519 --> 00:39:53,529
to a government of, for and
by the people.

843
00:39:53,524 --> 00:39:57,724
And, yes, it's symbolic, but
it's an important symbol.

844
00:39:57,728 --> 00:40:03,938
And I know that the Park
Service,

845
00:40:03,934 --> 00:40:07,934
the Secret Service and other
agencies are looking at the

846
00:40:07,938 --> 00:40:11,808
appropriate measures that
can be taken along the North

847
00:40:11,809 --> 00:40:14,649
Lawn and all around the
White House complex to

848
00:40:14,645 --> 00:40:17,445
balance those two critical
priorities.

849
00:40:17,448 --> 00:40:19,588
There are obviously some
steps that have already been

850
00:40:19,583 --> 00:40:22,383
taken in the aftermath of
some of the serious events

851
00:40:22,386 --> 00:40:25,486
that we saw late last year
to put in place an

852
00:40:25,489 --> 00:40:29,089
additional barrier there
outside the fence that would

853
00:40:29,093 --> 00:40:31,433
strengthen the perimeter.

854
00:40:31,428 --> 00:40:33,528
But for additional steps
that may be contemplated,

855
00:40:33,531 --> 00:40:35,531
I'd refer you to the Secret
Service.

856
00:40:35,533 --> 00:40:37,573
And they may have more for
you on this;

857
00:40:37,568 --> 00:40:39,568
I know that this is
something that they're

858
00:40:39,570 --> 00:40:40,670
actively working on.

859
00:40:40,671 --> 00:40:41,741
The Press: Does the
President get updated on any

860
00:40:41,739 --> 00:40:43,239
regular basis on this?

861
00:40:43,240 --> 00:40:44,480
Mr. Earnest: I don't know
that there's any sort of

862
00:40:44,475 --> 00:40:49,215
regular mechanism for
updating him,

863
00:40:49,213 --> 00:40:52,113
and that's a testament I
think to the confidence that

864
00:40:52,116 --> 00:40:54,786
he has in Director Clancy
and other professionals at

865
00:40:54,785 --> 00:40:57,585
the Secret Service to handle
their responsibilities and

866
00:40:57,588 --> 00:40:59,088
to take them seriously.

867
00:40:59,089 --> 00:41:00,089
Kevin.

868
00:41:00,090 --> 00:41:00,860
The Press: Hey, Josh,
thanks.

869
00:41:00,858 --> 00:41:02,598
I want to take you back to
Russia for just a second.

870
00:41:02,593 --> 00:41:06,863
You said earlier on the P5+1
that they are playing a

871
00:41:06,864 --> 00:41:09,834
constructive role in that
process,

872
00:41:09,834 --> 00:41:15,004
and yet between buzzing our
aircraft and selling

873
00:41:15,005 --> 00:41:19,515
missiles to the Iranians,
with friends like these,

874
00:41:19,510 --> 00:41:21,510
I think is what a lot of
people are wondering.

875
00:41:21,512 --> 00:41:22,712
Are the Russians friends?

876
00:41:22,713 --> 00:41:23,953
Are they foes?

877
00:41:23,948 --> 00:41:25,018
Are they frenemies?

878
00:41:25,015 --> 00:41:26,185
Are they somewhere in
between?

879
00:41:26,183 --> 00:41:28,183
It just seems like there's
always something.

880
00:41:28,185 --> 00:41:30,785
Mr. Earnest: Well, Kevin, I
think we've articulated on a

881
00:41:30,788 --> 00:41:32,828
number of occasions that the
United States does have a

882
00:41:32,823 --> 00:41:35,093
complicated relationship
with Russia,

883
00:41:35,092 --> 00:41:37,092
and there are some areas
where our two countries can

884
00:41:37,094 --> 00:41:39,094
work together very
constructively in pursuit of

885
00:41:39,096 --> 00:41:43,036
interests that benefit both
our countries and both

886
00:41:43,033 --> 00:41:44,173
our people.

887
00:41:44,168 --> 00:41:47,208
And whether that is removing
Syria's declared chemical

888
00:41:47,204 --> 00:41:52,074
weapons stockpile, putting
astronauts onto the

889
00:41:52,076 --> 00:41:56,446
International Space Station,
or engaging in diplomatic

890
00:41:56,447 --> 00:41:58,717
conversations to prevent
Iran from obtaining a

891
00:41:58,716 --> 00:42:02,586
nuclear weapon, we can work
constructively with Russia

892
00:42:02,586 --> 00:42:04,856
in a way that benefits both
our countries.

893
00:42:04,855 --> 00:42:10,325
That doesn't, however --
that obviously doesn't

894
00:42:10,327 --> 00:42:13,367
prevent Russia from doing
some things that we do

895
00:42:13,364 --> 00:42:14,364
strongly disagree with.

896
00:42:14,365 --> 00:42:16,135
And when we have those
disagreements,

897
00:42:16,133 --> 00:42:18,833
we not only make clear that
we're concerned about their

898
00:42:18,836 --> 00:42:20,536
behavior -- and in some
cases,

899
00:42:20,537 --> 00:42:24,507
we even take steps to
register our displeasure

900
00:42:24,508 --> 00:42:26,478
with their conduct.

901
00:42:26,477 --> 00:42:30,117
The flagrant violation of
the territorial integrity of

902
00:42:30,114 --> 00:42:33,454
Ukraine by Russia is a
classic example of that,

903
00:42:33,450 --> 00:42:38,690
and I think actually it's a
testament to the President's

904
00:42:38,689 --> 00:42:42,529
leadership that we can
engage in taking very

905
00:42:42,526 --> 00:42:46,866
serious steps against Russia
that is having an impact --

906
00:42:46,864 --> 00:42:49,634
a negative impact on their
economy to register our

907
00:42:49,633 --> 00:42:52,803
concerns about their
activity in Ukraine while at

908
00:42:52,803 --> 00:42:57,473
the same time looking for
opportunities to work

909
00:42:57,474 --> 00:42:59,644
together to advance the
interests of the

910
00:42:59,643 --> 00:43:00,643
United States.

911
00:43:00,644 --> 00:43:02,614
The Press: Did you have the
opportunity to sort of

912
00:43:02,613 --> 00:43:05,413
unpack what Vladimir Putin
said -- the Russian

913
00:43:05,416 --> 00:43:09,016
President -- about now that
the sort of framework has

914
00:43:09,019 --> 00:43:12,119
been agreed to, that not
everything has to be on the

915
00:43:12,122 --> 00:43:14,662
sort of sanctions table
anymore.

916
00:43:14,658 --> 00:43:17,298
He's using as an example the
sale of the defensive

917
00:43:17,294 --> 00:43:20,994
missile system to the
Iranians as this is just a

918
00:43:20,998 --> 00:43:23,168
reward for their cooperation
in the process.

919
00:43:23,167 --> 00:43:27,237
He even said today he felt
like this has been agreed to

920
00:43:27,237 --> 00:43:28,237
by the parties.

921
00:43:28,238 --> 00:43:29,878
Do you subscribe to that
notion at all?

922
00:43:29,873 --> 00:43:30,573
Mr. Earnest: No.

923
00:43:30,574 --> 00:43:32,944
Because we have raised very
clearly and directly our

924
00:43:32,943 --> 00:43:36,613
concerns with the sale of
this defensive system to the

925
00:43:36,613 --> 00:43:39,183
Iranians by the Russians.

926
00:43:39,183 --> 00:43:43,323
What is clear is that the
sale, while concerning,

927
00:43:43,320 --> 00:43:45,360
does not violate U.N.

928
00:43:45,356 --> 00:43:48,096
Security Council
resolutions.

929
00:43:48,092 --> 00:43:51,032
And again, I would hesitate
to speculate on precisely

930
00:43:51,028 --> 00:43:53,798
why Russia is taking this
step,

931
00:43:53,797 --> 00:43:55,797
but I know that there are
others who have speculated

932
00:43:55,799 --> 00:43:57,799
that it's an indication of
just how weakened the

933
00:43:57,801 --> 00:44:00,701
Russian economy has become
as a result of sanctions put

934
00:44:00,704 --> 00:44:03,044
in place by the United
States that they're forced

935
00:44:03,040 --> 00:44:05,610
to take a controversial
action like this just for

936
00:44:05,609 --> 00:44:06,809
the money.

937
00:44:06,810 --> 00:44:09,780
And that kind of
desperation, I think,

938
00:44:09,780 --> 00:44:13,150
is an indication of how
effective the international

939
00:44:13,150 --> 00:44:18,020
sanctions regime against the
Russian government has been.

940
00:44:18,022 --> 00:44:21,162
But we're going to relay
those concerns to the

941
00:44:21,158 --> 00:44:23,498
Russians directly; that's
already been done.

942
00:44:23,494 --> 00:44:25,834
And we're going to continue
to work with Russia in

943
00:44:25,829 --> 00:44:29,729
collaborative fashion to try
to reach a diplomatic

944
00:44:29,733 --> 00:44:32,033
agreement that will succeed
in preventing Iran from

945
00:44:32,036 --> 00:44:33,036
obtaining a nuclear weapon.

946
00:44:33,037 --> 00:44:34,037
The Press: Last thing.

947
00:44:34,038 --> 00:44:36,038
I want to ask you about
Loretta Lynch.

948
00:44:36,040 --> 00:44:38,210
The clock continues to tick.

949
00:44:38,208 --> 00:44:41,278
I've run out of ways to
describe the delay.

950
00:44:41,278 --> 00:44:42,978
I'm curious, what, if
anything,

951
00:44:42,980 --> 00:44:46,350
is the White House planning
to do to move this

952
00:44:46,350 --> 00:44:47,350
process along?

953
00:44:47,351 --> 00:44:49,891
Mr. Earnest: Well, I have a
new way to describe the

954
00:44:49,887 --> 00:44:51,257
delay for you.

955
00:44:51,255 --> 00:44:55,955
The last seven --
Mr. Schultz alluded to this

956
00:44:55,959 --> 00:44:59,529
yesterday -- the last seven
nominees for Attorney

957
00:44:59,530 --> 00:45:07,170
General waited a combined 24
days to move from the

958
00:45:07,171 --> 00:45:09,541
committee to a floor vote.

959
00:45:09,540 --> 00:45:14,550
As of today, Loretta Lynch
has waited 49 days.

960
00:45:14,545 --> 00:45:17,915
So she's waited now more
than twice as long as the

961
00:45:17,915 --> 00:45:22,385
previous seven Attorneys
General nominees combined to

962
00:45:22,386 --> 00:45:25,586
get a vote on the floor of
the United States Senate.

963
00:45:25,589 --> 00:45:29,359
That is an unconscionable
delay and there's no excuse

964
00:45:29,359 --> 00:45:32,029
or explanation for it.

965
00:45:32,029 --> 00:45:36,769
It does, however, prompt me
to point out something else.

966
00:45:36,767 --> 00:45:38,767
I had the opportunity to
tweet briefly about this

967
00:45:38,769 --> 00:45:39,799
before the briefing started.

968
00:45:39,803 --> 00:45:43,543
I don't know if you guys had
a chance to see that.

969
00:45:43,540 --> 00:45:44,810
Over the last six years or
so,

970
00:45:44,808 --> 00:45:49,478
we have seen a lot of ink be
spilled about the challenges

971
00:45:49,480 --> 00:45:53,150
associated with the White
House working constructively

972
00:45:53,150 --> 00:45:56,350
with Republicans in
Congress.

973
00:45:56,353 --> 00:45:59,653
And there's been a lot of
speculation: Is it politics

974
00:45:59,656 --> 00:46:01,656
that prevents the White
House from working --

975
00:46:01,658 --> 00:46:03,698
political differences that
prevent the White House from

976
00:46:03,694 --> 00:46:07,064
working with congressional
Republicans?

977
00:46:07,064 --> 00:46:10,234
Is it ideological or
philosophical differences

978
00:46:10,234 --> 00:46:13,404
about policy that prevent
congressional Republicans

979
00:46:13,403 --> 00:46:15,773
and the White House finding
common ground?

980
00:46:15,772 --> 00:46:17,772
Is it the President hasn't
played golf enough with

981
00:46:17,774 --> 00:46:20,044
members of Congress that
they haven't been able to

982
00:46:20,043 --> 00:46:21,813
find common ground?

983
00:46:21,812 --> 00:46:24,012
I actually am ready to stand
here and present to you

984
00:46:24,014 --> 00:46:28,314
exhibit A in why it is very
challenging to work with

985
00:46:28,318 --> 00:46:30,288
congressional Republicans.

986
00:46:30,287 --> 00:46:35,297
Back in September of 2014,
shortly after Attorney

987
00:46:35,292 --> 00:46:38,732
General Holder indicated
that he was prepared to step

988
00:46:38,729 --> 00:46:40,729
down as the Attorney General
of the United States,

989
00:46:40,731 --> 00:46:44,001
there was a lot of
speculation about how soon

990
00:46:44,001 --> 00:46:46,601
the President would nominate
a replacement and how soon

991
00:46:46,603 --> 00:46:49,303
he would seek that person's
confirmation.

992
00:46:49,306 --> 00:46:53,976
And in the days after that
-- that Attorney General

993
00:46:53,977 --> 00:46:56,917
Holder indicated he was
prepared to leave -- Senator

994
00:46:56,914 --> 00:47:02,584
Grassley, appropriately
relishing the possibility

995
00:47:02,586 --> 00:47:06,656
that Republicans would
assume control over the

996
00:47:06,657 --> 00:47:11,227
United States Senate, said,
"Rather than rush a nominee

997
00:47:11,228 --> 00:47:15,528
through the Senate in a lame
duck session,

998
00:47:15,532 --> 00:47:18,802
I hope the President will
take his time to nominate a

999
00:47:18,802 --> 00:47:21,272
qualified individual."

1000
00:47:21,271 --> 00:47:24,171
So Senator Grassley said, I
hope the President doesn't

1001
00:47:24,174 --> 00:47:25,614
nominate somebody right
away,

1002
00:47:25,609 --> 00:47:28,679
because this should be
somebody who's considered by

1003
00:47:28,679 --> 00:47:35,249
the new, hopefully
Republican-led Congress.

1004
00:47:35,252 --> 00:47:40,722
Just today, on television --
on Bloomberg -- Senator

1005
00:47:40,724 --> 00:47:44,994
Grassley was asked about the
delay -- again,

1006
00:47:44,995 --> 00:47:47,895
citing the historic delay
that she has faced.

1007
00:47:47,898 --> 00:47:52,168
And he said -- and I'm
quoting here -- "If you want

1008
00:47:52,169 --> 00:47:54,869
to subtract November and
December from that long time

1009
00:47:54,871 --> 00:47:58,341
frame, you should do it.

1010
00:47:58,342 --> 00:48:02,142
The Democrats were in
control of the Congress and

1011
00:48:02,145 --> 00:48:06,015
they decided not to bring
her up."

1012
00:48:06,016 --> 00:48:08,686
That, in my mind, is an
astounding display

1013
00:48:08,685 --> 00:48:11,585
of duplicity.

1014
00:48:11,588 --> 00:48:14,628
And I know that it may be
that you guys are looking at

1015
00:48:14,625 --> 00:48:16,595
me -- many of you have been
in Washington longer than I

1016
00:48:16,593 --> 00:48:19,863
have -- and you're thinking:
That Josh really likes

1017
00:48:19,863 --> 00:48:24,303
working at the White House,
he's so idealistic,

1018
00:48:24,301 --> 00:48:28,201
he's got stars in his eyes,
he's so naive about the way

1019
00:48:28,205 --> 00:48:32,145
that Washington works; that
this kind of dramatic

1020
00:48:32,142 --> 00:48:35,442
reversal and going back on
one's word is just business

1021
00:48:35,445 --> 00:48:38,515
as usual in Washington.

1022
00:48:38,515 --> 00:48:43,285
The sad part, I think, is
that Senator Grassley --

1023
00:48:43,287 --> 00:48:45,927
particularly in his home
state of Iowa -- has

1024
00:48:45,922 --> 00:48:49,992
cultivated a reputation as
somebody who is true

1025
00:48:49,993 --> 00:48:52,363
to his word.

1026
00:48:52,362 --> 00:48:55,002
And I think the only
conclusion that I can draw

1027
00:48:54,998 --> 00:48:58,898
from this astounding
exchange is that it's

1028
00:48:58,902 --> 00:49:00,902
possible that Senator
Grassley has been in

1029
00:49:00,904 --> 00:49:01,904
Washington for too long.

1030
00:49:01,905 --> 00:49:04,845
With that long wind-up --
Bill.

1031
00:49:04,841 --> 00:49:06,041
(laughter)

1032
00:49:06,043 --> 00:49:09,983
The Press: You
did mention,

1033
00:49:09,980 --> 00:49:13,080
in answer to Chris a bit
ago,

1034
00:49:13,083 --> 00:49:16,183
that the Secret Service had
interviewed the pilot of the

1035
00:49:16,186 --> 00:49:20,696
gyrocopter a year and a half
ago.

1036
00:49:20,691 --> 00:49:23,991
Is there any concern around
here that he wasn't placed

1037
00:49:23,994 --> 00:49:26,964
on some kind of watch list,
and that you weren't

1038
00:49:26,963 --> 00:49:29,103
notified when he next moved?

1039
00:49:29,099 --> 00:49:33,099
I mean, doesn't the concern
over the security of the

1040
00:49:33,103 --> 00:49:36,673
President above all warrant
such a move?

1041
00:49:36,673 --> 00:49:42,513
Mr. Earnest: Well, for the
way that this individual was

1042
00:49:42,512 --> 00:49:45,352
handled and what the process
is for handling these kinds

1043
00:49:45,349 --> 00:49:48,049
of situations, I'd refer you
to the Secret Service.

1044
00:49:48,051 --> 00:49:50,891
This is obviously -- they
have developed procedures in

1045
00:49:50,887 --> 00:49:52,857
place -- The Press: But I'm
asking about

1046
00:49:52,856 --> 00:49:53,986
concern around here.

1047
00:49:53,990 --> 00:49:55,760
Mr. Earnest: Well, I mean,
there are a couple of things

1048
00:49:55,759 --> 00:50:01,069
that are also relevant here,
which is that in his

1049
00:50:01,064 --> 00:50:04,234
extensive public comments to
the Tampa Bay Times and

1050
00:50:04,234 --> 00:50:09,944
others, he has not indicated
a desire to harm anybody.

1051
00:50:09,940 --> 00:50:12,680
He's indicated that he was
interested in -- The Press:

1052
00:50:12,676 --> 00:50:14,946
Just to fly through
restricted air space near

1053
00:50:14,945 --> 00:50:15,945
the White House.

1054
00:50:15,946 --> 00:50:17,916
Mr. Earnest: But, Bill, I
think the intent of the

1055
00:50:17,914 --> 00:50:19,214
individual was relevant.

1056
00:50:19,216 --> 00:50:22,886
It certainly is relevant to
the way that he is processed

1057
00:50:22,886 --> 00:50:25,986
by the investigative agency,
in this case the

1058
00:50:25,989 --> 00:50:27,629
Secret Service.

1059
00:50:27,624 --> 00:50:30,594
It's difficult to stand here
and tell you what the Secret

1060
00:50:30,594 --> 00:50:32,864
Service found in the course
of their investigation.

1061
00:50:32,863 --> 00:50:34,863
If there's more that they
can tell you about that,

1062
00:50:34,865 --> 00:50:36,235
I'd refer you to them.

1063
00:50:36,233 --> 00:50:39,003
There also has to be a
process in place for

1064
00:50:39,002 --> 00:50:44,812
evaluating these kinds of
instances.

1065
00:50:44,808 --> 00:50:47,308
Law enforcement agencies are
in the business of making

1066
00:50:47,310 --> 00:50:50,850
careful judgments about
threats.

1067
00:50:50,847 --> 00:50:53,587
And again, for questions
about how that's actually

1068
00:50:53,583 --> 00:50:55,583
done, I'd refer you to the
Secret Service.

1069
00:50:55,585 --> 00:50:56,855
The Press: So as long as he
didn't seem to want to cause

1070
00:50:56,853 --> 00:51:00,123
any harm, it was okay to
show up?

1071
00:51:00,123 --> 00:51:01,093
Mr. Earnest: No, I don't
think anybody is making

1072
00:51:01,091 --> 00:51:01,721
that case.

1073
00:51:01,725 --> 00:51:03,325
I'm certainly not.

1074
00:51:03,326 --> 00:51:04,526
The Press: Prime Minister
Abadi.

1075
00:51:04,528 --> 00:51:09,498
Again, what has he asked
for?

1076
00:51:09,499 --> 00:51:12,069
He told people in a
question-and-answer session

1077
00:51:12,068 --> 00:51:14,468
this morning, "We asked the
U.S.

1078
00:51:14,471 --> 00:51:17,511
to continue to support Iraq
by providing weapons,

1079
00:51:17,507 --> 00:51:20,547
training and advisors,
sharing of intelligence,

1080
00:51:20,544 --> 00:51:23,584
making public and private
investments."

1081
00:51:23,580 --> 00:51:25,450
But what has he asked for?

1082
00:51:25,449 --> 00:51:29,119
We only know about the
humanitarian relief.

1083
00:51:29,119 --> 00:51:30,659
What else?

1084
00:51:30,654 --> 00:51:31,684
Mr. Earnest: Well, I guess,
Bill,

1085
00:51:31,688 --> 00:51:33,328
what I'm trying to say --
and I think it sounds like

1086
00:51:33,323 --> 00:51:36,193
Prime Minister Abadi is
trying to say the same thing

1087
00:51:36,193 --> 00:51:38,193
-- there's not a specific
request that he brought to

1088
00:51:38,195 --> 00:51:39,265
his meeting with the
President of the

1089
00:51:39,262 --> 00:51:40,562
United States.

1090
00:51:40,564 --> 00:51:44,864
What Prime Minister Abadi
has sought is to travel to

1091
00:51:44,868 --> 00:51:48,208
the United States, to deepen
the relationship and

1092
00:51:48,205 --> 00:51:50,705
coordination and cooperation
that already exists between

1093
00:51:50,707 --> 00:51:52,347
our two countries.

1094
00:51:52,342 --> 00:51:55,312
The United States, over the
last decade and a half,

1095
00:51:55,312 --> 00:51:58,582
has invested significant
resources,

1096
00:51:58,582 --> 00:52:02,722
both in the form of
financial resources but also

1097
00:52:02,719 --> 00:52:06,819
in the form of our men and
women in the military who

1098
00:52:06,823 --> 00:52:10,493
have fought and bled, and in
some cases died,

1099
00:52:10,494 --> 00:52:12,694
to try to resolve the
security situation in that

1100
00:52:12,696 --> 00:52:15,796
country because of the
impact it has on U.S.

1101
00:52:15,799 --> 00:52:16,929
national security.

1102
00:52:16,933 --> 00:52:23,373
And this President is
committed to pursuing a

1103
00:52:23,373 --> 00:52:27,373
strategy that builds up the
capacity of Iraqi security

1104
00:52:27,377 --> 00:52:30,477
forces to take the fight on
the ground in their own

1105
00:52:30,480 --> 00:52:33,550
country, to degrade and
ultimately destroy ISIL.

1106
00:52:33,550 --> 00:52:35,550
And that's contingent on a
couple of things.

1107
00:52:35,552 --> 00:52:36,582
One is, and most
importantly,

1108
00:52:36,586 --> 00:52:40,426
it's contingent on a central
government in Iraq that can

1109
00:52:40,423 --> 00:52:43,063
unite that country to face
down the threat that's posed

1110
00:52:43,059 --> 00:52:44,059
by ISIL.

1111
00:52:44,060 --> 00:52:48,530
And we are pleased with the
early indications of Prime

1112
00:52:48,532 --> 00:52:50,832
Minister Abadi's leadership
that he is trying to do

1113
00:52:50,834 --> 00:52:51,834
precisely that.

1114
00:52:51,835 --> 00:52:53,835
That's going to be critical
to their success.

1115
00:52:53,837 --> 00:52:56,177
What the United States is
committed to do is to

1116
00:52:56,172 --> 00:52:59,972
marshal the international
community to bring a variety

1117
00:52:59,976 --> 00:53:02,316
of resources to this
conflict,

1118
00:53:02,312 --> 00:53:04,082
including military air
power.

1119
00:53:04,080 --> 00:53:08,920
And by backing the ground
forces in Iraq with

1120
00:53:08,919 --> 00:53:11,559
coalition military air
power,

1121
00:53:11,555 --> 00:53:13,925
we have substantially
improved their performance

1122
00:53:13,924 --> 00:53:16,894
on the battlefield such that
25 to 30 percent of the

1123
00:53:16,893 --> 00:53:21,763
populated areas that ISIL
previously controlled,

1124
00:53:21,765 --> 00:53:24,465
they no longer do.

1125
00:53:24,467 --> 00:53:26,567
The Press: But in marshaling
international resources,

1126
00:53:26,570 --> 00:53:27,200
the U.S.

1127
00:53:27,203 --> 00:53:29,403
will be expected to
contribute, as well.

1128
00:53:29,406 --> 00:53:31,406
Mr. Earnest: And we have
contributed substantial

1129
00:53:31,408 --> 00:53:33,748
resources in terms of
equipment,

1130
00:53:33,743 --> 00:53:36,443
in terms of training, in
terms of advice,

1131
00:53:36,446 --> 00:53:39,746
in terms of the kinds of
airstrikes that are being

1132
00:53:39,749 --> 00:53:44,519
carried out, and in terms of
the humanitarian relief that

1133
00:53:44,521 --> 00:53:46,761
is needed in that country,
too.

1134
00:53:46,756 --> 00:53:49,356
So the United States
continues to be committed to

1135
00:53:49,359 --> 00:53:51,999
the success of what the
President has acknowledged

1136
00:53:51,995 --> 00:53:53,965
is going to be a longer-term
effort.

1137
00:53:53,964 --> 00:53:56,204
The Press: But to what
extent, we don't know.

1138
00:53:56,199 --> 00:53:57,839
Mr. Earnest: To what extent
-- you mean in terms of the

1139
00:53:57,834 --> 00:54:00,834
-- The Press: The continuing
commitment.

1140
00:54:00,837 --> 00:54:02,707
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
the President has indicated

1141
00:54:02,706 --> 00:54:05,646
very clearly that he is
committed to this effort.

1142
00:54:05,642 --> 00:54:08,842
He recognizes that there are
serious implications for

1143
00:54:08,845 --> 00:54:11,785
American interests and
American national security,

1144
00:54:11,781 --> 00:54:13,781
and the investment that
we've made thus far

1145
00:54:13,783 --> 00:54:14,783
is significant.

1146
00:54:14,784 --> 00:54:19,154
And there's no indication
that that investment is in

1147
00:54:19,155 --> 00:54:20,155
any way waning.

1148
00:54:20,156 --> 00:54:23,056
The Press: No, no, but what
is the next tranche of

1149
00:54:23,059 --> 00:54:24,529
that investment?

1150
00:54:24,527 --> 00:54:25,467
How much more?

1151
00:54:25,462 --> 00:54:26,362
When?

1152
00:54:26,363 --> 00:54:27,493
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, in
terms of our military

1153
00:54:27,497 --> 00:54:29,667
cooperation, we're going to
continue to stay in close

1154
00:54:29,666 --> 00:54:31,436
touch with the Iraqis.

1155
00:54:31,434 --> 00:54:34,804
We're going to continue to
conduct airstrikes where

1156
00:54:34,804 --> 00:54:36,944
necessary with our coalition
partners to support their

1157
00:54:36,940 --> 00:54:38,910
efforts on the ground.

1158
00:54:38,908 --> 00:54:41,608
We're going to continue to
work closely with the Iraqis

1159
00:54:41,611 --> 00:54:45,481
as they make decisions about
where the military campaign

1160
00:54:45,482 --> 00:54:46,482
will move from here.

1161
00:54:46,483 --> 00:54:49,023
Obviously, the Iraqi
security forces have made

1162
00:54:49,019 --> 00:54:51,019
substantial progress in the
last couple of weeks.

1163
00:54:51,021 --> 00:54:57,131
They drove ISIL fighters out
of the city of Tikrit.

1164
00:54:57,127 --> 00:54:59,627
There now are more
significant skirmishes

1165
00:54:59,629 --> 00:55:03,599
taking place in other
locations in Anbar Province.

1166
00:55:03,600 --> 00:55:05,870
We're very mindful of the
very dangerous security

1167
00:55:05,869 --> 00:55:08,409
situation that continues to
exist in Iraq,

1168
00:55:08,405 --> 00:55:11,545
and we're going to work
closely with Iraqi security

1169
00:55:11,541 --> 00:55:14,211
forces and the Iraqi central
government to help them make

1170
00:55:14,210 --> 00:55:16,210
the decisions and take the
necessary steps to

1171
00:55:16,212 --> 00:55:17,952
address it.

1172
00:55:17,947 --> 00:55:18,817
Jim.

1173
00:55:18,815 --> 00:55:20,715
The Press: Can I get back to
the gyrocopter for one

1174
00:55:20,717 --> 00:55:21,617
more try?

1175
00:55:21,618 --> 00:55:22,648
Mr. Earnest: Sure.

1176
00:55:22,652 --> 00:55:24,892
The Press: Wasn't this a
pretty astounding security

1177
00:55:24,888 --> 00:55:28,488
lapse here in the Nation's
Capital for somebody to buzz

1178
00:55:28,491 --> 00:55:31,091
across the National Mall and
land a gyrocopter on the

1179
00:55:31,094 --> 00:55:33,634
front lawn of the Capitol?

1180
00:55:33,630 --> 00:55:35,470
Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, I
think what it does is it

1181
00:55:35,465 --> 00:55:38,635
illustrates how difficult
and dynamic the security

1182
00:55:38,635 --> 00:55:41,605
environment is in the
Nation's Capital.

1183
00:55:41,604 --> 00:55:43,844
And we're certainly pleased
that no one was hurt in

1184
00:55:43,840 --> 00:55:45,280
this incident.

1185
00:55:45,275 --> 00:55:49,415
The Press: Because he went
through three different FAA

1186
00:55:49,412 --> 00:55:52,682
flight-restricted zones,
including something called

1187
00:55:52,682 --> 00:55:55,552
the P-56 zone, which is the
zone around the White House,

1188
00:55:55,552 --> 00:55:57,192
the Vice President's
residence,

1189
00:55:57,187 --> 00:56:00,327
and the Capitol --
apparently undetected,

1190
00:56:00,323 --> 00:56:04,223
nobody tried to fly in and
shoo him away,

1191
00:56:04,227 --> 00:56:07,367
and was just able to come
right in.

1192
00:56:10,033 --> 00:56:12,103
I know it's a dynamic
security environment,

1193
00:56:12,102 --> 00:56:14,942
but that just seems like --
it seems like somebody

1194
00:56:14,938 --> 00:56:15,938
screwed up somewhere, right?

1195
00:56:15,939 --> 00:56:18,539
Mr. Earnest: Well, Jim, I
think that what the FAA has

1196
00:56:18,541 --> 00:56:23,481
said is that this individual
was flying at a sufficiently

1197
00:56:23,480 --> 00:56:26,350
slow speed and a
sufficiently low altitude

1198
00:56:26,349 --> 00:56:29,389
that it was difficult to
detect him on their

1199
00:56:29,385 --> 00:56:30,855
radar system.

1200
00:56:30,854 --> 00:56:32,894
But again, this just
illustrates, again,

1201
00:56:32,889 --> 00:56:39,729
how difficult it is for
these agencies to secure an

1202
00:56:39,729 --> 00:56:41,729
area as large as the
National Capital region,

1203
00:56:41,731 --> 00:56:44,501
and to do it in a way that
reflects the need to allow

1204
00:56:44,501 --> 00:56:47,001
for the freedom of movement
and allow the American

1205
00:56:47,003 --> 00:56:49,473
public to visit the Nation's
Capital.

1206
00:56:49,472 --> 00:56:51,472
But rest assured our
security professionals at

1207
00:56:51,474 --> 00:56:55,444
the Secret Service are
constantly reevaluating

1208
00:56:55,445 --> 00:56:58,845
security postures, trying to
learn lessons every day from

1209
00:56:58,848 --> 00:57:02,248
additional steps that can be
taken to make the White

1210
00:57:02,252 --> 00:57:03,322
House and the U.S.

1211
00:57:03,319 --> 00:57:05,389
Capitol and the entire
national capital region even

1212
00:57:05,388 --> 00:57:07,228
more safe.

1213
00:57:07,223 --> 00:57:10,493
And I'm confident, again,
that our security

1214
00:57:10,493 --> 00:57:13,233
professionals are continuing
to review this incident to

1215
00:57:13,229 --> 00:57:15,569
see if there are some
lessons learned and some

1216
00:57:15,565 --> 00:57:19,405
changes that may be needed
to make us even safer.

1217
00:57:19,402 --> 00:57:21,342
The Press: And on Loretta
Lynch,

1218
00:57:21,337 --> 00:57:23,137
is there any chance the
President withdraws

1219
00:57:23,139 --> 00:57:24,139
her nomination?

1220
00:57:24,140 --> 00:57:26,980
Mr. Earnest: Well, there is
no question that she is an

1221
00:57:26,976 --> 00:57:28,946
eminently qualified nominee.

1222
00:57:28,945 --> 00:57:31,545
And for all of the hue and
cry,

1223
00:57:31,548 --> 00:57:37,518
and for all of the historic
delay of her confirmation,

1224
00:57:37,520 --> 00:57:40,020
there's no one who's raised
a legitimate concern about

1225
00:57:40,023 --> 00:57:42,363
her aptitude to do the job.

1226
00:57:42,358 --> 00:57:47,268
And that's because she has
earned a reputation as a

1227
00:57:47,263 --> 00:57:50,433
tough but fair prosecutor.

1228
00:57:50,433 --> 00:57:53,803
She's somebody who has put
terrorists away for life.

1229
00:57:53,803 --> 00:57:56,843
She is somebody who has
prosecuted public officials

1230
00:57:56,840 --> 00:57:58,410
who violated the public
trust.

1231
00:57:58,408 --> 00:58:00,508
She is somebody who has
prosecuted white-collar

1232
00:58:00,510 --> 00:58:02,910
criminals on Wall Street
that have tried to take

1233
00:58:02,912 --> 00:58:05,282
advantage of middle-class
families -- or victimize

1234
00:58:05,281 --> 00:58:07,281
middle-class families in
some situations.

1235
00:58:07,283 --> 00:58:10,323
So she is somebody, in a
variety of areas,

1236
00:58:10,320 --> 00:58:13,660
[who] has proven her mettle
and proven her capability.

1237
00:58:13,656 --> 00:58:15,656
That's why the President
chose her to be the nation's

1238
00:58:15,658 --> 00:58:16,958
top law enforcement officer.

1239
00:58:16,960 --> 00:58:19,300
She's somebody who has the
strong support of

1240
00:58:19,295 --> 00:58:20,295
law enforcement.

1241
00:58:20,296 --> 00:58:22,296
She's somebody who has even
the strong support of

1242
00:58:22,298 --> 00:58:23,538
Rudy Giuliani.

1243
00:58:23,533 --> 00:58:26,803
She is somebody who got
bipartisan support in the

1244
00:58:26,803 --> 00:58:28,903
Senate Judiciary Committee
when she finally got

1245
00:58:28,905 --> 00:58:29,975
her hearing.

1246
00:58:29,973 --> 00:58:33,543
So there is no reason -- The
Press: So you're not going

1247
00:58:33,543 --> 00:58:34,343
to withdraw her?

1248
00:58:34,344 --> 00:58:35,774
Mr. Earnest: There is no
reason why she shouldn't be

1249
00:58:35,778 --> 00:58:38,318
confirmed today by the
United States Senate.

1250
00:58:38,314 --> 00:58:41,614
The Press: But you're not
tempted at all to just let

1251
00:58:41,618 --> 00:58:45,518
Eric Holder finish out --
sort of two can play that

1252
00:58:45,521 --> 00:58:49,321
game -- you're not tempted
to withdraw her nomination

1253
00:58:49,325 --> 00:58:50,825
and just let Eric Holder
stay in place?

1254
00:58:50,827 --> 00:58:52,427
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President believes strongly

1255
00:58:52,428 --> 00:58:54,028
that she's the right person
for the job.

1256
00:58:54,030 --> 00:58:57,530
Attorney General Holder has
indicated that he's ready to

1257
00:58:57,533 --> 00:59:01,603
move on, and this is the way
the system is supposed to

1258
00:59:01,604 --> 00:59:04,574
work, that the President is
supposed to nominate a

1259
00:59:04,574 --> 00:59:07,074
qualified nominee and even
members of the other party

1260
00:59:07,076 --> 00:59:09,076
are supposed to consider
that nominee.

1261
00:59:09,078 --> 00:59:10,078
And here's the thing.

1262
00:59:10,079 --> 00:59:12,719
Members of the other party
are also supposed to give

1263
00:59:12,715 --> 00:59:14,715
the person the benefit of
the doubt.

1264
00:59:14,717 --> 00:59:16,717
If they believe they're
qualified for the job,

1265
00:59:16,719 --> 00:59:17,719
they should vote for them.

1266
00:59:17,720 --> 00:59:19,720
In this case, we already see
that a large number of

1267
00:59:19,722 --> 00:59:21,722
people in the other party
aren't willing to vote for

1268
00:59:21,724 --> 00:59:23,724
her, but the worst crime is
their refusal to even allow

1269
00:59:23,726 --> 00:59:25,196
her to come up for a vote.

1270
00:59:25,194 --> 00:59:28,864
It's shameful and it should
change today.

1271
00:59:28,865 --> 00:59:32,435
The Press: Governor Scott in
Florida says he's going to

1272
00:59:32,435 --> 00:59:36,575
sue the Obama administration
for withholding money for

1273
00:59:36,572 --> 00:59:39,942
hospitals because the state
won't expand Medicaid.

1274
00:59:39,943 --> 00:59:44,113
He says that the
administration is cutting

1275
00:59:44,113 --> 00:59:46,383
off federal money to force
the state into the Obama

1276
00:59:46,382 --> 00:59:47,822
health care law.

1277
00:59:47,817 --> 00:59:50,117
Do you have a reaction to
that?

1278
00:59:50,119 --> 00:59:51,759
Mr. Earnest: I haven't seen
the specific details of the

1279
00:59:51,754 --> 00:59:55,124
lawsuit, but what is true is
that expanding Medicaid in

1280
00:59:55,124 --> 00:59:58,094
the state of Florida would
ensure that

1281
00:59:58,094 --> 01:00:02,464
800, 000 Floridians would get
access to quality health

1282
01:00:02,465 --> 01:00:03,465
care coverage.

1283
01:00:03,466 --> 01:00:08,636
The cost of providing that
health care coverage this

1284
01:00:08,638 --> 01:00:12,008
year would be borne entirely
by the federal government.

1285
01:00:12,008 --> 01:00:15,848
So there's not a good reason
why anybody in Florida would

1286
01:00:15,845 --> 01:00:20,515
be in a situation of trying
to block a policy that would

1287
01:00:20,516 --> 01:00:23,256
benefit 800,000 Floridians.

1288
01:00:23,252 --> 01:00:25,792
In fact, it would have a
positive impact on the

1289
01:00:25,788 --> 01:00:27,888
finances in the state of
Florida.

1290
01:00:27,890 --> 01:00:30,230
And it's difficult to
explain why somebody would

1291
01:00:30,226 --> 01:00:33,296
think that their political
situation and their

1292
01:00:33,296 --> 01:00:35,896
political interest is
somehow more important than

1293
01:00:35,898 --> 01:00:38,038
the livelihood and health of

1294
01:00:38,034 --> 01:00:40,774
800, 000 people that they were
elected to lead.

1295
01:00:40,770 --> 01:00:43,140
The Press: Are you holding
back money for hospitals as

1296
01:00:43,139 --> 01:00:44,139
a result of this?

1297
01:00:44,140 --> 01:00:49,550
Mr. Earnest: Well, for the
details of this particular

1298
01:00:49,545 --> 01:00:51,585
fund that's in question I'd
refer you to CMS.

1299
01:00:53,683 --> 01:00:56,383
It's an issue that I have
heard about,

1300
01:00:56,386 --> 01:00:58,486
but I don't feel confident
explaining from here.

1301
01:00:58,488 --> 01:01:00,488
The Press: Is the White
House involved in

1302
01:01:00,490 --> 01:01:01,490
that decision?

1303
01:01:01,491 --> 01:01:04,191
Even if CMS is the one that
is enacting it,

1304
01:01:04,193 --> 01:01:05,663
does the White House make
that decision or play a role

1305
01:01:05,661 --> 01:01:06,631
in that?

1306
01:01:06,629 --> 01:01:08,969
Mr. Earnest: I'm not,
frankly,

1307
01:01:08,965 --> 01:01:11,235
aware of what precise role
the White House would have

1308
01:01:11,234 --> 01:01:13,474
played in this, but we can
look into that for you.

1309
01:01:13,469 --> 01:01:14,509
J.C.

1310
01:01:14,504 --> 01:01:16,744
The Press: Let me just
continue on the conversation

1311
01:01:16,739 --> 01:01:18,979
regarding Cuba and the
discussion.

1312
01:01:18,975 --> 01:01:21,515
Was there any discussion
between President Obama and

1313
01:01:21,511 --> 01:01:24,781
President Castro that may
have indicated a return of

1314
01:01:24,781 --> 01:01:26,311
Guantanamo -- Guantanamo
Bay,

1315
01:01:26,315 --> 01:01:28,385
if you will -- to the
government of Cuba?

1316
01:01:28,384 --> 01:01:32,284
Mr. Earnest: I wasn't in for
the entire discussion,

1317
01:01:32,288 --> 01:01:35,428
but we have been very clear
both in private and in

1318
01:01:35,425 --> 01:01:40,995
public that it is not our
intent to return control of

1319
01:01:40,997 --> 01:01:43,567
the military base at
Guantanamo Bay to

1320
01:01:43,566 --> 01:01:44,566
the Cubans.

1321
01:01:44,567 --> 01:01:46,567
The Press: Are we still
leasing it from the

1322
01:01:46,569 --> 01:01:47,569
Cuban government?

1323
01:01:47,570 --> 01:01:49,570
Mr. Earnest: I'd refer you
to the DOD for the precise

1324
01:01:49,572 --> 01:01:50,272
details of that arrangement.

1325
01:01:50,273 --> 01:01:51,103
The Press: Okay.

1326
01:01:51,107 --> 01:01:51,907
Thank you, Josh.

1327
01:01:51,908 --> 01:01:52,608
Mr. Earnest: Lesley.

1328
01:01:52,608 --> 01:01:53,408
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

1329
01:01:53,409 --> 01:01:55,879
I have two quick ones since
Peter took Florida.

1330
01:01:55,878 --> 01:01:57,248
(laughter)

1331
01:01:57,246 --> 01:01:58,886
That's great.

1332
01:01:58,881 --> 01:02:02,181
In any case, asked.

1333
01:02:02,185 --> 01:02:06,255
Do you have any date yet set
for the meeting of the Gulf

1334
01:02:06,255 --> 01:02:07,825
leaders at Camp David?

1335
01:02:07,824 --> 01:02:08,854
Mr. Earnest: I don't yet.

1336
01:02:08,858 --> 01:02:12,398
I know that we're hoping to
do this sometime

1337
01:02:12,395 --> 01:02:13,395
relatively soon.

1338
01:02:13,396 --> 01:02:15,366
But we'll get back with you
as soon as we've got a date

1339
01:02:15,364 --> 01:02:16,364
locked down.

1340
01:02:16,365 --> 01:02:17,365
The Press: Okay.

1341
01:02:17,366 --> 01:02:19,366
And also, could you tell me
-- the White House hasn't

1342
01:02:19,368 --> 01:02:21,468
said yet whether or not it's
going to send anybody to the

1343
01:02:21,471 --> 01:02:24,171
Armenian commemoration later
this month.

1344
01:02:24,173 --> 01:02:26,073
Do you know at what level
you're considering

1345
01:02:26,075 --> 01:02:27,275
sending people?

1346
01:02:27,276 --> 01:02:28,816
Mr. Earnest: We haven't yet,
but we'll let you know as

1347
01:02:28,811 --> 01:02:31,451
soon as we've made that
decision.

1348
01:02:31,447 --> 01:02:33,617
We'll have to get back to
you on both those things.

1349
01:02:33,616 --> 01:02:34,546
Toluse.

1350
01:02:34,550 --> 01:02:35,590
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

1351
01:02:35,585 --> 01:02:38,925
On Greece, I wanted to ask
if you're ruling out the

1352
01:02:38,921 --> 01:02:41,921
possibility of the President
meeting with the Finance

1353
01:02:41,924 --> 01:02:43,824
Minister, even informally,
and talking about the

1354
01:02:43,826 --> 01:02:45,466
situation there.

1355
01:02:45,461 --> 01:02:47,331
Mr. Earnest: I'm ruling out
any sort of formal sit-down

1356
01:02:47,330 --> 01:02:50,870
conversation, which is what
I understand was initially

1357
01:02:50,867 --> 01:02:52,467
reported on this.

1358
01:02:52,468 --> 01:02:53,608
That will not occur.

1359
01:02:53,603 --> 01:02:56,003
I don't know if there's any
plan for a handshake and a

1360
01:02:56,005 --> 01:02:57,245
photo or anything like that.

1361
01:02:57,240 --> 01:03:00,880
But based on the news
reports of the last couple

1362
01:03:00,877 --> 01:03:02,877
of days, if something like
that occurs I'm confident

1363
01:03:02,879 --> 01:03:05,219
that the Greek Finance
Minister will let you know.

1364
01:03:05,214 --> 01:03:07,814
The Press: Can you talk a
little bit about how engaged

1365
01:03:07,817 --> 01:03:10,557
the President is on the
Greece issue?

1366
01:03:10,553 --> 01:03:14,093
We just heard that the IMF
rejected the request for

1367
01:03:14,090 --> 01:03:16,660
debt relief, and we're
getting pretty close

1368
01:03:16,659 --> 01:03:17,589
to the deadline.

1369
01:03:17,593 --> 01:03:19,393
Is the President pretty
engaged in terms of making

1370
01:03:19,395 --> 01:03:21,735
sure that Greece doesn't go
into default?

1371
01:03:21,731 --> 01:03:23,501
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President is regularly

1372
01:03:23,499 --> 01:03:25,199
briefed on this situation.

1373
01:03:25,201 --> 01:03:26,131
I don't know if it's daily,
but it certainly

1374
01:03:26,135 --> 01:03:28,105
is regularly.

1375
01:03:28,104 --> 01:03:31,674
And I do know that the
President,

1376
01:03:31,674 --> 01:03:35,574
on a number of occasions,
has placed phone calls to

1377
01:03:35,578 --> 01:03:38,278
European leaders to talk
about this situation.

1378
01:03:38,281 --> 01:03:40,281
That typically happens with
Chancellor Merkel,

1379
01:03:40,283 --> 01:03:42,283
but I know that this issue
has come up in his

1380
01:03:42,285 --> 01:03:45,985
conversation with other
European leaders.

1381
01:03:45,988 --> 01:03:51,428
Principally, the Treasury
Department has been the

1382
01:03:51,427 --> 01:03:55,667
focal point of our efforts
to work with the European

1383
01:03:55,665 --> 01:03:57,805
nations to resolve this
situation,

1384
01:03:57,800 --> 01:04:00,600
and so it's Secretary Lew
and other senior officials

1385
01:04:00,603 --> 01:04:02,603
at the Treasury Department
who have been focused

1386
01:04:02,605 --> 01:04:03,605
on this.

1387
01:04:03,606 --> 01:04:06,806
And, again, this is the
weekend when many world

1388
01:04:06,809 --> 01:04:09,849
leaders are in town for the
IMF World Bank meetings here

1389
01:04:09,845 --> 01:04:12,245
in Washington over the
course of the next few days,

1390
01:04:12,248 --> 01:04:15,788
and I would expect that
Secretary Lew would be

1391
01:04:15,785 --> 01:04:17,785
engaged in some
conversations on this topic

1392
01:04:17,787 --> 01:04:20,657
with his counterparts over
the next few days.

1393
01:04:20,656 --> 01:04:21,726
Cheryl.

1394
01:04:21,724 --> 01:04:22,654
The Press: Thanks.

1395
01:04:22,658 --> 01:04:25,098
The Senate is said to be
close on reaching an

1396
01:04:25,094 --> 01:04:28,094
agreement on trade promotion
authority legislation.

1397
01:04:28,097 --> 01:04:29,997
I'm wondering if that's your
understanding if they're

1398
01:04:29,999 --> 01:04:32,369
close, and also whether the
White House could support

1399
01:04:32,368 --> 01:04:34,868
the direction they're going.

1400
01:04:34,870 --> 01:04:38,170
Mr. Earnest: Well, I do
understand that they have --

1401
01:04:38,174 --> 01:04:39,714
that based on a lot of hard
work over the last few

1402
01:04:39,709 --> 01:04:42,549
weeks, that they've made
important progress.

1403
01:04:42,545 --> 01:04:47,115
I always hesitate to predict
that Congress is going to do

1404
01:04:47,116 --> 01:04:49,986
something before they've
actually done it.

1405
01:04:49,986 --> 01:04:52,186
And this process, I think
given the complexity,

1406
01:04:52,188 --> 01:04:54,188
it's understandable that
there have been a lot of

1407
01:04:54,190 --> 01:04:57,590
stops and starts associated
with it.

1408
01:04:57,593 --> 01:04:59,763
But the White House and
senior administration

1409
01:04:59,762 --> 01:05:03,862
officials, including our
United States Trade

1410
01:05:03,866 --> 01:05:05,836
Representative, Mike Froman,
have been involved in

1411
01:05:05,835 --> 01:05:10,305
conversations with staff and
members on Capitol Hill on

1412
01:05:10,306 --> 01:05:12,276
this issue.

1413
01:05:13,876 --> 01:05:16,646
And so we are encouraged by
the progress that they have

1414
01:05:16,646 --> 01:05:20,586
made so far, but I'd refer
you to members and staff on

1415
01:05:20,583 --> 01:05:22,753
Capitol Hill to give you the
latest assessment of

1416
01:05:22,752 --> 01:05:24,492
their progress.

1417
01:05:24,487 --> 01:05:26,127
John, I'll give you the last
one.

1418
01:05:26,122 --> 01:05:27,192
The Press: Actually two --
Mr. Earnest: I'll give you

1419
01:05:27,189 --> 01:05:28,659
the last two.

1420
01:05:28,658 --> 01:05:30,228
The Press: That's very nice
of you.

1421
01:05:30,226 --> 01:05:32,026
The first one, just your
reaction,

1422
01:05:32,028 --> 01:05:33,498
the administration's
reaction,

1423
01:05:33,496 --> 01:05:36,336
the House today voted to
repeal the estate tax.

1424
01:05:36,332 --> 01:05:38,202
I wanted to get your
reaction to that.

1425
01:05:38,200 --> 01:05:41,000
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
this is -- as you've heard

1426
01:05:41,003 --> 01:05:43,843
me say before, this is a
very vivid illustration of

1427
01:05:43,839 --> 01:05:47,809
the different values and
priorities between Democrats

1428
01:05:47,810 --> 01:05:50,380
and Republicans when it
comes to tax policy.

1429
01:05:50,379 --> 01:05:53,619
Republicans believe that
it's in the best interests

1430
01:05:53,616 --> 01:06:00,456
of our economy to offer a
$270 billion tax cut just to

1431
01:06:00,456 --> 01:06:01,456
the wealthiest .

1432
01:06:01,457 --> 01:06:03,697
1 percent of Americans.

1433
01:06:03,693 --> 01:06:06,393
The President believes that
we could actually better use

1434
01:06:06,395 --> 01:06:09,465
about that same amount of
money to offer substantial

1435
01:06:09,465 --> 01:06:11,865
tax cuts to working
families.

1436
01:06:11,867 --> 01:06:13,867
And there's just a
difference in approach.

1437
01:06:13,869 --> 01:06:17,769
Republicans believe that if
we offer those significant

1438
01:06:17,773 --> 01:06:22,143
benefits and tax credits to
the wealthy that the

1439
01:06:22,144 --> 01:06:24,144
economic benefits will
trickle down on

1440
01:06:24,146 --> 01:06:25,316
everybody else.

1441
01:06:25,314 --> 01:06:27,454
The fact is, the President
believes that we can take a

1442
01:06:27,450 --> 01:06:30,450
more direct approach and
that by offering some relief

1443
01:06:30,453 --> 01:06:33,193
to middle-class families we
can actually not just

1444
01:06:33,189 --> 01:06:35,189
lighten the burden for those
middle-class families,

1445
01:06:35,191 --> 01:06:37,261
we can actually ensure the
longer-term strength of our

1446
01:06:37,259 --> 01:06:38,999
economy by doing so.

1447
01:06:38,994 --> 01:06:41,734
The one thing, the one irony
I will point out in this

1448
01:06:41,731 --> 01:06:45,001
process is that when the
President talks about his

1449
01:06:45,000 --> 01:06:49,640
desire to bring some relief
to the burden that's borne

1450
01:06:49,638 --> 01:06:53,578
by middle-class families,
the prompt response that you

1451
01:06:53,576 --> 01:06:55,576
get from Republicans on
Capitol Hill is,

1452
01:06:55,578 --> 01:06:57,318
how are you going to pay for
it?

1453
01:06:57,313 --> 01:06:59,813
But what House Republicans
have just done is passed a

1454
01:06:59,815 --> 01:07:03,915
$270 billion tax cuts for
the wealthiest .

1455
01:07:03,919 --> 01:07:07,119
1 percent and are just going
to put it on the tab of

1456
01:07:07,123 --> 01:07:08,623
the deficit.

1457
01:07:08,624 --> 01:07:12,594
So it is some might even
call it hypocritical,

1458
01:07:12,595 --> 01:07:15,035
but it certainly is in my
mind at least ironic.

1459
01:07:15,030 --> 01:07:17,430
The Press: And my other
question has to do with some

1460
01:07:17,433 --> 01:07:20,673
comments that you made in
response to my colleague's

1461
01:07:20,669 --> 01:07:23,239
-- Kevin -- question a
little bit earlier.

1462
01:07:23,239 --> 01:07:26,279
You, in the course of
responding,

1463
01:07:26,275 --> 01:07:29,815
you referred to Senator
Chuck Grassley

1464
01:07:29,812 --> 01:07:31,612
as "duplicitous."

1465
01:07:31,614 --> 01:07:32,814
Is that helpful --
Mr. Earnest: I referred to

1466
01:07:32,815 --> 01:07:34,685
his comment as duplicitous.

1467
01:07:34,683 --> 01:07:35,583
But, yes.

1468
01:07:35,584 --> 01:07:37,854
The Press: Is that helpful
to the process of getting

1469
01:07:37,853 --> 01:07:39,753
Loretta Lynch nominated?

1470
01:07:39,755 --> 01:07:43,655
Is that helpful to building
relations with the party

1471
01:07:43,659 --> 01:07:44,759
that controls the U.S.

1472
01:07:44,760 --> 01:07:46,130
Senate, do you think?

1473
01:07:46,128 --> 01:07:47,028
Mr. Earnest: I'll just
observe, John,

1474
01:07:47,029 --> 01:07:48,999
that being nice has gotten
us a 160-day delay.

1475
01:07:48,998 --> 01:07:50,598
(laughter)

1476
01:07:50,599 --> 01:07:54,299
So maybe after
they look up "duplicitous"

1477
01:07:54,303 --> 01:07:55,233
in the dictionary we'll get
a different result.

1478
01:07:55,237 --> 01:07:56,237
The Press: Oooh!

1479
01:07:56,238 --> 01:07:57,708
Mr. Earnest: Thanks,
everybody.