Aboard Air Power One
En Route Dallas, Texas
5:07 P.M. MST
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: All proper. I simply have two issues on the high, after which I’ll flip it over to the Admiral for his replace.
At this time, in Chandler, Arizona, President Biden introduced a preliminary settlement with Intel for a CHIPS award for as much as $8.5 billion. The funding will unlock over $100 billion in personal funding by Intel and can create practically 30,000 jobs, a lot of that are union jobs in building and manufacturing throughout Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon.
In Arizona and Ohio, Intel investments are among the many largest private-sector funding in every state’s historical past. Due to investments just like the one President Biden introduced at this time, semiconductor manufacturing is rising, semiconductor jobs are making a comeback.
Constructing off of the President’s State of the Union Tackle, this funding is in step with the President’s imaginative and prescient to construct the financial system from the center out and backside up, create good-paying jobs in America, strengthen U.S. provide chains, and shield nationwide safety.
One very last thing. And as President Biden is presenting his financial imaginative and prescient at this time, so are Home Republicans. President Biden warned in his State of the Union Tackle that a lot of his Republican mates in Congress need to put Social Safety on the chopping block.
And as — as — and he was clear that “if anybody right here tries to chop Social Safety or Medicare,” he would cease them. That’s a quote from him within the State of the Union.
He’s already holding that promise as a result of, at this time, Home Republicans are at it once more. The Republican Examine Committee, which represents about 80 % of Home Republicans and 100% of their management, simply proposed yet one more price range that cuts Medicare and Social Safety advantages.
Chopping the Medicare and Social Safety advantages and — that People paid to earn is flawed, and President Biden strongly opposes this newest Home Republican plan to do it. The very last thing we should always do is raid Medicare and Social Safety, whereas giving extra big tax cuts to the rich and massive firms.
President Biden has a di- — has a unique imaginative and prescient for a way we transfer into the long run: make the large firms, the rich, and particular pursuits pay their fair proportion whereas strengthening Medicare and Social Safety.
With that, the Admiral, I consider, has an replace for you all.
MR. KIRBY: Thanks, Karine.
Two issues: Ukraine and Haiti. At this time, Nationwide Safety Advisor Jake Sullivan traveled to Kyiv to fulfill with President Zelenskyy and senior Ukrainian officers to reaffirm our unwavering dedication to supporting Ukraine as they proceed to defend themselves.
Mr. Sullivan underscored the a number of strains of U.S. effort to Ukraine, following yesterday’s profitable Ukraine Protection Contact Group that Secretary Austin hosted in Ramstein, which included numerous pledges from a number of co- — nations, together with a major contribution by Germany — greater than 500 billion euros from Germany alone.
And, in fact, he careworn the pressing want for the U.S. Home of Representatives to go the nationwide safety supplemental to fulfill Ukraine’s important battlefield and humanitarian wants.
He emphasised how, two years into this battle, the USA stands with the individuals of Ukraine, and he careworn that our dedication to doing so — our dedication to proceed doing so each day.
Mr. Sullivan mentioned ongoing efforts with allies and companions to carry Russia accountable for its aggression as we proceed to impose extreme sanctions and export controls on Russia and our efforts to mitigate the financial and humanitarian impacts of the battle in Ukraine.
In addition they mentioned progress on anticorruption and different key reforms wanted to additional Ukraine’s European — Euro- — Euro-Atlantic integration.
He did a press convention in Kyiv. The transcript has been posted. A few of you in all probability — could have already seen it.
If I may rapidly flip to Haiti and a few of the issues we’re doing to assist Americans which can be — which can be there.
First, I feel it’s essential to notice that we have now had a “don’t journey” discover and advisory alert to Haiti in place since 2020 exactly due to the continuing instability attributable to the gangs. And we’ve been stressing that the USA authorities can’t assure Americans will all be evacuated given the treacherous state of affairs on the bottom.
That stated, we have now knowledgeable People who’re registered with the State Division that we’re exploring numerous choices to assist them depart from Port-au-Prince and in addition from Cap-Haïtien.
On Sunday, we have been in a position to evacuate a small group on a U.S. government-organized constitution flight. They have been Americans that have been able to — to depart and have been in a position to get to Cap-Haïtien on their very own safely.
Earlier this afternoon, a U.S. government-organized helicopter with roughly 15 Americans departed from Port-au-Prince and landed safely in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. And as circumstances allow, we’ll have the ability to repeat this. We hope to in a position to repeat this in coming days.
The US authorities has no greater precedence than the security of People who’re abroad. All of our contingency planning and help, nevertheless, should consider the safety atmosphere, and that’s what we’ve been doing because the finish of February.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go forward.
Q On Jake’s assembly at this time, did he glean any kind of new perception or new info on how dire the situations are on the bottom in Ukraine and what their capability is, the place their weapons ranges are, and issues like that?
MR. KIRBY: He did have an opportunity to speak to Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s nationwide safety advisor, and, fairly frankly, the president himself in regards to the state of affairs on the battlefield and bought an replace — significantly, the — the problem that they’re having within the Donbas, particularly. That’s the place the Russians are actually making an attempt to push west out of Avdiivka.
And the Ukrainians have fashioned about three defensive strains. That first line of defense, only a few kilometers to the west of Avdiivka, is the one which’s below probably the most stress and strain proper now.
Now, the Russians have been bragging fairly a bit. Mr. Putin was bragging slightly bit about a few of the cities and villages that they’ve taken. None of those have any strategic worth. It’s actually simply an effort, significantly within the wake of his election, to show that they’re kind of making progress.
And, look, I’m not going to dispute, they’re making progress. They’re going — they’re pushing west, and the Ukrainian commanders are having to make some actually tough selections about what they’ll spend and what they received’t spend to attempt to defend that territory.
Q And I do know Jake ment- — was requested about this on the press convention, however did the difficulty of a mortgage somewhat than an assist really come up in his conferences with Ukraini- — Ukrainian officers?
MR. KIRBY: I don’t have that degree of element, that — in what capability they talked in regards to the continued assist, however Jake did make it clear that — that he believes it’s actually essential for the Home of Representatives to maneuver on this supplemental.
And also you’ll see it in his transcript. He bought requested slightly bit about our degree of optimism. And he — he stated on the file that he felt positive that we have been going to get there.
Q Are you able to give us an replace on the peace talks and the potential for a six-week ceasefire? Would you say that it’s getting nearer, is imminent, or nonetheless fairly a methods away?
MR. KIRBY: I don’t actually have an replace for you, Jeff. The discussions are ongoing. You understand, Secretary Blinken is within the area as we converse. He’s in Saudi Arabia at this time. He’s bought a — he’s going to Cairo, after which he’ll wrap up his journey in Israel. And this might be a key focus of him, getting a way from our counterparts there of how the discussions are going.
Q Additionally on Israel. Canada is the primary Western nation to cease supplying arms to Israel. What does the White Home consider this resolution? And has the administration communicated in any respect with any Can- — Canadian officers about this?
MR. KIRBY: I’m not conscious of any conversations that we’ve had with Canada about this. That is their resolution to make — sovereign nation, we actually respect that.
What we’re targeted on is what I simply talked about by way of Jake’s go to: ensuring that we will get that supplemental from Congress, ensuring we will proceed to search out methods to — to assist Ukraine.
It will get — it will get sort of buried slightly bit as a result of we do them so usually, however these Ukraine Contact Protection Teams are actually essential conferences — greater than 50 nations. And, as I stated, Germany actually stepped up in an enormous method after the newest one. So, our allies and companions are additionally doing every thing they will.
Q Additionally on Israel. At this time, Prime Minister Netanyahu was chatting with Senate Republicans after Senator Schumer referred to as for brand spanking new elections in Israel. Schumer declined to have him converse to Senate Republicans. Did Schumer seek the advice of with the White Home on this resolution? And what does the White Home consider this resolution to not have Netanyahu converse to Democrats?
MR. KIRBY: I’m not conscious of any session with the — with Chief Schumer. And I’m completely happy to return and ask that query. However I’m not conscious that there was any coordination on that. We respect the — the Chief’s prerogatives right here by way of — of not accepting that invitation.
Look, I imply, the prime minister can resolve for himself, in fact, who he desires to — to speak to and the way he desires to deal with that. However I do suppose it’s essential to do not forget that assist for Israel, for Israel’s sovereignty, for Israel’s safety, for the Israeli individuals has been a longstanding bipartisan challenge on this nation going again a number of, a number of administrations. I imply, heck, again to Harry Truman.
And — and it’s indicative, I feel, of the broad assist that the Israeli individuals know they will depend on from the American individuals. And it’s essential that that assist keep bipartisan.
Q John, within the press convention, Jake, as you stated, expressed confidence that the help package deal would go and in addition stated that he didn’t see a purpose to maneuver on from plan A, the supplemental that you just’ve supplied. Is that kind of the hopeful considering that we’ve heard from Jake for the final three or 4 months? Or does that recommend that now that the funding deal has gotten wrapped up on Capitol Hill, some kind of breakthrough with Speaker Johnson on — on shifting ahead with that package deal?
MR. KIRBY: I feel — once more, I feel it speaks to — to Jake’s sense of the place we’re at and — and the way the discussions are going, and I can’t actually enhance upon it th- — than what Jake stated.
Additionally essential to recollect as we’re speaking about bipartisan assist for Israel: There’s bipartisan and bicameral assist for Ukraine. That’s clearly apparent. And also you’ve heard Kar- — from Karine many, many occasions: If it — if it got here to the ground, it could get voted on.
So, I feel Jake is speaking — I imply, he’s talking from the realities right here, that we — that we all know there’s sturdy bipartisan assist for Ukraine, and — and we’re hopeful that they’ll — they’ll have the ability to get this finished.
Q Hong Kong handed a brand new safety regulation. I used to be questioning when you guys had a response on it each usually — as a result of, clearly, it’s been a flashpoint over the previous couple of years there — after which if there have been particular considerations about how this may impression People or American corporations which can be in Hong Kong.
MR. KIRBY: I feel it’s slightly early to know precisely the way it’s going to have an effect on American corporations. However we actually noticed the reviews and we’re — and we’re involved about what this might do to the open society that Hong Kong was so well-known for and so rightly revered for.
Q Admiral, on Haiti. Governor DeSantis of Florida had introduced again some Florida residents who have been there. Did you guys have a heads-up on that, and did you supply any assist?
After which, additionally, as you stated, your precedence is to guard People. Are you considering U.S. boots will find yourself on the bottom there?
MR. KIRBY: In Haiti?
Q Yeah, in Haiti.
MR. KIRBY: In your first query, no conversations with the governor that I’m conscious of, and we weren’t concerned.
The main target proper now for Haiti just isn’t solely supporting the political course of, and that’s shifting ahead — and Secretary Blinken was a key a part of these discussions again in Jamaica final week — after which persevering with to work with Kenya on a Kenyan-led multinational safety assist mission that — that they’re nonetheless engaged on — on placing collectively.
However no — no selections a technique or one other proper now about — about any sort of American army assist.
Q John, additionally on Haiti. Are there any plans at this level if the variety of people searching for asylum or migrants popping out of Haiti have been leaving the nation — is there a priority that there can be a rise in Haitians coming in direction of the U.S.? And is there, at this level, a contingency plan or any plans to — to attempt to —
MR. KIRBY: Yeah, positive. Look, I imply, the — we’ve — we’re watching this very, very carefully. And we’re actually working throughout the interagency — and that features with U.S. Southern Command down in Miami — to ensure that we’re ready ought to there be a mass migration motion out of Haiti.
Now, I’ll let you know, we’re simply not seeing that proper now. We’re watching it actual shut, however we’re simply not seeing it.
However completely. And we’re a — as an interagency — a planning group, and we’re actually working by means of what the contingencies and the capabilities that could be required.
However, once more, we’re not — we’re simply not seeing it in these numbers.
Q John, on Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu says he has already authorised the operational plan for Rafah. Has the White Home seen these plans but?
MR. KIRBY: I’m not conscious that we have now really seen the — the plans.
Now, as , we’re wanting ahead to having a dialogue hopefully subsequent week with an Israeli delegation right here in Wa- — or in Washington to — to supply some viable choices for them to consider as they consider going into Rafah.
Once more, we don’t assist a significant floor offensive into Rafah — you heard Jake speak about that the opposite day — actually not with out due consideration for the 1.5 million individuals which can be searching for refuge down there.
Q Admiral, has the President spoken to the Irish Taoiseach since he stated he was going to resign? And did that come up in any respect when the Taoiseach was right here? What was the President’s response?
MR. KIRBY: He has not spoken to the Taoiseach because the information broke at this time. And I — I received’t transcend the readouts of the conversations.
Okay.
(Cross-talk.)
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thanks.
Okay. What you guys bought?
Q A few subjects. One, Home Oversight Chairman Jamie Comer is now mo- — an increasing number of speaking about doing prison referrals because it pertains to his committee’s investigation since impeachment appears to not be going very nicely for them. Is the — what’s the White Home —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: (Inaudible.) (Laughs.)
Q What’s the White Home’s response to that?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.
Q And — really, to start with, what’s the White Home’s response to Comer floating that choice on the market?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah. And I’m glad you stated that it’s not going nicely for them at — in any respect. And simply need to reiterate that.
Let me simply say one thing about at this time’s listening to. And I’ll say this: It’s simply the most recent instance, and it sort of solutions your query as nicely, of how Home Republicans’ impeachment stunt has dragged on for months and months, but has uncovered zero proof of wrongdoing by President Biden.
It’s clearly time to maneuver on. That’s what we consider. You noticed the letter from the White Home Counsel’s — White — the President’s White Home Counsel final week.
And so, Republicans have to drop this stunt and be part of the President in specializing in actual points that matter to the American individuals.
And so, that’s sort of what we consider. It’s time to maneuver on. We have to concentrate on the American individuals. That is one thing that has simply not gone nicely for Home Republicans.
Let’s concentrate on points, on issues that actually, actually are essential, just like the nationwide safety supplemental that might go, as we’ve acknowledged over and over, in a bipartisan style if the Speaker have been to place that on the ground; just like the — the bipartisan settlement that got here collectively within the Senate to take care of an actual challenge on the border and immigration. That will really make — that might really meet the — a few of the issues — just a few issues that meet what we want as — for the American individuals.
And let me simply add: It’s majority — as we — as I’m speaking in regards to the border — the border challenges, and a majority of People need that. It’s one thing that might be essential. We wish them — see it transfer ahead. And that’s what they need to be targeted on: actual matter, actual points.
You heard me discuss on the high about their — their price range. The President has stated we bought to guard Medicare; we bought to guard Social Safety. These are the problems that the President desires to speak about, , not — not baseless — baseless — baseless points that they’re citing or eager to go after the President and his household. Let’s concentrate on the American household.
Q I suppose, particularly on a prison referral, is there any concern on the White Home that if there’s a second Trump administration, {that a} Trump Justice Division may really do one thing with these prison referrals focusing on the President and his household?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m not — I’m simply not going to get into hypotheticals from right here. Let’s concentrate on the right here and now. There are actual points that the Pres- — the — we consider, that the President believes American households and People need us to concentrate on. You heard him speak about a lot of these points as he talked about his imaginative and prescient within the State of the Union. That’s what we need to focus. I’m not going to get into hypotheticals.
Q (Inaudible.)
Q I used to be simply going to ask a follow-up, if the President bought briefed on the listening to at this time, or is it simply out of his thoughts?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Properly, I bought to let you know, the President was fairly busy at this time. If he was in a position to even catch a glimpse or actually get any kind of replace, I’d be shocked. As , we — we’re leaving Arizona, the place he was in a position to tour Intel. He made a significant announcement for the individuals of Ar- — Arizona on chips — chips manufacturing, semiconductors — extremely essential; creating, you heard me say, 30,000 jobs –all essential.
And so, he’s simply actually been busy. And so, I can’t think about the President — (laughs) — had any likelihood to get an replace. As , now, we’re all going to Texas, and he’s going to do some marketing campaign occasions, as you all know.
Q On one other matter. There’s now a Democratic senator on file opposing Adeel Mangi — Man- — Mangi for the Third Circuit Court docket of Appeals. And Senator Cortez Masto talked about his — his place on the advisory board for the Alliance of Households for Justice.
I’m questioning: One, what’s the White Home doing to get this nomination again on monitor? And, two, is {that a} truthful purpose for Senator Cortez Masto and probably different Democrats to oppose his nomination?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I’m going to watch out. I’m not going to talk to or reply to particular members. I’ll say this, and I’ve stated it earlier than: The President is proud to have nominated Mr. Mangi, whose extraordinary {qualifications} and integrity are gaining him new backing every day, together with from the seventh regulation enforcement group to endorse his affirmation, in addition to retired Circuit Decide Timothy Lewis, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush.
Mr. Mangi, who has lived within the — who has lived the American Dream and confirmed his integrity, is being focused by a malicious and debunked smear marketing campaign solely as a result of he would make historical past as the primary Muslim to function a federal appellate choose. Senate Democrats ought to aspect with the qualities that make America distinctive, which Mr. Mangi embodies, not the hateful forces making an attempt to drive America into the previous.
So, we’re proud — the President is proud to have nominated him, and we’re doing every thing that we will — working, speaking to congressional members, congressional employees, clearly, on the Senate to maneuver ahead together with his nomination course of.
Q Provided that we’re on the way in which to Texas, relating to the immigration enforcement regulation out of Texas. The Supreme Court docket stated that it may go into impact. The decrease court docket stated that it couldn’t go into impact. Do you consider that the overlapping orders from numerous courts is — are creating confusion? And the way ought to native regulation enforcement navigate this uncertainty?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, let me simply take a step again for a second. So, we’ve stated from the start that SB 4 is an excessive, unconstitutional regulation that can burden regulation enforcement and make communities much less secure. We dis- — we disagreed with the Supreme Court docket order yesterday letting — letting the regulation go into impact, and we welcome the Fifth Circuit in a single day pausing implementation of it.
Finally, we want resolutions. You’ve heard me speak about that simply previously couple of minutes. Congress ought to go the bipartisan border safety settlement instantly — instantly. And that’s the place we’re. That’s the place we stand. And we’ve been very clear — we’ve been very vocal about SB 4.
And so, Congress — that is — this is a chance for Congress, in the event that they actually care about what’s happening on the border, if — I’m talking of Home Republicans; Republicans extra — extra broadly — if they honestly care in regards to the border and what’s happening, the challenges, and — and actually coping with immigration, they need to transfer ahead with a bipartisan settlement that got here out of the Senate.
And I’ve stated this many occasions. I’ll say it once more. It bought assist from the Bor- — Border Patrol union. It bought assist from the — the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. These belongings you don’t usually see.
And so, it’s one thing that People care about. It’s — what we’re seeing with SB 4, it’s not going to guard communities. It’s simply not. It’s a part of a — of a political stunt that we proceed to see from the Governor of Texas. However we will repair this. We will repair this if Republicans would get out of their very own method and transfer ahead with this.
Q On — on SB 4. Does the President plan to handle SB 4 in Texas? And, additionally, , if it does go into place, may there presumably be a federal authorities plan to coach officers that at the moment are going to have the added authority to arrest migrants?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, it’s a marketing campaign — he’s doing marketing campaign occasions, as , in Texas. I’m not going to get forward of him. If you would like specifics on what he’s going to be doing, I might refer you to the marketing campaign.
I’m not going to get into hypotheticals and what — what may occur, what could occur. We all know the place we’re legally at this time. What we’re going to proceed to do is be very clear and — , and say that Congress wants to maneuver ahead with a bipartisan settlement that got here out of the Senate. It took a number of months to get that finished. The President’s crew labored on this. And we have now to truly take care of a difficulty that’s affecting People and their households, a difficulty that majority of People care about.
That is — that is really a simple one. It’s not onerous. It’s not tough. Decide up the bi- — decide up that proposal that they got here along with, the bi- — the senators, Republicans and Democrats. Decide it up, have a look at it, check out it.
The previous President, Donald Trump, is getting in the way in which right here. He’s — he — and also you’ve heard this President speak about it. From what we heard and also you all reported, he picked up the cellphone — that is President — President Trump — and began lobbying Republicans in Congress to not assist this invoice due to his personal political acquire.
So, this isn’t who — this isn’t who we must be. This isn’t. We must always really meet the wants of the American individuals and transfer ahead in a bipartisan method.
Q Karine, is the President and the White Home monitoring a few of the points that Boeing has been having? And what’s his degree of concern about that?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, I don’t know when you all noticed the interview. There was an interview on NBC with — maintain on a second — with the FAA Administrator. So, clearly, he spoke to this. So, let — I might let no matter — , what — that interview stand for itself.
What we’ll say is we stand by the actions that the FAA is taking to extend its security — its security oversight of Boeing. And so, we need to ensure that, , that continues. Clearly, the security of People is the number-one precedence — not only for the FAA, clearly, for the President. And that’s what we — , we assist the actions that they’re taking.
Q Separate —
Q Karine, actually fast on Intel.
Q Small separate challenge.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah, positive.
Q The President yesterday in his remarks used the phrase “make America nice once more.” And it was not in reference to President Trump’s marketing campaign slogan. Simply questioning if that was an advert lib —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: (Laughs.)
Q — or what he meant by that?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look, I feel the President is all the time going to be targeted on the American individuals. He’s all the time going to be targeted on a imaginative and prescient on methods to transfer us ahead, whether or not it’s with the financial system, whether or not it’s coping with the local weather change disaster, whether or not it’s overseas in our relationship with our companions and allies. And that’s all the time going to be the place he’s, like, zeroed in on.
And we’d say, the final three years — and never chatting with, clearly, the marketing campaign or something like that. The final three years, the President has turned the financial system round. He’s constructed an financial system from the underside up, center out, ensuring no communities are left behind. You noticed him go to Latino communities and proceed to talk to what he’s going to don’t only for Latino communities, for all communities.
And so, that’s going to be his focus. And I’ll simply — I’ll simply go away it there for now.
Q Rapidly on Intel. The Intel CEO stated yesterday that — , that is clearly a really massive funding that the administration made, however he says there’s extra that also must be put into manufacturing semiconductors. And he referred to as for a CHIPS Two —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: (Laughs.)
Q — like, a second act. Did he share that — that concept with the President? Does the President know that he — he’s already on the market saying this? And does the White Home agree that there does should be a second spherical of this?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I imply, look — so, I’ll say this. I — I’ve not spoken to the President about these par- — that exact remark that you just simply introduced with me. I’ll say this. The President may be very happy with this bipartisan laws — clearly, now regulation — the chips manufacturing act that was in a position to be finished. It’s going to carry residence manufacturing right here — America — America made.
As we noticed at this time simply in Arizona, it’s an enormous deal. It’s a huge deal. Is the President all the time going to need to do extra, ensuring that we’re making — bringing manufacturing residence, creating good-paying jobs, good union jobs? A few of these jobs, you don’t want a four-year faculty diploma. You can also make a — the parents could make 100k a 12 months. That’s an enormous deal. That’s an enormous deal. It’s an enormous deal for the communities. It’s an enormous deal for job development.
And so, the President is all the time going to need to be sure that we proceed that. I haven’t spoken to him immediately. However chips manufacturing act is important. It’s essential. We noticed that at this time in Arizona alone.
However the President has barnstormed the nation the place we’ve talked about manufacturing that’s coming again in that exact group and what which means to that group.
And so, I’m glad that — I’m glad that he’s enthusiastic about it — (laughs) — that he desires a CHIP Two.
All proper, guys. Thanks.
Q Thanks.
Q Thanks.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: We’ll see you on the bottom.
5:32 P.M. MST