REAL News for REAL People
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, November 19, 2021
And the State Department goes to great lengths to assist U.S. citizens in crisis. We want to ensure Americans who may be in Ethiopia should not expect the United States will be able to facilitate a military evacuation in a dangerous environment.
There are no plans - and people should understand this who are on the ground - to fly the U.S. military into Ethiopia to facilitate evacuation.
So, the State Department is using every measure they have to communicate directly and broadly with Americans there about the fact that it is time to depart.
Q And just really quick: You were asked yesterday about the Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai, and you didn't have anything to say then. I wonder if you have any sort of update from the White House on whether the U.S. or the President is following that.
MS. PSAKI: Yeah. We are deeply concerned by reports that Peng Shuai appears to be missing after accusing a former PRC senior official of sexual assault.
We join in the calls for PRC authorities to provide independent and verifiable proof of her whereabouts and that she is safe.
I can't speak, of course - I know you're not asking this - but to the details of the case or any more details of where she might be, obviously. But I want to be clear where the United States stands, generally speaking.
First, any report of sexual assault should be investigated, and we support a woman's ability to speak out and seek accountability, whether here or around the world.
Second, we'll continue to stand up for the freedom of speech. And we know the PRC has zero tolerance for criticism and a record of silencing those that speak out, and we continue to condemn those practices.
Go ahead.
Q Can I go back to some news from yesterday?
MS. PSAKI: Sure.
Q You were asked about this idea of a "diplomatic boycott." I'm wondering if you can offer any additional details or define for us what a "diplomatic boycott" means.
MS. PSAKI: I just don't have any more updates from here today, and it's just an indication that there hasn't been a final decision.
Q Okay. And then also, at the outset, you mentioned today that the infrastructure czar and seven Cabinet Secretaries were meeting. Can you provide any additional details about what they were discussing, sort of what their priorities are, any additional info on that meeting?
MS. PSAKI: Well, I can tell you that going back to last Friday when the Cabinet - when the President had a meeting with his Cabinet, the focus of that was on infrastructure implementation. And he basically went around to each Cabinet member who had purview, or was going to oversee a key part of the implementation, to get an update from them on what their approach would be.
Some departments, as you know, will be creating entirely new programs. Some will have a level of funding, including the Department of Transportation - some will have a level of funding, like the Department of Commerce, they've never had for some of these programs before. So, it was different project to project.
So what I would anticipate is that they will - that our implementation coordinator will receive an update on the work that is happening by each of these members and that these will be regular meetings that will continue to ensure that there is implementation that is effective and efficient, and that we are reducing waste, fraud, and abuse.
Q Okay. Can I ask you one quick question - sorry, last one - on the turkeys, if you don't mind.
MS. PSAKI: Oh, the - those turkeys. Yes. (Laughter.)
Q Can you confirm where they are going after they may pardoned? I've heard Purdue University.
MS. PSAKI: Oh, wow. There's a -
Q This is a really random question.
MS. PSAKI: This is an important question. (Laughter.)
I - we will get you that after the briefing. I can confirm that part of it is staying in a hotel, which - my daughter did not believe me, but that is accurate.
Q On the turkeys who are pardoned -
MS. PSAKI: They stay in advance - the turkeys do -
Q I see.
MS. PSAKI: - in a hotel. But we will get you the det- - I think there have been details put out by the - I'm not sure if it's the "Turkey Bureau," but we will get you all of the details after the briefing.
Q On the turkeys, are any humans going to be pardoned by President Biden? There are people who are serving life in prison for marijiuana who want him to honor his commitment to release everyone in prison for pot. Are people going to get pardoned as well by President Biden?
MS. PSAKI: I will just reiterate that the President is, of course - I have nothing new to update you on. But the President is, of course - will look to the use of his clemency powers. He's talked about his approach - or his view on nonviolent drug offenders, but I don't have anything to update you on, on that, today.
Q Jen, in the wake of the President's physical and on the topic of his health, a new Politico/Morning Consult poll found that 50 percent of voters surveyed did not agree with the statement that "President Biden is in good health," and that voters are almost evenly split on the question of if he is in "good mental health."
I understand that the President disagrees with this assessment, the White House disagrees with this assessment. But I'm curious: Where do you think these voters concerns are coming from?
MS. PSAKI: I can't speak to the assessments of voters. There are certainly quite a bit of conspiracy theory pushing out there on a range of social media platforms and even through the mouths of elected officials. So, that could certainly be a root cause, as you know.
But I would say that we are not only following past precedent of what has been done, if you look back - and I know this was noted in the statement we put out this morning of the times where there was a transfer of power under the Bush administration. We're looking at past precedent there and making sure we're following that but also going beyond in many cases.
And the comprehensive summary that we put out this afternoon will have, certainly, an overview of the - the President's routine physical and their assessments. And that is something we will make widely available.
Q And just one more on Build Back Better: How confident is the President that he will be able to keep all 50 senators on board with minimal changes? And on the topic of changes, is there anyone sort of engaged on paid family leave, but is there any red line for him on something that absolutely has to stay in the bill?
MS. PSAKI: Well, the President would have loved to have seen - seen his entire original proposal passed. But he also knows from having served 36 years in the Senate, that's not how it goes.
He's somebody who governs from the position of "compromise" not being a dirty word. He sees consensus as the way you get things done, and that's certainly how we're going to approach the next few weeks as well.
So, his bottom lines have not changed. He wants to lower costs for the American people, give them more breathing room, ease the burden on - of areas like childcare, eldercare, healthcare. Those are all components that are solidly in this package. And he won't raise taxes on people making less than $400,000 a year. So those are his continued bottom lines.
Go ahead.
Q Following up on Build Back Better, Jen -
Q Thanks, Jen. I -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead, Katie.
Q Kyle Rittenhouse has been declared not guilty by a jury on one count of first-degree reckless homicide. On the second count, first-degree reckless endangerment, he has also been found not guilty. What is the White House's response to that?
Q Not guilty on all counts, correct?
Q All counts.
MS. PSAKI: I - obviously this happened while I was out here. So, let me talk to the President and talk to our team, and we will get you a statement as soon as we can.
Q Does the President think the judge in the Rittenhouse trial saying that the victims in Kenosha should not be referred to as "victims" but rather "looters" or "protesters" is appropriate?
MS. PSAKI: Again, I'm not going to give an assessment of this from here. Let us get you a comp- - a statement as soon as we can.
Q And last question on the physical: Will you be offering a full list of the people who treated the President and their assorted specialties?
MS. PSAKI: We will be offering - we will be referencing additional medical experts who the President spoke with, but I don't think - I am not going to prejudge what the final comprehensive summary will look like.
Q Build Back Better, Jen. Catholic bishops -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead.
Q Thanks, Jen. It's in the news -
Q - fear faith-based preschools could be excluded from receiving Build Back Better money -
Q - that the booster shots -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead.
Q - because they would -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead.
Go ahead.
Q Okay. I'll go after her then. I'll go after her.
Q Is the administration considering changing the definition of what it means to "fully vaccinated"? And is there any concern, at a state level, that there could be some confusion about what it means to be "fully vaccinated," given that some governors have started to change that definition?
MS. PSAKI: Well, some governors, I know, have offered booster shots in advance of - or have expanded that. Right? I'm not sure if they've changed the definition, which is typically done by the CDC. We follow CDC guidance. CDC guidance continues to be: two mRNA shots and one Johnson & Johnson.
We don't prejudge and I can't preview for you if they're going to change that at any point in time. But that's what we will continue to follow and that's what we would advise others to follow around the country.
Go ahead, in the back.
Q Okay, Jen, on Build Back Better, Catholic bishops - Jen -
MS. PSAKI: Okay. Okay. Thank you.
Q Okay, here we go: Catholic bishops fear -
MS. PSAKI: You know what? I'm moving on over here.
Q - faith-based preschools -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead. Go ahead.
Q - I'll go next. I'll go next, please. Thank you.
Go Back
There are no plans - and people should understand this who are on the ground - to fly the U.S. military into Ethiopia to facilitate evacuation.
So, the State Department is using every measure they have to communicate directly and broadly with Americans there about the fact that it is time to depart.
Q And just really quick: You were asked yesterday about the Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai, and you didn't have anything to say then. I wonder if you have any sort of update from the White House on whether the U.S. or the President is following that.
MS. PSAKI: Yeah. We are deeply concerned by reports that Peng Shuai appears to be missing after accusing a former PRC senior official of sexual assault.
We join in the calls for PRC authorities to provide independent and verifiable proof of her whereabouts and that she is safe.
I can't speak, of course - I know you're not asking this - but to the details of the case or any more details of where she might be, obviously. But I want to be clear where the United States stands, generally speaking.
First, any report of sexual assault should be investigated, and we support a woman's ability to speak out and seek accountability, whether here or around the world.
Second, we'll continue to stand up for the freedom of speech. And we know the PRC has zero tolerance for criticism and a record of silencing those that speak out, and we continue to condemn those practices.
Go ahead.
Q Can I go back to some news from yesterday?
MS. PSAKI: Sure.
Q You were asked about this idea of a "diplomatic boycott." I'm wondering if you can offer any additional details or define for us what a "diplomatic boycott" means.
MS. PSAKI: I just don't have any more updates from here today, and it's just an indication that there hasn't been a final decision.
Q Okay. And then also, at the outset, you mentioned today that the infrastructure czar and seven Cabinet Secretaries were meeting. Can you provide any additional details about what they were discussing, sort of what their priorities are, any additional info on that meeting?
MS. PSAKI: Well, I can tell you that going back to last Friday when the Cabinet - when the President had a meeting with his Cabinet, the focus of that was on infrastructure implementation. And he basically went around to each Cabinet member who had purview, or was going to oversee a key part of the implementation, to get an update from them on what their approach would be.
Some departments, as you know, will be creating entirely new programs. Some will have a level of funding, including the Department of Transportation - some will have a level of funding, like the Department of Commerce, they've never had for some of these programs before. So, it was different project to project.
So what I would anticipate is that they will - that our implementation coordinator will receive an update on the work that is happening by each of these members and that these will be regular meetings that will continue to ensure that there is implementation that is effective and efficient, and that we are reducing waste, fraud, and abuse.
Q Okay. Can I ask you one quick question - sorry, last one - on the turkeys, if you don't mind.
MS. PSAKI: Oh, the - those turkeys. Yes. (Laughter.)
Q Can you confirm where they are going after they may pardoned? I've heard Purdue University.
MS. PSAKI: Oh, wow. There's a -
Q This is a really random question.
MS. PSAKI: This is an important question. (Laughter.)
I - we will get you that after the briefing. I can confirm that part of it is staying in a hotel, which - my daughter did not believe me, but that is accurate.
Q On the turkeys who are pardoned -
MS. PSAKI: They stay in advance - the turkeys do -
Q I see.
MS. PSAKI: - in a hotel. But we will get you the det- - I think there have been details put out by the - I'm not sure if it's the "Turkey Bureau," but we will get you all of the details after the briefing.
Q On the turkeys, are any humans going to be pardoned by President Biden? There are people who are serving life in prison for marijiuana who want him to honor his commitment to release everyone in prison for pot. Are people going to get pardoned as well by President Biden?
MS. PSAKI: I will just reiterate that the President is, of course - I have nothing new to update you on. But the President is, of course - will look to the use of his clemency powers. He's talked about his approach - or his view on nonviolent drug offenders, but I don't have anything to update you on, on that, today.
Q Jen, in the wake of the President's physical and on the topic of his health, a new Politico/Morning Consult poll found that 50 percent of voters surveyed did not agree with the statement that "President Biden is in good health," and that voters are almost evenly split on the question of if he is in "good mental health."
I understand that the President disagrees with this assessment, the White House disagrees with this assessment. But I'm curious: Where do you think these voters concerns are coming from?
MS. PSAKI: I can't speak to the assessments of voters. There are certainly quite a bit of conspiracy theory pushing out there on a range of social media platforms and even through the mouths of elected officials. So, that could certainly be a root cause, as you know.
But I would say that we are not only following past precedent of what has been done, if you look back - and I know this was noted in the statement we put out this morning of the times where there was a transfer of power under the Bush administration. We're looking at past precedent there and making sure we're following that but also going beyond in many cases.
And the comprehensive summary that we put out this afternoon will have, certainly, an overview of the - the President's routine physical and their assessments. And that is something we will make widely available.
Q And just one more on Build Back Better: How confident is the President that he will be able to keep all 50 senators on board with minimal changes? And on the topic of changes, is there anyone sort of engaged on paid family leave, but is there any red line for him on something that absolutely has to stay in the bill?
MS. PSAKI: Well, the President would have loved to have seen - seen his entire original proposal passed. But he also knows from having served 36 years in the Senate, that's not how it goes.
He's somebody who governs from the position of "compromise" not being a dirty word. He sees consensus as the way you get things done, and that's certainly how we're going to approach the next few weeks as well.
So, his bottom lines have not changed. He wants to lower costs for the American people, give them more breathing room, ease the burden on - of areas like childcare, eldercare, healthcare. Those are all components that are solidly in this package. And he won't raise taxes on people making less than $400,000 a year. So those are his continued bottom lines.
Go ahead.
Q Following up on Build Back Better, Jen -
Q Thanks, Jen. I -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead, Katie.
Q Kyle Rittenhouse has been declared not guilty by a jury on one count of first-degree reckless homicide. On the second count, first-degree reckless endangerment, he has also been found not guilty. What is the White House's response to that?
Q Not guilty on all counts, correct?
Q All counts.
MS. PSAKI: I - obviously this happened while I was out here. So, let me talk to the President and talk to our team, and we will get you a statement as soon as we can.
Q Does the President think the judge in the Rittenhouse trial saying that the victims in Kenosha should not be referred to as "victims" but rather "looters" or "protesters" is appropriate?
MS. PSAKI: Again, I'm not going to give an assessment of this from here. Let us get you a comp- - a statement as soon as we can.
Q And last question on the physical: Will you be offering a full list of the people who treated the President and their assorted specialties?
MS. PSAKI: We will be offering - we will be referencing additional medical experts who the President spoke with, but I don't think - I am not going to prejudge what the final comprehensive summary will look like.
Q Build Back Better, Jen. Catholic bishops -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead.
Q Thanks, Jen. It's in the news -
Q - fear faith-based preschools could be excluded from receiving Build Back Better money -
Q - that the booster shots -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead.
Q - because they would -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead.
Go ahead.
Q Okay. I'll go after her then. I'll go after her.
Q Is the administration considering changing the definition of what it means to "fully vaccinated"? And is there any concern, at a state level, that there could be some confusion about what it means to be "fully vaccinated," given that some governors have started to change that definition?
MS. PSAKI: Well, some governors, I know, have offered booster shots in advance of - or have expanded that. Right? I'm not sure if they've changed the definition, which is typically done by the CDC. We follow CDC guidance. CDC guidance continues to be: two mRNA shots and one Johnson & Johnson.
We don't prejudge and I can't preview for you if they're going to change that at any point in time. But that's what we will continue to follow and that's what we would advise others to follow around the country.
Go ahead, in the back.
Q Okay, Jen, on Build Back Better, Catholic bishops - Jen -
MS. PSAKI: Okay. Okay. Thank you.
Q Okay, here we go: Catholic bishops fear -
MS. PSAKI: You know what? I'm moving on over here.
Q - faith-based preschools -
MS. PSAKI: Go ahead. Go ahead.
Q - I'll go next. I'll go next, please. Thank you.
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