English subtitles for clip: File:7-13-15- White House Press Briefing.webm
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1 00:00:02,402 --> 00:00:04,242 Mr. Earnest: Good afternoon, everybody. 2 00:00:04,237 --> 00:00:07,607 Happy Monday. 3 00:00:07,607 --> 00:00:09,377 I do not have any announcements to make at the 4 00:00:09,376 --> 00:00:11,376 top, so we can go directly to your questions. 5 00:00:11,378 --> 00:00:12,378 Julie, do you want to start? 6 00:00:12,379 --> 00:00:13,379 The Press: Thanks, Josh. 7 00:00:13,380 --> 00:00:15,520 We are approaching yet another deadline, I guess we 8 00:00:15,515 --> 00:00:19,855 can call it, on the Iran talks, where either the 9 00:00:19,853 --> 00:00:22,723 parties are going to have to extend the JPOA 10 00:00:22,722 --> 00:00:24,622 or reach a deal. 11 00:00:24,624 --> 00:00:26,094 What is your expectation of what happens over the next 12 00:00:26,092 --> 00:00:27,862 few hours? 13 00:00:27,861 --> 00:00:30,331 Mr. Earnest: Well, Julie, what we do expect is that 14 00:00:30,330 --> 00:00:32,670 the Joint Plan of Action will remain in place. 15 00:00:32,665 --> 00:00:36,265 And the reasons for that is this is the interim 16 00:00:36,269 --> 00:00:39,869 agreement that's been in place for a little over a 17 00:00:39,873 --> 00:00:43,413 year and a half now that has frozen Iran's nuclear 18 00:00:43,410 --> 00:00:47,310 program in place and rolled it back in some key areas. 19 00:00:47,313 --> 00:00:51,953 Now, obviously, if we can reach a final agreement, 20 00:00:51,951 --> 00:00:55,451 then that would supersede the interim agreement. 21 00:00:55,455 --> 00:01:00,025 But the talks continue in Vienna. 22 00:01:00,026 --> 00:01:02,926 The thing that I can tell you is that they have made 23 00:01:02,929 --> 00:01:06,099 genuine progress in those conversations and I think 24 00:01:06,099 --> 00:01:09,639 even over the last week or so, there is progress -- 25 00:01:09,636 --> 00:01:13,136 important progress that has been made. 26 00:01:13,139 --> 00:01:16,439 There have been some key issues in the negotiations 27 00:01:16,443 --> 00:01:19,043 that have been closed and that's a good sign. 28 00:01:19,045 --> 00:01:23,485 That said, there continue to be some sticking points that 29 00:01:23,483 --> 00:01:24,483 remain unresolved. 30 00:01:24,484 --> 00:01:27,754 And as I've been saying for the better part of a couple 31 00:01:27,754 --> 00:01:30,894 weeks now, the President has directed his team to remain 32 00:01:30,890 --> 00:01:33,190 engaged and participate in conversations as long as 33 00:01:33,193 --> 00:01:35,193 those conversations remain useful. 34 00:01:35,195 --> 00:01:37,195 And given the progress that's been made and given 35 00:01:37,197 --> 00:01:39,197 the success that they've had in closing out some key 36 00:01:39,199 --> 00:01:42,839 issues, that's an indication that the talks are useful. 37 00:01:42,836 --> 00:01:48,376 But the President has also been clear that there's a 38 00:01:48,374 --> 00:01:52,614 bottom line that must be met, and that is making sure 39 00:01:52,612 --> 00:01:54,752 that any final agreement lives up to the parameters 40 00:01:54,747 --> 00:01:57,147 that were established in Lausanne. 41 00:01:57,150 --> 00:02:01,390 And there will not be a final agreement agreed to by 42 00:02:01,387 --> 00:02:04,327 the United States at least and by our P5+1 partners 43 00:02:04,324 --> 00:02:06,324 until the final agreement reflects that. 44 00:02:06,326 --> 00:02:08,166 The Press: So based on what you're saying there, it 45 00:02:08,161 --> 00:02:11,431 sounds like the President is willing to let John Kerry 46 00:02:11,431 --> 00:02:15,501 and the negotiators stay past today because he feels 47 00:02:15,502 --> 00:02:17,872 the talks continue to be productive? 48 00:02:17,871 --> 00:02:19,871 Mr. Earnest: If it's necessary for them to 49 00:02:19,873 --> 00:02:21,873 continue conversations and if the conversations remain 50 00:02:21,875 --> 00:02:23,915 useful, the negotiating team will remain in Vienna. 51 00:02:23,910 --> 00:02:26,180 The Press: And I guess the question that a lot of 52 00:02:26,179 --> 00:02:29,379 people have about this is because so much of this is 53 00:02:29,382 --> 00:02:32,522 happening behind closed doors, it's hard to know 54 00:02:32,519 --> 00:02:37,629 what is actually being agreed upon and what is not 55 00:02:37,624 --> 00:02:38,824 being agreed upon. 56 00:02:38,825 --> 00:02:41,325 And I guess I don't have a great sense of why the 57 00:02:41,327 --> 00:02:46,397 President feels like another two days, another three days 58 00:02:46,399 --> 00:02:48,499 will close the door on all these issues that have 59 00:02:48,501 --> 00:02:50,501 opened for months. 60 00:02:50,503 --> 00:02:52,503 Mr. Earnest: I think that's an entirely legitimate 61 00:02:52,505 --> 00:02:53,505 question. 62 00:02:53,506 --> 00:02:56,806 The chief obstacle to us providing greater insight 63 00:02:56,809 --> 00:02:59,149 about what is exactly occurring behind closed 64 00:02:59,145 --> 00:03:02,545 doors is this key tenet of our talks that we've been 65 00:03:02,549 --> 00:03:05,089 repeating for a couple of years now, which is that 66 00:03:05,084 --> 00:03:07,054 nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to. 67 00:03:07,053 --> 00:03:09,053 The Press: But I guess I'm asking it not even in terms 68 00:03:09,055 --> 00:03:11,495 of the specifics, but is it that he has seen the 69 00:03:11,491 --> 00:03:14,531 Iranians make concessions on key issues? 70 00:03:14,527 --> 00:03:17,667 What is it that he has seen from the Iranians that leads 71 00:03:17,664 --> 00:03:20,504 him to believe they would continue to move closer to 72 00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:21,370 the U.S. position if you just 73 00:03:21,367 --> 00:03:22,807 keep this going? 74 00:03:22,802 --> 00:03:26,942 Mr. Earnest: Well, I think because as the negotiations 75 00:03:26,940 --> 00:03:28,980 have gone on over the last couple of weeks, what 76 00:03:28,975 --> 00:03:34,245 started out as a rather long list of differences has 77 00:03:34,247 --> 00:03:36,387 slowly -- I would acknowledge slowly -- but 78 00:03:36,382 --> 00:03:38,152 steadily narrowed. 79 00:03:38,151 --> 00:03:40,821 And that's an indication that we are making progress 80 00:03:40,820 --> 00:03:42,360 toward an agreement. 81 00:03:42,355 --> 00:03:44,495 And that's why I would describe the talks as making 82 00:03:44,490 --> 00:03:46,360 genuine progress. 83 00:03:46,359 --> 00:03:51,069 But what's also true is that typically some of the most 84 00:03:51,064 --> 00:03:54,234 difficult issues are the ones that get kicked to the 85 00:03:54,233 --> 00:03:55,233 end. 86 00:03:55,234 --> 00:03:59,234 And that's why the President is going to resist any 87 00:03:59,238 --> 00:04:01,378 effort to sort of fast-forward through the 88 00:04:01,374 --> 00:04:02,374 closing here. 89 00:04:02,375 --> 00:04:06,215 There continue to be significant issues that 90 00:04:06,212 --> 00:04:08,652 remain, and the President will not sign on to an 91 00:04:08,648 --> 00:04:11,118 agreement -- and this is the attitude that's taken by our 92 00:04:11,117 --> 00:04:13,557 P5+1 partners, too -- they're not going to sign on 93 00:04:13,553 --> 00:04:18,463 to an agreement until all of our concerns have been 94 00:04:18,458 --> 00:04:19,628 addressed. 95 00:04:19,626 --> 00:04:21,626 And as long as they continue to make progress in doing 96 00:04:21,628 --> 00:04:23,628 that, then the talks will continue. 97 00:04:23,630 --> 00:04:26,970 The Press: Has the President had any conversations with 98 00:04:26,966 --> 00:04:28,966 Secretary Kerry over the last few days over the 99 00:04:28,968 --> 00:04:29,968 weekend? 100 00:04:29,969 --> 00:04:31,969 Mr. Earnest: Well, the President has been in touch 101 00:04:31,971 --> 00:04:33,971 with his National Security Advisor, Susan Rice. 102 00:04:33,973 --> 00:04:36,943 And she has been the one that has been principally 103 00:04:36,943 --> 00:04:41,243 updating him a couple times a day about the status of 104 00:04:41,247 --> 00:04:42,247 the talks. 105 00:04:42,248 --> 00:04:44,248 Those briefings for the President occurred even over 106 00:04:44,250 --> 00:04:46,950 the weekend -- those updates to the President occurred 107 00:04:46,953 --> 00:04:47,953 even over the weekend. 108 00:04:47,954 --> 00:04:52,094 And I know the President has been in touch with the 109 00:04:52,091 --> 00:04:55,731 negotiating team in Vienna as well. 110 00:04:55,728 --> 00:04:59,398 There have not been any secure video teleconferences 111 00:04:59,399 --> 00:05:03,399 since the one that we announced last week, but the 112 00:05:03,403 --> 00:05:09,313 President is very well aware of where things stand. 113 00:05:09,308 --> 00:05:10,308 Julia. 114 00:05:10,309 --> 00:05:13,549 The Press: Josh, with no firm deadline in place on 115 00:05:13,546 --> 00:05:16,446 these talks, do you have any idea of when the interim 116 00:05:16,449 --> 00:05:18,219 agreement may be lifted? 117 00:05:18,217 --> 00:05:24,257 Mr. Earnest: Well, so the issue is this, is that the 118 00:05:24,257 --> 00:05:26,257 interim agreement has been extended two or three days 119 00:05:26,259 --> 00:05:30,029 at a time two or three times now. 120 00:05:30,029 --> 00:05:33,029 The latest short-term extension is up at the end 121 00:05:33,032 --> 00:05:34,732 of the day today. 122 00:05:34,734 --> 00:05:39,104 If the talks are not completed today, then the 123 00:05:39,105 --> 00:05:42,145 interim agreement will be extended again. 124 00:05:42,141 --> 00:05:48,751 And this is by essentially as a result of the unanimous 125 00:05:48,748 --> 00:05:53,288 view that this interim agreement has been helpful. 126 00:05:53,286 --> 00:05:55,986 And I know that's true of many Republicans in Congress 127 00:05:55,988 --> 00:05:59,158 who originally criticized the interim agreement. 128 00:05:59,158 --> 00:06:01,998 It also happens to be the view of our P5+1 partners 129 00:06:01,994 --> 00:06:03,234 and of Iran. 130 00:06:03,229 --> 00:06:05,569 And so there is a unified commitment to making sure 131 00:06:05,565 --> 00:06:08,835 that that interim agreement remains in place, but the 132 00:06:08,835 --> 00:06:11,305 whole idea of an interim agreement is it remains in 133 00:06:11,304 --> 00:06:14,044 place only until a final agreement can be reached. 134 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,580 And so what we would envision is a final 135 00:06:16,576 --> 00:06:19,876 agreement that would enter into effect to replace the 136 00:06:19,879 --> 00:06:20,879 interim agreement. 137 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:23,050 The Press: Okay, but I imagine it's not indefinite. 138 00:06:23,049 --> 00:06:25,689 I mean, what would have to happen to lift that and -- 139 00:06:25,685 --> 00:06:28,725 would it be walking away from these talks? 140 00:06:28,721 --> 00:06:31,321 Mr. Earnest: Well, again, I wouldn't want to speculate 141 00:06:31,324 --> 00:06:34,894 about what's going to happen or what would happen if one 142 00:06:34,894 --> 00:06:36,894 party or another were to walk away from the talks. 143 00:06:36,896 --> 00:06:38,896 What we know is that the interim agreement has been 144 00:06:38,898 --> 00:06:42,098 useful while the talks have been ongoing to freeze 145 00:06:42,101 --> 00:06:44,341 Iran's nuclear program in place and to roll it back in 146 00:06:44,337 --> 00:06:45,337 some key areas. 147 00:06:45,338 --> 00:06:46,338 The Press: Okay. 148 00:06:46,339 --> 00:06:48,409 And then will this be for another three days each 149 00:06:48,407 --> 00:06:52,747 time, or will it -- is it indefinitely extended? 150 00:06:52,745 --> 00:06:54,815 Mr. Earnest: Well, if there is a need to extend to 151 00:06:54,814 --> 00:06:56,014 interim agreement even for a short-term period, that's an 152 00:06:56,015 --> 00:06:58,215 announcement that would be made by the United States 153 00:06:58,217 --> 00:07:00,217 and our P5+1 partners in Vienna. 154 00:07:00,219 --> 00:07:01,859 That's not something I'll announce here. 155 00:07:01,854 --> 00:07:04,054 What I'm merely trying to project here is confidence 156 00:07:04,056 --> 00:07:06,556 that if a final agreement is not reached by the end of 157 00:07:06,559 --> 00:07:09,959 the day today, that all of the parties will agree to at 158 00:07:09,962 --> 00:07:12,832 least a short-term extension of the interim agreement to 159 00:07:12,832 --> 00:07:14,932 allow the conversations to continue. 160 00:07:14,934 --> 00:07:15,634 The Press: Okay. 161 00:07:15,635 --> 00:07:17,035 Shifting to criminal justice. 162 00:07:17,036 --> 00:07:19,036 I know the President is traveling to Philadelphia 163 00:07:19,038 --> 00:07:22,078 tomorrow, where he'll talk to the NAACP and lay out his 164 00:07:22,074 --> 00:07:24,274 ideas for criminal justice reform. 165 00:07:24,277 --> 00:07:27,817 And he said today that many of those ideas have already 166 00:07:27,814 --> 00:07:29,084 come up in Congress. 167 00:07:29,081 --> 00:07:32,421 And also, there have been many ideas that have come up 168 00:07:32,418 --> 00:07:34,858 and been stalled, even when Democrats had control of the 169 00:07:34,854 --> 00:07:36,954 Senate last year. 170 00:07:36,956 --> 00:07:38,156 Why does he think that anything might be 171 00:07:38,157 --> 00:07:39,157 different now? 172 00:07:39,158 --> 00:07:40,758 What are the chances of getting something through, 173 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:42,330 like the Smarter Sentencing Act? 174 00:07:42,328 --> 00:07:44,098 Mr. Earnest: Well, to be blunt about it, because 175 00:07:44,096 --> 00:07:46,336 Republicans are indicating an openness to doing it. 176 00:07:46,332 --> 00:07:50,602 Democrats have long been strong advocates of criminal 177 00:07:50,603 --> 00:07:53,473 justice reform that would make our criminal justice 178 00:07:53,472 --> 00:07:55,672 system more fair. 179 00:07:55,675 --> 00:07:58,345 There are clearly some inequities that can be and 180 00:07:58,344 --> 00:08:00,414 should be rectified, but they will require 181 00:08:00,413 --> 00:08:01,413 legislation. 182 00:08:01,414 --> 00:08:04,054 Obviously, there's a Republican majority in both 183 00:08:04,050 --> 00:08:08,150 the House and the Senate, which means any proposal 184 00:08:08,154 --> 00:08:10,154 that's going to pass both houses of Congress will 185 00:08:10,156 --> 00:08:11,956 require bipartisan support. 186 00:08:11,958 --> 00:08:16,398 And since Democrats have been steadfast supporters of 187 00:08:16,395 --> 00:08:18,765 trying to bring some important reforms to our 188 00:08:18,764 --> 00:08:22,364 criminal justice system, we welcome indications from 189 00:08:22,368 --> 00:08:25,638 some Republicans that reforms -- that they also 190 00:08:25,638 --> 00:08:28,108 believe that reforms are necessary. 191 00:08:28,107 --> 00:08:31,677 That's the basis for some of the bipartisan conversations 192 00:08:31,677 --> 00:08:33,677 that have already occurred on this issue. 193 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:35,679 The President hosted one of those conversations earlier 194 00:08:35,681 --> 00:08:36,981 this year, you'll recall. 195 00:08:36,983 --> 00:08:39,483 I wouldn't rule out additional bipartisan 196 00:08:39,485 --> 00:08:44,395 conversations that include the President of the United 197 00:08:44,390 --> 00:08:45,390 States. 198 00:08:45,391 --> 00:08:49,261 And that's the way that we hope we can advance this 199 00:08:49,262 --> 00:08:53,362 priority, is by working in bipartisan fashion. 200 00:08:53,366 --> 00:08:55,336 Obviously, that's not something that Congress has 201 00:08:55,334 --> 00:08:58,234 a particularly strong track record of doing, but there 202 00:08:58,237 --> 00:09:02,537 have been areas where that has been successful, and 203 00:09:02,541 --> 00:09:05,241 we're hopeful that we can add criminal justice reform 204 00:09:05,244 --> 00:09:09,244 to the list of areas where Congress was able to act in 205 00:09:09,248 --> 00:09:11,248 bipartisan fashion to do something good 206 00:09:11,250 --> 00:09:12,550 for the country. 207 00:09:12,551 --> 00:09:14,051 Jim. 208 00:09:14,053 --> 00:09:15,993 The Press: Senator Rand Paul was one of those Republicans 209 00:09:15,988 --> 00:09:19,058 that the President has talked about it before. 210 00:09:19,058 --> 00:09:21,798 Has he spoken with him lately about this? 211 00:09:21,794 --> 00:09:23,534 Mr. Earnest: I don't believe so. 212 00:09:23,529 --> 00:09:28,069 But I obviously don't read out every single 213 00:09:28,067 --> 00:09:30,067 conversation the President has with members of 214 00:09:30,069 --> 00:09:32,069 Congress, but I'm not aware of any recent conversations 215 00:09:32,071 --> 00:09:33,071 on this. 216 00:09:33,072 --> 00:09:35,072 But you're right, Senator Paul, to his credit, is 217 00:09:35,074 --> 00:09:37,074 somebody that has demonstrated and signaled a 218 00:09:37,076 --> 00:09:39,076 willingness to be a good partner with the Obama 219 00:09:39,078 --> 00:09:40,078 administration on this issue. 220 00:09:40,079 --> 00:09:42,079 The Press: And if you look at the numbers, the 221 00:09:42,081 --> 00:09:45,381 President is behind some of his predecessors in this 222 00:09:45,384 --> 00:09:48,554 category in terms of commutations and pardons, 223 00:09:48,554 --> 00:09:51,724 although it appears he's doing some catching up. 224 00:09:51,724 --> 00:09:54,094 Is this something that we should see or that we might 225 00:09:54,093 --> 00:09:56,233 see accelerate over his remaining time in office? 226 00:09:56,228 --> 00:09:58,428 Mr. Earnest: What I would say, Jim, in terms of the 227 00:09:58,431 --> 00:10:02,331 raw numbers of commutations, the announcement today of 46 228 00:10:02,335 --> 00:10:04,475 commutations is actually the largest number of 229 00:10:04,470 --> 00:10:07,170 commutations that's been issued by a President on a 230 00:10:07,173 --> 00:10:09,413 single day dating back to at least the Johnson 231 00:10:09,408 --> 00:10:10,778 administration. 232 00:10:10,776 --> 00:10:16,116 And this brings to I believe it's 89 -- that's the number 233 00:10:16,115 --> 00:10:18,785 of people who have received a commutation from the 234 00:10:18,784 --> 00:10:22,354 President of the United States, and that actually is 235 00:10:22,355 --> 00:10:24,355 more than the number of commutations issued by the 236 00:10:24,357 --> 00:10:26,357 four previous Presidents combined. 237 00:10:26,359 --> 00:10:28,359 So the President has taken pretty bold action when it 238 00:10:28,361 --> 00:10:29,891 comes to commutations. 239 00:10:29,895 --> 00:10:32,065 I think the point that you're raising -- 240 00:10:32,064 --> 00:10:34,064 The Press: Pardons, then, I guess. 241 00:10:34,066 --> 00:10:36,066 Mr. Earnest: Yes, the pardons is a bit of a 242 00:10:36,068 --> 00:10:37,068 different story. 243 00:10:37,069 --> 00:10:39,069 But I think that the point that you're raising, 244 00:10:39,071 --> 00:10:42,241 however, is an entirely legitimate one, and that is 245 00:10:42,241 --> 00:10:47,051 that there are significant reforms that need to be 246 00:10:47,046 --> 00:10:49,616 implemented into our criminal justice system. 247 00:10:49,615 --> 00:10:54,825 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 249 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. 251 00:11:02,728 --> 00:11:04,898 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. 254 00:11:08,701 --> 00:11:12,301 He actually is hopeful that we can develop and implement 255 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. 258 00:11:19,779 --> 00:11:23,049 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? 260 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. 262 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 265 00:11:38,864 --> 00:11:42,734 to ensure the safety of the President and others who 266 00:11:42,735 --> 00:11:45,605 will be participating in that event. 267 00:11:45,604 --> 00:11:47,644 But it's certainly an opportunity that the 268 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:49,640 President is looking forward to. 269 00:11:49,642 --> 00:11:51,642 And he'll have an opportunity to speak to all 270 00:11:51,644 --> 00:11:53,644 of you about it while he's there. 271 00:11:53,646 --> 00:11:55,616 The Press: And speaking of prison security, any 272 00:11:55,614 --> 00:12:00,124 response from this White House to the escape of 273 00:12:00,119 --> 00:12:01,089 "El Chapo" down in Mexico? 274 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. 276 00:12:05,324 --> 00:12:07,824 I can tell you that the Attorney General of the 277 00:12:07,827 --> 00:12:10,367 United States, Loretta Lynch, telephoned her 278 00:12:10,362 --> 00:12:13,262 counterpart yesterday to offer the full support of 279 00:12:13,265 --> 00:12:18,135 the United States government to the Mexican government as 280 00:12:18,137 --> 00:12:22,077 they undertake an operation to try to recapture 281 00:12:22,074 --> 00:12:23,944 Mr. Guzman. 282 00:12:23,943 --> 00:12:28,853 Obviously the United States is very interested in making 283 00:12:28,848 --> 00:12:30,848 sure that Mr. Guzman is brought to justice. 284 00:12:30,850 --> 00:12:33,950 He faces very serious crimes not just in Mexico, but he's 285 00:12:33,953 --> 00:12:35,953 been charged with some very serious crimes in the United 286 00:12:35,955 --> 00:12:37,555 States as well. 287 00:12:37,556 --> 00:12:41,196 And the United States will support the efforts of the 288 00:12:41,193 --> 00:12:45,193 Mexican government to bring him to justice. 289 00:12:45,197 --> 00:12:46,467 Nadia. 290 00:12:46,465 --> 00:12:48,305 The Press: Just a quick clarification and two quick 291 00:12:48,300 --> 00:12:49,300 questions. 292 00:12:49,301 --> 00:12:52,871 So if you don't reach an agreement, is this interim 293 00:12:52,872 --> 00:12:55,912 agreement or the Joint Plan of Action -- can it be 294 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 297 00:13:05,918 --> 00:13:07,958 has to be reached and it's not going to be -- it will 298 00:13:07,953 --> 00:13:08,953 be redundant after that? 299 00:13:08,954 --> 00:13:11,654 Mr. Earnest: Well, I can't speak to the legally binding 300 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 302 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 308 00:13:28,674 --> 00:13:29,674 areas. 309 00:13:29,675 --> 00:13:32,045 And that's why the United States and our P5+1 partners 310 00:13:32,044 --> 00:13:35,344 have found it useful to continue to extend the 311 00:13:35,347 --> 00:13:37,447 agreement while the talks continue, even though the 312 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. 314 00:13:42,555 --> 00:13:46,225 The Press: My question is it's still more than a few 315 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+1 320 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.