{"id":170541,"date":"2023-12-04T20:54:42","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T04:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=170541"},"modified":"2023-12-04T20:54:42","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T04:54:42","slug":"briefing-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-and-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivan-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=170541","title":{"rendered":"Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Hey.  Happy Monday, everyone. Q Hello., Q Happy Monday.  MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, okay.  I just have two things at the top before I turn it over to our National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan.  So, I wo- \u2014 I would like to share some encouraging news about the results of this administration\u2019s efforts to make communities safer from the epidemic of gun violence.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9CIC8oeoyEc\" title=\"12\/04\/23: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Jake Sullivan\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Far too long \u2014 for too long, the illegal trafficking of guns violence made even the communities with the toughest gun laws vulnerable to high levels of gun violence. <\/p>\n<p>But thanks to key provisions included in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which represents the most significant gun safety legislation in 30 years, the Department of Justice has prosecuted over 250 people for illegal gun purchases and firearms trafficking. <\/p>\n<p>This means fewer guns are making it into the hands of criminals and other dangerous individuals and ultimately making our communities safer.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act created stronger penalty provisions, signaling to potentially offend \u2014 to potential offenders that they should think again. <\/p>\n<p>In addition to the work the Justice Department is doing, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Acts also strengthened background checks and provides hundreds of millions of dollars for states to implement red flag laws. <\/p>\n<p>And we are encouraged to see states take advantage of that funding, with 21 states having implemented their own red flag laws, including most recently in Minnesota and in Michigan.<\/p>\n<p>But know that even more can and must be done.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike congressional Republicans, President Biden has taken action to fund the police with billions in his budget every year he\u2019s been in office and billions through the American Rescue Plan so federal, state, and local governments can hire more officers and have the tools they need to fight gun violence and other crime.<\/p>\n<p>His commitment to keeping communities safe is also why he fought against the Republican Default on America Act\u2019s proposed cuts that would defund the police and make our communities less safe. <\/p>\n<p>Congress must do its part and act now to help protect people from gun violence by establishing universal background checks, passing a national red flag law, banning assault weapons, investing in proven res- \u2014 proven solutions, and much more.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, President Biden and this administration will continue to use every tool at our disposal \u2014 disposal to keep communities safe. <\/p>\n<p>This weekend, during COP28, the Biden-Harris administration announced the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s final standards to sharply reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations.<\/p>\n<p>This rule advances the President\u2019s historic climate agenda, will prevent 1.5 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and deliver billions of dollars in health and economic benefits. <\/p>\n<p>Under the President\u2019s leadership, the U.S. is turbocharging the speed and scale of climate action both at home and abroad, including our collective efforts to tackle super pollutants like methane.<\/p>\n<p>Sharp cuts in methane emissions are among the most critical actions the United States can take in the short term to slow the rate of climate change. <\/p>\n<p>President Biden also led and delivered the most ambitious climate agenda ever, and the President will continue to treat climate change as the existential threat that it is. <\/p>\n<p>Now, as you all know, as I just mentioned at the top and as you can see for yourself, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is here with us.  Jake is here to discuss the latest on Israel and other foreign policy news of the day, including, as you all saw this morning, OMB Director Shalanda Young\u2019s letter to Congressional leadership regarding the need to \u2014 for urgent action to support Ukraine\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n<p>And with that, Jake, the podium is yours.   <\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Thank you, Karine.  And thanks, everybody.  I\u2019ll just make a few opening comments, and then I\u2019d be happy to take your questions.  <\/p>\n<p>This p- \u2014 past weekend, I held several rounds of intensive phone calls with partners in Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and other nations as we remain intensely engaged in a basically non-stop discussion of the developments in the region since Hamas\u2019s devastating terrorists attack on October 7th. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re still talking about trying to find a way forward on hostages.  We\u2019re talking about sustaining and expanding the humanitarian assistance making it into Gaza.  And we\u2019re talking about, of course, the status of Israel\u2019s military operation as it defends itself against a terrorist organization that has declared its intent to repeat the October 7th massacres again and again and again.  And I\u2019ve briefed the President regularly throughout the weekend and regularly throughout the day today. <\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, here at the White House and with some families joining virtually, I met with the families of Americans who are still being held hostage by Hamas. <\/p>\n<p>It was my second such meeting by myself.  I also joined the President\u2019s meeting with the families.  And I can tell you, it has not gotten any easier.  What these families are going through is gut-wrenching.  It\u2019s heart-wrenching.  And it\u2019s unimageable, unthinkable for any of us. <\/p>\n<p>We continue to do everything in our power \u2014 under the President\u2019s leadership and guidance, with his direct involvement and participation \u2014 to try to bring all of these Americans home, as well as all of the hostages.  And we will not rest until we have succeeded in doing so.   <\/p>\n<p>The President and I, along with Secretary Blinken and Director Burns, will stay in touch with our Israeli and Qatari counterparts, as well as our Egyptian counterparts, to press Hamas on this issue. <\/p>\n<p>Right now, Hamas is refusing to release civilian women who should have been part of the agreement.  And it is that refusal by Hamas that has caused the end of the hostage agreement and therefore the end of the pause in hostilities.  <\/p>\n<p>Since October 7th, we have also worked very hard on the humanitarian assistance front.  We\u2019ve announced $100 million for the Palestinian people, including through UNRWA and other U.N. agencies, as well as other humanitarian actors.  And we call on the international community again, today, to fulfill the U.N.\u2019s flash appeal.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re working, really, on trying to overcome remaining obstacles to increasing and sustaining the flow of humanitarian assistance to innocent Palestinians in Gaza.  Secretary Blinken made this a major focus of his trip to the region this week, and we will continue to do everything we can directly from the United States to flow assistance into the region.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, we had a successful airlift \u2014 U.S. airlift of over 54,000 pounds of medical items and food aid for delivery to the civilians in Gaza, and that\u2019s the first for a number of planned deliveries that will take place over the course of the coming days.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond what\u2019s happening immediately in Israel and Gaza, of course, there are developments in the region more broadly. <\/p>\n<p>This past weekend saw four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the Southern Red Sea \u2014 three vessels that are connected to 14 different nations, which goes to show you the extent to which this is truly a source of global concern and a threat to international peace and stability.<\/p>\n<p>As DOD has relayed, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney responded to the distress calls from these ships and provided assistance.  In doing so, it detected three UAVs at three different times heading in its direction, and it took action against all three of those UAVs.<\/p>\n<p>As CENTCOM reported this weekend, we cannot assess at this time whether the Carney was a target, but the Carney took prudent action in taking down those three UAVs.  And we will continue as we go forward to consult very closely with allies and partners to determine and take all appropriate responses. <\/p>\n<p>We have every reason to believe that these attacks, while they were launched by the Houthis in Yemen, were fully enabled by Iran.<\/p>\n<p>On Ukraine, as you\u2019ve all seen, earlier today, OMB Director Shalanda Young sent a letter to congressional leaders \u2014 which Karine was just referencing \u2014 explaining that without congressional action, the administration will run out of resources by the end of the year to procure more weapons and equipment for Ukraine and to provide equipment from U.S. military stocks without impacting our own military readiness.<\/p>\n<p>The resources Congress has provided for Ukraine and other national security needs have halted Russia\u2019s advances in Ukraine; helped Ukraine achieve significant military victories, including taking back more than 50 percent of the territory that Russia had previously occupied; and, by revitalizing our own defense industrial base, jumpstarting and expanding production lines and supporting good-paying jobs across the country. <\/p>\n<p>Now it\u2019s up to Congress.  Congress has to decide whether to continue to support the fight for freedom in Ukraine as part of the 50-nation coalition that President Biden has built or whether Congress will ignore the lessons we\u2019ve learned from history and let Putin prevail. <\/p>\n<p>It is that simple.  It is that stark a choice.  And we hope that Congress, on a bipartisan basis, will make the right choice. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is no magical pot of funding available to meet this moment.\u201d  As Director Young said, \u201cWe\u2019re [running] out of money\u2014and [we are] nearly out of time.<\/p>\n<p>Congress has to act now to take up the President\u2019s supplemental request, which advances our own national security and helps a democratic partner in Ukraine fight against Russian aggression. <\/p>\n<p>Finally, as Karine was just describing and talking through the achievements we\u2019ve made on methane, Vice President Harris traveled this weekend to Dubai for COP28, and she delivered the United States\u2019 National Statement and participated in a leaders\u2019 session on renewable energy. <\/p>\n<p>Throughout her engagements, the Vice President made clear that the Biden-Harris administration is delivering and will keep delivering on the most ambitious climate agenda in history \u2014 both at home and abroad \u2014 and advancing our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support adaptation, and boost climate resilience. <\/p>\n<p>As a result of President Biden\u2019s leadership since he took office, the United States is once again leading the world in responding in an urgent and sustained basis to the climate crisis. <\/p>\n<p>And with apologies for trying your patience with those opening remarks, I\u2019d be happy to take your questions. <\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Jake.  I want to ask you about the attacks on commercial vessels over the weekend.  The Houthis have threatened to attack any commercial ship in that region that has ties to Israel.  You mentioned the fact that these ships had ties to 14 different countries.  Did all of these ships have ties to Israel? <\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  I can\u2019t answer that definitively, but we don\u2019t think so.  We do not believe that all three of the ships had ties to Israel.  And it goes to show you the level of recklessness that the Houthis are \u2014 are operating on. <\/p>\n<p>Any ship they shoot at, whether it\u2019s Israeli-owned or has some connection in the past to Israel, that doesn\u2019t make it any more of a justifiable target under international law than if the ship didn\u2019t have ties to Israel. <\/p>\n<p>But some of these ships we believe may not have.  Although, I don\u2019t want to give you a definitive answer on that because we have to continue to run that to ground. <\/p>\n<p>In addition to that, the position of the United States, consistent with the position of the U.N. Security Council and consistent with the position of maritime nations across the world, is that attacks on commercial shipping in international waters are totally unacceptable and have to stop. <\/p>\n<p>And what we are doing now is engaging in intensive consultations with partners and allies to determine the appropriate next steps. <\/p>\n<p>The last point I should make is just to underscore so- \u2014 something I said in my opening statement.  We are talking about the Houthis here.  They\u2019re the ones with their finger on the trigger.  But that gun \u2014 the weapons here are being supplied by Iran.  And Iran, we believe, is the ultimate party responsible for this. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And when you talk about next steps with partners, is one possibility setting up some kind of escort service?  You talked about the US- \u2014 -SS Carney that responded.  Is there the possibility that the U.S. would partner with other militaries in the region to escort these ships as they go through this sensitive region? <\/p>\n<p>Q    We have maritime task forces elsewhere to deal with threats to shipping.  It\u2019s true in the Gulf.  It\u2019s true off the coast of Somalia, with respect to piracy. <\/p>\n<p>And we are in talks with other countries about maritime task force of sorts involving the ships from partner nations alongside the United States in ensuring safe passage \u2014 passage of ships in the Red Sea. <\/p>\n<p>Those talks are ongoing as we speak.  I don\u2019t have anything formal to announce.  But that would be a natural part of the comprehensive response to what we are seeing here. <\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.  Continuing on that.  You said these attacks were fully enabled by Iran.  Can you talk about what are the consequences or what the consequences will be for Iran for participating in this?<\/p>\n<p>Q    As I said, we have seen this unfold over the course of the day yesterday.  We are taking this time to consult with allies and partners because we believe this is not just an issue for the United States. <\/p>\n<p>These ships are \u2014 were not U.S. commercial ships.  They were from a variety of nations.  This is an issue for the entire world, for every country that relies upon maritime commerce to sustain their economy.  And, by the way, that is every country, and that\u2019s why you saw the statement come out of the U.N. Security Council at the end of last week. <\/p>\n<p>So, we will take the time to do the appropriate consultation, build a response that involves as much buy-in from as many countries as possible.  And then we\u2019ll have more to report once we\u2019ve done those consultations.<\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So far, retaliatory efforts from the U.S. to these kinds of strikes clearly have not been working.  I mean, how concerning is that?  We\u2019ve heard the administration over and over again warn those who want to take advantage of this situation: \u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d  Those messages aren\u2019t landing, clearly.<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Well, I\u2019d say a couple things. <\/p>\n<p>First, we have taken a number of steps \u2014 including the movement of carriers, air wings, and others \u2014 to keep this war that is being waged now between Israel and Hamas in Gaza from spilling out into a broader conflict \u2014 a full-on regional conflagration, which many people in this room were warning about or concerned about when things happened \u2014 when \u2014 when this all kicked off on October 7th.<\/p>\n<p>Now, that doesn\u2019t mean that we are not seeing very alarming behavior.  And there are two forms of it in particular that we\u2019re focused on. <\/p>\n<p>One is attacks by Iranian-enabled and -aligned Shia militia groups in Iraq and Syria attacking our forces.  We are taking steps to protect our people and to strike back against them.  In fact, just yesterday, CENTCOM announced a strike that took out five militants that were attempting to attack us with UAVs. <\/p>\n<p>And, second, we have made clear that the entire world needs to step up together \u2014 not the U.S. alone, but all of us working together \u2014 to deal with this \u2014 this emerging challenge that the \u2014 that the Houthis present, backed by Iran.<\/p>\n<p>We are going to take appropriate action in consultation with others, and we will do so at a time and place of our choosing.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And just one \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN.  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Are you \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    Oh, go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Just one \u2014 one other question on this next phase of fighting in Gaza.  The administration \u2014 you have said that you feel that the Israelis have been receptive to your message to do more to try and limit civilian casualties.  You know, they are urging people to move to supposedly safer areas.  We\u2019re seeing these maps and leaflets that they are sending out.  But, you know, it\u2019s not clear that those warnings are actually reaching people, given the level of destruction, given communication issues. <\/p>\n<p>You know, are you satisfied that this is enough?  Are the Israelis doing enough to make sure that people get these messages to limit civilian casualties?  And can you really be more targeted in a situation where you have so many people now trying to squeeze into such a small area?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Well, first, the pause ended on Friday.  It\u2019s Monday.  And over the course of the weekend, we\u2019ve seen basically 48 to 72 hours of activity.  So, it\u2019s too soon for me to sit here and tell you that I\u2019m going to pass some comprehensive judgment. <\/p>\n<p>What I\u2019m going to do instead is what I did earlier today: I\u2019m going to talk to my Israeli counterparts about what they are doing to target Hamas and what they are doing to try to protect civilians. <\/p>\n<p>Now, as you noted, they have actually taken the quite unusual step for a modern military and identified precisely the area that they intend to have ground maneuver and they have asked the people in that area to move out. <\/p>\n<p>Now, combined with that, we are working very hard to ensure a sustained flow of humanitarian assistance in through the Rafah Border Crossing so that, as people leave these areas, there is food, water, medicine, shelter for them to be able to avail themselves of.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s a dynamic situation.  And we will keep watching and keep measuring day by day and stay in persistent contact with the Israelis as we reinforce the basic point: They have every right to go after the Hamas terrorists who committed this brutal massacre on October 7th and who continue to fire rockets just in the last hours at civilian areas in Israel.  But they also have a responsibility to try to protect civilians.<\/p>\n<p>These are the kinds of steps that we have asked them to undertake.  These are the conversations we\u2019re having day in, day out. <\/p>\n<p>And I\u2019ll keep coming back to this podium to report on those developments as we go.  But I\u2019m not going to sit here on Monday and \u2014 and pass some kind of comprehensive judgment. <\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Do you \u2014 I wanted to ask a question about Ukraine.  Are you saying that any member of Congress who votes against aid to Ukraine is voting for Putin?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  I believe that any member of Congress who does not support funding for Ukraine is voting for an outcome that will make it easier for Putin to prevail.  That is, a vote against supporting Ukraine is a vote to improve Putin\u2019s strategic position. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s just an inescapable reality.  That\u2019s not speaking to someone\u2019s motive, why they chose to vote against it.  That\u2019s just speaking to the outcome of their vote. <\/p>\n<p>A vote against supplemental funding for Ukraine will hurt Ukraine and help Russia; it will hurt democracy and help dictators.  And we think that that is not the right lesson of history and that every member, Democrat and Republican, should vote to support this funding.<\/p>\n<p>Q    I just have one quick follow-up.  Do you feel the same way about the money for Taiwan: It\u2019s a vote to help Xi, the Chinese Communist Party?  A vote against the package is a vote to help Hamas instead of Israel?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Again, I don\u2019t want to characterize this in quite the way that your question presupposes. <\/p>\n<p>Our view is that every dollar that is in this package is meant to enhance the national security of the United States and the \u2014 the peace and stability in vital parts of the world.  That\u2019s why we want people to vote for it.<\/p>\n<p>Not voting for it, in our view \u2014 for the package in its totality \u2014 we believe is a vote against what is necessary to secure Ames- \u2014 America\u2019s national security objectives going forward.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Jake.  You mentioned earlier that Israel has told Palestinians where they could go and where they aren\u2019t going to be, you know, bombing or attacking.  But some of the areas that they have gone, where they were told they would be safe, are also coming under fire.  What are Palestinians to do?  And do you think this is in line with the law of war?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  So, just to take a step back: What Israel has done is it\u2019s said, \u201cThis is the area where we are going to conduct ground maneuver.  Please, everybody, move out of this area so that you\u2019re not going to be caught in the crossfire.\u201d  They have also indicated that there are areas where there will be no-strike zones.  And in those zones, we do expect Israel to follow through on not striking.<\/p>\n<p>There are other areas in the south that Hamas continues to occupy with military infrastructure, where targeted, precise strikes are part of Israel\u2019s ongoing military operations. <\/p>\n<p>So, the real question is: How do you, on the one hand, allow a sovereign nation like Israel to go after terrorist targets, while, on the other hand, have them do so in a way that minimizes the harm to civilians?  And that\u2019s really where the rubber hits the road in all of this. <\/p>\n<p>But, fundamentally, we have laid out our expectation that in the areas that Israel has asked people to go that it ensure the safety and security of civilians, and that it do so in the conduct of its military operations and that it do so in the facilitation of humanitarian assistance getting to them.<\/p>\n<p>Q    You were talking this weekend, the Vice President was talking this weekend about the endgame and what happens to Gaza afterwards.  Do you have a sense or have you given Israel a sense of your own expectations about when that endgame should come, i.e., will this \u2014 how much longer will this last?  Weeks?  Months?  Any idea?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  We have had conversations about the duration.  I think, particularly given the sensitivity of this military operation, it wouldn\u2019t be wise for me to lay that out in public for all of you, but it is a topic of conversation that we\u2019re having with Israel.<\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Jake.  Just first on the hostages.  Given that the formal talks in Doha have stalled, is there any possibility right now that the White House is contemplating \u2014 that would try to secure the release of the dual American citizens separately from the talks that have been going on?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  There are still intensive discussions among us, Israel, Qatar, and Egypt about how to best get traction on a strategy that will get all of the hostages out.  But, of course, for the United States, the paramount priority is getting the American hostages out.  And we are talking to the President about all of his options in terms of securing the release of American hostages.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond that, I\u2019m not going to comment because we need to be able to have those sensitive diplomatic discussions behind closed doors.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And just following up quickly on Mary\u2019s question.  I know you said that you can\u2019t offer a comprehensive assessment about Israel\u2019s military operation since fighting resumed.  But can you offer any kind of initial assessment \u2014 just based on what you\u2019ve seen since Friday \u2014 of whether Israel appears to be taking a more surgical, more precise, more deliberate steps in its military operations since Friday?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Here\u2019s what I will say, because characterizing \u2014 like, offering qualitative judgments; like more this, less that \u2014 is just something I\u2019m going to be very hesitant about doing.  What I would prefer to do is just state facts as I see them. <\/p>\n<p>And the facts that I see over the course of the past few days are that Israel has identified a very specific area, has asked people to leave that area.  Israel has actually coordinated the commencement of its military operations on the ground in the south with that kind of notification. <\/p>\n<p>Now, what I can\u2019t judge is how many of the people in that area as of right now have received that communication, because I\u2019m not on the ground so I don\u2019t know that.  And what we have indicated to the Israelis is they need to use every means and tool that they have available to be sure that when they actually move in in force into an area in the south, that they do so with some confidence that people have actually gotten safe passage out of that area.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s an ongoing conversation we have with them.  But all I can tell you is that, from our perspective, one of the key lessons from the north was to ensure that as you commence a ground operation, you have got to give civilians the time and capacity and real opportunity to leave. <\/p>\n<p>That is \u2014 that is our position.  That\u2019s what we intend to continue to reinforce privately and are happy to share publicly, because we think that that\u2019s basic \u2014 that that\u2019s the right thing to do.  It\u2019s also the most effective way to actually see this whole operation through.<\/p>\n<p>Q    You \u2014 you\u2019re saying you won\u2019t make qualitative judgments, but other senior officials have done that in recent days \u2014 right? \u2014 talking about the operations that were focused in Northern Gaza, talking about Israel heeding advice based on U.S.\u2019s previous operations, you know, experience with urban warfare.  So, there does seem to be \u2014 I mean, we have heard that kind of judgment from other officials in the past, right?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Well, what you\u2019ve heard \u2014 and you\u2019ve heard it from me, too \u2014 is the basic proposition that one innocent civilian killed is too many, and too many innocent civilians have died in this conflict.  The Vice President has said that.  Secretary Blinken has said that.  I have said that. <\/p>\n<p>So, that \u2014 that\u2019s a truth that does not require a kind of judgment that \u2014 that parses a particular act in a particular location.<\/p>\n<p>And so, we will speak out on principle that the protection of civilians and operations consistent with the laws of war are fundamental and should be respected.  And I have said that repeatedly from this podium. <\/p>\n<p>But when asked to characterize a precise comparison between Northern Gaza and Southern Gaza, particularly after just \u2014 we\u2019re talking the course of a couple of days, I\u2019m not in a position to stand up here and do that.<\/p>\n<p>But I will reinforce what all of my colleagues have said about the basic principles that undergird the U.S. approach to this issue.<\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Jake.  You\u2019ve said that the Vice President, Secretary Blinken, you yourself have said that too many Palestinian civilians have died.  We haven\u2019t heard the President himself say that.  Is \u2014 is there daylight to \u2014 on that issue?  Why \u2014 why won\u2019t he say that himself?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  There\u2019s no daylight on that.<\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Yeah, Jake, when we heard from John Kirby at one point last week, he said that we need to have a pause to continue to get hostages out and we need to continue to get hostages out in order to have the pause.  Given that both of those factors are no longer the case right now, what are the points of leverage, the points of pressure that you believe are available to try to get back to that situation?<\/p>\n<p>And then secondly, if I can, you mentioned the Vice President and her travels to the region.  Did she \u2014 was she able to read out any of the conversations she had, in terms of whether she secured any new commitments from Arab leaders for the future of Gaza potentially?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Actually, the Vice President just had the opportunity to sit with the President today to give a detailed readout of her meetings there, including discussions about the future.  But I\u2019m not in a position to characterize those conversations because, of course, they were private diplomatic discussions, and she went through them in detail with the President.  And, of course, he\u2019ll be following up with ma- \u2014 many of those leaders in the days ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Look, the basic bottom line when it comes to where we are in the hostage negotiations is that the first phase of the hostage negotiation was about the release of women and children.  Hamas continues to hold women \u2014 civilian women and will not release them.  And Israel is not prepared to close the book on those women or to give them up, so Israel is insisting that Hamas follow through on the release of those women. <\/p>\n<p>And then Israel has said, if th- \u2014 if Hamas is prepared to follow through on that, Israel is absolutely prepared to discuss additional categories of hostages \u2014 civilian men, the wounded, and, ultimately, all of the hostages, the IDF soldiers being held there.<\/p>\n<p>We, the United States, of course, look at that negotiation and think, \u201cOkay, how do we get back to it?\u201d  The easiest, most straightforward way to get back to it would be for Hamas to be held accountable for not following through on its end of the bargain. <\/p>\n<p>But then we also have to think about how we get all of our American hostages out, and we are giving thought to that as well.  And, you know, handicapping forms of leverage or precise strategies for how we go about that is something I will refrain from doing. <\/p>\n<p>I will just say that we are thinking through, both in concert with Israel and then just as a country with our own citizens being held, what tools we have at our disposal to be \u2014 to be able to get them out.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And then, quickly, on the Vice President\u2019s trip.  Obviously, Philip Gordon stayed behind, is having meetings in Israel.  Was there any consideration for the Vice President traveling to Israel as part of her trip?  And if \u2014 if she \u2014 if so, why \u2014 why did she decide not to?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  I think this was more to do with the fact that she was going for the \u2014 the climate conference.  That was a great target of opportunity for her to see a number of leaders and for a variety of reasons didn\u2019t add a second stop to the trip.  But, of course, she spoke with President Hertzog of Israel.  She will stay in close touch with Israeli leaders.  And I fully anticipate at some point in the months ahead she\u2019ll make her own trip to Israel, but would refer you to her office for that.<\/p>\n<p>And part of the reason that she wanted Phil to go was so that he could read out in detail everything that she had learned on her travels to Dubai.  And so, they\u2019re fully apprised of the outcomes of those meetings.<\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.  (Inaudible) today, a NATO Ally \u2014 Spain \u2014 some officers from the Spanish intelligence service are under investigation for leaking Spanish secret \u2014 secrets to the U.S.  Are you aware of this investigation or of any feedback from Spain, any disappointment for the Spanish government?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  I have no comment on that report today.<\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Okay.  And very quickly about the Middle East.  Can you tell us what kind of weapons is the U.S. sending to Israel since the October 7th attacks?  Media reports talk about 15,000 bombs, some of them very large.  Is this accurate?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  So, on the precise numbers, I\u2019d refer you to \u2014 to the Defense Department.  They would be in a \u2014 the best position to be able to lay out the provision of security assistance since October 7th.<\/p>\n<p>Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Two questions, if I may, Jake.  The first on \u2014 as you look at post-conflict Gaza planning, are you optimistic that you can get buy-in from Arab country partners on refugee resettlement?<\/p>\n<p>And second, if I may, on the Ukraine aid, is the President personally getting involved yet with calls to those up on the Hill or is that something that you feel will come later?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  The President has spoken to leaders on the Hill in the course of the past couple of weeks on the supplemental.  He will continue to do so as necessary.  As you know, he\u2019s quite hands-on when it comes to dealing with the Hill, particularly on a national security priority like this. <\/p>\n<p>And I wasn\u2019t sure I understood your first question.  What are you \u2014  <\/p>\n<p>Q    Just on refugee resettlement \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  \u2014 referring to on \u2014 what do you mean by \u201crefugee resettlement\u201d?<\/p>\n<p>Q    As you \u2014 as you look at post-conflict Gaza, I mean, obviously, there\u2019s going to have to be a lot of talks on refugee resettlement with other countries that might be involved.  I mean, are you looking at that with optimism that these partners will \u2014 will follow through on \u2014 on things that you can all agree on in terms of \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  You mean in resettling Palestinians from Gaza to their \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    Yes.<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  \u2014 countries?  That\u2019s \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    Yes.<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  \u2014 what you\u2019re referring to? <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m \u2014 we\u2019re not in active talks with countries about resettling Palestinians out of Gaza into other countries at this time. <\/p>\n<p>Yeah. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you so much.  Just following up on Ukraine.  What\u2019s the plan B if this funding doesn\u2019t get approved by Congress?  Is that where the lend-lease program could be of use?<\/p>\n<p>And then what\u2019s your estimation of how long before the Ukrainians run out of essentials, like bullets, spare parts, food, stuff like that?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  When we provide what we call a drawdown package to Ukraine \u2014 that is weapons in U.S. stocks that we send to Ukraine for use on the battlefield \u2014 we then take money Congress has given us and buy new weapons to replace the weapons we\u2019ve given so that we don\u2019t impact U.S. readiness.  That\u2019s the basic structure of it. <\/p>\n<p>When we run out of money to buy weapons to replace the weapons we\u2019re give- \u2014 we\u2019re giving \u2014 and this is the point of Director Young\u2019s letter \u2014 we are not in a position to continue to supply weapons to Ukraine.  That is the stakes with this vote.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So, there\u2019s no plan B? <\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  We need to see \u2014 we need to see the Congress step up in a bipartisan way to support it, because there\u2019s no way around the simple arithmetic that if there\u2019s no funding to provide weapons to Ukraine, we\u2019re just not in a position to continue to provide weapons to Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve asked for that funding.  We\u2019ve received that funding in multiple rounds since the war began in February of 2022.  And we have put it to quite remarkable use: saving Kyiv, saving Kherson, winning back \u2014 or saving Kharkiv, winning back Kherson, allowing Ukraine \u2014 enabling Ukraine to retake 50 percent of the territory that was taken, and saving that entire country from being dominated by Russia. <\/p>\n<p>So, at this point, it\u2019s a pretty simple choice.  The Congress has got to step up and provide the funding, because in the absence of that, as Director Young put it, there\u2019s not a magical pot of money out there that we can go dip into that we have been hiding off in the corner. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s \u2014 it\u2019s straightforward.  Congress has got to provide the funding or the United States cannot continue to support Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>We will continue to try to rally others to do so.  But others looking at us and saying, \u201cYou\u2019re not giving the money,\u201d it \u2014 it undermines the case that we can make to the broad-based international coalition that we have pulled together. <\/p>\n<p>Now, the good news is a very strong majority of both Democrats and Republicans support giving this aid.  And so, there is no earthly reason why it shouldn\u2019t be put to a vote in the House and the Senate.  And if it were put to a vote in the House and the Senate, you\u2019d see overwhelming bipartisan support for providing this funding. <\/p>\n<p>Yeah. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Why is Hamas refusing to release the civilian women, in your opinion?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  I am not going to speculate on that, only to say that they haven\u2019t done it and only to say we\u2019re gravely concerned about that.  But I\u2019m not going to speculate as to their reasoning. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Jake \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Yeah, go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    The Uni- \u2014 the United States has provided Israel with laser-guided missiles, yet many residential areas have been flattened.  Many bombs being \u2014 being dropped on Gaza \u2014 more than being dropped on Ukraine during the entire war.  Does the United States monitor how the United \u2014 how the weapons are being used?  And if not, why not?<\/p>\n<p>Also, foreign minister \u2014 Arab foreign ministers is going to be in D.C. next week.  They called for a ceasefire.  You disagree on that.  What message do you have for them?  And where do you agree and disagree with them on how to go forward?<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Well, first, our Defense Department and the Israeli Defense Forces are in constant communication about the scope and nature of Israel\u2019s military operations.  That\u2019s a conversation that happens at every level, and it involves the way in which U.S. assistance is deployed in this conflict.<\/p>\n<p>With respect to the Arabs \u2014 the Arab foreign ministers who are coming here in the coming days, there\u2019s a lot we agree on about the long-term vision and the work that we can all do together to come out of this conflict in a way that produces greater peace and prosperity for all of the countries in the region and produces a political horizon for the Palestinian people rooted in the two-state solution.  And we look forward to talking to them about that. <\/p>\n<p>We do have a difference of view about a ceasefire because we believe that Israel has the right to continue to go after a terrorist organization that is not only continuing to threaten Israel but is holding hostages, including American hostages.  And saying that Israel has no right to conduct military operations against that terrorist group is inconsistent with our view of what is appropriate. <\/p>\n<p>But we\u2019ll have that debate, as we have before, in the course of that conversation. <\/p>\n<p>I think Karine is going to kick me out of here, so I\u2019ll take one more.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Jake \u2014 Jake \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    I just have two quick questions.  One, has any aid been able to get into Gaza since Friday?  I know when Kirby was here \u2014 or he did a gaggle Friday and said aid hadn\u2019t been able to get in. <\/p>\n<p>And if you could just clarify whether the task force that you\u2019re talking about in the Red Sea is a new one or one that already operates in the region.<\/p>\n<p>MR. SULLIVAN:  So, on the first question, yes.  The answer is yes.  Trucks have been flowing into Gaza.  We\u2019ll try to get you the precise numbers over the course of the past couple of days. <\/p>\n<p>But the Rafah Crossing is open; aid is moving in.  And our goal is to sustain that and increase it over time.  And I was on the phone today with my Israeli colleagues, talking to them about ways to get that throughput up above where it is. <\/p>\n<p>And in terms of the task force, as I said before, we have other task forces that deal with issues relative to maritime security.  What the precise structure would be, I will defer to the consultations that are taking place, only to say that, at a broad level, the idea that we would work with other countries and their naval vessels to try to provide a greater level of security through the Red Sea, that\u2019s something that we\u2019re actively discussing with our colleagues. <\/p>\n<p>So, I\u2019ll leave it at that.  Thank you, guys.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Are all the American hostages alive, Jake?  Do you know?  Are all \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Thanks, Jake.<\/p>\n<p>All right.  Let\u2019s see how we do. <\/p>\n<p>Darlene, it\u2019s good to see you. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Good you see you too.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I haven\u2019t seen you in a while.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Yes, thank you.  Two quick questions.  What is the reaction here to the collapse of the border talks over the weekend?  You know, that \u2014 that is supposed to unlock money for Ukraine.  You\u2019re getting to the end of the road on Ukraine.  So, what is the view here on what happened over the weekend with the breakdown in those talks?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, we\u2019ve been pretty consistent and are not going to get into the hypotheticals or specifics of the conversations happening in Congress.  I\u2019m going to let congressional members, senators have those \u2014 those conversations. <\/p>\n<p>I can say that, as we\u2019ve done with many, many \u2014 when legislation is discussed, as we\u2019ve done with many other components of \u2014 or other times that legislation comes to \u2014 comes to, like, a debate, we offer technical assistance.  And certainly, we offer any advice that may be needed from us.  But we\u2019re \u2014 I\u2019m just not going to get into hypotheticals from here. <\/p>\n<p>You saw the letter from \u2014 as it relates to our national security, you saw the letter from our OMB Director, Shalanda Young.  You heard from Jake Sullivan just moments ago about how important it is to get the supplemental done.  It is important to our national security.  And so, we\u2019re going to be really clear about that and \u2014 and continue to speak pretty steadfast and let Congress know the time is now to get this done. <\/p>\n<p>Q    And then, one follow on Israel-Hamas.  The General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists told the AP in an interview today that journalists or media workers are killed \u2014 one is killed every \u2014 every day, on average, in the war, making it a conflict beyond compare to any other.  At least 60 journalists have been killed since October 7th, most of them Palestinians. <\/p>\n<p>So, my question is \u2014 is: As the U.S. urges Israel to minimize the deaths of Palestinian civilians, is there a similar emphasis that\u2019s placed on sparing journalists from being \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 caught in the crossfire?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I \u2014 I just want to be clear, I haven\u2019t seen this interview, so I want to be really clear about that. <\/p>\n<p>But obviously, the \u2014 making sure that journalist, who are really important, on the ground and reporting on what\u2019s happening on the ground and making sure that they\u2019re protected and able to do that is \u2014 is critical.  It\u2019s important. <\/p>\n<p>And that is \u2014 that \u2014 we\u2019ve been pretty consistent here about protecting and making sure that journalists are able to do what they\u2019re \u2014 are able to gather the facts, report the facts, and do that in a way that, you know, they\u2019re \u2014 they\u2019re not threatened or they\u2019re not put in danger. <\/p>\n<p>Obviously, they are in a dangerous situation.  But obviously, that is a concern for us.  We\u2019re certainly monitoring that, having those conversations.<\/p>\n<p>But I did not see this interview.  So, I want to be really, really clear about that. <\/p>\n<p>But we want to make sure that journalists are protected.  What they\u2019re doing on the ground is \u2014 is critical.  It\u2019s important in hearing \u2014 in hearing directly from them on what they\u2019re seeing.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Karine, does the White House believe that additional election monitors are necessary in swing states across the country?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I want to be careful because we\u2019re talking about upcoming elections, obviously.  I\u2019m assuming you\u2019re referring to 2024 and what we\u2019re going to be potentially seeing.  So, I\u2019m going to have to refer you to the \u2014 to the campaign. <\/p>\n<p>Obviously, for us \u2014 and we\u2019ve been \u2014 we\u2019ve taken actions on the federal level on making sure voting is accessible and have taken \u2014 the President signed an executive action very early on on what we can do on the federal level to make sure that voting is a lot easier for folks and they have access and they\u2019re educated on what\u2019s available to them.<\/p>\n<p>But I want to be really careful, certainly, on talking about anything that\u2019s related to 2024. <\/p>\n<p>Q    I know, and I just want to challenge you a little bit on that because it\u2019s \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.  Sure.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 it\u2019s not \u2014 I\u2019m not asking for a reaction, at least not directly, to the person who brought this up.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>Q    I\u2019m asking broadly about whether or not the infrastructure is sufficient and whether the White House believes it needs additional backup.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I will say this: We believe that voting should be made easie- \u2014 easier for Americans.  We\u2019ve been very clear about that.  It should not be \u2014 they should not be put in a place or in a situation where they \u2014 their right to vote is \u2014 is \u2014 there\u2019s an obstacle in any way.<\/p>\n<p>And so, look, every state deals with that differently.  Every state has their own kind of process.  So, certainly not going to pre- \u2014 preempt that and talk about a \u2014 what states are doing or what that may look like for any of these battleground states that certainly are going to be focused on by all of you next year. <\/p>\n<p>I just want to be super, super careful on how I \u2014 how I speak to anything that\u2019s related to 2024.  So, I\u2019m just being incredibly mindful here.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Just on the funding for Ukraine and Israel.  Given that the impasse right now seems to be over border issues, can you speak a little bit about what the White House is and isn\u2019t willing to support on that issue specifically?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I\u2019m just not going to negotiate from here.  Not going to get into any policy specifics or provisions or whatever is being discussed as it relates to that in the Senate.  I\u2019m just going to let them have those conversations.  I\u2019m just not going to lay out what we will accept or not accept.  I\u2019m just going to let them do \u2014 deal with \u2014 deal with the process on the other side of \u2014 of Pennsylvania Avenue.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Back on the supplemental and the \u2014 this letter from the OMB director.  You know, Speaker Johnson is responding, saying that the administration, you know, has still failed to address their concerns about a lack of a clear strategy in Ukraine, saying there hasn\u2019t been a plan for adequately ensuring accountability.  Just your response to the Speaker? <\/p>\n<p>And also, can you sort of describe the outreach that\u2019s going on right now between the White House and members of Congress just to try and shore up support on the Hill for this?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, you just heard Jake said that in the last couple of weeks, this President has been certainly engaged with \u2014 with members and certainly leaders on the Hill.  We don\u2019t obviously read out every conversation that he has. <\/p>\n<p>And we have said for \u2014 for many weeks, many months now that when you think about our Office of Leg Affairs and other folks here at the White House have been in regul- \u2014 regular contact \u2014 right? \u2014 with the folks on the Hill.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m always very careful on not \u2014 not predicting either congressional votes or either policies or getting into negotiations from here.  I think the Di- \u2014 Directors Young\u2019s letter today was really clear, was very specific on the importance of this letter \u2014 of this funding for Ukraine, why it\u2019s important. <\/p>\n<p>I think when Jake Sullivan was here, he talked about what we\u2019ve seen the past almost two years in Ukraine and what\u2019s been able to \u2014 to happen, how \u2014 how \u2014 how Ukraine has been able to really fight for their freedom.  What we thought \u2014 you know, the first couple of days into the war, we thought Kyiv was going to be taken right away, and they\u2019ve been able to protect more than 50 percent of their land, as \u2014 as Jake states \u2014 stated very clearly here.<\/p>\n<p>And so, I think it\u2019s important, when you think about Putin, you think about tyranny, you think about what they\u2019re fighting against: terror \u2014 you know, the tyranny, terrorism, a dictator \u2014 right? \u2014 all of those things \u2014 when you think about both Israel and Ukraine.  And that is important.  That is important that our leadership continue in helping \u2014 in helping Ukraine fight for their \u2014 for their freedom.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And last year around this time, President Zelenskyy came to Washington.  Is there any consideration for him to maybe pay another visit to make the case to Congress for this continued funding?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I would refer you to Zelenskyy and his team.  It\u2019s not something that I can speak from \u2014 from here.  And I don\u2019t have anything to read out.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Is that something you\u2019d like to see?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  (Laughs.)  I don\u2019t have anything that I can read out. <\/p>\n<p>Obviously, we are in regular communication with Zelenskyy \u2014 President Zelenskyy \u2014 Zelenskyy and his team, as we have been for almost two years now.  I just don\u2019t have anything \u2014 more than two years, actually \u2014 since before \u2014 since before the war.  I just don\u2019t have anything to share at this time.<\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Karine.  In 2021, President Biden called Georgia\u2019s election law changes \u201cnew Jim Crow laws\u201d that were \u201cantithetical to who we are.\u201d  They imposed voter identification requirements, limited use of drop boxes, and gave state officials more power over local elections.  And then in 2022, Georgia did have record turnout, but you had argued from the podium that there was voter suppression.  Does the White House still believe that that was true?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I don\u2019t have anything else to add from what I stated last time. <\/p>\n<p>Q    So, does the Florida party, then, effectively canceling the Democratic primary also constitute voter suppression?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I can\u2019t speak to that.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Why not?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  You have to speak to the campaign or the \u2014 or the DNC.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Does the White House have any thoughts on \u2014 on \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I can\u2019t \u2014 I can\u2019t \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 those voters being \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I can\u2019t speak to that.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Is it because of the Hatch Act or \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I just \u2014 this is \u2014 you\u2019re talking about the 2024 election.  You\u2019re talking about a primary.  I\u2019m just not going to speak to that from here.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Okay.  And then can I get the White House\u2019s response to Congresswoman Jayapal\u2019s comments over the weekend?  In her interview, she said that sexual violence should be condemned but that we have to be balanced in our condemnation.  Was that an appropriate comment?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, so we\u2019ve been very, very clear.  You heard a little bit from \u2014 from Jake Sullivan about this.  I can only speak for \u2014 for the President.  That\u2019s who I can speak for.  And we\u2019ve been clear: What Hamas did is absolutely reprehensible.  And full stop.  We\u2019re going to continue to be clear about that.<\/p>\n<p>And we think about, you know, rape and the use of rape as being used as a \u2014 as a weapon \u2014 that is also reprehensible.  And that\u2019s full stop.  And I\u2019ll just leave it there. <\/p>\n<p>And I\u2019m speaking for the President of the United States. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Is \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I think I\u2019ve been very clear on that.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Any comment, though, for \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I just \u2014<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 Congresswoman Jayapal?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I just commented on it.  I just laid out what we believe is unacceptable.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Karine.  I know you said you don\u2019t want to negotiate from the podium, but I want to ask you about some reporting we had this weekend about the border talks linking to Ukraine funding on Capitol Hill.  One of the factors we\u2019re told that has made this so difficult for the Democratic negotiators is the view of Republicans that, as part of the negotiations \u2014 that the White House is, in their words, so desperate for this Ukraine funding that they are willing to accept positions on asylum, for instance, that they otherwise would not have put on the table at this point.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m wondering if you\u2019d respond to that characterization that the U.S. \u2014 that the White House is so desperate for this Ukraine aid that it\u2019s considering immigration changes that would not necessarily pass muster with other Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I mean, let\u2019s be really clear.  It\u2019s not desperation making sure that we continue to support Ukraine in their fight against tyranny.  That is not desperation.  That is the right thing to do.  That is what we\u2019ve been doing for almost two years now: making sure that Ukraine and the people of Ukraine have what they need, have the security assistance that they need to fight this war that was started \u2014 aggressive war that was started by Mr. Putin.<\/p>\n<p>That is \u2014 there is \u2014 there is nothing desperate about that.  It is the right thing to do.<\/p>\n<p>Now, as it relates to borders \u2014 border security, you know, this is the President from day one that has taken this issue very seriously.  You\u2019ve heard me say over and over again, when \u2014 on his first day in administration, he introduced a comprehensive immigration law \u2014 a comprehensive immi- \u2014 immigration law, and it\u2019s been three years. <\/p>\n<p>And guess what?  Congress has failed to act.  They have failed to act.  And what they continue to do is behave in \u2014 is behave as if, you know, the security of the \u2014 of our \u2014 of our border \u2014 as if it\u2019s political football.  That\u2019s what they have done.<\/p>\n<p>The President has made sure that he\u2019s used enforcement, deterrence, and diplo- \u2014 diplomacy to deal with this issue. <\/p>\n<p>And so, you know, I\u2019ll just have to restate this: There is nothing desperate about making sure the people of Ukraine, who are under attack \u2014 under attack by Mr. Putin, have what they need to fight for their freedom, to fight for their democracy.<\/p>\n<p>Okay.<\/p>\n<p>Q    On another question \u2014 another issue.  Many Jewish Americans this week will begin celebrating Hanukkah, and we\u2019ve already seen some jurisdictions have had to alter or, in some cases, cancel what used to be public celebrations of this holiday.  Does the White House, does the administration have any evidence or concern about the safety of some of these demonstrations? <\/p>\n<p>And I also wonder if you can talk about what the White House\u2019s plans are to mark the holiday and if that\u2019s been impacted by the war.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  That\u2019s a very good question.  Obviously, over the past couple of weeks since this \u2014 certainly since this war started, we have seen the increase of antisemitism.  And, you know, we understand the fear that people in the Jewish community must be feeling right now, which is why we have taken action to do everything that we can to make sure that people in that community feel protected.  And so, that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to continue to do. <\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t have any specifics to lay out as we get closer to the holiday.<\/p>\n<p>But obviously, we have seen an uptick in antisemitism.  We have seen an uptick in hate, just more broadly, in different communities \u2014 obviously, also in the Muslim community.  And so, we will do everything that we can to make sure that these communities feel safe.<\/p>\n<p>Q    And then a follow-up.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    What is the President\u2019s message to immigration advocates who \u2014 just to follow up on that question \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 who are worried that the President could give up too much in order to secure aid to Ukraine?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I\u2019m \u2014 I\u2019m just not going to get into hypotheticals from here. <\/p>\n<p>Q    Can you assure them that \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I \u2014 I \u2014 I\u2019m just not \u2014 not going to.  That\u2019s basically laying out what we agree with or don\u2019t agree with of whatever is being discussed on the other side of Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n<p>What I will be really clear about: This is a president that has taken this very seriously and who wants to \u2014 when he\u2019s moved forward in his immigration policies, he\u2019s tried to do this in a \u2014 in a humane way and make sure that our \u2014 our borders are protected, make sure that Americans are protected.  And so, that\u2019s the way that he\u2019s \u2014 he\u2019s \u2014 he\u2019s moved forward in the past almost three years dealing with this issue. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m just \u2014 I don\u2019t want to get into specifics of policy, what we\u2019re willing to accept, not \u2014 not accept. <\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve been in regular communication, offering technical support, offering any assistance, but just not going to negotiate from here.  And answering that question would certainly be laying out what we would except [accept] and not accept.<\/p>\n<p>Q    So, just really briefly, I know that he\u2019s \u2014 you said that he\u2019s spoken to leaders on the Hill.  Do you expect the President to get more directly involved by either inviting lawmakers to the White House or going to the Hill himself to have sort of direct discussions with them (inaudible)?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Don\u2019t \u2014 don\u2019t have anything at this time to lay out.  <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, Steven.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Karine.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Sure.<\/p>\n<p>Q    It\u2019s been a while.  I hope we can do it more. <\/p>\n<p>I \u2014 I\u2019ve got one \u2014 one \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Just take it \u2014 just take it one step too far, my friend.  (Laughter.) <\/p>\n<p>Q    Well \u2014<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Just \u2014 just ask your question.<\/p>\n<p>Q    \u2014 thank you.  Thank you anyway.  I\u2019ve got a question about domestic surveillance and then one about online censorship.<\/p>\n<p>On domestic surveillance, Section 702 of FISA is expiring this month.  And against this debate, Senator Wyden, just this past month, released a letter saying that the White House is secretly funding a domestic call record dragnet administered by AT&#038;T.  Apparently, according to Wired, the White House halted funding for this program in 2021 and resumed it last year.  And I was wondering what you could tell us about this program and just the reason that it was paused and then resumed by the White House.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, would have to check with the team.  I don\u2019t have anything specific to tell you about 702.  Is it \u2014 that\u2019s what you\u2019re \u2014 you\u2019re asking me about?  I just don\u2019t have anything to share on that particular question.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks.<\/p>\n<p>On the online censorship question.  Last week, the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Rob Flaherty about the efforts to influence social media moderation.  Is the White House going to seek to block that testimony?  And is there any reconsideration by the White House or regrets about the past flagging of social media content for removal?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I\u2019m just going to be \u2014 be very clear here: My colleagues at the White House Counsel\u2019s Office has already addressed this.  So, I would have to refer you to them. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m just not \u2014 I don\u2019t have anything to add specifically on this. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Karine, I haven\u2019t had one (inaudible).<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thanks, Karine.<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, okay.  Whoever \u2014 you already got a question. <\/p>\n<p>Go ahead, Phil.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.  The White House has said repeatedly that the President and his son were never in business together.  They\u2019ve said that repeatedly also in this room. <\/p>\n<p>According to bank records obtained by the House Oversight Committee, though, one of Hunter Biden\u2019s businesses, Owasco PC, set up direct payments to the President.  Did the President accept payment?  And why would there be such an arrangement if they were never in business together or if there was a wall of separation, as the President has previously said?<\/p>\n<p>MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, I have to be clear with you: I \u2014 I have not seen that report, so I would have to refer you to my colleagues over at the White House Counsel\u2019s Office on that particular question.<\/p>\n<p>All right, everyone.  I\u2019ll see some of you in Boston or on Wednesday. <\/p>\n<p>Thanks, everybody.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you.<\/p>\n<p>Q    Thank you, Karine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington, DC&#8230;Hey. Happy Monday, everyone. Q Hello., Q Happy Monday. MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Oh, okay. I just have two things at the top before I turn it over to our National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan. So, I wo- \u2014 I would like to share some encouraging news about the results of this administration\u2019s efforts to make [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":170542,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-170541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-government","category-news","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fullscreen-capture-1242023-85236-PM.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=170541"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":170543,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170541\/revisions\/170543"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/170542"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=170541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=170541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=170541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}