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1 00:00:01,076 --> 00:00:04,179 Mr. Earnest: All right, good afternoon, everybody. 2 00:00:04,179 --> 00:00:06,348 Hope your Thursday is off to a good start. 3 00:00:06,348 --> 00:00:07,481 I don't have anything to do at the top, 4 00:00:07,482 --> 00:00:08,650 so let's go straight to questions. 5 00:00:08,650 --> 00:00:10,719 Josh, would you want to get us started here? 6 00:00:10,719 --> 00:00:11,085 The Press: Sure. 7 00:00:11,086 --> 00:00:12,421 Thanks, Josh. 8 00:00:12,421 --> 00:00:14,155 The President, today in Baltimore with 9 00:00:14,156 --> 00:00:16,958 Senate Democrats -- since there is not any 10 00:00:16,958 --> 00:00:19,160 press access to that meeting, can you flesh 11 00:00:19,161 --> 00:00:20,929 out for us a little bit what the President's 12 00:00:20,929 --> 00:00:23,665 agenda is for that meeting and any specific 13 00:00:23,665 --> 00:00:26,768 asks that he has for Senate Democrats? 14 00:00:26,768 --> 00:00:29,137 Mr. Earnest: This is principally an opportunity 15 00:00:29,137 --> 00:00:31,139 for the President to sit down with Senate Democrats 16 00:00:31,139 --> 00:00:33,375 and talk to them about his priorities 17 00:00:33,375 --> 00:00:35,377 for the upcoming legislative session. 18 00:00:35,377 --> 00:00:39,481 That is consistent with the kind of strategy that 19 00:00:39,481 --> 00:00:41,483 the President will lay out in his State of Union address 20 00:00:41,483 --> 00:00:43,485 that he's prepared to deliver on Tuesday. 21 00:00:43,485 --> 00:00:45,454 And walking through some of these priorities that 22 00:00:45,454 --> 00:00:49,991 he has both for our economy and for keeping Americans 23 00:00:49,991 --> 00:00:53,094 safe around the globe will be highlighted 24 00:00:53,094 --> 00:00:55,564 in that meeting and in the speech. 25 00:00:55,564 --> 00:00:57,566 Some of the things that I'm confident that 26 00:00:57,566 --> 00:00:59,568 they'll discuss will be some of the announcements 27 00:00:59,568 --> 00:01:01,570 that the President has made over the course 28 00:01:01,570 --> 00:01:03,572 of the last couple of weeks -- things that 29 00:01:03,572 --> 00:01:05,574 we can do to strengthen the housing market; 30 00:01:05,574 --> 00:01:07,576 things that we can to do open up the door 31 00:01:07,576 --> 00:01:09,577 to a college education for more middle-class students, 32 00:01:09,578 --> 00:01:12,447 including offering hardworking students 33 00:01:12,447 --> 00:01:15,550 a chance to go to community college for free. 34 00:01:15,550 --> 00:01:17,853 I'm confident that they'll discuss some of the ideas 35 00:01:17,853 --> 00:01:20,788 that the President has for closing loopholes that 36 00:01:20,789 --> 00:01:22,791 only benefit the wealthy and well-connected, 37 00:01:22,791 --> 00:01:24,792 and using revenue from those changes 38 00:01:24,793 --> 00:01:28,096 to the tax code to invest in infrastructure. 39 00:01:28,096 --> 00:01:30,298 We know that investing in infrastructure creates jobs 40 00:01:30,298 --> 00:01:32,667 in the short term, but also lays a foundation 41 00:01:32,667 --> 00:01:35,003 for our long-term economic strength. 42 00:01:35,003 --> 00:01:38,473 I'm confident that he'll talk about some national security 43 00:01:38,473 --> 00:01:41,408 issues, as well, including getting an update from 44 00:01:41,409 --> 00:01:43,411 the President -- or sort of hearing the latest from 45 00:01:43,411 --> 00:01:46,915 the President on the terror attacks in Paris last week. 46 00:01:46,915 --> 00:01:49,217 The Press: One breaking news item that I wanted to ask 47 00:01:49,217 --> 00:01:52,120 you about -- there appears to be a counterterrorism 48 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:55,590 operation going on today in Belgium. 49 00:01:55,590 --> 00:01:58,093 Obviously, the United States is watching very closely 50 00:01:58,093 --> 00:02:01,296 with some of the concerns raised by the attacks in Paris. 51 00:02:01,296 --> 00:02:02,330 Do you have any information about what's 52 00:02:02,330 --> 00:02:03,899 going on there that you can share with us? 53 00:02:03,899 --> 00:02:04,699 Mr. Earnest: I've seen those reports, 54 00:02:04,699 --> 00:02:06,902 but I don't have anything to say about them at this point. 55 00:02:06,902 --> 00:02:10,472 But later on today, we may be able to get you something. 56 00:02:10,472 --> 00:02:12,741 The Press: There are some reports this morning 57 00:02:12,741 --> 00:02:15,510 that the President, in his budget request, 58 00:02:15,510 --> 00:02:18,713 is going to ask for an increase of about 7 percent 59 00:02:18,713 --> 00:02:20,048 to the federal budget. 60 00:02:20,048 --> 00:02:22,617 I'm wondering if you can tell us whether that's accurate. 61 00:02:22,617 --> 00:02:25,352 Mr. Earnest: I've seen those reports, as well. 62 00:02:25,353 --> 00:02:28,723 The President's Office of Management and Budget is 63 00:02:28,723 --> 00:02:31,493 prepared to roll out the President's budget proposal 64 00:02:31,493 --> 00:02:33,862 on February 2nd. 65 00:02:33,862 --> 00:02:36,831 There are still some final tweaks that are being made to 66 00:02:36,831 --> 00:02:40,268 that proposal, so we'll be prepared to talk about the 67 00:02:40,268 --> 00:02:43,505 details of that presentation on Monday, February 2nd, 68 00:02:43,505 --> 00:02:44,506 when it's rolled out. 69 00:02:44,506 --> 00:02:48,143 The Press: On the CIA torture report, I wanted to ask you, 70 00:02:48,143 --> 00:02:52,948 there this new report out from a committee led by former 71 00:02:52,948 --> 00:02:56,217 Senate Bayh that says basically -- is disagreeing 72 00:02:56,217 --> 00:03:00,789 with the investigator general's determination that there 73 00:03:00,789 --> 00:03:04,159 was improper behavior in the accessing of some of those 74 00:03:04,159 --> 00:03:07,661 computers that Senator Feinstein's staff was using 75 00:03:07,662 --> 00:03:12,033 as they were investigating and putting together their report. 76 00:03:12,033 --> 00:03:16,438 This independent panel says that was fine; 77 00:03:16,438 --> 00:03:19,274 the CIA's IG says it wasn't fine. 78 00:03:19,274 --> 00:03:21,242 Where does the White House fall on that? 79 00:03:21,242 --> 00:03:25,046 Mr. Earnest: Well, Josh, there are a lot of people 80 00:03:25,046 --> 00:03:27,315 with a lot of opinions on this, that we know that 81 00:03:27,315 --> 00:03:29,351 there are certainly strongly held views 82 00:03:29,351 --> 00:03:31,353 in the Congress about what happened. 83 00:03:31,353 --> 00:03:34,255 There are certainly strong views that are held 84 00:03:34,255 --> 00:03:37,192 by CIA employees about what exactly happened. 85 00:03:37,192 --> 00:03:41,329 And that's why this accountability board was stood 86 00:03:41,329 --> 00:03:46,534 up, was to get to the bottom of what exactly happened, 87 00:03:46,534 --> 00:03:52,040 to determine what sort of personnel steps should 88 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:56,043 be taken, and to consider what sort of procedural reforms 89 00:03:56,044 --> 00:03:58,480 should be put in place to correct mistakes 90 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:00,649 that may have occurred. 91 00:04:00,649 --> 00:04:03,952 So the administration has a lot of confidence 92 00:04:03,952 --> 00:04:06,721 in the report that was put forward by this group. 93 00:04:06,721 --> 00:04:08,790 This is a group of individuals that have 94 00:04:08,790 --> 00:04:10,959 some expertise in this area. 95 00:04:10,959 --> 00:04:13,328 As you point out, Senator Bayh was a former 96 00:04:13,328 --> 00:04:17,065 member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. 97 00:04:17,065 --> 00:04:21,536 And so there are a couple of important results here. 98 00:04:21,536 --> 00:04:26,408 The first is that there are some procedural reforms that 99 00:04:26,408 --> 00:04:30,245 this committee has suggested should be put in place. 100 00:04:30,245 --> 00:04:33,348 Director Brennan has indicated that he is prepared to act 101 00:04:33,348 --> 00:04:35,350 on those recommendations and actually put them in place. 102 00:04:35,350 --> 00:04:36,351 That's good news. 103 00:04:36,351 --> 00:04:41,589 The other thing -- and this is important -- is it highlights 104 00:04:41,589 --> 00:04:48,897 just how important it is for the CIA and every intelligence 105 00:04:48,897 --> 00:04:51,966 agency to have a functioning relationship as they work 106 00:04:51,966 --> 00:04:55,503 with Congress on Congress's oversight functions. 107 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:01,242 This is something that the President feels strongly about. 108 00:05:01,242 --> 00:05:04,546 Our intelligence agencies have to operate in secret 109 00:05:04,546 --> 00:05:07,982 so that they can be successful in keeping the country safe. 110 00:05:07,982 --> 00:05:10,185 What that does, however, though, is only highlight 111 00:05:10,185 --> 00:05:12,320 how important it is for there to be a separate branch 112 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,056 of government that's providing oversight over 113 00:05:15,056 --> 00:05:20,962 the secret activities of these intelligence organizations. 114 00:05:20,962 --> 00:05:22,163 That's critically important. 115 00:05:22,163 --> 00:05:24,933 And the President has made clear to Director Brennan just 116 00:05:24,933 --> 00:05:27,902 how important he thinks it is for the CIA to work 117 00:05:27,902 --> 00:05:31,406 cooperatively with Congress as Congress exercises their 118 00:05:31,406 --> 00:05:33,742 proper oversight role. 119 00:05:33,742 --> 00:05:34,008 The Press: Sure. 120 00:05:34,008 --> 00:05:36,678 But, I mean, the key question here was: Was it acceptable 121 00:05:36,678 --> 00:05:39,647 for the CIA to go into these computers and look 122 00:05:39,647 --> 00:05:42,851 at what the Senate committee was doing? 123 00:05:42,851 --> 00:05:46,855 Senator Feinstein was very, very upset about this. 124 00:05:46,855 --> 00:05:48,857 Does the White House have a position about 125 00:05:48,857 --> 00:05:50,859 whether the CIA acted properly in doing that? 126 00:05:50,859 --> 00:05:53,695 Mr. Earnest: Well, Josh, this is not -- what's most important 127 00:05:53,695 --> 00:05:56,831 is that we have a group of individuals with 128 00:05:56,831 --> 00:06:00,201 an area of expertise who can sit down and take 129 00:06:00,201 --> 00:06:03,338 an impartial look at all the facts and determine exactly 130 00:06:03,338 --> 00:06:07,242 what happened, and to offer up some prescriptions 131 00:06:07,242 --> 00:06:10,779 for what can be changed to ensure that any sort 132 00:06:10,779 --> 00:06:13,314 of miscommunication or anything that would interfere 133 00:06:13,314 --> 00:06:15,316 with the ability of Congress to conduct 134 00:06:15,316 --> 00:06:18,919 proper oversight of the CIA is avoided in the future. 135 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:21,055 And you can read the report for yourself. 136 00:06:21,055 --> 00:06:23,391 It was declassified and released. 137 00:06:23,391 --> 00:06:27,262 And they included a set of procedural reforms that 138 00:06:27,262 --> 00:06:30,131 they believe would be helpful in heading off any sort 139 00:06:30,131 --> 00:06:32,599 of disagreements like this in the future. 140 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:34,636 Fortunately, the Director of the CIA has indicated 141 00:06:34,636 --> 00:06:36,471 that he's prepared to implement those reforms. 142 00:06:36,471 --> 00:06:38,206 And that's important. 143 00:06:38,206 --> 00:06:44,078 But what's most important is that there is an effective, 144 00:06:44,078 --> 00:06:47,315 functioning relationship between the Congress 145 00:06:47,315 --> 00:06:49,317 and the intelligence agencies that they're 146 00:06:49,317 --> 00:06:51,386 supposed to oversee. 147 00:06:51,386 --> 00:06:53,488 And this is a top priority of the President's. 148 00:06:53,488 --> 00:06:55,790 The President has been pretty clear that 149 00:06:55,790 --> 00:06:57,792 he believes that that kind of oversight 150 00:06:57,792 --> 00:07:00,094 is important for the functioning of the government. 151 00:07:00,094 --> 00:07:01,863 It's also good for our national security. 152 00:07:01,863 --> 00:07:04,966 And the President has made those views very clear 153 00:07:04,966 --> 00:07:06,234 to Director Brennan. 154 00:07:06,234 --> 00:07:08,402 And Director Brennan, in the news conference that he convened 155 00:07:08,403 --> 00:07:10,939 at the end of last year that I know many of you watched 156 00:07:10,939 --> 00:07:14,442 pretty closely, indicated his personal view that there 157 00:07:14,442 --> 00:07:17,178 is no more important oversight relationship than 158 00:07:17,178 --> 00:07:19,180 the oversight relationship that exists between 159 00:07:19,180 --> 00:07:21,182 Congress and the intelligence agencies. 160 00:07:21,182 --> 00:07:23,184 And he pledged his own personal commitment 161 00:07:23,184 --> 00:07:25,186 to strengthening that relationship. 162 00:07:25,186 --> 00:07:27,188 That certainly is consistent with the direction that he's 163 00:07:27,188 --> 00:07:29,190 received from the President of the United States. 164 00:07:29,190 --> 00:07:31,192 And implementing these reforms I think is a pretty 165 00:07:31,192 --> 00:07:33,194 good piece of evidence to indicate that he takes 166 00:07:33,194 --> 00:07:34,195 that responsibility seriously. 167 00:07:34,195 --> 00:07:36,296 The Press: And on other topic, the Pope, 168 00:07:36,297 --> 00:07:40,034 in kind of an unusual press conference aboard his papal 169 00:07:40,034 --> 00:07:43,538 plane, announced that later this year when he's 170 00:07:43,538 --> 00:07:48,443 in the U.S., he plans to canonize an American missionary, 171 00:07:48,443 --> 00:07:50,645 Junipero Serra, as a saint. 172 00:07:50,645 --> 00:07:53,114 Does the White House have thoughts or reaction 173 00:07:53,114 --> 00:07:54,114 to that announcement? 174 00:07:54,115 --> 00:07:56,117 Mr. Earnest: I've seen those reports. 175 00:07:56,117 --> 00:07:58,486 We certainly are looking forward to the Pope's visit 176 00:07:58,486 --> 00:08:00,755 to the United States that's planned for the fall. 177 00:08:00,755 --> 00:08:05,260 I have not seen the final itinerary of the Pope while 178 00:08:05,260 --> 00:08:08,997 he's here, but we certainly look forward to his visit. 179 00:08:08,997 --> 00:08:12,634 I saw the -- or I heard about the announcement that he made 180 00:08:12,634 --> 00:08:15,603 about the canonization of apparently an American 181 00:08:15,603 --> 00:08:17,572 missionary shortly before I came out here. 182 00:08:17,572 --> 00:08:19,574 I don't have an immediate reaction. 183 00:08:19,574 --> 00:08:22,176 But it sounds like when the Pope plans to travel 184 00:08:22,176 --> 00:08:24,178 to the United States, he plans to make a little news. 185 00:08:24,178 --> 00:08:25,246 So it should be interesting. 186 00:08:25,246 --> 00:08:26,246 Jeff. 187 00:08:26,247 --> 00:08:27,415 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 188 00:08:27,415 --> 00:08:29,417 I'm sure he'll have no trouble making news. 189 00:08:29,417 --> 00:08:31,419 Mr. Earnest: I have no doubt about that. 190 00:08:31,419 --> 00:08:32,886 The Press: Has the White House been in touch with 191 00:08:32,886 --> 00:08:34,888 the Canadian government about the so-called 192 00:08:34,889 --> 00:08:36,424 "Three Amigos" summit? 193 00:08:36,424 --> 00:08:38,259 And is it your understanding that it has been canceled 194 00:08:38,259 --> 00:08:41,195 because of tension over Keystone? 195 00:08:41,195 --> 00:08:42,163 Mr. Earnest: It's my understanding that 196 00:08:42,163 --> 00:08:45,199 the North American Leaders summit, which is the more 197 00:08:45,199 --> 00:08:49,237 formal name of that gathering, has been postponed 198 00:08:49,237 --> 00:08:52,339 from early this year to later in the year. 199 00:08:52,340 --> 00:08:54,976 I don't know the exact reason for the change in the date. 200 00:08:54,976 --> 00:08:59,714 You'd have to check with the Canadians on that. 201 00:08:59,714 --> 00:09:01,115 I assume the weather will be better later in the year 202 00:09:01,115 --> 00:09:04,319 than it is in February in Canada, but we'll see. 203 00:09:04,319 --> 00:09:06,587 But for the exact reason for the scheduling 204 00:09:06,587 --> 00:09:08,489 change, I'm not aware of what that is. 205 00:09:08,489 --> 00:09:10,491 The Press: Is the shadow of Keystone, though, 206 00:09:10,491 --> 00:09:11,992 hanging over this? 207 00:09:11,993 --> 00:09:13,294 Clearly you know that there's some tension 208 00:09:13,294 --> 00:09:15,196 between the two countries about that issue. 209 00:09:15,196 --> 00:09:15,730 Mr. Earnest: There is. 210 00:09:15,730 --> 00:09:18,333 I know that the relationship that we have with Canada is far 211 00:09:18,333 --> 00:09:21,769 deeper and far broader than this one infrastructure project; 212 00:09:21,769 --> 00:09:24,973 that when it comes to the deep economic ties between our 213 00:09:24,973 --> 00:09:27,709 two countries and the deep national security ties 214 00:09:27,709 --> 00:09:29,810 between our two countries, there certainly is a lot 215 00:09:29,811 --> 00:09:31,679 to discuss in the context of that meeting. 216 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:35,616 And I'm not particularly worried about any sort 217 00:09:35,616 --> 00:09:39,252 of Keystone outcome looming over those meetings at all. 218 00:09:39,253 --> 00:09:41,255 The Press: -- be concerned if that were the reason 219 00:09:41,255 --> 00:09:42,590 it were postponed? 220 00:09:42,590 --> 00:09:44,025 Mr. Earnest: Not really. 221 00:09:44,025 --> 00:09:46,327 I think we're concerned about making sure that we continue 222 00:09:46,327 --> 00:09:49,163 to have a strong working relationship with the Canadians. 223 00:09:49,163 --> 00:09:53,234 That certainly means visiting with Prime Minister Harper 224 00:09:53,234 --> 00:09:54,869 and other leaders in the Canadian government 225 00:09:54,869 --> 00:09:55,870 with some frequency. 226 00:09:55,870 --> 00:09:57,038 That happens a lot on the phone. 227 00:09:57,038 --> 00:10:00,108 But as long as this meeting gets rescheduled 228 00:10:00,108 --> 00:10:03,411 in a timely fashion, and we can continue to have 229 00:10:03,411 --> 00:10:05,412 the kinds of strong relationship 230 00:10:05,413 --> 00:10:07,415 that we have with our neighbors to the north, 231 00:10:07,415 --> 00:10:09,317 then there's no concern here at the White House about it. 232 00:10:09,317 --> 00:10:09,517 The Press: Okay. 233 00:10:09,517 --> 00:10:12,186 And on the issue of Cuba, the White House wants 234 00:10:12,186 --> 00:10:15,189 to close Guantanamo Bay, and the White House 235 00:10:15,189 --> 00:10:18,026 wants to improve relations with Cuba. 236 00:10:18,026 --> 00:10:20,995 Does the President support ending the U.S. 237 00:10:20,995 --> 00:10:24,132 lease on that space there where the prison 238 00:10:24,132 --> 00:10:26,601 is currently located and returning it to Cuba? 239 00:10:26,601 --> 00:10:29,637 Mr. Earnest: I am not aware of any 240 00:10:29,637 --> 00:10:33,840 administration position in support of doing that. 241 00:10:33,841 --> 00:10:37,578 But this is something that we've heard the Cuban government 242 00:10:37,578 --> 00:10:39,579 express a view on, on a number of occasions, 243 00:10:39,580 --> 00:10:43,117 but I have not heard of any specific proposal 244 00:10:43,117 --> 00:10:44,819 by this administration on that. 245 00:10:44,819 --> 00:10:46,920 The Press: Is it something you'd consider? 246 00:10:46,921 --> 00:10:48,456 Mr. Earnest: I'll have to check with the Department of Defense 247 00:10:48,456 --> 00:10:51,292 about that, and if there's a specific position for 248 00:10:51,292 --> 00:10:54,195 us to share with you I can make sure that you get it. 249 00:10:54,195 --> 00:10:54,796 Jim. 250 00:10:54,796 --> 00:10:57,365 The Press: Josh, we know that the President 251 00:10:57,365 --> 00:11:00,535 and the Prime Minister released that joint op-ed 252 00:11:00,535 --> 00:11:04,005 talking about their priorities when 253 00:11:04,005 --> 00:11:07,241 it comes to I guess international terrorism 254 00:11:07,241 --> 00:11:09,677 in Russia and so forth. 255 00:11:09,677 --> 00:11:12,380 And at one point during that op-ed it says that they don't 256 00:11:12,380 --> 00:11:16,818 want to allow terrorists to muzzle free speech. 257 00:11:16,818 --> 00:11:19,487 But going back to the Pope and the Pope's comments, 258 00:11:19,487 --> 00:11:23,623 I'm sure you saw that Pope Francis said that when 259 00:11:23,624 --> 00:11:27,261 it comes to free speech, there can be reactions, 260 00:11:27,261 --> 00:11:30,298 and that insulting somebody's religion can be like 261 00:11:30,298 --> 00:11:32,467 a punch to the face. 262 00:11:32,467 --> 00:11:34,936 Does the Pope have a point there? 263 00:11:34,936 --> 00:11:37,905 Mr. Earnest: Well, far be it from me to disagree 264 00:11:37,905 --> 00:11:38,738 with the Pope -- 265 00:11:38,739 --> 00:11:39,941 The Press: I should say he said it was like insulting 266 00:11:39,941 --> 00:11:44,645 somebody's mother, which would provoke a punch to the face. 267 00:11:44,645 --> 00:11:46,714 Does he have a point about that? 268 00:11:46,714 --> 00:11:48,716 Mr. Earnest: Well, I haven't seen the entirety 269 00:11:48,716 --> 00:11:49,717 of his remarks. 270 00:11:49,717 --> 00:11:51,085 Let me just say generally, though, 271 00:11:51,085 --> 00:11:55,089 in reaction to what you've just read from him 272 00:11:55,089 --> 00:11:56,290 a couple of things. 273 00:11:56,290 --> 00:11:57,592 The first is -- and I think this is something that 274 00:11:57,592 --> 00:12:04,298 the Pope would readily agree on -- there is no act 275 00:12:04,298 --> 00:12:08,302 of public expression in terms of free speech that 276 00:12:08,302 --> 00:12:11,205 would in any way justify an act of violence. 277 00:12:11,205 --> 00:12:13,908 That is a principle that we have reiterated on a number 278 00:12:13,908 --> 00:12:17,645 of occasions and it's one that I'm happy to reiterate now. 279 00:12:17,645 --> 00:12:20,414 And I think it's something that the vast majority 280 00:12:20,414 --> 00:12:22,683 of the world agrees with. 281 00:12:22,683 --> 00:12:26,387 And I think that is a part of the show of solidarity that we 282 00:12:26,387 --> 00:12:31,626 saw in Paris last week; it was standing up for that principle. 283 00:12:31,626 --> 00:12:33,694 At the same time -- and this is something that we've also had 284 00:12:33,694 --> 00:12:35,829 the opportunity to discuss from this podium both with my 285 00:12:35,830 --> 00:12:43,337 predecessor and with me -- is that freedom 286 00:12:43,337 --> 00:12:46,374 of expression and freedom of speech also comes with 287 00:12:46,374 --> 00:12:47,875 a set of responsibilities. 288 00:12:47,875 --> 00:12:52,880 And this is part of the kinds of decisions that journalists 289 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:58,753 like yourselves make on a regular basis about what 290 00:12:58,753 --> 00:13:01,722 goes along with -- what responsibilities go along 291 00:13:01,722 --> 00:13:03,057 with those rights. 292 00:13:03,057 --> 00:13:07,662 But regardless of how one arrives at those kinds 293 00:13:07,662 --> 00:13:12,500 of ethical decisions, there is no scenario in which 294 00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:15,803 an act of free speech justifies an act of violence. 295 00:13:15,803 --> 00:13:18,906 The Press: And the President hasn't really spoken 296 00:13:18,906 --> 00:13:21,876 out publicly very much about what happened in Paris 297 00:13:21,876 --> 00:13:23,110 since last Friday. 298 00:13:23,110 --> 00:13:24,445 If I'm not mistaken, he hasn't really said 299 00:13:24,445 --> 00:13:26,480 much of anything since last Friday. 300 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:28,783 Should we expect to hear him talk about 301 00:13:28,783 --> 00:13:30,117 this further tomorrow? 302 00:13:30,117 --> 00:13:32,887 Mr. Earnest: Well, I would anticipate that this 303 00:13:32,887 --> 00:13:36,156 topic will be discussed between the President 304 00:13:36,157 --> 00:13:39,126 and Prime Minister Cameron, and I do think that means 305 00:13:39,126 --> 00:13:41,127 it's likely to come up in the press conference. 306 00:13:41,128 --> 00:13:43,130 If he doesn't mention it proactively, 307 00:13:43,130 --> 00:13:45,833 I assume that one of you who gets a question of the President 308 00:13:45,833 --> 00:13:47,834 may be interested in asking him about it as well. 309 00:13:47,835 --> 00:13:51,072 The Press: He's spoken out on it enough, do you think? 310 00:13:51,072 --> 00:13:52,306 The President has? 311 00:13:52,306 --> 00:13:54,175 Mr. Earnest: Well, the President has certainly -- 312 00:13:54,175 --> 00:13:57,277 as we saw over the course of last week, when France 313 00:13:57,278 --> 00:14:01,282 was in the midst of responding to this crisis, 314 00:14:01,282 --> 00:14:04,018 you saw that the President telephoned President Hollande; 315 00:14:04,018 --> 00:14:06,721 the President spoke publicly on a couple of occasions. 316 00:14:06,721 --> 00:14:09,156 The President also I think sent a pretty loud 317 00:14:09,156 --> 00:14:12,059 and clear message to the people of France when he traveled 318 00:14:12,059 --> 00:14:17,497 to the French Embassy in Northwestern D.C. last Thursday, 319 00:14:17,498 --> 00:14:23,104 and appeared at the embassy and wrote a note in a book 320 00:14:23,104 --> 00:14:28,142 there expressing the condolences but also the support 321 00:14:28,142 --> 00:14:30,778 of the American people to the people of France. 322 00:14:30,778 --> 00:14:33,314 So I think that is indicative of the kind of strong relationship 323 00:14:33,314 --> 00:14:35,949 that the United States has with the people of France. 324 00:14:35,950 --> 00:14:38,586 The Press: And on Cuba, there was a conference call with 325 00:14:38,586 --> 00:14:40,588 reporters earlier this morning that laid out 326 00:14:40,588 --> 00:14:43,156 the new regulations for trade and travel with Cuba. 327 00:14:45,426 --> 00:14:51,032 One thing that was fairly clear is that a whole range 328 00:14:51,032 --> 00:14:55,269 of travel has now been opened to Americans when it comes 329 00:14:55,269 --> 00:14:57,838 to Cuba, but the Treasury Department made it pretty 330 00:14:57,838 --> 00:14:58,839 clear during this 331 00:14:58,839 --> 00:15:01,042 conference call that just being a tourist 332 00:15:01,042 --> 00:15:05,012 and going to the beach is not permitted. 333 00:15:05,012 --> 00:15:08,148 How does the U.S. government plan on enforcing that? 334 00:15:08,149 --> 00:15:09,684 The beach police? 335 00:15:09,684 --> 00:15:11,685 Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't think that's 336 00:15:11,686 --> 00:15:12,787 what anybody envisions. 337 00:15:12,787 --> 00:15:16,524 Although it's probably not a bad assignment, I guess, 338 00:15:16,524 --> 00:15:20,594 if that's how you choose to dedicate your time. 339 00:15:20,594 --> 00:15:23,030 What the United States intends to do is -- 340 00:15:23,030 --> 00:15:25,632 well, let's take one step back here. 341 00:15:25,633 --> 00:15:28,903 There has been for several decades now a policy -- 342 00:15:28,903 --> 00:15:33,474 a set of policies in place that have attempted 343 00:15:33,474 --> 00:15:38,112 to isolate Cuba from the United States. 344 00:15:38,112 --> 00:15:40,348 And for decades, the explanation of those who 345 00:15:40,348 --> 00:15:42,717 supported that policy was that this would pressure 346 00:15:42,717 --> 00:15:47,254 the Castro regime to do a better job of protecting, 347 00:15:47,254 --> 00:15:50,458 even supporting basic human rights that we see 348 00:15:50,458 --> 00:15:51,992 that they readily trample. 349 00:15:51,992 --> 00:15:54,862 And for five decades, this policy was in place and it 350 00:15:54,862 --> 00:15:58,366 didn't really elicit much of a change or any sort 351 00:15:58,366 --> 00:16:01,335 of noticeable reforms from the Castro regime. 352 00:16:01,335 --> 00:16:03,704 What the President has said is that let's change 353 00:16:03,704 --> 00:16:08,108 those policies in an attempt to try something different as 354 00:16:08,109 --> 00:16:10,378 we pressure the Castro regime to do a better job 355 00:16:10,378 --> 00:16:12,913 of respecting and protecting basic human rights. 356 00:16:12,913 --> 00:16:17,852 And so today's announcement about the regulations from 357 00:16:17,852 --> 00:16:19,853 the Commerce Department and the Treasury Department that 358 00:16:19,854 --> 00:16:24,058 sort of govern interactions with Cuba are indicative 359 00:16:24,058 --> 00:16:26,060 of that policy change that the President wants to pursue; 360 00:16:26,060 --> 00:16:28,295 that essentially, normalizing relations with 361 00:16:28,295 --> 00:16:31,665 Cuba would allow for greater commerce and greater 362 00:16:31,665 --> 00:16:33,666 travel from the United States to that country. 363 00:16:33,667 --> 00:16:36,771 However, there are limits on what the President can change 364 00:16:36,771 --> 00:16:39,507 in that relationship using his executive authority. 365 00:16:39,507 --> 00:16:44,011 So we certainly would welcome congressional action that would 366 00:16:44,011 --> 00:16:46,747 make it possible for people to travel to Cuba solely 367 00:16:46,747 --> 00:16:49,916 for the purposes of spending time on the beach in Cuba -- 368 00:16:49,917 --> 00:16:50,851 The Press: You think that should just be thrown 369 00:16:50,851 --> 00:16:51,585 out as well? 370 00:16:51,585 --> 00:16:55,723 All travel restrictions, that is the White House view? 371 00:16:55,723 --> 00:16:56,790 Mr. Earnest: That's right, the administration view 372 00:16:56,791 --> 00:16:58,859 is that we should normalize our relationship with Cuba. 373 00:16:58,859 --> 00:17:03,264 The effect of that would be that by that increased contact 374 00:17:03,264 --> 00:17:05,633 with the Cuban people and with the Cuban government would 375 00:17:05,633 --> 00:17:09,036 only serve to put more pressure on the Castro regime 376 00:17:09,036 --> 00:17:11,972 to abide by, protect, and even advance 377 00:17:11,972 --> 00:17:14,442 the basic human rights that we hold dear in this country. 378 00:17:14,442 --> 00:17:17,178 The other benefit is that so often when the United States 379 00:17:17,178 --> 00:17:20,448 participates in multilateral forums with other countries 380 00:17:20,448 --> 00:17:22,450 in the Western Hemisphere, those other countries want 381 00:17:22,450 --> 00:17:24,952 to come to the United States and say, why do you have 382 00:17:24,952 --> 00:17:28,289 this policy towards Cuba that doesn't make any sense? 383 00:17:28,289 --> 00:17:30,524 Well, now that we've changed our policy toward Cuba we can 384 00:17:30,524 --> 00:17:32,493 be more effective in saying to those other countries, 385 00:17:32,493 --> 00:17:35,262 hey, let's talk about the policy of the Cuban government 386 00:17:35,262 --> 00:17:36,897 and their treatment of their own people. 387 00:17:36,897 --> 00:17:40,501 And I think in that way we can do a better job of leveraging 388 00:17:40,501 --> 00:17:45,406 international support for an effort to convince the Castro 389 00:17:45,406 --> 00:17:48,476 regime to do a better job of respecting basic human rights. 390 00:17:48,476 --> 00:17:51,278 The Press: And very quickly -- I know you announced before 391 00:17:51,278 --> 00:17:53,514 the briefing that the President is going to be doing these 392 00:17:53,514 --> 00:17:56,950 YouTube interviews or a YouTube with several different 393 00:17:56,951 --> 00:18:00,855 people after the State of the Union address. 394 00:18:00,855 --> 00:18:04,425 And just noticing that these folks who are going 395 00:18:04,425 --> 00:18:06,393 to be conducting these interviews are not professional 396 00:18:06,393 --> 00:18:10,731 journalists, they're people who post videos on YouTube. 397 00:18:10,731 --> 00:18:13,434 And I'm just curious, was "Charlie Bit My Finger" 398 00:18:13,434 --> 00:18:15,235 or "David After Dentist" not available? 399 00:18:15,236 --> 00:18:17,471 Mr. Earnest: I'm not familiar -- 400 00:18:17,471 --> 00:18:20,274 The Press: Maybe you haven't seen those videos. 401 00:18:20,274 --> 00:18:21,908 Mr. Earnest: I don't think I have. 402 00:18:21,909 --> 00:18:23,944 The Press: Does some of this suggest that maybe 403 00:18:23,944 --> 00:18:25,678 the State of the Union is not what it used 404 00:18:25,679 --> 00:18:28,315 to be and that you sort of have to jazz things up? 405 00:18:28,315 --> 00:18:29,116 Is that -- 406 00:18:29,116 --> 00:18:30,417 Mr. Earnest: I do know that there is at least 407 00:18:30,417 --> 00:18:33,353 one CNN journalist who wrote an online story 408 00:18:33,354 --> 00:18:37,525 about this that had a headline to that effect. 409 00:18:37,525 --> 00:18:39,960 I think what you can take away from this, Jim, 410 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:44,765 is that it's a variation on an engagement strategy 411 00:18:44,765 --> 00:18:46,500 that we've used in previous years. 412 00:18:46,500 --> 00:18:48,369 You'll recall that in the aftermath 413 00:18:48,369 --> 00:18:50,437 of the State of the Union, the President has participated 414 00:18:50,437 --> 00:18:55,842 in Google+ Hangout with people from across the country. 415 00:18:55,843 --> 00:18:57,845 You know that the President has done 416 00:18:57,845 --> 00:18:59,713 YouTube interviews in the past. 417 00:18:59,713 --> 00:19:01,715 And this is just a variation on that theme. 418 00:19:01,715 --> 00:19:04,251 This is a way for the President to spend a little time 419 00:19:04,251 --> 00:19:06,253 talking about some of these issues that he'll discuss 420 00:19:06,253 --> 00:19:08,222 in the State of the Union with individuals that have 421 00:19:08,222 --> 00:19:10,357 a large presence on YouTube. 422 00:19:10,357 --> 00:19:13,594 And it certainly doesn't take the place of the kinds of -- 423 00:19:13,594 --> 00:19:15,596 it doesn't take the place of the news conference 424 00:19:15,596 --> 00:19:17,598 the President will be convening with all of you tomorrow. 425 00:19:17,598 --> 00:19:20,234 It doesn't take the place of the public events the President 426 00:19:20,234 --> 00:19:22,235 will do after the State of the Union when he travels 427 00:19:22,236 --> 00:19:24,471 across the country to talk about some of the things 428 00:19:24,471 --> 00:19:27,708 that he'll discuss in the State of the Union address. 429 00:19:27,708 --> 00:19:31,312 So this is part of an integrated 430 00:19:31,312 --> 00:19:33,379 communication strategy to make sure that the American people 431 00:19:33,380 --> 00:19:35,883 understand exactly what the President is fighting 432 00:19:35,883 --> 00:19:37,017 for in Washington, D.C. 433 00:19:37,017 --> 00:19:39,453 Justin. 434 00:19:39,453 --> 00:19:41,055 The Press: I'm glad that you mentioned kind of those 435 00:19:41,055 --> 00:19:43,857 collaborations with Google because I have a question 436 00:19:43,857 --> 00:19:45,526 about David Cameron's trip here, actually. 437 00:19:45,526 --> 00:19:49,063 Before he left London he said that he has was going 438 00:19:49,063 --> 00:19:52,199 to press the President to talk to U.S. tech companies 439 00:19:52,199 --> 00:19:54,335 like Google, Apple and Facebook about 440 00:19:54,335 --> 00:19:57,605 encrypting messages and data that is shared between their 441 00:19:57,605 --> 00:20:02,076 users -- steps companies have taken after revelations about 442 00:20:02,076 --> 00:20:06,480 the NSA to kind of keep private communications from 443 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:09,249 being able to be subpoenaed or captured by the government. 444 00:20:09,249 --> 00:20:11,218 So I'm wondering what the President's reaction 445 00:20:11,218 --> 00:20:14,121 to David Cameron is going to be when he presses those 446 00:20:14,121 --> 00:20:16,423 issues and whether he plans to talk to tech companies 447 00:20:16,423 --> 00:20:18,959 about this issue. 448 00:20:18,959 --> 00:20:19,760 Mr. Earnest: Well, Justin, I can tell you that 449 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:21,495 we certainly anticipate that the two leaders will 450 00:20:21,495 --> 00:20:25,498 be discussing cybersecurity during the visit. 451 00:20:25,499 --> 00:20:28,836 The United States works very closely with the British 452 00:20:28,836 --> 00:20:32,339 on a whole range of counterterrorism measures, 453 00:20:32,339 --> 00:20:37,477 including cyber threat and cybersecurity policies. 454 00:20:37,478 --> 00:20:40,814 We work closely with them to share information 455 00:20:40,814 --> 00:20:44,885 and to monitor the efforts of others from around the world 456 00:20:44,885 --> 00:20:48,656 to use the Internet to carry out acts of terror or to launch 457 00:20:48,656 --> 00:20:51,058 cyber attacks against public or private entities 458 00:20:51,058 --> 00:20:54,161 in this country or in the United Kingdom. 459 00:20:54,161 --> 00:20:56,497 There is a strong partnership that we have with them 460 00:20:56,497 --> 00:21:00,034 as we confront these very complicated issues. 461 00:21:00,034 --> 00:21:04,605 And the American people and the British people benefit greatly, 462 00:21:04,605 --> 00:21:06,740 and certainly there are -- cybersecurity benefits 463 00:21:06,740 --> 00:21:09,243 greatly from the kind of coordination and cooperation 464 00:21:09,243 --> 00:21:13,414 that we have with the British on this issue. 465 00:21:13,414 --> 00:21:20,454 As a value statement, I think that our British counterparts 466 00:21:20,454 --> 00:21:24,825 would agree that it is imperative that 467 00:21:24,825 --> 00:21:30,164 we properly balance the need for government 468 00:21:30,164 --> 00:21:33,200 intelligence agencies and national security agencies 469 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:37,237 to have access to certain kinds of information 470 00:21:37,237 --> 00:21:39,440 to try to protect their citizens. 471 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:42,209 At the same time, it is critically important for 472 00:21:42,209 --> 00:21:48,615 the government to protect the privacy of their citizens. 473 00:21:48,615 --> 00:21:53,754 And trying to balance those two competing priorities 474 00:21:53,754 --> 00:21:56,255 is difficult, particularly in an age 475 00:21:56,256 --> 00:22:02,062 of innovative technology where the lines are shifting. 476 00:22:02,062 --> 00:22:04,298 And what that means is it means that policies 477 00:22:04,298 --> 00:22:07,401 have to constantly be reevaluated. 478 00:22:07,401 --> 00:22:09,670 It means that we have to have a functioning relationship with 479 00:22:09,670 --> 00:22:13,540 technology companies, to have a conversation with them. 480 00:22:13,540 --> 00:22:15,542 I think the technology companies would 481 00:22:15,542 --> 00:22:18,245 be the first to tell you that their highest priority 482 00:22:18,245 --> 00:22:20,514 is protecting their -- 483 00:22:20,514 --> 00:22:22,783 the safety of their users and of their customers. 484 00:22:22,783 --> 00:22:26,186 But at the same time, certainly none of these technology 485 00:22:26,186 --> 00:22:28,187 companies want to be in a position where they're aiding 486 00:22:28,188 --> 00:22:31,058 and abetting people who want to use this technology 487 00:22:31,058 --> 00:22:35,496 to carry out an act of violence or to carry out 488 00:22:35,496 --> 00:22:37,464 an act of terrorism. 489 00:22:37,464 --> 00:22:40,768 So everybody understands that there 490 00:22:40,768 --> 00:22:45,873 are multiple values here that need to be balanced. 491 00:22:45,873 --> 00:22:49,409 And this is going to be part of the kind 492 00:22:49,409 --> 00:22:52,880 of conversation and collaboration both with 493 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:54,882 the British and with the technology industry that 494 00:22:54,882 --> 00:22:57,384 will be necessary to strike the right balance. 495 00:22:57,384 --> 00:22:59,386 And I'm confident that this is the kind of thing that's 496 00:22:59,386 --> 00:23:01,388 going to receive a lot of attention and discussion 497 00:23:01,388 --> 00:23:03,689 during the cybersecurity summit that the President 498 00:23:03,690 --> 00:23:05,926 has announced he'll convene next month in California. 499 00:23:05,926 --> 00:23:07,928 The Press: Where do you guys come down on that 500 00:23:07,928 --> 00:23:08,929 balance right now? 501 00:23:08,929 --> 00:23:11,565 If I'm Google and I come to you guys and say, 502 00:23:11,565 --> 00:23:14,601 I want to create an encrypt that -- a way for people to send 503 00:23:14,601 --> 00:23:17,971 emails that the government wouldn't be able to subpoena -- 504 00:23:17,971 --> 00:23:19,273 is that something that you guys would oppose 505 00:23:19,273 --> 00:23:21,908 or urge them not to do at this point? 506 00:23:21,909 --> 00:23:24,511 I mean, this is obviously kind of a relevant 507 00:23:24,511 --> 00:23:26,079 question because these technologies are being 508 00:23:26,079 --> 00:23:27,380 developed as we speak. 509 00:23:27,381 --> 00:23:29,716 Mr. Earnest: Well, these technologies are being 510 00:23:29,716 --> 00:23:33,986 developed as we speak, and certainly the United States, 511 00:23:33,987 --> 00:23:36,590 even setting aside our close partnership 512 00:23:36,590 --> 00:23:38,891 and cooperation with the Brits on this issue, 513 00:23:38,892 --> 00:23:40,894 we have our own vested interest here 514 00:23:40,894 --> 00:23:42,896 in striking the right balance between the two things 515 00:23:42,896 --> 00:23:44,898 I described earlier, with protecting our 516 00:23:44,898 --> 00:23:46,899 national security but also protecting the privacy 517 00:23:46,900 --> 00:23:47,901 of our citizens. 518 00:23:47,901 --> 00:23:50,737 And this is complicated work, but it's something that 519 00:23:50,737 --> 00:23:52,773 this government and this President are focused on. 520 00:23:52,773 --> 00:23:56,909 And there's obviously keen interest in the technology 521 00:23:56,910 --> 00:23:59,146 companies and others in this issue, 522 00:23:59,146 --> 00:24:01,148 and this is something that we're going to have 523 00:24:01,148 --> 00:24:02,149 to work through. 524 00:24:02,149 --> 00:24:04,918 And we can have a remarkably successful cybersecurity summit 525 00:24:04,918 --> 00:24:07,187 in which we reach some important agreements with 526 00:24:07,187 --> 00:24:09,255 technology companies, but you could imagine a breakthrough 527 00:24:09,256 --> 00:24:11,258 a week later that would cause us to have 528 00:24:11,258 --> 00:24:12,259 to reevaluate all of that. 529 00:24:12,259 --> 00:24:15,362 So this is an evolving challenge but one that we're 530 00:24:15,362 --> 00:24:18,532 committed to, because the right to privacy and the need 531 00:24:18,532 --> 00:24:22,101 to protect our national security are so important. 532 00:24:22,102 --> 00:24:23,770 The Press: Sorry, I'm going to just try one more time. 533 00:24:23,770 --> 00:24:26,139 Are you saying that you guys won't announce a policy 534 00:24:26,139 --> 00:24:29,342 until after the cybersecurity summit at Stanford? 535 00:24:29,343 --> 00:24:31,612 Or were you hinting and suggesting that there was 536 00:24:31,612 --> 00:24:33,947 some distance between you and the British that you 537 00:24:33,947 --> 00:24:34,982 don't agree with? 538 00:24:34,982 --> 00:24:36,316 Mr. Earnest: What I'm suggesting is that this 539 00:24:36,316 --> 00:24:39,119 is the kind of policy question that's critically important 540 00:24:39,119 --> 00:24:43,156 but also rapidly evolving, and it means that there 541 00:24:43,156 --> 00:24:45,591 are going to be lots of conversations about this 542 00:24:45,592 --> 00:24:48,662 between the United States and our allies and partners 543 00:24:48,662 --> 00:24:49,663 around the globe. 544 00:24:49,663 --> 00:24:51,665 There are also going to be a lot of conversations 545 00:24:51,665 --> 00:24:53,634 between senior administration officials 546 00:24:53,634 --> 00:24:55,636 and technology companies here in the United States 547 00:24:55,636 --> 00:24:57,638 as we try to strike this right balance. 548 00:24:57,638 --> 00:25:01,140 So I'm not trying to foreshadow any upcoming announcements, 549 00:25:01,141 --> 00:25:04,177 either in the context of the Prime Minister's visit 550 00:25:04,177 --> 00:25:06,812 or even in the context of the cybersecurity summit, 551 00:25:06,813 --> 00:25:07,915 for that matter. 552 00:25:07,915 --> 00:25:11,551 But I do remain optimistic that conversations with 553 00:25:11,551 --> 00:25:14,420 the British Prime Minister and in the cybersecurity summit 554 00:25:14,421 --> 00:25:18,191 a month later will allow us to make some progress in trying 555 00:25:18,191 --> 00:25:20,527 to suss out policies that will appropriately 556 00:25:20,527 --> 00:25:22,562 strike a balance between those two values. 557 00:25:22,562 --> 00:25:23,863 The Press: And just one last one to follow 558 00:25:23,864 --> 00:25:26,466 up on something Josh asked you about -- the budget. 559 00:25:26,466 --> 00:25:28,235 I know, obviously, you guys aren't 560 00:25:28,235 --> 00:25:30,937 going to release sort of the details. 561 00:25:30,938 --> 00:25:32,572 But there have been suggestions that the President 562 00:25:32,572 --> 00:25:35,542 plans to propose a budget that includes more spending 563 00:25:35,542 --> 00:25:38,011 and kind of a return to what -- return 564 00:25:38,011 --> 00:25:42,983 to and building on levels of pre-sequestration. 565 00:25:42,983 --> 00:25:48,322 Should we expect that the President kind of adds -- we're 566 00:25:48,322 --> 00:25:50,389 going to see more aggressive spending in this budget? 567 00:25:50,390 --> 00:25:52,626 And do you guys also feel like, because the economy is getting 568 00:25:52,626 --> 00:25:55,629 better, gas prices are low, there's kind of wind at your 569 00:25:55,629 --> 00:25:59,065 sails, that this is a time that you can double down on things 570 00:25:59,066 --> 00:26:01,902 like infrastructure and things that you talked about before? 571 00:26:01,902 --> 00:26:04,938 Mr. Earnest: Well, the one thing that's important for everybody 572 00:26:04,938 --> 00:26:07,541 to remember is the President has spent a lot of time over 573 00:26:07,541 --> 00:26:10,577 the last five or six years making progress in reducing 574 00:26:10,577 --> 00:26:12,846 our deficit, and we've reduced the deficit by more than 575 00:26:12,846 --> 00:26:15,415 two-thirds since the President first took office. 576 00:26:15,415 --> 00:26:18,485 And we did that through a combination of cutting spending 577 00:26:18,485 --> 00:26:21,053 -- in sometimes very painful, unwise ways; 578 00:26:21,054 --> 00:26:26,626 we did that by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans; 579 00:26:26,626 --> 00:26:29,963 and we also did that by winding down the military presence -- 580 00:26:29,963 --> 00:26:33,033 the American military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. 581 00:26:33,033 --> 00:26:36,102 Those were substantially costly military affairs, 582 00:26:36,103 --> 00:26:39,006 and while there is still some business to be handled in those 583 00:26:39,006 --> 00:26:41,641 two countries, the military footprint and the costs 584 00:26:41,641 --> 00:26:43,643 associated with them have been dramatically 585 00:26:43,643 --> 00:26:45,645 reduced under this President's leadership. 586 00:26:45,645 --> 00:26:47,647 So we've made tremendous progress 587 00:26:47,647 --> 00:26:48,648 in reducing the deficit. 588 00:26:48,648 --> 00:26:50,649 And I think the President has been pretty clear 589 00:26:50,650 --> 00:26:52,919 about the fact, over the last two weeks, 590 00:26:52,919 --> 00:26:54,921 that now is exactly the right time for 591 00:26:54,921 --> 00:26:57,157 us to start making some policy decisions that will 592 00:26:57,157 --> 00:26:59,693 invest in middle-class families to make sure that the middle 593 00:26:59,693 --> 00:27:04,064 class is actually benefitting from the tremendous economic 594 00:27:04,064 --> 00:27:06,066 strength that our economy is showing right now; 595 00:27:06,066 --> 00:27:08,301 that whether it's job creation or an improving 596 00:27:08,301 --> 00:27:11,571 housing market, or just raw economic growth, 597 00:27:11,571 --> 00:27:13,907 the American economy is the envy of the world. 598 00:27:13,907 --> 00:27:17,144 And we want to make sure that we are going to put in place 599 00:27:17,144 --> 00:27:20,514 policies that both will build on that momentum, 600 00:27:20,514 --> 00:27:23,283 but also make sure that those benefits are shared with 601 00:27:23,283 --> 00:27:24,517 middle-class families. 602 00:27:24,518 --> 00:27:25,919 Major. 603 00:27:25,919 --> 00:27:28,055 The Press: Josh, I want to try one more time Justin's 604 00:27:28,055 --> 00:27:29,122 laudable effort here. 605 00:27:29,122 --> 00:27:31,391 You talk about all the equities, the values -- 606 00:27:31,391 --> 00:27:32,559 I understand all that. 607 00:27:32,559 --> 00:27:33,760 I beg you not to repeat them. 608 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:35,729 (laughter) 609 00:27:35,729 --> 00:27:37,631 But they have -- those conversations have 610 00:27:37,631 --> 00:27:40,167 to start from an essential point. 611 00:27:40,167 --> 00:27:42,369 And what Justin is getting at and what I'd like to ask you 612 00:27:42,369 --> 00:27:47,774 is, does this administration believe it is a good idea, 613 00:27:47,774 --> 00:27:49,775 within the values and equities you described, 614 00:27:49,776 --> 00:27:54,314 to have a back door to encryption to benefit 615 00:27:54,314 --> 00:27:57,417 governments in pursuit of terrorist suspects 616 00:27:57,417 --> 00:27:59,785 or terrorist plots, yes or no? 617 00:27:59,786 --> 00:28:01,788 Mr. Earnest: I'm not in a position at this point, 618 00:28:01,788 --> 00:28:04,624 Major, to go beyond sort of the essential values that 619 00:28:04,624 --> 00:28:06,626 I laid out earlier, because I think those two -- 620 00:28:06,626 --> 00:28:08,628 acknowledging those two values is the starting point 621 00:28:08,628 --> 00:28:11,164 for any conversation that anybody in the administration, 622 00:28:11,164 --> 00:28:13,166 including the President, has on this issue. 623 00:28:13,166 --> 00:28:13,767 Now, there are -- 624 00:28:13,767 --> 00:28:14,968 The Press: But everyone has those values. 625 00:28:14,968 --> 00:28:16,169 I mean, they're not -- 626 00:28:16,169 --> 00:28:16,937 Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't know if that's 627 00:28:16,937 --> 00:28:17,504 necessarily true. 628 00:28:17,504 --> 00:28:18,437 The Press: I mean, they view them differently, 629 00:28:18,438 --> 00:28:20,173 they weigh them differently. 630 00:28:20,173 --> 00:28:21,341 Mr. Earnest: President Putin, for example. 631 00:28:21,341 --> 00:28:22,908 The Press: Well, no, no, I mean -- but he's not 632 00:28:22,909 --> 00:28:24,211 going to be a part of those conversations. 633 00:28:24,211 --> 00:28:25,512 I mean, among those people who are -- 634 00:28:25,512 --> 00:28:26,613 Mr. Earnest: Probably not because he doesn't 635 00:28:26,613 --> 00:28:27,180 share those values. 636 00:28:27,180 --> 00:28:29,082 The Press: Right, so you understand what I'm saying. 637 00:28:29,082 --> 00:28:29,583 Mr. Earnest: I do. 638 00:28:29,583 --> 00:28:31,017 The Press: Everybody who will be around this 639 00:28:31,017 --> 00:28:34,321 table or on the phone calls or whatever weighs 640 00:28:34,321 --> 00:28:38,190 those differently but understands them in the -- 641 00:28:38,191 --> 00:28:40,560 that's not a long conversation you 642 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:41,094 have to have. 643 00:28:41,094 --> 00:28:43,563 And I'm just curious, because Cameron has come down 644 00:28:43,563 --> 00:28:46,600 and said this is something that needs to happen not 645 00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:48,735 only in a general but in a very specific way. 646 00:28:48,735 --> 00:28:51,571 The British government would like access, 647 00:28:51,571 --> 00:28:56,042 if it believes it's necessary, here to encrypt -- 648 00:28:56,042 --> 00:28:59,146 a back door, some sort of mechanism. 649 00:28:59,146 --> 00:29:01,148 Can you say anything about whether you think 650 00:29:01,148 --> 00:29:05,185 that's a good idea or a worthy policy pursuit? 651 00:29:05,185 --> 00:29:05,851 Because the encryption was a reaction to what you also 652 00:29:05,852 --> 00:29:13,426 thought -- before it was released publicly -- a worthy 653 00:29:13,426 --> 00:29:16,763 public policy position in terms of acquiring data. 654 00:29:16,763 --> 00:29:19,933 Mr. Earnest: Well, Major, it is my expectation that 655 00:29:19,933 --> 00:29:21,935 Prime Minister Cameron will raise this with the President. 656 00:29:21,935 --> 00:29:23,904 He has said that he plans to do so. 657 00:29:23,904 --> 00:29:25,906 And I don't want to be in a position of getting 658 00:29:25,906 --> 00:29:27,908 ahead of any of those conversations. 659 00:29:27,908 --> 00:29:29,909 So if we have more to say on this, 660 00:29:29,910 --> 00:29:31,244 it will be after the President has had an opportunity 661 00:29:31,244 --> 00:29:34,648 to talk to the Prime Minister about his comments. 662 00:29:34,648 --> 00:29:37,851 The Press: Now, today's conversation with Senate 663 00:29:37,851 --> 00:29:40,887 Democrats -- Mark Knoller, my colleague, 664 00:29:40,887 --> 00:29:43,322 has gone back and looked at the record and I don't 665 00:29:43,323 --> 00:29:44,457 think you'll dispute it, because none 666 00:29:44,457 --> 00:29:46,426 of us do when it comes to Mark's numbers -- 667 00:29:46,426 --> 00:29:48,762 seven times the President has talked to either 668 00:29:48,762 --> 00:29:52,165 House Democrats or Senate Democrats in a similar context. 669 00:29:52,165 --> 00:29:54,267 Six times House Democrats, one Senate Democrats. 670 00:29:54,267 --> 00:29:57,270 All those had some component of open press, 671 00:29:57,270 --> 00:29:59,239 meaning the President's remarks and some 672 00:29:59,239 --> 00:30:01,741 of the Q&A were open for us to take a look at. 673 00:30:01,741 --> 00:30:02,809 Today, it's all closed. 674 00:30:02,809 --> 00:30:05,412 Can you explain to us why that decision was made 675 00:30:05,412 --> 00:30:08,381 and how it advances this conversation 676 00:30:08,381 --> 00:30:10,650 or our understanding of the relationship the President 677 00:30:10,650 --> 00:30:12,652 has with Democrats in a completely 678 00:30:12,652 --> 00:30:13,653 redrawn Congress now? 679 00:30:13,653 --> 00:30:15,655 Mr. Earnest: I certainly never want 680 00:30:15,655 --> 00:30:17,657 to be in a position of quibbling with 681 00:30:17,657 --> 00:30:18,658 Mr. Knoller's numbers. 682 00:30:18,658 --> 00:30:22,395 I do, however, recall attending the in-town retreat 683 00:30:22,395 --> 00:30:25,264 that Senate Democrats convened last year 684 00:30:25,265 --> 00:30:27,300 at Nationals Park. 685 00:30:27,300 --> 00:30:29,302 That was a private meeting that the President had 686 00:30:29,302 --> 00:30:30,303 with Senate Democrats. 687 00:30:30,303 --> 00:30:31,905 So there have been occasions -- 688 00:30:31,905 --> 00:30:33,440 The Press: There's a precedent -- six times 689 00:30:33,440 --> 00:30:35,208 with House Democrats, once with Senate Democrats -- 690 00:30:35,208 --> 00:30:37,277 that it was at least partially or fully open. 691 00:30:37,277 --> 00:30:37,611 Mr. Earnest: That's true. 692 00:30:37,611 --> 00:30:40,213 The Press: And I just want you to explain why this one isn't. 693 00:30:40,213 --> 00:30:44,618 Mr. Earnest: It's true that we have done it both ways. 694 00:30:44,618 --> 00:30:48,088 And obviously, because it is the Senate Democrats retreat, 695 00:30:48,088 --> 00:30:50,724 they obviously have some input on this as well. 696 00:30:50,724 --> 00:30:53,525 But this is an opportunity for the President to have 697 00:30:53,526 --> 00:30:56,796 a conversation with Senate Democrats in the context 698 00:30:56,796 --> 00:30:59,833 of their retreat that, yes, is behind closed doors, 699 00:30:59,833 --> 00:31:03,770 to talk about some of their strategy for moving forward. 700 00:31:03,770 --> 00:31:06,740 And some of that is because the President wants to spend 701 00:31:06,740 --> 00:31:08,875 some time talking about the State of the Union address, 702 00:31:08,875 --> 00:31:10,844 some aspects of which he may not have 703 00:31:10,844 --> 00:31:12,846 discussed publicly yet. 704 00:31:15,248 --> 00:31:17,317 But that, frankly, is the reason -- the President 705 00:31:17,317 --> 00:31:19,319 does want to have an opportunity to visit 706 00:31:19,319 --> 00:31:21,321 with them a little bit behind closed doors. 707 00:31:21,321 --> 00:31:23,322 If there's additional information about that 708 00:31:23,323 --> 00:31:24,624 meeting that we can provide after it's concluded, 709 00:31:24,624 --> 00:31:25,859 we can certainly try to do that. 710 00:31:25,859 --> 00:31:26,559 The Press: One last question. 711 00:31:26,559 --> 00:31:28,428 You think it's in any way possible, Josh, 712 00:31:28,428 --> 00:31:31,931 you or this administration is underestimating 713 00:31:31,931 --> 00:31:35,268 the level of interest and concerns the Canadians 714 00:31:35,268 --> 00:31:38,171 have at a government level about Keystone, that -- 715 00:31:38,171 --> 00:31:40,106 you just said you have no concerns at all 716 00:31:40,106 --> 00:31:42,108 about the deliberative process 717 00:31:42,108 --> 00:31:44,444 of the final answer is going to in any way reshape 718 00:31:44,444 --> 00:31:46,012 U.S.-Canadian relations. 719 00:31:46,012 --> 00:31:48,548 It is possible you're underestimating their level 720 00:31:48,548 --> 00:31:49,482 of concern about this? 721 00:31:49,482 --> 00:31:51,584 Because as I understand it, in almost every meeting 722 00:31:51,584 --> 00:31:53,586 the Canadians have with officials not 723 00:31:53,586 --> 00:31:55,822 related to Keystone, it comes up. 724 00:31:55,822 --> 00:31:57,056 They are concerned about it. 725 00:31:57,057 --> 00:31:59,793 This has taken on great symbolic importance not only 726 00:31:59,793 --> 00:32:02,495 as a matter of economics but in a larger context. 727 00:32:02,495 --> 00:32:05,130 You don't have any concern you're underestimating how 728 00:32:05,131 --> 00:32:07,133 much they're invested in this particular decision? 729 00:32:07,133 --> 00:32:09,402 Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm certainly not an expert 730 00:32:09,402 --> 00:32:12,172 on U.S.-Canadian relations. 731 00:32:12,172 --> 00:32:15,642 I would allow the Canadian government and other senior 732 00:32:15,642 --> 00:32:19,012 Canadian officials to articulate how high of a priority this 733 00:32:19,012 --> 00:32:21,781 infrastructure project is for them and for their country. 734 00:32:21,781 --> 00:32:27,220 I think what I'm trying to underscore here is something 735 00:32:27,220 --> 00:32:29,622 that every senior Canadian official agrees with, 736 00:32:29,622 --> 00:32:32,959 which is that there is a profoundly important national 737 00:32:32,959 --> 00:32:36,730 security relationship between the United States and Canada, 738 00:32:36,730 --> 00:32:39,966 and both Canadian citizens and American citizens 739 00:32:39,966 --> 00:32:42,267 benefit from that strong relationship. 740 00:32:42,268 --> 00:32:44,871 And there is no interest by anybody in Canada 741 00:32:44,871 --> 00:32:48,675 or anybody in the U.S. government to allow what 742 00:32:48,675 --> 00:32:50,744 may or may not be a disagreement over 743 00:32:50,744 --> 00:32:53,346 an infrastructure project to in any way impact 744 00:32:53,346 --> 00:32:55,582 that relationship in a way that's going to hurt 745 00:32:55,582 --> 00:32:56,916 the national security of the United States 746 00:32:56,916 --> 00:32:58,518 or hurt the national security of Canada. 747 00:32:58,518 --> 00:33:01,020 The same can be true of our broader economic ties. 748 00:33:01,020 --> 00:33:05,024 There are millions if not billions of dollars' worth 749 00:33:05,024 --> 00:33:08,128 of business that are done every month between 750 00:33:08,128 --> 00:33:10,196 Canadian businesses and American businesses. 751 00:33:10,196 --> 00:33:13,233 And a disagreement that may or may not exist 752 00:33:13,233 --> 00:33:15,835 over the Keystone pipeline project is not going 753 00:33:15,835 --> 00:33:18,304 to interfere with an economic relationship 754 00:33:18,304 --> 00:33:20,140 that is critically important to middle-class 755 00:33:20,140 --> 00:33:22,142 families in the United States and critically 756 00:33:22,142 --> 00:33:24,811 important to middle-class families in Canada. 757 00:33:24,811 --> 00:33:27,880 So I'm not downplaying how high Canadian officials 758 00:33:27,881 --> 00:33:30,884 may prioritize the Keystone pipeline project. 759 00:33:30,884 --> 00:33:35,088 What I'm merely suggesting is that there are 760 00:33:35,088 --> 00:33:38,892 a lot of other critically important priorities 761 00:33:38,892 --> 00:33:40,460 in that relationship. 762 00:33:40,460 --> 00:33:41,461 Jon. 763 00:33:41,461 --> 00:33:43,463 The Press: Josh, was the President informed 764 00:33:43,463 --> 00:33:45,999 of the Secret Service's decision to remove those 765 00:33:45,999 --> 00:33:48,668 four assistant directors before it was announced, 766 00:33:48,668 --> 00:33:51,036 or was anybody else in the West Wing briefed on it? 767 00:33:51,037 --> 00:33:54,007 Mr. Earnest: This was a decision that was made by the acting 768 00:33:54,007 --> 00:33:56,376 director of the Secret Service, Joe Clancy. 769 00:33:56,376 --> 00:33:58,411 The White House was not informed in advance. 770 00:33:58,411 --> 00:34:01,681 The White House was certainly well aware of the efforts that 771 00:34:01,681 --> 00:34:04,784 the director was undertaking to implement some 772 00:34:04,784 --> 00:34:08,021 management leadership reforms at the agency. 773 00:34:08,021 --> 00:34:10,757 The reforms that he announced are consistent with 774 00:34:10,757 --> 00:34:13,793 the findings of the independent blue-ribbon panel that took 775 00:34:13,793 --> 00:34:18,097 a look at the DHS review of the Secret Service. 776 00:34:18,097 --> 00:34:20,300 So the White House, the West Wing, 777 00:34:20,300 --> 00:34:23,169 and even the President is certainly very supportive 778 00:34:23,168 --> 00:34:27,639 of Mr. Clancy's efforts to reform the agency consistent 779 00:34:29,976 --> 00:34:33,213 with the goal of trying to strengthen the ability 780 00:34:33,213 --> 00:34:35,949 of that agency to perform the very important 781 00:34:35,949 --> 00:34:37,717 work that they do on a daily basis. 782 00:34:37,717 --> 00:34:39,485 The Press: So the President -- just to be specific 783 00:34:39,485 --> 00:34:41,353 about this -- the President welcomes the decision 784 00:34:41,353 --> 00:34:43,956 to remove these four from their positions of authority? 785 00:34:43,956 --> 00:34:46,493 Mr. Earnest: The President is supportive of these reforms. 786 00:34:46,493 --> 00:34:49,462 The reason I'm saying it that way is I wouldn't rule out 787 00:34:49,462 --> 00:34:51,097 that there may be additional steps that 788 00:34:51,097 --> 00:34:54,901 Director Clancy may take to reform the agency. 789 00:34:54,900 --> 00:34:56,835 And the President is going to continue to be supportive 790 00:34:56,835 --> 00:34:58,104 of those efforts. 791 00:34:58,104 --> 00:34:58,337 The Press: Okay. 792 00:34:58,338 --> 00:34:59,873 And then I have a couple questions on Iran. 793 00:34:59,873 --> 00:35:04,677 Of course, negotiations are starting up again for the 794 00:35:04,677 --> 00:35:10,083 nuclear deal, and the Iranians have indicted Washington Post 795 00:35:10,083 --> 00:35:14,220 Tehran Bureau Chief, Jason Rezaian, and he is being sent, 796 00:35:14,220 --> 00:35:18,390 I believe today, to the revolutionary court. 797 00:35:18,391 --> 00:35:21,394 No public notice of even what he's being charged with. 798 00:35:21,394 --> 00:35:24,663 Is it conceivable that the United States would strike 799 00:35:24,664 --> 00:35:28,835 a nuclear deal with Iran while Mr. Rezaian 800 00:35:28,835 --> 00:35:34,541 is still imprisoned without public charge? 801 00:35:34,541 --> 00:35:36,142 Is it conceivable that could happen? 802 00:35:36,142 --> 00:35:37,243 Mr. Earnest: I've got to -- let me do a couple 803 00:35:37,243 --> 00:35:39,011 of things on this. 804 00:35:39,012 --> 00:35:43,383 The White House is certainly aware of Iranian press reports 805 00:35:43,383 --> 00:35:47,854 stating that the U.S. citizen Jason Rezaian 806 00:35:47,854 --> 00:35:48,654 is -- that Jason Rezaian's case has been referred 807 00:35:48,655 --> 00:35:50,924 to a court. 808 00:35:50,924 --> 00:35:53,560 We continue to monitor the situation closely, 809 00:35:53,560 --> 00:35:56,062 and are seeking further information. 810 00:35:56,062 --> 00:35:59,432 We will, as we always do, continue to call for his 811 00:35:59,432 --> 00:36:01,935 immediate release as well as the immediate release 812 00:36:01,935 --> 00:36:06,439 of detained U.S. citizens Saeed Abedini and Amir Hekmati, 813 00:36:06,439 --> 00:36:09,875 and for the Iranian government to assist us in locating Robert 814 00:36:09,876 --> 00:36:13,546 Levinson so that all of them -- all of them are Americans -- 815 00:36:13,546 --> 00:36:17,350 can be returned to their families as soon as possible. 816 00:36:17,350 --> 00:36:21,955 Secretary Kerry, as you know, was in Geneva yesterday 817 00:36:21,955 --> 00:36:24,290 for conversations with his Iranian counterpart 818 00:36:24,290 --> 00:36:29,228 about Iran's nuclear program. 819 00:36:29,228 --> 00:36:31,230 And on the sidelines of those discussions, 820 00:36:31,230 --> 00:36:34,367 Secretary Kerry raised Mr. Rezaian's case. 821 00:36:34,367 --> 00:36:36,903 And he discussed -- Mr. Kerry, Secretary Kerry 822 00:36:36,903 --> 00:36:38,904 discussed with his counterpart the reports 823 00:36:38,905 --> 00:36:41,908 stating that his case had been referred to a court. 824 00:36:41,908 --> 00:36:45,345 I think that is an indication of how seriously 825 00:36:45,345 --> 00:36:48,247 the United States takes this case, and the fact that 826 00:36:48,247 --> 00:36:52,218 Secretary Kerry reiterated for his counterpart our 827 00:36:52,218 --> 00:36:54,220 call for Jason's immediate release as well 828 00:36:54,220 --> 00:36:57,991 as the release of Mr. Hekmati and Mr. Abedini, 829 00:37:00,727 --> 00:37:05,632 and the information necessary to locate Mr. Levinson -- 830 00:37:05,632 --> 00:37:07,634 I think that is an indication of how seriously 831 00:37:07,634 --> 00:37:09,636 the United States takes this matter. 832 00:37:09,636 --> 00:37:14,007 At the same time, we've also been explicit about the fact 833 00:37:14,007 --> 00:37:17,977 that these conversations, while important, 834 00:37:17,977 --> 00:37:21,013 are separate from the also important conversations that 835 00:37:21,014 --> 00:37:23,983 are underway between the Iranians, the United States, 836 00:37:23,983 --> 00:37:26,953 and our coalition partners as it relates to resolving 837 00:37:26,953 --> 00:37:28,955 the international community's concerns about 838 00:37:28,955 --> 00:37:29,922 Iran's nuclear program. 839 00:37:29,922 --> 00:37:31,924 The Press: So your answer to my question is, yes, 840 00:37:31,924 --> 00:37:35,328 the United States would strike the ideal with Iran on the 841 00:37:35,328 --> 00:37:38,665 nuclear issue even if these Americans are still being 842 00:37:38,665 --> 00:37:41,901 held by Iran? 843 00:37:41,901 --> 00:37:44,837 Mr. Earnest: We have been very clear that these two 844 00:37:44,837 --> 00:37:48,174 priorities have been raised on two separate tracks, 845 00:37:48,174 --> 00:37:50,543 but they are priorities nonetheless. 846 00:37:50,543 --> 00:37:52,812 And I think what's important is -- and the way that this 847 00:37:52,812 --> 00:37:56,415 question is typically asked of me is if we would consider 848 00:38:01,421 --> 00:38:04,223 allowing Iran to take some steps on their -- related to their 849 00:38:04,223 --> 00:38:07,326 nuclear program in exchange for them taking some steps related 850 00:38:07,326 --> 00:38:10,163 to these American citizens that we're very concerned about. 851 00:38:10,163 --> 00:38:12,165 The fact is, we believe these American citizens 852 00:38:12,165 --> 00:38:13,533 should be released. 853 00:38:13,533 --> 00:38:15,902 And we also believe that Iran should take the steps that are 854 00:38:15,902 --> 00:38:18,438 necessary to resolve the international community's 855 00:38:18,438 --> 00:38:21,274 concerns about their nuclear program. 856 00:38:21,274 --> 00:38:23,442 These are both priorities, but these are both priorities that 857 00:38:23,443 --> 00:38:26,612 are raised with the Iranians on separate tracks. 858 00:38:26,612 --> 00:38:26,879 The Press: Okay. 859 00:38:26,879 --> 00:38:29,082 So I just -- I think you've answered my question, 860 00:38:29,082 --> 00:38:30,316 but let me try to be clearer. 861 00:38:30,316 --> 00:38:34,587 Because in Cuba, you clearly had a case where unless Cuba 862 00:38:34,587 --> 00:38:36,255 released Mr. Gross, there was not going 863 00:38:36,255 --> 00:38:39,058 to be a normalization. 864 00:38:39,058 --> 00:38:40,860 That is not the case with Iran. 865 00:38:40,860 --> 00:38:44,864 These Americans could still be in prison, still be, 866 00:38:44,864 --> 00:38:48,935 in the case of Jason Rezaian, held without any public notice 867 00:38:48,935 --> 00:38:52,071 of what the charge is, put before a revolutionary court 868 00:38:52,071 --> 00:38:57,276 with no rights -- that he could still be in that situation 869 00:38:57,276 --> 00:39:00,379 and we could still have a signing of a deal with Iran? 870 00:39:00,379 --> 00:39:01,147 Mr. Earnest: Well, let me say a -- 871 00:39:01,147 --> 00:39:01,814 The Press: Because they're separate tracks. 872 00:39:01,814 --> 00:39:02,448 Just a yes or no. 873 00:39:02,448 --> 00:39:04,750 Mr. Earnest: But, Jon, here's the important thing, though. 874 00:39:04,751 --> 00:39:08,354 While we continue to believe that the odds of reaching 875 00:39:08,354 --> 00:39:10,689 a nuclear agreement are still, at best, 50/50, 876 00:39:10,690 --> 00:39:12,859 even if we are able to reach that agreement, 877 00:39:12,859 --> 00:39:15,595 the relationship between the United States and Iran would 878 00:39:15,595 --> 00:39:18,598 fall short of normal. 879 00:39:18,598 --> 00:39:20,800 The United States has significant concerns with the 880 00:39:20,800 --> 00:39:23,402 Iranian regime, not just as it relates to their treatment 881 00:39:23,402 --> 00:39:26,405 of these U.S. citizens, but for a whole host 882 00:39:26,405 --> 00:39:28,574 of other things -- for their failure to respect 883 00:39:28,574 --> 00:39:30,576 the basic human rights of their citizens, 884 00:39:30,576 --> 00:39:32,879 for their support for terror activities around the globe. 885 00:39:32,879 --> 00:39:37,850 This is -- we have -- certainly their rhetoric and treatment 886 00:39:37,850 --> 00:39:41,453 of Israel, who is a very close ally of the United States 887 00:39:41,454 --> 00:39:45,024 and whose national security we are firmly committed. 888 00:39:45,024 --> 00:39:46,993 So there are a whole host of concerns that we have 889 00:39:46,993 --> 00:39:47,994 with the Iranians. 890 00:39:47,994 --> 00:39:50,096 And even if we are able to strike the kind of critically 891 00:39:50,096 --> 00:39:53,966 important nuclear agreement that would resolve or at least 892 00:39:53,966 --> 00:39:59,939 remove one of the more vexing and far-reaching policy 893 00:39:59,939 --> 00:40:03,276 challenges that exist in this area of the world, 894 00:40:03,276 --> 00:40:05,278 we would still have a large number of concerns 895 00:40:05,278 --> 00:40:06,279 with the Iranians. 896 00:40:06,279 --> 00:40:08,281 And so that's why -- I understand the Alan Gross 897 00:40:08,281 --> 00:40:10,283 analogy, but it's a little bit different here. 898 00:40:10,283 --> 00:40:12,317 We did -- the President did agree to take some steps to 899 00:40:12,318 --> 00:40:17,290 normalize our relationship with Cuba in the context 900 00:40:17,290 --> 00:40:21,227 of Alan Gross's release, but our concerns with 901 00:40:21,227 --> 00:40:26,199 Iran are part of a much, much longer list. 902 00:40:26,199 --> 00:40:26,432 The Press: Okay. 903 00:40:26,432 --> 00:40:28,433 And then just one other on Iran. 904 00:40:28,434 --> 00:40:31,404 As I'm sure you're aware, the Americans that were 905 00:40:31,404 --> 00:40:36,409 held hostage for 444 days, starting in 1979, 906 00:40:36,409 --> 00:40:39,178 have been trying ever since their release to get 907 00:40:39,178 --> 00:40:42,013 compensation for that time when they were tortured, 908 00:40:42,014 --> 00:40:44,016 imprisoned, the whole lot. 909 00:40:44,016 --> 00:40:46,786 They have not gotten any compensation. 910 00:40:46,786 --> 00:40:50,656 As part of this deal with -- the interim deal with Iran, 911 00:40:50,656 --> 00:40:53,526 as I understand it, the United States has been releasing 912 00:40:53,526 --> 00:40:58,931 $700 million a month of frozen Iranian assets. 913 00:40:58,931 --> 00:41:01,567 Is there any consideration, as these former hostages 914 00:41:01,567 --> 00:41:06,772 have asked, of having some of that money go towards 915 00:41:06,772 --> 00:41:09,408 compensating, at long last, those Americans 916 00:41:09,408 --> 00:41:11,509 that were held hostage for so long? 917 00:41:11,510 --> 00:41:12,712 Mr. Earnest: Well, Jon, you'll recall that part 918 00:41:12,712 --> 00:41:15,248 of the Joint Plan of Action that was agreed to more 919 00:41:15,248 --> 00:41:18,484 than a year ago now did envision a scenario where 920 00:41:18,484 --> 00:41:21,187 there was some sanctions relief that was granted 921 00:41:21,187 --> 00:41:23,189 to the Iranians where Iranian money that was 922 00:41:23,189 --> 00:41:25,725 currently being held overseas because of the sanctions 923 00:41:25,725 --> 00:41:27,993 would be released to them in exchange for the Iranians 924 00:41:27,994 --> 00:41:30,263 taking some steps to roll back some aspects 925 00:41:30,263 --> 00:41:31,397 of their nuclear program. 926 00:41:31,397 --> 00:41:36,736 So the release of that money has been done in that context. 927 00:41:36,736 --> 00:41:38,871 And that's one of the reasons that we believe this 928 00:41:38,871 --> 00:41:41,107 round of nuclear talks with Iran has been so different 929 00:41:41,107 --> 00:41:43,442 than earlier ones; that previously, Iran has 930 00:41:43,442 --> 00:41:45,311 succeeded in using international talks 931 00:41:45,311 --> 00:41:47,046 about their nuclear program to actually make 932 00:41:47,046 --> 00:41:48,881 progress on their nuclear program. 933 00:41:48,881 --> 00:41:51,549 In the context of these talks, we've actually seen Iran roll 934 00:41:51,550 --> 00:41:54,253 back their nuclear program in a couple of important ways. 935 00:41:54,253 --> 00:41:56,489 So that's what that sanctions relief is about. 936 00:41:56,489 --> 00:42:00,126 For your more detailed question about some of that -- 937 00:42:00,126 --> 00:42:04,764 those funds being used to compensate former hostages, 938 00:42:04,764 --> 00:42:07,033 I'd refer you to the State Department for the exact 939 00:42:07,033 --> 00:42:08,901 policy on that. 940 00:42:08,901 --> 00:42:09,167 Ed. 941 00:42:09,168 --> 00:42:10,369 The Press: Josh, I wanted to ask you about Nigeria. 942 00:42:10,369 --> 00:42:13,205 There's some horrific new satellite images suggesting 943 00:42:13,205 --> 00:42:15,775 that the massacre that we already knew about 944 00:42:15,775 --> 00:42:19,245 by Boko Haram was even worse. 945 00:42:19,245 --> 00:42:22,315 People are accusing Boko Haram of a crime against humanity. 946 00:42:22,315 --> 00:42:26,986 Since the President talked about preventing genocide, 947 00:42:26,986 --> 00:42:30,156 preventing a massacre in Iraq some months ago against 948 00:42:30,156 --> 00:42:33,592 the Yazidis as a justification for U.S. 949 00:42:33,592 --> 00:42:37,330 airstrikes against ISIS, why haven't we seen U.S. 950 00:42:37,330 --> 00:42:39,198 intervention in Nigeria? 951 00:42:39,198 --> 00:42:40,598 Mr. Earnest: Well, Ed, let me start by saying that 952 00:42:40,599 --> 00:42:42,335 the United States remains deeply concerned 953 00:42:42,335 --> 00:42:44,403 by ongoing reports of violence perpetrated 954 00:42:44,403 --> 00:42:47,205 by Boko Haram in the Baga area. 955 00:42:47,206 --> 00:42:49,241 We're actively supporting the efforts of Nigeria 956 00:42:49,241 --> 00:42:51,711 and its neighbors to confront this group. 957 00:42:51,711 --> 00:42:54,279 Our counterterrorism assistance to Nigeria includes 958 00:42:54,280 --> 00:42:57,149 information-sharing, improving Nigeria's forensics 959 00:42:57,149 --> 00:43:00,118 and investigative capacity, and support for 960 00:43:00,119 --> 00:43:03,122 communities that are under direct threat from Boko Haram. 961 00:43:03,122 --> 00:43:06,058 Our assistance also stresses the importance of protecting 962 00:43:06,058 --> 00:43:08,060 civilians and ensuring that human rights are 963 00:43:08,060 --> 00:43:10,796 protected and respected in Nigeria. 964 00:43:10,796 --> 00:43:14,000 To counter the spread of violent extremist ideology and stem 965 00:43:14,000 --> 00:43:17,069 extremist recruitment efforts, the United States also supports 966 00:43:17,069 --> 00:43:19,872 programs and initiatives that provide positive alternatives 967 00:43:19,872 --> 00:43:21,874 to communities most at risk of radicalization 968 00:43:21,874 --> 00:43:24,209 and recruitment, including through vocational training. 969 00:43:24,210 --> 00:43:26,512 So there are a whole host of ways in which the United States 970 00:43:26,512 --> 00:43:29,115 has been supportive of the Nigerians as they've 971 00:43:29,115 --> 00:43:30,582 confronted this threat. 972 00:43:30,583 --> 00:43:31,650 The Press: But sadly, tragically, 973 00:43:31,650 --> 00:43:35,354 it didn't stop at least 2,000 maybe more -- mostly kids, 974 00:43:35,354 --> 00:43:39,524 elderly -- who couldn't outrun these Islamic militants. 975 00:43:39,525 --> 00:43:41,527 So despite all that, it hasn't stopped. 976 00:43:41,527 --> 00:43:45,664 So what's the -- why no U.S. military intervention? 977 00:43:45,664 --> 00:43:49,001 I understand the other counterterror -- what's the 978 00:43:49,001 --> 00:43:51,237 difference from trying to save the Yazidis who were 979 00:43:51,237 --> 00:43:54,140 on a mountain -- and that was a laudable goal 980 00:43:54,140 --> 00:43:57,942 the President tried to rally the international community behind. 981 00:43:57,943 --> 00:44:00,246 Why no direct U.S. military intervention here? 982 00:44:00,246 --> 00:44:01,714 There was a massacre. 983 00:44:01,714 --> 00:44:02,715 It's happening. 984 00:44:02,715 --> 00:44:05,684 Mr. Earnest: Well, Ed, these are the kinds of moral dilemmas 985 00:44:05,684 --> 00:44:08,654 that American Presidents for generations have faced. 986 00:44:08,654 --> 00:44:12,358 And this decision about when and how to use 987 00:44:12,358 --> 00:44:17,163 American force, military force, is something that 988 00:44:17,163 --> 00:44:19,298 American Presidents have wrestled with for a long time. 989 00:44:19,298 --> 00:44:24,502 And the questions only become more difficult, 990 00:44:24,503 --> 00:44:28,040 as they have throughout history, as the capability 991 00:44:28,040 --> 00:44:32,078 of the American military has increased; that Presidents 992 00:44:32,078 --> 00:44:34,713 100 years ago didn't have to spend as much 993 00:44:34,713 --> 00:44:36,682 time struggling with a decision like this 994 00:44:36,682 --> 00:44:37,950 because they didn't have the same kind 995 00:44:37,950 --> 00:44:39,919 of military capabilities at their disposal. 996 00:44:39,919 --> 00:44:42,855 But now, because of the profound capability 997 00:44:42,855 --> 00:44:46,659 of the American military -- whether it's UAVs 998 00:44:46,659 --> 00:44:51,263 or fighter jets -- that there is a tremendous 999 00:44:51,263 --> 00:44:54,433 capacity that our military has to protect our 1000 00:44:54,433 --> 00:44:55,434 interests around the globe. 1001 00:44:55,434 --> 00:44:59,305 And that ultimately is the question -- is how do you 1002 00:44:59,305 --> 00:45:03,475 sort of balance America's national security interests 1003 00:45:03,476 --> 00:45:06,112 with the variety of capabilities that 1004 00:45:06,112 --> 00:45:07,446 the U.S. military has. 1005 00:45:07,446 --> 00:45:10,281 And there is significant military capability from 1006 00:45:10,282 --> 00:45:12,284 the United States that already has been committed 1007 00:45:12,284 --> 00:45:13,953 to working on this effort. 1008 00:45:13,953 --> 00:45:16,622 And one of the things that we have believed is most 1009 00:45:16,622 --> 00:45:21,227 important is dedicating an effort to work closely 1010 00:45:21,227 --> 00:45:23,328 with forces that are on the ground, local forces, 1011 00:45:23,329 --> 00:45:25,331 to try to confront these challenges. 1012 00:45:25,331 --> 00:45:27,399 And that is -- the strategy that we have employed 1013 00:45:27,399 --> 00:45:31,036 in Iraq to try to support Iraq's security forces 1014 00:45:31,036 --> 00:45:33,305 on the ground to take the fight to these extremists 1015 00:45:33,305 --> 00:45:35,374 is the same strategy that we've used in Nigeria 1016 00:45:35,374 --> 00:45:37,375 on a different scale -- because each situation 1017 00:45:37,376 --> 00:45:39,378 is different -- where you do have 1018 00:45:39,378 --> 00:45:42,648 an American military presence that's using our extensive 1019 00:45:42,648 --> 00:45:44,850 capabilities to support the Nigerian government's 1020 00:45:44,850 --> 00:45:47,185 efforts to take the fight to these extremists. 1021 00:45:47,186 --> 00:45:48,487 The Press: I'm going to ask you about another moral dilemma. 1022 00:45:48,487 --> 00:45:50,923 How can the President release five Gitmo detainees, 1023 00:45:50,923 --> 00:45:54,392 originally from Yemen, literally a week after 1024 00:45:54,393 --> 00:45:57,429 terrorists with ties to Yemen -- at least one of them -- 1025 00:45:57,429 --> 00:46:00,566 trained by al Qaeda in Yemen, killed at least 1026 00:46:00,566 --> 00:46:02,067 a dozen in Paris? 1027 00:46:02,067 --> 00:46:03,969 How can the President release five 1028 00:46:03,969 --> 00:46:06,572 more Gitmo detainees originally in Yemen? 1029 00:46:06,572 --> 00:46:09,408 Mr. Earnest: Because there is a unanimous recommendation from 1030 00:46:09,408 --> 00:46:12,877 his national security team that steps could be put in place 1031 00:46:12,878 --> 00:46:15,648 to ensure that when these individuals are transferred 1032 00:46:15,648 --> 00:46:17,683 that we can significantly mitigate any threat that 1033 00:46:17,683 --> 00:46:19,852 they have to the U.S. or our interests around the world. 1034 00:46:19,852 --> 00:46:21,854 The Press: What are those specific steps? 1035 00:46:21,854 --> 00:46:23,821 Are you tracking each one of these folks? 1036 00:46:23,822 --> 00:46:27,259 We understand they're going to Estonia, they're going to Oman. 1037 00:46:27,259 --> 00:46:30,296 How do you specifically make sure they don't wind 1038 00:46:30,296 --> 00:46:33,265 up back in Yemen and are retrained and go right back 1039 00:46:33,265 --> 00:46:34,266 on the battlefield? 1040 00:46:34,266 --> 00:46:36,268 Mr. Earnest: Well, Ed, I recognize that 1041 00:46:36,268 --> 00:46:38,270 my answer may be unsatisfactory, 1042 00:46:38,270 --> 00:46:40,272 but the fact of the matter is the success 1043 00:46:40,272 --> 00:46:42,274 of some of those strategies is predicated 1044 00:46:42,274 --> 00:46:44,243 on us not making those strategies public. 1045 00:46:44,243 --> 00:46:46,578 But what I can tell you is that the governments that have agreed 1046 00:46:46,579 --> 00:46:50,516 to take on these detainees have done so after extensive 1047 00:46:50,516 --> 00:46:52,885 consultation with the United States about steps that they 1048 00:46:52,885 --> 00:46:55,354 need to put in place to ensure that these individuals 1049 00:46:55,354 --> 00:46:57,089 don't pose a threat to the United States. 1050 00:46:57,089 --> 00:46:58,157 The Press: Well, if you can't publicly say what they are, 1051 00:46:58,157 --> 00:47:00,259 maybe you can answer: The Republican, Kelly Ayotte, 1052 00:47:00,259 --> 00:47:04,597 claims that 30 percent of Gitmo detainees already released -- 1053 00:47:04,597 --> 00:47:08,467 before this release last night -- 30 percent are suspected 1054 00:47:08,467 --> 00:47:11,837 to or actually did go back on the battlefield. 1055 00:47:11,837 --> 00:47:12,838 Are those numbers wrong? 1056 00:47:12,838 --> 00:47:14,840 And if so, what is the real number? 1057 00:47:14,840 --> 00:47:16,842 Is it 5 percent, 10 percent? 1058 00:47:16,842 --> 00:47:18,844 How many of these detainees wind up back 1059 00:47:18,844 --> 00:47:20,846 on the battlefield if you have all these safeguards? 1060 00:47:20,846 --> 00:47:23,282 Mr. Earnest: Well, Ed, you'll recall that when 1061 00:47:23,282 --> 00:47:25,884 this President took office, he temporarily stopped 1062 00:47:25,884 --> 00:47:31,657 the transfer of prisoners at Guantanamo so that 1063 00:47:31,657 --> 00:47:33,792 the intelligence community and our national security 1064 00:47:33,792 --> 00:47:36,328 community could conduct an individual review 1065 00:47:36,328 --> 00:47:39,798 of each of their cases to determine who it would 1066 00:47:39,798 --> 00:47:42,600 be appropriate to transfer to try to resolve all 1067 00:47:42,601 --> 00:47:43,902 of their cases. 1068 00:47:43,902 --> 00:47:46,839 That was a painstaking process that took more than 1069 00:47:46,839 --> 00:47:48,574 a year, as I recall. 1070 00:47:48,574 --> 00:47:51,176 And once that process was taken place, 1071 00:47:51,176 --> 00:47:55,247 there were a number of prisoners who were 1072 00:47:55,247 --> 00:47:56,415 approved for transfer. 1073 00:47:56,415 --> 00:47:58,417 Now, they were approved for transfer 1074 00:47:58,417 --> 00:47:59,884 under specific conditions. 1075 00:47:59,885 --> 00:48:04,790 And what we have seen over the last several years 1076 00:48:04,790 --> 00:48:09,695 is that a substantial number of transfers had been 1077 00:48:09,695 --> 00:48:12,031 carried out under this new policy. 1078 00:48:12,031 --> 00:48:15,768 And I can tell you that only 6 percent or so of those 1079 00:48:15,768 --> 00:48:19,505 transfers have been suspected of -- or have 1080 00:48:19,505 --> 00:48:23,776 been confirmed to have rejoined the fight. 1081 00:48:23,776 --> 00:48:26,145 The Press: You're saying -- your estimate 1082 00:48:26,145 --> 00:48:28,013 is about 6 percent of these detainees? 1083 00:48:28,013 --> 00:48:28,279 Mr. Earnest: Yes. 1084 00:48:28,280 --> 00:48:30,783 And I think the 30 percent includes the large number 1085 00:48:30,783 --> 00:48:33,352 of transfers that occurred before the President 1086 00:48:33,352 --> 00:48:34,920 instituted this review, essentially transfers 1087 00:48:34,920 --> 00:48:37,356 that occurred in the previous administration. 1088 00:48:37,356 --> 00:48:38,757 The Press: You're referring 2007, 2008 -- 1089 00:48:38,757 --> 00:48:39,124 Mr. Earnest: Yes. 1090 00:48:39,124 --> 00:48:40,558 The Press: -- and some of those wind up on the battlefield. 1091 00:48:40,559 --> 00:48:44,196 But if it's 6 percent, isn't that still a problem? 1092 00:48:44,196 --> 00:48:47,399 Six percent of these detainees wind up going back into 1093 00:48:47,399 --> 00:48:49,468 terrorism; could kill people in Paris or Washington? 1094 00:48:49,468 --> 00:48:51,036 Mr. Earnest: It is. 1095 00:48:51,036 --> 00:48:54,673 And it's certainly why this administration continues to 1096 00:48:54,673 --> 00:48:59,178 pursue a very aggressive counterterrorism strategy. 1097 00:48:59,178 --> 00:49:02,815 At the same time, Ed, it would also be unwise to neglect 1098 00:49:02,815 --> 00:49:08,153 the fact that our -- the prison at Guantanamo Bay 1099 00:49:08,153 --> 00:49:11,589 continues to inspire violent acts around the globe. 1100 00:49:11,590 --> 00:49:15,361 So it's not as if we can avoid violence by just keeping 1101 00:49:15,361 --> 00:49:17,363 the prison open and keeping them all locked up. 1102 00:49:17,363 --> 00:49:20,866 We know that that continues to be an active source 1103 00:49:20,866 --> 00:49:25,437 of inspiration and recruitment for terrorists. 1104 00:49:25,437 --> 00:49:27,973 So this is a very difficult policy problem, 1105 00:49:27,973 --> 00:49:30,942 and it's only been made more difficult by members 1106 00:49:30,943 --> 00:49:33,145 of the United States Senate who have thrown up obstacles 1107 00:49:33,145 --> 00:49:35,547 to the President's effort to try to close the prison. 1108 00:49:35,547 --> 00:49:36,982 Kristen. 1109 00:49:36,982 --> 00:49:37,983 The Press: I wanted to start off by following 1110 00:49:37,983 --> 00:49:40,586 up on the question that Ed asked you about Boko Haram. 1111 00:49:40,586 --> 00:49:43,254 Given the new satellite images, the reports 1112 00:49:43,255 --> 00:49:46,225 of 2,000 people being killed in recent days, 1113 00:49:46,225 --> 00:49:48,993 are there active discussions going on within 1114 00:49:48,994 --> 00:49:52,164 the administration about changing the policy, 1115 00:49:52,164 --> 00:49:54,666 about potentially increasing aid that the United States 1116 00:49:54,666 --> 00:49:57,069 is giving to those local forces that you mentioned? 1117 00:49:57,069 --> 00:49:58,303 Mr. Earnest: Nothing I'm prepared to talk about 1118 00:49:58,303 --> 00:49:58,904 at this point. 1119 00:49:58,904 --> 00:50:01,740 There are a wide variety of reports about what's 1120 00:50:01,740 --> 00:50:05,611 happening in Nigeria at the hands of Boko Haram. 1121 00:50:05,611 --> 00:50:08,080 I can tell you that we obviously remain deeply 1122 00:50:08,080 --> 00:50:10,082 concerned by those acts of violence 1123 00:50:10,082 --> 00:50:13,452 and we condemn them in no uncertain terms. 1124 00:50:13,452 --> 00:50:15,554 That said, the United States remains committed to helping 1125 00:50:15,554 --> 00:50:19,191 the government of Nigeria address the threat posed 1126 00:50:19,191 --> 00:50:21,160 by violent extremist organizations 1127 00:50:21,160 --> 00:50:23,162 and its ongoing efforts to find and free 1128 00:50:23,162 --> 00:50:25,464 the girls abducted from Chibok and all 1129 00:50:25,464 --> 00:50:27,900 others who have been abducted by Boko Haram. 1130 00:50:27,900 --> 00:50:30,669 There are a variety of humanitarian programs that 1131 00:50:30,669 --> 00:50:33,906 we have supported to try to also assist those 1132 00:50:33,906 --> 00:50:36,308 who have been victims of this violence. 1133 00:50:36,308 --> 00:50:38,343 At the same time -- and I'm just going to repeat this because 1134 00:50:38,343 --> 00:50:40,511 it's important -- we continue to encourage Nigerian 1135 00:50:40,512 --> 00:50:42,981 authorities to adopt a comprehensive approach 1136 00:50:42,981 --> 00:50:45,884 to violent extremists that emphasizes respect for human 1137 00:50:45,884 --> 00:50:48,554 rights, including the right to freedom of religion, 1138 00:50:48,554 --> 00:50:50,622 prioritizes civilian security, and responds 1139 00:50:50,622 --> 00:50:52,624 to the needs of victimized communities. 1140 00:50:52,624 --> 00:50:55,227 The Press: And it seems like the aid so far 1141 00:50:55,227 --> 00:50:57,261 has consisted of humanitarian support. 1142 00:50:57,262 --> 00:51:00,499 Are you ruling out military aid, not necessarily 1143 00:51:00,499 --> 00:51:02,868 in the form of sending U.S. forces, 1144 00:51:02,868 --> 00:51:06,904 but would you send them lethal aid, for example? 1145 00:51:06,905 --> 00:51:10,442 Mr. Earnest: Well, you'll recall that there has been -- 1146 00:51:10,442 --> 00:51:13,111 that the President did send some U.S. military 1147 00:51:13,111 --> 00:51:15,848 servicemembers into that region of Africa to assist 1148 00:51:15,848 --> 00:51:18,350 Nigeria in their efforts against Boko Haram and to try 1149 00:51:18,350 --> 00:51:21,353 to find the girls who were abducted from Chibok. 1150 00:51:21,353 --> 00:51:25,924 And there's ongoing information-sharing and other 1151 00:51:25,924 --> 00:51:29,294 military capabilities that are being used by the United States, 1152 00:51:29,294 --> 00:51:32,830 leveraged by the United States, to benefit the efforts of 1153 00:51:32,831 --> 00:51:35,334 Nigeria to fight Boko Haram. 1154 00:51:35,334 --> 00:51:36,768 The Press: And I want to ask you about ISIS. 1155 00:51:36,768 --> 00:51:39,938 The Wall Street Journal is reporting that jihadist fighters 1156 00:51:39,938 --> 00:51:44,243 have enlarged their hold in Syria and that essentially 1157 00:51:44,243 --> 00:51:46,645 the United States policy there has been ineffective. 1158 00:51:46,645 --> 00:51:49,181 What's your reaction to that assessment? 1159 00:51:49,181 --> 00:51:50,582 Is it a fair assessment? 1160 00:51:50,582 --> 00:51:51,950 Mr. Earnest: It's not a fair assessment. 1161 00:51:51,950 --> 00:51:54,953 And the reason for that is -- well, 1162 00:51:54,953 --> 00:51:56,221 there are a number of things. 1163 00:51:56,221 --> 00:51:57,222 Let's start here. 1164 00:51:57,222 --> 00:52:01,059 To date, the United States and our coalition partners have 1165 00:52:01,059 --> 00:52:04,530 carried out over 1,800 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria; 1166 00:52:04,530 --> 00:52:07,432 more than 800 of those have been in Syria. 1167 00:52:07,432 --> 00:52:09,834 Our airstrikes in Syria have killed more than 1, 1168 00:52:09,835 --> 00:52:13,739 000 ISIL fighters; destroyed several hundred ISIL vehicles, 1169 00:52:13,739 --> 00:52:15,874 buildings, and command-and-control nodes; 1170 00:52:15,874 --> 00:52:17,875 degraded their economic infrastructure; 1171 00:52:17,876 --> 00:52:20,078 and severely limited their ability to reinforce 1172 00:52:20,078 --> 00:52:21,880 their forces in Iraq. 1173 00:52:21,880 --> 00:52:24,983 You'll recall that that is a focal point of our strategy in 1174 00:52:24,983 --> 00:52:29,922 Syria, is that we do not want to allow ISIL to establish a safe 1175 00:52:29,922 --> 00:52:31,957 haven in Syria that they can use to cause trouble in other 1176 00:52:31,957 --> 00:52:37,162 places, or use to launch attacks against American interests. 1177 00:52:37,162 --> 00:52:39,163 The Press: There's no indication that you've 1178 00:52:39,164 --> 00:52:41,400 seriously degraded their forces there. 1179 00:52:41,400 --> 00:52:44,970 So does there need to be a discussion about changing 1180 00:52:44,970 --> 00:52:46,471 the policy in Syria? 1181 00:52:46,471 --> 00:52:49,107 Mr. Earnest: The statistics that I have cited have had a 1182 00:52:49,107 --> 00:52:52,578 substantial impact on ISIL's ability to assist their forces 1183 00:52:52,578 --> 00:52:54,146 -- The Press: You've said they've degraded 1184 00:52:54,146 --> 00:52:54,513 them at this point in this Syria? 1185 00:52:54,513 --> 00:52:55,714 Mr. Earnest: There's no question about that, 1186 00:52:55,714 --> 00:52:57,182 that that's been the case -- that we've destroyed 1187 00:52:57,182 --> 00:52:58,750 several hundred ISIL vehicles, buildings, 1188 00:52:58,750 --> 00:53:01,486 and command-and-control nodes; more than a thousand ISIL 1189 00:53:01,486 --> 00:53:03,121 fighters have been killed. 1190 00:53:03,121 --> 00:53:05,857 We know -- and you know this based on sort of reports -- 1191 00:53:05,857 --> 00:53:09,061 that ISIL's leadership, both in Iraq and in Syria, 1192 00:53:09,061 --> 00:53:11,663 is under intense pressure; that these individuals, 1193 00:53:11,663 --> 00:53:14,399 for good reason, are scared to spend a whole 1194 00:53:14,399 --> 00:53:16,167 lot of time outside. 1195 00:53:16,168 --> 00:53:18,570 And that's because they are facing continuing pressure 1196 00:53:18,570 --> 00:53:22,874 from the U.S. military and from our coalition partners. 1197 00:53:22,874 --> 00:53:26,444 Now, the other thing that you know about this is that there 1198 00:53:26,445 --> 00:53:29,881 is an aspect of our strategy that has not yet taken root, 1199 00:53:29,881 --> 00:53:34,720 which is the efforts to train and equip 1200 00:53:34,720 --> 00:53:37,288 moderate Syrian opposition fighters. 1201 00:53:37,289 --> 00:53:39,291 We are working with our coalition partners 1202 00:53:39,291 --> 00:53:41,727 to do that, and that is something that will 1203 00:53:41,727 --> 00:53:43,729 be ramped up in the coming months. 1204 00:53:43,729 --> 00:53:47,499 And at that time, we will better be able 1205 00:53:47,499 --> 00:53:52,471 to assess how effective they are on the battlefield. 1206 00:53:52,471 --> 00:53:54,473 Thus far, I think I would acknowledge that opposition 1207 00:53:54,473 --> 00:53:56,475 fighters have not been particularly effective 1208 00:53:56,475 --> 00:54:01,113 in countering the threat from ISIL, but I would 1209 00:54:01,113 --> 00:54:04,515 anticipate that with training and equipment 1210 00:54:04,516 --> 00:54:06,051 from the United States and our coalition 1211 00:54:06,051 --> 00:54:09,087 partners, and backed by the military airpower of our 1212 00:54:09,087 --> 00:54:11,556 coalition partners, that that performance will 1213 00:54:11,556 --> 00:54:13,925 be more effective. 1214 00:54:13,925 --> 00:54:16,428 But we'll have to evaluate that in the -- 1215 00:54:16,428 --> 00:54:19,297 The Press: And one on your domestic focus today. 1216 00:54:19,297 --> 00:54:20,999 In addition to signing that memorandum, 1217 00:54:20,999 --> 00:54:23,935 President Obama planning to press Congress to pass 1218 00:54:23,935 --> 00:54:27,372 legislation that would require companies to give workers 1219 00:54:27,372 --> 00:54:30,942 up to seven days of paid sick leave, in some companies, 1220 00:54:30,942 --> 00:54:32,544 depending on the size of the company. 1221 00:54:32,544 --> 00:54:35,047 What makes you think the legislation can pass? 1222 00:54:35,047 --> 00:54:36,848 There are a number of Republicans who have 1223 00:54:36,848 --> 00:54:38,050 already expressed their opposition. 1224 00:54:38,050 --> 00:54:39,751 They say that this is not the role of government. 1225 00:54:39,751 --> 00:54:42,354 What makes you think that legislation can pass when 1226 00:54:42,354 --> 00:54:45,089 it has been, in some form, in circulation 1227 00:54:45,090 --> 00:54:48,193 for years, I think dating back to 2005? 1228 00:54:48,193 --> 00:54:49,127 Why now? 1229 00:54:49,127 --> 00:54:50,495 Mr. Earnest: Well, a couple of things about that. 1230 00:54:50,495 --> 00:54:52,763 The United States, as you know, is one of the few countries 1231 00:54:52,764 --> 00:54:56,068 in the world to have a paid sick leave -- 1232 00:54:56,068 --> 00:54:58,670 I'm sorry, is one of the few countries in the world 1233 00:54:58,670 --> 00:55:00,906 not to have a paid sick leave policy. 1234 00:55:00,906 --> 00:55:02,908 That's why the President strongly supports the Healthy 1235 00:55:02,908 --> 00:55:05,844 Families Act, which would allow millions of working Americans 1236 00:55:05,844 --> 00:55:09,614 to earn up to seven days a year of paid sick leave. 1237 00:55:09,614 --> 00:55:11,616 What we know is that putting in place these 1238 00:55:11,616 --> 00:55:14,986 kinds of family-friendly policies decreases personnel 1239 00:55:14,986 --> 00:55:18,690 turnover in companies and increases productivity. 1240 00:55:18,690 --> 00:55:20,692 That's why we've seen a lot of companies move 1241 00:55:20,692 --> 00:55:23,228 on their own to put in place these policies. 1242 00:55:23,228 --> 00:55:25,597 The other thing that we know is that there's a public health 1243 00:55:25,597 --> 00:55:28,133 benefit associated with policies like this. 1244 00:55:28,133 --> 00:55:30,134 One thing that your doctor tells you if you feel like 1245 00:55:30,135 --> 00:55:32,537 you're coming down with the flu is to stay home 1246 00:55:32,537 --> 00:55:34,538 and don't expose yourself to other people. 1247 00:55:34,539 --> 00:55:36,541 If you don't have sick leave or can't afford 1248 00:55:36,541 --> 00:55:38,376 to take a day off, you're only going to serve 1249 00:55:38,376 --> 00:55:41,179 to spread the flu to your fellow coworkers. 1250 00:55:41,179 --> 00:55:43,982 And not only is that a bad thing, 1251 00:55:43,982 --> 00:55:45,984 it's also going to be bad for the business if they 1252 00:55:45,984 --> 00:55:47,986 have a whole slew of employees that have to be out 1253 00:55:47,986 --> 00:55:49,988 at the same time because they've all got the flu. 1254 00:55:49,988 --> 00:55:51,990 The Press: What was the President doing to get this? 1255 00:55:51,990 --> 00:55:53,191 Is this going to come up at today's meeting? 1256 00:55:53,191 --> 00:55:55,026 And can you kind of give us a picture of where 1257 00:55:55,026 --> 00:55:56,828 this falls on this list of priorities? 1258 00:55:56,828 --> 00:55:58,430 Obviously he's talked about a number of things 1259 00:55:58,430 --> 00:56:00,464 he wants to get done -- corporate tax reform, 1260 00:56:00,465 --> 00:56:01,767 trade, infrastructure projects. 1261 00:56:01,767 --> 00:56:02,834 Where does this fall? 1262 00:56:02,834 --> 00:56:04,435 Mr. Earnest: Well, one of the things that the President 1263 00:56:04,436 --> 00:56:06,438 is going to do to try to advance this policy 1264 00:56:06,438 --> 00:56:09,074 is he's going to use the biggest annual platform that 1265 00:56:09,074 --> 00:56:11,510 any President ever has to try to advance his agenda, 1266 00:56:11,510 --> 00:56:12,978 and that's the State of the Union address. 1267 00:56:12,978 --> 00:56:14,446 And I would anticipate that this is something 1268 00:56:14,446 --> 00:56:16,648 the President will talk about in the State of the Union. 1269 00:56:16,648 --> 00:56:19,184 And the President is going to make the case that this 1270 00:56:19,184 --> 00:56:22,587 is consistent with the role that he believes we should 1271 00:56:22,587 --> 00:56:25,023 play in trying to put in place policies that 1272 00:56:25,023 --> 00:56:26,091 benefit middle-class families. 1273 00:56:26,091 --> 00:56:28,393 And there is no doubt that a policy like this, 1274 00:56:28,393 --> 00:56:31,029 a family-friendly policy like this would help families 1275 00:56:31,029 --> 00:56:34,432 as they try to balance the challenge of being effective 1276 00:56:34,432 --> 00:56:37,669 at work but also meeting the needs at home, too. 1277 00:56:37,669 --> 00:56:40,806 The Press: And his message to small business owners who are 1278 00:56:40,806 --> 00:56:42,808 concerned it could ultimately hurt their bottom line? 1279 00:56:42,808 --> 00:56:44,810 Mr. Earnest: Yes, I think the President would have 1280 00:56:44,810 --> 00:56:46,978 a different view, which is to say that it is good business. 1281 00:56:46,978 --> 00:56:49,614 And I think there are any number of examples that I could cite 1282 00:56:49,614 --> 00:56:52,617 for you where businesses have chosen to put in place these 1283 00:56:52,617 --> 00:56:55,587 policies, and it's served to reduce the turnover 1284 00:56:55,587 --> 00:56:58,256 associated with their employees but also 1285 00:56:58,256 --> 00:57:00,759 to increase their employees' productivity. 1286 00:57:00,759 --> 00:57:01,660 Cheryl. 1287 00:57:01,660 --> 00:57:02,093 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1288 00:57:02,093 --> 00:57:03,528 Two quick ones. 1289 00:57:03,528 --> 00:57:05,897 Can I just clarify what you said to Justin about 1290 00:57:05,897 --> 00:57:09,034 the budget, that the President's fiscal '16 budget 1291 00:57:09,034 --> 00:57:11,736 will exceed the sequestration caps? 1292 00:57:11,736 --> 00:57:12,871 Mr. Earnest: I didn't say. 1293 00:57:12,871 --> 00:57:14,906 I just said that the budget would be rolled out 1294 00:57:14,906 --> 00:57:15,907 on February 2nd. 1295 00:57:15,907 --> 00:57:18,677 And we can have a more detailed discussion about this. 1296 00:57:18,677 --> 00:57:21,413 There are still some details of the budget proposal 1297 00:57:21,413 --> 00:57:23,281 that are being finalized. 1298 00:57:23,281 --> 00:57:25,851 So once that's final and we've had an opportunity to put 1299 00:57:25,851 --> 00:57:27,919 it out for all you to take a look at, then we can have 1300 00:57:27,919 --> 00:57:32,991 a discussion about some of the important priorities 1301 00:57:32,991 --> 00:57:35,727 that the President had to emphasize in the budget. 1302 00:57:35,727 --> 00:57:35,894 The Press: Okay. 1303 00:57:35,894 --> 00:57:38,495 And just quickly -- there are five days left until 1304 00:57:38,496 --> 00:57:39,097 the State of the Union. 1305 00:57:39,097 --> 00:57:42,601 Have we seen the last of the previewed announcements? 1306 00:57:42,601 --> 00:57:44,870 Or should we expect in the next couple days 1307 00:57:44,870 --> 00:57:46,738 for more announcements? 1308 00:57:46,738 --> 00:57:47,339 Mr. Earnest: Stay tuned. 1309 00:57:47,339 --> 00:57:48,707 (laughter) 1310 00:57:48,707 --> 00:57:50,842 I know, it's almost too much news, isn't it? 1311 00:57:50,842 --> 00:57:52,177 (laughter) 1312 00:57:52,177 --> 00:57:53,044 Laura. 1313 00:57:53,044 --> 00:57:55,647 The Press: Does the White House have a copy of Charlie Hebdo? 1314 00:57:55,647 --> 00:57:58,516 What's the White House reaction to the issue which 1315 00:57:58,516 --> 00:58:00,418 was released yesterday? 1316 00:58:00,418 --> 00:58:04,489 Mr. Earnest: I have not seen in person a copy of the magazine. 1317 00:58:04,489 --> 00:58:07,125 I've certainly see all of the reporting about it and have 1318 00:58:07,125 --> 00:58:11,663 seen the image that apparently is on the cover. 1319 00:58:11,663 --> 00:58:13,665 When asked about this previously, 1320 00:58:13,665 --> 00:58:15,800 I declined to sort of offer up an official 1321 00:58:15,800 --> 00:58:17,469 administration position. 1322 00:58:17,469 --> 00:58:21,673 But my own personal reaction was that the cover was very 1323 00:58:21,673 --> 00:58:26,977 powerful, and I think to a lot of people even poignant. 1324 00:58:26,978 --> 00:58:29,981 But in terms of a decision to publish it in the way that they 1325 00:58:29,981 --> 00:58:33,485 did, that obviously is a decision that they should make, 1326 00:58:33,485 --> 00:58:36,121 and of course we would defend their right to make it. 1327 00:58:36,121 --> 00:58:38,590 The Press: Does the President want to see it? 1328 00:58:38,590 --> 00:58:41,459 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think the President has seen the image. 1329 00:58:41,459 --> 00:58:43,060 I didn't talk to him about his reaction, 1330 00:58:43,061 --> 00:58:45,563 but I'm sure that he's seen it. 1331 00:58:45,563 --> 00:58:46,698 Jared. 1332 00:58:46,698 --> 00:58:47,832 The Press: Josh, over the next few days, 1333 00:58:47,832 --> 00:58:49,834 in addition to the State of the Union, 1334 00:58:49,834 --> 00:58:52,370 we might get some resolution from the Supreme Court on 1335 00:58:52,370 --> 00:58:54,638 same-sex marriage, at least whether or not they'll take 1336 00:58:54,639 --> 00:58:57,642 up a decision that might resolve the Circuit split. 1337 00:58:57,642 --> 00:58:59,877 Does the President still believe that this 1338 00:58:59,878 --> 00:59:02,013 is something that should be left to the states? 1339 00:59:02,013 --> 00:59:06,484 And by that argument, does he agree then with the lower 1340 00:59:06,484 --> 00:59:10,322 court ruling leaving in place same-sex marriage bans 1341 00:59:10,322 --> 00:59:12,524 in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee? 1342 00:59:12,524 --> 00:59:15,292 Mr. Earnest: Jared, the President has been real clear 1343 00:59:15,293 --> 00:59:19,698 about what he thinks on this, and his personal views have been 1344 00:59:19,698 --> 00:59:23,567 very closely scrutinized, as they should be. 1345 00:59:23,568 --> 00:59:26,471 And we certainly are supportive of the kinds 1346 00:59:26,471 --> 00:59:29,975 of decisions that expand freedom and liberty. 1347 00:59:29,975 --> 00:59:33,778 And we saw recently in Florida, just a week or two ago, 1348 00:59:33,778 --> 00:59:38,316 that a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage 1349 00:59:38,316 --> 00:59:39,451 was overturned there. 1350 00:59:39,451 --> 00:59:41,086 And that certainly was good news and consistent with 1351 00:59:41,086 --> 00:59:42,921 the President's view, and is hopeful that 1352 00:59:42,921 --> 00:59:44,254 other courts make the same decision. 1353 00:59:44,255 --> 00:59:45,190 The Press: But you said personal view, 1354 00:59:45,190 --> 00:59:46,758 and that's where people -- again, 1355 00:59:46,758 --> 00:59:49,259 talking about the scrutiny to which 1356 00:59:49,260 --> 00:59:53,999 the President's personal views have been given. 1357 00:59:53,999 --> 00:59:56,234 Josh, because it's a personal view and because 1358 00:59:56,234 --> 01:00:00,205 it doesn't extend to states, these state rulings, 1359 01:00:00,205 --> 01:00:02,374 these state laws remain in place. 1360 01:00:02,374 --> 01:00:05,542 So would the President resist a Supreme Court ruling 1361 01:00:05,543 --> 01:00:07,512 that would resolve the Circuit split? 1362 01:00:07,512 --> 01:00:10,115 Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm not sure what you mean by "resist." 1363 01:00:10,115 --> 01:00:12,883 The Press: He doesn't have the power over 1364 01:00:12,884 --> 01:00:13,985 the Supreme Court, I understand that. 1365 01:00:13,985 --> 01:00:15,520 But is he displeased by it? 1366 01:00:15,520 --> 01:00:17,788 Mr. Earnest: Well, I don't want to get out ahead 1367 01:00:17,789 --> 01:00:20,458 of any Supreme Court ruling that may be coming. 1368 01:00:20,458 --> 01:00:23,461 So I think you can probably anticipate what the President's 1369 01:00:23,461 --> 01:00:27,064 reaction might be based on the number of times that he's 1370 01:00:27,065 --> 01:00:29,067 expressed publicly what his position is on this issue. 1371 01:00:29,067 --> 01:00:32,237 The Press: And I want to follow up on Jim's question earlier 1372 01:00:32,237 --> 01:00:35,540 about the after-the-State of the Union interviews 1373 01:00:35,540 --> 01:00:38,343 that the White House will be hosting here with 1374 01:00:38,343 --> 01:00:40,345 YouTube content creators. 1375 01:00:42,981 --> 01:00:45,450 Jim was asking because these people aren't journalists, 1376 01:00:45,450 --> 01:00:50,821 but there's also a question of propriety and what kind 1377 01:00:50,822 --> 01:00:52,824 of audience is the President trying to reach. 1378 01:00:52,824 --> 01:00:54,826 You said earlier that the President is trying 1379 01:00:54,826 --> 01:00:56,828 to reach a large number of people. 1380 01:00:56,828 --> 01:00:59,663 But, for example, you and I are both wearing pants, 1381 01:00:59,664 --> 01:01:01,666 everyone here is properly attired. 1382 01:01:01,666 --> 01:01:06,771 In some of these videos, people are wearing less than full 1383 01:01:06,771 --> 01:01:09,741 clothing, they're doing ridiculous things. 1384 01:01:09,741 --> 01:01:11,743 These are the people that are being invited 1385 01:01:11,743 --> 01:01:13,745 to the White House to interview the President. 1386 01:01:13,745 --> 01:01:15,712 They're not just not journalists, 1387 01:01:15,713 --> 01:01:18,116 they're also in the business of -- in a different 1388 01:01:18,116 --> 01:01:21,419 way than, for example, Zach Galifianakis. 1389 01:01:21,419 --> 01:01:23,421 Is something that the President -- I mean, 1390 01:01:23,421 --> 01:01:25,423 obviously he thinks it's something he should be doing, 1391 01:01:25,423 --> 01:01:27,392 but what is the message that the President is sending 1392 01:01:27,392 --> 01:01:29,727 by inviting those people to the White House? 1393 01:01:29,727 --> 01:01:32,363 Mr. Earnest: Well, I will hazard a guess, 1394 01:01:32,363 --> 01:01:34,631 and I do expect that all of the people who participate 1395 01:01:34,632 --> 01:01:37,869 in these interviews will be appropriately respectful 1396 01:01:37,869 --> 01:01:40,872 of the President in the offices of the presidency. 1397 01:01:40,872 --> 01:01:43,308 And I do think that we consider this 1398 01:01:43,308 --> 01:01:46,044 to be a unique and interesting way for 1399 01:01:46,044 --> 01:01:48,046 the President to discuss some of the priorities 1400 01:01:48,046 --> 01:01:50,682 that he'll talk about in the State of Union. 1401 01:01:50,682 --> 01:01:53,651 And it should be interesting -- maybe your 1402 01:01:53,651 --> 01:01:56,053 extensive discussion of how risky this is will 1403 01:01:56,054 --> 01:01:57,789 prompt even more people to pay attention 1404 01:01:57,789 --> 01:01:59,357 and tune in and see what the President 1405 01:01:59,357 --> 01:01:59,924 has to say. 1406 01:01:59,924 --> 01:02:00,358 I certainly -- 1407 01:02:00,358 --> 01:02:01,359 The Press: So the President is searching out 1408 01:02:01,359 --> 01:02:03,528 an audience regardless of who the interlocutor is? 1409 01:02:03,528 --> 01:02:06,029 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think the President is trying to put 1410 01:02:06,030 --> 01:02:08,766 his ideas in front of as many people as he can. 1411 01:02:08,766 --> 01:02:12,137 And if he can go to an interesting venue where 1412 01:02:12,137 --> 01:02:14,772 he may be able to attract the attention of some people 1413 01:02:14,772 --> 01:02:16,774 that didn't tune into the State of Union address, 1414 01:02:16,774 --> 01:02:18,776 for example, then we certainly would 1415 01:02:18,776 --> 01:02:21,412 welcome the opportunity to do that. 1416 01:02:21,412 --> 01:02:22,680 Leslie. 1417 01:02:22,680 --> 01:02:23,314 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1418 01:02:23,314 --> 01:02:24,616 I want to go back on the paid leave. 1419 01:02:24,616 --> 01:02:27,685 The President has long supported -- I think he even 1420 01:02:27,685 --> 01:02:30,721 sponsored a bill when he was a senator -- I'm sort 1421 01:02:30,722 --> 01:02:32,056 of curious why now. 1422 01:02:32,056 --> 01:02:34,459 And why is he just doing it now? 1423 01:02:34,459 --> 01:02:36,661 Why didn't he do it a couple of years ago to push 1424 01:02:36,661 --> 01:02:37,762 on the paid leave? 1425 01:02:37,762 --> 01:02:41,099 Mr. Earnest: Well, what you see today is not just 1426 01:02:41,099 --> 01:02:47,772 a legislative proposal, but you also see some specific 1427 01:02:47,772 --> 01:02:52,110 administrative efforts to try to ensure that 1428 01:02:52,110 --> 01:02:54,946 federal employees have access to at least six weeks 1429 01:02:54,946 --> 01:02:57,582 of paid leave when a new child is born 1430 01:02:57,582 --> 01:02:59,450 in their family, for example. 1431 01:02:59,450 --> 01:03:02,654 So there are some steps that the President can take 1432 01:03:02,654 --> 01:03:05,490 administratively that he announced today, as well. 1433 01:03:05,490 --> 01:03:08,192 And you're right, these are policies that the President has 1434 01:03:08,193 --> 01:03:10,828 long supported, and it certainly is consistent with what 1435 01:03:10,828 --> 01:03:15,233 he has long viewed as his priority, which strengthening 1436 01:03:15,233 --> 01:03:16,634 middle-class families in this country. 1437 01:03:16,634 --> 01:03:18,269 The Press: But why didn't he do anything sooner on it? 1438 01:03:18,269 --> 01:03:19,904 And how do you think you have a better chance 1439 01:03:19,904 --> 01:03:23,007 of it now with the Republicans in both chambers? 1440 01:03:23,007 --> 01:03:27,679 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think any time the President makes 1441 01:03:27,679 --> 01:03:30,048 an announcement in his -- here that we're getting close 1442 01:03:30,048 --> 01:03:33,151 to his seventh year in office, I think can be subjected 1443 01:03:33,151 --> 01:03:35,520 to the question of, well, why didn't he do this earlier. 1444 01:03:35,520 --> 01:03:37,855 I suppose that was probably also true in his second week 1445 01:03:37,855 --> 01:03:39,857 in office when you asked why didn't the President 1446 01:03:39,857 --> 01:03:40,858 do this last week. 1447 01:03:40,858 --> 01:03:43,795 So it's a difficult question to answer. 1448 01:03:43,795 --> 01:03:48,533 priority that the President places on benefitting 1449 01:03:48,533 --> 01:03:50,535 middle-class families and putting in place the policies 1450 01:03:50,535 --> 01:03:52,537 that are going to benefit middle-class families. 1451 01:03:52,537 --> 01:03:54,906 And this is certainly an example of one that would. 1452 01:03:54,906 --> 01:03:55,506 The Press: A follow on Cuba. 1453 01:03:55,506 --> 01:03:58,942 Is everything you've announced is everything that he believes 1454 01:03:58,943 --> 01:04:02,614 he can do, that he's done all that he can and the next 1455 01:04:02,614 --> 01:04:04,816 steps will be up to Congress for any changes? 1456 01:04:04,816 --> 01:04:07,051 Mr. Earnest: As it relates to the specific regulations from 1457 01:04:07,051 --> 01:04:09,053 Treasury and Commerce, I believe so. 1458 01:04:09,053 --> 01:04:11,022 But you should confirm that with those two 1459 01:04:11,022 --> 01:04:13,024 agencies that administered the regulations. 1460 01:04:13,024 --> 01:04:14,025 April. 1461 01:04:14,025 --> 01:04:16,027 The Press: Josh, I wanted to ask you a couple 1462 01:04:16,027 --> 01:04:17,028 of questions on Boko Haram. 1463 01:04:17,028 --> 01:04:19,029 But first I want to go to the Vice President's 1464 01:04:19,030 --> 01:04:20,031 event at Norfolk State today. 1465 01:04:20,031 --> 01:04:22,933 There is a disproportionate number of African Americans 1466 01:04:22,934 --> 01:04:29,574 who are not involved in the Internet and in cyberspace. 1467 01:04:29,574 --> 01:04:33,711 Is this $25-million effort an effort to bolster 1468 01:04:33,711 --> 01:04:38,082 the numbers of African Americans in that field? 1469 01:04:38,082 --> 01:04:40,817 Mr. Earnest: Well, what the Vice President is talking about 1470 01:04:40,818 --> 01:04:46,491 today is similar to the kind of effort you've seen across 1471 01:04:46,491 --> 01:04:50,495 the administration to encourage students, all students, 1472 01:04:50,495 --> 01:04:54,932 to consider a profession in the STEM field -- in the science, 1473 01:04:54,932 --> 01:04:59,102 technology, engineering and math fields -- that those 1474 01:04:59,103 --> 01:05:01,105 are the kinds of jobs that require substantial 1475 01:05:01,105 --> 01:05:02,740 training and education. 1476 01:05:02,740 --> 01:05:04,975 But if you can get that training and education, 1477 01:05:04,976 --> 01:05:08,079 you're going to have access to a wide variety 1478 01:05:08,079 --> 01:05:09,947 of good-paying jobs. 1479 01:05:09,947 --> 01:05:13,651 Having well- qualified, highly skilled workers in those 1480 01:05:13,651 --> NaN:NaN:NaN,NaN jobs is good for the economy, but it's also good for 1481 01:05:13,151 --> 01:05:15,153 the families of those workers because we know that 1482 01:05:15,153 --> 01:05:21,591 they're going to be able to live a middle-class lifestyle. 1483 01:05:21,592 --> 01:05:23,695 And one of the things the President is going to be focused 1484 01:05:23,695 --> 01:05:26,597 on in his State of Union address -- and this is consistent with 1485 01:05:26,597 --> 01:05:28,599 the President's announcement about community colleges that he 1486 01:05:28,599 --> 01:05:33,705 made last week, which is never before has a college education 1487 01:05:33,705 --> 01:05:36,808 been more important to middle-class students being 1488 01:05:36,808 --> 01:05:39,243 able to get the kind of good, middle-class pay -- 1489 01:05:39,243 --> 01:05:42,380 good-paying, middle-class job that they aspire to. 1490 01:05:42,380 --> 01:05:46,551 So these kinds of STEM jobs that the Vice President 1491 01:05:46,551 --> 01:05:48,886 is talking about today require a solid education. 1492 01:05:48,886 --> 01:05:51,422 And the administration wants to be supportive of those 1493 01:05:51,422 --> 01:05:54,492 students who are interested in getting a college education 1494 01:05:54,492 --> 01:05:56,494 and getting the kind training that they need, 1495 01:05:56,494 --> 01:05:58,696 particularly in the STEM fields. 1496 01:05:58,696 --> 01:06:00,264 The Press: And I wanted to ask you -- I want 1497 01:06:00,264 --> 01:06:01,632 to go back to Boko Haram. 1498 01:06:01,632 --> 01:06:03,801 The United States dispatched military advisers to help 1499 01:06:03,801 --> 01:06:06,237 Nigeria and neighboring countries address 1500 01:06:06,237 --> 01:06:08,172 the threat posed by Boko Haram. 1501 01:06:08,172 --> 01:06:11,242 What has been accomplished so far? 1502 01:06:11,242 --> 01:06:13,978 Mr. Earnest: Well, April, I can tell you that we certainly 1503 01:06:13,978 --> 01:06:16,347 have tried to strengthen our counterterrorism 1504 01:06:16,347 --> 01:06:20,318 relationship with the Nigerian government. 1505 01:06:20,318 --> 01:06:23,488 There is no doubt that Boko Haram has continued to carry 1506 01:06:23,488 --> 01:06:26,857 out terrible acts of violence all across that country. 1507 01:06:26,858 --> 01:06:31,162 And we're going to continue to work with the Nigerian 1508 01:06:31,162 --> 01:06:34,265 government to improve the capacity of their 1509 01:06:34,265 --> 01:06:36,768 security forces to protect their population, 1510 01:06:36,768 --> 01:06:38,903 but also to improve the performance of their security 1511 01:06:38,903 --> 01:06:42,372 forces when it comes to respecting basic human rights 1512 01:06:42,373 --> 01:06:45,042 and respect for the freedom of religion. 1513 01:06:45,042 --> 01:06:49,714 So there's an important relationship there that has 1514 01:06:49,714 --> 01:06:52,482 been strengthened, but there remains a lot more work 1515 01:06:52,483 --> 01:06:55,086 to do so we can start seeing the kind of results 1516 01:06:55,086 --> 01:06:57,087 that we'd like to see from this effort. 1517 01:06:57,088 --> 01:06:59,991 The Press: But the Nigerian military was preeminent 1518 01:06:59,991 --> 01:07:02,393 in the western region of Africa; they were stability 1519 01:07:02,393 --> 01:07:03,261 for that region. 1520 01:07:03,261 --> 01:07:06,130 And now the government and Nigerian military appear 1521 01:07:06,130 --> 01:07:07,765 basically inept. 1522 01:07:07,765 --> 01:07:08,466 What's happening? 1523 01:07:08,466 --> 01:07:10,935 Why do we have to hold them up now? 1524 01:07:10,935 --> 01:07:13,871 I mean, we've heard words of corruption bantered about. 1525 01:07:13,871 --> 01:07:17,308 Why are we now helping them with this problem 1526 01:07:17,308 --> 01:07:18,009 the way we are? 1527 01:07:18,009 --> 01:07:19,277 Mr. Earnest: Well, some of it goes back to what Ed was 1528 01:07:19,277 --> 01:07:22,547 saying, that we're seeing this extremist group, 1529 01:07:22,547 --> 01:07:25,283 this terrorist group carry out terrible acts 1530 01:07:25,283 --> 01:07:28,019 of violence on an increasingly large scale. 1531 01:07:28,019 --> 01:07:29,020 That is troubling. 1532 01:07:29,020 --> 01:07:31,122 It's certainly troubling to our conscience. 1533 01:07:31,122 --> 01:07:33,723 It also is not in the best interest of American foreign 1534 01:07:33,724 --> 01:07:40,264 policy for this destabilizing violent presence to continue 1535 01:07:40,264 --> 01:07:42,533 to carry out terrible acts with impunity there. 1536 01:07:42,533 --> 01:07:44,935 So we're going to work with security forces 1537 01:07:44,936 --> 01:07:47,505 to keep the pressure on these violent extremists. 1538 01:07:47,505 --> 01:07:49,507 We're going to keep the pressure on the security 1539 01:07:49,507 --> 01:07:51,509 forces to do a better job of protecting their 1540 01:07:51,509 --> 01:07:53,511 population from the violent extremists, while 1541 01:07:53,511 --> 01:07:55,513 at the same time those security forces 1542 01:07:55,513 --> 01:07:57,515 do a better job of respecting basic human rights. 1543 01:07:57,515 --> 01:07:59,549 So there's a very difficult task ahead, 1544 01:07:59,550 --> 01:08:02,320 but this is a task that the administration 1545 01:08:02,320 --> 01:08:03,321 remains committed to. 1546 01:08:03,321 --> 01:08:04,889 The Press: And lastly, the United States is holding 1547 01:08:04,889 --> 01:08:07,325 a former Boko Haram leader in custody, 1548 01:08:07,325 --> 01:08:09,961 and there appears to be questions whether 1549 01:08:09,961 --> 01:08:10,495 he's violated U.S. law. 1550 01:08:10,495 --> 01:08:13,964 Given Boko Haram's brutality and the links to al Qaeda, 1551 01:08:13,965 --> 01:08:16,167 how is this possible to question if he's 1552 01:08:16,167 --> 01:08:17,268 broken U.S. law? 1553 01:08:17,268 --> 01:08:19,470 Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm not aware of the individual 1554 01:08:19,470 --> 01:08:22,840 that you're referring to, but I would -- I'd refer you 1555 01:08:22,840 --> 01:08:23,774 to either the State Department 1556 01:08:23,774 --> 01:08:25,109 or the Department of Defense that may have 1557 01:08:25,109 --> 01:08:27,178 more information about that individual's detention. 1558 01:08:27,178 --> 01:08:27,711 Byron. 1559 01:08:27,712 --> 01:08:28,579 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 1560 01:08:28,578 --> 01:08:31,515 The Summit on Violent Extremism was originally scheduled 1561 01:08:31,515 --> 01:08:35,719 for October 2014 before being rescheduled without 1562 01:08:35,720 --> 01:08:36,420 an explanation. 1563 01:08:36,420 --> 01:08:38,990 Can you say why it was postponed to begin with? 1564 01:08:38,990 --> 01:08:41,392 And are you worried that the delay might have had 1565 01:08:41,392 --> 01:08:44,895 an impact on efforts to get anti-radicalization 1566 01:08:44,895 --> 01:08:47,430 programs up and running across the country? 1567 01:08:47,430 --> 01:08:50,067 Mr. Earnest: Byron, I talked about this a little 1568 01:08:50,067 --> 01:08:51,234 bit earlier in the week. 1569 01:08:51,234 --> 01:08:55,173 The challenge of scheduling an event like this is that 1570 01:08:55,173 --> 01:09:01,112 it requires the formulation of a specific agenda, 1571 01:09:01,112 --> 01:09:03,648 and then it requires people to make a specific 1572 01:09:03,648 --> 01:09:05,650 commitment to attend and participate. 1573 01:09:05,649 --> 01:09:08,352 And trying to coordinate all the schedules and people from 1574 01:09:08,352 --> 01:09:10,354 all across the country and even around the world 1575 01:09:10,354 --> 01:09:11,822 is difficult business. 1576 01:09:11,822 --> 01:09:15,459 But this clearly is a priority of this administration. 1577 01:09:15,459 --> 01:09:18,563 And one of the things that we want to do is we want 1578 01:09:18,563 --> 01:09:20,631 to lift up best practices. 1579 01:09:20,631 --> 01:09:23,034 There are communities across this country that are doing 1580 01:09:23,033 --> 01:09:28,071 a very effective job in countering extremist 1581 01:09:28,072 --> 01:09:30,942 ideology and messaging from propagating in their 1582 01:09:30,942 --> 01:09:33,611 communities and some making some inroads 1583 01:09:33,611 --> 01:09:34,612 in some of those communities. 1584 01:09:34,612 --> 01:09:37,848 And one of the important things that we can do in the context 1585 01:09:37,848 --> 01:09:44,121 of the summit is to help share this information 1586 01:09:44,121 --> 01:09:46,123 and share these best practices with other 1587 01:09:46,122 --> 01:09:48,125 communities that want to take some more steps. 1588 01:09:48,125 --> 01:09:50,127 So there's some important work that needs to be done 1589 01:09:50,127 --> 01:09:52,129 in the context of the summit, and we're looking 1590 01:09:52,129 --> 01:09:54,031 forward to that getting done in February. 1591 01:09:54,031 --> 01:09:54,432 The Press: One more question. 1592 01:09:54,432 --> 01:09:57,134 In France -- there are reports that France has arrested more 1593 01:09:57,134 --> 01:09:59,503 than 50 people, including a controversial comedian, 1594 01:09:59,503 --> 01:10:02,773 in a speech crackdown, most of which were arrested 1595 01:10:02,773 --> 01:10:05,109 for a speech that would be legal in the United States. 1596 01:10:05,109 --> 01:10:06,744 Does the White House have any reaction to those 1597 01:10:06,744 --> 01:10:09,647 arrests and reports about crackdowns on offensive 1598 01:10:09,647 --> 01:10:10,881 speech in France? 1599 01:10:10,881 --> 01:10:13,084 Mr. Earnest: I'm not aware of each of these individual cases, 1600 01:10:13,084 --> 01:10:16,053 so I wouldn't sort of wade into what are obviously active 1601 01:10:16,053 --> 01:10:17,855 investigations by the French. 1602 01:10:17,855 --> 01:10:23,227 But we do know that the French government has articulated 1603 01:10:23,227 --> 01:10:25,997 the importance of the freedom of speech and freedom of 1604 01:10:25,997 --> 01:10:28,799 expression, and those are the kinds of values that we hold 1605 01:10:28,799 --> 01:10:30,801 dear in this country and we know that our allies in France 1606 01:10:30,801 --> 01:10:32,236 hold them dear as well. 1607 01:10:32,236 --> 01:10:34,238 But in terms of the investigations and sort of how 1608 01:10:34,238 --> 01:10:37,642 all that's administered, I'd leave it up to the French. 1609 01:10:37,642 --> 01:10:39,910 The Press: But does the White House believe that offensive 1610 01:10:39,910 --> 01:10:43,781 speech should be criminalized, even by allies like France? 1611 01:10:43,781 --> 01:10:46,050 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, that sort of speculates 1612 01:10:46,050 --> 01:10:47,385 on what these individuals have been charged 1613 01:10:47,385 --> 01:10:48,919 with and what the investigations have shown. 1614 01:10:48,919 --> 01:10:52,657 I just don't want to wade into that. 1615 01:10:52,657 --> 01:10:53,624 Yes, go ahead, Connie. 1616 01:10:53,624 --> 01:10:55,159 I'll give you the last one. 1617 01:10:55,159 --> 01:10:56,059 The Press: Is it a full press conference where 1618 01:10:56,060 --> 01:10:57,228 it will be two-and-two? 1619 01:10:57,228 --> 01:10:58,062 And what time is it going to be? 1620 01:10:58,062 --> 01:10:59,063 Mr. Earnest: It will be in the afternoon. 1621 01:10:59,063 --> 01:11:00,931 We'll have exact timing later today, 1622 01:11:00,931 --> 01:11:03,233 and it will be a two-and-two, a formal news conference 1623 01:11:03,234 --> 01:11:06,170 in the East Room with the British Prime Minister. 1624 01:11:06,170 --> 01:11:07,171 Thanks, everybody.