Transcript - Press Gaggle: Karine Jean-Pierre Holds a Press Briefing on Air Force One - December 2, 2022 | Factba.se

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:00:00 - 00:00:15 ()

Hi. Hello. Okay, a couple of things at the top. Okay, good afternoon. We are on our way to Boston, as all of you guys know, where President Biden will participate in a phonebank and a fundraiser for the DSCC and Senator Warnock.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:00:15 - 00:00:41 ()

The Prince and Princess of Wales are also in town to host the Earthshot Prize. The President looks forward to spending time with Prince William at the JFK Library, where President Biden shared his vision to end cancer as we know it. We expect that they will discuss their shared climate goals, prioritization of mental health issues, and decreasing the burden of the disease.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:00:41 - 00:01:09 ()

We're rounding out a big week here at the White House. And we're -- we've had a lot of great news for the American people. As we know, as -- as we end this week, jobs are up, incomes are up, consumer spending is strong, and the economy is growing. At the same time, inflation is moderating, gas prices are down. And this morning, President Biden signed legislation averting a rail shutdown that would have been devastating to our economy.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:01:09 - 00:01:29 ()

None of this is by accident. It's because of -- the President has continued to follow through on his promises to -- to rebuild the economy from the bottom up and middle out, to take actions to lower costs for Americans, to bring manufacturing and supply chains back to the U.S., and to make sure our economy works for working people.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:01:29 - 00:01:37 ()

While there's still more progress to be made, the economic data we've seen this week is strong and positive news for the American people.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:01:37 - 00:02:09 ()

And now for a quick look at our week ahead. On Sunday, the President will return to Washington, D.C., from Camp David. In the afternoon, the President and the First Lady will host Kennedy Center honorees in the East Room, including actor and filmmaker George Clooney; singer/songwriter Amy Grant; singer Gladys Knight; composer, conductor, and educator Tania León; and Irish rock band U2, compromi- -- comprised of band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen, Jr.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:02:09 - 00:02:25 ()

In the evening, the President and the First Lady, the Vice President and the Second Gentleman will attend the 45th Kennedy Center Honors. This is the second consecutive year of the Biden-Harris administration which they have -- all have attended the nation's highest award for lifetime achievement in the arts.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:02:25 - 00:02:31 ()

On Monday, the President and the First Lady will host the Congressional Ball on the state floor.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:02:31 - 00:02:52 ()

On Tuesday, the President will travel to Phoenix, Arizona. The President will visit TSMC, a Taiwanese company making a major investment to manufacture cutting-edge chips in Phoenix, and discuss how this -- his economic plan is leading to a manufacturing boom, rebuilding supply chains, and creating good-paying jobs in Arizona and across the country.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:02:52 - 00:02:59 ()

We will have more additional information of the rest of the week and how the President's -- the President's engagement.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:02:59 - 00:03:01 ()

With that, Zeke, you want to kick us off?

Question

00:03:01 - 00:03:18 ()

Thanks, Karine. The President [inaudible] a tweet a couple of hours ago condemning antisemitism and calling on people to -- saying silence was complicit -- complicity. Who was he talking about? Who was that tweet addressed to and referring to? Because he didn't name -- name names.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:03:18 - 00:03:33 ()

So, look, as we have seen an increase in -- in hate speech -- in antisemitism, in particular, to your question -- and, you know, the President has always -- stands against that. He is standing with the Jewish community.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:03:33 - 00:03:48 ()

The President, for years, including after the hateful march in Charlottesville that drove him to run -- his father had sai- -- had said -- had said silence is complicit -- complicity. And as President of the United States, he feels that it's important for him to be very clear.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:03:48 - 00:04:00 ()

And like you've also heard him say, the common theme of all forms of bigotry is that hate doesn't go away, it only hides. The -- the grotesque poison of anti- -- antisemitism is not hiding.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:04:00 - 00:04:10 ()

And just yesterday, he and President Macron recognized the hundreds of thousands of Americans who gave their lives to overcome the horror of Nazism and keep us free.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:04:10 - 00:04:20 ()

And so he believes, as President, it is important to speak up. But again, we've all seen it -- you guys have asked me this multiple times -- the increased hate speech that we have seen on -- on --

Question

00:04:20 - 00:04:22 ()

But who in particular?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:04:22 - 00:04:34 ()

I think -- I don't think it matters who in particular. I think what the President is trying to say is being silent is complicit. And when we see this type of hatred, when we see this type of antisemitism, we need to call it out.

Question

00:04:34 - 00:04:36 ()

Who is being silent?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:04:36 - 00:04:44 ()

We need to be -- we need to be very, very clear and -- and condemn that. And that's what you're going to continue to hear from this President. That's what you're going to continue to hear from the administration.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:04:44 - 00:04:45 ()

Akayla, go ahead.

Question

00:04:45 - 00:05:01 ()

Yes. So, yesterday, the President said that he was going to go back and get paid leave not just for rail workers, but for all workers. I guess, if you could just give us an idea of what that looks like: Is that new legislation? Is that more negotiations with unions?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:05:01 - 00:05:11 ()

So, as you guys know, the President has supported paid sick leave for all Americans, not just the rail industry, and his fight for the critical benefit will continue.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:05:11 - 00:05:20 ()

And he's -- I mean, I'll just point you to his words yesterday in the press conference. He's also fought for and secured paid sick leave for additional workers during his presidency.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:05:20 - 00:05:35 ()

For example, his American Rescue Plan included a tax credit to help small- and medium-sized businesses providing sick leave to their employees. And he'll continue forcefully advocating for Congress and employers to extend paid sick leave to all workers.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:05:35 - 00:05:42 ()

And so that's what's important. He con- -- he's going to continue to fight to secure paid leave, again, for all Americans.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:05:42 - 00:05:52 ()

And as -- as you can tell from his remarks this afternoon, the President's focus remains, again, on getting Congress to act. And that's -- and that's how he's going to focus on this.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:05:52 - 00:06:07 ()

And just -- oh, sorry -- and one more on layoffs that we've been seeing recently. We saw, you know, a few -- a few months ago with tech companies and now with media companies this week. Does the White House see this potentially as a sign of a recession?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:06:07 - 00:06:15 ()

So, we've also clearly have seen these reports, and we're watching closely anytime there are reports of Americans losing their jobs.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:06:15 - 00:06:27 ()

President Biden knows firsthand the impact of losing a job and how that can have on an entire family. I don't have a comment on specific moves or announcements by any particular companies here.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:06:27 - 00:06:43 ()

But broadly speaking, this week's jobs opening data showed layoff remains near record lows. And so, that's important to point out. Similarly, today's jobs and this week's GDP revision show the U.S. economy continues to grow and add jobs.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:06:43 - 00:06:52 ()

Again, I'm not going to speak to any actions by a company. But again, you know, the jobs report -- you saw that today. And we're headed in the right direction.

Question

00:06:52 - 00:07:08 ()

A follow-up from the President's -- the President's remarks yesterday about speaking to President Putin. Does that willingness reflect any kind of a shift in his thinking about Ukraine and diplomacy about Ukraine with or without Ukraine?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:07:08 - 00:07:17 ()

So, no, that does not change -- that thinking. He has been very clear. He's written it in op-eds. You've heard him saying in speech, "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine."

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:07:17 - 00:07:27 ()

Look, the President has said he has no plans to speak with Mr. Putin since Mr. Putin has shown no signs that he's willing to end the brutal war against the people of Ukraine.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:07:27 - 00:07:43 ()

In fact, he has done the opposite, as you all have seen for yourselves and reported, as Russia has attempted to destroy Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and deprive the Ukrainian people of heat, power, and other critical services as winter approaches, causing suffering for millions of people.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:07:43 - 00:07:50 ()

But President Biden has been clear: We will continue to provide support to Ukraine for as long as it takes as they defend their country against Russian aggression.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:07:50 - 00:07:52 ()

I know we don't have that much time.

Question

00:07:52 - 00:08:04 ()

Do you also have any updates on what you're doing to help potentially have exemptions on the interna- -- on the Inflation Reduction Act for France or Europe, as discussed in the state visit yesterday?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:08:04 - 00:08:07 ()

You're talking about the -- with -- during the press conference what the President said?

Question

00:08:07 - 00:08:08 ()

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:08:08 - 00:08:12 ()

So, look -- and you're talking about the glitches, in particular, the comment that he --

Question

00:08:12 - 00:08:12 ()

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:08:12 - 00:08:22 ()

So, no, to -- to your question. No, we don't have any plans to go back to Congress for legislative changes to the Inflation this time.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:08:22 - 00:08:37 ()

For any historic legislation -- for -- for any historic legislation like IRA, there is a complex implementation and process, which is actively underway at federal agencies. But we don't have anything -- we're not going to be addressing any glitches.

Question

00:08:37 - 00:08:44 ()

But he -- but he indicated that they would go back and look at making some accommodations. Are you saying that that's not true anymore?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:08:44 - 00:08:50 ()

I'm just saying that -- we're -- we're not going to be doing that. I just answered the question and said, "No, we're not going to be doing that."

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:08:50 - 00:09:05 ()

And look, this is a historic piece of legislation. As you know, the Inflation Reduction Act is going to really help the American people when it comes to lowering costs, healthcare costs. And it's also a -- has a historic investment in dealing with climate change.

Question

00:09:05 - 00:09:06 ()

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:09:06 - 00:09:09 ()

And the prob- -- the President has -- was very clear in that.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:09:09 - 00:09:12 ()

But to your question, the answer is no.

Question

00:09:12 - 00:09:23 ()

Yeah, no, I wasn't saying you weren't answering the question. I -- my impression from what the President said yesterday was that there would be at least some looking at what they can do to address France's concerns. Are you saying no to that?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:09:23 - 00:09:24 ()

So, I'll say this --

Question

00:09:24 - 00:09:25 ()

Because that seems contradictory.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:09:25 - 00:09:29 ()

The President was clear: There are ways we can address Europe's concerns. Right?

Question

00:09:29 - 00:09:29 ()

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:09:29 - 00:09:36 ()

Okay? If that's what you're asking me. That's why I was asking at the beginning what exactly was the President's comments you were asking about.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:09:36 - 00:09:37 ()

So, this is a matter --

Question

00:09:37 - 00:09:38 ()

Generally about the IRA.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:09:38 - 00:09:48 ()

Okay, got it. This is a matter we are working out through substantive consultations and European counterparts. We won't get ahead of that process. I think that's what you were asking me just now.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:09:48 - 00:10:06 ()

We are committed to an IRA implementation approach that moves quickly, that gets the tough questions right, and that has appropriate guardrails so that the American families and workers start seeing the benefits of lower energy costs, good-paying jobs, abundant clean energy, and increased resilience to climate change as quickly as possible.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:10:06 - 00:10:14 ()

But to the exceptions questions, again, we're having -- we're having discussion and -- to address Europe's concerns.

Question

00:10:14 - 00:10:35 ()

Karine, Clyburn said today that he received a phone call from the President last night informing him of his decision to pick South Carolina first for the primary calendar, and that he was pleasantly surprised. I'm wondering if you can give us a sense of, you know, how the President arrived at his decision, who he consulted with, any timeline on that, and how he got to that.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:10:35 - 00:10:44 ()

So, as you know, we take the law very seriously here, and it -- and it places strict limits on what I can -- can say about the future elections and political party process.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:10:44 - 00:11:05 ()

So, here's what I can say: As a candidate in 2020 and, as we have heard, the night -- the night of the New -- New Hampshire primary -- you heard directly from the President -- Joe Biden, at that time, made clear that, to him, respecting our diversity as a nation and breaking down barriers for all our people is a foun- -- is a foundational principle.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:11:05 - 00:11:20 ()

He believes that what -- that's what Democrats in office stand for. And he has upheld the principle as President. He promised his administration would look like America, and it does. He has staffed the most diverse Cabinet in Whi- -- in White House history, American history.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:11:20 - 00:11:35 ()

He promised to fight to ensure our judicial branch reflects America, and he has. He's confirmed more Black women to appellate judgeships than all of his predecessors combined. And he fulfilled his promise to confirm the first Black woman to the Supreme Court.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:11:35 - 00:11:40 ()

He works -- he works to honor the values in every way that he can as a leader.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:11:40 - 00:11:50 ()

I'm not going to get into specific conversations that he may have had with the -- with the congressman. But again, I just laid out how the -- the President thinks about this process.

Question

00:11:50 - 00:11:58 ()

To follow up on the jobs report, the report showed that wages are continuing to rise at a rapid pace. You know, how worried is the White House that that means inflation will stay higher for longer?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:11:58 - 00:12:10 ()

So, look, I mean, I just laid out how we're seeing more jobs, and more jobs mean opportunities for American workers and more families that are able to put food on the table and pay the bills.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:12:10 - 00:12:29 ()

So, look, there are a couple of things -- and you hear us tick this -- take these data points out many times. The economy has created more than 260,000 jobs last month. That's just looking at this current job report. We have 10.5 million jobs that have been created since the President Biden took office -- again, looking at this job -- the jobs report.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:12:29 - 00:12:35 ()

Recent inflation reports shows Americans are beginning to see much-needed break in inflation. So, we're seeing a moderation in inflation.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:12:35 - 00:12:42 ()

Seven hundred fifty thousand -- you hear us talk about this -- manufacturing jobs that have been created under this President.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:12:42 - 00:12:53 ()

GDP increased. We saw that number. It was -- it was from -- we -- the original estimate was 2.6 percent. We saw this week it was actually 2.9 percent in the last -- in that third quarter.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:12:53 - 00:13:02 ()

And the unemployment rate is at a 50-year low. So, wages are up, and we think that's also important -- looking at this job report, looking at the data points over the last couple of months.

Question

00:13:02 - 00:13:08 ()

How do you factor that into inflation, though? I mean, is there more that the President should be doing to try to bring down inflation with wage gains --

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:13:08 - 00:13:09 ()

I mean, the President --

Question

00:13:09 - 00:13:09 ()

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:13:09 - 00:13:20 ()

The President has been very clear, right? He said, when it comes to his economic plan, inflation -- dealing with inflation, fighting inflation, lowering costs for American people -- is his number one priority. And he has done that.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:13:20 - 00:13:28 ()

You've heard us talk about the gas prices and how that's come down. That's because of the President's historic actions that he's taken over the past several months.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:13:28 - 00:13:30 ()

All right, thanks, everybody.

Question

00:13:30 - 00:13:35 ()

Karine, has the President seen the Netflix documentary trailer for the "Harry & Meghan" documentary?

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:13:35 - 00:13:40 ()

You know, I have not seen them yet -- seen it yet. [Laughs] I don't know. I have no idea. He's been pretty busy.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:13:40 - 00:14:01 ()

As you know, he's been -- he has been welcome -- he welcomed the President of France and the First Lady of France. As you saw, that was a really positive visit. They were able to strengthen their -- their friendship -- our oldest ally. And you guys saw that for yourselves, starting from the welcoming ceremony yesterday morning to the state dinner.

Karine Jean-Pierre

00:14:01 - 00:14:08 ()

Okay, thanks, everybody. We got to sit down.