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1 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:03,600 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, ma'am. 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:06,470 The Press: A couple questions on the Times Square bomb suspect. 3 00:00:06,467 --> 00:00:09,567 We have a report out from law enforcement officials saying 4 00:00:09,567 --> 00:00:13,297 that he has been connected to a terror training camp in Pakistan. 5 00:00:13,300 --> 00:00:16,170 Are we now looking at someone who is not a lone wolf but 6 00:00:16,166 --> 00:00:19,366 someone who might have connections to an overseas plot? 7 00:00:19,367 --> 00:00:21,097 Mr. Gibbs: I'll just say this -- we're in the middle of an active 8 00:00:21,100 --> 00:00:24,230 and ongoing investigation. 9 00:00:24,233 --> 00:00:27,503 We are -- part of that active and ongoing investigation is to 10 00:00:27,500 --> 00:00:32,300 examine the time that this individual spent in Pakistan. 11 00:00:32,300 --> 00:00:34,700 But I don't have anything more to discuss on that. 12 00:00:34,700 --> 00:00:35,970 The Press: Have you been able to rule out the idea that 13 00:00:35,967 --> 00:00:37,667 he was acting alone? 14 00:00:37,667 --> 00:00:41,467 Mr. Gibbs: Again, this is an ongoing investigation, 15 00:00:41,467 --> 00:00:43,297 and I don't have anything further on it. 16 00:00:43,300 --> 00:00:44,700 The Press: And then, one of the things that hasn't really been 17 00:00:44,700 --> 00:00:48,830 explained very clearly is how he actually managed to get on this flight. 18 00:00:48,834 --> 00:00:51,334 He was on the no-fly list earlier that day; 19 00:00:51,333 --> 00:00:53,463 his name was very well known in the law enforcement community. 20 00:00:53,467 --> 00:00:54,297 So how did that happen? 21 00:00:54,300 --> 00:00:55,700 How did he make it through? 22 00:00:55,700 --> 00:00:59,500 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, we're -- there's a process going back and 23 00:00:59,500 --> 00:01:01,900 looking at all that happened. 24 00:01:01,900 --> 00:01:07,470 I think it is important to understand that the system is 25 00:01:07,467 --> 00:01:16,037 built with necessary and built-in redundancy so that if a 26 00:01:16,033 --> 00:01:20,903 name is added and a carrier misses the added name, 27 00:01:20,900 --> 00:01:25,770 that Customs and Border Patrol, once a manifest is locked, 28 00:01:25,767 --> 00:01:34,567 runs those names through a center and can identify anything 29 00:01:34,567 --> 00:01:37,167 that a carrier may have missed. 30 00:01:37,166 --> 00:01:41,766 I think Secretary Napolitano and others said today -- again, 31 00:01:41,767 --> 00:01:47,297 talked about the fact that that was built-in redundancy. 32 00:01:47,300 --> 00:01:51,800 CBP caught and apprehended that individual before the plane 33 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:57,400 left, and even would have, I think she said, 34 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:02,500 done so -- we had the authority to either have the plane land or 35 00:02:02,500 --> 00:02:03,830 turn around. 36 00:02:03,834 --> 00:02:07,234 So, again, there's a series of built-in redundancies, 37 00:02:07,233 --> 00:02:11,233 this being one of them, where Customs and Border Patrol checks 38 00:02:11,233 --> 00:02:15,463 a locked manifest to ensure that, again, 39 00:02:15,467 --> 00:02:18,997 if there's a mistake by a carrier, 40 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:20,400 it can be double-checked. 41 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:22,600 The Press: So is this a case of a mistake by this carrier? 42 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:25,800 Mr. Gibbs: Well, that's part of the investigation we're looking at. 43 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:29,170 The Press: Has the President spoken to anyone at BP yet? 44 00:02:29,166 --> 00:02:30,396 Mr. Gibbs: Spoken with anybody -- 45 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:31,700 The Press: Anyone at BP yet? 46 00:02:31,700 --> 00:02:32,300 Mr. Gibbs: Not that I'm aware of. 47 00:02:32,300 --> 00:02:34,300 The Press: And do you feel that BP is now responding 48 00:02:34,300 --> 00:02:36,500 appropriately to the oil slick? 49 00:02:36,500 --> 00:02:40,500 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Steve, I don't have a lot to add from yesterday 50 00:02:40,500 --> 00:02:41,670 in terms of this. 51 00:02:41,667 --> 00:02:48,137 Obviously there are many different things that BP has 52 00:02:48,133 --> 00:02:56,163 expertise on and are working on, most notably capping the well. 53 00:02:56,166 --> 00:03:05,296 We are focused on responding to the leak and ensuring a minimal 54 00:03:05,300 --> 00:03:10,900 amount of environmental or economic disruption. 55 00:03:10,900 --> 00:03:11,970 That's our focus. 56 00:03:11,967 --> 00:03:14,867 The Press: And what about this federal law that may or may not 57 00:03:14,867 --> 00:03:20,237 require -- or BP would be capped at $75 million in payout? 58 00:03:20,233 --> 00:03:24,063 Mr. Gibbs: Understand this -- there is -- they are fully 59 00:03:24,066 --> 00:03:26,866 liable for cleanup and recovery costs per the 60 00:03:26,867 --> 00:03:29,937 Oil Pollution Act of 1990. 61 00:03:29,934 --> 00:03:34,204 The cap is not in place if somebody is found to be either 62 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:39,800 grossly negligent, conduct willful -- involved in willful 63 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:43,030 misconduct, or in violation of federal regulations. 64 00:03:43,033 --> 00:03:45,003 As you know, there's an investigation ongoing as 65 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:50,730 to the cause behind the spill. 66 00:03:50,734 --> 00:03:54,964 In addition to that -- I checked on this at the conclusion of 67 00:03:54,967 --> 00:04:00,737 yesterday's briefing -- folks in the administration were working 68 00:04:00,734 --> 00:04:05,834 on legislation to lift that cap and extend it. 69 00:04:05,834 --> 00:04:12,634 Obviously we've got a situation where $75 million could easily 70 00:04:12,633 --> 00:04:16,863 -- we could easily top $75 million in a short period of time. 71 00:04:16,867 --> 00:04:18,067 We understand that. 72 00:04:18,066 --> 00:04:21,936 This law was passed and signed 20 years ago. 73 00:04:21,934 --> 00:04:27,934 So there are failsafes that are built into that law that remove 74 00:04:27,934 --> 00:04:31,734 the cap based on the conditions that caused the spill, 75 00:04:31,734 --> 00:04:34,304 and our administration will work with Congress, 76 00:04:34,300 --> 00:04:39,830 Democrats and Republicans, to change that cap and ensure, 77 00:04:39,834 --> 00:04:41,604 as I've said and as the President has said, 78 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:46,330 that BP is the responsible party, 79 00:04:46,333 --> 00:04:49,633 they're the cause of this spill, and they'll pay for everything 80 00:04:49,633 --> 00:04:50,963 involved in this spill. 81 00:04:50,967 --> 00:04:53,937 The Press: Is there another cap that you would support in this legislation? 82 00:04:53,934 --> 00:05:01,834 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think Senator Menendez, his bill is at $10 billion. 83 00:05:01,834 --> 00:05:07,134 I have -- they're working with and thinking through various caps. 84 00:05:07,133 --> 00:05:09,933 Again, I would -- suffice to say, 85 00:05:09,934 --> 00:05:17,334 our admonition that BP will pay for this leak is -- they will 86 00:05:17,333 --> 00:05:18,733 pay for this leak. 87 00:05:18,734 --> 00:05:19,964 Yes, sir. 88 00:05:19,967 --> 00:05:23,697 The Press: Regarding reports from the Pakistani government 89 00:05:23,700 --> 00:05:29,100 that Faisal Shahzad had been at a training camp, did U.S. 90 00:05:29,100 --> 00:05:31,530 intelligence -- had the Pakistanis -- before this 91 00:05:31,533 --> 00:05:35,403 incident took place, had the Pakistani government told the 92 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:39,470 U.S. government in any way about Faisal Shahzad havin 93 00:05:39,467 --> 00:05:42,497 attended this camp? 94 00:05:42,500 --> 00:05:47,700 Mr. Gibbs: I can go back and see whether any of that came across. 95 00:05:47,700 --> 00:05:50,700 I would say this about the government of Pakistan. 96 00:05:50,700 --> 00:05:55,230 Obviously we're in close contact with them and working with them 97 00:05:55,233 --> 00:05:57,063 on a number of issues surrounding this. 98 00:05:57,066 --> 00:06:01,296 The Press: The no-fly list -- is there a difference between how 99 00:06:01,300 --> 00:06:05,200 airlines treat passengers on the no-fly list who are flying into 100 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:09,530 the U.S. and how airlines treat passengers on the no-fly list 101 00:06:09,533 --> 00:06:11,763 who are flying out of the U.S.? 102 00:06:11,767 --> 00:06:22,337 Mr. Gibbs: I would point you to DHS, Jake, on the specifics of that. 103 00:06:22,333 --> 00:06:24,263 The Press: The 9/11 Commission recommended that there be 104 00:06:24,266 --> 00:06:27,336 increased security not only on people coming into this country 105 00:06:27,333 --> 00:06:30,063 but people leaving this country, and there have been criticisms 106 00:06:30,066 --> 00:06:33,136 that that last part has not really been acted on. 107 00:06:33,133 --> 00:06:35,433 Mr. Gibbs: I can check with folks here. 108 00:06:35,433 --> 00:06:39,403 Again, I think -- I do think it is important to stress that, 109 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:45,670 as I said a minute ago, the system is built with mechanisms 110 00:06:45,667 --> 00:06:50,237 -- duplicative mechanisms in order to ensure that if -- 111 00:06:50,233 --> 00:06:53,933 again, if a carrier isn't picking up a change in the 112 00:06:53,934 --> 00:06:59,234 no-fly list, that that change can be caught when Customs and 113 00:06:59,233 --> 00:07:06,263 Border Patrol go through the manifest again prior to the 114 00:07:06,266 --> 00:07:07,696 flight leaving. 115 00:07:07,700 --> 00:07:10,700 The Press: Regarding Abdulmutallab and this incident with Shahzad, 116 00:07:10,700 --> 00:07:15,670 it would seem that both times the American people got lucky; 117 00:07:15,667 --> 00:07:19,167 both times Abdulmutallab and Shahzad failed to detonate 118 00:07:19,166 --> 00:07:22,636 the bomb, but had it not been for the terrorists' -- the 119 00:07:22,633 --> 00:07:27,833 attempted terrorists' failure, we could be looking at disasters. 120 00:07:27,834 --> 00:07:30,404 I know the President credited vigilant, 121 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:33,070 innocent bystanders who called it in, but it would seem, 122 00:07:33,066 --> 00:07:34,936 at least based on what NYPD says, 123 00:07:34,934 --> 00:07:37,804 the reason the incident didn't happen is because the bomb 124 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:40,800 wasn't going to work. 125 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:44,530 Does the President -- does he just feel lucky? 126 00:07:44,533 --> 00:07:46,833 I mean, it feels like we dodged a bullet here again. 127 00:07:46,834 --> 00:07:49,034 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Jake, I think as the President said today, 128 00:07:49,033 --> 00:07:54,603 this is a reminder of those that seek to do this country and its 129 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:58,370 citizens -- its innocent citizens harm. 130 00:07:58,367 --> 00:08:01,467 It is why we must remain vigilant. 131 00:08:01,467 --> 00:08:07,497 It is why we are proud of the law enforcement that we have; 132 00:08:07,500 --> 00:08:13,170 that, as you heard Commissioner Kelly discuss, 133 00:08:13,166 --> 00:08:17,096 was able to go from the scene of this possible incident on 134 00:08:17,100 --> 00:08:22,670 Saturday night and have somebody apprehended some 53 hours later; 135 00:08:22,667 --> 00:08:25,467 the vigilance of, as you mentioned, 136 00:08:25,467 --> 00:08:30,867 citizens that are -- that noticed suspicious activity. 137 00:08:30,867 --> 00:08:35,197 And that's why the President and this administration will 138 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:37,730 continue to take all the steps that are necessary 139 00:08:37,734 --> 00:08:39,734 to keep our country safe. 140 00:08:39,734 --> 00:08:41,634 The Press: Does the President look at this incident and say, 141 00:08:41,633 --> 00:08:44,733 my God, it's just because this guy was incompetent that the 142 00:08:44,734 --> 00:08:49,004 bomb didn't go off; we need to take step A, B, C, D? 143 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,700 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, again, we've got, Jake, 144 00:08:51,700 --> 00:08:56,430 a very active investigation in which we'll have course to look 145 00:08:56,433 --> 00:09:01,433 at all of the circumstances surrounding this and change 146 00:09:01,433 --> 00:09:03,263 whatever needs to be changed. 147 00:09:03,266 --> 00:09:04,866 The Press: So no feeling of relief by the President? 148 00:09:04,867 --> 00:09:07,837 Mr. Gibbs: No, there's -- look, Jake, 149 00:09:07,834 --> 00:09:10,534 suffice to say each and every day the President receives 150 00:09:10,533 --> 00:09:21,163 information that -- of aspects of individuals that seek to do 151 00:09:21,166 --> 00:09:22,666 this country harm. 152 00:09:22,667 --> 00:09:27,367 Each and every day his job is to do all that he can to ensure, 153 00:09:27,367 --> 00:09:31,067 with his administration, that that doesn't come to pass. 154 00:09:31,066 --> 00:09:38,596 Obviously there is a tremendous relief that nobody was hurt, 155 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:45,000 and great thanks for those that, in a short period of time, 156 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:47,430 have done the job they needed to do to track 157 00:09:47,433 --> 00:09:49,663 this individual down. 158 00:09:49,667 --> 00:09:51,997 The Press: Robert, I want to follow on that because as Jake 159 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,770 points out, the Denver case, the Christmas Day case, 160 00:09:54,767 --> 00:09:57,267 now this case, there seems to be an increase. 161 00:09:57,266 --> 00:09:58,996 We've known since 9/11 that terrorists -- 162 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:02,730 Mr. Gibbs: Remember also there's the Headley case in Chicago. 163 00:10:02,734 --> 00:10:07,034 You mentioned the Denver case, which, for those unfamiliar, 164 00:10:07,033 --> 00:10:14,263 that's Zazi, an individual through -- let me make sure I'm 165 00:10:14,266 --> 00:10:21,196 careful here -- through methods, is discovered and apprehended. 166 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:30,730 So, look, I think maybe the tell of this is law enforcement that 167 00:10:30,734 --> 00:10:32,034 continue to do a superb job in keeping us safe. 168 00:10:32,033 --> 00:10:33,803 The Press: Right, but this had been happening since 9/11 a lot 169 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:35,100 in the shadows. 170 00:10:35,100 --> 00:10:38,500 And now in recent months, on the President's watch, 171 00:10:38,500 --> 00:10:39,900 the American people are seeing these play out a lot more, 172 00:10:39,900 --> 00:10:41,770 and coming very close, as Jake said, 173 00:10:41,767 --> 00:10:44,637 to actually being terror attacks with lives lost. 174 00:10:44,633 --> 00:10:46,103 What do you think is going on here? 175 00:10:46,100 --> 00:10:49,400 Do you think the terrorists are increasing of their efforts much 176 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:51,500 more now than they were just a year or so ago? 177 00:10:51,500 --> 00:10:55,170 Is there -- do they see an opportunity? 178 00:10:55,166 --> 00:10:56,596 Mr. Gibbs: Ed, I can't speak to the patterns that 179 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:57,200 they're involved in. 180 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:00,670 I can speak to the patterns that this administration is involved 181 00:11:00,667 --> 00:11:07,237 in and the fact that we have greatly increased our tempo 182 00:11:07,233 --> 00:11:13,333 as it relates to terrorist activities throughout the world 183 00:11:13,333 --> 00:11:16,803 on a number of continents. 184 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:22,670 I think that's -- the President has been very focused on that 185 00:11:22,667 --> 00:11:24,797 since the time he came to office. 186 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:25,870 The Press: On the no-fly list question, 187 00:11:25,867 --> 00:11:27,497 you said it's being investigated now. 188 00:11:27,500 --> 00:11:30,600 But after the Christmas Day terror attempt, 189 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,500 there were also all kinds of reviews here by the White House. 190 00:11:33,500 --> 00:11:34,600 And in that case -- 191 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:36,500 Mr. Gibbs: Well, let me just make sure that I understand. 192 00:11:36,500 --> 00:11:40,070 There's an active and ongoing investigation that is working 193 00:11:40,066 --> 00:11:41,696 through a whole host of issues. 194 00:11:41,700 --> 00:11:42,730 So, yes. 195 00:11:42,734 --> 00:11:45,664 The Press: But after the Christmas Day attack, 196 00:11:45,667 --> 00:11:48,237 the President ordered reviews here of his administration about 197 00:11:48,233 --> 00:11:50,033 the terror watch list, et cetera. 198 00:11:50,033 --> 00:11:51,833 And then he came back to the White House after being in 199 00:11:51,834 --> 00:11:54,604 Hawaii, January 5th, said, "I want specific recommendations 200 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,400 for corrective actions to fix what went wrong. 201 00:11:57,400 --> 00:11:59,630 I want those reforms implemented immediately so that this doesn't 202 00:11:59,633 --> 00:12:01,363 happen again." 203 00:12:01,367 --> 00:12:03,497 And yet here we are four months later, 204 00:12:03,500 --> 00:12:05,630 someone is put on the no-fly list and is able to get on a 205 00:12:05,633 --> 00:12:07,933 plane anyway. 206 00:12:07,934 --> 00:12:11,334 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Ed, let's not -- let's get the course of the 207 00:12:11,333 --> 00:12:18,263 facts here before we jump to any series of lies and what-fors 208 00:12:18,266 --> 00:12:20,866 based on the fact that this is an individual that was put on 209 00:12:20,867 --> 00:12:26,367 the no-fly list, and as a course of how the no-fly list works, 210 00:12:26,367 --> 00:12:29,467 Customs and Border Patrol identified and apprehended 211 00:12:29,467 --> 00:12:31,197 that suspect. 212 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:37,200 So that person was on the no-fly list, and that plane didn't fly, 213 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:38,830 and that individual didn't fly. 214 00:12:38,834 --> 00:12:40,134 The Press: But in the case of the Christmas Day bomber, 215 00:12:40,133 --> 00:12:42,033 he was not on the no-fly list; he was on a separate 216 00:12:42,033 --> 00:12:42,933 terror watch list. 217 00:12:42,934 --> 00:12:46,804 So the President said he ordered reviews to sort all of this out. 218 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,670 So how can the American people have confidence in these various 219 00:12:49,667 --> 00:12:51,997 terror watch lists, no-fly lists, 220 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:53,730 if people are still able to get on planes? 221 00:12:53,734 --> 00:12:56,304 In both cases they were able, despite being on various lists -- 222 00:12:56,300 --> 00:12:58,700 Mr. Gibbs: Well, Ed, obviously you're talking about two 223 00:12:58,700 --> 00:13:01,570 different cases and, quite frankly, two different lists. 224 00:13:01,567 --> 00:13:04,367 You're talking about a TIDES list and you're talking about 225 00:13:04,367 --> 00:13:05,367 a no-fly list. 226 00:13:05,367 --> 00:13:08,967 Again, Ed, I think it's important that your viewers 227 00:13:08,967 --> 00:13:12,937 understand the individual was on a no-fly list, 228 00:13:12,934 --> 00:13:15,604 and as a result of being on that no-fly list, 229 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:19,070 and the Customs and Border Patrol checking the manifest, 230 00:13:19,066 --> 00:13:23,066 once locked for a flight leaving this country the same way they 231 00:13:23,066 --> 00:13:27,296 do in checking inbound flights that come from overseas -- that 232 00:13:27,300 --> 00:13:29,730 individual was pulled off of a plane. 233 00:13:29,734 --> 00:13:32,064 The Press: A plane that had already left the gate. 234 00:13:32,066 --> 00:13:35,596 I mean, it had left, and they then pulled it back. 235 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:37,570 Mr. Gibbs: We're working through some of the tick-tock, 236 00:13:37,567 --> 00:13:42,097 but understand this, Jake, that the list identifies people that 237 00:13:42,100 --> 00:13:45,200 are not allowed to fly. 238 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:47,730 This individual was identified, as a course of Customs and 239 00:13:47,734 --> 00:13:50,504 Border Patrol, and apprehended. 240 00:13:50,500 --> 00:13:51,230 He didn't fly. 241 00:13:51,233 --> 00:13:53,533 The Press: Initially because an airline employee saw that he paid 242 00:13:53,533 --> 00:13:56,403 cash at the last minute and then alerted folks. 243 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:57,370 So he did -- 244 00:13:57,367 --> 00:13:57,897 Mr. Gibbs: But, again -- 245 00:13:57,900 --> 00:13:59,770 The Press: -- but the plane did leave the gate. 246 00:13:59,767 --> 00:14:03,437 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I'm checking on some of the tick-tock on this. 247 00:14:03,433 --> 00:14:09,263 Understanding, again -- let me go through some of the tick-tock 248 00:14:09,266 --> 00:14:10,066 on this and I'll get back to you. 249 00:14:10,066 --> 00:14:11,166 The Press: One last thing on the timeline. 250 00:14:11,166 --> 00:14:11,866 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 251 00:14:11,867 --> 00:14:13,037 The Press: The President -- the car started smoking, 252 00:14:13,033 --> 00:14:14,433 as we understand, at about 6:28 p.m. 253 00:14:14,433 --> 00:14:16,163 on Saturday night. 254 00:14:16,166 --> 00:14:18,666 The President, when you put out a release on Saturday night, 255 00:14:18,667 --> 00:14:21,197 said that he was briefed on this at 10:45 p.m. 256 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:22,600 Is that the first time he was briefed, 257 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:26,100 and are you concerned that there was four hours between when this 258 00:14:26,100 --> 00:14:27,970 started -- I know he can't be on top of every single situation in 259 00:14:27,967 --> 00:14:32,667 the world, but this is Times Square, it was shut down. 260 00:14:32,667 --> 00:14:33,767 Are you concerned about the time -- it took four hours 261 00:14:33,767 --> 00:14:34,697 before the President -- 262 00:14:34,700 --> 00:14:36,830 Mr. Gibbs: No, Ed, I was at -- I was sitting on the same stage 263 00:14:36,834 --> 00:14:44,204 you were, and reading e-mails from the Situation Room about -- 264 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:45,370 The Press: That's not my question. 265 00:14:45,367 --> 00:14:46,637 So you were being notified. 266 00:14:46,633 --> 00:14:48,463 Mr. Gibbs: There were many of us that were being notified. 267 00:14:48,467 --> 00:14:54,337 In fact, I was sitting -- from where I was sitting, 268 00:14:54,333 --> 00:14:57,763 the vantage point -- the person that I could see most squarely 269 00:14:57,767 --> 00:15:01,997 was the mayor of New York. 270 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:05,400 So throughout the course of this, yes, 271 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:13,830 I'm checking and seeing updates about a possible situation, 272 00:15:13,834 --> 00:15:19,234 which, in all honesty, Ed, we get a lot of, 273 00:15:19,233 --> 00:15:23,863 whether it's something that might come from a flight or 274 00:15:23,867 --> 00:15:27,267 some -- a passenger might say something that -- we went 275 00:15:27,266 --> 00:15:32,196 through this on the trip to Prague. 276 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:35,070 So obviously many of us were alerted. 277 00:15:35,066 --> 00:15:41,066 John briefed the President right after he left -- right after he 278 00:15:41,066 --> 00:15:43,136 left the dinner. 279 00:15:43,133 --> 00:15:44,203 Yes, sir. 280 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:47,000 The Press: Robert, you mentioned the Headley case after Zazi, 281 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,670 and Times Square and the Christmas bomber were all mentioned. 282 00:15:50,667 --> 00:15:52,597 Is it the White House -- the perception of the White House 283 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:55,530 that there has been an increase in attempted attacks over the 284 00:15:55,533 --> 00:15:57,163 past -- during the President's -- 285 00:15:57,166 --> 00:16:02,196 Mr. Gibbs: No, I just -- Ed was listing high-profile cases, 286 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:03,870 and I just added one to that list. 287 00:16:03,867 --> 00:16:09,367 I don't know, Chip, in terms of looking at statistics, 288 00:16:09,367 --> 00:16:11,597 whether that's the case or not. 289 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:16,600 The Press: You also said in response to that that the President has 290 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:21,770 increased the tempo against terrorists on 291 00:16:21,767 --> 00:16:23,297 continents around the world. 292 00:16:23,300 --> 00:16:23,970 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 293 00:16:23,967 --> 00:16:25,897 The Press: Do you think part of this is in response to that? 294 00:16:25,900 --> 00:16:28,230 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know. 295 00:16:28,233 --> 00:16:31,603 Look, there are obviously people that seek to do this country 296 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:35,200 harm that are opposed to what the President outlined in 297 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:39,670 Afghanistan, in terms of increasing our military presence 298 00:16:39,667 --> 00:16:44,037 in order to ensure that the Taliban and its extremist allies 299 00:16:44,033 --> 00:16:46,733 aren't allowed to take power in that country again and provide a 300 00:16:46,734 --> 00:16:52,934 safe haven for al Qaeda in a situation that they had prior to 301 00:16:52,934 --> 00:16:57,904 9/11 that allowed them to train and plan the attacks that were 302 00:16:57,900 --> 00:17:02,500 executed on that day without disruption. 303 00:17:02,500 --> 00:17:08,130 So whether it's increased tempo, whether it's Afghanistan, 304 00:17:08,133 --> 00:17:11,703 I don't know the answer to it exactly. 305 00:17:11,700 --> 00:17:18,670 I'm sure there are some that have cited both of those for -- 306 00:17:18,667 --> 00:17:23,697 cited both of those decisions for their misguided and 307 00:17:23,700 --> 00:17:25,230 murderous rages. 308 00:17:25,233 --> 00:17:27,433 The Press: Is it the President's working assumption that there are other 309 00:17:27,433 --> 00:17:31,703 people out there right now planning these kinds of attacks? 310 00:17:31,700 --> 00:17:34,630 Mr. Gibbs: Safe to say, Chip, each and every day and each and 311 00:17:34,633 --> 00:17:39,733 every night both the President and all of those charged at a 312 00:17:39,734 --> 00:17:43,334 federal, state and local level in keeping this country safe are 313 00:17:43,333 --> 00:17:46,263 on alert for anything that could happen. 314 00:17:46,266 --> 00:17:54,396 Obviously we are vigilant in all that we do. 315 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:57,230 The Press: And are there some attacks, or at least plots, 316 00:17:57,233 --> 00:18:05,363 at some form -- at some level that never become known publicly? 317 00:18:05,367 --> 00:18:08,537 Mr. Gibbs: If I say yes, then they'd become known, wouldn't they? 318 00:18:08,533 --> 00:18:10,333 (laughter) 319 00:18:10,333 --> 00:18:12,533 The Press: You don't have to say what they are. 320 00:18:12,533 --> 00:18:13,403 You wouldn't have to say what they are. 321 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:15,170 Mr. Gibbs: I would simply leave it at the fact that, look, 322 00:18:15,166 --> 00:18:18,566 the President and the team come across a lot of information 323 00:18:18,567 --> 00:18:22,297 every day about those that seek to do this country and 324 00:18:22,300 --> 00:18:23,800 its citizens harm. 325 00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:26,170 The Press: And you said earlier that the administration is in 326 00:18:26,166 --> 00:18:29,366 close contact with Pakistan and working closely with Pakistan. 327 00:18:29,367 --> 00:18:31,267 Is the President personally involved in that? 328 00:18:31,266 --> 00:18:33,766 Has he made any calls to anybody -- 329 00:18:33,767 --> 00:18:38,767 Mr. Gibbs: The only calls that he's made that I know of this 330 00:18:38,767 --> 00:18:41,197 morning, or this afternoon -- well, 331 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:43,800 he called the head of the Customs and Border Patrol to 332 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:50,100 thank him for the great work that they did in this case. 333 00:18:50,100 --> 00:18:54,030 And he spoke with the governors of Arkansas and Mississippi 334 00:18:54,033 --> 00:18:57,533 about flooding. 335 00:18:57,533 --> 00:19:01,403 The Press: On the Supreme Court, can you rule out this week yet? 336 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:06,300 Mr. Gibbs: I will say -- many of you have e-mailed me throughout 337 00:19:06,300 --> 00:19:13,330 the morning and the afternoon about -- I even got -- even got 338 00:19:13,333 --> 00:19:16,633 an e-mail early afternoon about whether I could rule 339 00:19:16,633 --> 00:19:18,363 out all of tomorrow. 340 00:19:18,367 --> 00:19:22,897 So I will just -- I will just simply say that when the 341 00:19:22,900 --> 00:19:29,130 President informs us that he's made that decision, 342 00:19:29,133 --> 00:19:33,003 we will notify you as to when that announcement will be. 343 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:38,900 I'm not going to every day rule in or rule out when that might be. 344 00:19:38,900 --> 00:19:43,330 (laughter) 345 00:19:43,333 --> 00:19:47,233 Sorry, I -- you guys will give me a calendar of, like, 346 00:19:47,233 --> 00:19:50,563 circle possible days and sort of narrow this thing down. 347 00:19:50,567 --> 00:19:55,797 No, I don't -- I have -- I said almost the same thing yesterday, 348 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:58,430 exact same thing yesterday, that -- 349 00:19:58,433 --> 00:19:59,263 The Press: That was then. 350 00:19:59,266 --> 00:20:01,636 Mr. Gibbs: -- that did not cut down on any of my e-mail traffic. 351 00:20:01,633 --> 00:20:06,663 So I will not penalize any of you all for -- 352 00:20:06,667 --> 00:20:07,367 The Press: Circling a day would be very helpful. 353 00:20:07,367 --> 00:20:10,137 Mr. Gibbs: All of them that end in "y" are still applicable. 354 00:20:10,133 --> 00:20:13,733 The Press: Can you lay out -- you mentioned there's a series 355 00:20:13,734 --> 00:20:17,634 of redundancies with the no-fly list at the airport. 356 00:20:17,633 --> 00:20:18,903 Can you lay out an ideal case how this works? 357 00:20:18,900 --> 00:20:22,270 As I understand it, the airlines check the no-fly list against 358 00:20:22,266 --> 00:20:24,166 the passengers, and then they -- 359 00:20:24,166 --> 00:20:25,866 Mr. Gibbs: Let me get -- I can see if -- I would point you to 360 00:20:25,867 --> 00:20:30,467 DHS in terms of -- I'll say this. 361 00:20:30,467 --> 00:20:33,337 Contact DHS about what they're going to publicly give you. 362 00:20:33,333 --> 00:20:40,033 I don't -- I'm happy to say there are built-in redundancies. 363 00:20:40,033 --> 00:20:43,603 I don't think it would make a ton of sense to enumerate 364 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:48,400 publicly exactly what the process is in the event that 365 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:54,970 somebody uses that to figure out how to get around anything. 366 00:20:54,967 --> 00:20:57,467 The Press: I guess -- what I hear you saying is that 367 00:20:57,467 --> 00:21:00,967 essentially the system worked because the CBP was able to 368 00:21:00,967 --> 00:21:05,397 detect this person and yank them off the plane. 369 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:07,870 Did they miss any opportunity to do that, 370 00:21:07,867 --> 00:21:09,997 or was that their first opportunity to detect this 371 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:13,270 person, they availed themselves of it, and it was successful? 372 00:21:13,266 --> 00:21:15,866 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I'd point you to DHS. 373 00:21:15,867 --> 00:21:19,567 But whatever term you want to use, Savannah, 374 00:21:19,567 --> 00:21:26,397 the no-fly list provides a list of individuals not allowed to 375 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:33,330 fly; checking that through a locked-in manifest for that flight. 376 00:21:33,333 --> 00:21:39,403 Customs and Border Patrol identified an individual that 377 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:41,700 shouldn't be allowed to fly, and he wasn't. 378 00:21:41,700 --> 00:21:44,430 The Press: Do you think the system worked if a person on the 379 00:21:44,433 --> 00:21:46,763 no-fly list was able to get on the plane? 380 00:21:46,767 --> 00:21:51,537 Mr. Gibbs: Savannah, I think the system is set up to provide, 381 00:21:51,533 --> 00:21:55,603 as I said, the type of redundancy which any good 382 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:59,900 system would be set up to do. 383 00:21:59,900 --> 00:22:07,330 A suspect was identified, surveilled, apprehended, 384 00:22:07,333 --> 00:22:12,763 is in custody, is being questioned, is providing, 385 00:22:12,767 --> 00:22:14,837 as the Attorney General and others have said, 386 00:22:14,834 --> 00:22:20,164 useful and valuable information, and will soon start the process, 387 00:22:20,166 --> 00:22:22,866 the legal process of being brought to justice. 388 00:22:22,867 --> 00:22:26,797 So whatever term you want to use, a suspect was identified, 389 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:33,400 and in a rather short period of time is providing information 390 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:38,930 that is helpful, and is in the process of soon formally 391 00:22:38,934 --> 00:22:40,564 entering the justice system. 392 00:22:40,567 --> 00:22:43,297 The Press: Lastly, Secretary Napolitano indicated that even if the 393 00:22:43,300 --> 00:22:46,200 plane had taken off, that DHS and the CBP had the 394 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:47,670 authority to turn the plane around. 395 00:22:47,667 --> 00:22:48,297 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 396 00:22:48,300 --> 00:22:49,670 The Press: Do you think the President, though, 397 00:22:49,667 --> 00:22:52,097 is concerned about a set of policies, 398 00:22:52,100 --> 00:22:56,970 a set of procedures that would allow that to happen? 399 00:22:56,967 --> 00:22:59,367 I mean, in other words, once the plane has taken off, 400 00:22:59,367 --> 00:23:02,367 it's not as though it's easy come, easy go -- I mean, 401 00:23:02,367 --> 00:23:06,997 then a person on the no-fly list potentially could cause some havoc. 402 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:08,770 I mean, is there any policy change that -- 403 00:23:08,767 --> 00:23:09,697 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I would say this -- well, 404 00:23:09,700 --> 00:23:11,930 first and foremost, I don't know what -- I'm not entirely sure 405 00:23:11,934 --> 00:23:15,704 what you're alluding to, but I would say that obviously each 406 00:23:15,700 --> 00:23:21,930 passenger and their luggage is screened as they would be 407 00:23:21,934 --> 00:23:24,204 for any flight. 408 00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:28,130 So I'm not -- I don't know what, if you were alluding 409 00:23:28,133 --> 00:23:30,033 to something, I think it's important to understand that -- 410 00:23:30,033 --> 00:23:31,333 The Press: Just wondering -- yes -- 411 00:23:31,333 --> 00:23:35,433 Mr. Gibbs: -- that both sets of that screening happens as a 412 00:23:35,433 --> 00:23:39,563 matter of every flight. 413 00:23:39,567 --> 00:23:42,897 The Press: But he wasn't subject to extra scrutiny, was he? 414 00:23:42,900 --> 00:23:44,830 Mr. Gibbs: I don't know the answer to that. 415 00:23:44,834 --> 00:23:49,904 But he went through the process of being screened. 416 00:23:49,900 --> 00:23:51,470 The Press: I guess I'm just trying to -- do you think the 417 00:23:51,467 --> 00:23:54,137 President is comfortable with the way these procedures are set up? 418 00:23:54,133 --> 00:23:56,733 Nothing about this set of facts jumps out at him as saying, 419 00:23:56,734 --> 00:23:58,034 maybe we can do a little better? 420 00:23:58,033 --> 00:24:02,033 Mr. Gibbs: Again, Savannah, I think we are -- we will obviously, 421 00:24:02,033 --> 00:24:06,133 as we would and as we do in every situation, 422 00:24:06,133 --> 00:24:10,733 evaluate everything. 423 00:24:10,734 --> 00:24:17,704 But, again, there was a system that provided a name on a list 424 00:24:17,700 --> 00:24:22,170 intended not to have an individual fly. 425 00:24:22,166 --> 00:24:26,236 Customs and Border Patrol, using that system, 426 00:24:26,233 --> 00:24:29,703 found that individual and he was apprehended and wasn't 427 00:24:29,700 --> 00:24:31,430 allowed to fly. 428 00:24:31,433 --> 00:24:32,563 Yes, sir. 429 00:24:32,567 --> 00:24:35,367 The Press: Who, if anyone, at the White House was consulted 430 00:24:35,367 --> 00:24:39,597 on the procedures you used to interrogat the suspect? 431 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:46,270 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I would say questioning and interrogation, 432 00:24:46,266 --> 00:24:55,996 on those aspects -- obviously, John Brennan here. 433 00:24:56,000 --> 00:25:00,770 The intelligence community, including the CIA, 434 00:25:00,767 --> 00:25:02,837 the Director of National Intelligence, 435 00:25:02,834 --> 00:25:07,434 the National Counterterrorism Center and the Department of 436 00:25:07,433 --> 00:25:17,703 Homeland Security have all been part of those decisions. 437 00:25:17,700 --> 00:25:20,300 The Press: Was the high-value detainee interrogation group -- 438 00:25:20,300 --> 00:25:24,300 was that deployed for this? 439 00:25:24,300 --> 00:25:28,330 Mr. Gibbs: The questioning draws on the expertise and the 440 00:25:28,333 --> 00:25:31,733 resources of the HIG. 441 00:25:31,734 --> 00:25:34,064 The Press: But, wait, it draws on the -- 442 00:25:34,066 --> 00:25:35,436 Mr. Gibbs: Expertise and the resources. 443 00:25:35,433 --> 00:25:37,033 I am not going to get -- 444 00:25:37,033 --> 00:25:37,663 The Press: So it wasn't actually deployed? 445 00:25:37,667 --> 00:25:40,897 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not going to get into the identities of who's exactly 446 00:25:40,900 --> 00:25:45,370 in the room, but, again, it draws on the resources of 447 00:25:45,367 --> 00:25:46,967 the HIG, yes. 448 00:25:46,967 --> 00:25:50,697 The Press: And on a much comparatively lighter note, 449 00:25:50,700 --> 00:25:53,800 could you talk about why the White House will or will not 450 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:56,100 get involved at the Hawaii special election, 451 00:25:56,100 --> 00:25:58,870 which looks like a division between two Democrats that's 452 00:25:58,867 --> 00:26:00,837 going to hand a Democratic state to a Republican? 453 00:26:00,834 --> 00:26:04,334 Mr. Gibbs: Well, let me get some answers for you on that. 454 00:26:04,333 --> 00:26:08,403 I have to admit I have -- I love Hawaii, 455 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:14,630 but I've been focused on flights and oil today. 456 00:26:14,633 --> 00:26:16,563 But we will get you something on that, I promise. 457 00:26:16,567 --> 00:26:17,437 Mark. 458 00:26:17,433 --> 00:26:19,333 The Press: Robert, in lieu of circling a day on a calendar, 459 00:26:19,333 --> 00:26:22,733 can you say whether the President has completed the 460 00:26:22,734 --> 00:26:28,264 process of interviewing candidates for the nomination? 461 00:26:28,266 --> 00:26:30,136 Mr. Gibbs: I'm not sure. 462 00:26:30,133 --> 00:26:34,763 The Press: Has he spoken to Justice Stevens about his replacement? 463 00:26:34,767 --> 00:26:35,597 Mr. Gibbs: I can check on that. 464 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:37,500 I don't know the answer to that, to be honest with you. 465 00:26:37,500 --> 00:26:39,600 The Press: And in his speech today at the Business Council -- 466 00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:42,300 Mr. Gibbs: I'm just laughing -- not at you, Mark, but April, 467 00:26:42,300 --> 00:26:44,300 who started this process many weeks ago, 468 00:26:44,300 --> 00:26:47,230 appears to have in her head formulated a different way to 469 00:26:47,233 --> 00:26:48,933 ask what she asked several weeks ago. 470 00:26:48,934 --> 00:26:50,164 So I want you to -- 471 00:26:50,166 --> 00:26:51,296 The Press: I look forward to it. 472 00:26:51,300 --> 00:26:53,600 Mr. Gibbs: Don't worry, we'll get back there, April, 473 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:55,670 and you can try one more time. 474 00:26:55,667 --> 00:26:57,137 If you'd like to follow behind Mark, sure. 475 00:26:57,133 --> 00:26:58,863 Let me make sure Mark is done, I'm sorry. 476 00:26:58,867 --> 00:27:00,267 The Press: My last question. 477 00:27:00,266 --> 00:27:02,396 In his speech to the Business Council, 478 00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:06,230 the President again today urged them to rein in their lobbyists. 479 00:27:06,233 --> 00:27:08,763 Doesn't the President think corporations have as much right 480 00:27:08,767 --> 00:27:12,367 as anybody to express their view and try and get their 481 00:27:12,367 --> 00:27:16,837 wishes done in Congress? 482 00:27:16,834 --> 00:27:20,034 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I think what the President was speaking 483 00:27:20,033 --> 00:27:27,563 specifically about is, as those lobbying activities relate to 484 00:27:27,567 --> 00:27:30,167 financial reform. 485 00:27:30,166 --> 00:27:33,866 The President believes that financial reform is in the best 486 00:27:33,867 --> 00:27:38,267 interest of those on Wall Street, those on Main Street, 487 00:27:38,266 --> 00:27:41,496 and all those that do business with both. 488 00:27:41,500 --> 00:27:46,700 We have to have a system in place where the rules of the 489 00:27:46,700 --> 00:27:52,330 road do not allow what happened almost two years ago from happening. 490 00:27:52,333 --> 00:27:56,703 I don't think any business believes that the economic 491 00:27:56,700 --> 00:28:00,170 downturn that was accelerated greatly by, 492 00:28:00,166 --> 00:28:04,266 and in many ways caused by, some of the risky decisions that were 493 00:28:04,266 --> 00:28:06,636 made on Wall Street -- I don't think any of those businesses 494 00:28:06,633 --> 00:28:11,263 think it's been a great time for them. 495 00:28:11,266 --> 00:28:14,466 The President believes that one of the ways to put our economy 496 00:28:14,467 --> 00:28:18,137 back on that strong foundation is to have strong rules for the 497 00:28:18,133 --> 00:28:21,803 road with financial reform. 498 00:28:21,800 --> 00:28:25,970 The Press: But if the company believes that the Wall Street reform that he 499 00:28:25,967 --> 00:28:29,167 wants is not in the company's best interests, 500 00:28:29,166 --> 00:28:31,666 don't they have the right to lobby against it, 501 00:28:31,667 --> 00:28:32,767 as on any bill? 502 00:28:32,767 --> 00:28:37,997 Mr. Gibbs: They have the right to be wrong that it's not in the best 503 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:44,500 interest of this country -- or that company to have strong rules. 504 00:28:44,500 --> 00:28:46,600 The President vehemently disagrees with that. 505 00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:57,270 And I think -- again, I don't know of a business that can look 506 00:28:57,266 --> 00:29:03,036 back at the time, dating back to 2007, 507 00:29:03,033 --> 00:29:12,933 and think this was a -- think this was a robust time for them 508 00:29:12,934 --> 00:29:14,804 to be selling what they're selling or to offering what 509 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:16,670 they're offering, based on the fact that it's hard to sell 510 00:29:16,667 --> 00:29:19,837 those products when 8.5 million people have lost their job. 511 00:29:19,834 --> 00:29:22,504 The President believes that it's in the interest of all those 512 00:29:22,500 --> 00:29:26,600 involved, including business, to support strong financial reform. 513 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:29,500 I'm sorry, let me go to April. 514 00:29:29,500 --> 00:29:31,630 The Press: Yes, following up on the Supreme Court, 515 00:29:31,633 --> 00:29:35,903 just in one of your answers, it seems like he's close to -- if 516 00:29:35,900 --> 00:29:38,870 he has not, he's close to finishing up his interview 517 00:29:38,867 --> 00:29:40,437 process of the potentials. 518 00:29:40,433 --> 00:29:42,663 Is that today, tomorrow, sometime this week? 519 00:29:42,667 --> 00:29:43,337 (laughter) 520 00:29:43,333 --> 00:29:45,233 No, seriously, I mean, the way you -- 521 00:29:45,233 --> 00:29:46,603 Mr. Gibbs: That would sort of narrow down the decision-making 522 00:29:46,600 --> 00:29:49,600 process if I could close down the decision -- 523 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:50,700 The Press: I mean, but no, no, no, 524 00:29:50,700 --> 00:29:53,500 the questioning or interviews are somewhat different than the 525 00:29:53,500 --> 00:29:55,500 process -- the ending of the process. 526 00:29:55,500 --> 00:29:56,230 I mean -- 527 00:29:56,233 --> 00:29:57,733 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I said this. 528 00:29:57,734 --> 00:30:06,304 I think I said -- I hope I said that this is a process that's 529 00:30:06,300 --> 00:30:07,870 not yet finished. 530 00:30:07,867 --> 00:30:11,867 The Press: So when the President went into it, he had a mindset of what he 531 00:30:11,867 --> 00:30:13,637 was looking for in a candidate. 532 00:30:13,633 --> 00:30:15,303 Has he -- in the midst of talking to all of these 533 00:30:15,300 --> 00:30:18,270 potentials, has he somewhat come away with what he wants and 534 00:30:18,266 --> 00:30:21,636 maybe even got more than what he expected in his conversations 535 00:30:21,633 --> 00:30:22,933 with you guys? 536 00:30:22,934 --> 00:30:34,064 Mr. Gibbs: I, April, for a lot of reasons, don't want to get into what he 537 00:30:34,066 --> 00:30:37,196 has imparted to us about those conversations. 538 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:40,130 The Press: Now that we're midway or close to the end of the list 539 00:30:40,133 --> 00:30:41,663 -- I mean, not the list, but the process, 540 00:30:41,667 --> 00:30:45,597 possibly -- could you tell us about the list of potentials? 541 00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:47,930 Could you tell us -- I mean, not -- 542 00:30:47,934 --> 00:30:48,534 The Press: Names would be good. 543 00:30:48,533 --> 00:30:49,163 (laughter) 544 00:30:49,166 --> 00:30:50,866 The Press: I would love -- 545 00:30:50,867 --> 00:30:52,597 Mr. Gibbs: I realize, April, that you've -- 546 00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:53,130 The Press: Phone numbers. 547 00:30:53,133 --> 00:30:54,403 Mr. Gibbs: -- you've narrowed this down for me. 548 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:56,300 Poor Mark was way too subtle. 549 00:30:56,300 --> 00:30:59,530 He just -- you know, what about tomorrow or maybe later this week. 550 00:30:59,533 --> 00:31:02,703 All you want is the date in which the process of his 551 00:31:02,700 --> 00:31:05,730 decision-making will be concluded and the names with 552 00:31:05,734 --> 00:31:07,564 which he'll go through that decision-making process. 553 00:31:07,567 --> 00:31:09,737 (laughter) 554 00:31:09,734 --> 00:31:11,264 The Press: I want information. 555 00:31:11,266 --> 00:31:11,936 The Press: She wants an exclusive. 556 00:31:11,934 --> 00:31:12,934 (laughter) 557 00:31:12,934 --> 00:31:16,734 Mr. Gibbs: I appreciate the opportunity to be more fulsome on each of those 558 00:31:16,734 --> 00:31:21,204 questions, but I will demure. 559 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:21,800 Yes, sir. 560 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:22,900 The Press: Robert, can I follow up -- 561 00:31:22,900 --> 00:31:24,170 Mr. Gibbs: I'll come back. I'll come back. 562 00:31:24,166 --> 00:31:27,336 The Press: Robert, back to the New York car bomb case, 563 00:31:27,333 --> 00:31:28,833 first a factual question. 564 00:31:28,834 --> 00:31:31,434 At the time of the suspect's arrest, 565 00:31:31,433 --> 00:31:35,933 did he have any dangerous weapons or tools in his possession? 566 00:31:35,934 --> 00:31:39,434 Mr. Gibbs: I would -- I don't offhand know the specific answer to that, Ed. 567 00:31:39,433 --> 00:31:41,703 I'd point you to the Department of Justice. 568 00:31:41,700 --> 00:31:47,330 The Press: And Secretary Napolitano earlier said that -- characterized this 569 00:31:47,333 --> 00:31:48,803 as a one-off event. 570 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:51,600 Is that statement inoperative? 571 00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:57,430 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I think rather than getting into characterizing 572 00:31:57,433 --> 00:32:01,103 a lot of these things in the midst of an active 573 00:32:01,100 --> 00:32:06,070 investigation, I think we will just simply continue that 574 00:32:06,066 --> 00:32:10,896 process of the investigation and have more to say as it transpires. 575 00:32:10,900 --> 00:32:14,230 The Press: Finally, can you give us any information about the suspect's 576 00:32:14,233 --> 00:32:20,103 path to U.S. citizenship and what he was doing in the United States? 577 00:32:20,100 --> 00:32:23,770 Mr. Gibbs: Nothing that I want to discuss, no. Wendell. 578 00:32:23,767 --> 00:32:26,467 The Press: Elie Wiesel says the moment of tension between the U.S. 579 00:32:26,467 --> 00:32:30,367 and Israel is now gone after the President's lunch with him today. 580 00:32:30,367 --> 00:32:33,267 Did they reach a meeting of the minds on settlement expansion in 581 00:32:33,266 --> 00:32:34,736 East Jerusalem? 582 00:32:34,734 --> 00:32:39,064 Mr. Gibbs: I think you heard -- I think you heard Mr. Wiesel 583 00:32:39,066 --> 00:32:43,836 talk about his lunch with the President. 584 00:32:43,834 --> 00:32:50,264 They had an opportunity to both talk about and agree on the need 585 00:32:50,266 --> 00:32:52,966 to move forward with that peace process. 586 00:32:52,967 --> 00:32:57,337 I'm not going to get -- I don't want to go further than he would 587 00:32:57,333 --> 00:32:59,663 in characterizing what they discussed. 588 00:32:59,667 --> 00:33:04,837 The Press: On the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 589 00:33:04,834 --> 00:33:08,034 Florida Senator Nelson, who is one of the people sponsoring the 590 00:33:08,033 --> 00:33:12,833 legislation that would raise the economic damages to $10 billion, 591 00:33:12,834 --> 00:33:18,134 also says that the President's hopes for expanding offshore oil 592 00:33:18,133 --> 00:33:20,463 drilling are dead on arrival. 593 00:33:20,467 --> 00:33:24,467 Is the briefing today -- I think it's going on now -- 594 00:33:24,467 --> 00:33:29,297 Mr. Gibbs: I think there's -- I believe there is with Secretary Salazar -- 595 00:33:29,300 --> 00:33:30,870 The Press: And a host of other officials. 596 00:33:30,867 --> 00:33:31,267 Mr. Gibbs: Yes. 597 00:33:31,266 --> 00:33:36,896 The Press: Is that intended to maybe facilitate the passage of 598 00:33:36,900 --> 00:33:40,070 this legislation, to deal with some of the concerns that the 599 00:33:40,066 --> 00:33:43,296 spill has on people who might have been prepared to support 600 00:33:43,300 --> 00:33:45,030 the President? 601 00:33:45,033 --> 00:33:48,663 Mr. Gibbs: No, this is a bipartisan, 602 00:33:48,667 --> 00:33:54,167 bicameral briefing on the federal response thus far, 603 00:33:54,166 --> 00:33:59,366 as you mentioned, on the BP oil spill, 604 00:33:59,367 --> 00:34:03,837 the actions that we've taken to date. 605 00:34:03,834 --> 00:34:08,104 Wendell, the President has asked for Secretary Salazar, 606 00:34:08,100 --> 00:34:12,500 as head of the Department of Interior and has purview over 607 00:34:12,500 --> 00:34:20,630 drilling issues, to investigate what happened with this incident 608 00:34:20,633 --> 00:34:25,133 and to report back to him in 30 days. 609 00:34:25,133 --> 00:34:28,463 And what we have said is that the President would use all of 610 00:34:28,467 --> 00:34:32,737 that information to make decisions going forward on 611 00:34:32,734 --> 00:34:35,264 our offshore policy. 612 00:34:35,266 --> 00:34:40,336 The Press: As for critics who are calling this your Katrina, 613 00:34:40,333 --> 00:34:42,833 is there -- President Obama's Katrina -- 614 00:34:42,834 --> 00:34:46,834 Mr. Gibbs: Can I say this -- I watched FOX yesterday. 615 00:34:46,834 --> 00:34:47,904 The Press: I really didn't want you to go there. 616 00:34:47,900 --> 00:34:48,970 (laughter) 617 00:34:48,967 --> 00:34:52,297 Mr. Gibbs: But you sort of -- you opened both the double doors and voila, 618 00:34:52,300 --> 00:34:52,930 here I am. 619 00:34:52,934 --> 00:34:53,604 (laughter) 620 00:34:53,600 --> 00:34:55,370 The Press: But it wasn't just FOX calling this your Katrina. 621 00:34:55,367 --> 00:34:57,637 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, but FOX had the very special and unique 622 00:34:57,633 --> 00:35:04,963 interview with Michael Brown -- you opened it and I had to do it 623 00:35:04,967 --> 00:35:12,767 -- who for those who weren't let in on the big secret, Mr. Brown, 624 00:35:12,767 --> 00:35:19,897 FEMA Director Brown under Katrina, intimated on FOX, 625 00:35:19,900 --> 00:35:22,930 and it wasn't -- I will editorially say, 626 00:35:22,934 --> 00:35:26,904 didn't appear to be pushed back on real hard -- that this spill 627 00:35:26,900 --> 00:35:32,930 was leaked on purpose in order for us to walk back 628 00:35:32,934 --> 00:35:35,934 our environmental and drilling decisions, 629 00:35:35,934 --> 00:35:41,604 and that the leak that we did on purpose got out of control and 630 00:35:41,600 --> 00:35:43,600 now is too big to contain. 631 00:35:43,600 --> 00:35:45,400 So suffice to say, Wendell -- 632 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:47,770 The Press: What is his attribution? 633 00:35:47,767 --> 00:35:49,937 What is his -- Mr. Brown's attribution? 634 00:35:49,934 --> 00:35:52,704 Mr. Gibbs: I can only wish that the network that you work for 635 00:35:52,700 --> 00:35:56,470 had asked that prior to interviewing him yesterday. 636 00:35:56,467 --> 00:35:58,667 The Press: But reporters in here asked that. 637 00:35:58,667 --> 00:35:59,697 Mr. Gibbs: Well, you should -- 638 00:35:59,700 --> 00:36:01,300 The Press: So I'm asking you -- 639 00:36:01,300 --> 00:36:03,600 Mr. Gibbs: You should call headquarters, my friend, and -- 640 00:36:03,600 --> 00:36:04,400 The Press: I'm asking you -- 641 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:07,000 Mr. Gibbs: -- ask for somebody who makes the decisions to put 642 00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:08,800 people like that -- because I got to tell you, Wendell, 643 00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:13,130 I'm not entirely sure that a factual answer that I might give 644 00:36:13,133 --> 00:36:16,163 to any one of your questions is going to change the notion that 645 00:36:16,166 --> 00:36:22,266 your network put out the former FEMA director to make an 646 00:36:22,266 --> 00:36:27,166 accusation that the well had been purposely set off in order 647 00:36:27,166 --> 00:36:30,336 to change an offshore drilling decision. 648 00:36:30,333 --> 00:36:32,603 The Press: Nor would that affect the reporting I do. 649 00:36:32,600 --> 00:36:34,570 Mr. Gibbs: I didn't intimate that it did. 650 00:36:34,567 --> 00:36:37,067 Again, I would -- you and Major should -- 651 00:36:37,066 --> 00:36:38,766 The Press: If we can, let's move on from it. 652 00:36:38,767 --> 00:36:40,967 Mr. Gibbs: You could get on a conference call and maybe do some work. 653 00:36:40,967 --> 00:36:41,637 Go ahead. 654 00:36:41,633 --> 00:36:42,863 The Press: Are there lessons learned here? 655 00:36:42,867 --> 00:36:44,067 Mr. Gibbs: From? 656 00:36:44,066 --> 00:36:48,896 The Press: This oil spill -- from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. 657 00:36:48,900 --> 00:36:56,600 Mr. Gibbs: Well, look, I think we, first and foremost, 658 00:36:56,600 --> 00:37:05,230 are focused on the efforts that I discussed on capping this well 659 00:37:05,233 --> 00:37:11,363 and ensuring what escapes from that well doesn't do damage to 660 00:37:11,367 --> 00:37:13,497 the environment or to the local economy, 661 00:37:13,500 --> 00:37:18,630 and ensuring that we've got mechanisms in place to deal 662 00:37:18,633 --> 00:37:21,203 with the possible spread. 663 00:37:21,200 --> 00:37:25,430 We will have a chance to go back and look at the conditions that 664 00:37:25,433 --> 00:37:28,103 led to -- and that's what Secretary Salazar is tasked to 665 00:37:28,100 --> 00:37:35,070 do, to look at that and to make evaluations as to anything that 666 00:37:35,066 --> 00:37:36,196 could have been done differently. 667 00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:42,970 I will say the Coast Guard responded immediately to 668 00:37:42,967 --> 00:37:46,737 distress calls of a fire and explosion aboard the BP 669 00:37:46,734 --> 00:37:51,834 Deepwater Horizon with four vessels as part of those 670 00:37:51,834 --> 00:37:55,004 recovery efforts. 671 00:37:55,000 --> 00:37:58,700 The Press: Robert, in that list that you gave us earlier of 672 00:37:58,700 --> 00:38:02,670 recent terrorist acts, Major Nidal Hasan, is he on there, 673 00:38:02,667 --> 00:38:03,997 too, the Fort Hood shooter? 674 00:38:04,000 --> 00:38:05,900 Mr. Gibbs: I would add him on there, too, sure. 675 00:38:05,900 --> 00:38:08,870 The Press: And in developing these connections to Pakistan, 676 00:38:08,867 --> 00:38:11,137 are you also looking at the apparent reversal, 677 00:38:11,133 --> 00:38:14,933 economic reversal that this guy has suffered recently 678 00:38:14,934 --> 00:38:16,164 as a possible motivation? 679 00:38:16,166 --> 00:38:19,996 Mr. Gibbs: Again, I would say at this point in the investigation 680 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:24,600 I think any and all leads are being actively looked at in 681 00:38:24,600 --> 00:38:29,930 determining where this individual went and what 682 00:38:29,934 --> 00:38:33,934 this individual was intending to do, sure. 683 00:38:33,934 --> 00:38:34,564 The Press: Hello, Robert. 684 00:38:34,567 --> 00:38:35,537 Mr. Gibbs: How are you? Welcome. 685 00:38:35,533 --> 00:38:39,033 The Press: I'm good. You aren't always going to do these this late, are you? 686 00:38:39,033 --> 00:38:40,763 Mr. Gibbs: No, I apologize. 687 00:38:40,767 --> 00:38:45,337 I originally was scheduled to do this right -- this would have 688 00:38:45,333 --> 00:38:49,003 overlapped with the Attorney General and the Secretary of 689 00:38:49,000 --> 00:38:49,700 Homeland Security. 690 00:38:49,700 --> 00:38:51,470 And I didn't think that that made a whole lot of 691 00:38:51,467 --> 00:38:52,597 sense for you guys. 692 00:38:52,600 --> 00:38:56,500 So we will try to do these at a more sane hour. 693 00:38:56,500 --> 00:38:59,900 The Press: Accepting your argument about this process of redundancy, 694 00:38:59,900 --> 00:39:04,170 so I'll ask this question in our own process of redundancy -- 695 00:39:04,166 --> 00:39:06,296 Mr. Gibbs: That's pretty good. 696 00:39:06,300 --> 00:39:07,730 (laughter) 697 00:39:07,734 --> 00:39:10,534 The Press: Do you -- so accepting that, 698 00:39:10,533 --> 00:39:14,133 I can see how a passenger could get on a plane past airline 699 00:39:14,133 --> 00:39:16,803 personnel, even though they're on a no-fly list. 700 00:39:16,800 --> 00:39:20,570 But once they're on that plane, before it leaves the gate, 701 00:39:20,567 --> 00:39:26,167 does this mean that there is no -- I mean, it's a no-fly list, 702 00:39:26,166 --> 00:39:29,296 so the plane -- there's not in the background these 703 00:39:29,300 --> 00:39:34,730 redundancies checking planes so that they don't even take off 704 00:39:34,734 --> 00:39:40,404 before the backup regulators can attest that everyone on that 705 00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:44,370 plane is not on a no-fly list? 706 00:39:44,367 --> 00:39:46,337 And is it even, as a practical matter, 707 00:39:46,333 --> 00:39:52,803 possible for planes to be held at gates until all the people 708 00:39:52,800 --> 00:39:56,800 who can weigh in on this do weigh in? 709 00:39:56,800 --> 00:39:59,430 Mr. Gibbs: Let me -- again, let me try to get better clarity 710 00:39:59,433 --> 00:40:03,833 from DHS, because I think what you're asking -- well, 711 00:40:03,834 --> 00:40:10,904 let me just take a look at whether the -- I think I know 712 00:40:10,900 --> 00:40:14,100 what you're saying, in terms of when the redundancy happens. 713 00:40:14,100 --> 00:40:16,370 The Press: Does it happen before the person flies? 714 00:40:16,367 --> 00:40:19,867 Mr. Gibbs: Let me get with DHS and others on that. 715 00:40:19,867 --> 00:40:22,867 The Press: And then, possibly wouldn't that conflict -- I mean, 716 00:40:22,867 --> 00:40:29,697 federal regulations limit or hold airlines accountable for 717 00:40:29,700 --> 00:40:33,470 their taking off on time, and they're penalized if they too 718 00:40:33,467 --> 00:40:34,967 often don't take off on time. 719 00:40:34,967 --> 00:40:39,137 Is there a conflict there between federal regulations 720 00:40:39,133 --> 00:40:40,463 on takeoff and -- 721 00:40:40,467 --> 00:40:41,597 Mr. Gibbs: I can check on that. 722 00:40:41,600 --> 00:40:44,430 That's not something that I've heard talked about today, 723 00:40:44,433 --> 00:40:46,163 but I can certainly check on that. 724 00:40:46,166 --> 00:40:49,896 The Press: Robert, admittedly you have all these redundancies 725 00:40:49,900 --> 00:40:52,100 and backups and the rest of it. 726 00:40:52,100 --> 00:40:54,230 My question is to the President's view of all this. 727 00:40:54,233 --> 00:40:58,733 Is he not troubled that the first layer was a pass through, 728 00:40:58,734 --> 00:41:02,464 that the suspect got on the plane despite being on the list? 729 00:41:02,467 --> 00:41:04,797 Mr. Gibbs: Mark, we're in the process of -- we're in the 730 00:41:04,800 --> 00:41:09,670 process of -- at this early hour. 731 00:41:09,667 --> 00:41:16,767 We will go back and see the time in which the information was added. 732 00:41:16,767 --> 00:41:21,667 There obviously is a carrier element to all of this in -- and 733 00:41:21,667 --> 00:41:29,937 we will investigate whether that carrier element was acted upon. 734 00:41:29,934 --> 00:41:32,164 The Press: -- the fact that the man was on the plane. 735 00:41:32,166 --> 00:41:34,066 So is that not troubling that he got through that first layer? 736 00:41:34,066 --> 00:41:38,366 Mr. Gibbs: But I think it's important to understand that the 737 00:41:38,367 --> 00:41:42,867 reason that that redundancy is built in is because you don't 738 00:41:42,867 --> 00:41:49,437 want to leave any and all of this completely up to a carrier. 739 00:41:49,433 --> 00:41:50,103 You want -- 740 00:41:50,100 --> 00:41:51,300 The Press: Right, I'm not suggesting that. 741 00:41:51,300 --> 00:41:52,230 I just want to understand what you're saying. 742 00:41:52,233 --> 00:41:54,033 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, I'm saying -- but I just want to -- I just 743 00:41:54,033 --> 00:41:57,433 want to make the point that that's the reason the system is 744 00:41:57,433 --> 00:42:05,563 designed in a way that ensures that the action of one isn't -- 745 00:42:05,567 --> 00:42:08,267 doesn't determine the entire outcome. 746 00:42:08,266 --> 00:42:11,466 And so that's -- that's the reason that I think it's 747 00:42:11,467 --> 00:42:16,997 important to understand that even at that point there is a 748 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:24,600 step beyond -- quite frankly, this is somebody who -- this is 749 00:42:24,600 --> 00:42:28,270 a locked manifest, this is, "Here are the people that are on 750 00:42:28,266 --> 00:42:31,866 our plane as part of that flight plan and can be double-checked 751 00:42:31,867 --> 00:42:35,567 through Customs and Border Patrol," 752 00:42:35,567 --> 00:42:42,397 sending that list to a center to be checked against the no-fly list. 753 00:42:42,400 --> 00:42:43,670 The Press: And say, "Here is the list of people on our plane. 754 00:42:43,667 --> 00:42:45,167 See you later, we're taking off." 755 00:42:45,166 --> 00:42:48,066 I mean, then the plane left the gate. 756 00:42:48,066 --> 00:42:49,596 The Press: I understand what you're saying about all the 757 00:42:49,600 --> 00:42:51,430 other layers and all that, but there is still the fact that the 758 00:42:51,433 --> 00:42:54,133 man was on the plane, the plane pushed back. 759 00:42:54,133 --> 00:42:55,333 And the President does not find -- 760 00:42:55,333 --> 00:42:56,063 Mr. Gibbs: Again, we're looking -- 761 00:42:56,066 --> 00:42:56,836 The Press: -- the President does not find that -- 762 00:42:56,834 --> 00:42:57,764 Mr. Gibbs: No, no, I would say this, Mark. 763 00:42:57,767 --> 00:43:01,137 We're going to look at every aspect of what happened, again, 764 00:43:01,133 --> 00:43:06,133 understanding that the way this system is designed is to ensure 765 00:43:06,133 --> 00:43:11,633 that many actions can check the actions of others. 766 00:43:11,633 --> 00:43:16,303 And in this case, that's why the no-fly list 767 00:43:16,300 --> 00:43:17,670 identified this individual. 768 00:43:17,667 --> 00:43:18,297 Yes, ma'am. 769 00:43:18,300 --> 00:43:20,600 The Press: Bridging back to the Supreme Court, 770 00:43:20,600 --> 00:43:24,900 do any of the events of the last three days make the President 771 00:43:24,900 --> 00:43:28,170 reluctant to choose someone like Janet Napolitano if she's in a 772 00:43:28,166 --> 00:43:30,896 role that he thinks he needs her in? 773 00:43:30,900 --> 00:43:34,500 Have her chances of being chosen been decreased? 774 00:43:34,500 --> 00:43:35,700 Mr. Gibbs: I wouldn't say that. 775 00:43:35,700 --> 00:43:41,470 Obviously I think he is enormously grateful for the work 776 00:43:41,467 --> 00:43:45,137 that she has done and the amount that just over the -- as you 777 00:43:45,133 --> 00:43:48,633 said, over the past few days -- please don't read anything into 778 00:43:48,633 --> 00:43:51,863 the fact that I'm lauding her for the current job to -- 779 00:43:51,867 --> 00:43:56,397 obviously the President has a number of choices in front of him. 780 00:43:56,400 --> 00:43:59,770 I'd use this opportunity just to say that I think the President 781 00:43:59,767 --> 00:44:04,597 believes that she is and that many people that work throughout 782 00:44:04,600 --> 00:44:07,630 law enforcement and at DHS are doing a terrific job. 783 00:44:07,633 --> 00:44:09,033 The Press: So she's the pick or she's not? 784 00:44:09,033 --> 00:44:10,033 (laughter) 785 00:44:10,033 --> 00:44:12,303 Mr. Gibbs: I could just -- I can only -- I'm just thinking in my 786 00:44:12,300 --> 00:44:15,630 head like what exactly are the headlines saying right now as I 787 00:44:15,633 --> 00:44:18,333 say nice things about -- 788 00:44:18,333 --> 00:44:19,333 The Press: Just rule it out. 789 00:44:19,333 --> 00:44:21,133 The Press: Anything else you want to say -- 790 00:44:21,133 --> 00:44:22,533 The Press: " Napolitano might be picked,' says Gibbs." 791 00:44:22,533 --> 00:44:23,703 (laughter) 792 00:44:23,700 --> 00:44:24,400 Mr. Gibbs: Yes, exactly. 793 00:44:24,400 --> 00:44:25,870 I can only -- this will be fun to watch. 794 00:44:25,867 --> 00:44:27,697 The Press: On something completely different -- 795 00:44:27,700 --> 00:44:29,400 Mr. Gibbs: Spin the wheel, I'm ready. 796 00:44:29,400 --> 00:44:32,670 The Press: Tomorrow at the Cinco de Mayo event that you're 797 00:44:32,667 --> 00:44:36,067 having, is the President going to talk about immigration reform? 798 00:44:36,066 --> 00:44:37,836 Mr. Gibbs: I will admit, I have not looked at the remarks. 799 00:44:37,834 --> 00:44:40,004 The Press: The reason I ask is because he -- the last time he 800 00:44:40,000 --> 00:44:42,870 talked about it on Thursday he caused I guess you could say 801 00:44:42,867 --> 00:44:45,497 some confusion about where he stood and there's been a kind of 802 00:44:45,500 --> 00:44:49,370 strong reaction from the Hispanic community about that. 803 00:44:49,367 --> 00:44:50,497 I'm just wondering -- 804 00:44:50,500 --> 00:44:51,930 Mr. Gibbs: Let me -- I will check -- 805 00:44:51,934 --> 00:44:53,734 The Press: And is there anything else he's doing now that he's 806 00:44:53,734 --> 00:44:56,764 not going to New Jersey? 807 00:44:56,767 --> 00:44:59,697 Mr. Gibbs: I have not gotten any scheduling updates, no. 808 00:44:59,700 --> 00:45:00,530 The Press: So the only thing that you know of is the -- 809 00:45:00,533 --> 00:45:03,103 Mr. Gibbs: As best I know, we have not added an additional event. 810 00:45:03,100 --> 00:45:04,000 The Press: Margaritas? 811 00:45:04,000 --> 00:45:04,600 Mr. Gibbs: Say again? 812 00:45:04,600 --> 00:45:05,230 The Press: Margaritas? 813 00:45:05,233 --> 00:45:06,163 Mr. Gibbs: Let's hope. 814 00:45:06,166 --> 00:45:07,596 The Press: Speaking of immigration, 815 00:45:07,600 --> 00:45:10,400 the President has obviously been pretty critical of the law in 816 00:45:10,400 --> 00:45:13,170 Arizona, calling it misguided, suggesting it may even violate 817 00:45:13,166 --> 00:45:15,936 federal civil rights laws. 818 00:45:15,934 --> 00:45:18,934 What are his thoughts on the calls to boycott Arizona? 819 00:45:18,934 --> 00:45:20,604 Would he agree with that? 820 00:45:20,600 --> 00:45:24,400 Mr. Gibbs: I have not heard him render an opinion on that. 821 00:45:24,400 --> 00:45:25,400 The Press: Robert, Senator McCain said this morning that 822 00:45:25,400 --> 00:45:29,930 it would be a mistake to read Shahzad his rights for questioning. 823 00:45:29,934 --> 00:45:33,904 Do you have a -- how do you analyze that? 824 00:45:33,900 --> 00:45:35,530 Mr. Gibbs: Carefully. 825 00:45:35,533 --> 00:45:40,603 Again, I think it's important to understand that these are 826 00:45:40,600 --> 00:45:46,030 decisions that are made in consultation with the 827 00:45:46,033 --> 00:45:50,503 intelligence community and with highly trained counterterrorism 828 00:45:50,500 --> 00:45:59,370 officials who have -- are no less vested in getting every 829 00:45:59,367 --> 00:46:04,537 last bit of information from an interview or an interrogation 830 00:46:04,533 --> 00:46:05,803 than is possible. 831 00:46:05,800 --> 00:46:11,500 I think the insinuation somehow that that is not the case I 832 00:46:11,500 --> 00:46:14,370 think is somewhat of an affront to law enforcement, 833 00:46:14,367 --> 00:46:19,797 on a day in which I hope we laud what they've done. 834 00:46:19,800 --> 00:46:23,030 Some of the comments have been curious, I'll admit. 835 00:46:23,033 --> 00:46:28,133 To mention that -- one of the comments was, 836 00:46:28,133 --> 00:46:29,863 "I know he's an American citizen, 837 00:46:29,867 --> 00:46:32,267 but still" -- a unique viewpoint. 838 00:46:32,266 --> 00:46:34,336 The Press: Was that a factor at all in the decision about when 839 00:46:34,333 --> 00:46:35,733 to Mirandize him? 840 00:46:35,734 --> 00:46:41,464 Mr. Gibbs: Well, as the Attorney General said, there was a -- originally 841 00:46:41,467 --> 00:46:47,737 interviewed under a national security exemption and, 842 00:46:47,734 --> 00:46:53,664 as I understand it, the guidance was after checking with those in 843 00:46:53,667 --> 00:46:59,797 the intelligence community that that task was given to, 844 00:46:59,800 --> 00:47:03,500 again, those highly trained counterterrorism officials. 845 00:47:03,500 --> 00:47:08,670 He has -- he waived that, and at least when I was coming out, 846 00:47:08,667 --> 00:47:10,737 I was under the impression he was continuing to be questioned. 847 00:47:10,734 --> 00:47:12,634 The Press: I think he said public safety exemption. 848 00:47:12,633 --> 00:47:14,133 Mr. Gibbs: I'm sorry, public safety. 849 00:47:14,133 --> 00:47:15,563 The Press: Can I also just quickly ask you, 850 00:47:15,567 --> 00:47:18,567 do you know if the administration is considering 851 00:47:18,567 --> 00:47:23,137 taking any steps to stop test drilling in the Arctic? 852 00:47:23,133 --> 00:47:24,003 Mr. Gibbs: I can check. 853 00:47:24,000 --> 00:47:25,170 The Press: To block test drilling that's scheduled to 854 00:47:25,166 --> 00:47:27,866 begin in the Arctic. 855 00:47:27,867 --> 00:47:34,337 Mr. Gibbs: Do you have dates for -- let me -- test drilling in Alaska? 856 00:47:34,333 --> 00:47:34,933 The Press: Arctic. 857 00:47:34,934 --> 00:47:36,234 Mr. Gibbs: Okay, let me check. Yes, sir. 858 00:47:36,233 --> 00:47:39,603 The Press: Is the national security exemption and the public 859 00:47:39,600 --> 00:47:41,330 safety exemption basically the same thing? 860 00:47:41,333 --> 00:47:43,003 Mr. Gibbs: I meant to say public safety. 861 00:47:43,000 --> 00:47:44,730 I was, in my head, thinking the same thing, 862 00:47:44,734 --> 00:47:47,704 so I have not created a new exemption yet. 863 00:47:47,700 --> 00:47:50,070 The Press: On the costs of the oil spill, 864 00:47:50,066 --> 00:47:53,966 in terms of what BP is liable for, is it just damages, 865 00:47:53,967 --> 00:47:57,037 or are you keeping tabs on the costs of sending the Coast 866 00:47:57,033 --> 00:47:58,503 Guard, and all the federal costs, 867 00:47:58,500 --> 00:48:00,300 the C-130s that had to be flown? 868 00:48:00,300 --> 00:48:04,970 Mr. Gibbs: That is -- well, that has been discussed. 869 00:48:04,967 --> 00:48:08,737 That is part of the cleanup and recovery efforts that BP would 870 00:48:08,734 --> 00:48:11,464 be liable for, yes. 871 00:48:11,467 --> 00:48:13,797 The Press: Robert, if the President thought that drilling 872 00:48:13,800 --> 00:48:16,330 was safe when he made his -- relatively safe, 873 00:48:16,333 --> 00:48:19,063 in that there were few accidents like these -- when he made his 874 00:48:19,066 --> 00:48:21,566 announcement five or so weeks ago, 875 00:48:21,567 --> 00:48:23,897 why would he not just change his mind at this point, 876 00:48:23,900 --> 00:48:25,700 kind of akin to the governor of California and say, 877 00:48:25,700 --> 00:48:28,400 "I was mistaken, it's obviously not safe, 878 00:48:28,400 --> 00:48:29,800 I want to walk back from my announced policy." 879 00:48:29,800 --> 00:48:32,800 Mr. Gibbs: Well, again, I think it's -- I think there are a 880 00:48:32,800 --> 00:48:35,670 series of things you want to examine and investigate as part 881 00:48:35,667 --> 00:48:39,397 of what may or may not have happened. 882 00:48:39,400 --> 00:48:44,030 Is there -- I mean, is there a -- is there a technological -- 883 00:48:44,033 --> 00:48:46,033 was there a technological failure? 884 00:48:46,033 --> 00:48:51,533 Are there additional steps or -- I hate to use the word since 885 00:48:51,533 --> 00:48:54,433 we've done it a lot today -- redundancies in a blowout 886 00:48:54,433 --> 00:49:00,133 preventer as part of a valve that is or isn't part of what's 887 00:49:00,133 --> 00:49:03,003 -- may or may not be required by law now? 888 00:49:03,000 --> 00:49:06,500 Again, understanding, Richard, that even in the area of the 889 00:49:06,500 --> 00:49:09,730 Gulf that we were -- that we're discussing, 890 00:49:09,734 --> 00:49:13,204 there are lots of active wells. 891 00:49:13,200 --> 00:49:18,670 So the President -- I will say this, 892 00:49:18,667 --> 00:49:21,267 and I heard him say this yesterday -- the President 893 00:49:21,266 --> 00:49:27,296 believes that domestic production has to be part 894 00:49:27,300 --> 00:49:35,130 of our overall comprehensive energy strategy; that not -- 895 00:49:35,133 --> 00:49:39,503 we cannot -- even as we have invested a lot of money and 896 00:49:39,500 --> 00:49:44,400 helped others invest even more in wind and solar power, 897 00:49:44,400 --> 00:49:46,230 that alone isn't going to change it. 898 00:49:46,233 --> 00:49:50,003 The President's decision on loan guarantees for a nuclear plant, 899 00:49:50,000 --> 00:49:52,070 that alone won't change it. 900 00:49:52,066 --> 00:49:55,666 There are a host of things that we have to do to solve our 901 00:49:55,667 --> 00:49:59,037 growing dependence on foreign oil. 902 00:49:59,033 --> 00:50:04,803 And the President will -- is eager to know the findings of 903 00:50:04,800 --> 00:50:09,770 this investigation, and we will use those findings to make any 904 00:50:09,767 --> 00:50:11,297 of these decisions moving forward. 905 00:50:11,300 --> 00:50:15,600 The Press: Just quickly on the $75 million, raising that cap, 906 00:50:15,600 --> 00:50:17,600 could that be retroactive to apply to this situation? 907 00:50:17,600 --> 00:50:20,800 Mr. Gibbs: As I understand it, the legislation introduced by 908 00:50:20,800 --> 00:50:25,400 Senator Menendez and others does go back and do that retroactively. 909 00:50:25,400 --> 00:50:28,800 Obviously we would be supportive of that. 910 00:50:28,800 --> 00:50:30,870 The Press: Robert, a couple more questions on the spill. 911 00:50:30,867 --> 00:50:35,097 You talk about with great confidence that you're going 912 00:50:35,100 --> 00:50:36,530 to be able to recoup this money from BP, 913 00:50:36,533 --> 00:50:39,233 yet the laws that currently exist requires the determination 914 00:50:39,233 --> 00:50:40,533 of gross negligence. 915 00:50:40,533 --> 00:50:41,863 Should we assume that -- 916 00:50:41,867 --> 00:50:43,597 Mr. Gibbs: The law -- well, let's be clear. 917 00:50:43,600 --> 00:50:51,970 Under that law, those are the three cap-lifting exemptions 918 00:50:51,967 --> 00:50:56,937 that the legislation that I just talked about would seek 919 00:50:56,934 --> 00:51:03,104 to change, and we have been working on efforts to do that. 920 00:51:03,100 --> 00:51:06,300 The Press: Is it constitutional to retroactively alter a law 921 00:51:06,300 --> 00:51:10,570 so that it applies to a retroactive circumstance? 922 00:51:10,567 --> 00:51:12,897 Mr. Gibbs: I think it's been done in -- I've been asked about 923 00:51:12,900 --> 00:51:16,300 retroactivity as it relates to other compensation, yes. 924 00:51:16,300 --> 00:51:20,200 The Press: Also, it appears from a briefing with Congress today 925 00:51:20,200 --> 00:51:23,670 that this particular platform had been inspected shortly 926 00:51:23,667 --> 00:51:25,937 before the accident, perhaps as soon as two weeks. 927 00:51:25,934 --> 00:51:28,134 Can you sort of explain what you know about that? 928 00:51:28,133 --> 00:51:33,733 Mr. Gibbs: I don't have anything beyond what Assistant 929 00:51:33,734 --> 00:51:37,804 Secretary of the Interior David Hayes in the briefing that we 930 00:51:37,800 --> 00:51:42,770 would have done last Thursday made mention -- I forget the 931 00:51:42,767 --> 00:51:49,797 exact time period that he made mention of when that rig had 932 00:51:49,800 --> 00:51:50,800 been inspected. 933 00:51:50,800 --> 00:51:51,730 I can go back and see. 934 00:51:51,734 --> 00:51:54,634 That's all I've seen or heard on that. 935 00:51:54,633 --> 00:51:59,863 The Press: And one quick question on terror -- on the Times Square plot. 936 00:51:59,867 --> 00:52:03,097 We've been fairly lucky, as you mentioned before, 937 00:52:03,100 --> 00:52:06,300 in terms of the ineptitude of these folks. 938 00:52:06,300 --> 00:52:08,300 Do you think the American people ought to brace themselves for 939 00:52:08,300 --> 00:52:10,430 the inevitability in the not-too-distant future that 940 00:52:10,433 --> 00:52:12,903 we're going to see a successful terrorist attack on American soil? 941 00:52:12,900 --> 00:52:18,030 Mr. Gibbs: Well, I can't -- Glen, 942 00:52:18,033 --> 00:52:21,533 I would rather just simply leave it at the fact that, 943 00:52:21,533 --> 00:52:23,503 as I said earlier, this administration, 944 00:52:23,500 --> 00:52:26,100 this President are doing all that they can within their 945 00:52:26,100 --> 00:52:29,300 power to prevent anything from happening. 946 00:52:29,300 --> 00:52:30,930 I'll just leave it at that. 947 00:52:30,934 --> 00:52:35,404 The Press: Did the security -- any of the security changes put 948 00:52:35,400 --> 00:52:40,130 into place in the wake of Flight 253 help in the detection and 949 00:52:40,133 --> 00:52:42,533 apprehension of the Times Square suspect? 950 00:52:42,533 --> 00:52:44,903 Mr. Gibbs: I've asked John that question, 951 00:52:44,900 --> 00:52:47,700 and I have not been able to get something from him on that yet. 952 00:52:47,700 --> 00:52:48,800 Yes, sir. 953 00:52:48,800 --> 00:52:52,400 The Press: Just a real quick question on the Middle East peace process 954 00:52:52,400 --> 00:52:56,230 on a day in which Elie Wiesel met with the President. 955 00:52:56,233 --> 00:53:03,203 It was reported on Friday that President Obama had spoken to 956 00:53:03,200 --> 00:53:09,070 European leaders and told them that if talks between Israel and 957 00:53:09,066 --> 00:53:12,836 the Palestinians remain stalemated in September or 958 00:53:12,834 --> 00:53:15,634 October, he'll convene an international summit on 959 00:53:15,633 --> 00:53:17,633 achieving Mideast peace. 960 00:53:17,633 --> 00:53:21,733 Can you confirm if -- whether the President is going down that road? 961 00:53:21,734 --> 00:53:23,104 Mr. Gibbs: Let me check with NSC. 962 00:53:23,100 --> 00:53:26,570 I have not heard that, but I will check with them and see if 963 00:53:26,567 --> 00:53:27,197 they have anything on it. 964 00:53:27,200 --> 00:53:28,630 Yes, sir. 965 00:53:28,633 --> 00:53:30,803 The Press: Listening to you, I get the impression that unlike 966 00:53:30,800 --> 00:53:35,830 Governor Schwarzenegger, unlike certain officials in Virginia, 967 00:53:35,834 --> 00:53:38,604 the President is committed -- we need an energy mix for 968 00:53:38,600 --> 00:53:40,530 our energy security. 969 00:53:40,533 --> 00:53:44,903 Now, does that stance change if they can't cap off that leak and 970 00:53:44,900 --> 00:53:46,700 the damage gets much greater? 971 00:53:46,700 --> 00:53:50,470 Does he change his mind at some point? 972 00:53:50,467 --> 00:53:52,037 Mr. Gibbs: On the plan that he announced in March? 973 00:53:52,033 --> 00:53:53,103 The Press: On the need -- yes. 974 00:53:53,100 --> 00:53:57,530 Mr. Gibbs: I certainly wouldn't -- look, I would not rule it out. 975 00:53:57,533 --> 00:54:04,603 Again, the reason the President asked for Secretary Salazar to 976 00:54:04,600 --> 00:54:09,770 do this particular investigation was to examine what happened, 977 00:54:09,767 --> 00:54:13,367 and whether or not there was anything that could or should 978 00:54:13,367 --> 00:54:17,267 have been done that would likely have prevented something like 979 00:54:17,266 --> 00:54:18,466 that from happening. 980 00:54:18,467 --> 00:54:25,297 And absolutely he told us very specifically that though the 981 00:54:25,300 --> 00:54:30,300 30-day period does not augment any leasing or drilling 982 00:54:30,300 --> 00:54:35,330 activities that I'm aware of, the President wants to use that 983 00:54:35,333 --> 00:54:40,803 investigation to inform anything that might happen going forward. 984 00:54:40,800 --> 00:54:46,700 So obviously he will take that into accord. 985 00:54:46,700 --> 00:54:53,130 There are -- there are, as I've said, there are many, 986 00:54:53,133 --> 00:54:58,703 many wells that have been drilled and explored in that 987 00:54:58,700 --> 00:55:01,170 section and area of the Gulf. 988 00:55:01,166 --> 00:55:06,466 Obviously there was -- this is a little bit more unique because 989 00:55:06,467 --> 00:55:10,597 it is in 5,000 feet of water, not in several hundred or a 990 00:55:10,600 --> 00:55:12,400 hundred feet of water. 991 00:55:12,400 --> 00:55:16,130 And obviously that's something the President will want to look at. 992 00:55:16,133 --> 00:55:16,633 Thanks, guys.