English subtitles for clip: File:7-13-15- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Earnest: Good
afternoon, everybody.

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Happy Monday.

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I do not have any
announcements to make at the

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top, so we can go directly
to your questions.

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Julie, do you want to start?

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The Press: Thanks, Josh.

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We are approaching yet
another deadline, I guess we

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can call it, on the Iran
talks, where either the

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parties are going to have
to extend the JPOA

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or reach a deal.

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What is your expectation of
what happens over the next

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few hours?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, Julie,
what we do expect is that

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the Joint Plan of Action
will remain in place.

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And the reasons for that
is this is the interim

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agreement that's been in
place for a little over a

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year and a half now that
has frozen Iran's nuclear

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program in place and rolled
it back in some key areas.

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Now, obviously, if we can
reach a final agreement,

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then that would supersede
the interim agreement.

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But the talks
continue in Vienna.

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The thing that I can tell
you is that they have made

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genuine progress in those
conversations and I think

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even over the last week or
so, there is progress --

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important progress
that has been made.

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There have been some key
issues in the negotiations

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that have been closed
and that's a good sign.

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That said, there continue to
be some sticking points that

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remain unresolved.

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And as I've been saying for
the better part of a couple

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weeks now, the President has
directed his team to remain

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engaged and participate in
conversations as long as

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those conversations
remain useful.

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And given the progress
that's been made and given

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the success that they've
had in closing out some key

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issues, that's an indication
that the talks are useful.

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But the President has also
been clear that there's a

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bottom line that must be
met, and that is making sure

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that any final agreement
lives up to the parameters

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that were established
in Lausanne.

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And there will not be a
final agreement agreed to by

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the United States at least
and by our P5+1 partners

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until the final
agreement reflects that.

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The Press: So based on what
you're saying there, it

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sounds like the President is
willing to let John Kerry

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and the negotiators stay
past today because he feels

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the talks continue
to be productive?

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Mr. Earnest: If it's
necessary for them to

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continue conversations and
if the conversations remain

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useful, the negotiating
team will remain in Vienna.

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The Press: And I guess the
question that a lot of

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people have about this is
because so much of this is

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happening behind closed
doors, it's hard to know

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what is actually being
agreed upon and what is not

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being agreed upon.

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And I guess I don't have
a great sense of why the

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President feels like another
two days, another three days

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will close the door on all
these issues that have

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opened for months.

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Mr. Earnest: I think that's
an entirely legitimate

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question.

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The chief obstacle to us
providing greater insight

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about what is exactly
occurring behind closed

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doors is this key tenet of
our talks that we've been

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repeating for a couple of
years now, which is that

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nothing is agreed to until
everything is agreed to.

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The Press: But I guess I'm
asking it not even in terms

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of the specifics, but is
it that he has seen the

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Iranians make concessions
on key issues?

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What is it that he has seen
from the Iranians that leads

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him to believe they would
continue to move closer to

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the U.S. position
if you just

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keep this going?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
because as the negotiations

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have gone on over the last
couple of weeks, what

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started out as a rather long
list of differences has

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slowly -- I would
acknowledge slowly -- but

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steadily narrowed.

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And that's an indication
that we are making progress

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toward an agreement.

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And that's why I would
describe the talks as making

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genuine progress.

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But what's also true is that
typically some of the most

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difficult issues are the
ones that get kicked to the

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end.

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And that's why the President
is going to resist any

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effort to sort of
fast-forward through the

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closing here.

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There continue to be
significant issues that

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remain, and the President
will not sign on to an

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agreement -- and this is the
attitude that's taken by our

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P5+1 partners, too --
they're not going to sign on

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to an agreement until all
of our concerns have been

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addressed.

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And as long as they continue
to make progress in doing

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that, then the
talks will continue.

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The Press: Has the President
had any conversations with

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Secretary Kerry over the
last few days over the

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weekend?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President has been in touch

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with his National Security
Advisor, Susan Rice.

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And she has been the one
that has been principally

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updating him a couple times
a day about the status of

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the talks.

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Those briefings for the
President occurred even over

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the weekend -- those updates
to the President occurred

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even over the weekend.

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And I know the President
has been in touch with the

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negotiating team
in Vienna as well.

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There have not been any
secure video teleconferences

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since the one that we
announced last week, but the

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President is very well aware
of where things stand.

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Julia.

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The Press: Josh, with no
firm deadline in place on

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these talks, do you have any
idea of when the interim

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agreement may be lifted?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, so the
issue is this, is that the

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interim agreement has been
extended two or three days

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at a time two or
three times now.

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The latest short-term
extension is up at the end

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of the day today.

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If the talks are not
completed today, then the

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interim agreement will
be extended again.

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And this is by essentially
as a result of the unanimous

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view that this interim
agreement has been helpful.

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And I know that's true of
many Republicans in Congress

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who originally criticized
the interim agreement.

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It also happens to be the
view of our P5+1 partners

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and of Iran.

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And so there is a unified
commitment to making sure

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that that interim agreement
remains in place, but the

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whole idea of an interim
agreement is it remains in

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place only until a final
agreement can be reached.

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And so what we would
envision is a final

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agreement that would enter
into effect to replace the

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interim agreement.

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The Press: Okay, but I
imagine it's not indefinite.

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I mean, what would have to
happen to lift that and --

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would it be walking
away from these talks?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I
wouldn't want to speculate

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about what's going to happen
or what would happen if one

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party or another were to
walk away from the talks.

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What we know is that the
interim agreement has been

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useful while the talks have
been ongoing to freeze

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Iran's nuclear program in
place and to roll it back in

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some key areas.

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The Press: Okay.

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And then will this be for
another three days each

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time, or will it -- is it
indefinitely extended?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, if there
is a need to extend to

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interim agreement even for a
short-term period, that's an

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announcement that would be
made by the United States

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and our P5+1
partners in Vienna.

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That's not something
I'll announce here.

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What I'm merely trying to
project here is confidence

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that if a final agreement is
not reached by the end of

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the day today, that all of
the parties will agree to at

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least a short-term extension
of the interim agreement to

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allow the conversations
to continue.

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The Press: Okay.

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Shifting to
criminal justice.

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I know the President is
traveling to Philadelphia

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tomorrow, where he'll talk
to the NAACP and lay out his

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ideas for criminal
justice reform.

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And he said today that many
of those ideas have already

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come up in Congress.

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And also, there have been
many ideas that have come up

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and been stalled, even when
Democrats had control of the

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Senate last year.

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Why does he think that
anything might be

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different now?

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What are the chances of
getting something through,

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like the Smarter
Sentencing Act?

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Mr. Earnest: Well, to be
blunt about it, because

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Republicans are indicating
an openness to doing it.

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Democrats have long been
strong advocates of criminal

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justice reform that would
make our criminal justice

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system more fair.

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There are clearly some
inequities that can be and

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should be rectified,
but they will require

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legislation.

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Obviously, there's a
Republican majority in both

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the House and the Senate,
which means any proposal

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that's going to pass both
houses of Congress will

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require bipartisan support.

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And since Democrats have
been steadfast supporters of

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trying to bring some
important reforms to our

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criminal justice system, we
welcome indications from

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some Republicans that
reforms -- that they also

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believe that reforms
are necessary.

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That's the basis for some of
the bipartisan conversations

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that have already
occurred on this issue.

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The President hosted one of
those conversations earlier

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this year, you'll recall.

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I wouldn't rule out
additional bipartisan

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conversations that include
the President of the United

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States.

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And that's the way that we
hope we can advance this

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priority, is by working
in bipartisan fashion.

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Obviously, that's not
something that Congress has

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a particularly strong track
record of doing, but there

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have been areas where that
has been successful, and

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we're hopeful that we can
add criminal justice reform

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to the list of areas where
Congress was able to act in

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bipartisan fashion
to do something good

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for the country.

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Jim.

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The Press: Senator Rand Paul
was one of those Republicans

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that the President has
talked about it before.

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Has he spoken with him
lately about this?

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Mr. Earnest: I
don't believe so.

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But I obviously don't
read out every single

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conversation the President
has with members of

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Congress, but I'm not aware
of any recent conversations

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on this.

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But you're right, Senator
Paul, to his credit, is

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somebody that has
demonstrated and signaled a

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willingness to be a good
partner with the Obama

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administration
on this issue.

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The Press: And if you
look at the numbers, the

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President is behind some of
his predecessors in this

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category in terms of
commutations and pardons,

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although it appears he's
doing some catching up.

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Is this something that we
should see or that we might

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see accelerate over his
remaining time in office?

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Mr. Earnest: What I would
say, Jim, in terms of the

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raw numbers of commutations,
the announcement today of 46

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commutations is actually
the largest number of

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commutations that's been
issued by a President on a

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single day dating back
to at least the Johnson

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administration.

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And this brings to I believe
it's 89 -- that's the number

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of people who have received
a commutation from the

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President of the United
States, and that actually is

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more than the number of
commutations issued by the

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four previous
Presidents combined.

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So the President has taken
pretty bold action when it

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comes to commutations.

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I think the point that
you're raising --

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The Press: Pardons,
then, I guess.

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Mr. Earnest: Yes, the
pardons is a bit of a

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different story.

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But I think that the point
that you're raising,

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however, is an entirely
legitimate one, and that is

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that there are significant
reforms that need to be

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00:10:47,046 --> 00:10:49,616
implemented into our
criminal justice system.

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And the President is hopeful
that he can work with

248
00:10:54,820 --> 00:10:58,360
Democrats and Republicans on
Capitol Hill to advance a

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00:10:58,357 --> 00:11:01,527
legislative solution to
address some of those

250
00:11:01,527 --> 00:11:02,727
inequities.

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He doesn't want to just
have to rely on his

252
00:11:04,897 --> 00:11:06,937
constitutional authority
as President of the United

253
00:11:06,932 --> 00:11:08,702
States to offer
commutations.

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00:11:08,701 --> 00:11:12,301
He actually is hopeful that
we can develop and implement

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00:11:12,304 --> 00:11:15,344
a legislative solution that
would have a broader, more

256
00:11:15,341 --> 00:11:17,781
far-reaching impact in
bringing greater fairness

257
00:11:17,777 --> 00:11:19,777
and justice to our
criminal justice system.

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The Press: He's visiting a
federal prison on Thursday.

259
00:11:23,049 --> 00:11:24,619
How is that going to work?

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00:11:24,617 --> 00:11:28,087
I assume you guys are pretty
confident that this is going

261
00:11:28,087 --> 00:11:32,087
to be safe and
should go smoothly.

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00:11:32,091 --> 00:11:33,631
Mr. Earnest: We do continue
to have confidence that the

263
00:11:33,626 --> 00:11:34,596
President's visit
will be safe.

264
00:11:34,593 --> 00:11:38,863
There will have to be some
unique steps that we'll take

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00:11:38,864 --> 00:11:42,734
to ensure the safety of the
President and others who

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00:11:42,735 --> 00:11:45,605
will be participating
in that event.

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But it's certainly an
opportunity that the

268
00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:49,640
President is
looking forward to.

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00:11:49,642 --> 00:11:51,642
And he'll have an
opportunity to speak to all

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00:11:51,644 --> 00:11:53,644
of you about it
while he's there.

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The Press: And speaking
of prison security, any

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00:11:55,614 --> 00:12:00,124
response from this White
House to the escape of

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00:12:00,119 --> 00:12:01,089
"El Chapo" down in Mexico?

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00:12:01,087 --> 00:12:02,757
Mr. Earnest: Well, there's
those rather colorful

275
00:12:02,755 --> 00:12:05,325
news reports.

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00:12:05,324 --> 00:12:07,824
I can tell you that the
Attorney General of the

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00:12:07,827 --> 00:12:10,367
United States, Loretta
Lynch, telephoned her

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00:12:10,362 --> 00:12:13,262
counterpart yesterday to
offer the full support of

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00:12:13,265 --> 00:12:18,135
the United States government
to the Mexican government as

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00:12:18,137 --> 00:12:22,077
they undertake an operation
to try to recapture

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00:12:22,074 --> 00:12:23,944
Mr. Guzman.

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00:12:23,943 --> 00:12:28,853
Obviously the United States
is very interested in making

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00:12:28,848 --> 00:12:30,848
sure that Mr. Guzman
is brought to justice.

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00:12:30,850 --> 00:12:33,950
He faces very serious crimes
not just in Mexico, but he's

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been charged with some very
serious crimes in the United

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00:12:35,955 --> 00:12:37,555
States as well.

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And the United States will
support the efforts of the

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00:12:41,193 --> 00:12:45,193
Mexican government to
bring him to justice.

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00:12:45,197 --> 00:12:46,467
Nadia.

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00:12:46,465 --> 00:12:48,305
The Press: Just a quick
clarification and two quick

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00:12:48,300 --> 00:12:49,300
questions.

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00:12:49,301 --> 00:12:52,871
So if you don't reach an
agreement, is this interim

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00:12:52,872 --> 00:12:55,912
agreement or the Joint Plan
of Action -- can it be

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00:12:55,908 --> 00:13:00,548
extended for weeks or
months, and not just days?

295
00:13:00,546 --> 00:13:02,616
My question is, is it
legally binding, or is it

296
00:13:02,615 --> 00:13:05,915
just a political framework
that a high-level agreement

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00:13:05,918 --> 00:13:07,958
has to be reached and it's
not going to be -- it will

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00:13:07,953 --> 00:13:08,953
be redundant after that?

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00:13:08,954 --> 00:13:11,654
Mr. Earnest: Well, I can't
speak to the legally binding

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00:13:11,657 --> 00:13:12,657
nature of it.

301
00:13:12,658 --> 00:13:14,998
I'd refer you to the State
Department who presumably

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00:13:14,994 --> 00:13:17,034
has an attorney who can
discuss sort of the legal

303
00:13:17,029 --> 00:13:18,729
consequences of all of this.

304
00:13:18,731 --> 00:13:20,731
What we have found, though,
is that the interim

305
00:13:20,733 --> 00:13:23,403
agreement over the last year
and a half or so that it's

306
00:13:23,402 --> 00:13:26,242
been in place has been
effective in freezing Iran's

307
00:13:26,238 --> 00:13:28,678
nuclear program in place and
rolling it back in some key

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00:13:28,674 --> 00:13:29,674
areas.

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00:13:29,675 --> 00:13:32,045
And that's why the United
States and our P5+1 partners

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00:13:32,044 --> 00:13:35,344
have found it useful to
continue to extend the

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00:13:35,347 --> 00:13:37,447
agreement while the talks
continue, even though the

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00:13:37,449 --> 00:13:40,549
talks have extended on for a
period of time longer than

313
00:13:40,553 --> 00:13:42,553
we believed originally
would be necessary.

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00:13:42,555 --> 00:13:46,225
The Press: My question is
it's still more than a few

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00:13:46,225 --> 00:13:48,695
days, more than the deadline
of expected days --

316
00:13:48,694 --> 00:13:51,764
Mr. Earnest: Well, at this
point, the agreement has

317
00:13:51,764 --> 00:13:56,264
been in place -- well, let's
step one step back just to

318
00:13:56,268 --> 00:14:00,368
give you a greater
deal of context here.

319
00:14:00,372 --> 00:14:03,372
There was concern when the
United States and our P5+1

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00:14:03,375 --> 00:14:07,245
partners originally entered
into negotiations with the

321
00:14:07,246 --> 00:14:11,046
Iranians that the Iranians
would merely use the cover

322
00:14:11,050 --> 00:14:14,050
of diplomatic conversations
to continue to advance their

323
00:14:14,053 --> 00:14:15,053
nuclear program.

324
00:14:15,054 --> 00:14:17,224
This is something they had
done in the past and was

325
00:14:17,223 --> 00:14:19,423
something that many people
were concerned about,

326
00:14:19,425 --> 00:14:21,395
including the President
of the United States.

327
00:14:21,393 --> 00:14:23,593
And that's why this
particular approach was

328
00:14:23,596 --> 00:14:26,296
taken, which is to let's
enter into an agreement as

329
00:14:26,298 --> 00:14:28,668
we enter the final talks
to ensure that that can't

330
00:14:28,667 --> 00:14:31,107
happen, that we can't just
drag out the talks so that

331
00:14:31,103 --> 00:14:33,103
they can advance their
nuclear program.

332
00:14:33,105 --> 00:14:35,945
But, in essence, that
interim agreement has been

333
00:14:35,941 --> 00:14:40,811
in place to facilitate
conversations, and that is

334
00:14:40,813 --> 00:14:42,283
what we're trying
to complete.

335
00:14:42,281 --> 00:14:45,351
And obviously if we can
complete the negotiations,

336
00:14:45,351 --> 00:14:49,821
then there would be no need
for an interim agreement.

337
00:14:49,822 --> 00:14:52,122
But you raise another
question, which is, well,

338
00:14:52,124 --> 00:14:54,424
would the agreement that
was originally in place to

339
00:14:54,426 --> 00:14:56,996
support negotiations
remain in place even if

340
00:14:56,996 --> 00:14:59,036
negotiations are
no longer ongoing?

341
00:14:59,031 --> 00:15:01,031
And that's a question
that, frankly, I haven't

342
00:15:01,033 --> 00:15:02,733
contemplated at this point.

343
00:15:02,735 --> 00:15:09,005
But what we have indicted is
that if conversations were

344
00:15:09,008 --> 00:15:11,248
to break down, that the
President would continue to

345
00:15:11,243 --> 00:15:14,583
have all options on
the table before him.

346
00:15:14,580 --> 00:15:17,620
But I wouldn't speculate at
this point how exactly we'd

347
00:15:17,616 --> 00:15:19,486
prepare for that scenario.

348
00:15:19,485 --> 00:15:23,525
Our hope is that the
negotiators will continue to

349
00:15:23,522 --> 00:15:25,922
make progress and eventually
reach a final agreement that

350
00:15:25,924 --> 00:15:29,224
would then go into effect
and eliminate the need for

351
00:15:29,228 --> 00:15:30,228
the interim agreement.

352
00:15:30,229 --> 00:15:32,469
The Press: And on Iraq,
the Iraqi army launched an

353
00:15:32,464 --> 00:15:35,434
operation to retake Anbar
with the Popular Forces.

354
00:15:35,434 --> 00:15:38,034
What changed from two
months ago to now?

355
00:15:38,037 --> 00:15:41,537
How confident are you in the
ability of the Iraqi army

356
00:15:41,540 --> 00:15:42,780
that they retake Anbar?

357
00:15:42,775 --> 00:15:45,045
Mr. Earnest: Well, there had
been, Nadia, remember, some

358
00:15:45,044 --> 00:15:50,984
speculation by some
observers that the central

359
00:15:50,983 --> 00:15:54,953
government in Iraq had
not been as effective as

360
00:15:54,953 --> 00:15:58,623
necessary to resupply those
troops who were in Ramadi

361
00:15:58,624 --> 00:16:00,624
and were doing important
work to try to protect that

362
00:16:00,626 --> 00:16:01,796
city.

363
00:16:01,794 --> 00:16:04,334
So, obviously, over the last
couple of months, the Iraqi

364
00:16:04,330 --> 00:16:07,030
government has had an
opportunity to organize

365
00:16:07,032 --> 00:16:10,002
their efforts in Anbar
Province, to ensure that the

366
00:16:10,002 --> 00:16:16,012
security forces reflect the
diverse population of Iraq.

367
00:16:18,143 --> 00:16:20,583
And what the United States
has indicated is that the

368
00:16:20,579 --> 00:16:23,149
United States and our
coalition partners will be

369
00:16:23,148 --> 00:16:27,688
supportive of those forces
that are under the command

370
00:16:27,686 --> 00:16:29,686
and control of the Iraqi
central government.

371
00:16:29,688 --> 00:16:32,158
And we have made clear that
we believe that those forces

372
00:16:32,157 --> 00:16:35,797
should take extra care, even
as they are carrying out

373
00:16:35,794 --> 00:16:40,304
these security operations,
to protect the basic human

374
00:16:40,299 --> 00:16:44,339
rights of the
population there.

375
00:16:44,336 --> 00:16:46,406
So this is obviously
something that reflects a

376
00:16:46,405 --> 00:16:48,875
decision made by the
Iraqi government.

377
00:16:48,874 --> 00:16:52,574
This is obviously an
operation that's led by the

378
00:16:52,578 --> 00:16:53,578
Iraqi military.

379
00:16:53,579 --> 00:16:55,579
But those forces that are
operating under the command

380
00:16:55,581 --> 00:16:58,381
and control of the Iraqi
central government can

381
00:16:58,384 --> 00:17:00,424
expect to have the support
of the United States and our

382
00:17:00,419 --> 00:17:03,189
coalition partners as they
undertake these operations.

383
00:17:03,188 --> 00:17:06,588
The other thing that I
understand is that, in

384
00:17:06,592 --> 00:17:12,102
recent days, our coalition
has actually significantly

385
00:17:12,097 --> 00:17:17,007
stepped up the pace of
military airstrikes in Iraq

386
00:17:17,002 --> 00:17:20,002
-- the majority of those
airstrikes coming in Anbar.

387
00:17:20,005 --> 00:17:22,375
So that is an indication of
the ongoing coordination

388
00:17:22,374 --> 00:17:26,144
between the Iraqi military
and the United States and

389
00:17:26,145 --> 00:17:27,845
our coalition partners.

390
00:17:27,846 --> 00:17:28,886
The Press: And
one last question.

391
00:17:28,881 --> 00:17:30,981
You don't have to get into
the military details, but

392
00:17:30,983 --> 00:17:33,953
just politically -- the Wall
Street Journal is reporting

393
00:17:33,952 --> 00:17:36,852
that you are coordinating
with North African countries

394
00:17:36,855 --> 00:17:40,455
to have airbases to be used
to launch drones against

395
00:17:40,459 --> 00:17:41,559
ISIS in Libya.

396
00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:45,160
Can you kind of go into
some details about which

397
00:17:45,164 --> 00:17:47,164
countries are you
coordinating with?

398
00:17:47,166 --> 00:17:50,236
And is this within the
policy of the administration

399
00:17:50,235 --> 00:17:54,205
like we did in Yemen, to
target al Qaeda using drones

400
00:17:54,206 --> 00:17:55,206
only?

401
00:17:55,207 --> 00:17:57,847
Mr. Earnest: Well, there
are obviously a number of

402
00:17:57,843 --> 00:18:01,813
details that I can't get
into from here, but let me

403
00:18:01,814 --> 00:18:05,784
try to answer your question
the best that I can.

404
00:18:05,784 --> 00:18:07,824
Let me start by saying
that the United States

405
00:18:07,820 --> 00:18:11,160
coordinates closely with
countries throughout North

406
00:18:11,156 --> 00:18:14,926
Africa and Europe who also
share our concerns about the

407
00:18:14,927 --> 00:18:17,197
extremist threat that
emanates from Libya.

408
00:18:17,196 --> 00:18:19,436
We are seeing, and we have
seen a concerted effort by

409
00:18:19,431 --> 00:18:23,171
some extremists in Libya to
capitalize on the chaos in

410
00:18:23,168 --> 00:18:27,708
that country, to establish
a foothold and carry out

411
00:18:27,706 --> 00:18:31,046
extremist acts of violence
not just in Libya but even

412
00:18:31,043 --> 00:18:33,343
in some surrounding
countries.

413
00:18:33,345 --> 00:18:38,985
And we saw this terrible
terrorist attack in Tunisia

414
00:18:38,984 --> 00:18:42,684
just 10 days or so ago.

415
00:18:42,688 --> 00:18:47,358
So we continue to be
concerned about the growing

416
00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:54,369
threat from extremists that
are operating in Libya, and

417
00:18:54,366 --> 00:18:59,336
we are going to continue to
coordinate both on security

418
00:18:59,338 --> 00:19:03,938
matters and intelligence
matters with countries in

419
00:19:03,942 --> 00:19:05,142
the region.

420
00:19:05,143 --> 00:19:08,043
Now, you'll note that the
United States recently

421
00:19:08,046 --> 00:19:11,816
entered into this Major
Non-NATO Ally agreement with

422
00:19:11,817 --> 00:19:13,087
Tunisia.

423
00:19:13,085 --> 00:19:15,925
That's an indication of
the ramped-up security

424
00:19:15,921 --> 00:19:18,161
coordination between the
United States and Tunisia.

425
00:19:18,156 --> 00:19:21,156
The United States has a
longstanding security

426
00:19:21,159 --> 00:19:24,799
relationship with Egypt, and
there is additional military

427
00:19:24,796 --> 00:19:27,266
assistance that was recently
provided to Egypt as they

428
00:19:27,266 --> 00:19:29,966
confront some of the
security challenges in their

429
00:19:29,968 --> 00:19:30,968
country as well.

430
00:19:30,969 --> 00:19:33,609
So that's an indication that
the United States has some

431
00:19:33,605 --> 00:19:37,375
deep ties in the region
that we will use to try to

432
00:19:37,376 --> 00:19:40,976
improve the security posture
of countries in the region

433
00:19:40,979 --> 00:19:44,419
that are most likely at risk
here, but also to protect

434
00:19:44,416 --> 00:19:46,486
the broader national
security interests of the

435
00:19:46,485 --> 00:19:47,755
United States.

436
00:19:47,753 --> 00:19:49,753
The last thing I'll say
about this -- and I probably

437
00:19:49,755 --> 00:19:52,955
should have said this first
-- but our primary effort

438
00:19:52,958 --> 00:19:55,928
with respect to Libya
remains focused on the

439
00:19:55,928 --> 00:19:57,228
political negotiations.

440
00:19:57,229 --> 00:20:00,329
And this goes back to what I
was just describing, which

441
00:20:00,332 --> 00:20:02,772
is that we have seen
extremist elements try to

442
00:20:02,768 --> 00:20:06,508
capitalize on the chaos
inside of Libya to carry out

443
00:20:06,505 --> 00:20:07,605
acts of violence.

444
00:20:07,606 --> 00:20:13,176
And so the best way for us
to eliminate the ability of

445
00:20:13,178 --> 00:20:15,548
those extremist groups to
operate in Libya is to

446
00:20:15,547 --> 00:20:18,217
actually support an
effective central government

447
00:20:18,216 --> 00:20:21,386
in Libya that can provide
for the security situation

448
00:20:21,386 --> 00:20:23,026
of the entire country.

449
00:20:23,021 --> 00:20:25,321
So there have been some
ongoing U.N.-facilitated

450
00:20:25,324 --> 00:20:29,564
efforts in Morocco to try to
bring about this political

451
00:20:29,561 --> 00:20:33,861
solution, and there was an
agreement that was recently

452
00:20:33,865 --> 00:20:36,805
initialed in Morocco
among the parties who are

453
00:20:36,802 --> 00:20:37,872
participating
in those talks.

454
00:20:37,869 --> 00:20:40,609
And the United States has
been strongly supportive of

455
00:20:40,606 --> 00:20:41,606
the U.N.

456
00:20:41,607 --> 00:20:44,047
effort to try to bring about
that political resolution.

457
00:20:44,042 --> 00:20:45,042
Olivier.

458
00:20:45,043 --> 00:20:48,183
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

459
00:20:48,180 --> 00:20:50,480
On the prison visit later
this week, will the

460
00:20:50,482 --> 00:20:53,082
President meet with any
inmates who have clemency

461
00:20:53,085 --> 00:20:54,115
petitions in the pipeline?

462
00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:56,519
Mr. Earnest: The President
will have the opportunity to

463
00:20:56,521 --> 00:20:57,521
meet with some inmates.

464
00:20:57,522 --> 00:21:00,292
I don't at this point have
details about who will

465
00:21:00,292 --> 00:21:02,362
participate in those
conversations, but in

466
00:21:02,361 --> 00:21:04,861
advance of Thursday, we'll
have some more information

467
00:21:04,863 --> 00:21:05,863
on this.

468
00:21:05,864 --> 00:21:07,864
The Press: And then on
the Iran deal -- when the

469
00:21:07,866 --> 00:21:10,406
Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs, Martin Dempsey, says

470
00:21:10,402 --> 00:21:13,002
the United States should
absolutely not ease

471
00:21:13,005 --> 00:21:15,605
restrictions on Iran's
ability to acquire missile

472
00:21:15,607 --> 00:21:18,277
technology or conventional
weapons, does he speak for

473
00:21:18,276 --> 00:21:19,276
the administration?

474
00:21:19,277 --> 00:21:21,317
Mr. Earnest: Well, he's the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

475
00:21:21,313 --> 00:21:22,313
of Staff, so --

476
00:21:22,314 --> 00:21:24,684
The Press: So we shouldn't
look for this Iran deal to

477
00:21:24,683 --> 00:21:25,813
ease either of those things?

478
00:21:25,817 --> 00:21:28,657
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I
think you can certainly rely

479
00:21:28,654 --> 00:21:32,524
on Chairman Dempsey to
provide not just --

480
00:21:32,524 --> 00:21:35,824
certainly his own personal
point of view, but also a

481
00:21:35,827 --> 00:21:37,827
point of view that reflects
the kind of advice the

482
00:21:37,829 --> 00:21:40,469
President's receiving from
his uniform military leaders

483
00:21:40,465 --> 00:21:41,465
as well.

484
00:21:41,466 --> 00:21:42,466
Jon Karl.

485
00:21:42,467 --> 00:21:44,467
The Press: So let
me clarify on that.

486
00:21:44,469 --> 00:21:45,469
Mr. Earnest: Okay.

487
00:21:45,470 --> 00:21:47,470
The Press: Is lifting the
arms embargo on Iran on the

488
00:21:47,472 --> 00:21:49,542
table in the final stages
of these negotiations?

489
00:21:49,541 --> 00:21:55,481
Mr. Earnest: Well, Jon, what
we know is that there are a

490
00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:56,480
number of U.N.

491
00:21:56,481 --> 00:21:59,351
Security Council resolutions
related to Iran's nuclear

492
00:21:59,351 --> 00:22:06,861
program that are under
discussion as part of

493
00:22:06,858 --> 00:22:10,258
essentially an exchange that
would -- this is the essence

494
00:22:10,262 --> 00:22:13,232
of the negotiations -- that
Iran would take steps to

495
00:22:13,231 --> 00:22:16,431
shut down every pathway they
have to a nuclear weapon in

496
00:22:16,435 --> 00:22:20,405
response to relief that they
could get from sanctions

497
00:22:20,405 --> 00:22:22,575
that had been applied to
their nuclear program.

498
00:22:22,574 --> 00:22:26,044
And that's the essence of
the negotiations that have

499
00:22:26,044 --> 00:22:28,044
been going on for more
than a year and a half.

500
00:22:28,046 --> 00:22:30,046
It's those sanctions that
have actually compelled Iran

501
00:22:30,048 --> 00:22:32,048
to participate in
these conversations.

502
00:22:32,050 --> 00:22:34,590
And so that's what -- that's
the kind of relief they're

503
00:22:34,586 --> 00:22:35,586
seeking.

504
00:22:35,587 --> 00:22:37,587
The Press: I'm asking
specifically about the arms

505
00:22:37,589 --> 00:22:39,589
embargo, which, as I
understand, is separate from

506
00:22:39,591 --> 00:22:42,661
the sanctions that are
imposed because of the

507
00:22:42,661 --> 00:22:43,661
nuclear program.

508
00:22:43,662 --> 00:22:48,032
Is the administration -- is
the President willing to see

509
00:22:48,033 --> 00:22:50,973
the lifting of the
arms embargo on Iran?

510
00:22:50,969 --> 00:22:53,239
Will he -- would he go
along with that under any

511
00:22:53,238 --> 00:22:55,478
circumstances?

512
00:22:55,474 --> 00:22:57,974
Mr. Earnest: Jon, I can't
get into the details of the

513
00:22:57,976 --> 00:22:58,676
ongoing --

514
00:22:58,677 --> 00:22:59,647
The Press: You won't rule
out that the President would

515
00:22:59,644 --> 00:23:00,644
sign off on lifting the
arms embargo on Iran?

516
00:23:00,645 --> 00:23:01,785
Mr. Earnest: What I'm
suggesting is we've been

517
00:23:01,780 --> 00:23:06,990
very clear that the
sanctions relief to which

518
00:23:06,985 --> 00:23:08,985
Iran could be entitled
in the context of these

519
00:23:08,987 --> 00:23:10,987
negotiations would be those
sanctions that have been

520
00:23:10,989 --> 00:23:13,429
applied to Iran's
nuclear program.

521
00:23:13,425 --> 00:23:17,025
And there are a number of
sanctions that have been

522
00:23:17,028 --> 00:23:20,328
applied to Iran because of
their nuclear program and

523
00:23:20,332 --> 00:23:24,502
the possible weaponization
of their nuclear program.

524
00:23:24,503 --> 00:23:28,603
And again, that's the
essence of this whole

525
00:23:28,607 --> 00:23:30,607
negotiation -- that applying
those sanctions is what

526
00:23:30,609 --> 00:23:33,349
compelled them to the
negotiating table in the

527
00:23:33,345 --> 00:23:36,215
first place, and that's what
has isolated them from the

528
00:23:36,214 --> 00:23:37,214
international community.

529
00:23:37,215 --> 00:23:43,185
And ultimately what we have
sought is to get Iran to

530
00:23:43,188 --> 00:23:47,228
agree to demonstrate clearly
beyond a shadow of a doubt

531
00:23:47,225 --> 00:23:49,665
that their nuclear program
exists solely for peaceful

532
00:23:49,661 --> 00:23:52,231
purposes, and that
in exchange for that

533
00:23:52,230 --> 00:23:54,630
demonstration they would
receive sanctions relief.

534
00:23:54,633 --> 00:23:55,633
The Press: Okay.

535
00:23:55,634 --> 00:23:57,634
But I'm asking specifically
about the arms embargo.

536
00:23:57,636 --> 00:23:59,606
Let me come at it a
slightly different way.

537
00:23:59,604 --> 00:24:02,944
Iran has been on the
official State Sponsors of

538
00:24:02,941 --> 00:24:08,681
Terrorism list since the 90s
-- since earlier, a long

539
00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:09,680
time.

540
00:24:09,681 --> 00:24:11,951
There's no plan to take
Iran off the official State

541
00:24:11,950 --> 00:24:14,120
Sponsors of Terrorism
list is there?

542
00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:21,389
Mr. Earnest: Well, we have
been clear that the -- we

543
00:24:21,393 --> 00:24:25,233
have been very clear
about the fact that the

544
00:24:25,230 --> 00:24:29,300
significant concerns we have
with Iran's behavior will

545
00:24:29,301 --> 00:24:34,911
persist even after an
agreement is reached, if one

546
00:24:34,906 --> 00:24:35,906
can be reached.

547
00:24:35,907 --> 00:24:37,907
The Press: So there's no
plan to take them off the

548
00:24:37,909 --> 00:24:39,909
State Sponsors of
Terrorism list?

549
00:24:39,911 --> 00:24:41,911
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
we've been clear about

550
00:24:41,913 --> 00:24:43,913
exactly what is the
essence of these ongoing

551
00:24:43,915 --> 00:24:44,915
negotiations.

552
00:24:44,916 --> 00:24:46,916
And that is the sanctions
that have been applied to

553
00:24:46,918 --> 00:24:49,858
Iran's nuclear program
at the United Nations in

554
00:24:49,855 --> 00:24:51,855
exchange for them shutting
down every pathway they have

555
00:24:51,857 --> 00:24:53,057
to a nuclear weapon.

556
00:24:53,058 --> 00:24:55,458
That obviously is
very different than a

557
00:24:55,460 --> 00:24:57,460
consideration about their
inclusion on the State

558
00:24:57,462 --> 00:24:58,462
Sponsors of Terror list.

559
00:24:58,463 --> 00:25:00,463
The Press: So that's why
I'm asking about the arms

560
00:25:00,465 --> 00:25:01,465
embargo.

561
00:25:01,466 --> 00:25:06,476
How could you consider
lifting a ban on sales of

562
00:25:06,471 --> 00:25:09,541
military equipment to and
from Iran if you still

563
00:25:09,541 --> 00:25:12,681
consider them a state
sponsor of terrorism.

564
00:25:12,677 --> 00:25:14,017
Mr. Earnest: Well, again,
I'm not going to get into

565
00:25:14,012 --> 00:25:16,012
the essence of
the negotiations.

566
00:25:16,014 --> 00:25:18,314
But we've tried to be as
clear as we possibly can

567
00:25:18,316 --> 00:25:22,216
about this -- that the kind
of sanctions relief that is

568
00:25:22,220 --> 00:25:24,390
envisioned in this
conversation are those

569
00:25:24,389 --> 00:25:26,489
sanctions that are applied
to Iran's nuclear program.

570
00:25:26,491 --> 00:25:27,161
The Press: Okay.

571
00:25:27,158 --> 00:25:28,328
And then one last thing.

572
00:25:28,326 --> 00:25:30,526
Jason Rezaian -- another
hearing before this

573
00:25:30,528 --> 00:25:33,298
secretive court.

574
00:25:33,298 --> 00:25:36,338
Is there any indication that
any of the Americans who are

575
00:25:36,334 --> 00:25:42,904
known to be held prisoner
by Iran, Rezaian, Hekmati,

576
00:25:42,908 --> 00:25:45,978
Abedini, is there any
indication that any of them

577
00:25:45,977 --> 00:25:48,317
will be freed before an
agreement is reached?

578
00:25:48,313 --> 00:25:51,483
Mr. Earnest: I don't have an
update on the status of our

579
00:25:51,483 --> 00:25:54,383
efforts to secure the
release of those Americans

580
00:25:54,386 --> 00:25:57,156
who are being unjustly
detained by Iran.

581
00:25:57,155 --> 00:25:58,525
You named three of them --

582
00:25:58,523 --> 00:25:59,523
The Press: There's 11.

583
00:25:59,524 --> 00:26:00,554
Mr. Earnest: That's right.

584
00:26:00,558 --> 00:26:03,098
So we're certainly concerned
about the fact that

585
00:26:03,094 --> 00:26:07,864
Mr. Rezaian, Mr. Abedini
and Mr. Hekmati are being

586
00:26:07,866 --> 00:26:09,366
unjustly detained in Iran.

587
00:26:09,367 --> 00:26:11,767
We've got some serious
questions about the

588
00:26:11,770 --> 00:26:14,770
whereabouts of
Robert Levinson.

589
00:26:14,773 --> 00:26:18,843
And these are concerns about
the treatment of these

590
00:26:18,843 --> 00:26:23,013
American citizens by Iran
that we have raised on the

591
00:26:23,014 --> 00:26:25,884
sidelines of these
nuclear talks.

592
00:26:25,884 --> 00:26:29,124
But we have -- and that's
something that we continue

593
00:26:29,120 --> 00:26:32,460
to press, but I don't have
an update at this point on

594
00:26:32,457 --> 00:26:34,427
those ongoing efforts.

595
00:26:34,426 --> 00:26:35,356
J.C.

596
00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:39,460
The Press: If, in fact, a
deal is not reached and the U.S.

597
00:26:39,464 --> 00:26:41,464
may walk away from the
table, how concerned is this

598
00:26:41,466 --> 00:26:44,566
administration that Saudi
Arabia will enter a nuclear

599
00:26:44,569 --> 00:26:45,569
arms race?

600
00:26:45,570 --> 00:26:52,610
Mr. Earnest: Well, J.C., one
of the reasons that we have

601
00:26:52,610 --> 00:26:55,950
sought to pursue a
diplomatic opportunity to

602
00:26:55,947 --> 00:26:59,647
prevent Iran from obtaining
a nuclear weapon is the risk

603
00:26:59,651 --> 00:27:03,051
that exists that if Iran
does obtain a nuclear weapon

604
00:27:03,054 --> 00:27:06,094
that it could set off a
nuclear arms race in the

605
00:27:06,091 --> 00:27:08,291
most volatile
region of the world.

606
00:27:08,293 --> 00:27:11,733
That would be destabilizing
to an already volatile

607
00:27:11,730 --> 00:27:12,860
region of the world.

608
00:27:12,864 --> 00:27:15,034
It also would have a
negative impact on the

609
00:27:15,033 --> 00:27:17,033
national security interests
of the United States.

610
00:27:17,035 --> 00:27:19,505
It obviously would not be
good for our closest ally in

611
00:27:19,504 --> 00:27:20,804
the region, Israel.

612
00:27:20,805 --> 00:27:25,945
So that is one of the
reasons that we have sought

613
00:27:25,944 --> 00:27:29,744
to capitalize on the best
opportunity we have to

614
00:27:29,748 --> 00:27:32,048
prevent Iran from obtaining
a nuclear weapon and that's

615
00:27:32,050 --> 00:27:34,050
pursuing this
diplomatic opening.

616
00:27:34,052 --> 00:27:35,052
Major.

617
00:27:35,053 --> 00:27:37,893
The Press: So you said at
the top, key issues -- there

618
00:27:37,889 --> 00:27:40,689
have been some key issues
that have been closed.

619
00:27:40,692 --> 00:27:42,692
Can you give us an
idea of what they are?

620
00:27:42,694 --> 00:27:44,694
Mr. Earnest:
Unfortunately, I can't.

621
00:27:44,696 --> 00:27:46,696
As I mentioned to Julie,
those issues have been

622
00:27:46,698 --> 00:27:47,698
closed.

623
00:27:47,699 --> 00:27:49,699
The reason I didn't say
"agreed to" is that nothing

624
00:27:49,701 --> 00:27:51,701
is agreed to until
everything is agreed to.

625
00:27:51,703 --> 00:27:54,173
So it means that we believe
that we've gotten those key

626
00:27:54,172 --> 00:27:56,342
issues into a good place --
essentially the negotiations

627
00:27:56,341 --> 00:27:59,381
around some of those
key issues have closed.

628
00:27:59,377 --> 00:28:02,647
But they are contingent on
resolving the concerns that

629
00:28:02,647 --> 00:28:04,647
have been expressed by
everybody around the table.

630
00:28:04,649 --> 00:28:06,649
The Press: Let me
try it in this way.

631
00:28:06,651 --> 00:28:08,651
There are issues related to
sanctions that Jonathon just

632
00:28:08,653 --> 00:28:10,653
brought up, and there were
underlying technical details

633
00:28:10,655 --> 00:28:14,755
-- inspections, application
of the Joint Plan of Action.

634
00:28:14,759 --> 00:28:17,359
Broadly speaking, would you
say the issues that have

635
00:28:17,362 --> 00:28:20,502
been closed fall on the
sanctions side, or the

636
00:28:20,498 --> 00:28:22,498
technical implementation
side of the Joint Plan?

637
00:28:22,500 --> 00:28:24,500
Mr. Earnest: I just can't
get into any greater detail

638
00:28:24,502 --> 00:28:27,442
about those issues that have
been closed other than to

639
00:28:27,439 --> 00:28:29,439
confirm for you that
some of them have been.

640
00:28:29,441 --> 00:28:31,611
The Press: Okay.

641
00:28:31,609 --> 00:28:33,609
There was a sense this
weekend that this was

642
00:28:33,611 --> 00:28:35,451
getting closer and closer.

643
00:28:35,447 --> 00:28:39,017
The President has said as
recently as last week, less

644
00:28:39,017 --> 00:28:41,657
than 50 percent.

645
00:28:41,653 --> 00:28:45,853
I'm not asking you to give
us a declaration of -- but

646
00:28:45,857 --> 00:28:50,827
do you feel that over the
last 72 or 96 hours, you are

647
00:28:50,829 --> 00:28:53,129
closer and this is
likely to happen?

648
00:28:53,131 --> 00:28:55,601
More likely than it was,
say, three or four days ago?

649
00:28:55,600 --> 00:28:57,940
Or would you say you're in
exactly the same place

650
00:28:57,936 --> 00:28:58,936
you were?

651
00:28:58,937 --> 00:29:01,077
Mr. Earnest: Well, I would
acknowledge that important

652
00:29:01,072 --> 00:29:04,872
progress has been made over
the last four or five or

653
00:29:04,876 --> 00:29:05,876
six days.

654
00:29:05,877 --> 00:29:07,847
That is true.

655
00:29:07,846 --> 00:29:11,546
That said, there continue
to be some pretty tough

656
00:29:11,549 --> 00:29:13,689
obstacles to a final
agreement that remain in

657
00:29:13,685 --> 00:29:16,785
place, and that's what our
negotiators are

658
00:29:16,788 --> 00:29:17,788
working through.

659
00:29:17,789 --> 00:29:20,389
Ultimately, in order to
complete this agreement,

660
00:29:20,391 --> 00:29:24,391
it's going to require Iran
to make some tough decisions

661
00:29:24,395 --> 00:29:28,935
and to sign off on some
significant commitments that

662
00:29:28,933 --> 00:29:30,973
shut down every pathway they
have to a nuclear weapon and

663
00:29:30,969 --> 00:29:34,539
verify their cooperation
with an intrusive set of

664
00:29:34,539 --> 00:29:35,539
inspections.

665
00:29:35,540 --> 00:29:39,410
And since ultimately it will
be the responsibility of

666
00:29:39,410 --> 00:29:41,410
Iran to decide if they
can live up to those

667
00:29:41,412 --> 00:29:44,782
commitments, that's why it's
hard to put a numerical

668
00:29:44,782 --> 00:29:51,052
probability on it, because
ultimately this will be a

669
00:29:51,055 --> 00:29:53,255
decision that they'll
have to make at the end.

670
00:29:53,258 --> 00:29:55,828
Because we've been very
clear about what our bottom

671
00:29:55,827 --> 00:30:01,137
lines are and they have a
rather opaque process for

672
00:30:01,132 --> 00:30:03,132
making these kinds
of decisions.

673
00:30:03,134 --> 00:30:06,174
But that's why it's hard to
put a specific probability.

674
00:30:06,171 --> 00:30:08,271
But to answer the first part
of your question, I do think

675
00:30:08,273 --> 00:30:10,413
it's fair for you to say
that over the last four or

676
00:30:10,408 --> 00:30:12,778
five or six days, that
additional progress has

677
00:30:12,777 --> 00:30:13,777
been made.

678
00:30:13,778 --> 00:30:16,748
The Press: All of us are
trying to translate your

679
00:30:16,748 --> 00:30:19,148
conversation with Jonathon,
so let me try it this way.

680
00:30:19,150 --> 00:30:21,050
(laughter)

681
00:30:21,052 --> 00:30:22,292
The administration doesn't
believe that the arms

682
00:30:22,287 --> 00:30:25,987
embargo was applied to Iran
in reaction to its nuclear

683
00:30:25,990 --> 00:30:28,430
program, therefore it is not
on the table -- correct?

684
00:30:28,426 --> 00:30:31,566
Mr. Earnest: Well, Major, I
think at this point -- this

685
00:30:31,563 --> 00:30:33,803
is exactly the kind of
conversation that if we're

686
00:30:33,798 --> 00:30:35,898
able to reach an agreement
will be a lot easier for us

687
00:30:35,900 --> 00:30:38,270
to have.

688
00:30:38,269 --> 00:30:39,439
The Press: So, therefore,
it is on the table?

689
00:30:39,437 --> 00:30:41,037
Mr. Earnest: I'm
not saying that.

690
00:30:41,039 --> 00:30:43,179
What I'm just saying is that
once we've been able to lay

691
00:30:43,174 --> 00:30:45,374
out exactly what's included
in the agreement and what's

692
00:30:45,376 --> 00:30:49,116
not, we'll have a much
clearer conversation about

693
00:30:49,113 --> 00:30:51,113
what exactly has
been agreed to.

694
00:30:51,115 --> 00:30:52,215
The Press: So this
part is opaque.

695
00:30:52,217 --> 00:30:53,487
Mr. Earnest: I would
acknowledge that there are a

696
00:30:53,484 --> 00:30:55,254
variety of aspects of
this that are opaque.

697
00:30:55,253 --> 00:30:56,153
The Press: On their side.

698
00:30:56,154 --> 00:30:57,324
Mr. Earnest: Not
just on their side.

699
00:30:57,322 --> 00:30:59,622
The good news is that if an
agreement is reached that

700
00:30:59,624 --> 00:31:03,324
there will be extensive
detail that's made public

701
00:31:03,328 --> 00:31:05,328
that you and the American
public will have an

702
00:31:05,330 --> 00:31:07,070
opportunity to review.

703
00:31:07,065 --> 00:31:08,665
And that's what we would
encourage people to do, is

704
00:31:08,666 --> 00:31:10,536
to withhold judgment and to
evaluate the strength of

705
00:31:10,535 --> 00:31:13,105
this argument -- or the
strength of this agreement

706
00:31:13,104 --> 00:31:15,274
and the way that it protects
America's national security

707
00:31:15,273 --> 00:31:17,443
interests based on the
details that have actually

708
00:31:17,442 --> 00:31:18,442
been agreed to.

709
00:31:18,443 --> 00:31:20,713
The Press: On the
commutation issues, what

710
00:31:20,712 --> 00:31:23,052
would you say is the
President's explanation for

711
00:31:23,047 --> 00:31:26,617
those who would observe that
he's had a long time to deal

712
00:31:26,618 --> 00:31:28,918
with this issue and this
is late in the game?

713
00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:30,920
Mr. Earnest: Well, I would
just observe that the number

714
00:31:30,922 --> 00:31:33,462
of commutations that have
been granted by this

715
00:31:33,458 --> 00:31:36,298
President exceed the number
of commutations that have

716
00:31:36,294 --> 00:31:38,394
been issued by the four
previous Presidents

717
00:31:38,396 --> 00:31:39,396
combined.

718
00:31:39,397 --> 00:31:41,397
The Press: But that
presupposes that the same

719
00:31:41,399 --> 00:31:43,399
problems were on the
President's -- those

720
00:31:43,401 --> 00:31:46,601
Presidents' desks as were
on this President's desk.

721
00:31:46,604 --> 00:31:48,574
And I believe, if I
understand the President

722
00:31:48,573 --> 00:31:51,113
correctly, that's not the
case, that he has noted, and

723
00:31:51,109 --> 00:31:54,379
those working for him have
noted this disparity in

724
00:31:54,379 --> 00:31:59,849
sentencing and that it cried
out for some type of action.

725
00:31:59,851 --> 00:32:02,321
So to compare numbers
suggests, well, they had the

726
00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:04,090
exact same problems.

727
00:32:04,088 --> 00:32:06,328
They don't have the same --
those Presidents didn't have

728
00:32:06,324 --> 00:32:07,924
this issue to deal with.

729
00:32:07,925 --> 00:32:09,925
This President has,
by his own words.

730
00:32:09,927 --> 00:32:11,927
Mr. Earnest: And I think
what the numbers illustrate

731
00:32:11,929 --> 00:32:14,699
is that the President
has taken an historic

732
00:32:14,699 --> 00:32:16,199
step today and --

733
00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:19,370
The Press: Why not earlier?

734
00:32:19,370 --> 00:32:22,670
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I
think that there -- I guess

735
00:32:22,674 --> 00:32:23,674
there are a couple
of reasons for that.

736
00:32:23,675 --> 00:32:28,145
The first is that these
applications for clemency

737
00:32:28,146 --> 00:32:29,476
are very carefully
considered.

738
00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:33,120
They go through a very
rigorous process and there

739
00:32:33,117 --> 00:32:35,187
is an effort by the
Department of Justice to

740
00:32:35,186 --> 00:32:40,056
make sure that the
individuals who are then

741
00:32:40,058 --> 00:32:43,558
considered by the President
for a commutation fit the

742
00:32:43,561 --> 00:32:46,161
criteria that the
President has laid out.

743
00:32:46,164 --> 00:32:48,934
And the criteria that the
President has discussed is

744
00:32:48,933 --> 00:32:51,533
non-violent offenders,
essentially low-level

745
00:32:51,536 --> 00:32:56,646
offenders, in many cases,
who, if they were sentenced

746
00:32:56,641 --> 00:32:58,941
today would get a
substantially shorter

747
00:32:58,943 --> 00:33:03,513
sentence and, in many of
those cases, would actually

748
00:33:03,514 --> 00:33:05,614
have, if sentenced under
the rules that are in place

749
00:33:05,616 --> 00:33:07,616
today, would have actually
already served their time

750
00:33:07,618 --> 00:33:09,758
and been released
by this point.

751
00:33:09,754 --> 00:33:12,654
So that's an indication of
the kind of disparity that

752
00:33:12,657 --> 00:33:14,657
the President is
trying to rectify.

753
00:33:14,659 --> 00:33:17,299
And the President believes
that it's possible to take

754
00:33:17,295 --> 00:33:23,935
this step without
substantially negatively

755
00:33:23,935 --> 00:33:25,705
affecting public safety.

756
00:33:25,703 --> 00:33:27,743
And that obviously is a
principal consideration as

757
00:33:27,739 --> 00:33:28,739
well.

758
00:33:28,740 --> 00:33:33,750
But we've also been pretty
up front about the fact that

759
00:33:33,745 --> 00:33:37,515
this kind of executive
action is not a substitute

760
00:33:37,515 --> 00:33:41,115
for the kind of legislative
action that we believe is

761
00:33:41,119 --> 00:33:44,089
necessary to address some
of the more widespread

762
00:33:44,088 --> 00:33:48,258
disparities that exist in
our criminal justice system.

763
00:33:48,259 --> 00:33:49,999
The Press: One last thing.

764
00:33:49,994 --> 00:33:52,264
On coverage Thursday, it has
been suggested to us -- and

765
00:33:52,263 --> 00:33:54,633
I know these things are
constantly being reviewed,

766
00:33:54,632 --> 00:33:57,702
so I ask you to review them
on behalf of everyone in the

767
00:33:57,702 --> 00:33:59,972
association, but
specifically the White House

768
00:33:59,971 --> 00:34:02,411
pool that will travel with
the President, that they be

769
00:34:02,407 --> 00:34:06,647
given maximum access to the
President not just for his

770
00:34:06,644 --> 00:34:10,014
remarks in some prison yard,
but in the part of the

771
00:34:10,014 --> 00:34:12,314
facility that he
will go himself.

772
00:34:12,316 --> 00:34:15,356
This being a historic event
for this President, the

773
00:34:15,353 --> 00:34:18,393
first of its kind, to my
understanding, the White House

774
00:34:18,389 --> 00:34:21,389
press pool should have
as much access as possible.

775
00:34:21,392 --> 00:34:25,592
And I urge you to err on the
side of maximum coverage and

776
00:34:25,596 --> 00:34:27,966
access for those who travel
with the President and the

777
00:34:27,965 --> 00:34:29,405
government on a daily basis.

778
00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:30,330
Mr. Earnest: We'll
see what we can do.

779
00:34:30,334 --> 00:34:31,104
The Press: Thank you.

780
00:34:31,102 --> 00:34:32,202
Mr. Earnest: Alexis.

781
00:34:32,203 --> 00:34:33,603
The Press: Josh, can I ask
a question on commutations?

782
00:34:33,604 --> 00:34:35,674
Mr. Earnest: Sure.

783
00:34:35,673 --> 00:34:36,643
The Press: I want to repeat
the question I had asked

784
00:34:36,641 --> 00:34:38,911
last week, and that is how
would the President like

785
00:34:38,910 --> 00:34:43,050
these 46 individuals to be
used if, in the minds of

786
00:34:43,047 --> 00:34:45,117
lawmakers, he's
trying to persuade?

787
00:34:45,116 --> 00:34:47,356
In other words, is there
something about their cases

788
00:34:47,351 --> 00:34:50,291
that he -- more than
the number, that these

789
00:34:50,288 --> 00:34:53,888
individuals that he wants
to point to, to showcase a

790
00:34:53,891 --> 00:34:56,491
point he's trying to make?

791
00:34:56,494 --> 00:34:58,394
Mr. Earnest: I think the
case that the President is

792
00:34:58,396 --> 00:35:02,066
trying to make is that that
there are -- that, again,

793
00:35:02,066 --> 00:35:05,206
these are individuals who
are non-violent, low-level

794
00:35:05,203 --> 00:35:06,673
offenders.

795
00:35:06,671 --> 00:35:10,071
These are individuals the
vast majority of whom would

796
00:35:10,074 --> 00:35:12,574
receive a substantially
shorter sentence if they had

797
00:35:12,577 --> 00:35:15,247
been convicted under the
rules that are currently

798
00:35:15,246 --> 00:35:17,386
in place.

799
00:35:17,381 --> 00:35:19,781
And, in many cases, these
individuals would have

800
00:35:19,784 --> 00:35:21,784
actually served their time
and already been released by

801
00:35:21,786 --> 00:35:23,786
this standpoint had they
been convicted under the

802
00:35:23,788 --> 00:35:25,788
terms -- or under the rules
and conditions that are in

803
00:35:25,790 --> 00:35:27,530
place today.

804
00:35:27,525 --> 00:35:29,995
And I think the President
does believe that that

805
00:35:29,994 --> 00:35:33,094
illustrates some inequities
in our criminal justice

806
00:35:33,097 --> 00:35:35,197
system, and it does
illustrate that there

807
00:35:35,199 --> 00:35:37,599
probably is a better way
that we can spend

808
00:35:37,602 --> 00:35:40,172
taxpayer dollars.

809
00:35:40,171 --> 00:35:43,041
And some of these
individuals who have been

810
00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:45,110
commuted today, who have had
their sentences commuted

811
00:35:45,109 --> 00:35:48,309
today, are individuals who
were sentenced to life in

812
00:35:48,312 --> 00:35:52,212
prison, even though
they didn't have a

813
00:35:52,216 --> 00:35:53,386
violent record.

814
00:35:53,384 --> 00:35:57,084
And, again, in the view
of the President, there

815
00:35:57,088 --> 00:35:59,858
probably are some better
things we can spend taxpayer

816
00:35:59,857 --> 00:36:02,427
dollars on, and there are
certainly some things that

817
00:36:02,426 --> 00:36:06,126
we can do to make our
criminal justice more fair.

818
00:36:06,130 --> 00:36:08,830
That said, each of these
cases was considered

819
00:36:08,833 --> 00:36:09,833
individually.

820
00:36:09,834 --> 00:36:13,534
And it's the President's
responsibility to use this

821
00:36:13,538 --> 00:36:15,638
power judiciously.

822
00:36:15,640 --> 00:36:17,640
But there is something
important that Congress can

823
00:36:17,642 --> 00:36:19,642
do about it, and we
hope that they will.

824
00:36:19,644 --> 00:36:23,884
The Press: And can you add
whether, on top of these 46,

825
00:36:23,881 --> 00:36:27,951
whether the President now
hopes to continue to do this

826
00:36:27,952 --> 00:36:30,252
on some sort of
recurring basis.

827
00:36:30,254 --> 00:36:32,794
In other words, the effort
that he's made through the

828
00:36:32,790 --> 00:36:36,330
Justice Department to review
these petitions and go

829
00:36:36,327 --> 00:36:40,127
through them sequentially,
he's going to keep

830
00:36:40,131 --> 00:36:41,031
doing that?

831
00:36:41,032 --> 00:36:42,732
Mr. Earnest: I don't have a
schedule to lay out for you,

832
00:36:42,733 --> 00:36:48,503
but I certainly would expect
that the President would

833
00:36:48,506 --> 00:36:51,376
consider the use of this
kind of executive authority

834
00:36:51,375 --> 00:36:52,845
in the future.

835
00:36:52,843 --> 00:36:55,543
The Press: And then, one
detail -- I don't know if

836
00:36:55,546 --> 00:36:57,486
you know the answer.

837
00:36:57,481 --> 00:36:59,781
These are effective November
10th -- four months

838
00:36:59,784 --> 00:37:01,324
from now.

839
00:37:01,319 --> 00:37:03,319
Is there something that is
specific to the four-month

840
00:37:03,321 --> 00:37:05,821
effective date?

841
00:37:05,823 --> 00:37:07,063
Mr. Earnest: There is.

842
00:37:07,058 --> 00:37:08,728
What I would do is I would
encourage you to talk to the

843
00:37:08,726 --> 00:37:09,696
Department of Justice.

844
00:37:09,694 --> 00:37:16,134
They have a system for
helping these inmates, some

845
00:37:16,133 --> 00:37:18,133
of whom have been in prison
for an extended period of

846
00:37:18,135 --> 00:37:23,405
time, transition back into
public life, if you will.

847
00:37:23,407 --> 00:37:27,447
And so that's what this -- I
think it's a 120-day period

848
00:37:27,445 --> 00:37:28,745
for transition.

849
00:37:28,746 --> 00:37:30,746
But we'll look
into this for you.

850
00:37:30,748 --> 00:37:32,748
But essentially it's over
the course of that 120 days.

851
00:37:32,750 --> 00:37:34,750
There are things like
halfway houses and other

852
00:37:34,752 --> 00:37:36,752
forms of training and
assistance that can be

853
00:37:36,754 --> 00:37:38,754
provided to these
individuals to prepare for

854
00:37:38,756 --> 00:37:40,656
their eventual release.

855
00:37:40,658 --> 00:37:42,628
The Press: And lastly, on
the President's schedule --

856
00:37:42,627 --> 00:37:46,797
if, by chance, there is
a deal in Iran and the

857
00:37:46,797 --> 00:37:50,237
President is traveling,
would he respond while he's

858
00:37:50,234 --> 00:37:52,774
traveling, or would he
adjust his schedule?

859
00:37:52,770 --> 00:37:55,340
Mr. Earnest: Well, at this
point it's hard to say

860
00:37:55,339 --> 00:37:57,339
exactly how things are
going to come about.

861
00:37:57,341 --> 00:38:02,981
But we'll obviously keep
all of you apprised of the

862
00:38:02,980 --> 00:38:03,480
President's travel plans.

863
00:38:03,481 --> 00:38:04,511
Chris.

864
00:38:04,515 --> 00:38:06,015
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

865
00:38:06,017 --> 00:38:08,287
Given that there's also a
human factor to what's going

866
00:38:08,285 --> 00:38:12,425
on in Switzerland, and an
understandable level of

867
00:38:12,423 --> 00:38:15,623
exhaustion, do you rule out
then at this point, should

868
00:38:15,626 --> 00:38:19,526
we go into yet another day,
that they could stop and

869
00:38:19,530 --> 00:38:21,930
start again, that they
would take any time off?

870
00:38:21,932 --> 00:38:24,302
Or is it your sense they're
just going to power through

871
00:38:24,301 --> 00:38:27,271
and either have a
deal or walk away?

872
00:38:27,271 --> 00:38:30,111
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
expectation right now is

873
00:38:30,107 --> 00:38:33,447
that the talks will
continue, and I'm not aware

874
00:38:33,444 --> 00:38:35,444
of any plans to
take a break.

875
00:38:35,446 --> 00:38:37,486
They surely deserve it, but
I'm not sure that's what

876
00:38:37,481 --> 00:38:38,481
anybody has planned.

877
00:38:38,482 --> 00:38:40,482
The Press: And if I could
ask you just a few things

878
00:38:40,484 --> 00:38:42,424
about Mr. Guzman's escape.

879
00:38:42,420 --> 00:38:46,720
Does this in any way point
to the need for swift

880
00:38:46,724 --> 00:38:49,524
deportations, particularly
of drug kingpins?

881
00:38:49,527 --> 00:38:53,267
Mr. Earnest: Well, obviously
when Mr. Guzman was

882
00:38:53,264 --> 00:38:57,104
originally taken to custody
about a year and a half ago,

883
00:38:57,101 --> 00:38:59,641
the United States did
communicate clearly to the

884
00:38:59,637 --> 00:39:04,177
Mexican government our view
that Mr. Guzman should face

885
00:39:04,175 --> 00:39:11,245
the charges that have been
imposed against him here in

886
00:39:11,248 --> 00:39:12,488
the United States.

887
00:39:12,483 --> 00:39:14,483
The charges are serious and
we believe that he should

888
00:39:14,485 --> 00:39:17,055
face justice, and we made
that clear to the Mexican

889
00:39:17,054 --> 00:39:18,054
government.

890
00:39:18,055 --> 00:39:20,055
Obviously, they're a
sovereign government.

891
00:39:20,057 --> 00:39:22,757
They have their own
responsibilities for

892
00:39:22,760 --> 00:39:24,960
ensuring that Mexican
citizens who are being --

893
00:39:24,962 --> 00:39:28,132
who are charged with serious
crimes under the Mexican

894
00:39:28,132 --> 00:39:31,102
criminal justice system face
justice in that country as

895
00:39:31,102 --> 00:39:32,232
well.

896
00:39:32,236 --> 00:39:35,236
But we've made quite clear
to the Mexicans our interest

897
00:39:35,239 --> 00:39:37,309
in ensuring that he faces
justice here in the United

898
00:39:37,308 --> 00:39:42,578
States, and that's why we're
going to continue to be

899
00:39:42,580 --> 00:39:44,580
supportive of the effort
that's already underway by

900
00:39:44,582 --> 00:39:46,582
Mexican authorities
to recapture him.

901
00:39:46,584 --> 00:39:48,324
The Press: The Chicago Crime
Commission, which is a

902
00:39:48,319 --> 00:39:50,419
well-known crime-fighting
organization in the

903
00:39:50,421 --> 00:39:54,291
President's hometown, had
named Guzman public enemy

904
00:39:54,291 --> 00:39:57,531
number one, and I think that
was the first designation

905
00:39:57,528 --> 00:40:02,098
since Al Capone that they
had done until he was

906
00:40:02,099 --> 00:40:04,239
recaptured the last time.

907
00:40:04,235 --> 00:40:06,375
And now, they're very
concerned about -- that this

908
00:40:06,370 --> 00:40:09,510
might signal a resurgence of
the Sinaloa Cartel, which

909
00:40:09,507 --> 00:40:15,147
obviously has been a major
supplier in Chicago of both

910
00:40:15,146 --> 00:40:16,676
heroin and cocaine.

911
00:40:16,680 --> 00:40:18,550
I just wonder if there's
been any conversations with

912
00:40:18,549 --> 00:40:20,719
the White House what the
level of concern is about

913
00:40:20,718 --> 00:40:23,388
the possible reemergence
of the Sinaloa.

914
00:40:23,387 --> 00:40:27,327
Mr. Earnest: Well, it's my
understanding that the --

915
00:40:27,324 --> 00:40:29,994
obviously, we're very
concerned about making sure

916
00:40:29,994 --> 00:40:31,994
that Mr. Guzman is
brought to justice.

917
00:40:31,996 --> 00:40:35,566
And he does have a long rap
sheet, and does preside over

918
00:40:35,566 --> 00:40:40,006
an organization that has
committed a significant

919
00:40:40,004 --> 00:40:42,604
number of crimes, and does
pose a threat to public

920
00:40:42,606 --> 00:40:45,346
safety not just in Mexico
but in the United States as

921
00:40:45,342 --> 00:40:46,342
well.

922
00:40:46,343 --> 00:40:49,813
And that's why we believe
that Mr. Guzman should face

923
00:40:49,814 --> 00:40:54,514
justice and face the very
serious charges that have

924
00:40:54,518 --> 00:40:56,618
been put in place
against him.

925
00:40:56,620 --> 00:40:58,620
And that's why the United
States is going to be

926
00:40:58,622 --> 00:41:00,722
supportive of the ongoing
efforts by Mexican

927
00:41:00,724 --> 00:41:02,094
authorities to
recapture him.

928
00:41:02,092 --> 00:41:04,062
The Press: And you mentioned
the statement that Loretta

929
00:41:04,061 --> 00:41:06,561
Lynch put out, that they're
standing by to help with,

930
00:41:06,564 --> 00:41:07,894
potentially, the manhunt.

931
00:41:07,898 --> 00:41:09,638
Can you give us any more
details about what kind of

932
00:41:09,633 --> 00:41:10,733
assistance the U.S.

933
00:41:10,734 --> 00:41:11,804
might offer?

934
00:41:11,802 --> 00:41:14,272
Or has any specific
assistance been requested?

935
00:41:14,271 --> 00:41:16,371
Mr. Earnest: Well, there
obviously is a strong

936
00:41:16,373 --> 00:41:19,813
security cooperation effort
between the United States

937
00:41:19,810 --> 00:41:20,810
and Mexico.

938
00:41:20,811 --> 00:41:23,751
Particularly in the case of
Mr. Guzman, we're talking

939
00:41:23,747 --> 00:41:25,747
about the interest of both
of our countries that are at

940
00:41:25,749 --> 00:41:26,749
stake.

941
00:41:26,750 --> 00:41:29,120
But obviously, Mexico,
again, is a sovereign

942
00:41:29,119 --> 00:41:32,259
government and a
sovereign country.

943
00:41:32,256 --> 00:41:34,526
And they'll have the
principal responsibility of

944
00:41:34,525 --> 00:41:38,595
making sure that Mr. Guzman
has been recaptured.

945
00:41:38,596 --> 00:41:40,596
But the Mexican government
can count on the support of

946
00:41:40,598 --> 00:41:43,598
the United States as they
undertake that effort.

947
00:41:43,601 --> 00:41:44,601
Juliet.

948
00:41:44,602 --> 00:41:46,602
The Press: On the question
of clemency, I know you've

949
00:41:46,604 --> 00:41:49,074
talked about that it's a
rigorous process where

950
00:41:49,073 --> 00:41:50,103
there's a review, but
at this point, you have

951
00:41:50,107 --> 00:41:52,877
something like 35,000
prisoners who have applied

952
00:41:52,877 --> 00:41:54,007
for clemency.

953
00:41:54,011 --> 00:41:56,911
Can you talk at all about
what's slowing the

954
00:41:56,914 --> 00:41:58,014
process down?

955
00:41:58,015 --> 00:42:00,655
Are there any specific
steps that are being taken?

956
00:42:00,651 --> 00:42:02,991
And realistically, you've --
again, you've talked about

957
00:42:02,987 --> 00:42:05,187
how criminal justice reform
would be needed to make a

958
00:42:05,189 --> 00:42:07,889
major change, but how many
people realistically could

959
00:42:07,892 --> 00:42:10,532
be pardoned by the end of
the President's time in

960
00:42:10,527 --> 00:42:12,227
office?

961
00:42:12,229 --> 00:42:13,329
Mr. Earnest: Well, Juliet,
this is a rigorous process,

962
00:42:13,330 --> 00:42:15,600
and so I'd refer you to the
Department of Justice to

963
00:42:15,599 --> 00:42:18,699
give you an update in terms
of how that process works

964
00:42:18,702 --> 00:42:20,702
and how much bandwidth
there is in that process to

965
00:42:20,704 --> 00:42:23,404
process applications and
ensure that each of them

966
00:42:23,407 --> 00:42:26,407
receives the careful,
individual consideration

967
00:42:26,410 --> 00:42:28,710
that they both
need and deserve.

968
00:42:31,715 --> 00:42:34,185
So at this point, I can't
speculate on a number or a

969
00:42:34,184 --> 00:42:36,824
capacity for that
particular process.

970
00:42:36,820 --> 00:42:39,660
But I do think the numbers
that you're citing highlight

971
00:42:39,657 --> 00:42:42,597
how important it is for
Congress to take action;

972
00:42:42,593 --> 00:42:46,063
that congressional action,
in this case, could be much

973
00:42:46,063 --> 00:42:48,063
broader in terms of
delivering the kind of

974
00:42:48,065 --> 00:42:52,435
justice and implementing the
kind of reforms that the

975
00:42:52,436 --> 00:42:55,276
President believes
is long overdue.

976
00:42:55,272 --> 00:42:56,272
Jordan.

977
00:42:56,273 --> 00:42:57,273
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

978
00:42:57,274 --> 00:42:59,274
On the criminal justice
reform push in Congress,

979
00:42:59,276 --> 00:43:01,416
Senator Grassley is
obviously going to play a

980
00:43:01,412 --> 00:43:02,412
major role here.

981
00:43:02,413 --> 00:43:05,413
So does the White House view
-- and he's sent some mixed

982
00:43:05,416 --> 00:43:08,516
signals on this issue in
the past and currently.

983
00:43:08,519 --> 00:43:10,919
So does the White House see
him as a partner on this, or

984
00:43:10,921 --> 00:43:12,021
is he --

985
00:43:12,022 --> 00:43:14,992
Mr. Earnest: Well, I'm
not familiar with Senator

986
00:43:14,992 --> 00:43:17,162
Grassley's positions or
comments on this particular

987
00:43:17,161 --> 00:43:18,161
issue.

988
00:43:18,162 --> 00:43:21,562
But we obviously would
welcome support for a

989
00:43:21,565 --> 00:43:24,565
genuinely bipartisan effort
from anybody that's willing

990
00:43:24,568 --> 00:43:27,268
to offer it, particularly
somebody like Senator

991
00:43:27,271 --> 00:43:31,711
Grassley that will, as
you point out, have an

992
00:43:31,709 --> 00:43:35,249
opportunity to have a
substantial impact on the

993
00:43:35,245 --> 00:43:37,545
outcome.

994
00:43:37,548 --> 00:43:38,548
Mark.

995
00:43:38,549 --> 00:43:40,849
The Press: Josh, on the
prison visit, isn't it

996
00:43:40,851 --> 00:43:44,291
usually a bar to attending
a Presidential event a

997
00:43:44,288 --> 00:43:45,288
criminal record?

998
00:43:45,289 --> 00:43:46,289
Mr. Earnest: No
pun intended?

999
00:43:46,290 --> 00:43:49,230
The Press: I mean,
a serious question.

1000
00:43:49,226 --> 00:43:51,596
Usually, if somebody has a
criminal record, they don't

1001
00:43:51,595 --> 00:43:54,835
get to attend a
Presidential event.

1002
00:43:54,832 --> 00:43:57,132
Mr. Earnest: I don't think
that's a hard and fast rule

1003
00:43:57,134 --> 00:43:59,434
that this administration
has implemented.

1004
00:43:59,436 --> 00:44:02,106
The Press: Will there be
inmates in both the audience

1005
00:44:02,106 --> 00:44:04,176
for his remarks and
private meetings?

1006
00:44:04,174 --> 00:44:06,714
Mr. Earnest: We'll have more
details on the logistics of

1007
00:44:06,710 --> 00:44:08,450
the visit later this week.

1008
00:44:08,445 --> 00:44:11,445
The Press: And on clemency,
although he has made a big

1009
00:44:11,448 --> 00:44:15,518
jump in commutations, he is
still far behind most of his

1010
00:44:15,519 --> 00:44:17,489
predecessors on pardons.

1011
00:44:17,488 --> 00:44:19,928
Is he aware of that?

1012
00:44:19,923 --> 00:44:23,863
Is he aware that many people
feel he's stingy on pardons?

1013
00:44:23,861 --> 00:44:27,831
Mr. Earnest: I don't know if
he's aware of that -- I can

1014
00:44:27,831 --> 00:44:29,371
confirm for you that he's
aware of the numbers.

1015
00:44:29,366 --> 00:44:32,706
I don't know if he's aware
of the "stingy" label that

1016
00:44:32,703 --> 00:44:33,773
some have offered him.

1017
00:44:33,771 --> 00:44:35,141
(laughter)

1018
00:44:35,139 --> 00:44:38,539
But again, I think the
President's focus right now

1019
00:44:38,542 --> 00:44:43,012
is on using his executive
authority to try to correct

1020
00:44:43,013 --> 00:44:46,383
as many injustices as
possible, but also to try to

1021
00:44:46,383 --> 00:44:50,053
work constructively in
bipartisan fashion to help

1022
00:44:50,054 --> 00:44:53,054
Congress enact the kinds of
reforms that the President

1023
00:44:53,057 --> 00:44:55,757
can't by acting on his own.

1024
00:44:55,759 --> 00:44:56,759
Kevin.

1025
00:44:56,760 --> 00:44:57,760
The Press: Josh, thanks.

1026
00:44:57,761 --> 00:44:59,761
I want to ask you about
criminal justice reform.

1027
00:44:59,763 --> 00:45:04,203
Is it the President's idea
that more needs to be done

1028
00:45:04,201 --> 00:45:07,901
to restore voting rights for
felons to get them back into

1029
00:45:07,905 --> 00:45:08,975
the workforce?

1030
00:45:08,972 --> 00:45:10,672
Is that his
overall position?

1031
00:45:10,674 --> 00:45:13,014
And what would he say to
people who say if you've

1032
00:45:13,010 --> 00:45:17,210
done the crime, we ought not
be using more of our money,

1033
00:45:17,214 --> 00:45:21,084
frankly, from a public
policy position, to give

1034
00:45:21,085 --> 00:45:23,225
them more or to
do more for them?

1035
00:45:23,220 --> 00:45:25,420
Mr. Earnest: I'd say a
couple things about that,

1036
00:45:25,422 --> 00:45:26,422
Kevin.

1037
00:45:26,423 --> 00:45:29,363
The first is that the
President has spoken -- I

1038
00:45:29,359 --> 00:45:31,359
got asked about this I
think on Friday -- and the

1039
00:45:31,361 --> 00:45:34,361
President has spoken
previously of his support

1040
00:45:34,364 --> 00:45:37,704
for allowing those
individuals who have served

1041
00:45:37,701 --> 00:45:41,071
their time to have their
voting rights restored.

1042
00:45:41,071 --> 00:45:43,311
And as the President alludes
to in the letter that he

1043
00:45:43,307 --> 00:45:49,317
sent to the 46 individuals
who are seeing their

1044
00:45:49,313 --> 00:45:53,383
sentence be commuted, that
the United States of America

1045
00:45:53,383 --> 00:45:55,723
is a country that believes
in second chances and

1046
00:45:55,719 --> 00:45:58,889
believes in redemption,
and that it is in the best

1047
00:45:58,889 --> 00:46:02,629
interest of our country
to ensure that those

1048
00:46:02,626 --> 00:46:06,666
individuals who have served
their time, paid their debt

1049
00:46:06,663 --> 00:46:09,433
to society, have an
opportunity to reenter

1050
00:46:09,433 --> 00:46:13,103
society and be a
constructive member of the

1051
00:46:13,103 --> 00:46:14,103
country.

1052
00:46:14,104 --> 00:46:16,544
And there may be some
who disagree with that.

1053
00:46:16,540 --> 00:46:23,080
But I think the President is
on pretty firm, bipartisan

1054
00:46:23,080 --> 00:46:28,420
ground when he says that
that would make our country

1055
00:46:28,418 --> 00:46:30,418
and our criminal justice
system more fair.

1056
00:46:30,420 --> 00:46:32,790
The Press: Broadly speaking,
what can the President do to

1057
00:46:32,789 --> 00:46:37,629
shrink our prison population
that dwarfs similar size

1058
00:46:37,628 --> 00:46:38,628
countries?

1059
00:46:38,629 --> 00:46:42,499
Mr. Earnest: Well, obviously
some of the steps that are

1060
00:46:42,499 --> 00:46:47,109
related to commutations --
well, let me say it this way --

1061
00:46:47,104 --> 00:46:47,934
The Press: You have a long
way to go when you're

1062
00:46:47,938 --> 00:46:48,968
talking about the numbers
we're talking about.

1063
00:46:48,972 --> 00:46:50,112
Mr. Earnest: Yes, I was
just going to say that.

1064
00:46:50,107 --> 00:46:52,247
Look, the fact is, that is
one step that the

1065
00:46:52,242 --> 00:46:53,182
President can take.

1066
00:46:53,177 --> 00:46:54,677
But I would acknowledge
-- and again, I think the

1067
00:46:54,678 --> 00:46:56,778
numbers bear this out --
that when we're talking

1068
00:46:56,780 --> 00:47:00,250
about the number of people
who would benefit from

1069
00:47:00,250 --> 00:47:03,290
reforms and deserve some
reforms in the criminal

1070
00:47:03,287 --> 00:47:05,357
justice system, we're
talking about a substantial

1071
00:47:05,355 --> 00:47:06,355
number of people.

1072
00:47:06,356 --> 00:47:09,096
And that's exactly why the
President is urging Congress

1073
00:47:09,092 --> 00:47:12,732
to consider and act on
important reforms that would

1074
00:47:12,729 --> 00:47:15,129
make our criminal justice
system more fair, but also

1075
00:47:15,132 --> 00:47:17,132
ensure that we're being good
stewards of the taxpayer

1076
00:47:17,134 --> 00:47:18,134
dollar.

1077
00:47:18,135 --> 00:47:19,605
The Press: Just
a couple more.

1078
00:47:19,603 --> 00:47:21,603
I want to ask you
about the Iran talks.

1079
00:47:21,605 --> 00:47:23,975
Senate Majority Leader
McConnell said over the

1080
00:47:23,974 --> 00:47:26,174
weekend it's going to be a
tough sell, congressionally

1081
00:47:26,176 --> 00:47:29,346
speaking, even if
a deal is reached.

1082
00:47:29,346 --> 00:47:31,946
How concerned is the
President, taking the

1083
00:47:31,949 --> 00:47:33,349
argument to Capitol Hill?

1084
00:47:33,350 --> 00:47:38,060
And what do you say to those
who would argue if sanctions

1085
00:47:38,055 --> 00:47:40,625
and if the way it's working
out now has applied enough

1086
00:47:40,624 --> 00:47:43,824
pressure to bring Iran to
the table, why not double

1087
00:47:43,827 --> 00:47:46,527
down on that pressure to
really hold them accountable

1088
00:47:46,530 --> 00:47:50,300
for their behavior and maybe
get even more from them?

1089
00:47:50,300 --> 00:47:53,770
Mr. Earnest: Well, let
me address that in a

1090
00:47:53,770 --> 00:47:55,410
couple of ways.

1091
00:47:55,405 --> 00:47:56,175
I mean, the first is,
just to take the last

1092
00:47:56,173 --> 00:47:58,973
statement first.

1093
00:47:58,976 --> 00:48:04,416
The kind of pressure that
has been applied to Iran is

1094
00:48:04,414 --> 00:48:12,254
significant because it has
given Iran the space to make

1095
00:48:12,256 --> 00:48:14,256
some serious commitments --
at least preliminarily in

1096
00:48:14,258 --> 00:48:18,728
the context of the Lausanne
agreement -- to shut down

1097
00:48:18,729 --> 00:48:20,729
every pathway they have
to a nuclear weapon.

1098
00:48:20,731 --> 00:48:23,231
And that was the aim of
the sanctions in the first

1099
00:48:23,233 --> 00:48:24,233
place.

1100
00:48:24,234 --> 00:48:29,874
The sanctions regime was not
put in place to punish Iran.

1101
00:48:29,873 --> 00:48:31,873
There would obviously be
ample reason to do that.

1102
00:48:31,875 --> 00:48:34,815
And again, whether that's
because they have unjustly

1103
00:48:34,811 --> 00:48:37,551
detained some American
citizens or because they

1104
00:48:37,547 --> 00:48:40,017
menace Israel or because
they support terrorism, or

1105
00:48:40,017 --> 00:48:42,757
because they're engaged in
all sorts of destabilizing

1106
00:48:42,753 --> 00:48:46,653
activities all across the
globe, there are a whole lot

1107
00:48:46,657 --> 00:48:51,357
of reasons to be very
concerned about Iran's

1108
00:48:51,361 --> 00:48:55,101
behavior and about the
impact that they have on U.S.

1109
00:48:55,098 --> 00:48:56,198
national security.

1110
00:48:56,199 --> 00:48:59,399
But the fact is that there
are a set of sanctions that

1111
00:48:59,403 --> 00:49:02,673
have been put in place
against Iran specifically

1112
00:49:02,673 --> 00:49:04,673
because of their
nuclear program.

1113
00:49:04,675 --> 00:49:08,945
And the goal of that was to
try to prevent Iran from

1114
00:49:08,945 --> 00:49:09,985
obtaining a nuclear weapon.

1115
00:49:09,980 --> 00:49:14,050
And the idea was simply this
-- that Iran's destabilizing

1116
00:49:14,051 --> 00:49:16,191
activity in the region or
their support for terrorism

1117
00:49:16,186 --> 00:49:18,426
or their menacing of
Israel is a whole lot more

1118
00:49:18,422 --> 00:49:20,792
dangerous if they
have a nuclear weapon.

1119
00:49:20,791 --> 00:49:22,491
And that preventing them
from obtaining a nuclear

1120
00:49:22,492 --> 00:49:27,632
weapon is an important step
in trying to prevent the

1121
00:49:27,631 --> 00:49:30,471
worst kind of behavior from
Iran, but it certainly isn't

1122
00:49:30,467 --> 00:49:33,307
going to prevent all
of their bad behavior.

1123
00:49:33,303 --> 00:49:37,203
But when it comes to the
tough sell that Senator

1124
00:49:37,207 --> 00:49:42,177
McConnell referred to, we
welcome the scrutiny and

1125
00:49:42,179 --> 00:49:44,549
even skepticism of everybody
across the country and

1126
00:49:44,548 --> 00:49:48,618
across the world as they
consider this agreement.

1127
00:49:48,618 --> 00:49:54,558
But we continue to be
confident that, upon looking

1128
00:49:54,558 --> 00:49:57,998
at the details, once they
have been released, that we

1129
00:49:57,994 --> 00:50:03,334
will be able to make a
strong case about how the

1130
00:50:03,333 --> 00:50:05,433
President hasn't just
achieved his goal, but how

1131
00:50:05,435 --> 00:50:07,635
the international community
has achieved the important

1132
00:50:07,637 --> 00:50:10,807
goal of preventing Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapon

1133
00:50:10,807 --> 00:50:13,677
and verifying their
compliance with that

1134
00:50:13,677 --> 00:50:14,677
agreement.

1135
00:50:14,678 --> 00:50:17,348
And when it comes to a tough
sell, I think the tough sell

1136
00:50:17,347 --> 00:50:19,647
is going to be on the part
of Republicans if they try

1137
00:50:19,649 --> 00:50:20,649
to tank the deal.

1138
00:50:20,650 --> 00:50:22,650
It's going to be a tough
sell to say that the United

1139
00:50:22,652 --> 00:50:24,992
States should back away from
an international agreement.

1140
00:50:24,988 --> 00:50:27,028
It's going to be a tough
sell to say that the United

1141
00:50:27,023 --> 00:50:30,863
States should throw away the
best possible avenue for

1142
00:50:30,861 --> 00:50:32,861
preventing Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapon.

1143
00:50:32,863 --> 00:50:34,863
It's going to be a tough
sell to suggest that we

1144
00:50:34,865 --> 00:50:37,165
should undermine the
international sanctions that

1145
00:50:37,167 --> 00:50:39,637
have been so effectively
put in place thus far.

1146
00:50:39,636 --> 00:50:41,636
And it's going to be a tough
sell to say, you know what,

1147
00:50:41,638 --> 00:50:44,108
we should just foreclose a
diplomatic option and only

1148
00:50:44,107 --> 00:50:46,107
consider the military
option before us.

1149
00:50:46,109 --> 00:50:50,279
So I think we're going to
have a lot of confidence in

1150
00:50:50,280 --> 00:50:53,320
the ability that we have to
advocate for this agreement.

1151
00:50:53,316 --> 00:50:55,616
And I think it's going to be
a pretty tough sell on the

1152
00:50:55,619 --> 00:50:57,619
part of Republicans to
suggest that this is

1153
00:50:57,621 --> 00:50:59,621
something that we
should walk away from.

1154
00:50:59,623 --> 00:51:01,623
The Press: Last, I want to
ask you about the OPM hack.

1155
00:51:01,625 --> 00:51:04,725
The Chairman of the House
Homeland Security Committee,

1156
00:51:04,728 --> 00:51:06,998
who gets regular cyber
briefings, told us on the

1157
00:51:06,997 --> 00:51:11,737
record that the same entity
that was behind the OPM hack

1158
00:51:11,735 --> 00:51:16,175
was also behind the hack of
BlueCross-Anthem earlier

1159
00:51:16,173 --> 00:51:17,173
this year.

1160
00:51:17,174 --> 00:51:19,414
That's about 80
million people.

1161
00:51:19,409 --> 00:51:21,479
Has the White House
learned of this?

1162
00:51:21,478 --> 00:51:22,748
Have you all been
briefed of this?

1163
00:51:22,746 --> 00:51:24,186
Is the President
aware of this?

1164
00:51:24,181 --> 00:51:27,581
And what does that say about
possible Chinese incursion

1165
00:51:27,584 --> 00:51:29,554
into American cybersecurity?

1166
00:51:29,553 --> 00:51:32,093
Mr. Earnest: I don't have
any more information at this

1167
00:51:32,088 --> 00:51:34,128
point about -- or at least
I don't have any more

1168
00:51:34,124 --> 00:51:36,794
information to discuss
publicly about who may have

1169
00:51:36,793 --> 00:51:40,163
been responsible for the
cybe r breach at the Office

1170
00:51:40,163 --> 00:51:41,903
of Personnel Management.

1171
00:51:41,898 --> 00:51:42,968
Cheryl.

1172
00:51:42,966 --> 00:51:44,706
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

1173
00:51:44,701 --> 00:51:47,901
There are about three weeks
left until Congress leaves

1174
00:51:47,904 --> 00:51:51,304
for its August recess and
then only a few weeks after

1175
00:51:51,308 --> 00:51:53,878
that until the end
of the fiscal year.

1176
00:51:53,877 --> 00:51:57,147
Does the President believe
that budget negotiations on

1177
00:51:57,147 --> 00:51:59,017
budget caps and
sequestration, does that

1178
00:51:59,015 --> 00:52:01,615
need to start before
the August recess?

1179
00:52:01,618 --> 00:52:04,558
Mr. Earnest: Well, Cheryl,
we certainly believe that

1180
00:52:04,554 --> 00:52:07,754
Congress should not wait
until the last minute to

1181
00:52:07,757 --> 00:52:10,657
fulfill their basic
responsibility.

1182
00:52:10,660 --> 00:52:12,660
And this is the most
fundamental responsibility

1183
00:52:12,662 --> 00:52:16,162
that any Congress has, which
is to pass a budget for the

1184
00:52:16,166 --> 00:52:19,036
federal government
of the United States.

1185
00:52:19,035 --> 00:52:21,005
And this is the basic
responsibility of Congress,

1186
00:52:21,004 --> 00:52:25,674
and there is no reason that
Congress should wait until

1187
00:52:25,675 --> 00:52:29,075
the last minute and risk, or
have people worried, about

1188
00:52:29,079 --> 00:52:31,749
the possibility of a
government shutdown.

1189
00:52:31,748 --> 00:52:35,188
So we are hopeful that
Republicans will sit down

1190
00:52:35,185 --> 00:52:37,455
with Democrats who have
indicated an openness and a

1191
00:52:37,454 --> 00:52:42,464
desire to try to begin
these negotiations.

1192
00:52:42,459 --> 00:52:45,359
That is where the
negotiations should take

1193
00:52:45,362 --> 00:52:47,902
place, between Democrats and
Republicans on Capitol Hill.

1194
00:52:47,898 --> 00:52:51,568
That is, after all -- that
has proven to be the most

1195
00:52:51,568 --> 00:52:53,938
effective way for Democrats
and Republicans in Congress

1196
00:52:53,937 --> 00:52:56,977
to resolve their differences
and to strike the kind of

1197
00:52:56,973 --> 00:53:00,043
bipartisan agreement that's
necessary to pass the United

1198
00:53:00,043 --> 00:53:01,343
States Congress.

1199
00:53:01,344 --> 00:53:03,844
Obviously, the
administration will be

1200
00:53:05,949 --> 00:53:09,049
available to facilitate
those agreements -- or those

1201
00:53:09,052 --> 00:53:10,052
negotiations.

1202
00:53:10,053 --> 00:53:13,223
And quite frankly, the
administration is going to

1203
00:53:13,223 --> 00:53:15,493
be pretty strongly
supportive of Democrats who

1204
00:53:15,492 --> 00:53:18,192
are participating in those
negotiations because our

1205
00:53:18,194 --> 00:53:19,294
priorities are the same.

1206
00:53:19,296 --> 00:53:21,296
Republicans have a different
set of priorities.

1207
00:53:21,298 --> 00:53:23,298
But what's going to be
required is for Democrats

1208
00:53:23,300 --> 00:53:25,540
and Republicans in Congress
to try to find some common

1209
00:53:25,535 --> 00:53:26,805
ground.

1210
00:53:26,803 --> 00:53:29,473
That sounds like a tall
order right now, but it's

1211
00:53:29,472 --> 00:53:31,472
something that Congress has
been able to achieve in the

1212
00:53:31,474 --> 00:53:33,474
past and we're hopeful that
they will this time, too.

1213
00:53:33,476 --> 00:53:36,416
We just hope that they'll do
it without having to suffer

1214
00:53:36,413 --> 00:53:39,213
through -- or put the
country through a government

1215
00:53:39,215 --> 00:53:40,215
shutdown.

1216
00:53:40,216 --> 00:53:42,216
The Press: And have you
heard anything from

1217
00:53:42,218 --> 00:53:44,058
Republicans about why they
don't want to go ahead and

1218
00:53:44,054 --> 00:53:45,754
start now?

1219
00:53:45,755 --> 00:53:47,125
Mr. Earnest: I haven't.

1220
00:53:47,123 --> 00:53:47,923
Have you?

1221
00:53:47,924 --> 00:53:49,624
(laughter)

1222
00:53:49,626 --> 00:53:50,696
Jerome.

1223
00:53:50,694 --> 00:53:52,694
The Press: Earlier today,
Greece reached an agreement

1224
00:53:52,696 --> 00:53:53,766
with the Eurozone leaders.

1225
00:53:53,763 --> 00:53:56,933
Do you think it's a good
deal for Greece, for Europe

1226
00:53:56,933 --> 00:53:57,973
and for the United States?

1227
00:53:57,968 --> 00:54:00,338
And how do you look at the
role Germany played over the

1228
00:54:00,337 --> 00:54:02,407
last few days?

1229
00:54:02,405 --> 00:54:04,175
Mr. Earnest: We had a little
bit of a betting pool about

1230
00:54:04,174 --> 00:54:06,274
whether or not anybody was
going to ask about this

1231
00:54:06,276 --> 00:54:08,676
today, so somebody
somewhere is excited.

1232
00:54:08,678 --> 00:54:10,678
Our mantra here is that
nobody asks about good news

1233
00:54:10,680 --> 00:54:12,980
so, Jerome, you proved
them wrong today.

1234
00:54:12,983 --> 00:54:16,053
The United States welcomes
the agreement that was

1235
00:54:16,052 --> 00:54:18,752
reached today between
Greece and its creditors.

1236
00:54:18,755 --> 00:54:23,025
The agreement reflects a
commitment by Greece's

1237
00:54:23,026 --> 00:54:25,726
creditors to provide
financial support and help

1238
00:54:25,729 --> 00:54:28,369
create a path for Greece to
return to growth and achieve

1239
00:54:28,365 --> 00:54:30,205
debt sustainability.

1240
00:54:30,200 --> 00:54:32,240
It also includes the
commitment by Greece to make

1241
00:54:32,235 --> 00:54:34,505
deep and difficult fiscal
and structural reforms.

1242
00:54:34,504 --> 00:54:40,814
And what we have long
identified as the potential

1243
00:54:40,810 --> 00:54:43,680
solution is one that was
focused on a package of

1244
00:54:43,680 --> 00:54:46,820
reforms and financing that
would put Greece back on a

1245
00:54:46,816 --> 00:54:51,186
path of economic growth
and debt sustainability.

1246
00:54:51,187 --> 00:54:54,327
And this seems to be a
credible step in that

1247
00:54:54,324 --> 00:54:55,324
direction.

1248
00:54:55,325 --> 00:54:57,495
Obviously, there are still
some important decisions and

1249
00:54:57,494 --> 00:55:02,094
important steps that need to
be taken, but we're hopeful

1250
00:55:02,098 --> 00:55:06,468
that all sides will make
the difficult decisions and

1251
00:55:06,469 --> 00:55:08,469
follow through on the
important work that needs to

1252
00:55:08,471 --> 00:55:11,211
get done.

1253
00:55:11,207 --> 00:55:12,947
Yes, ma'am in the back.

1254
00:55:12,942 --> 00:55:13,942
Yes, you.

1255
00:55:13,943 --> 00:55:17,183
The Press: You've been
mentioning the need to work

1256
00:55:17,180 --> 00:55:21,550
in bipartisan fashion on the
criminal justice overhaul.

1257
00:55:21,551 --> 00:55:24,991
Late last month, Congressmen
Sensenbrenner and Bobby

1258
00:55:24,988 --> 00:55:26,858
Scott introduced a
comprehensive package.

1259
00:55:26,856 --> 00:55:29,096
And this was the outgrowth
of a, I think, more than a

1260
00:55:29,092 --> 00:55:33,462
year-long side project of
the Judiciary Committee to

1261
00:55:33,463 --> 00:55:35,803
look at the issue.

1262
00:55:35,799 --> 00:55:37,939
Is that your
starting point, then?

1263
00:55:37,934 --> 00:55:40,774
Have you talked to them at
all about that package?

1264
00:55:40,770 --> 00:55:42,810
Are you guys
onboard with that?

1265
00:55:42,806 --> 00:55:43,806
Mr. Earnest: Well, I know
that there have been a

1266
00:55:43,807 --> 00:55:46,507
number of conversations that
have taken place between

1267
00:55:46,509 --> 00:55:48,649
senior figures in the
administration and members

1268
00:55:48,645 --> 00:55:51,015
of Congress who are
interested in this issue.

1269
00:55:51,014 --> 00:55:53,014
The President has hosted
at least one of those

1270
00:55:53,016 --> 00:55:54,786
conversations, as you know.

1271
00:55:54,784 --> 00:55:56,784
I believe there's only one
piece of legislation that

1272
00:55:56,786 --> 00:55:59,926
the administration has
signaled our strong support

1273
00:55:59,923 --> 00:56:02,323
for, and that is the
legislation that was put

1274
00:56:02,325 --> 00:56:06,095
forward by Senators
Durbin and Lee.

1275
00:56:06,096 --> 00:56:09,536
But we would not necessarily
limit the discussion just to

1276
00:56:09,532 --> 00:56:10,672
that piece of legislation.

1277
00:56:10,667 --> 00:56:13,567
So we're certainly open to
addition conversations with

1278
00:56:13,570 --> 00:56:17,010
other members of Congress
that have ideas for us to --

1279
00:56:17,006 --> 00:56:21,116
for ways that we can reform
our criminal justice system

1280
00:56:21,111 --> 00:56:22,881
to make it more fair.

1281
00:56:22,879 --> 00:56:25,519
The President is not just
open to those discussions;

1282
00:56:25,515 --> 00:56:27,515
he's actually looking
forward to them.

1283
00:56:27,517 --> 00:56:30,557
And so we certainly are
interested in entertaining

1284
00:56:30,553 --> 00:56:32,753
conversations with other
members of Congress that

1285
00:56:32,756 --> 00:56:34,626
have some ideas as well.

1286
00:56:34,624 --> 00:56:35,624
Steve.

1287
00:56:35,625 --> 00:56:37,625
I'll give you the
last one, Steve.

1288
00:56:37,627 --> 00:56:38,627
The Press: Okay.

1289
00:56:38,628 --> 00:56:41,798
Mitch McConnell suggested
that they're not likely to

1290
00:56:41,798 --> 00:56:46,038
confirm a Cuba ambassador,
no matter who you nominate

1291
00:56:46,035 --> 00:56:47,875
or who the President
nominates.

1292
00:56:47,871 --> 00:56:49,441
Do you have any quick
reaction to that?

1293
00:56:49,439 --> 00:56:52,779
Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I
think that that's the kind

1294
00:56:52,776 --> 00:56:59,086
of reflexive opposition to
anything that the President

1295
00:56:59,082 --> 00:57:03,422
proposes that is a hallmark
-- been a hallmark, at least

1296
00:57:03,419 --> 00:57:06,389
-- of this
Republican Congress.

1297
00:57:06,389 --> 00:57:08,389
The irony here is there
actually is some bipartisan

1298
00:57:08,391 --> 00:57:13,031
support for the Cuba policy
that the President announced

1299
00:57:13,029 --> 00:57:14,029
at the end of last year.

1300
00:57:14,030 --> 00:57:18,500
And the President and the
administration is going to

1301
00:57:18,501 --> 00:57:22,601
continue working to try to
make progress on this policy

1302
00:57:22,605 --> 00:57:24,605
goal that the President
has identified.

1303
00:57:24,607 --> 00:57:26,607
He believes it's clearly
within the best interest of

1304
00:57:26,609 --> 00:57:27,609
the United States.

1305
00:57:27,610 --> 00:57:29,610
There are important economic
opportunities that U.S.

1306
00:57:29,612 --> 00:57:30,612
businesses can benefit from.

1307
00:57:30,613 --> 00:57:32,613
He also happens to believe
it's in the best interest of

1308
00:57:32,615 --> 00:57:33,615
the Cuban people.

1309
00:57:33,616 --> 00:57:35,616
And there's some data to
indicate that the vast

1310
00:57:35,618 --> 00:57:38,258
majority of the Cuban people
actually agree that this is

1311
00:57:38,254 --> 00:57:41,054
in the best interest of
them and their country.

1312
00:57:41,057 --> 00:57:43,097
So we're going to continue
to press these reforms even

1313
00:57:43,092 --> 00:57:49,632
if -- or this change in
policy even if it runs into

1314
00:57:49,632 --> 00:57:52,672
the reflexive opposition of
some Republicans who are

1315
00:57:52,669 --> 00:57:56,509
interested in catering
to some well-established

1316
00:57:56,506 --> 00:57:57,476
interests.

1317
00:57:57,473 --> 00:57:59,843
The Press: And on the
commutation issue, there

1318
00:57:59,843 --> 00:58:01,843
seem to be some parallels
between this and the

1319
00:58:01,845 --> 00:58:04,815
President's push a couple
years ago for immigration

1320
00:58:04,814 --> 00:58:10,024
reform, which was he made
the big try on Capitol Hill,

1321
00:58:10,019 --> 00:58:13,219
and when it fell apart he
did a huge -- some would

1322
00:58:13,223 --> 00:58:15,423
call it executive
amnesty, affecting

1323
00:58:15,425 --> 00:58:16,795
millions of people.

1324
00:58:16,793 --> 00:58:19,633
Is this a similar kind of
thing where if his big

1325
00:58:19,629 --> 00:58:23,469
effort on Capitol Hill
fails, despite early promise

1326
00:58:23,466 --> 00:58:26,866
that we should expect
towards the end of his term

1327
00:58:26,870 --> 00:58:29,840
he's going to have maybe
30,000 or 40,000 -- tens of

1328
00:58:29,839 --> 00:58:32,239
thousands of people
given that amnesty?

1329
00:58:32,242 --> 00:58:34,612
Mr. Earnest: Well, Steve, I
think I would say that I'm

1330
00:58:34,611 --> 00:58:37,951
not sure that that is a --
at this point, I think it's

1331
00:58:37,947 --> 00:58:42,457
hard to jump to that
conclusion primarily because

1332
00:58:42,452 --> 00:58:45,792
there seems to be
significantly more genuine

1333
00:58:45,788 --> 00:58:49,228
bipartisan interest in
criminal justice reform than

1334
00:58:49,225 --> 00:58:51,265
there has been in
immigration reform.

1335
00:58:51,261 --> 00:58:53,301
I would stipulate that
there are a large number of

1336
00:58:53,296 --> 00:58:59,266
Republicans in Congress that
have paid lip service to

1337
00:58:59,269 --> 00:59:01,669
comprehensive immigration
reform but they've never

1338
00:59:01,671 --> 00:59:03,771
actually had the courage
to follow up on it.

1339
00:59:03,773 --> 00:59:08,143
I am hopeful and remain
optimistic that criminal

1340
00:59:08,144 --> 00:59:10,144
justice reform
will be different.

1341
00:59:10,146 --> 00:59:12,146
And I think based on the
actions that we've seen from

1342
00:59:12,148 --> 00:59:14,388
some members of Congress,
including Senator Lee, that

1343
00:59:14,384 --> 00:59:16,684
I just mentioned, and
Senator Paul that we talked

1344
00:59:16,686 --> 00:59:18,686
about earlier, that there
actually is a genuine

1345
00:59:18,688 --> 00:59:21,458
interest in trying to make
progress on criminal justice

1346
00:59:21,457 --> 00:59:22,457
reform.

1347
00:59:22,458 --> 00:59:26,098
So we're hopeful that
Congress will take those

1348
00:59:26,095 --> 00:59:29,765
kinds of reform steps that
would have a significant

1349
00:59:29,766 --> 00:59:31,506
impact on making our
criminal justice system

1350
00:59:31,501 --> 00:59:32,901
more fair.

1351
00:59:32,902 --> 00:59:33,832
Thanks, everybody.