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White House Press Briefing. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired January 22, 2021 - 13:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[13:30:00]

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: And we need to understand better its current extent and where there may be gaps to address so we can determine the best path forward.

The third will be coordinating relevant parts of the federal government to enhance and accelerate efforts to address threats to the DVE.

This considered, NSC will convene a process that will focus on evolving threats, radicalization, the role of social media, opportunities to improve information sharing, operational responses and more.

Just a couple of more items.

As you all know, right now, the president and vice president are having lunch. This is something they look forward to doing every week.

They'll be discussing their agenda, particularly getting relief to working families and containing the COVID crisis. And I'm sure they'll talk about the last 48 hours as well.

Later today, the president will speak with prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. We confirmed that earlier this week. He'll also speak with the president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. We'll have readouts of both of those calls when they happen.

Yesterday evening, the first lady held a virtual event to show gratitude for the hard work of educators across the country, especially during this difficult time of COVID-19.

She was accompanied by representatives of both the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association. Over 11,000 educators attended the virtual meeting.

Today, she will tour the Whitman Walker Clinic in Washington, D.C., to highlight, promote support services for cancer patients and caregivers.

And while I know that was in our guidance, we want to use this platform here also to share with you information about both the vice president and the first lady moving forward.

One more item as well.

Earlier this morning, or late this morning, I should say, the president called General Daniel Hokanson, who is head of the National Guard, to thank him for not just his work over the last few weeks but the work of the National Guard over the last several years.

He talked about his own personal commitment and connection to the National Guard, given his son had served previously.

And he offered assistance, any assistance needed of both the government but also on a personal level. And asked him to reach out if there was anything that he ever needed.

I will stop there. Just a few updates.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Thank you.

I know this has been asked of you several times, but now that there's an impeachment trial imminent, does President Biden have an opinion on whether former President Trump should be convicted?

And then secondly, with how this is going, you're now getting a little bit of momentum on confirmations. You have all that you need to get going on coronavirus, on the economy, and so forth.

Is this just going to slow everything down, and does it also take away from the ability to unify?

PSAKI: Well, first, remarkably, at this moment in history, we have some recent precedent of the Senate conducting an impeachment trial while also doing the business of the American people.

And when the trial was being conducted last January, there were also hearings that were happening nearly on a daily basis, and we expect that type of work to continue.

I'll also note, purely on an operational level, the House can also proceed and continue to do the work on the American rescue plan, move that forward. And we certainly expect and hope that they will do that.

But what -- the president's view is what can't be delayed through this process is his proposal to get relief to the American people at this time of crisis.

So he's confident, he remains confident after serving decades in the Senate, that the Senate, members of both parties, can walk and chew gum at the same time and can move forward with the business of the American people.

QUESTION: Does he believe that former President Trump should be convicted?

PSAKI: He's no longer in the Senate. And he believes it's up to the Senate and Congress to determine how they will hold the former president accountable and what the mechanics and timeline of that process will be.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: -- if you don't mind. Are the tools and methods available to federal law enforcement? Are they what we need right now?

Are we still stuck in a sort of post-9/11 mindset? And does there need to be a really broad, radical rethinking about how we sort of approach things in federal law enforcement?

PSAKI: Well, the reason that the president wanted to do this review and the national security team wanted to do this review is because it's a priority to make sure we're assessing what's happening in government and how we can do better.

So, clearly, more needs to be done. That's why the president is tasking the national security team to do exactly this review on his second full day in office. So it's sending an indication of that.

[13:35:01]

Let me give you a little bit more information. Homeland Security adviser, Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, has asked Joshua Geltzer to pioneer a scoping effort in the next 100 days in coordination with the senior director for counterterrorism, Clare Linkins.

Geltzer previously served as the senior director of terrorism on the National Security Council from 2015 through 2017.

And deputy Homeland Security adviser, Russ Travers, will also bring his extensive experience. So those are some of the people who will be involved in overseeing this review and an assessment of what the steps they're going to be following.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: One on impeachment. And then, if I could, on COVID.

On impeachment, did House Speaker Nancy Pelosi consult with President Biden before sending the article of impeachment over to the Senate?

PSAKI: I don't have any calls between them to read out, Kristen. Obviously, they're in regular touch.

I can say, from a previous question you asked Brian, that he's been in touch with both parties about his agenda, even since he was inaugurated.

So obviously, a range of topics come up in those discussions, but I don't have anything more to read out for you.

QUESTION: On the timing, Leader McConnell said he's going to push for a February timeline. I know you don't want to comment specifically on the timeline, but how would a February trial assist in getting COVID relief passed? PSAKI: The president's expectation -- he believes in the Senate and

their ability to multi-task and get the business of the American people done, at the same time while they're proceeding on an impeachment trial, on whatever timeline it begins and ends on, Kristen. So he's --

QUESTION: Is Mitch McConnell fast enough for them?

PSAKI: He's going to leave it up to them. But what is important -- and again, there's precedent for this -- is that they are going to continue to move forward with getting relief to the American people, because that certainly can't wait and be delayed until March, April or May. We can't afford that.

QUESTION: If I could follow up with you on what you said about COVID yesterday. You said your goal was a million shots per day, which would double, you said, what the Trump administration was doing.

According to the CDC, we have reached a million shots a day last week. So given that, given the urgent need for vaccinations, why not aim higher?

PSAKI: First of all, we're not packing up our bags and leaving at 100 days. We felt it was important, and we set that goal before any American had received a single shot.

So the incoming Biden administration felt it was important to set what was described as a bold and ambitious goal at the time. And many doubted we could even get there.

So we want to set our own markers and markers for the American public so that they know we're meeting our goal. If we surpass that, that's great. We're going to continue working after day 100 as well.

But there are a number of factors here Dr. Fauci also talked about. It's not just having access to the vaccine, right? It's about addressing vaccine hesitancy. It's about ensuring we have the materials needed.

It's about -- and you all have done reporting, of course, on different issues going on in states from New York and others where there are concerns about supply, where there's confusion about the process, and we need to address that.

So there are a number of operational challenges that are happening at the same time.

QUESTION: OK.

QUESTION: Following up on the vaccine, stakeholders we talk to, state leaders, medical experts, have said one of the questions they're trying to figure out is how much vaccine is actually in the national stockpile right now? Do you have any sense of that yet?

PSAKI: Our team has been on the ground for about 48 hours, but certainly what they want to determine is not just the operational issues I referenced but also what we're looking at in terms of supply.

We are, as you may know, we are going to be starting briefings next week, I should say, a couple times a week with some of our health experts. So I expect they'll be able to provide some update of what they've reviewed and what they have access to at that point in time.

QUESTION: Two other quick ones on the previous subject. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff is calling on President Biden not to extend the courtesy to President Trump of getting access to intelligence. Has a decision been made on that?

PSAKI: Not that I'm aware of. But I follow up with our national security team and see. We would certainly leave the decision to them, the Intelligence Committee.

QUESTION: Can you clear up the confusion here about who exactly dismissed the chief White House usher?

PSAKI: Well, it happened --

QUESTION: Was it the Biden administration or was it the previous occupant?

PSAKI: It's a very important question. I'm so happy you asked it. It is before -- it happened before we walked in the door so I don't have any more information than what we provided.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Not to belabor this point, but you said Congress can walk and chew gum at the same time, which is true. But there are also only so many hours in the day.

Has the president expressed any concern that a trial will slow down additional confirmations or movement on a COVID relief bill?

PSAKI: Only that it cannot. There are only so many hours in the day, you're right. But again, if there's a Senate trial happening in the Senate -- of course, it would happen in the Senate -- the House can move forward on a package.

[13:40:06]

And certainly there's the capacity and ability to have discussions, have hearings, take steps to move forward on the president's COVID relief package. And we don't think it can be delayed or it can wait.

So they're going to have to find a path forward and he's confident they can do that.

QUESTION: President Biden has made pretty clear that he believes former President Trump is unfit to serve. Does he think he should be barred from holding federal office going forward?

PSAKI: We'll leave it to Congress. He ran against him because he thought he was unfit to serve and he's no longer here because President Biden beat him.

But we'll leave the steps -- the accountability steps to Congress to determine.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: A couple of COVID questions. Any update as to whether the president may sit down with congressional leaders to discuss and try to hammer out this package?

PSAKI: Sure. I will say, without giving you specifics, necessarily, which I know you're looking for so I shouldn't have locked myself into that rabbit hole. But --

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

PSAKI: Right.

But the president has already done a number of calls with Democrats and Republicans. That will continue. He's very eager to be closely involved, roll up his sleeves, and be making calls himself. I don't -- soon. But I don't have an update on any meeting.

I will also add for context, I know the reporting -- thanks to your reporting, I suppose -- about the meeting this weekend kind of got out there. And obviously, Brian confirmed it.

There are a lot of meetings happening at one time with a lot of different officials. So I wouldn't see that as this is the negotiating tool.

That is one of many engagements and one of many discussions that the president, the vice president, senior members of the White House team are having and are ongoing.

QUESTION: And right now, is he confident that you have enough Democrats on board with this plan to pass this?

PSAKI: Well, he announced the plan about a week ago, right? And we are -- his view is this is how democracy should work, which is the president of the United States announces what his vision is and what his plan, his proposed plan is to address the crises the American people are facing.

Then there are ongoing discussions with Congress. They like some pieces. They don't like other pieces. You all have seen Democrats like many pieces. The Republicans like many of the pieces, too. And he's had those encouraging conversations.

But the final package may not look exactly like the package that he proposed. That's OK. That's how the process, the legislative process, should work.

Go ahead, Justin. QUESTION: Thanks. Welcome back.

PSAKI: Thank you.

QUESTION: I have a question on COVID but I want to start with some housekeeping from questions you had earlier --

PSAKI: OK.

QUESTION: -- that you might circle back on.

I was wondering if --

(CROSSTALK)

PSAKI: The plane?

QUESTION: Sure, we can start there.

(LAUGHTER)

PSAKI: OK.

(LAUGHTER)

PSAKI: On the plane, we are certainly aware of the White House military units' proposal that has been submitted to them about reconsidering the color scheme of Air Force One.

I can confirm for you here, the president has not spent a moment thinking about the color scheme of Air Force One or anything in the House or any article of anything.

So -- and no one is going to submit a decision memo to him on that particular topic. But certainly, we're aware of the proposal. And as there are any updates, we're happy to provide them to you.

QUESTION: Maybe a little more tentatively, I was wonderingly, you mentioned companies yesterday, but not specific companies that might have had DPA contracts started or come in. And also the state hub that was mentioned in the first briefing.

PSAKI: Sure. On the first, I don't have specific companies for you. I can circle back with our COVID team and see if we have more of those specifics. Obviously, those conversations are happening as we speak.

There was a question whether the Defense Production Act had been invoked. It has been invoked. So those processes are rapidly ongoing.

The president has supported D.C. statehood in the past. That's certainly remains his position. But I don't have anything for you on the timeline or next steps there.

QUESTION: On COVID quickly. A kind of trademark of the last administration's efforts were there would be a big announcement on Jared Kushner's testing Web site and no timeline put on it. It never really materialized.

I was interested when the chief of staff said last night there would be a central clearinghouse for vaccine information.

And I was wondering if you could provide an expectation or timeline on when Americans could expect when there's a .gov e-mail address or .gov Web site, or a phone number they could go to, to figure out their specific vaccine information.

PSAKI: I know members of my family are also asking the same question, as I'm sure yours are. It is something they're eager to do and to also provide more information to the American public about when they can call their pharmacy and schedule an appointment just to make it much easier.

[13:45:02]

The lack of information, and the lack -- the disinformation at times, about how people can get the vaccine, when they can get the vaccine, who is eligible, has created a great deal of confusion, as you all know. I don't have anything on the timeline.

But I will remind you, that the person who saved healthcare.gov and the person who helped him are working on the COVID team. So we're in very good hands. And they're certainly committed to getting more information out in a more accessible way.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Thank you.

I have two questions. The first has to do with operations in the West Wing. Curiosity about the --

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: So I'll ask you.

Who has Oval Office walk-in privileges in this White House? Do you have Oval Office walk-in privileges as you speak to the president? And how does that access to the president controlled?

PSAKI: I don't know that I'm going to give you a list of everybody. But I will convey that, since the first conversation I had with then- President-Elect Biden, he conveyed to me that it was important to him that we have regular conversations.

And we're able to have a discussion about how he sees things and questions coming up to make sure we're providing you all with information not just about our policies, which is, of course, pivotal, but also his thinking on issues.

So I talked to him this morning. And certainly, I expect and anticipate I'll have regular conversations with him.

And there are a number of other people who have those conversations with him on a daily basis as well.

That's part of his style and part of his style of governing, is to make sure that people who are engaging with the outside world have an understanding of his thinking.

QUESTION: One more question for you. Is Dr. Deborah Birx still a member of this president's COVID response team?

PSAKI: I'll have to circle back on that one. That's an excellent question. I don't have any information on it in front of me.

Go ahead.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: I've got a question about the Senate and also a foreign policy question, if you'll allow me.

PSAKI: Great. I love foreign policy questions.

(LAUGHTER)

QUESTION: Thank you.

Senator McConnell and Senator Schumer have been going back and forth over discussions when it comes to a power-change situation. Obviously, the sticking point has been the filibuster.

Are you concerned those negotiations could delay the president's legislative agenda, his nominees?

And also does the president still oppose overturning the legislative filibuster, like he did in that interview with "The New York Times?"

PSAKI: The president's position hasn't changed. But I will say he's conveyed in conversations with both now-Leader Schumer and Senator McConnell that they need to have their conversations, of course.

But he is eager to move his rescue plan forward. He is eager to get relief to the American public. He wants to work with both of them to do exactly that. And he wants it to be a bipartisan bill. So that is his objective.

QUESTION: His position hasn't changed? He opposes overturning the legislative filibuster?

PSAKI: He has spoken to this many times. His position has not changed.

QUESTION: The previous administration, on their way out the door declared that China's human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims were, quote, "crimes against humanity" and, quote, "genocide."

Does the president agree with that determination? And will he -- (INAUDIBLE)? PSAKI: I know our secretary of state is just about to be confirmed,

or so Mitch McConnell tells us. I'm sure he'll be reviewing -- I know he will be reviewing a number of the decisions and assessments that have been made.

Obviously, the president has spoken before to the horrific treatment of Uighurs. But I don't have anything more for you on it. I can check with our national security team and see if we have a more up-to- date statement.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Just a couple of quick follow-ups. The USDA for families that depend on schools to feed their children, that is $100 for three children every two months. Is that too little too late? What more are you thinking of doing?

PSAKI: First, I will say that the executive actions -- and this is something when we were discussing this with the president earlier today -- are just part of his effort to bring relief to the American people.

His priority was overturning a number of the detrimental steps that the Trump administration had taken. And to take steps that he can through executive authority, through the review of the legal team to do -- to bring that relief.

But he has also proposed this large package, as many of you have pointed out to all of us, to bring additional relief.

And he wants to work with Congress to build on the executive actions, to take a bipartisan approach to making sure we are -- that kids have food to eat, that people who don't have jobs have the relief they need, that we can get the vaccine out, that schools can reopen.

Those are all priorities of his. But his big focus is undoing that in a bipartisan way with Congress.

QUESTION: There was this other detail mentioned about the $15 minimum wage. And I know Brian spoke about federal contractors. But the issue has obviously faced a lot of opposition in Congress over the years.

[13:50:04]

Is President Biden planning to speak to Senator Schumer to bring the bill, the legislation that the House passed on the $15 to the Senate? How does this broadly help workers around the country?

PSAKI: Again, there is just one part of his step to provide relief to the American people. There are many federal contractors, of course, serving the government.

And he felt it was something that was not just right to do but it was something that was necessary to do.

But he has proposed a significant relief package, a package that will provide assistance to many, many Americans. And he will continue to advocate for the $15 minimum wage moving forward. There's no question about it.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Thank you very much, Jen.

I'd like to focus on vaccinations. There's arguably something the federal government can do on this front.

In New York, a looming -- (INAUDIBLE) -- that's actually happening today. Governor Cuomo and Mayor De Blasio saying they're going to be running out of first batches of the vaccine today. They don't expect to get more until Tuesday. So there's going to be a three-day gap.

Is the federal government and is President Biden doing anything to prevent that?

PSAKI: We've asked the CDC to look into exactly this issue and see what can be done. I don't have updates beyond that. But certainly, don't want any states to run out of access to vaccine.

We are hopeful that in the weeks ahead, as we get our sea legs here and our team starts to operationalize engagement with governors, engagement with local officials, to provide them a greater understanding of supply, of what we are going to have access to, in a farther -- in a time frame that's farther in advance that we can avoid situations like this in the future.

But we've asked the CDC to look into what's happening.

QUESTION: On that, there's arguably a way the federal government just basically flipped a switch and help alleviate some of this problem. New York City says it has 65,000 doses that are reserved for the second shot.

Is the federal government considering allowing those for the first shots so there's not this three-day gap for shot vaccinations?

PSAKI: In the past. we advocated for releasing additional access from reserves. But have really deferred to health and medical experts. That's why we've asked the CDC to look into what the options are.

QUESTION: So you've asked the CDC to look into this?

PSAKI: Well, to look into, to have the conversation with officials in New York and to look into what is possible. But I --

(CROSSTALK)

PSAKI: We want to lean into health and medical experts to make the decisions.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Thanks, Jen. One of the executive orders that was signed yesterday requires that

travelers quarantine or self-isolate. Is the administration going to do anything to enforce that rule or is it on an honor system?

And on the coronavirus, one more. Has the president considered establishing any sort of national memorial to memorialize those people who died from be coronavirus?

PSAKI: Both are excellent questions.

On the first one, I should have information on but I have to follow-up with you on both of them. I'm not aware of a discussion about the second piece. That's an interesting idea. And I will bring it back to people and see if there's more to say.

QUESTION: On the immigration, does the president got a sense of any feedback on the immigration bill that was sent to the Hill yesterday? And is there an overall timeline for when he'd like to see that move?

PSAKI: Well, we already have co-sponsors of the immigration bill, as you may have seen. Obviously, it's a good sign.

There are a number of experts, as you know -- because I guessing you covered this issue for some sometime if you're asking for a little detail -- who worked on immigration reform, had bipartisan decisions in the past.

And we're hopeful that this preproposal, this bill that he sent forward, sent forward yesterday, will be an opportunity for a reset to really restart those discussions. But we expect that will be the first step here.

And that we're hopeful that the components of this proposed bill -- which are different from what has been proposed in the past because it includes smarter security, includes a path to citizenship and includes funding to address the root cause -- will help be the basis of those discussions.

We would like to see them move forward quickly.

OK. Go ahead.

QUESTION: You mentioned the issue of the vaccine hesitancy. Does the president believe all Americans should get the vaccine? And for those who may be reluctant to get it, how do you convince them it's safe?

PSAKI: He does. The more people vaccinated, the safer we are. That health and medical experts also conveyed that. That's who I'm quoting.

In terms of addressing vaccine hesitancy, it's a big challenge. You heard Dr. Fauci talk about this yesterday.

And it will be easier for the first tranche of Americans to get -- to convince them to get the vaccine. They're just looking for information of where to go, how to sign up, how to get grandma to come with them.

[13:55:01]

It's really the next layer of people who are concerned, as you alluded to, about the safety and about the efficacy.

And, unfortunately, there's a -- a large percent, a larger-than- should-be percentage in minority communities, communities of color. And so we have been quite thoughtful or we want to be quite thoughtful about how we do outreach and engagement.

Obviously, it's making it accessible. So ensuring we have these community centers and health centers that can provide the vaccine.

But also who's communicating on behalf of the government or on behalf of the safety of the vaccine.

The president certainly will be doing that. The vice president will be doing that. I know a lot of celebrities have offered. That's OK.

But what's been interesting in the data are great. We welcome that. But what's interesting in the data is that local doctors and local officials, people from the community, are people who are often most trusted.

And so we're trying to empower and be able to fund local communities to be able to be the spokespeople to build that trust.

Go ahead in the back.

QUESTION: Thank you, Jen.

On the -- you mentioned that the COVID package, the talks, they may change the package, and already there are some things you feel like there's bipartisan support for.

Is there any consideration taking place or that may take place in separating some of these pieces out and passing the things, first and foremost, that may generate bipartisan support, given the urgency you talked about?

PSAKI: Well, you know, I will say, as Brian said, that our objective here -- the way that the package was designed was to address the core issues of the crisis.

I think the tricky piece of that question is, do you delay vaccine funding to distribute the vaccine? Do you delay funding for unemployment insurance? Do you delay funding to reopen schools?

Nobody wants to be having a conversation about why schools aren't reopened in May or June, Democrats, Republicans, or members of Congress.

There are key components in here that we -- that in the package designed to address the current crises. Right now, we're having a discussion about the big package. But as you noted, there are viewpoints, points of view, no surprise, about many components of it. We certainly understand that. We welcome the discussion and engagement with members of both parties.

QUESTION: Is there a timeline on the factfinding period for the domestic violence extremism orders that you -- the letters that you sent us. Is there a period when you're expecting to get maybe --

(CROSSTALK)

PSAKI: When we're getting the report back? I don't believe we have outlined that yet. Let me -- we can follow-up with you if there's a specific timeline putting out publicly at this point.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Jen, the committee said yesterday, said that President Biden wouldn't be signing any free-trade deals because the focus was on the domestic economy and infrastructure.

Where does that leave the potential for a U.K./U.S. trade deals, which is it months away or next year or the year after?

PSAKI: Well, I can't give you any timeline.

I will say that what is important to the president, and also our national security adviser Jake Sullivan, is that we do -- everything we do, must help advance working families and the American middle class.

That certainly includes any trade agreements. And that is part of their objective and how they would approach it.

But as you noted, at this point in time, we're working to get the pandemic under control, provide economic relief to the American public.

We, of course, can do multiple things at the same time. But those are primary priorities at this point.

QUESTION: Can I ask what happened to the Churchill bust and what should be read about its removal from the Oval Office?

PSAKI: Oh, such an important question. It's the plain of today.

I will follow-up on that. I don't have -- it is something that may certainly be existing in the complex, of course. I'm' very familiar with the bust. But we will circle back with you if there's more to update you on that.

Go ahead.

QUESTION: Just to follow-up on what they were just asking you on domestic unrest. First of all, does the president have any comment on the ongoing violence in Oregon and Washington State -- (INAUDIBLE)? PSAKI: Certainly, we had our team on the ground, our national

security team, even before 12:01 early in the morning on Inauguration Day, because we wanted to be able to monitor events happening across the country and any unrest that was resulting from -- from the last couple of weeks.

I haven't spoken with him specifically about those events. But it's something our national security team, Liz Sherwood-Randall, our Homeland Security adviser, is closely monitoring, of course. But if we have an additional update, I'll be happy to provide it to you.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE). He is speaking with the leaders of Canada and Mexico. Any word on who else is next?

And has there been any discussion about when or under what conditions he, the vice president, the secretary of state, would fly overseas to meet with world leader?

PSAKI: Despite his desire, my desire if that matters, to do a foreign trip, I think it will be a bit of time. I don't have an update for you on when that will take place at this point.

[14:00:04]