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Mr. Earnest: Good
afternoon, everybody.
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I do not have any
announcements at the top,
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so, Kevin, we can
go straight to your questions.
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The Press: Thanks, Josh.
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So with the easing of
sanctions on Burma, is the
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administration taking away
its leverage to improve
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conditions for the
Rohingya Muslim community
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and to force changes
to that nation's constitution?
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Mr. Earnest: Kevin, I
think, if anything,
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we're enhancing it.
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The more deeply that the
United States engages in a
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country like Burma, the
more success we can have
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in encouraging them
to pursue reforms.
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I think that's been
documented in the
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President's engagement
with Burma over the last
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seven and a half years
of his presidency.
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You'll recall when
President Obama took
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office, Aung San Suu Kyi,
who is the leader of the
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country, and was in
the Oval Office of the
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President of the United
States earlier today,
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was a prisoner in
her own house.
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So I think the progress
that's been made in
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that country has been
remarkable.
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And as the United States
has pursued a policy of
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deepening our engagement
in Burma, critics all
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along have suggested that
there's a risk associated
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with that kind of
engagement, and in some
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ways, that it was too soon
for the United States to
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be pursuing that
kind of engagement.
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So this was the criticism
that we heard from some
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when the Obama
administration decided
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to appoint an
ambassador to Burma.
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People suggested that
that was rewarding
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bad behavior.
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This is also criticism
that we heard in advance
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of the President's first
trip to Burma, the
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suggestion that it was too
soon for the President
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to be visiting Burma.
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But I think what we found
at each stage is that by
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more deeply engaging with
Burma, we have been able
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to influence and encourage
greater reforms that
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are consistent with our
national interest and
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consistent with
our own values.
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And of course, there's
more work that
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needs to be done.
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The President and Aung San
Suu Kyi both acknowledged
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that in the Oval Office.
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We certainly have been
heartened by the increased
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commitment that we have
seen from her government
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to addressing the human
rights concerns
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in Rakhine State.
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We certainly welcomed her
inclusion of Kofi
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Annan in those efforts.
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Providing that kind of
international input on the
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process I think can
give the international
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community greater
confidence that Aung San
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Suu Kyi's government in
Burma is taking those
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reforms seriously.
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And that's a good thing.
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The Press:
Domestic policy.
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The California
congressional delegation
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is calling on the
administration to approve
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a waiver that would allow
undocumented immigrants to
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purchase unsubsidized
health insurance through
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Covered California, that
state's Medicaid program.
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Is that a concept that
the administration
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is supportive of?
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Mr. Earnest: Well, Kevin,
I have to acknowledge I've
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not seen the letter that
you're referring to, so
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I'm not sure I can respond
to their specific request.
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As you know -- and I guess
this is evident from their
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letter -- that the way
that the Affordable Care
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Act is currently written,
individuals who are
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undocumented immigrants
are not eligible to
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collect benefits
associated with the
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Affordable Care Act.
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I know that's been
the subject of some
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fearmongering, or even
outright lying on the
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part of Republicans.
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The Press: And they
are stressing the
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word "unsubsidized."
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Mr. Earnest: So, I haven't
seen that proposal, so I'm
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just not in a position
to react to it.
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But we'll take a look at
the letter and see if we
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can get you a response.
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Ayesha.
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The Press: More on
the visit today.
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Senator Corker released
a statement after the
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meeting with Suu Kyi
saying that he was
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somewhat appalled by her
reaction to his concerns
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about human rights
violations in that country.
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I was wondering,
during the President's
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conversations with Suu
Kyi, what was his -- did
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he have any response to
the way -- or what were
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the discussions about
human rights, and did he
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come away with a similar
feeling about her
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reactions to his
concerns or to the U.S.
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concerns about
human rights?
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Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President made clear in
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the meeting that it's
important for the Burmese
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government to uphold
the human rights of all
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religious and ethnic
groups inside of Burma.
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And we have seen, since
Aung San Suu Kyi assumed
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office, a greater
commitment to the pursuit
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of reforms that will
protect human rights.
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There's been a greater
effort to recognize the
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citizenship of the -- or
the rights of the citizens
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of Burma in Rakhine State.
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And there has been the
inclusion of Kofi Annan in
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that process, which is
something that we welcome.
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And there certainly is
more work that needs to be
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done, and there needs to
be a sustained commitment
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to these kinds of reforms.
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That reflects the priority
that the United States
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places on universal human
rights and ensuring that
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they're protected by
governments all
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around the world.
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I think all of you had a
chance to hear directly
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from her in the Oval
Office indicate that
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she intended to make
that a priority.
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And we certainly would
welcome those kinds of
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comments, because there's
a lot of important work
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that remains to be done.
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The Press: On the Dakota
pipeline, there was a
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protest outside the White
House yesterday -- I
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believe Senator Sanders
spoke at that -- and
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there were protests
around the country.
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So is the President
following these
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protests at all?
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And does the
administration have any
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response to -- I think
Senator Sanders has
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introduced an amendment
that would stop the Corps
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from issuing any permits
for that pipeline until an
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environmental impact
statement has been completed.
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Does the administration
support that move?
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Mr. Earnest: I do not know
that the President was
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aware of the
protest yesterday.
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Obviously, the President
was on the road for most
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of the day, so I don't
even know if he was here
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when that protest
was organized.
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I think I can just say
in general that the
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administration's policy
speaks for itself, which
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is that despite winning
an order from a judge who
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indicated that the
process had been properly
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followed, and that the
Department of Interior and
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the Army Corps of
Engineers could move
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forward with the project,
the Army Corps voluntarily
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stated that they would
pause the project to
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ensure that the
consideration of
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everyone's views and
perspective, particularly
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those who are most
directly affected by the
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project, are carefully
and properly considered.
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And so that will be the
next step in the process.
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The President certainly
believes that's
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an appropriate
course of action.
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In this case, we're
talking about individuals
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who are Native Americans.
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And there is a rather sad
chapter in our history
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with regard to the federal
government not effectively
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looking out for the
concerns of Native
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populations in
this country.
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And that's left a legacy,
and it's one that this
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administration is
certainly determined
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to address.
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In this instance, it means
ensuring that the process
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that is in place for the
construction of this
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pipeline has adequately
considered the impact it
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will have on everybody
who lives in the area,
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including tribal
populations who
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live in the area.
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The Press: Does the
administration think it's
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time to overhaul the way
these type of projects are
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permitted in general?
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I mean, obviously this
isn't the first pipeline
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that has run into protest,
and there have been
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a lot of these issues
that are ongoing.
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Mr. Earnest: Yeah, I think
that might be a little bit
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of an oversimplification
of the situation.
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The Keystone Pipeline,
which obviously was a
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subject of intense debate
and public demonstration
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for a number of years --
the issues related to the
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construction of that
pipeline are somewhat
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different than the issues
that have arisen in the
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context of this one.
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So in this case, the Army
Corps has voluntarily
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indicated that they'll
pause this project to
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ensure that in the context
of this project, the
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concerns of everybody
who could potentially be
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affected were adequately
taken into account.
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They've also indicated a
willingness to go back and
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make sure that all
infrastructure projects
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that they're involved in
adequately consider the
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views and rights of
affected populations,
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including tribal
populations.
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And that's an appropriate
step for them to take.
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Mary.
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The Press: Thanks, Josh.
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In the past 24 hours,
we've seen the release of
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information hacked from
the DNC, Colin Powell,
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even American Olympians --
hacks coming from
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groups with suspected
ties to Russia.
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Is this another example
of Russia attempting to
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meddle in the U.S. election?
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And what is the
President considering?
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Or what recourse
does the U.S.
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00:10:02,802 --> 00:10:05,905
have to try and stem this
flow of embarrassing leaks?
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Are new sanctions, for
instance, on the table?
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00:10:08,174 --> 00:10:13,245
Mr. Earnest: Well, Mary,
I think -- obviously I've
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00:10:13,245 --> 00:10:17,350
seen the reports of
the variety of cyber
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intrusions and leaks that
have emerged in the
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last 24 hours or so.
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The United States
has not made a formal
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00:10:28,961 --> 00:10:32,932
determination in public
about who may or may not
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00:10:32,932 --> 00:10:37,069
be responsible for these
kinds of --
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for these incidents.
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The motivation for each
of them I think
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00:10:42,174 --> 00:10:46,779
is likely different.
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I know that you asked
about it in the context
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00:10:48,781 --> 00:10:50,782
of the election.
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I'm not sure that the
reprehensible release of
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00:10:53,252 --> 00:10:56,888
the personal health
information of U.S.
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00:10:56,889 --> 00:10:59,358
Olympians has anything
to do with the election.
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It may have to do with
some other things that
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00:11:02,028 --> 00:11:06,132
have been well documented.
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But what I can just say in
general is that all this
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does serve as an
illustration of how it's
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00:11:14,473 --> 00:11:16,474
important for our
policymakers to
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make cybersecurity
a top priority.
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And unfortunately, the
United States Congress has
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failed to do that.
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There is more that
Congress should do.
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The President included
in his fiscal year 2017
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00:11:29,221 --> 00:11:33,826
budget a significant
increase in funding for
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00:11:33,826 --> 00:11:38,164
cybersecurity that would
not just enhance our cyber
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00:11:38,164 --> 00:11:41,233
capabilities but also
improve our ability to
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00:11:41,233 --> 00:11:43,768
work more effectively
to investigate cyber
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00:11:43,769 --> 00:11:47,306
intrusions when they occur
and to work with the
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private sector to deter
potential incursions.
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As we've discussed in here
many times, the Congress
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refused to even have a
hearing on that budget.
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And Republicans have
essentially said that
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00:12:00,886 --> 00:12:04,089
they're refusing to talk
about that proposal to
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enhance our cybersecurity.
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That's unfortunate.
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That's an indication that
Republicans are failing to
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00:12:11,997 --> 00:12:14,800
even discuss what should
be a top national security
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00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:19,038
priority, particularly
given the widespread
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00:12:19,038 --> 00:12:23,843
reports and the conclusion
reached by some
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00:12:23,843 --> 00:12:26,812
professionals outside the
government that Russia is
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00:12:26,812 --> 00:12:29,315
likely responsible.
251
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That certainly seems like
something that should get
252
00:12:31,584 --> 00:12:33,718
the attention of
Republicans in Congress.
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Unfortunately, it hasn't.
254
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And the good news,
however, is that this
255
00:12:40,392 --> 00:12:46,031
administration has not
just relied on Congress to
256
00:12:46,031 --> 00:12:48,032
take steps to try to
protect the American
257
00:12:48,033 --> 00:12:50,436
people from cybersecurity.
258
00:12:50,436 --> 00:12:52,404
Over the last couple of
years, we've seen the
259
00:12:52,404 --> 00:12:56,909
President convene a
summit, bringing together
260
00:12:56,909 --> 00:12:58,911
technology experts,
leaders in the private
261
00:12:58,911 --> 00:13:01,881
sector and national
security figures to
262
00:13:01,881 --> 00:13:04,315
discuss what can be done
to enhance our nation's
263
00:13:04,316 --> 00:13:05,518
national security.
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00:13:05,518 --> 00:13:07,553
The President signed
an executive order
265
00:13:07,553 --> 00:13:10,122
designating new authority
to the Secretary of
266
00:13:10,122 --> 00:13:13,626
Treasury that would allow
him to impose financial
267
00:13:13,626 --> 00:13:16,728
sanctions on countries
or individuals that are
268
00:13:16,729 --> 00:13:20,032
suspected of involvement
with cyber intrusions.
269
00:13:20,032 --> 00:13:22,801
That is new authority that
gives the United States
270
00:13:22,801 --> 00:13:26,338
government additional
options when it comes to
271
00:13:26,338 --> 00:13:28,940
responding to these
kinds of situations.
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00:13:28,941 --> 00:13:31,610
The President has
prioritized in his
273
00:13:31,610 --> 00:13:33,679
multilateral meetings,
including most recently at
274
00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:37,016
the G20, the effort to
establish internationally
275
00:13:37,016 --> 00:13:39,117
accepted norms when it
comes to conduct
276
00:13:39,118 --> 00:13:41,053
in cyberspace.
277
00:13:41,053 --> 00:13:44,356
And we've gotten
additional commitments
278
00:13:44,356 --> 00:13:46,926
from the Chinese with
regard to some of those
279
00:13:46,926 --> 00:13:48,561
international norms.
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00:13:48,561 --> 00:13:51,163
That enhances the security
of the United States.
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00:13:51,163 --> 00:13:55,100
And look, the time has
come for Republicans in
282
00:13:55,100 --> 00:13:57,136
Congress to do their part,
and we certainly would
283
00:13:57,136 --> 00:13:58,637
like to see them do more.
284
00:13:58,637 --> 00:14:01,439
I think the last thing
that I will note here is
285
00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:05,844
that over the weekend,
the CIA Director,
286
00:14:05,844 --> 00:14:08,847
John Brennan, was
asked about this.
287
00:14:08,847 --> 00:14:15,721
And he noted that Russia
-- and this is a quote
288
00:14:15,721 --> 00:14:17,957
here -- "has exceptionally
capable and sophisticated
289
00:14:17,957 --> 00:14:20,391
cyber capabilities in
terms of collection, as
290
00:14:20,392 --> 00:14:24,129
well as whatever else it
might want to do in that
291
00:14:24,129 --> 00:14:28,534
cyber sphere." So we have
known this for quite a while.
292
00:14:28,534 --> 00:14:30,536
So I think this is an
indication that the
293
00:14:30,536 --> 00:14:33,305
President and his national
security team are not just
294
00:14:33,305 --> 00:14:35,974
keenly aware of the
situation but have taken
295
00:14:35,975 --> 00:14:38,410
aggressive steps to
try to counter it.
296
00:14:38,410 --> 00:14:40,779
And we would welcome
Republicans in Congress
297
00:14:40,779 --> 00:14:41,847
doing their part
for a change.
298
00:14:41,847 --> 00:14:45,084
The Press: And on Syria,
there reportedly is a
299
00:14:45,084 --> 00:14:47,486
significant difference of
opinion, shall we say,
300
00:14:47,486 --> 00:14:49,488
between the Secretary of
Defense and Secretary
301
00:14:49,488 --> 00:14:53,225
Kerry about partnering
with Russia.
302
00:14:53,225 --> 00:14:56,996
If the ceasefire holds, is
the President concerned
303
00:14:56,996 --> 00:14:58,997
about implementing or
developing this next
304
00:14:58,998 --> 00:15:01,333
phase, whatever that
may be, because
305
00:15:01,333 --> 00:15:02,334
of this disagreement?
306
00:15:02,334 --> 00:15:04,335
Mr. Earnest: Well, let's
start by acknowledging
307
00:15:04,336 --> 00:15:07,306
that the "if" that is
included in your question
308
00:15:07,306 --> 00:15:09,408
is a sizeable one.
309
00:15:09,408 --> 00:15:12,678
There remains significant
doubt inside the
310
00:15:12,678 --> 00:15:17,850
administration and around
the world about the
311
00:15:17,850 --> 00:15:23,722
capacity and willingness
of the Russians to fulfill
312
00:15:23,722 --> 00:15:25,723
the responsibilities that
they've accepted
313
00:15:25,724 --> 00:15:27,960
in this arrangement.
314
00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:32,931
And that skepticism is not
just well-documented, but
315
00:15:32,931 --> 00:15:37,503
I think entirely
reasonable given the way
316
00:15:37,503 --> 00:15:40,039
that we have seen the
Russians and the Assad
317
00:15:40,039 --> 00:15:42,473
regime behave over the
course of the
318
00:15:42,474 --> 00:15:44,843
last year or two.
319
00:15:44,843 --> 00:15:48,881
So that's a big "if." And
I feel like that's
320
00:15:48,881 --> 00:15:49,982
an appropriate
place to start.
321
00:15:49,982 --> 00:15:55,020
From there, the President
and his Secretary of State
322
00:15:55,020 --> 00:15:59,591
have both spoken publicly
about how deeply concerned
323
00:15:59,591 --> 00:16:02,695
the United States is about
the humanitarian
324
00:16:02,695 --> 00:16:04,763
situation inside of Syria.
325
00:16:04,763 --> 00:16:13,138
And our efforts to engage
diplomatically with the
326
00:16:13,138 --> 00:16:17,476
Russians is rooted in
the knowledge that the
327
00:16:17,476 --> 00:16:19,478
Russians have more
influence over the Assad
328
00:16:19,478 --> 00:16:20,945
regime than anybody else.
329
00:16:20,946 --> 00:16:23,849
And the Assad regime has
been the chief impediment
330
00:16:23,849 --> 00:16:28,654
to the delivery of
humanitarian aid to
331
00:16:28,654 --> 00:16:31,023
hundreds of thousands, if
not millions, of innocent
332
00:16:31,023 --> 00:16:33,525
civilians that have been
caught in the crossfire in
333
00:16:33,525 --> 00:16:37,396
Syria, including in
places like Aleppo.
334
00:16:37,396 --> 00:16:39,765
So this has been the best
opportunity that the
335
00:16:39,765 --> 00:16:46,672
United States has to try
to reduce the violence and
336
00:16:46,672 --> 00:16:49,675
allow for the unimpeded
delivery of
337
00:16:49,675 --> 00:16:52,077
humanitarian assistance.
338
00:16:52,077 --> 00:16:54,079
And that's what we have
been trying to -- that's
339
00:16:54,079 --> 00:16:58,617
the result that we have
been trying to bring about.
340
00:16:58,617 --> 00:17:00,618
When the President
discusses complicated
341
00:17:00,619 --> 00:17:02,921
issues, like Syria, with
members of his national
342
00:17:02,921 --> 00:17:06,959
security team, he's not
looking for a bunch of
343
00:17:06,959 --> 00:17:10,262
people that have exactly
the same opinion.
344
00:17:10,262 --> 00:17:11,663
The President is not
looking for a group of
345
00:17:11,663 --> 00:17:13,565
people to sit around the
table with him in the
346
00:17:13,565 --> 00:17:17,936
Situation Room, who all
nod their head every
347
00:17:17,935 --> 00:17:20,038
time that he speaks.
348
00:17:20,038 --> 00:17:23,040
What the President is
looking for are informed
349
00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:30,448
experts who do their
homework and who can make
350
00:17:30,449 --> 00:17:33,619
an argument, and assist
him in crafting a policy
351
00:17:33,619 --> 00:17:35,120
that advances the best
interests of
352
00:17:35,120 --> 00:17:36,754
the United States.
353
00:17:36,755 --> 00:17:39,758
That's why the President
is enormously proud of the
354
00:17:39,758 --> 00:17:41,827
people who serve on his
national security team.
355
00:17:41,827 --> 00:17:45,464
At the same time, the
President is entirely
356
00:17:45,464 --> 00:17:52,004
confident that once he's
made a decision, that he
357
00:17:52,004 --> 00:17:53,572
can count on the members
of his team to
358
00:17:53,572 --> 00:17:58,177
execute that strategy
with excellence.
359
00:17:58,177 --> 00:18:01,879
And he's confident that
every member of his
360
00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:05,751
national security team is
committed to that goal.
361
00:18:05,751 --> 00:18:07,252
Michelle.
362
00:18:07,252 --> 00:18:10,155
The Press: Many times when
we've heard you talk about
363
00:18:10,155 --> 00:18:13,192
the President's goal on
the trail, and in the
364
00:18:13,192 --> 00:18:14,460
instances where he's
talking about the
365
00:18:14,460 --> 00:18:20,299
election, his goal is to
support Hillary Clinton
366
00:18:20,299 --> 00:18:21,867
as the most qualified
candidate.
367
00:18:21,867 --> 00:18:24,803
But what we heard a lot of
yesterday in his speech
368
00:18:24,803 --> 00:18:28,474
was as if he was trying to
prove that Donald Trump
369
00:18:28,474 --> 00:18:30,042
is not qualified.
370
00:18:30,042 --> 00:18:33,044
So would you say that that
is now a big part of the
371
00:18:33,045 --> 00:18:35,647
President's goal
when he's out there?
372
00:18:35,647 --> 00:18:37,749
Mr. Earnest: I think the
President's goal is to
373
00:18:37,749 --> 00:18:41,587
ensure that he's succeeded
in the Oval Office by
374
00:18:41,587 --> 00:18:43,589
somebody who is committed
to building on the
375
00:18:43,589 --> 00:18:46,225
progress that we've made
over the last eight years.
376
00:18:46,225 --> 00:18:53,532
And Secretary Clinton is
the only candidate who has
377
00:18:53,532 --> 00:18:56,368
indicated that she's
committed to building
378
00:18:56,368 --> 00:18:58,403
on that progress.
379
00:18:58,403 --> 00:19:00,405
I'd put her in the
category -- as I was just
380
00:19:00,405 --> 00:19:02,708
answering Mary's question
-- of somebody who
381
00:19:02,708 --> 00:19:04,877
obviously doesn't agree
with the President on
382
00:19:04,877 --> 00:19:06,043
every single policy issue.
383
00:19:06,044 --> 00:19:08,547
But when it comes to
their values and their
384
00:19:08,547 --> 00:19:11,216
priorities, and their
vision for the country
385
00:19:11,216 --> 00:19:15,419
that's rooted in expanding
economic opportunity for
386
00:19:15,420 --> 00:19:20,959
the middle class, equality
for all, advancing U.S.
387
00:19:20,959 --> 00:19:26,164
interests around the
world, their visions
388
00:19:26,164 --> 00:19:27,766
are quite similar.
389
00:19:27,766 --> 00:19:31,436
And the President has got
enormous confidence in her
390
00:19:31,436 --> 00:19:34,639
ability to lead this
country in a direction
391
00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:41,747
that will continue to
strengthen it and make
392
00:19:41,747 --> 00:19:43,782
progress in a direction
that he's been
393
00:19:43,782 --> 00:19:45,417
fighting for, for the
last eight years.
394
00:19:45,417 --> 00:19:46,284
The Press: In the last
couple of months, though,
395
00:19:46,285 --> 00:19:47,653
sometimes when he would be
asked about the election,
396
00:19:47,653 --> 00:19:50,522
he would decline to weigh
in, or he didn't want to
397
00:19:50,522 --> 00:19:51,956
go into a lot of detail.
398
00:19:51,957 --> 00:19:53,358
And that seems to have
completely changed,
399
00:19:53,358 --> 00:19:55,327
especially given what we
heard him say yesterday --
400
00:19:55,327 --> 00:19:59,031
I mean, going into a
great deal of detail.
401
00:19:59,031 --> 00:20:01,332
So what has changed to
make him much more
402
00:20:01,333 --> 00:20:03,869
willing to -- is it
just the way --
403
00:20:03,869 --> 00:20:04,735
Mr. Earnest: I think
that's the second the
404
00:20:04,736 --> 00:20:05,737
campaign event that the
President has done for
405
00:20:05,737 --> 00:20:07,606
Secretary Clinton, and so
I wouldn't be surprised,
406
00:20:07,606 --> 00:20:08,974
in the context of those
campaign events,
407
00:20:08,974 --> 00:20:10,341
he's talking more about
the campaign.
408
00:20:10,342 --> 00:20:12,277
I think that's
what's changed.
409
00:20:12,277 --> 00:20:13,478
The Press: Literally,
every time he's questioned
410
00:20:13,478 --> 00:20:15,647
by reporters, a question
about the campaign comes
411
00:20:15,647 --> 00:20:17,349
up, and a question about
Donald Trump comes up
412
00:20:17,349 --> 00:20:21,620
almost every single time.
413
00:20:21,620 --> 00:20:24,222
So he just seems much more
willing now to go into
414
00:20:24,222 --> 00:20:29,127
detail, to attack Donald
Trump, to hit out against
415
00:20:29,127 --> 00:20:32,998
the Republican Party with
much more specificity,
416
00:20:32,998 --> 00:20:34,266
too, than he did before.
417
00:20:34,266 --> 00:20:37,069
So is it just the way
that the campaigns
418
00:20:37,069 --> 00:20:38,503
have evolved?
419
00:20:38,503 --> 00:20:41,473
Does he feel that now is
the time to do more of that?
420
00:20:41,473 --> 00:20:43,475
I'm just trying to get
a sense of what he's thinking.
421
00:20:43,475 --> 00:20:45,444
Mr. Earnest: Yeah, I guess
we're less than eight
422
00:20:45,444 --> 00:20:47,446
weeks before an election,
and so the President
423
00:20:47,446 --> 00:20:48,981
has engaged some more
on that argument.
424
00:20:48,981 --> 00:20:49,448
The Press: Okay.
425
00:20:49,448 --> 00:20:52,517
And so does he feel that
that -- I mean, are we
426
00:20:52,517 --> 00:20:54,152
going to hear more
from him on that?
427
00:20:54,152 --> 00:20:55,454
Does he feel
like this is --
428
00:20:55,454 --> 00:20:57,456
Mr. Earnest: The President
certainly does intend to
429
00:20:57,456 --> 00:21:00,024
campaign extensively
for Secretary Clinton.
430
00:21:00,025 --> 00:21:02,027
He's obviously got a day
job that he's very focused
431
00:21:02,027 --> 00:21:04,029
on, serving as President
of the United States.
432
00:21:04,029 --> 00:21:06,031
So, for example, next week
he'll be devoting the
433
00:21:06,031 --> 00:21:09,967
majority of his week to
participating in the
434
00:21:09,968 --> 00:21:12,604
meeting at the United
Nation, of the
435
00:21:12,604 --> 00:21:14,806
General Assembly.
436
00:21:14,806 --> 00:21:16,808
The President did devote
a lot of his time in the
437
00:21:16,808 --> 00:21:18,810
last couple of weeks
to traveling overseas.
438
00:21:18,810 --> 00:21:21,413
So the President has got
a busy schedule, but he
439
00:21:21,413 --> 00:21:23,515
certainly is going to look
for every opportunity that
440
00:21:23,515 --> 00:21:26,718
he can to go out and
advocate for Secretary
441
00:21:26,718 --> 00:21:28,720
Clinton's election for
all the reasons that
442
00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:29,721
he detailed yesterday.
443
00:21:29,721 --> 00:21:31,056
The Press: That's
what I'm saying.
444
00:21:31,056 --> 00:21:33,792
I mean, often when we
would ask, you would
445
00:21:33,792 --> 00:21:36,360
really highlight Hillary
Clinton's qualifications,
446
00:21:36,361 --> 00:21:38,730
and that that's what
he wanted to focus on.
447
00:21:38,730 --> 00:21:42,000
And you even would say
that he doesn't really see
448
00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:44,503
his role as trying to
win voters away from
449
00:21:44,503 --> 00:21:48,340
the Republican side
necessarily, but to
450
00:21:48,340 --> 00:21:50,775
motivate the base and
to highlight Hillary
451
00:21:50,776 --> 00:21:52,944
Clinton's accomplishments.
452
00:21:52,944 --> 00:21:54,146
That's what we heard
again and again.
453
00:21:54,146 --> 00:21:56,214
So, at this point, does
the President feel like
454
00:21:56,214 --> 00:22:00,018
focusing on those positive
attributes is not enough,
455
00:22:00,018 --> 00:22:03,889
and now he wants to
pinpoint things about the
456
00:22:03,889 --> 00:22:06,558
Republican campaign that
he feels are wrong?
457
00:22:06,558 --> 00:22:08,927
Mr. Earnest: Well,
listen, no -- I think the
458
00:22:08,927 --> 00:22:12,063
President chiefly is
determined to go and make
459
00:22:12,064 --> 00:22:15,100
an affirmative case in
support of Secretary
460
00:22:15,100 --> 00:22:17,168
Clinton's campaign because
he feels quite strongly
461
00:22:17,169 --> 00:22:19,805
that she is the most
qualified and most
462
00:22:19,805 --> 00:22:22,607
effective person in
America to succeed him.
463
00:22:22,607 --> 00:22:24,910
Fortunately, she is the
person that's also been
464
00:22:24,910 --> 00:22:26,912
nominated by the
Democratic Party
465
00:22:26,912 --> 00:22:28,280
to succeed him.
466
00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:30,382
So the President is
going to make an ardent,
467
00:22:30,382 --> 00:22:33,385
passionate case in
support of her election.
468
00:22:33,385 --> 00:22:37,189
What's also true is
there's a choice, and
469
00:22:37,189 --> 00:22:38,623
there's a clear contrast.
470
00:22:38,623 --> 00:22:40,625
And the President hasn't
shied away from pointing
471
00:22:40,625 --> 00:22:43,495
out the contrast in their
approaches or their
472
00:22:43,495 --> 00:22:46,063
experience, or their
values either.
473
00:22:46,064 --> 00:22:49,367
The Press: Yesterday we
heard pretty strongly from
474
00:22:49,367 --> 00:22:52,370
Mitch McConnell that
Republicans would not take
475
00:22:52,370 --> 00:22:55,173
up the Garland nomination
even in a lame duck
476
00:22:55,173 --> 00:22:57,743
session, no matter how
the election turns out.
477
00:22:57,743 --> 00:23:01,679
Did they make that clear
in the meeting that
478
00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:03,181
leadership had with the
President the other day?
479
00:23:03,181 --> 00:23:05,317
And are you willing to
concede that this now is
480
00:23:05,317 --> 00:23:06,418
just not going to happen?
481
00:23:06,418 --> 00:23:11,156
Mr. Earnest: I'm certainly
not going to concede that.
482
00:23:11,156 --> 00:23:14,559
It's a curious election
strategy that Republicans
483
00:23:14,559 --> 00:23:17,062
are going to down to the
wire insisting that
484
00:23:17,062 --> 00:23:18,062
they won't do their job.
485
00:23:18,063 --> 00:23:22,334
It's a curious way to make
the case that you should
486
00:23:22,334 --> 00:23:23,435
be rehired for a job.
487
00:23:23,435 --> 00:23:30,341
But I'll let them struggle
with that challenge.
488
00:23:30,342 --> 00:23:35,547
The President continues
to insist that Merrick
489
00:23:35,547 --> 00:23:37,549
Garland is the right
person to represent the
490
00:23:37,549 --> 00:23:39,551
American people on the
Supreme Court, to serve
491
00:23:39,551 --> 00:23:41,553
the American people
on the Supreme Court.
492
00:23:41,553 --> 00:23:43,555
He's got more experience
in the federal judiciary
493
00:23:43,555 --> 00:23:45,557
than any Supreme Court
nominee in American history.
494
00:23:45,557 --> 00:23:47,559
He's somebody that
Republicans have
495
00:23:47,559 --> 00:23:49,795
repeatedly described as a
good man, a bright
496
00:23:49,795 --> 00:23:53,265
legal mind, and as a
consensus pick.
497
00:23:53,265 --> 00:23:57,002
So there's no excuse that
Republicans have for not
498
00:23:57,002 --> 00:24:02,206
doing their job other than
they're hoping that a
499
00:24:02,207 --> 00:24:05,243
Republican will get an
opportunity to choose
500
00:24:05,243 --> 00:24:07,245
the next person on
the Supreme Court.
501
00:24:07,245 --> 00:24:09,981
And that is an
unprecedented injection of
502
00:24:09,981 --> 00:24:12,017
partisan politics
into this process.
503
00:24:12,017 --> 00:24:14,920
Senator Graham said
the same thing --
504
00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:18,824
"unprecedented" is
his word, not mine.
505
00:24:18,824 --> 00:24:26,398
And that's unfortunate,
and I think it does risk
506
00:24:26,398 --> 00:24:28,399
further erosion in public
confidence in
507
00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:31,703
our judicial system.
508
00:24:31,703 --> 00:24:36,107
But that's a result of
Republican actions.
509
00:24:36,107 --> 00:24:36,841
The Press: Did they talk
about this in the
510
00:24:36,842 --> 00:24:38,777
meeting the other day?
511
00:24:38,777 --> 00:24:40,779
Mr. Earnest: I know this
came up in the meeting,
512
00:24:40,779 --> 00:24:43,748
but I'll let the members
of Congress characterize
513
00:24:43,748 --> 00:24:46,084
what comments they
made to the President.
514
00:24:46,084 --> 00:24:46,852
Jordan.
515
00:24:46,852 --> 00:24:47,686
The Press: Thanks, Josh.
516
00:24:47,686 --> 00:24:50,422
Senator Durbin said today
that he wants Secretary
517
00:24:50,422 --> 00:24:52,657
Clinton to stick with
Merrick Garland's
518
00:24:52,657 --> 00:24:55,327
nomination if she's
elected, but she herself
519
00:24:55,327 --> 00:24:56,294
hasn't committed
to doing that.
520
00:24:56,294 --> 00:25:01,166
Do you agree with Senator
Durbin that if Garland
521
00:25:01,166 --> 00:25:03,301
isn't confirmed by the
time the President leaves
522
00:25:03,301 --> 00:25:05,270
office, that the Secretary
should stick with him?
523
00:25:05,270 --> 00:25:09,641
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
the President believes
524
00:25:09,641 --> 00:25:11,643
that the Congress should
confirm his nominee to
525
00:25:11,643 --> 00:25:13,645
the Supreme Court,
Merrick Garland.
526
00:25:13,645 --> 00:25:15,647
And as I pointed out to
Michelle, I'm not willing
527
00:25:15,647 --> 00:25:19,783
to concede that the
United States Senate
528
00:25:19,784 --> 00:25:22,354
will continue to not
do their job.
529
00:25:22,354 --> 00:25:26,091
At some point -- well,
look, we're going to
530
00:25:26,091 --> 00:25:30,928
continue to press the
case that they should.
531
00:25:30,929 --> 00:25:33,932
If that doesn't happen,
then the responsibility
532
00:25:33,932 --> 00:25:35,934
will fall to the
next President.
533
00:25:35,934 --> 00:25:40,105
And the President I think
has made quite clear in
534
00:25:40,105 --> 00:25:43,775
unambiguous terms why he
believes that Chief Judge
535
00:25:43,775 --> 00:25:46,177
Garland is the right
person for the job.
536
00:25:46,177 --> 00:25:49,546
And hopefully that will
get done before January 20th.
537
00:25:49,547 --> 00:25:51,783
The Press: On another
topic -- the Obama
538
00:25:51,783 --> 00:25:56,454
administration's proposal
to take in 110,000
539
00:25:56,454 --> 00:25:58,188
refugees next year.
540
00:25:58,189 --> 00:26:01,092
Senator Sessions, perhaps
not surprisingly, was
541
00:26:01,092 --> 00:26:04,596
quite critical of this,
and he proposed creating
542
00:26:04,596 --> 00:26:06,598
safe zones in
Syria for refugees.
543
00:26:06,598 --> 00:26:08,600
I know this is something
that the President has
544
00:26:08,600 --> 00:26:11,468
rejected before, but
was there any internal
545
00:26:11,469 --> 00:26:13,371
discussions about
revisiting that idea
546
00:26:13,371 --> 00:26:16,007
before you put out your
revised number for next year?
547
00:26:16,007 --> 00:26:16,875
Mr. Earnest: No.
548
00:26:16,875 --> 00:26:19,878
Mike.
549
00:26:19,878 --> 00:26:21,812
The Press: On Burma, the
President said in the Oval
550
00:26:21,813 --> 00:26:24,549
Office that sanctions
would be lifted soon.
551
00:26:24,549 --> 00:26:27,519
Can you give us more
specific timing, and
552
00:26:27,519 --> 00:26:30,355
whether that includes all
sanctions or
553
00:26:30,355 --> 00:26:31,823
what might remain?
554
00:26:31,823 --> 00:26:34,326
Mr. Earnest: I don't have
any update on timing.
555
00:26:34,326 --> 00:26:35,994
You can consult with my
colleagues at the
556
00:26:35,994 --> 00:26:37,428
Treasury Department.
557
00:26:37,429 --> 00:26:38,730
Obviously they're
responsible for
558
00:26:38,730 --> 00:26:39,464
administering
these sanctions.
559
00:26:39,464 --> 00:26:42,867
And they'll have an
announcement, I believe
560
00:26:42,867 --> 00:26:44,836
the President said,
in coming days.
561
00:26:44,836 --> 00:26:48,206
And so we'll
leave it to them.
562
00:26:48,206 --> 00:26:50,375
The Press: Will all
sanctions be lifted?
563
00:26:50,375 --> 00:26:50,875
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
we'll let the Treasury
564
00:26:50,875 --> 00:26:53,278
Department make the
announcement about the
565
00:26:53,278 --> 00:26:56,247
change that the
President has ordered.
566
00:26:56,247 --> 00:26:58,249
The Press: On the
-- something else.
567
00:26:58,249 --> 00:27:02,020
Senator Cruz has said he
wants to attach to the CR
568
00:27:02,020 --> 00:27:07,025
his proposal to prevent
the government from
569
00:27:07,025 --> 00:27:12,564
transferring control of
the Internet domain names.
570
00:27:12,564 --> 00:27:17,335
Would that provoke a veto
from the President if that
571
00:27:17,335 --> 00:27:18,003
were attached to the CR?
572
00:27:18,003 --> 00:27:20,839
Mr. Earnest: Well, first
of all, we should point
573
00:27:20,839 --> 00:27:26,177
out the ironic position
of the small-government
574
00:27:26,177 --> 00:27:28,713
advocate suggesting that
the federal government
575
00:27:28,713 --> 00:27:30,715
should continue to be in
control of Internet
576
00:27:30,715 --> 00:27:32,449
domain names.
577
00:27:32,450 --> 00:27:38,857
This is a -- the position
that he has taken is,
578
00:27:38,857 --> 00:27:42,827
frankly, not really
supported by anybody.
579
00:27:42,827 --> 00:27:48,199
Obviously, the industry
technology experts,
580
00:27:48,199 --> 00:27:50,835
business community, and
the largest Internet
581
00:27:50,835 --> 00:27:52,804
companies -- like
Facebook, Google and
582
00:27:52,804 --> 00:27:56,674
Twitter -- have described
it as imperative that the
583
00:27:56,674 --> 00:27:59,377
transition move forward.
584
00:27:59,377 --> 00:28:07,585
And so it would be quite
unwise for the United
585
00:28:07,585 --> 00:28:13,491
States Congress to
block the transition.
586
00:28:13,491 --> 00:28:20,465
We've made clear that the
administration believes
587
00:28:20,465 --> 00:28:25,203
that Congress should pass
a short-term CR that
588
00:28:25,203 --> 00:28:28,339
doesn't include any
ideological riders.
589
00:28:28,339 --> 00:28:32,010
And the reason that
Congress needs to do that
590
00:28:32,010 --> 00:28:34,279
is because Republicans
have failed to fulfill
591
00:28:34,279 --> 00:28:36,948
their responsibility to
fund the government, and
592
00:28:36,948 --> 00:28:39,317
they need, apparently,
more time to try to
593
00:28:39,317 --> 00:28:46,758
work out budget bills
for next year.
594
00:28:46,758 --> 00:28:48,793
So the President believes
that they should pass a
595
00:28:48,793 --> 00:28:51,596
short-term CR, buy
themselves enough time to
596
00:28:51,596 --> 00:28:55,400
do that work, and come
back after the elections,
597
00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:57,302
and get it done.
598
00:28:57,302 --> 00:28:59,303
And the President doesn't
believe that either of
599
00:28:59,304 --> 00:29:05,743
those -- that that process
of extending the time that
600
00:29:05,743 --> 00:29:08,480
Congress has to do their
work should be
601
00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:12,083
encumbered by a set of
ideological riders.
602
00:29:12,083 --> 00:29:14,219
The Press: Are you willing
to say whether this
603
00:29:14,219 --> 00:29:16,387
ideological rider
would provoke a veto?
604
00:29:16,387 --> 00:29:19,624
Mr. Earnest: Well, at this
point, I think it is too
605
00:29:19,624 --> 00:29:24,596
early to get into the mode
of saying which cockamamie
606
00:29:29,901 --> 00:29:32,036
proposals that are floated
by Republicans would draw
607
00:29:32,036 --> 00:29:33,905
a veto threat from the
President of
608
00:29:33,905 --> 00:29:35,773
the United States.
609
00:29:35,773 --> 00:29:40,245
So at this point, I think
we'll just leave it at it
610
00:29:40,245 --> 00:29:42,246
should be free of
ideological riders.
611
00:29:42,247 --> 00:29:44,249
I think that there are
real questions that are
612
00:29:44,249 --> 00:29:47,819
raised by whether or not a
continuing resolution that
613
00:29:47,819 --> 00:29:50,955
included a provision like
the one that Senator Cruz
614
00:29:50,955 --> 00:29:54,024
has described is one that
would pass either the
615
00:29:54,025 --> 00:29:59,430
Senate or the House, given
the uniform opposition to
616
00:29:59,430 --> 00:30:00,431
what he is advocating.
617
00:30:00,431 --> 00:30:02,433
The Press: And lastly,
parallel to Michelle's
618
00:30:02,433 --> 00:30:04,302
question, did the
congressional leaders and
619
00:30:04,302 --> 00:30:06,004
the President discuss
their willingness to
620
00:30:06,004 --> 00:30:09,006
consider TPP ratification
in a lame duck session?
621
00:30:09,007 --> 00:30:11,309
And what did
they tell you?
622
00:30:11,309 --> 00:30:14,445
Mr. Earnest: I know this
is an issue that came up,
623
00:30:14,445 --> 00:30:16,447
but I don't have
additional details
624
00:30:16,447 --> 00:30:18,448
about the meeting to
share at this point.
625
00:30:18,449 --> 00:30:20,451
And for what members
of Congress told the
626
00:30:20,451 --> 00:30:23,421
President, I'd refer
you to their offices.
627
00:30:23,421 --> 00:30:24,422
Mark.
628
00:30:24,422 --> 00:30:27,358
The Press: Josh, on
hacking, you told Mary
629
00:30:27,358 --> 00:30:30,495
that there's been no
determination in public of
630
00:30:30,495 --> 00:30:31,929
who is responsible.
631
00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:32,530
Mr. Earnest:
That is correct.
632
00:30:32,530 --> 00:30:33,364
The Press: Has there
been one in private?
633
00:30:33,364 --> 00:30:36,367
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
decisions about making
634
00:30:36,367 --> 00:30:39,971
public any conclusions
that have been reached
635
00:30:39,971 --> 00:30:41,973
about the investigation
is something that
636
00:30:41,973 --> 00:30:43,241
the FBI will decide.
637
00:30:43,241 --> 00:30:45,243
The Press: Is it your
understanding it's still
638
00:30:45,243 --> 00:30:46,244
under investigation?
639
00:30:46,244 --> 00:30:49,313
Mr. Earnest: I think my
colleagues at the FBI have
640
00:30:49,314 --> 00:30:51,316
indicated that it
continues to be
641
00:30:51,316 --> 00:30:52,817
under investigation.
642
00:30:52,817 --> 00:30:56,421
So any details that
are released about the
643
00:30:56,421 --> 00:30:59,490
investigation will
be released at their
644
00:30:59,490 --> 00:31:02,393
discretion, based on what
they believe enhances our
645
00:31:02,393 --> 00:31:04,395
national security
interests and what
646
00:31:04,395 --> 00:31:06,129
advances the
investigation.
647
00:31:06,130 --> 00:31:09,100
The Press: On the meeting
in the Oval Office today,
648
00:31:09,100 --> 00:31:12,102
I noticed your joint
statement referred to the
649
00:31:12,103 --> 00:31:15,106
"Republic of Myanmar." Is
that now a new policy?
650
00:31:15,106 --> 00:31:17,809
Do you now refer to
Burma as Myanmar?
651
00:31:17,809 --> 00:31:20,478
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
on a previous visit, we
652
00:31:20,478 --> 00:31:23,815
indicated that the
government -- that the U.S.
653
00:31:23,815 --> 00:31:26,217
government was also
willing to refer to
654
00:31:26,217 --> 00:31:27,585
the country as Burma.
655
00:31:27,585 --> 00:31:29,687
So I believe that the two
names are, at this
656
00:31:29,687 --> 00:31:31,421
point, basically used
interchangeably.
657
00:31:31,422 --> 00:31:33,758
The Press:
Interchangeable?
658
00:31:33,758 --> 00:31:34,592
Mr. Earnest: Yes.
659
00:31:34,592 --> 00:31:36,594
The Press: And any
guidance on timing of the
660
00:31:36,594 --> 00:31:38,329
veto of the 9/11
lawsuit bill?
661
00:31:38,329 --> 00:31:40,865
Mr. Earnest: I don't have
an update for you in terms
662
00:31:40,865 --> 00:31:44,402
of timing, but the
President -- as you know,
663
00:31:44,402 --> 00:31:47,305
we received the bill on
Monday evening, and
664
00:31:47,305 --> 00:31:50,008
the President does
intend to veto it.
665
00:31:50,008 --> 00:31:51,209
Ron.
666
00:31:51,209 --> 00:31:52,677
The Press: On the hacking
thing, is this just a
667
00:31:52,677 --> 00:31:54,678
matter of the FBI not
being able to complete its
668
00:31:54,679 --> 00:31:57,315
work, or the
administration not being
669
00:31:57,315 --> 00:31:59,851
able to determine who is
behind all this stuff?
670
00:31:59,851 --> 00:32:03,755
Because there seems to be
a disconnect between what
671
00:32:03,755 --> 00:32:05,723
we hear in public from,
as you put it, so many
672
00:32:05,723 --> 00:32:08,459
professionals, and other
administration officials
673
00:32:08,459 --> 00:32:11,663
-- the CIA Director almost
insinuating that
674
00:32:11,663 --> 00:32:12,664
it's the Russians.
675
00:32:12,664 --> 00:32:16,834
But the administration,
on the record, just can't
676
00:32:16,834 --> 00:32:17,969
seem to figure it out.
677
00:32:17,969 --> 00:32:20,171
What's the problem here?
678
00:32:20,171 --> 00:32:22,707
Mr. Earnest: Ron, I think
for questions about the
679
00:32:22,707 --> 00:32:24,709
FBI investigation, you
should go talk to the FBI.
680
00:32:24,709 --> 00:32:28,880
The Press: So that's it?
681
00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:31,015
This is a legality?
682
00:32:31,015 --> 00:32:37,889
You have a sense of --
what more specifically did
683
00:32:37,889 --> 00:32:40,024
the President say to
President Putin about
684
00:32:40,024 --> 00:32:41,359
the hacking problem?
685
00:32:41,359 --> 00:32:43,360
When he came out he
talked about how we can't
686
00:32:43,361 --> 00:32:46,898
escalate this into an arms
race and we need norms,
687
00:32:46,898 --> 00:32:48,131
so on and so forth.
688
00:32:48,132 --> 00:32:51,836
How pointed were their
discussions about
689
00:32:51,836 --> 00:32:54,205
hacking specifically in
recent months?
690
00:32:54,205 --> 00:32:56,908
Mr. Earnest: I think
in talking about the
691
00:32:56,908 --> 00:32:59,077
conversation that he had
with President Putin,
692
00:32:59,077 --> 00:33:03,047
President Obama
acknowledged that he spoke
693
00:33:03,047 --> 00:33:05,049
rather directly to
President Putin about a
694
00:33:05,049 --> 00:33:08,453
range of issues, including
how seriously the
695
00:33:08,453 --> 00:33:10,455
United States takes
cybersecurity.
696
00:33:10,455 --> 00:33:16,593
So their conversation was
direct about that, but I
697
00:33:16,594 --> 00:33:18,596
don't have a whole lot
of details to share.
698
00:33:18,596 --> 00:33:20,798
The Press: Do you think
that President Putin was
699
00:33:20,798 --> 00:33:22,800
left with the impression
that the United States
700
00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:24,635
firmly believes that the
Russians are behind some
701
00:33:24,635 --> 00:33:25,803
of these incidences?
702
00:33:25,803 --> 00:33:27,805
Mr. Earnest: I guess you
have to ask President
703
00:33:27,805 --> 00:33:29,774
Putin's spokesperson what
impression he was left
704
00:33:29,774 --> 00:33:30,774
with after the meeting.
705
00:33:30,775 --> 00:33:32,777
The Press: And on Syria,
you talked about how there
706
00:33:32,777 --> 00:33:35,313
is so much skepticism and
doubt about the ceasefire,
707
00:33:35,313 --> 00:33:40,418
and we're in day two,
so on and so forth.
708
00:33:40,418 --> 00:33:42,754
So are there active
discussions underway?
709
00:33:42,754 --> 00:33:44,755
Is there an engagement
between the United States
710
00:33:44,756 --> 00:33:47,125
and Russia about the
military plan that would
711
00:33:47,125 --> 00:33:49,293
happen, even though there
is this skepticism?
712
00:33:49,293 --> 00:33:52,330
Or is this skepticism
and doubt blocking that?
713
00:33:52,330 --> 00:33:54,631
Because, again, you would
think that this has to
714
00:33:54,632 --> 00:33:57,034
be carried out quickly,
expeditiously.
715
00:33:57,034 --> 00:33:59,036
There should be some
planning going on.
716
00:33:59,036 --> 00:34:01,038
You can't just start
coordinating airstrikes
717
00:34:01,038 --> 00:34:06,511
out of the blue
-- pardon the pun.
718
00:34:06,511 --> 00:34:09,913
But I'm trying to
reconcile the skepticism
719
00:34:09,914 --> 00:34:14,952
with the actual need for
a real solution on the ground.
720
00:34:14,952 --> 00:34:17,655
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
need for a real solution
721
00:34:17,655 --> 00:34:23,194
on the ground is one that
addresses our most urgent
722
00:34:23,194 --> 00:34:26,163
concern, which is about
the humanitarian
723
00:34:26,164 --> 00:34:28,833
situation inside of Syria.
724
00:34:28,833 --> 00:34:31,601
Right now, the United
States is obviously
725
00:34:31,601 --> 00:34:33,904
working very effectively
with our counter-ISIL
726
00:34:33,905 --> 00:34:37,241
coalition to take
the fight to ISIL.
727
00:34:37,241 --> 00:34:40,143
And we've enjoyed
important progress on the
728
00:34:40,143 --> 00:34:43,447
ground in Iraq and in
Syria in taking back
729
00:34:43,447 --> 00:34:46,451
ground from ISIL, in
taking senior ISIL leaders
730
00:34:46,451 --> 00:34:47,452
off the battlefield.
731
00:34:47,452 --> 00:34:50,221
The Department of Defense
recently confirmed that
732
00:34:50,221 --> 00:34:53,958
the strike against
Adnani succeeded.
733
00:34:53,958 --> 00:34:57,261
This was one of the
leading ISIL figures that
734
00:34:57,261 --> 00:34:59,263
was responsible for
organizing a lot of
735
00:34:59,263 --> 00:35:00,665
their external plots.
736
00:35:00,665 --> 00:35:05,002
So our top priority
overall is protecting the
737
00:35:05,002 --> 00:35:07,004
American people and
protecting our
738
00:35:07,004 --> 00:35:08,005
national security.
739
00:35:08,005 --> 00:35:09,974
And that means going after
urgent threats to our
740
00:35:09,974 --> 00:35:11,409
national security,
like ISIL.
741
00:35:11,409 --> 00:35:14,979
The Press: Is there, in
fact, planning going on
742
00:35:14,979 --> 00:35:17,348
right now between the
Russians and the United
743
00:35:17,348 --> 00:35:19,350
States military about how
to execute airstrikes
744
00:35:19,350 --> 00:35:20,351
into Syria?
745
00:35:20,351 --> 00:35:21,452
Mr. Earnest: There's not.
746
00:35:21,452 --> 00:35:24,922
Right now, the United
States and our 65 or 66
747
00:35:24,922 --> 00:35:27,692
coalition partners are
prosecuting our
748
00:35:27,692 --> 00:35:29,227
campaign against ISIL.
749
00:35:29,227 --> 00:35:30,661
The Press: So if there's
no planning, how could
750
00:35:30,661 --> 00:35:32,663
this actually begin
in four or five days?
751
00:35:32,663 --> 00:35:34,665
Mr. Earnest: Ron, it's
important for you to
752
00:35:34,665 --> 00:35:36,667
consider exactly the
structure of this agreement.
753
00:35:36,667 --> 00:35:40,770
The structure of this
agreement is that the
754
00:35:40,771 --> 00:35:43,674
Cessation of Hostilities
is something that will be
755
00:35:43,674 --> 00:35:47,078
observed by all of the
parties to the agreement,
756
00:35:47,078 --> 00:35:49,080
including the Russians
and including the Assad
757
00:35:49,080 --> 00:35:51,782
regime, for seven days.
758
00:35:51,782 --> 00:35:54,519
And in that seven days,
we will see the unimpeded
759
00:35:54,519 --> 00:35:57,254
flow of humanitarian
assistance to those
760
00:35:57,255 --> 00:35:59,257
communities that need it
the most, including in
761
00:35:59,257 --> 00:36:00,725
Aleppo.
762
00:36:00,725 --> 00:36:05,363
After we have seen that
sustained commitment to
763
00:36:05,363 --> 00:36:07,365
the Cessation of
Hostilities arrangement,
764
00:36:07,365 --> 00:36:11,067
then the United States
would begin discussions
765
00:36:11,068 --> 00:36:13,938
about military
coordination with the
766
00:36:13,938 --> 00:36:16,073
Russians, and
not before then.
767
00:36:16,073 --> 00:36:19,844
And the reason for that
is the United States is
768
00:36:19,844 --> 00:36:22,346
already making progress
in targeting ISIL and in
769
00:36:22,346 --> 00:36:25,182
targeting other
extremists, including al
770
00:36:25,182 --> 00:36:27,183
Nusra, which is the al
Qaeda presence
771
00:36:27,184 --> 00:36:28,185
inside of Syria.
772
00:36:28,185 --> 00:36:30,187
That's been our top
priority since the very
773
00:36:30,187 --> 00:36:32,189
first day that the
President ordered military
774
00:36:32,189 --> 00:36:35,493
action inside of Syria
a couple years ago.
775
00:36:35,493 --> 00:36:39,163
The Press: It seems there
are no military -- there
776
00:36:39,163 --> 00:36:41,332
are no humanitarian
convoys moving yet.
777
00:36:41,332 --> 00:36:44,969
Mr. Earnest: We haven't
seen the kind of -- the
778
00:36:44,969 --> 00:36:46,971
unimpeded flow of
humanitarian relief that
779
00:36:46,971 --> 00:36:47,972
we'd like to see
at this point.
780
00:36:47,972 --> 00:36:52,043
I know that Mr. de
Mistura, the U.N.
781
00:36:52,043 --> 00:36:55,079
envoy, expressed his own
significant concerns about
782
00:36:55,079 --> 00:36:56,514
this just yesterday.
783
00:36:56,514 --> 00:36:58,516
And we haven't seen the
kind of movement that
784
00:36:58,516 --> 00:36:59,517
we'd like to see yet.
785
00:36:59,517 --> 00:37:01,519
But we're obviously
monitoring the situation
786
00:37:01,519 --> 00:37:04,154
closely, and we continue
to call on the Russians
787
00:37:04,155 --> 00:37:08,125
and the Assad regime to
live up to the commitments
788
00:37:08,125 --> 00:37:09,126
that were made in
the context
789
00:37:09,126 --> 00:37:10,227
of this arrangement.
790
00:37:10,227 --> 00:37:12,263
The Press: On Suu Kyi
meeting, one thing.
791
00:37:12,263 --> 00:37:14,465
Did the issue of her not
being able to become
792
00:37:14,465 --> 00:37:18,970
president come up in their
discussions and in the
793
00:37:18,970 --> 00:37:20,638
context of the discussions
about lifting
794
00:37:20,638 --> 00:37:22,573
the sanctions or not?
795
00:37:22,573 --> 00:37:25,308
Mr. Earnest: I know there
was a discussion
796
00:37:25,309 --> 00:37:26,410
about sanctions.
797
00:37:26,410 --> 00:37:30,848
The President referred to
that in the pool spray.
798
00:37:30,848 --> 00:37:33,317
As it relates to this
question about her
799
00:37:33,317 --> 00:37:35,319
eligibility for the
presidency in Burma, I
800
00:37:35,319 --> 00:37:36,787
don't frankly know if
that came up in their
801
00:37:36,787 --> 00:37:37,821
conversation, but
we can check on it.
802
00:37:37,822 --> 00:37:39,290
The Press: And if I
could have one more.
803
00:37:39,290 --> 00:37:40,458
Do you ever watch
the Dr. Oz Show?
804
00:37:40,458 --> 00:37:41,792
(laughter)
805
00:37:41,792 --> 00:37:42,994
Mr. Earnest: I can tell
you that I've never seen
806
00:37:42,994 --> 00:37:44,428
the Dr. Oz Show.
807
00:37:44,428 --> 00:37:45,596
The Press: Do you plan to
watch the Dr. Oz Show at all?
808
00:37:45,596 --> 00:37:46,864
Mr. Earnest: Not today.
809
00:37:46,864 --> 00:37:47,732
(laughter)
810
00:37:47,732 --> 00:37:49,066
The Press: No,
it's tomorrow.
811
00:37:49,066 --> 00:37:50,401
Mr. Earnest: Not
tomorrow either.
812
00:37:50,401 --> 00:37:51,535
(laughter)
813
00:37:51,535 --> 00:37:52,269
Margaret.
814
00:37:52,269 --> 00:37:56,439
The Press: Josh, the Obama
administration is about to
815
00:37:56,440 --> 00:37:59,543
give nearly a $40-billion
military aid package to
816
00:37:59,543 --> 00:38:01,379
Israel, which the State
Department is calling the
817
00:38:01,379 --> 00:38:03,447
largest ever given to
any country in
818
00:38:03,447 --> 00:38:04,382
American history.
819
00:38:04,382 --> 00:38:07,485
Why aren't you talking
about it here at the White
820
00:38:07,485 --> 00:38:10,655
House, given what a
tough relationship,
821
00:38:10,655 --> 00:38:12,657
well-documented in the
public space, President
822
00:38:12,657 --> 00:38:15,893
Obama and Benjamin
Netanyahu have had?
823
00:38:15,893 --> 00:38:18,929
And what do you make of
some of the complaints
824
00:38:18,929 --> 00:38:20,498
that it's not enough?
825
00:38:20,498 --> 00:38:22,767
Mr. Earnest: Well, I've
only seen one person
826
00:38:22,767 --> 00:38:23,768
make that complaint.
827
00:38:23,768 --> 00:38:26,570
I think most people,
including the Israeli
828
00:38:26,570 --> 00:38:29,373
government, including
AIPAC -- which has not
829
00:38:29,373 --> 00:38:31,409
been shy about offering
up their criticism of the
830
00:38:31,409 --> 00:38:33,678
Obama administration --
welcomed the completion
831
00:38:33,678 --> 00:38:34,745
of this agreement.
832
00:38:34,745 --> 00:38:37,381
Obviously the President
made this a priority and
833
00:38:37,381 --> 00:38:42,620
identified the completion
of a new memorandum of
834
00:38:42,620 --> 00:38:45,122
understanding as a
national security priority
835
00:38:45,122 --> 00:38:46,991
three years ago now.
836
00:38:46,991 --> 00:38:50,695
So this agreement
represents the culmination
837
00:38:50,695 --> 00:38:55,833
of a lot of work and a
whole series of difficult
838
00:38:55,833 --> 00:38:58,235
negotiations, but
negotiations that
839
00:38:58,235 --> 00:39:05,276
ultimately reflected the
shared priorities between
840
00:39:05,276 --> 00:39:07,444
the United States and our
closest ally in the
841
00:39:07,445 --> 00:39:08,579
Middle East, Israel.
842
00:39:08,579 --> 00:39:12,049
The United States has,
under Democratic and
843
00:39:12,049 --> 00:39:14,051
Republican presidents,
made the safety and
844
00:39:14,051 --> 00:39:16,053
security of our Israeli
allies a top national
845
00:39:16,053 --> 00:39:17,054
security priority.
846
00:39:17,054 --> 00:39:19,223
And I think this
new memorandum of
847
00:39:19,223 --> 00:39:22,326
understanding is an
indication that it's a
848
00:39:22,326 --> 00:39:24,829
priority that President
Obama also shares.
849
00:39:24,829 --> 00:39:26,831
When it comes to the
details of the memorandum
850
00:39:26,831 --> 00:39:30,067
of understanding, it's my
understanding that it's
851
00:39:30,067 --> 00:39:32,069
being signed at the State
Department right now.
852
00:39:32,069 --> 00:39:38,308
So I'll let the people who
are involved in that event
853
00:39:38,309 --> 00:39:40,444
discuss the details
of the memorandum of
854
00:39:40,444 --> 00:39:42,779
understanding, but I can
certainly tell you from
855
00:39:42,780 --> 00:39:46,150
here that it reflects
the high priority that
856
00:39:46,150 --> 00:39:48,853
President Obama has placed
on the national security
857
00:39:48,853 --> 00:39:50,855
of our closest allies
in the Middle East.
858
00:39:50,855 --> 00:39:52,857
The Press: But given that
it is the largest ever
859
00:39:52,857 --> 00:39:55,426
given to any country in
the history of America,
860
00:39:55,426 --> 00:39:57,094
why isn't that
happening here?
861
00:39:57,094 --> 00:40:00,798
And given what you
know has been a very
862
00:40:00,798 --> 00:40:03,234
politically heated issue,
and this President has
863
00:40:03,234 --> 00:40:07,238
been attacked because of
the Iran deal, his support
864
00:40:07,238 --> 00:40:09,306
that you just said,
unquestioned, towards
865
00:40:09,306 --> 00:40:12,076
Israel has been questioned
by Republicans, by
866
00:40:12,076 --> 00:40:14,678
Israelis, and this has
been a very heated issue.
867
00:40:14,678 --> 00:40:19,016
It would seem that you
would want to broadcast
868
00:40:19,016 --> 00:40:20,417
this a bit more.
869
00:40:20,417 --> 00:40:22,720
Is there a reason it's
being downplayed?
870
00:40:22,720 --> 00:40:25,055
Mr. Earnest: Well, I would
contest the notion that
871
00:40:25,055 --> 00:40:26,390
this is being downplayed.
872
00:40:26,390 --> 00:40:28,859
The President announced
the fact that we were
873
00:40:28,859 --> 00:40:30,861
going to pursue
this memorandum of
874
00:40:30,861 --> 00:40:33,163
understanding at a news
conference in Israel,
875
00:40:33,164 --> 00:40:35,166
standing next to the
Israeli Prime Minister.
876
00:40:35,166 --> 00:40:36,700
And that was back in 2013.
877
00:40:36,700 --> 00:40:38,169
The Press: But that was
before it was
878
00:40:38,169 --> 00:40:39,069
$38 billion dollars.
879
00:40:39,069 --> 00:40:41,872
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
I think what we have made
880
00:40:41,872 --> 00:40:43,874
clear all along is that
this is a priority.
881
00:40:43,874 --> 00:40:45,875
The details are important,
the details will be
882
00:40:45,876 --> 00:40:47,878
discussed by the
President's national
883
00:40:47,878 --> 00:40:50,548
security advisor over at
the State Department, and
884
00:40:50,548 --> 00:40:52,582
I think that's an
indication of just how
885
00:40:52,583 --> 00:40:56,520
important this policy is
and the priority that the
886
00:40:56,520 --> 00:40:58,489
President has made the
completion of
887
00:40:58,489 --> 00:41:01,192
this memorandum of
understanding.
888
00:41:01,192 --> 00:41:04,061
The Press: On
Russia, did any U.S.
889
00:41:04,061 --> 00:41:08,632
agency give any assistance
to the World Anti-Doping
890
00:41:08,632 --> 00:41:12,636
Agency to come to their
conclusion about who was
891
00:41:12,636 --> 00:41:15,406
responsible for hacking
the information
892
00:41:15,406 --> 00:41:16,106
of American athletes?
893
00:41:16,106 --> 00:41:17,208
And are any U.S.
894
00:41:17,208 --> 00:41:19,376
agencies helping now?
895
00:41:19,376 --> 00:41:22,012
Mr. Earnest: As I
learned today, the World
896
00:41:22,012 --> 00:41:24,381
Anti-Doping Agency is
actually located in
897
00:41:24,381 --> 00:41:26,383
Montreal, Canada, and
I know that they have
898
00:41:26,383 --> 00:41:28,785
indicated that Canadian
authorities were
899
00:41:28,786 --> 00:41:32,189
investigating this
cyber intrusion.
900
00:41:32,189 --> 00:41:35,192
And I would expect that at
some point soon that U.S.
901
00:41:35,192 --> 00:41:38,128
authorities would be in
touch with their Canadian
902
00:41:38,128 --> 00:41:39,763
counterparts about this.
903
00:41:39,763 --> 00:41:41,866
But I can't speak to any
specific conversations
904
00:41:41,866 --> 00:41:43,868
that have taken
place at this point.
905
00:41:43,868 --> 00:41:47,605
The Press: So you don't
question their conclusion
906
00:41:47,605 --> 00:41:50,341
that it was a group
of Russian hackers?
907
00:41:50,341 --> 00:41:51,642
Mr. Earnest: I'm sorry --
can you say that again?
908
00:41:51,642 --> 00:41:54,211
The Press: They have very
publically said that they
909
00:41:54,211 --> 00:41:56,247
were Russian hackers who
were responsible for this.
910
00:41:56,247 --> 00:41:57,080
Does the U.S.
911
00:41:57,081 --> 00:41:59,950
have any reason to
question that conclusion?
912
00:41:59,950 --> 00:42:02,852
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
this is based on an
913
00:42:02,853 --> 00:42:04,855
investigation that was
conducted by
914
00:42:04,855 --> 00:42:06,190
Canadian authorities.
915
00:42:06,190 --> 00:42:08,759
And look, I would
expect that U.S.
916
00:42:08,759 --> 00:42:11,362
authorities would be in
touch with the Canadians
917
00:42:11,362 --> 00:42:15,232
about it, but I don't have
any of our own conclusion
918
00:42:15,232 --> 00:42:16,400
to share at this point.
919
00:42:16,400 --> 00:42:20,204
The Press: On Russia, when
the President was speaking
920
00:42:20,204 --> 00:42:22,072
yesterday at that
political rally, he spent
921
00:42:22,072 --> 00:42:25,276
a lot of time talking
about -- the comparison,
922
00:42:25,276 --> 00:42:27,912
Donald Trump to
Vladimir Putin.
923
00:42:27,912 --> 00:42:30,915
Is there a reason he spent
an amount of time doing
924
00:42:30,915 --> 00:42:34,317
that, given how delicate
the diplomacy is with
925
00:42:34,318 --> 00:42:38,422
Russia right now on this
Syria deal; given
926
00:42:38,422 --> 00:42:39,056
that the U.S.
927
00:42:39,056 --> 00:42:42,359
is now agreeing to share
military intelligence
928
00:42:42,359 --> 00:42:44,261
with Russia?
929
00:42:44,261 --> 00:42:46,163
I know they're not there
yet, but they came to that
930
00:42:46,163 --> 00:42:47,598
agreement and the
President signed off on it.
931
00:42:47,598 --> 00:42:53,103
Doesn't he worry that that
would damage the very
932
00:42:53,103 --> 00:42:55,572
fragile agreement?
933
00:42:55,572 --> 00:42:56,340
Mr. Earnest: No, the
President is not worried
934
00:42:56,340 --> 00:42:56,907
about that.
935
00:42:56,907 --> 00:42:59,710
I think the President's
comments yesterday say a
936
00:42:59,710 --> 00:43:03,414
lot more about the
Republican nominee than
937
00:43:03,414 --> 00:43:05,582
they do about the
Russian President.
938
00:43:05,582 --> 00:43:07,984
The Press: But is there a
reason he spent so much
939
00:43:07,985 --> 00:43:09,586
time talking about Putin?
940
00:43:09,586 --> 00:43:11,955
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
I think the President's --
941
00:43:11,956 --> 00:43:13,824
the comments speak
for themselves.
942
00:43:13,824 --> 00:43:18,362
I think he thought that
was a rather illuminating
943
00:43:18,362 --> 00:43:20,898
declaration from the
Republican nominee, to
944
00:43:20,898 --> 00:43:28,872
compare himself to
somebody who Republicans
945
00:43:28,872 --> 00:43:32,176
-- or at least the type of
leader that Republicans
946
00:43:32,176 --> 00:43:39,049
have historically
expressed deep concerns about.
947
00:43:39,049 --> 00:43:41,884
So, again, I think this is
-- the President was at a
948
00:43:41,885 --> 00:43:45,055
rally, talking about the
campaign for President;
949
00:43:45,055 --> 00:43:46,790
took most of his time
talking about the
950
00:43:46,790 --> 00:43:48,659
Democratic nominee that
he's endorsed, but did
951
00:43:48,659 --> 00:43:53,931
also spend some time
discussing the concerns
952
00:43:53,931 --> 00:43:55,632
that he had with the
comments and conduct of
953
00:43:55,632 --> 00:43:57,101
the Republican
nominee, as well.
954
00:43:57,101 --> 00:43:59,737
The Press: One more
question on the Democratic
955
00:43:59,737 --> 00:44:01,672
nominee that the
President has endorsed.
956
00:44:01,672 --> 00:44:05,976
I'm sure you've seen the
very public emails from
957
00:44:05,976 --> 00:44:10,147
former Secretary of State
and General Colin Powell
958
00:44:10,147 --> 00:44:13,784
in regard to the President
and Hillary Clinton.
959
00:44:13,784 --> 00:44:19,156
In one of those exchanges
with a Democratic
960
00:44:19,156 --> 00:44:22,625
mega-donor, there was the
quote, "I don't think the
961
00:44:22,626 --> 00:44:24,862
President would weep if
she found herself in
962
00:44:24,862 --> 00:44:26,430
real legal trouble.
963
00:44:26,430 --> 00:44:28,866
She'll pummel his legacy
if she gets a change, and
964
00:44:28,866 --> 00:44:32,569
he knows it." Does the
President disagree
965
00:44:32,569 --> 00:44:35,305
with that assumption?
966
00:44:35,305 --> 00:44:37,007
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
I know that there's been a
967
00:44:37,007 --> 00:44:38,609
lot of reporting on this.
968
00:44:38,609 --> 00:44:44,481
I think at this point, I'm
not going to comment on
969
00:44:44,481 --> 00:44:50,821
the leaked emails of --
the leaked personal emails
970
00:44:50,821 --> 00:44:52,656
of a private citizen.
971
00:44:52,656 --> 00:44:55,092
So I know there's been
some coverage on this.
972
00:44:55,092 --> 00:45:01,265
I'll let news rooms across
the country make their own
973
00:45:01,265 --> 00:45:03,232
coverage decisions
about what they feel is
974
00:45:03,233 --> 00:45:08,739
appropriate for the
American public to consider.
975
00:45:08,739 --> 00:45:13,143
But I'm not going to
have any comments on the
976
00:45:13,143 --> 00:45:18,282
contents of the private
email of a private citizen.
977
00:45:18,282 --> 00:45:18,749
Scott.
978
00:45:18,749 --> 00:45:20,451
The Press: Josh, within
that higher target for
979
00:45:20,451 --> 00:45:22,820
refugees in fiscal year
'17, is there a new target
980
00:45:22,820 --> 00:45:27,024
for just Syrian refugees?
981
00:45:27,024 --> 00:45:29,359
Mr. Earnest: My
understanding is that the
982
00:45:29,359 --> 00:45:33,864
State Department at this
point has not put together
983
00:45:33,864 --> 00:45:36,533
a country-specific
breakdown in terms of the
984
00:45:36,533 --> 00:45:39,837
goals that they expect
to meet next year.
985
00:45:39,837 --> 00:45:42,172
The State Department has
set a goal of admitting
986
00:45:42,172 --> 00:45:45,142
110,000 refugees to the
United States during the
987
00:45:45,142 --> 00:45:46,643
next fiscal year.
988
00:45:46,643 --> 00:45:49,179
And I know that there are
some regional targets that
989
00:45:49,179 --> 00:45:50,981
they have set and
communicated to Congress.
990
00:45:50,981 --> 00:45:53,584
But at this point, no
country-specific
991
00:45:53,584 --> 00:45:54,585
targets have been set.
992
00:45:54,585 --> 00:45:56,587
The Press: What's the
regional target for
993
00:45:56,587 --> 00:45:57,988
whatever region --
994
00:45:57,988 --> 00:46:00,424
Mr. Earnest: Well, it's
slightly more complicated
995
00:46:00,424 --> 00:46:03,627
than that, but I do have
the regional breakdown here.
996
00:46:03,627 --> 00:46:09,600
It includes -- the
regional target for FY2017
997
00:46:09,600 --> 00:46:14,805
is 40,000 for the Near
East and South Asia region.
998
00:46:14,805 --> 00:46:17,441
The Press: And is that up
from what it was the last --
999
00:46:17,441 --> 00:46:19,843
Mr. Earnest: I'm not sure
what it was the last
1000
00:46:19,843 --> 00:46:20,844
fiscal year.
1001
00:46:20,844 --> 00:46:23,113
But the thing that I'd
caution you on is that
1002
00:46:23,113 --> 00:46:25,816
there's unallocated
reserve in this breakdown
1003
00:46:25,816 --> 00:46:28,384
of about 14,000.
1004
00:46:28,385 --> 00:46:33,023
So there's a little
flexibility in this process.
1005
00:46:33,023 --> 00:46:36,994
I think the thing that I
will just reiterate is
1006
00:46:36,994 --> 00:46:40,631
that it's important for
people to remember that
1007
00:46:40,631 --> 00:46:43,533
individuals who are
admitted to the United
1008
00:46:43,534 --> 00:46:47,771
States under this program
have to undergo more
1009
00:46:47,771 --> 00:46:49,940
rigorous screening and
vetting than any other
1010
00:46:49,940 --> 00:46:52,142
individual that enters
the United States.
1011
00:46:52,142 --> 00:46:54,444
The President places our
national security at the
1012
00:46:54,444 --> 00:46:56,146
top of his priority list.
1013
00:46:56,146 --> 00:47:00,017
And that certainly is true
with regard to considering
1014
00:47:00,017 --> 00:47:02,519
the admission of refugees
to the United States.
1015
00:47:02,519 --> 00:47:04,721
At the same time, the
President believes that
1016
00:47:04,721 --> 00:47:06,757
the United States has
a responsibility, as a
1017
00:47:06,757 --> 00:47:10,494
leader on so many issues
around the world, to play
1018
00:47:10,494 --> 00:47:13,096
an important role in
bringing refugees to
1019
00:47:13,096 --> 00:47:14,865
the United States.
1020
00:47:14,865 --> 00:47:16,866
And this is something that
the President expects to
1021
00:47:16,867 --> 00:47:19,603
discuss at the U.N. next week.
1022
00:47:19,603 --> 00:47:21,605
He's going to convene a
meeting with leaders from
1023
00:47:21,605 --> 00:47:23,640
around the world to talk
about what more countries
1024
00:47:23,640 --> 00:47:28,946
around the world can do
to address the refugee
1025
00:47:28,946 --> 00:47:32,816
problem that's been so
prominent over the last
1026
00:47:32,816 --> 00:47:33,817
couple of years.
1027
00:47:33,817 --> 00:47:35,819
The Press: At UNGA, will
he talk specifically
1028
00:47:35,819 --> 00:47:36,820
about the U.S.
1029
00:47:36,820 --> 00:47:38,822
upping its own target
and setting an example?
1030
00:47:38,822 --> 00:47:43,594
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
the President would -- the
1031
00:47:43,594 --> 00:47:45,896
President is quite proud
of the commitments that
1032
00:47:45,896 --> 00:47:47,898
you've seen from the
United States in
1033
00:47:47,898 --> 00:47:48,899
addressing this issue.
1034
00:47:48,899 --> 00:47:50,901
With regard to the
situation inside of Syria,
1035
00:47:50,901 --> 00:47:53,770
the United States is the
largest bilateral donor of
1036
00:47:53,770 --> 00:47:58,542
humanitarian assistance
to assist those countries
1037
00:47:58,542 --> 00:48:02,145
that are trying to meet
the needs of innocent
1038
00:48:02,145 --> 00:48:04,181
civilians that are
fleeing violence.
1039
00:48:04,181 --> 00:48:06,717
And with regard to the
increased commitment for
1040
00:48:06,717 --> 00:48:10,754
fiscal year 2017, that
represents a 57-percent
1041
00:48:10,754 --> 00:48:18,795
increase over, I believe,
that's fiscal year 2015.
1042
00:48:18,795 --> 00:48:23,333
So the United States has
ramped up our commitment
1043
00:48:23,333 --> 00:48:26,236
in recent years in a
way that reflects the
1044
00:48:26,236 --> 00:48:28,238
responsibility that the
United States has to lead
1045
00:48:28,238 --> 00:48:30,874
on these difficult issues.
1046
00:48:30,874 --> 00:48:31,774
Josh.
1047
00:48:31,775 --> 00:48:32,776
Nice to see you here.
1048
00:48:32,776 --> 00:48:34,745
The Press: A couple
questions on the
1049
00:48:34,745 --> 00:48:36,747
President's comments in
Philadelphia yesterday
1050
00:48:36,747 --> 00:48:39,348
about Trump's taxes.
1051
00:48:39,349 --> 00:48:41,351
Is it fair to take from
the fact that he brought
1052
00:48:41,351 --> 00:48:43,353
this up I believe twice
in the speech, that the
1053
00:48:43,353 --> 00:48:46,423
President believes that
it's important or valuable
1054
00:48:46,423 --> 00:48:49,625
for votes to have
information on Trump's
1055
00:48:49,626 --> 00:48:51,628
taxes, or to see those
returns before they go to
1056
00:48:51,628 --> 00:48:53,030
the polls in November?
1057
00:48:53,030 --> 00:48:55,032
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President believes that
1058
00:48:55,032 --> 00:48:57,200
there's an important
tradition in
1059
00:48:57,200 --> 00:48:58,000
American politics.
1060
00:48:58,001 --> 00:49:02,339
For decades, candidates
in both parties, in the
1061
00:49:02,339 --> 00:49:04,341
spirit of transparency,
have released
1062
00:49:04,341 --> 00:49:05,342
their tax returns.
1063
00:49:05,342 --> 00:49:09,112
I know Secretary Clinton
has done that, and the
1064
00:49:09,112 --> 00:49:11,114
President believes
that's important.
1065
00:49:11,114 --> 00:49:13,550
The Press: So, in that
vein -- you probably don't
1066
00:49:13,550 --> 00:49:14,951
have a copy of the
Internal Revenue
1067
00:49:14,951 --> 00:49:17,187
Code up there at the
podium right now.
1068
00:49:17,187 --> 00:49:17,821
Mr. Earnest: I do not.
1069
00:49:17,821 --> 00:49:21,692
The Press: But under
Section 6103G,
1070
00:49:21,692 --> 00:49:22,426
the President --
1071
00:49:22,426 --> 00:49:23,694
Mr. Earnest: You brought
it with you, though.
1072
00:49:23,694 --> 00:49:24,795
The Press: I just
cut out that --
1073
00:49:24,795 --> 00:49:25,429
(laughter.)
1074
00:49:25,429 --> 00:49:28,665
"Upon written request by
the President, signed by
1075
00:49:28,665 --> 00:49:30,667
him personally, the
Treasury Secretary can
1076
00:49:30,667 --> 00:49:32,669
furnish to the President
or to employees of the
1077
00:49:32,669 --> 00:49:34,671
White House Office the
President may designate a
1078
00:49:34,671 --> 00:49:36,673
return or return
information with respect
1079
00:49:36,673 --> 00:49:38,841
to any taxpayer named
in such a request."
1080
00:49:38,842 --> 00:49:42,212
And the section goes on to
say that as long as you or
1081
00:49:42,212 --> 00:49:43,980
others have the personal
written direction of the
1082
00:49:43,980 --> 00:49:47,050
President, you're free to
go ahead and release that.
1083
00:49:47,050 --> 00:49:49,286
So would the President
feel this is so important
1084
00:49:49,286 --> 00:49:51,988
that he'd be willing to
get those returns from the
1085
00:49:51,988 --> 00:49:54,424
Treasury and make them
public if voters really
1086
00:49:54,424 --> 00:49:56,927
should have this
information by November?
1087
00:49:56,927 --> 00:50:00,163
Mr. Earnest: Well,
I've not heard of
1088
00:50:00,163 --> 00:50:03,367
this potential option.
1089
00:50:03,367 --> 00:50:08,438
I think it is rather
unlikely that the
1090
00:50:08,438 --> 00:50:10,941
President would order
something like that.
1091
00:50:10,941 --> 00:50:19,348
And so if there's more on
this with regard to our
1092
00:50:19,349 --> 00:50:21,351
position about the
interpretation of the
1093
00:50:21,351 --> 00:50:23,520
statute, we'll consult the
lawyers and let you know.
1094
00:50:23,520 --> 00:50:25,788
The Press: But you'd say
it's rather unlikely
1095
00:50:25,789 --> 00:50:28,058
because that would raise
other concerns, or because
1096
00:50:28,058 --> 00:50:30,327
of the history of the
White House in release of
1097
00:50:30,327 --> 00:50:32,329
tax information under
prior Presidents?
1098
00:50:32,329 --> 00:50:34,331
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
there are a couple of
1099
00:50:34,331 --> 00:50:35,332
principles here.
1100
00:50:35,332 --> 00:50:38,435
Certainly one thing that
is important and certainly
1101
00:50:38,435 --> 00:50:40,404
something that's been
prioritized in this
1102
00:50:40,404 --> 00:50:41,938
administration is making
sure that the work of the
1103
00:50:41,938 --> 00:50:47,210
IRS is not affected with
even the appearance of
1104
00:50:47,210 --> 00:50:48,512
political influence.
1105
00:50:48,512 --> 00:50:51,882
And in this regard,
obviously the President
1106
00:50:51,882 --> 00:50:56,353
has made clear that he's
a strong supporter of
1107
00:50:56,353 --> 00:50:58,355
Secretary Clinton in
the presidential race.
1108
00:50:58,355 --> 00:51:01,591
I think the second thing,
though, Josh, is this --
1109
00:51:01,591 --> 00:51:03,926
no other presidential
nominee in either party
1110
00:51:03,927 --> 00:51:07,731
has ever been compelled to
release their tax returns.
1111
00:51:07,731 --> 00:51:09,866
They've all done
so voluntarily.
1112
00:51:09,866 --> 00:51:15,705
There's been no reason to
resort to obscure sections
1113
00:51:15,705 --> 00:51:18,241
of the tax code to try to
find a reason to
1114
00:51:18,241 --> 00:51:20,877
force them to release
these tax returns.
1115
00:51:20,877 --> 00:51:24,714
Candidates for at least a
generation now -- again,
1116
00:51:24,714 --> 00:51:27,183
in both parties -- have
voluntarily released
1117
00:51:27,184 --> 00:51:32,756
these tax returns and
made them public.
1118
00:51:32,756 --> 00:51:34,857
And the President feels
-- I think made the point
1119
00:51:34,858 --> 00:51:36,693
yesterday that the fact
that there is one nominee
1120
00:51:36,693 --> 00:51:42,265
who won't voluntarily make
them public I think is
1121
00:51:42,265 --> 00:51:43,799
something the American
people should consider as
1122
00:51:43,800 --> 00:51:47,003
they evaluate their
choices for President of
1123
00:51:47,003 --> 00:51:49,473
the United States.
1124
00:51:49,473 --> 00:51:50,807
Julie.
1125
00:51:50,807 --> 00:51:51,174
The Press: Thanks, Josh.
1126
00:51:51,174 --> 00:51:52,709
Back on refugees for a
second, then I have
1127
00:51:52,709 --> 00:51:53,777
a couple on Burma.
1128
00:51:53,777 --> 00:51:56,046
When the President
announced this summit that
1129
00:51:56,046 --> 00:51:57,781
he's hosting at the U.N.
1130
00:51:57,781 --> 00:52:00,584
on refugees, the goal was
to double the amount of
1131
00:52:00,584 --> 00:52:02,018
refugees resettled around
the world,
1132
00:52:02,018 --> 00:52:03,153
if I'm not mistaken.
1133
00:52:03,153 --> 00:52:06,555
The 110,000 that you all
are proposing for the next
1134
00:52:06,556 --> 00:52:08,825
fiscal year is not even
close to doubling
1135
00:52:08,825 --> 00:52:10,593
what the U.S.
1136
00:52:10,594 --> 00:52:11,461
is doing right now.
1137
00:52:11,461 --> 00:52:13,796
So I'm wondering,
why the limitation?
1138
00:52:13,797 --> 00:52:16,233
I mean, what's the reason
that -- given the scope of
1139
00:52:16,233 --> 00:52:18,802
the crisis, particularly
Syrians, but the refugee
1140
00:52:18,802 --> 00:52:22,138
crisis around the world --
why such a small number?
1141
00:52:22,138 --> 00:52:23,807
Some of the groups that
follow this issue say that
1142
00:52:23,807 --> 00:52:26,142
this is far too few, and
there are a number of
1143
00:52:26,142 --> 00:52:27,944
critics on Capitol Hill
who agree with that.
1144
00:52:27,944 --> 00:52:30,680
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
Julie, I think the context
1145
00:52:30,680 --> 00:52:31,681
here is important.
1146
00:52:31,681 --> 00:52:34,651
This does represent a 57
percent increase in the
1147
00:52:34,651 --> 00:52:37,386
commitment that the United
States made just over the
1148
00:52:37,387 --> 00:52:38,388
last couple of years.
1149
00:52:38,388 --> 00:52:40,891
So I think that does
represent a substantial
1150
00:52:40,891 --> 00:52:46,196
increase in our commitment
to addressing the refugee
1151
00:52:46,196 --> 00:52:48,231
problem around the world.
1152
00:52:48,231 --> 00:52:50,233
Secondly, the United
States does play this
1153
00:52:50,233 --> 00:52:52,235
important role as the
largest bilateral donor of
1154
00:52:52,235 --> 00:52:59,209
humanitarian relief to
countries that are caring
1155
00:52:59,209 --> 00:53:02,611
for Syrian refugees.
1156
00:53:02,612 --> 00:53:05,715
Third, the United States,
when it comes to working
1157
00:53:05,715 --> 00:53:07,083
through the U.N.
1158
00:53:07,083 --> 00:53:12,656
refugee program, admits
more refugees through that
1159
00:53:12,656 --> 00:53:16,526
program than the rest of
the countries in the world
1160
00:53:16,526 --> 00:53:18,294
combined admit
through that program.
1161
00:53:18,295 --> 00:53:20,764
That I think is an
additional indication of
1162
00:53:20,764 --> 00:53:24,901
just how committed the
United States is to
1163
00:53:24,901 --> 00:53:27,236
fulfilling our
responsibility here.
1164
00:53:27,237 --> 00:53:29,973
But I think what we need
to see is a greater
1165
00:53:29,973 --> 00:53:37,314
commitment around the
world to not just shunting
1166
00:53:37,314 --> 00:53:39,316
this burden off to a
handful of countries.
1167
00:53:39,316 --> 00:53:45,922
And I think the other
reality here is that the
1168
00:53:45,922 --> 00:53:47,924
President's commitment to
ensuring that the United
1169
00:53:47,924 --> 00:53:50,694
States plays a leading
role on this issue is not
1170
00:53:50,694 --> 00:53:53,797
shared by a lot of people
in Congress, including by
1171
00:53:53,797 --> 00:53:55,799
a lot of people in the
Republican majority
1172
00:53:55,799 --> 00:53:56,800
in Congress.
1173
00:53:56,800 --> 00:54:01,237
And that has an impact in
terms of the resources
1174
00:54:01,237 --> 00:54:03,940
that are dedicated
to this effort.
1175
00:54:03,940 --> 00:54:05,942
All of the vetting
requirements that I was
1176
00:54:05,942 --> 00:54:09,479
talking about earlier
are not cheap.
1177
00:54:09,479 --> 00:54:16,285
And so I'm sure the
President would be willing
1178
00:54:16,286 --> 00:54:21,725
to consider increasing
this commitment further if
1179
00:54:21,725 --> 00:54:24,761
Congress were prepared
to provide the resources
1180
00:54:24,761 --> 00:54:25,762
necessary to get it done.
1181
00:54:25,762 --> 00:54:29,733
The Press: So is he
conceding then that the
1182
00:54:29,733 --> 00:54:32,135
doubling of resettlement
numbers around the world
1183
00:54:32,135 --> 00:54:34,804
is not likely to happen
during this conference?
1184
00:54:34,804 --> 00:54:37,841
I mean, if the United
States won't do it, and we
1185
00:54:37,841 --> 00:54:40,009
play a leadership role,
as you said, can other
1186
00:54:40,010 --> 00:54:41,177
countries really be
expected to do it?
1187
00:54:41,177 --> 00:54:43,179
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
we can certainly -- given
1188
00:54:43,179 --> 00:54:45,181
the ramped-up commitment
that the United States has
1189
00:54:45,181 --> 00:54:47,183
shown both in terms of
the financial assistance
1190
00:54:47,183 --> 00:54:50,453
that's been provided and
in terms of the increase
1191
00:54:50,453 --> 00:54:52,788
in refugees admitted to
the United States, I do
1192
00:54:52,789 --> 00:54:55,392
think we can ask countries
around the world to scale
1193
00:54:55,392 --> 00:54:56,725
up their commitments in
the same way the
1194
00:54:56,726 --> 00:54:58,461
United States has.
1195
00:54:58,461 --> 00:54:59,162
The Press: Okay.
1196
00:54:59,162 --> 00:55:00,263
And on Burma, on the
sanctions, can you talk
1197
00:55:00,263 --> 00:55:03,500
about the timing of at
least the President's
1198
00:55:03,500 --> 00:55:06,336
pledge to lift this
national state of emergency?
1199
00:55:06,336 --> 00:55:10,372
I mean, how much of this
has to do with him wanting
1200
00:55:10,373 --> 00:55:12,042
to do it before he leaves
office and at a time
1201
00:55:12,042 --> 00:55:13,643
when Aung San Suu
Kyi is visiting?
1202
00:55:13,643 --> 00:55:15,812
I mean, how much of it
is really a substantive
1203
00:55:15,812 --> 00:55:18,948
response to events on
the ground in Burma?
1204
00:55:18,948 --> 00:55:20,950
Mr. Earnest: Well, I
think at this point, the
1205
00:55:20,950 --> 00:55:22,952
decision has essentially
been made and this is a
1206
00:55:22,952 --> 00:55:24,954
decision that Aung San Suu
Kyi indicated that
1207
00:55:24,954 --> 00:55:25,955
she agreed with.
1208
00:55:25,955 --> 00:55:27,957
She supported the decision
to lift the national
1209
00:55:27,957 --> 00:55:33,328
emergency, and now it's
just a matter of making
1210
00:55:33,329 --> 00:55:38,068
the regulatory changes
necessary to put those
1211
00:55:38,068 --> 00:55:40,103
changes into effect.
1212
00:55:40,103 --> 00:55:42,505
So that will take some
time, but as the President
1213
00:55:42,505 --> 00:55:43,907
indicated, it's something
that should be completed
1214
00:55:43,907 --> 00:55:45,208
in the coming days.
1215
00:55:45,208 --> 00:55:46,443
The Press: Right, but my
question is, why now?
1216
00:55:46,443 --> 00:55:47,711
Why make the decision
to do it now?
1217
00:55:47,711 --> 00:55:51,013
I know you said you can't
afford to wait forever,
1218
00:55:51,014 --> 00:55:54,084
but what is it that's
happened to date that has
1219
00:55:54,084 --> 00:55:56,185
convinced the President --
you obviously did a
1220
00:55:56,186 --> 00:55:56,986
round of this in May.
1221
00:55:56,986 --> 00:55:58,988
You didn't take all the
sanctions off and he
1222
00:55:58,988 --> 00:56:00,589
didn't say he was going
to take all the sanctions off.
1223
00:56:00,590 --> 00:56:03,293
So what substantively
has changed?
1224
00:56:03,293 --> 00:56:05,295
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
what substantively has
1225
00:56:05,295 --> 00:56:07,297
changed is that the
reason that this national
1226
00:56:07,297 --> 00:56:09,299
emergency was placed into
effect in the first place
1227
00:56:09,299 --> 00:56:18,374
was concern about the
undemocratic conduct of
1228
00:56:18,374 --> 00:56:20,743
the military government
that previously ruled Burma.
1229
00:56:20,744 --> 00:56:27,317
And much of the concern
in the United States was
1230
00:56:27,317 --> 00:56:31,688
rooted in the way that
that military government
1231
00:56:31,688 --> 00:56:34,257
was treating
Aung San Suu Kyi.
1232
00:56:34,257 --> 00:56:38,862
She was imprisoned
in her own house.
1233
00:56:38,862 --> 00:56:41,464
That's an important reason
why the national emergency
1234
00:56:41,464 --> 00:56:43,066
was put into place.
1235
00:56:43,066 --> 00:56:45,801
Now we've seen significant
democratic reforms
1236
00:56:45,802 --> 00:56:46,903
inside of Burma.
1237
00:56:46,903 --> 00:56:49,839
No longer is Aung San Suu
Kyi a prisoner in her own
1238
00:56:49,839 --> 00:56:53,308
house; she's now the
head of the government.
1239
00:56:53,309 --> 00:56:56,846
So I think that does
reflect important progress
1240
00:56:56,846 --> 00:56:57,847
inside of Burma.
1241
00:56:57,847 --> 00:57:01,151
And I think given that
progress, I think it makes
1242
00:57:01,151 --> 00:57:05,421
sense that the national
emergency would be
1243
00:57:05,421 --> 00:57:07,423
withdrawn and the
sanctions lifted.
1244
00:57:07,423 --> 00:57:11,928
That said, we continue
to want to encourage the
1245
00:57:11,928 --> 00:57:13,930
pursuit of additional
democratic reforms.
1246
00:57:13,930 --> 00:57:24,374
As many have noted, there
still is an undue role
1247
00:57:24,374 --> 00:57:26,642
that the military plays
in the government there.
1248
00:57:26,643 --> 00:57:28,645
They're afforded about 25
percent of the
1249
00:57:28,645 --> 00:57:30,847
legislative seats.
1250
00:57:30,847 --> 00:57:32,849
And so I think that's an
indication that there are
1251
00:57:32,849 --> 00:57:34,851
additional democratic
reforms that we'd like
1252
00:57:34,851 --> 00:57:35,885
to see them pursue.
1253
00:57:35,885 --> 00:57:37,887
There's additional work
that needs to be done when
1254
00:57:37,887 --> 00:57:42,158
it comes to protecting
the human rights of
1255
00:57:42,158 --> 00:57:44,594
every citizen of Burma.
1256
00:57:44,594 --> 00:57:47,931
And Aung San Suu Kyi has
made clear that that's a
1257
00:57:47,931 --> 00:57:50,066
priority of her
government, and she made
1258
00:57:50,066 --> 00:57:51,801
that clear in private
to the President of the
1259
00:57:51,801 --> 00:57:54,571
United States and she made
that clear in public when
1260
00:57:54,571 --> 00:57:56,573
she spoke to reporters in
the Oval Office, sitting
1261
00:57:56,573 --> 00:57:59,741
next to the President
of the United States.
1262
00:57:59,742 --> 00:58:03,746
So at this point, we want
to continue to
1263
00:58:03,746 --> 00:58:04,747
encourage those reforms.
1264
00:58:04,747 --> 00:58:08,618
I think the last thing is
-- and I think this is an
1265
00:58:08,618 --> 00:58:10,620
indication of the
influence that the United
1266
00:58:10,620 --> 00:58:13,356
States has around the
world -- while those
1267
00:58:13,356 --> 00:58:15,859
sanctions are in place
in Burma, they've had a
1268
00:58:15,859 --> 00:58:19,127
significant chilling
effect on the Burmese economy.
1269
00:58:19,128 --> 00:58:22,765
Other countries -- other
companies around the world
1270
00:58:22,765 --> 00:58:24,968
have been reluctant to do
business in Burma because
1271
00:58:24,968 --> 00:58:27,703
they know of the
presence of certain
1272
00:58:27,704 --> 00:58:29,205
U.S. sanctions.
1273
00:58:29,205 --> 00:58:31,441
Even if the business that
they're seeking to conduct
1274
00:58:31,441 --> 00:58:34,676
is consistent with,
complies with U.S.
1275
00:58:34,677 --> 00:58:37,647
sanctions, the fact that
those sanctions exist has
1276
00:58:37,647 --> 00:58:41,049
a chilling effect
on the economy.
1277
00:58:41,050 --> 00:58:47,523
And President Obama is
convinced and recent
1278
00:58:47,523 --> 00:58:54,964
history strongly suggests
that greater economic ties
1279
00:58:54,964 --> 00:58:58,201
between Burma and the
United States will only
1280
00:58:58,201 --> 00:59:00,069
serve to further
incentivize
1281
00:59:00,069 --> 00:59:02,805
additional reforms.
1282
00:59:02,805 --> 00:59:06,442
So that's the case that
we've made, and I think
1283
00:59:06,442 --> 00:59:10,813
that is the case that is
most directly rooted in
1284
00:59:10,813 --> 00:59:14,217
the experience that we've
had over the last seven
1285
00:59:14,217 --> 00:59:17,520
years in supporting the
profound changes that have
1286
00:59:17,520 --> 00:59:21,424
taken place in Burma to
the enormous benefit of
1287
00:59:21,424 --> 00:59:25,228
the Burmese people and in
a way that advances the
1288
00:59:25,228 --> 00:59:27,230
interest of the United
States and the region.
1289
00:59:27,230 --> 00:59:29,365
Previously, this was
essentially a closed
1290
00:59:29,365 --> 00:59:34,002
government that just did
business with China.
1291
00:59:34,003 --> 00:59:37,106
Now this is a much more
open government that does
1292
00:59:37,106 --> 00:59:43,279
a much better job of
prioritizing democratic
1293
00:59:43,279 --> 00:59:48,418
principles, has improved
its pursuit of universal
1294
00:59:48,418 --> 00:59:52,021
human rights, and is
interested in engaging
1295
00:59:52,021 --> 00:59:54,023
with the United
States of America.
1296
00:59:54,023 --> 00:59:56,025
And that's something that
benefits the American
1297
00:59:56,025 --> 00:59:58,027
people not just
economically but
1298
00:59:58,027 --> 01:00:00,029
strategically when
we're talking about our
1299
01:00:00,029 --> 01:00:01,331
interests in the
Asia Pacific.
1300
01:00:01,331 --> 01:00:03,266
The Press: Does the
President see this as
1301
01:00:03,266 --> 01:00:04,200
something he wanted to
get done before he left
1302
01:00:04,200 --> 01:00:06,134
office, given his
engagement with Myanmar
1303
01:00:06,135 --> 01:00:09,238
and his relationship
with Aung San Suu Kyi?
1304
01:00:09,238 --> 01:00:12,341
Mr. Earnest: I think
the President was quite
1305
01:00:12,342 --> 01:00:16,813
interested in making as
much progress as we can to
1306
01:00:16,813 --> 01:00:18,948
support the Burmese people
and the Burmese
1307
01:00:18,948 --> 01:00:24,754
government in pursuing
democratic reforms.
1308
01:00:24,754 --> 01:00:29,726
But the decision to lift
the national emergency was
1309
01:00:29,726 --> 01:00:32,328
driven by the progress
they made in Burma, not by
1310
01:00:32,328 --> 01:00:35,932
the election calendar
in the United States.
1311
01:00:35,932 --> 01:00:36,432
Kevin.
1312
01:00:36,432 --> 01:00:37,265
The Press: Thanks, Josh.
1313
01:00:37,266 --> 01:00:38,568
I wanted to circle
back just a bit on the
1314
01:00:38,568 --> 01:00:41,637
agreement, on the
seven-day reduction of
1315
01:00:41,637 --> 01:00:45,942
violence, and the
increased humanitarian
1316
01:00:45,942 --> 01:00:46,509
aid deliveries.
1317
01:00:46,509 --> 01:00:50,146
And I want to drill
down just a bit on the
1318
01:00:50,146 --> 01:00:52,849
language, because
previously we've heard the
1319
01:00:52,849 --> 01:00:55,351
expression "Cessation of
Hostilities," but this
1320
01:00:55,351 --> 01:00:57,620
specific agreement calls
for a reduction in violence.
1321
01:00:57,620 --> 01:00:59,622
And I'm wondering,
what's the difference?
1322
01:00:59,622 --> 01:01:02,625
And why is there this sort
of softer, if you
1323
01:01:02,625 --> 01:01:03,659
will, language?
1324
01:01:03,659 --> 01:01:05,661
Mr. Earnest: Well, I
don't think it's softer.
1325
01:01:05,661 --> 01:01:08,564
I think it is an effort
to try to describe the
1326
01:01:08,564 --> 01:01:12,435
situation inside of Syria
as clearly as we can,
1327
01:01:12,435 --> 01:01:15,505
primarily because even
though there's a Cessation
1328
01:01:15,505 --> 01:01:17,473
of Hostilities among the
parties involved in the
1329
01:01:17,473 --> 01:01:21,044
agreement -- this is the
Assad regime, the United
1330
01:01:21,044 --> 01:01:23,946
States, Russia, a variety
of opposition groups that
1331
01:01:23,946 --> 01:01:26,449
have ties to the United
States -- the Cessation of
1332
01:01:26,449 --> 01:01:30,153
Hostilities does not in
any way apply to ISIL and
1333
01:01:30,153 --> 01:01:32,154
it doesn't apply to other
extremists that are
1334
01:01:32,155 --> 01:01:33,156
operating inside of Syria.
1335
01:01:33,156 --> 01:01:35,491
The United States and our
counter-ISIL coalition
1336
01:01:35,491 --> 01:01:37,960
partners are going
to continue to take
1337
01:01:37,960 --> 01:01:40,596
airstrikes against
ISIL targets.
1338
01:01:40,596 --> 01:01:42,632
Opposition figures that
are supported -- or
1339
01:01:42,632 --> 01:01:45,802
opposition groups that are
supported by the United
1340
01:01:45,802 --> 01:01:47,804
States and our coalition
partners are going to
1341
01:01:47,804 --> 01:01:50,973
continue to seek to make
progress on the
1342
01:01:50,973 --> 01:01:52,542
ground against ISIL.
1343
01:01:52,542 --> 01:01:53,543
They're not affected
by the
1344
01:01:53,543 --> 01:01:54,644
Cessation of Hostilities.
1345
01:01:54,644 --> 01:01:57,712
The Press: So
it's semantics.
1346
01:01:57,713 --> 01:02:01,651
Mr. Earnest: Largely.
1347
01:02:01,651 --> 01:02:03,653
That's largely the
difference, yes.
1348
01:02:03,653 --> 01:02:05,654
The Press: Would you
acknowledge that there has
1349
01:02:05,655 --> 01:02:08,491
been a rift between the
Departments of Defense and
1350
01:02:08,491 --> 01:02:11,127
maybe State because of
some of the differences in
1351
01:02:11,127 --> 01:02:13,962
language, meaning there
are those at the Pentagon
1352
01:02:13,963 --> 01:02:15,965
who feel like the
goalposts have been moved
1353
01:02:15,965 --> 01:02:17,200
just a bit by
this agreement?
1354
01:02:17,200 --> 01:02:18,801
Would you
acknowledge that?
1355
01:02:18,801 --> 01:02:20,736
Mr. Earnest: No, primarily
because I'm not going to
1356
01:02:20,736 --> 01:02:22,939
talk about private
conversations of the
1357
01:02:22,939 --> 01:02:25,141
President with his
national security team.
1358
01:02:25,141 --> 01:02:27,844
But as I mentioned in
response to Mary's
1359
01:02:27,844 --> 01:02:31,681
question, I believe, the
President has indicated
1360
01:02:31,681 --> 01:02:33,683
that on every issue -- not
just national security
1361
01:02:33,683 --> 01:02:35,985
issues but even some of
the thorny domestic issues
1362
01:02:35,985 --> 01:02:39,155
that we deal with -- that
he wants his advisors to
1363
01:02:39,155 --> 01:02:41,691
engage in a debate about
the best path forward.
1364
01:02:41,691 --> 01:02:44,259
He wants to hear the point
of view of every
1365
01:02:44,260 --> 01:02:45,495
member of his team.
1366
01:02:45,495 --> 01:02:47,630
He wants to make sure that
those individuals that are
1367
01:02:47,630 --> 01:02:49,732
expressing a point of view
are doing so based on
1368
01:02:49,732 --> 01:02:51,734
having done their
homework, based on their
1369
01:02:51,734 --> 01:02:53,736
knowledge of the
situation, based on a
1370
01:02:53,736 --> 01:02:57,573
forceful, cogent argument
about what path
1371
01:02:57,573 --> 01:02:58,741
should be pursued.
1372
01:02:58,741 --> 01:03:00,776
The President has found
that that kind of debate
1373
01:03:00,776 --> 01:03:05,147
among his advisors leads
to better decisions and
1374
01:03:05,148 --> 01:03:07,884
enhances his ability as
the Commander-in-Chief to
1375
01:03:07,884 --> 01:03:09,886
make good decisions that
advances the interests
1376
01:03:09,886 --> 01:03:10,887
of the United States.
1377
01:03:10,887 --> 01:03:13,022
So the President welcomes
a vigorous discussion with
1378
01:03:13,022 --> 01:03:15,158
his national security
team, but the President
1379
01:03:15,158 --> 01:03:17,926
also expects that once
that he's made a decision,
1380
01:03:17,927 --> 01:03:22,331
his team will move out on
that decision and execute
1381
01:03:22,331 --> 01:03:24,967
the strategy that he's
laid out with excellence.
1382
01:03:24,967 --> 01:03:26,402
And the President is
entirely confident that
1383
01:03:26,402 --> 01:03:29,272
that will happen
in this case, too.
1384
01:03:29,272 --> 01:03:31,274
But, look, I'll just do
what I did with Margaret,
1385
01:03:31,274 --> 01:03:34,076
which is indicate that
there's a big "if" involved.
1386
01:03:34,076 --> 01:03:37,079
Before any sort of
U.S.-Russia military
1387
01:03:37,079 --> 01:03:42,251
cooperation is initiated,
we need to see a sustained
1388
01:03:42,251 --> 01:03:44,220
reduction of violence
on the ground inside of
1389
01:03:44,220 --> 01:03:49,357
Syria, and we need to see
the unimpeded flow of
1390
01:03:49,358 --> 01:03:51,961
humanitarian aid to
hundreds of thousands if
1391
01:03:51,961 --> 01:03:54,029
not millions of Syrians
that desperately need it.
1392
01:03:54,030 --> 01:03:56,032
The Press: Let me ask you
about Edward Snowden.
1393
01:03:56,032 --> 01:03:57,867
I know you and I talked
about it on Monday, and I
1394
01:03:57,867 --> 01:03:59,435
just want to maybe take a
different tack at
1395
01:03:59,435 --> 01:04:01,270
it for just a second.
1396
01:04:01,270 --> 01:04:03,272
He apparently told The
Guardian newspaper that
1397
01:04:03,272 --> 01:04:06,642
"it will become pretty
clear this war on
1398
01:04:06,642 --> 01:04:09,044
whistleblowers doesn't
serve the interests of the
1399
01:04:09,045 --> 01:04:12,915
U.S.; rather it harms
them." And I wonder if you
1400
01:04:12,915 --> 01:04:15,618
would acknowledge that
there's any logic to that
1401
01:04:15,618 --> 01:04:19,422
argument and if you think
that makes sense, would
1402
01:04:19,422 --> 01:04:21,958
the President reconsider
perhaps a pardon.
1403
01:04:21,958 --> 01:04:24,060
Mr. Earnest: I don't think
it makes sense because
1404
01:04:24,060 --> 01:04:26,295
Edward Snowden is
not a whistleblower.
1405
01:04:26,295 --> 01:04:32,435
There actually is a
specific process that is
1406
01:04:32,435 --> 01:04:35,504
well-established and
well-protected that allows
1407
01:04:35,504 --> 01:04:39,642
whistleblowers to raise
concerns that they have,
1408
01:04:39,642 --> 01:04:41,644
particularly when it
relates to confidential or
1409
01:04:41,644 --> 01:04:44,080
classified information,
to do so in a way that
1410
01:04:44,080 --> 01:04:46,282
protects the national
security secrets of
1411
01:04:46,282 --> 01:04:47,950
the United States.
1412
01:04:47,950 --> 01:04:51,020
That is not what
Mr. Snowden did.
1413
01:04:51,020 --> 01:04:57,660
And his conduct put
American lives at risk,
1414
01:04:57,660 --> 01:05:02,698
and it risked American
national security.
1415
01:05:02,698 --> 01:05:07,903
And that's why the
policy of the Obama
1416
01:05:07,903 --> 01:05:10,205
administration is that
Mr. Snowden should return
1417
01:05:10,206 --> 01:05:13,843
to the United States and
face the very serious
1418
01:05:13,843 --> 01:05:17,178
charges that he's facing.
1419
01:05:17,179 --> 01:05:19,749
He will, of course, be
afforded the rights that
1420
01:05:19,749 --> 01:05:21,750
are due to every American
citizen in our criminal
1421
01:05:21,751 --> 01:05:25,388
justice system, but we
believe that he should
1422
01:05:25,388 --> 01:05:27,390
return to the United
States and face those charges.
1423
01:05:27,390 --> 01:05:29,892
The Press: Has he or any
of his representatives
1424
01:05:29,892 --> 01:05:32,662
made a reach-out of any
sort to the President?
1425
01:05:32,662 --> 01:05:35,731
Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware
of any conversations or
1426
01:05:35,731 --> 01:05:39,435
any communications between
Mr. Snowden and the
1427
01:05:39,435 --> 01:05:40,803
President of the
United States.
1428
01:05:40,803 --> 01:05:44,507
The Press: And lastly,
on Gitmo, my weekly ask.
1429
01:05:44,507 --> 01:05:45,841
Where are we numerically?
1430
01:05:45,841 --> 01:05:50,145
And is there any pending
announcement for
1431
01:05:50,146 --> 01:05:52,748
movement of detainees?
1432
01:05:52,748 --> 01:05:54,050
Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware
of any changes that have
1433
01:05:54,050 --> 01:05:55,151
been made since the
last time you asked.
1434
01:05:55,151 --> 01:05:57,419
We can certainly confirm
those numbers for you --
1435
01:05:57,420 --> 01:06:00,289
I don't have them in
front of me here.
1436
01:06:00,289 --> 01:06:02,391
But the President and his
team are continuing to do
1437
01:06:02,391 --> 01:06:05,328
the important diplomatic
work that's necessary to
1438
01:06:05,328 --> 01:06:09,398
find suitable arrangements
for those individuals that
1439
01:06:09,398 --> 01:06:11,400
have been cleared for
transfer, and that means
1440
01:06:11,400 --> 01:06:13,402
finding other countries
that are willing to
1441
01:06:13,402 --> 01:06:15,871
cooperate with the United
States to impose required
1442
01:06:15,871 --> 01:06:18,674
security restrictions to
mitigate any sort of risk
1443
01:06:18,674 --> 01:06:20,676
that those individuals
would pose to
1444
01:06:20,676 --> 01:06:22,144
the United States.
1445
01:06:22,144 --> 01:06:24,846
So that diplomatic
work continues.
1446
01:06:24,847 --> 01:06:27,316
I don't have any transfers
to preview for you at this
1447
01:06:27,316 --> 01:06:30,118
point, but I don't believe
that we've made any
1448
01:06:30,119 --> 01:06:32,321
announcements about a
transfer since you and I
1449
01:06:32,321 --> 01:06:35,324
last discussed it.
1450
01:06:35,324 --> 01:06:36,192
Let's move around.
1451
01:06:36,192 --> 01:06:37,093
Lalit.
1452
01:06:37,093 --> 01:06:38,527
The Press:
Thank you, Josh.
1453
01:06:38,527 --> 01:06:40,429
I wanted to ask you about
a meeting the President
1454
01:06:40,429 --> 01:06:43,132
had with the India Prime
Minister last week in Laos.
1455
01:06:43,132 --> 01:06:45,000
Can you tell us
what they discussed?
1456
01:06:45,000 --> 01:06:50,439
If they had any progress
on India relationship and
1457
01:06:50,439 --> 01:06:51,473
also on climate change?
1458
01:06:51,474 --> 01:06:53,976
Mr. Earnest: Lalit, we'll
see if we can get you some
1459
01:06:53,976 --> 01:06:55,978
additional details
about the meeting.
1460
01:06:55,978 --> 01:06:57,980
I know that the President
enjoyed the opportunity
1461
01:06:57,980 --> 01:06:59,982
that he had to sit down
with Prime Minister Modi.
1462
01:06:59,982 --> 01:07:03,686
The two leaders have
cooperated extensively on
1463
01:07:03,686 --> 01:07:05,688
a range of shared
priorities, particularly
1464
01:07:05,688 --> 01:07:08,924
with regard to the climate
agreement that was reached
1465
01:07:08,924 --> 01:07:11,227
in Paris at the
end of last year.
1466
01:07:11,227 --> 01:07:14,964
The President is obviously
engaged in an effort to
1467
01:07:14,964 --> 01:07:17,433
encourage other countries
around the world to join
1468
01:07:17,433 --> 01:07:20,202
that agreement before
the end of this year.
1469
01:07:20,202 --> 01:07:22,438
And certainly Prime
Minister Modi is well
1470
01:07:22,438 --> 01:07:25,875
aware of the significance
of this international
1471
01:07:25,875 --> 01:07:34,617
agreement, and I know that
he is supportive of the
1472
01:07:34,617 --> 01:07:36,619
contents of the agreement
because of the positive
1473
01:07:36,619 --> 01:07:41,824
impact it would have on
the future of his nation.
1474
01:07:41,824 --> 01:07:43,492
Typically, when the
President has the
1475
01:07:43,492 --> 01:07:44,794
opportunity to sit down
with Prime Minister Modi,
1476
01:07:44,794 --> 01:07:46,194
they also -- they don't
just talk about climate.
1477
01:07:46,195 --> 01:07:50,032
They also talk about the
other extensive ties
1478
01:07:50,032 --> 01:07:52,301
between the United States
and India, particularly
1479
01:07:52,301 --> 01:07:55,203
with regard to the economy
and with regard to
1480
01:07:55,204 --> 01:07:56,338
national security.
1481
01:07:56,338 --> 01:07:58,340
I know that was part -- I
know both of those issues
1482
01:07:58,340 --> 01:07:59,809
were a part of
the discussion.
1483
01:07:59,809 --> 01:08:01,811
But we'll see if we can
get you a more detailed
1484
01:08:01,811 --> 01:08:02,812
readout beyond that.
1485
01:08:02,812 --> 01:08:04,814
The Press: And secondly,
it's not quite usual for
1486
01:08:04,814 --> 01:08:06,848
the President to have
eight meetings with the
1487
01:08:06,849 --> 01:08:09,151
foreign leaders in two
years' time frame.
1488
01:08:09,151 --> 01:08:12,354
What kind of relations
do the two leaders have?
1489
01:08:12,354 --> 01:08:14,689
Mr. Earnest: Well, listen,
I think that's indicative
1490
01:08:14,690 --> 01:08:21,029
of the important and
valuable, even productive
1491
01:08:21,029 --> 01:08:23,032
working relationship
that President Obama has
1492
01:08:23,032 --> 01:08:27,203
established with
Prime Minister Modi.
1493
01:08:27,203 --> 01:08:28,637
The President certainly
enjoyed the opportunity to
1494
01:08:28,636 --> 01:08:35,577
visit India a year and a
half ago for the National
1495
01:08:35,578 --> 01:08:41,984
Day, and he was honored
to be the official guest.
1496
01:08:41,984 --> 01:08:43,986
And the United States and
India have been able to
1497
01:08:43,986 --> 01:08:46,121
work together on a number
of shared priorities.
1498
01:08:46,121 --> 01:08:48,123
And there was a
lot of skepticism,
1499
01:08:48,122 --> 01:08:50,893
internationally, about
whether or not the Paris
1500
01:08:50,893 --> 01:08:55,264
climate agreement would be
reached if India wasn't
1501
01:08:55,264 --> 01:08:57,533
prepared to engage
constructively in
1502
01:08:57,533 --> 01:08:59,568
pursuit of a solution.
1503
01:08:59,568 --> 01:09:03,639
But to his credit, that's
exactly what Prime
1504
01:09:03,639 --> 01:09:06,809
Minister Modi did, and
he did that, frequently
1505
01:09:06,809 --> 01:09:09,778
consulting with President
Obama and other world leaders.
1506
01:09:09,778 --> 01:09:12,047
But I think it's a
testament to the fact that
1507
01:09:12,046 --> 01:09:14,450
the world's two largest
democracies, when we
1508
01:09:14,450 --> 01:09:17,452
cooperate, can do
incredibly important
1509
01:09:17,453 --> 01:09:19,455
things not just for our
two countries,
1510
01:09:19,455 --> 01:09:20,555
but for the planet.
1511
01:09:20,555 --> 01:09:22,991
And the President is proud
of the legacy of the
1512
01:09:22,992 --> 01:09:26,128
U.S.-India relationship
that's been established
1513
01:09:26,127 --> 01:09:29,130
under Prime Minister Modi
and President
1514
01:09:29,131 --> 01:09:30,966
Obama's leadership.
1515
01:09:30,966 --> 01:09:33,335
The Press: And if I may,
when China had joined the U.N.
1516
01:09:33,335 --> 01:09:36,337
Security Council on
sanctions against North
1517
01:09:36,337 --> 01:09:39,474
Korea, the Chinese foreign
ministry is blaming the U.S.
1518
01:09:39,475 --> 01:09:40,409
-- it said U.S.
1519
01:09:40,408 --> 01:09:43,312
behavior for pushing North
Korea towards nuclear program.
1520
01:09:43,312 --> 01:09:45,514
Do you agree with
the viewpoint?
1521
01:09:45,514 --> 01:09:47,750
Mr. Earnest: I didn't
quite understand the very
1522
01:09:47,750 --> 01:09:48,751
end of your question.
1523
01:09:48,751 --> 01:09:50,753
The Press: The Chinese
foreign ministry it's the U.S.
1524
01:09:50,752 --> 01:09:53,788
behavior who did pushing
North Korea towards
1525
01:09:53,788 --> 01:09:55,257
nuclear weapons program.
1526
01:09:55,257 --> 01:09:57,893
Mr. Earnest: Well, I
didn't see that statement
1527
01:09:57,893 --> 01:09:59,862
from that Chinese MFA.
1528
01:09:59,862 --> 01:10:02,097
I know that they released
a statement shortly after
1529
01:10:02,097 --> 01:10:04,333
the most recent nuclear
test in North Korea
1530
01:10:04,333 --> 01:10:09,838
indicating that they were
supportive of additional
1531
01:10:09,838 --> 01:10:12,107
steps by the international
community to apply
1532
01:10:12,107 --> 01:10:15,744
additional pressure
to the North Koreans.
1533
01:10:15,744 --> 01:10:17,713
Obviously the United
States is committed to
1534
01:10:17,713 --> 01:10:21,250
working with our allies
and partners in Northeast
1535
01:10:21,250 --> 01:10:23,252
Asia to address the
situation there.
1536
01:10:23,252 --> 01:10:26,655
And our commitment to
denuclearizing the Korean
1537
01:10:26,655 --> 01:10:32,294
Peninsula and stabilizing
the situation on the
1538
01:10:32,294 --> 01:10:35,497
Korean Peninsula is one
that is shared not just
1539
01:10:35,497 --> 01:10:37,499
with our allies in Japan
and South Korea, but
1540
01:10:37,499 --> 01:10:39,300
also the Chinese.
1541
01:10:39,301 --> 01:10:45,007
And you can certainly
anticipate additional
1542
01:10:45,007 --> 01:10:47,308
engagement between the
United States and China as
1543
01:10:47,309 --> 01:10:49,845
we consider an appropriate
international response to
1544
01:10:49,845 --> 01:10:50,946
this latest nuclear test
1545
01:10:50,946 --> 01:10:53,816
The Press:
Thank you, Josh.
1546
01:10:53,816 --> 01:10:57,385
On nuclear test in North
Korea, North Korea is
1547
01:10:57,386 --> 01:11:03,792
ready to conduct
additional nuclear
1548
01:11:03,792 --> 01:11:06,495
tests anytime soon.
1549
01:11:06,495 --> 01:11:12,668
Is there any communication
with China and the United
1550
01:11:12,668 --> 01:11:18,607
States before they
seek nuclear test?
1551
01:11:18,607 --> 01:11:21,043
Mr. Earnest: Well, I've
seen some news reports
1552
01:11:21,043 --> 01:11:23,846
indicating the kind of
intelligence assessment
1553
01:11:23,846 --> 01:11:25,380
that you just relayed.
1554
01:11:25,381 --> 01:11:27,383
What I can tell you is
that the United States and
1555
01:11:27,383 --> 01:11:29,385
China continue to consult
closely about the
1556
01:11:29,385 --> 01:11:30,552
situation in North Korea.
1557
01:11:30,552 --> 01:11:33,322
We have a shared goal
of denuclearizing and
1558
01:11:33,322 --> 01:11:35,324
stabilizing the
Korean Peninsula.
1559
01:11:35,324 --> 01:11:37,459
The United States also
continues to keep an open
1560
01:11:37,459 --> 01:11:39,461
line of communication with
our allies in Japan
1561
01:11:39,461 --> 01:11:40,462
and South Korea.
1562
01:11:40,462 --> 01:11:43,499
And you probably noted
that shortly after the
1563
01:11:43,499 --> 01:11:45,733
nuclear test was
conducted, the President
1564
01:11:45,734 --> 01:11:48,537
was on the phone from
Air Force One with Prime
1565
01:11:48,537 --> 01:11:54,109
Minister Abe and with
President Park to talk
1566
01:11:54,109 --> 01:11:55,144
about the situation.
1567
01:11:55,144 --> 01:11:58,647
I think that's an
indication of how
1568
01:11:58,647 --> 01:12:03,719
seriously the President
takes the U.S.
1569
01:12:03,719 --> 01:12:06,355
commitment to the safety
and security of our allies
1570
01:12:06,355 --> 01:12:10,058
in the Asia Pacific,
including in South
1571
01:12:10,059 --> 01:12:12,027
Korea and Japan.
1572
01:12:12,027 --> 01:12:16,465
The Press: If North Korea
does a new nuclear test
1573
01:12:16,465 --> 01:12:20,502
again, does the United
States take military
1574
01:12:20,502 --> 01:12:23,972
action to North
Korea before --
1575
01:12:23,972 --> 01:12:29,244
Mr. Earnest: Well, what we
have said is we have said
1576
01:12:29,244 --> 01:12:31,880
we strongly believe that
it's important for the
1577
01:12:31,880 --> 01:12:34,183
North Korean regime
to abide by their
1578
01:12:34,183 --> 01:12:36,051
international obligations
and to comply with
1579
01:12:36,051 --> 01:12:38,987
U.N. Security Council
resolutions.
1580
01:12:38,987 --> 01:12:42,091
And their repeated
provocations with regard
1581
01:12:42,091 --> 01:12:45,160
to both testing of
ballistic missiles and
1582
01:12:45,160 --> 01:12:50,733
nuclear tests are flagrant
violations of those
1583
01:12:50,733 --> 01:12:52,501
U.N. Security Council
resolutions and their
1584
01:12:52,501 --> 01:12:54,269
international obligations.
1585
01:12:54,269 --> 01:12:56,138
And the international
community is united in
1586
01:12:56,138 --> 01:13:00,242
insisting that they should
not engage in those
1587
01:13:00,242 --> 01:13:01,677
kinds of provocations.
1588
01:13:01,677 --> 01:13:05,481
The Press: There won't be
strategic bombers
1589
01:13:05,481 --> 01:13:07,148
in Korea to date.
1590
01:13:07,149 --> 01:13:10,753
Is this just
one-time showcase?
1591
01:13:10,753 --> 01:13:11,286
Mr. Earnest: Well,
considering that's
1592
01:13:11,286 --> 01:13:15,090
happened before, I guess
it's not a one-time showcase.
1593
01:13:15,090 --> 01:13:17,092
John, I'll give
you the last one.
1594
01:13:17,092 --> 01:13:18,093
The Press:
Thank you, Josh.
1595
01:13:18,093 --> 01:13:19,995
Two brief questions.
1596
01:13:19,995 --> 01:13:21,630
I'm sure you're aware and
the President is aware
1597
01:13:21,630 --> 01:13:24,366
that Congressmen Fleming
and Huelskamp filed an
1598
01:13:24,366 --> 01:13:29,238
unusual motion of
impeachment of IRS
1599
01:13:29,238 --> 01:13:32,107
Commissioner Koskinen that
the full House will take
1600
01:13:32,107 --> 01:13:34,510
up tomorrow in a
direct up or down vote.
1601
01:13:34,510 --> 01:13:36,545
Your reaction to that.
1602
01:13:36,545 --> 01:13:38,947
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
that's an indication that
1603
01:13:38,947 --> 01:13:40,949
they're focused on
entirely the wrong priorities.
1604
01:13:40,949 --> 01:13:43,951
I think to a certain
extent, the people of
1605
01:13:43,952 --> 01:13:46,922
Kansas have spoken on
this, because, as I
1606
01:13:46,922 --> 01:13:49,525
recall, Mr. Huelskamp lost
his most recent primary.
1607
01:13:49,525 --> 01:13:52,227
So I think he's engaging
in exactly the kind of
1608
01:13:52,227 --> 01:13:54,396
behavior that got him
voted out of office.
1609
01:13:54,396 --> 01:13:57,766
With regard to Congressman
Fleming, you would think
1610
01:13:57,766 --> 01:14:00,302
that after his state had
sustained such significant
1611
01:14:00,302 --> 01:14:02,704
flooding damage, that
his priorities might
1612
01:14:02,704 --> 01:14:06,041
be focused on not
irresponsible political
1613
01:14:06,041 --> 01:14:08,744
games, but actually trying
to represent the interests
1614
01:14:08,744 --> 01:14:11,313
of the people of
Louisiana, particularly
1615
01:14:11,313 --> 01:14:13,949
after they've gone through
such a terrible crisis.
1616
01:14:13,949 --> 01:14:16,518
He apparently appears
to be focused on some
1617
01:14:16,518 --> 01:14:17,519
different things.
1618
01:14:17,519 --> 01:14:21,924
And the people of
Louisiana will also have
1619
01:14:21,924 --> 01:14:23,926
an opportunity to weigh in
on that at the ballot
1620
01:14:23,926 --> 01:14:25,894
box in a couple of
months here, too.
1621
01:14:25,894 --> 01:14:26,995
The Press: So the
President has full
1622
01:14:26,995 --> 01:14:29,898
confidence in
Commissioner Koskinen?
1623
01:14:29,898 --> 01:14:31,900
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President spoke to this
1624
01:14:31,900 --> 01:14:33,902
yesterday, so with regard
to the President's views,
1625
01:14:33,902 --> 01:14:34,903
I'd refer you
to his comments.
1626
01:14:34,903 --> 01:14:36,905
The Press: The other thing
is that Congressman Babin
1627
01:14:36,905 --> 01:14:41,876
of Texas said that in
wanting to admit 110,000
1628
01:14:41,877 --> 01:14:45,347
refugees, he felt that
the President disregarded
1629
01:14:45,347 --> 01:14:48,750
advice from security
experts that this could
1630
01:14:48,750 --> 01:14:51,720
lead to terrorism in
the United States and
1631
01:14:51,720 --> 01:14:54,990
incidents that would be
very, very bad
1632
01:14:54,990 --> 01:14:55,924
in this country.
1633
01:14:55,924 --> 01:14:56,825
Is that accurate at all?
1634
01:14:56,825 --> 01:14:58,827
Did any of his
advisors say that?
1635
01:14:58,827 --> 01:15:01,530
Mr. Earnest: I have no
idea what Congressman
1636
01:15:01,530 --> 01:15:02,898
Babin is talking about.
1637
01:15:02,898 --> 01:15:08,136
I suspect the national
security experts that he's
1638
01:15:08,136 --> 01:15:11,240
referring to may have
given themselves that
1639
01:15:11,240 --> 01:15:14,009
title -- I'm not sure it's
one that they've earned.
1640
01:15:14,009 --> 01:15:15,544
Connie, I'll go ahead and
give you the last one.
1641
01:15:15,544 --> 01:15:18,513
The Press: Who
signed the MOU?
1642
01:15:18,513 --> 01:15:19,481
Mr. Earnest: I'm sorry.
1643
01:15:19,481 --> 01:15:20,315
The Press: Who signed
the memorandum
1644
01:15:20,315 --> 01:15:21,250
of understanding?
1645
01:15:21,250 --> 01:15:22,117
Mr. Earnest: It's being
signed at the State
1646
01:15:22,117 --> 01:15:22,951
Department right now.
1647
01:15:22,951 --> 01:15:26,188
There's a senior official
at the State Department --
1648
01:15:26,188 --> 01:15:28,056
I believe it is Tom
Shannon who is signing
1649
01:15:28,056 --> 01:15:29,558
the memorandum for
the United States.
1650
01:15:29,558 --> 01:15:30,926
But you can check with
them and they'll --
1651
01:15:30,926 --> 01:15:33,896
The Press: Do we
have a similar --
1652
01:15:33,896 --> 01:15:34,963
Mr. Earnest: Excuse me?
1653
01:15:34,963 --> 01:15:36,932
The Press: Do we
have a similar (inaudible)
1654
01:15:36,932 --> 01:15:37,833
with other Arab countries?
1655
01:15:37,833 --> 01:15:41,637
Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware
of any new negotiations
1656
01:15:41,637 --> 01:15:43,639
about a memorandum of
understanding with regard
1657
01:15:43,639 --> 01:15:46,208
to military assistance to
other countries in
1658
01:15:46,208 --> 01:15:47,209
the Middle East.
1659
01:15:47,209 --> 01:15:52,080
But obviously the United
States values the kind of
1660
01:15:52,080 --> 01:15:54,549
national security
cooperation that we have
1661
01:15:54,549 --> 01:15:56,551
with partners throughout
the Middle East.
1662
01:15:56,551 --> 01:15:59,187
And certainly when the
President met with some of
1663
01:15:59,187 --> 01:16:03,358
our *Gulf Coast GCC
partners at Camp David a
1664
01:16:03,358 --> 01:16:05,594
little over a year ago,
there was an opportunity
1665
01:16:05,594 --> 01:16:09,131
for him to discuss
additional cooperation
1666
01:16:09,131 --> 01:16:10,699
between the United States
and our partners
1667
01:16:10,699 --> 01:16:12,067
in the region.
1668
01:16:12,067 --> 01:16:13,168
Thanks, everybody.
