James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
10:02 A.M. EST
MS. PSAKI: Early morning briefing. We'll see how this goes; you guys can give feedback on the time of day.
Okay, I have several announcements for your today. To begin, I know many of you and the American people are interested in the news coming from Johnson & Johnson's trial data. The President is encouraged by positive data on a potential new vaccine. He also knows that this is just new data, and now is the time for the FDA to do its job of evaluating the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. In the meantime, he continues to urge all Americans to mask up and follow public health guidelines until it's their turn to get vaccinated.
Now, I know there may be a lot of questions you have for us about the trial data or Johnson & Johnson. I'm here to tell you that I'm not going to get ahead of the experts, who you will all get to hear from in the next hour in our public health briefing from the COVID-response team. They will discuss this more with you and what everything means then.
At Wednesday's briefing, I also shared some of the engagement and outreach the White House is doing to move forward the American Rescue Plan, from the President and the Vice President on down. That work has continued and accelerated.
Yesterday, senior staff spoke again to governors about the challenges they are facing and the importance of relief. Today, National Economic Council Deputy Director David Kamin will meet with the Council of State Governments. The Office of Public Engagement will also brief black civic groups, anti-hunger and nutrition advocates, and key progressive groups and invite their feedback. These conversations are, of course, critical to building support and moving the President's bill forward.
According — but we also saw evidence this week that the American people overwhelmingly want their elected leaders to work with the President to confront this pandemic and put people back to work. According to a Monmouth poll released Wednesday, 71 percent of the American people want Republicans in Congress to work with President Biden. That number is up nearly 10 points from right after the election, meaning the trend of support for working in a bipartisan manner with the President is only growing.
Finally, the President is committed to getting relief to working families. Hence, he is also meeting this morning with his economic — members of his economic team with Vice — the Vice President and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for a briefing on the cost of inaction and the impact of a delay in moving forward with a relief package. Millions of Americans don't have enough food to eat, and millions more have lost their jobs, but interest rates are at historic lows, and that means it's the right time to make smart investments.
Moody's — a Wall Street firm — has said that we could end up with 4 million fewer jobs this year if we don't act on the President's plan. That's 4 million Americans who would — who could get back to work. And I'm sure they will discuss all of that at their briefing later this morning.
Last thing: We are venturing to provide a "Week Ahead" to all of you — or return to providing a "Week Ahead" to all of you. So, a quick preview:
Next Monday, the President will meet with the Secretary of State at the State Department.
On Tuesday, President Biden will deliver remarks and sign an executive order advancing his priority to modernize our immigration system.
And Friday is, of course, Jobs Day, and the President will deliver remarks about the economy.
We'll have hopefully more over the next couple days, but we wanted to provide as many details as we could.
With that, Zeke, why don't you kick us off?
Q Thank you, Jen. One foreign policy, just to get going: With violence surging in Afghanistan, is the President still committed to wind down operations there and bringing troops home this year?
MS. PSAKI: The President — I have not spoken with our national security team about this in particular, but his commitment remains.
Q And then, at the top, you mentioned that Americans should follow public health guidance. One of the challenges is it has been, over the course of last 10 months — is that public health guidance, from state to state, varies. Some states have mask mandates, others have indoor dining open, and others have schools open; others don't. Should — what guidance should the American people follow: their governor's guidance or should they follow the President's?
MS. PSAKI: Well, first, what we're venturing to do is provide more concrete guidance from the federal government, from the CDC, from health and medical experts on the important steps all of the American people can take to keep themselves safe. That includes the importance of mask wearing, of course, and how vital that is to keeping us safe.
It also includes the importance of hand washing, of restricting travel. These are all guidelines that have come in recent days and weeks, I should say, from the President of the United States and from our medical and health experts.
But in addition, as we discussed yesterday, there are guidelines, including the safe — for the safe reopening of schools that he signed an executive order on, directing both the Department of Education and HHS — and the CDC, I should say — I'm sorry — to produce those guidelines to give more specific advice and markers to states and local school districts on what they should follow.
So it will ultimately be up to states, to governors, to local school districts, and others to make determinations. But we do want to provide more clear guidance from the federal government, based on the expertise of health and medical experts, on what people should follow and what will help keep the American people safe.
Q I just want a quick follow-up on that one. The CDC study that was discussed here a couple of days ago — one of its recommendations, as part of reopening schools immediately, was to close indoor dining, restaurants, and bars. Is that a part of the federal guidance that we should be expecting to see from the CDC and the Department of Education soon?
MS. PSAKI: Well, the good news is you get to hear from our Director of the CDC — I believe, in about 45 minutes — and our medical and health experts, and you can certainly ask them if there's going to be any updated guidance.
Go ahead.
Q Dr. Fauci says the U.S. may not be able to meet that goal of reopening most K-8 schools in 100 days because of the trajectory of the pandemic. Given that, is the President going to adjust his goal of trying to get all these schools reopened in 100 days?
MS. PSAKI: Well, as we talked about a little bit yesterday, the President wants to not only reopen schools, he wants the schools to stay open. And — but he does rely on the guidance of his health and medical experts, and obviously he's not going to do anything that is not safe and doesn't keep teachers, students, and our school districts safe.
But a key part of this is the guidelines, as we mentioned — the executive order he signed to ensure that school districts are getting the information they need and clarity they need on what steps that they should take to keep their students safe and teachers safe, of course.
But it is also funding, and we've talked about this quite a bit in here. And the American Rescue Plan is pivotal for a number of reasons, including ensuring that Americans have food on the table; including that we can get shots into the arms of people across the country; but also that school districts, especially public schools, have the funding they need to take steps on everything from ventilation, to PPE, to testing. And the longer that's delayed, the harder it's going to be to meet that goal.
Q Got it. And has President Biden spoken to former President Trump since taking office? And if so, can you give us any update on what President Trump said in his letter to President Biden?
MS. PSAKI: I don't have any update. I don't have any calls to report on. There are no calls to report on, I should say, and I don't have any update on the letter. And as I said when we talked about this about a week and a half ago — it seems longer than that, I'm going to acknowledge — the President of course thought the letter was gracious and generous, but he plans to keep it private.
Go ahead.
Q Jen, I understand you don't want to get too much into the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, given the data that's out there, but this likely won't be the only vaccine that is less effective than the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines. And so I wonder: What is the President's message to those Americans who would be less — who would be more reluctant to get one of those less effective vaccines? And are you concerned about the impact that that would have, given how many doses have already been bought on the frontend?
MS. PSAKI: Well, first, when the President announced his plan, earlier this week, to ensure we have enough vaccination — vaccines to give every American two shots by the end of the summer with the purchase of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, he was doing that without the need for additional vaccines approved. Obviously, if additional vaccines — Johnson & Johnson or any others — go through the FDA approval process, that's a positive step. Right? No doubt about that.
But he purchased these — the large orders for vaccines that we'll have by the end of the summer — to get into the arms of Americans to ensure that we would be able to do that even without any of those steps, moving forward.
Q And so he would encourage Americans to get any vaccine that is approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization?
MS. PSAKI: Well, again, we're — we're not going to get ahead of the FDA — I'm not suggesting you're asking that — but we'll rely on our health and medical experts to advise if there are additional vaccines — "if and when," I'll be optimistic — that are approved by the FDA and how that will impact our vaccination — vaccine distribution plan.
Q And secondly, on the coronavirus relief bill, in his first month in office, President Obama travelled to a number of key states to drum up support for the Recovery Act. Does President Biden have and plans to do something similar to drum up support for his $1.8 trillion coronavirus relief bill?
MS. PSAKI: Well, Vice President Biden — then-Vice President Biden also traveled to a number of states to drum up support for the American Recovery Act at the time — and obviously we weren't dealing with a pandemic, so the circumstances were quite different. But he fully recognizes, as do we, the importance of speaking directly to the American people about the components of this package, whether it's the importance of funding to get schools open or get vaccines in the arms of Americans, or just ensure that people know they can put food on the table.
And so we're having to take a number of creative steps to do that. Whether that's direct television or local media or from the President, the Vice President, and others, we're doing that; whether it is engaging with governors and local elected officials to ensure that we're answering all the questions they have and that they can convey to the public. So we're taking a number of creative steps, a little outside of the box. Certainly, his preference would be to get on a plane and fly around the country, but that's not the step we're planning currently.
Q But as a candidate, President Biden did travel a fair amount, especially in the final weeks of the campaign. He's now received both doses of the vaccine, and a number of safety precautions are in place and could be in place for his travel. So why wouldn't he be traveling? Or is that something you —
MS. PSAKI: Well, it's also about keeping the public safe. And, you know, we're not going to do an event — a rally with 20,000 people; that wouldn't be a recommendation made by our health and medical experts.
Q Right, but there wouldn't be any plans to travel without a crowd and to go out into the country for this bill?
MS. PSAKI: We may travel, certainly, but I have nothing to preview for you at this point in time. What I'm conveying is that it is vital for the President and the Vice President and every member of our team to be speaking directly to the American people. And so we're looking for creative ways to do that.
Q And could I ask you a foreign —
MS. PSAKI: Sure.
Q — policy question? After Alexei Navalny was poisoned last summer, then-candidate Biden said there was "no doubt" that the Kremlin was responsible for his poisoning and he vowed to, quote, "hold the Putin regime accountable." This week you told us that the President conveyed his concerns to President Putin, but he hasn't yet taken any action to hold Russia accountable.
So, I wonder, does President Biden hold President Putin directly responsible for the poisoning of Alexei Navalny? And if so, why hasn't he yet taken sanctions action to punish Russia for its actions?
MS. PSAKI: Well, first, the President spoke with President Putin earlier this week, as you know, and he did not hold back in his concerns about a number of the actions of the Kremlin and of the Russian government.
But there is a review underway that we have spoken about a bit in here by our national security team, and we'll let that review carry forward. That includes the SolarWinds breach, it includes the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, it includes the — I'm kind of losing my thought here — but it includes a number of steps — a number of concerning actions they've taken. We want that review to carry forward and to be completed. And the President always reserves the right to respond in the manner of his choosing and at the time of his choosing.
Q Does he hold President Putin responsible for the attempted assassination of Alexei Navalny?
MS. PSAKI: We're going to let the review carry forward, and then I'm sure we'll have more to say about it at that point in time.
Go ahead.
Q Thank you, Jen. The New York Attorney General released a report yesterday saying that the state had undercounted the number of COVID deaths by as much as 50 percent in nursing homes. Would President Biden support a federal investigation into what happened in Governor Andrew Cuomo's role?
MS. PSAKI: I've seen those reports. I would say, any investigation, I would point into the Department of Justice. They're —
Q But does the White House think that it should be looked into further?
MS. PSAKI: Again, any investigation would be led by the Department of Justice. We're in a new age; they're independent, and they will determine what paths they take moving forward.
Q Okay. On immigration: I know you said yesterday that it was never 100 percent that today was going to be immigration day, that it was just a — an early draft and things change, but can you help us understand what exactly changed and why it's taking a little bit longer for these executive orders and actions on immigration to execute?
MS. PSAKI: Sure. You know, one, it's, of course, been widely reported that the President is planning to announce his task force — or now plans to announce his launch of a task force on reunifying families and children, something that is — he's personally committed to, his wife, Dr. Biden, is personally committed to and invested in. And he will plan to do — to make that announcement next Tuesday.
The task force will be led by Secretary of Homeland Security, once he's confirmed, Ale Mayorkas. And we had planned to sign that executive order today, or at the end of this week, I should say. Early plans sometimes do change, and that was a draft plan, which those changed many times, I can assure you from sitting through many scheduling meetings.
But we had planned to do it this week because we'd hoped that Ale Mayorkas would be confirmed by the end of this week. But because of the filibuster of his nomination, we expect him to be confirmed on Monday evening, and therefore the President will sign it on Tuesday, and then Secretary Mayorkas will be overseeing that moving forward.
Q Okay, and one more question — a foreign one. Can you give us just a little bit more of a timeline in terms of how much longer you think it will take for the White House to engage with Iran on its nuclear program? Because you had one of Iran's top diplomats saying yesterday that it believes the window is closing.
MS. PSAKI: Well, I'm not going to give a timeline on it. Obviously it requires Iran complying with the requirements of — of the nuclear deal. We've said previously, but I will reiterate here, that the President also sees it as an opportunity to build on the plan from here — there. And I apologize, I just want to make sure I give you the exact language. He believes that through follow-on diplomacy, the U.S. should seek to lengthen and strengthen these nuclear constraints and address other issues of concern, including Iran's ballistic missiles program and its regional activity.
But, again, Iran must resume compliance with a significant — with the significant nuclear constraints under the deal.
Now, he's also talked about — and, thematically, we've talked about — how working with our partners and allies, including the Europeans, members of the P5+1, is pivotal to any engagement moving forward, of course including on what the future of the Iran nuclear deal is.
Q Okay. Thank you.
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead.
Q Thank you, Jen. Just a follow-up on Iran. Would the President consider meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, and, maybe following President Obama's example for a starter, have a telephone conversation with him?
MS. PSAKI: I think we're getting a little bit ahead of where we are in the process. Again, the first step here is to Iran — is for Iran to comply with the significant nuclear constraints under the deal, but I am certain we will continue to discuss this issue in here and at the State Department and other parts of government.
Go ahead.
Q In the wake of —
MS. PSAKI: Steve Holland!
Q Oh, hi.
MS. PSAKI: I couldn't — didn't even recognize you with your mask for a second.
Q Just to follow up on Jeremy's question —
MS. PSAKI: Yes.
Q — did President Biden specifically call on President Putin to release Alexei Navalny?
MS. PSAKI: Yes, as we have — as we have publicly, as our team has repeatedly called for, through the course of the last several weeks. In terms of the specifics of the conversation, I don't have any more details for you on that.
Q Okay, so we don't know what Putin said, or did he make any promises?
MS. PSAKI: I don't have anything to read out on President Putin's comments, no.
Q And in the wake of the GameStop trading incident, is there a public role the White House can play in educating people about the dangers of this type of trading?
MS. PSAKI: Well, Steve, I know the SEC issued a new statement earlier this morning, or just before I came out here, and I'd certainly point you to that, and others to that. And we, of course, respect the role of regulatory agencies. They are closely monitoring the situation, but it's under their purview at this point in time. And I guess part of our education can be conveying to people that the SEC is the regulatory body that would oversee this and can speak to it further.
Go ahead.
Q Thanks, Jen. Two on Capitol security. So the acting chief of police up there on Capitol Hill has recommended permanent fencing around the Capitol. I was wondering if the Biden White House or President Biden himself has any thoughts on this, if permanent fencing is the right answer or does it project the wrong picture to the American public.
MS. PSAKI: I'm not sure we're going to have any comment on that specifically, but I'm happy to talk to our national security — homeland security team if we have anything further to add.
Q Sure. And a quick follow-up. Speaker Pelosi said, I believe it was yesterday, that she feels that threats are coming from inside the House with other members being allowed to carry guns. Of course, you have conspiracy theorists among the ranks of the GOP now. Do you, and does the White House, agree with that assessment that there is security threats coming from inside the House? Has Biden spoken to Pelosi? And is he worried about the safety — the physical safety of both members of Congress.
MS. PSAKI: Well, he speaks with Speaker Pelosi on a regular basis and certainly has reiterated her — his support for her and members of the caucus. And he has spoken publicly about his concerns about the rhetoric, of course, around the events of January 6th, but some of the rhetoric that has continued and the role of social media platforms.
So, he is in close touch with her about events on the Capitol, about the safety of members, but I don't think I have anything more for you to read out beyond that.
Go ahead, in the back.
Q Thank you, Jen. Two quick foreign and one domestic, if that's okay. Can you confirm officially that Robert Malley has been appointed Special Envoy for Iran? Is that —
MS. PSAKI: I can. I believe it was announced this morning. Yes? Or I guess I can confirm it here too for you.
Q That would be great. And then the — as you know, settlements have been a major obstacle to getting the Palestinians back to the negotiating table. Would President Biden consider it — does he believes settlements are — should be halted in the West Bank so that the Palestinians will come back?
MS. PSAKI: I don't have any new comments from President Biden on this or the current circumstance. He's obviously spoken to this particular issue in the past and conveyed that he doesn't believe security assistance should be tied. But I don't have anything more for you on the path forward toward a two-state solution.
Q And just following up on the Capitol Hill fence: You know there a fence outside here, a temporary one, around the White House. It's been up since last summer. President Trump took a lot of criticism for it. Would President Biden consider bringing that fence down so people can take photos in front of the White House again?
MS. PSAKI: Well, I think we'd all like that, including members of my family and people in Washington. But I will talk to our security team and see if there's any further — anything further to convey to all of you.
Go ahead.
Q As you guys are thinking about the task force to reunite the parents and the separated children, what are you sort of learning about the scope of that challenge? It's something that groups have tried to do in the past and failed. How many people do you think would need to be tasked to that to actually make it effective?
MS. PSAKI: Those are excellent questions, and I expect that when we announce — when the President signs the executive order next week; when we put the task force together; when Ali Mayorkas is confirmed as the Secretary of Homeland Security — maybe we'll have him come to this briefing room, or I'm officially inviting him here today to come to this briefing room.
But, you know, there's no question that we recognize this is going to be incredibly challenging, that there will be a lot of work to be done, that that is why this will be a priority. It's not only a priority for the President, but will be a priority for Secretary Mayorkas. But I will leave it to him and to others at the Department of Homeland Security to outline and preview for you the path forward.
Go ahead.
Q Thank you, Jen. I know that President Biden and the First Lady are acutely aware of the sacrifices that military families make. That being said, we had an incident in the — with the garage with the National Guard that was kind of embarrassing. And now I'm hearing from spouses of Guards members that they had a COVID outbreak and were not tested or vaccinated before they arrived in D.C. And I'm wondering if there's any concern by the President about how these Guardsmen are being treated; whether he can do anything specifically to safeguard their health before they arrived, while they're here. Can he get vaccinating — vaccinations to — and testing to governors, specifically for the purpose of providing some health safeguards to these soldiers?
MS. PSAKI: Well, as you noted at the beginning of your question but I would just reiterate, the role of the National Guard — and I've spoken to the President about this directly — and the incredible sacrifices they make is something that is personal to him, given his family connection to the National Guard. He had called the head of the National Guard just last week when the reports came out about the treatment of the National Guard and the fact that they had been — many had been sleeping in garages and, of course, conveyed his dismay of the photos he had seen and their treatment, and also offered his personal — personally, any help that he could provide, whether — even if it was boosting morale. And certainly that line of communication remains open should there be something that he can do from his end.
In terms of specific prioritization of the vaccine, I would point you to the Department of Defense and leaders over there to speak to that more specifically.
Q Okay. One follow-up to that. Do you — on the question of Nancy Pelosi — Speaker Pelosi's concern about the "enemy within," has the President been briefed on such a threat? And does he agree that the National Guard should be here until mid-March, during the impeachment trial?
MS. PSAKI: I'll speak to Liz Sherwood-Randall and our Department of Homeland Security — our Homeland Security colleagues here to see if there's more specifics we have from our end. But I would point you to the Department of Defense and the National Guard team otherwise.
Q We have one question, because I'm print pooler —
MS. PSAKI: Sure. Go ahead.
Q — from another reporter from WUSA. The reporter asks: I've learned that the IRS employees nationwide are having telework suspended. They're all being called back into the office, this despite an OMB directive issued Tuesday ordering federal agencies to only allow 25 percent capacity in federal buildings. If IRS employees have been doing telework successfully, why is now the time to bring them all back into the office? Is that safe?
