WEBVTT 00:01.840 --> 00:05.840 after everybody happy Friday , a couple 00:05.840 --> 00:09.300 of things at the top here As I 00:09.300 --> 00:12.290 think and hope you saw yesterday , the 00:12.290 --> 00:14.480 secretary published his message to the 00:14.480 --> 00:16.591 force which committed to ensuring the 00:16.591 --> 00:18.647 department develops the right people 00:18.647 --> 00:20.702 priorities and purpose of mission to 00:20.702 --> 00:22.647 continue to defend the nation from 00:22.647 --> 00:24.980 enemies . Secretary Austin provided his 00:24.990 --> 00:27.157 top three priorities in specific areas 00:27.157 --> 00:29.379 of focus . I think you saw in there the 00:29.379 --> 00:31.657 three priorities are defend the nation , 00:31.657 --> 00:33.657 take care of our people and succeed 00:33.657 --> 00:35.879 through teamwork . Secretary reiterated 00:35.879 --> 00:37.712 the need for resources matched a 00:37.712 --> 00:39.879 strategy strategy match the policy and 00:39.879 --> 00:41.990 policy match to the American people's 00:41.990 --> 00:44.212 will . These priorities will help guide 00:44.212 --> 00:46.212 the department as we develop policy 00:46.212 --> 00:48.046 fashion strategy and acquire the 00:48.046 --> 00:49.934 necessary resources to defend our 00:49.934 --> 00:52.046 country and support our alliances and 00:52.046 --> 00:54.212 partnerships around the world . Next , 00:54.212 --> 00:56.323 just a quick update on our support to 00:56.323 --> 00:58.601 FEMA led vaccination sites . Yesterday , 00:58.601 --> 01:00.768 the secretary authorized an additional 01:00.768 --> 01:02.960 10 type two teams for future FEMA 01:02.960 --> 01:05.127 support . This brings our total to now 01:05.127 --> 01:08.490 35 teams 15 of the Type one variety and 01:08.490 --> 01:11.060 20 of the type two . Currently , we are 01:11.060 --> 01:13.370 supporting 15 state led federally 01:13.370 --> 01:15.592 supported community vaccination centers 01:15.592 --> 01:18.960 in six states California , Texas , New 01:18.960 --> 01:21.990 York , Florida , Pennsylvania , New 01:21.990 --> 01:24.160 Jersey and the U . S Virgin Islands . 01:25.440 --> 01:27.218 Today we are deploying teams to 01:27.218 --> 01:29.329 community vaccination center sites in 01:29.329 --> 01:31.384 Illinois and North Carolina . And in 01:31.384 --> 01:33.551 the coming weeks we will send teams to 01:33.551 --> 01:35.773 Ohio and to Georgia , and we'll be able 01:35.773 --> 01:37.940 to provide you a better site breakdown 01:37.940 --> 01:40.162 after the briefing . Uh , if you if you 01:40.162 --> 01:42.430 need that , finally , I want to finish 01:42.430 --> 01:44.708 by honoring a hero from the Korean War , 01:44.940 --> 01:47.700 the Defense POW MIA accounting agency 01:47.700 --> 01:50.300 formally identified the remains of Army 01:50.300 --> 01:54.080 Chaplain Emil Kapaun of Kansas that 01:54.090 --> 01:56.034 from remains that had rested among 01:56.034 --> 01:58.280 unknowns at the National Memorial 01:58.280 --> 02:01.050 Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii . His 02:01.050 --> 02:03.790 remains had rested among the 867 02:03.790 --> 02:06.012 remains buried there as unknowns at the 02:06.012 --> 02:09.860 cemetery . 2018 , the Defense 02:09.860 --> 02:12.810 POW MIA accounting agency began a seven 02:12.810 --> 02:15.710 phased project to disinter all 02:15.710 --> 02:17.877 remaining Korean War unknowns from the 02:17.877 --> 02:20.270 cemetery and at a White House ceremony 02:20.270 --> 02:22.210 on April 11th , back in 2013 , 02:22.210 --> 02:24.290 President Obama posthumously awarded 02:24.290 --> 02:26.512 the chaplain the Medal of Honor for his 02:26.512 --> 02:28.679 heroic service during the Korean War . 02:28.679 --> 02:30.679 Just to remind because I think it's 02:30.679 --> 02:32.880 important to think about , uh , what 02:32.890 --> 02:36.600 heroes like he did on November 2nd , 02:36.600 --> 02:39.120 1950 . The third Battalion was near 02:39.130 --> 02:41.297 Johnson when the unit came under heavy 02:41.297 --> 02:43.408 fire from Chinese forces and received 02:43.408 --> 02:45.463 orders to withdraw . Approximately a 02:45.463 --> 02:47.630 quarter of the battalion soldiers made 02:47.630 --> 02:49.797 their way back to friendly lines , but 02:49.797 --> 02:51.797 the others , including many wounded 02:51.797 --> 02:53.852 soldiers , became trapped . Chaplain 02:53.852 --> 02:53.670 Kapaun volunteered to stay with the 02:53.670 --> 02:55.892 wounded and was soon captured and taken 02:55.892 --> 02:58.560 to a Chinese run POW camp on the Yalu 02:58.560 --> 03:01.160 River . Chaplin continued to minister 03:01.160 --> 03:03.410 to other POWs even after he became 03:03.410 --> 03:05.577 gravely ill , and he lived long enough 03:05.577 --> 03:07.577 to celebrate a final Easter Mass in 03:07.577 --> 03:11.260 late March , dying on May 23rd , 1951 . 03:11.840 --> 03:14.062 I think it's just terrific that we were 03:14.062 --> 03:16.120 able to identify his remains , uh , 03:16.130 --> 03:18.352 bring closer to his family and to honor 03:18.352 --> 03:20.720 his service . And the department thanks 03:20.720 --> 03:22.942 him for that service . Uh , and for the 03:22.942 --> 03:24.776 example , he said of bravery and 03:24.776 --> 03:26.720 courage under fire that takes some 03:26.720 --> 03:28.998 questions . Uh , looks like Lead us on . 03:28.998 --> 03:32.260 Go ahead . Yeah . Thanks , John . Um , 03:32.270 --> 03:35.050 two questions . One . Um , can you 03:35.050 --> 03:38.520 bring us up to date on the latest U . S . 03:38.520 --> 03:40.930 Capitol Police request to the Defense 03:40.930 --> 03:43.340 Department for additional , uh , 03:43.350 --> 03:47.180 National Guard um , for 03:47.180 --> 03:49.402 additional national Guard to stay on at 03:49.402 --> 03:51.860 the capital for another extended period 03:51.860 --> 03:54.060 of time . And then the second question 03:54.070 --> 03:57.480 is , um , is the department concerned 03:57.480 --> 03:59.700 at all about this latest effort to 03:59.700 --> 04:02.460 narrow the A u M f Is there any 04:02.460 --> 04:05.340 concerns that this might make strikes 04:05.340 --> 04:07.229 like the one in on the Syria Iraq 04:07.229 --> 04:11.150 border more difficult ? . So on your 04:11.150 --> 04:13.350 first question , Lita and I'm gonna 04:13.350 --> 04:15.350 write down the second one in case I 04:15.350 --> 04:19.270 forget it . Um , we are in receipt of a 04:19.270 --> 04:21.437 formal request from the Capitol police 04:21.437 --> 04:23.659 for continued National Guard assistance 04:23.659 --> 04:25.770 at the Capitol complex . This request 04:25.770 --> 04:27.937 does seek an extension for a number of 04:27.937 --> 04:29.826 guardsmen over the next couple of 04:29.826 --> 04:31.937 months . We're evaluating the request 04:31.937 --> 04:34.103 right now , as we do with all others , 04:34.103 --> 04:35.992 uh , with an eye towards properly 04:35.992 --> 04:38.048 balancing the need , uh , to balance 04:38.048 --> 04:40.270 the need with the resources available . 04:40.270 --> 04:42.270 And I'm not gonna get ahead of that 04:42.270 --> 04:44.381 process . But again confirmed that we 04:44.381 --> 04:46.492 do have the request in the building . 04:46.492 --> 04:48.210 As for your question on the 04:48.220 --> 04:50.240 authorization , uh , for use of 04:50.240 --> 04:52.462 military force , the department fully , 04:52.462 --> 04:54.590 uh , supports the effort to work with 04:54.590 --> 04:57.450 Congress , um , to , uh , to 04:58.440 --> 05:02.080 craft a new authorization . Um , and we 05:02.080 --> 05:04.080 expect to be a full partner in that 05:04.080 --> 05:07.250 conversation with Congress and and with 05:07.250 --> 05:09.472 the national security leadership of the 05:09.472 --> 05:12.990 country . Um , And again , we as I said 05:12.990 --> 05:15.212 the other day , you know , we will be a 05:15.212 --> 05:17.350 full partner in that effort , uh , to 05:17.350 --> 05:19.960 make sure that the necessary 05:20.540 --> 05:22.651 authorizations are in place for us to 05:22.651 --> 05:25.620 continue to defend the nation . I'll 05:25.620 --> 05:27.731 see you in your room . Yeah . There . 05:28.440 --> 05:30.660 Sean . Um , at the White House press 05:30.660 --> 05:32.604 briefing yesterday , Jen Psaki was 05:32.604 --> 05:34.850 asked whether the administration is 05:34.850 --> 05:37.280 going to start putting the numbers of 05:37.290 --> 05:39.123 troop levels in Iraq , Syria and 05:39.123 --> 05:41.350 Afghanistan back on the Web . As you 05:41.350 --> 05:44.740 know , they were removed from public 05:44.740 --> 05:48.550 release in 2017 . She said that 05:48.560 --> 05:50.227 it would be up to the Defense 05:50.227 --> 05:52.393 Department . I'm just wondering if the 05:52.393 --> 05:54.560 secretary is considering this . If the 05:54.560 --> 05:56.782 Pentagon will put those numbers back up 05:56.782 --> 05:58.838 there , were reviewing it . You know 05:58.838 --> 06:00.949 any sense of how long this might take 06:00.949 --> 06:03.171 to review or what ? No , I don't have a 06:03.171 --> 06:05.171 I don't have a timeline on it , but 06:05.171 --> 06:07.282 we're aware of the of the issue , and 06:07.282 --> 06:09.338 we're going to take a look at that . 06:09.338 --> 06:10.504 Uhh . Phil Stewart . 06:15.240 --> 06:17.351 Sorry about that . Just taking off of 06:17.351 --> 06:19.580 you . Um , two quick things . One is 06:19.590 --> 06:21.940 Reuters reported earlier today that the 06:21.950 --> 06:24.660 HHS has done a site survey at Fort Lee 06:25.040 --> 06:27.640 in Virginia . Two house unaccompanied 06:27.640 --> 06:29.696 Children . Just wondering whether or 06:29.696 --> 06:31.750 not , um uh , there are other sites 06:31.750 --> 06:33.972 that d o . D is also looking Should the 06:33.972 --> 06:36.028 numbers continue to swell . And then 06:36.028 --> 06:38.083 and then what would that look like ? 06:38.083 --> 06:39.917 What would have an unaccompanied 06:39.917 --> 06:42.028 Children at Fort Lee look like ? Uh , 06:42.028 --> 06:44.306 if you could help walk us through that , 06:44.306 --> 06:46.083 uh , and then I have a separate 06:46.083 --> 06:48.417 question . Uh , so , I mean , obviously , 06:48.417 --> 06:51.540 we can confirm that that HHS did do a 06:51.550 --> 06:53.820 site survey visited Fort Lee yesterday 06:53.820 --> 06:55.987 to determine if facilities there might 06:55.987 --> 06:58.098 be suitable for temporary housing for 06:58.098 --> 07:00.098 unaccompanied Children . There's no 07:00.098 --> 07:03.570 formal request by HHS to do this at 07:03.570 --> 07:05.460 Fort Lee . And I know of no other 07:05.460 --> 07:08.050 requests to look at or to consider 07:08.340 --> 07:11.740 other installations . And Phil , as you 07:11.740 --> 07:13.960 know , this is , uh if it were to come 07:13.960 --> 07:16.127 to pass , it certainly wouldn't be the 07:16.127 --> 07:18.510 first time that we've done this . Uh , 07:18.520 --> 07:21.320 we've done this , uh , back in 2012 , 07:21.320 --> 07:24.140 and I believe there was a similar 07:24.150 --> 07:26.940 request for assistance , Uh , in , uh , 07:26.950 --> 07:29.010 in 2017 , most recently in February 07:29.010 --> 07:31.200 2017 . So it's not something that 07:31.200 --> 07:33.150 hasn't been done before . Um , I 07:33.150 --> 07:35.317 wouldn't certainly speculate now as to 07:35.317 --> 07:37.539 whether it's even gonna come to pass or 07:37.539 --> 07:39.761 what that might look like . But the the 07:39.761 --> 07:42.030 Children , uh , would be housed on the 07:42.030 --> 07:45.970 facilities in , um , in , uh , 07:45.980 --> 07:49.160 usually base housing . They're not not 07:49.160 --> 07:51.780 for families , but , uh , barracks type 07:51.780 --> 07:53.700 housing . And there are under the 07:53.710 --> 07:56.190 responsibility and the care of HHS . 07:56.190 --> 07:58.079 The department's role would be to 07:58.079 --> 08:00.060 provide the space in a fully 08:00.060 --> 08:02.630 reimbursable format . Go ahead . What 08:02.630 --> 08:04.741 was your second ? Uh , the second one 08:04.741 --> 08:07.870 was on attribution for the rocket 08:07.870 --> 08:10.037 attack . I know they were looking into 08:10.037 --> 08:12.148 that before . Um uh , have you gotten 08:12.148 --> 08:14.092 any further and potentially , uh , 08:14.092 --> 08:16.250 id'ing , Which specific group and are 08:16.250 --> 08:18.472 you ready to talk about that publicly ? 08:18.472 --> 08:21.490 I don't have any update on attribution 08:21.490 --> 08:23.490 and certainly nothing specific with 08:23.490 --> 08:27.020 respect to Iran backed militias . Yeah , 08:27.380 --> 08:30.640 I want to go back to the mandate for 08:30.640 --> 08:32.850 use of force . Can you please clarify 08:32.860 --> 08:35.650 if the administration , while waiting 08:35.650 --> 08:38.590 to replace the current mandate , will 08:38.600 --> 08:42.600 seek congressional approval before 08:42.610 --> 08:45.160 carrying any airstrikes ? Especially 08:45.160 --> 08:48.430 that airstrikes from last week relied 08:48.440 --> 08:50.607 on the mandate . The current mandate . 08:51.240 --> 08:54.860 The As I said last week , the 08:55.740 --> 08:58.770 presidents legal authorities to conduct 08:58.770 --> 09:00.714 those defensive strikes were under 09:00.714 --> 09:02.714 article two of the Constitution and 09:02.714 --> 09:04.750 article 51 of the U . N . Charter , 09:04.760 --> 09:06.880 which provides for the right of self 09:06.880 --> 09:09.150 defense for for nations . Uh , we're 09:09.150 --> 09:11.120 very comfortable with those legal 09:11.120 --> 09:13.860 authorities . Yeah . Thank you , John . 09:14.240 --> 09:17.430 Um , so according to your what you just 09:17.440 --> 09:19.960 said , there's no change in the 09:20.340 --> 09:23.940 department policy toward a designating 09:23.940 --> 09:26.180 certain militia groups as being backed 09:26.190 --> 09:29.390 by Iran because we've seen some news 09:29.390 --> 09:31.840 reports after my question last time . 09:31.850 --> 09:34.850 So I've seen this too . Yeah , yeah . I 09:34.850 --> 09:36.961 just want you to address this issue , 09:36.961 --> 09:39.239 and I have a second question on Israel . 09:39.239 --> 09:41.128 Fatty , I misspoke . I got tongue 09:41.128 --> 09:44.200 twisted . It happens what ? We refer to 09:44.200 --> 09:46.422 them as Iran backed militias . And that 09:46.422 --> 09:48.644 hasn't changed . Okay , Thank you . And 09:48.644 --> 09:51.060 we heard in the Fox news interview from 09:51.070 --> 09:53.700 the Israeli defense minister statements 09:53.700 --> 09:57.200 that Israel is updating plans to target 09:57.230 --> 09:59.930 Iranian nuclear sites At the same time , 09:59.940 --> 10:02.340 we hear you're saying , Although we're 10:02.340 --> 10:04.507 trying to defend our troops , our part 10:04.507 --> 10:06.790 is what we don't want to see escalation 10:06.800 --> 10:09.530 in the region . Are you in consultation 10:09.530 --> 10:13.220 with your with Israel , the main U S . 10:13.230 --> 10:15.560 Ally in the region over these 10:15.560 --> 10:19.000 statements ? Are you concerned about 10:19.010 --> 10:21.250 escalation in light of these statements 10:21.510 --> 10:23.343 without talking about diplomatic 10:23.343 --> 10:25.177 consultations , which is not our 10:25.177 --> 10:28.550 purview , as I said and have said since , 10:29.140 --> 10:32.470 uh , since the 10:32.480 --> 10:35.020 strikes that we took in Syria , that 10:35.030 --> 10:37.360 nobody is interested in this escalating 10:37.740 --> 10:41.250 in the situation escalating . Um , what 10:41.250 --> 10:43.250 we are interested in is making sure 10:43.250 --> 10:45.361 that we are protecting our troops and 10:45.361 --> 10:48.100 that we are able to conduct are the 10:48.110 --> 10:50.360 mission in Iraq that we've been invited 10:50.360 --> 10:52.650 by the government there to conduct and 10:52.650 --> 10:56.040 then also standing with and by our 10:56.040 --> 10:59.760 Iraqi partners . Thank you . Uh , 11:01.040 --> 11:04.870 Laura Seligman . Hi , 11:04.870 --> 11:07.000 John . Thanks . I just wanted to ask 11:07.000 --> 11:10.850 you Oh , 11:11.540 --> 11:13.980 sorry . Someone needed me . Um , yeah . 11:13.980 --> 11:16.091 I just wanted to ask you following up 11:16.091 --> 11:18.258 on the attribution Question . When can 11:18.258 --> 11:21.080 we expect a response ? Will there be a 11:21.080 --> 11:23.610 response ? And what kind of options are 11:23.610 --> 11:26.180 being discussed ? I assume you mean a 11:26.190 --> 11:28.950 response . A military response to the 11:28.950 --> 11:31.560 strikes , not a response on attribution 11:32.040 --> 11:34.207 A military response to the streets . I 11:34.207 --> 11:36.151 just simply won't get ahead of the 11:36.151 --> 11:38.410 process . Laura . The Iraqi partners 11:38.410 --> 11:41.220 are investigating the attack at Al Asad . 11:41.220 --> 11:43.276 We want to let them do their work as 11:43.276 --> 11:46.220 we've done in the past . Um , and , uh , 11:46.230 --> 11:48.950 if it's a 11:49.640 --> 11:52.000 uniformly decided inside the national 11:52.000 --> 11:53.778 security establishment that our 11:53.778 --> 11:56.170 military response is warranted , you 11:56.170 --> 11:59.130 know , then you know that will be a 11:59.130 --> 12:02.080 response . That , as before , is at a 12:02.090 --> 12:04.590 time in a manner of our choosing . But 12:04.600 --> 12:06.544 we aren't there yet , and I just I 12:06.544 --> 12:08.544 wouldn't get ahead of the process . 12:08.544 --> 12:10.990 According to Iraqi press , though , um , 12:11.000 --> 12:13.260 like you said earlier this week , the 12:13.270 --> 12:15.159 Iraqi investigators were on scene 12:15.159 --> 12:17.214 immediately , and according to Iraqi 12:17.214 --> 12:19.270 press , they found the launcher that 12:19.270 --> 12:21.381 was used in the attack . So what else 12:21.381 --> 12:23.381 do you need for attribution ? Laura 12:23.381 --> 12:26.010 again , we're evaluating this , Uh , 12:26.020 --> 12:28.330 the Iraqis are are , too . And I I 12:28.330 --> 12:30.640 simply don't have any updates on the 12:30.650 --> 12:32.860 evaluation process , the investigative 12:32.860 --> 12:36.450 process . Uh uh , any specific degree 12:36.450 --> 12:39.120 of certainty that we have about who is 12:39.120 --> 12:42.520 responsible . Um , but I think as it 12:42.520 --> 12:44.890 was made clear last week , this 12:44.890 --> 12:47.550 administration is not afraid to hold 12:47.550 --> 12:49.700 those responsible accountable for 12:49.700 --> 12:51.910 attacks on our people again . I'm just 12:51.910 --> 12:54.490 going to not get ahead of the decision 12:54.490 --> 12:56.546 making process that's underway right 12:56.546 --> 12:59.520 now , Jenny . Thank you , John . The 12:59.520 --> 13:02.550 South Korea government seems to be 13:02.550 --> 13:05.680 considering to suspending the joint 13:05.680 --> 13:07.740 military exercise between years in 13:07.740 --> 13:11.090 South Korea Concerts , Lots of 13:11.100 --> 13:14.490 relations with North Korea . And what 13:14.500 --> 13:16.556 do you think that that was pretty in 13:16.556 --> 13:19.450 government ? Considered North Korea 13:19.940 --> 13:23.290 more than important than the 13:23.300 --> 13:26.320 security alliance with the United 13:26.320 --> 13:29.860 States . I've not seen reports that 13:31.040 --> 13:33.770 Yeah , I have not seen those reports . 13:33.770 --> 13:36.200 And I certainly wouldn't speak for the 13:36.210 --> 13:39.110 South Korean government and their view 13:39.120 --> 13:43.110 of of specific training events on the 13:43.120 --> 13:45.231 on the peninsula . I'll just say what 13:45.231 --> 13:47.398 I've said before , which is that , you 13:47.398 --> 13:49.980 know , we take our alliance commitments 13:49.980 --> 13:52.313 to the Republic of Korea very seriously , 13:52.313 --> 13:54.536 and that includes making sure there are 13:54.536 --> 13:56.800 ready military capabilities should they 13:56.800 --> 14:00.780 be needed . Um and , um , General 14:00.780 --> 14:04.260 Abrams minds that very , very well in 14:04.260 --> 14:08.050 lockstep with our South Korean 14:08.050 --> 14:10.710 allies , and I just wouldn't wouldn't 14:10.710 --> 14:12.821 comment more beyond that . Other than 14:12.821 --> 14:15.043 we know , we've got serious commitments 14:15.043 --> 14:17.266 to make sure we have ready forces there 14:17.266 --> 14:20.320 have upcoming together on the Secretary 14:20.330 --> 14:23.940 Austin to visit South Korea and Japan . 14:23.950 --> 14:25.950 I don't have any travel to speak to 14:25.950 --> 14:28.050 today . I have something 14:29.240 --> 14:32.060 information . I want to confirm that . 14:32.540 --> 14:36.080 Because the year everybody knows it 14:36.080 --> 14:39.400 really does Would . Secretary trip to 14:40.140 --> 14:42.490 I don't have any travel to announce . I 14:42.490 --> 14:44.823 don't have any travel to announce today , 14:44.823 --> 14:48.220 but thanks for trying . Um , Tony 14:48.220 --> 14:51.380 Cappuccio Bloomberg . Hi , John . Can 14:51.380 --> 14:53.820 you hear me ? Yes , I can . Okay . Two 14:53.820 --> 14:56.050 quick questions . Admiral Davidson this 14:56.050 --> 14:58.780 week has been advocating putting on 14:58.780 --> 15:01.100 Guam a major air defense system . One 15:01.100 --> 15:03.170 of these Aegis assures , does the 15:03.180 --> 15:05.180 secretary endorsed that And I had a 15:05.180 --> 15:07.750 second question . Uh , secretaries 15:07.760 --> 15:10.900 Mindful of what I think , uh , what 15:10.900 --> 15:13.122 you're talking about is part and parcel 15:13.122 --> 15:15.456 of the Pacific Defense Initiative . And , 15:15.456 --> 15:18.490 um , again , he This is something that 15:18.490 --> 15:21.120 will be , I'm sure , informed by and 15:21.120 --> 15:23.250 informing our global posture review . 15:24.240 --> 15:26.296 Okay , Second question . In terms of 15:26.296 --> 15:28.296 necessary resources , I keep I keep 15:28.296 --> 15:30.573 asking you about the 22 budget process . 15:30.573 --> 15:32.740 Last week you said it was in a nascent 15:32.740 --> 15:34.796 stage . A week later . Where is it ? 15:34.796 --> 15:36.962 Did you get a pass back yet from om Be 15:36.962 --> 15:39.129 giving you a top line ? And just where 15:39.129 --> 15:41.018 where is all these reviews ? That 15:41.018 --> 15:43.240 Secretary Hicks is , uh , ask for their 15:43.240 --> 15:45.462 still ongoing Tony ? Uh , we're still , 15:45.462 --> 15:47.629 and we're still working with O and B . 15:47.629 --> 15:49.907 I don't have anything further to share , 15:49.907 --> 15:52.129 you know ? And I won't until the budget 15:52.129 --> 15:54.296 is delivered to Congress . Do you have 15:54.296 --> 15:56.407 any sense when it make it released in 15:56.407 --> 15:58.407 early May ? Bid May . That's July . 15:58.407 --> 16:00.573 That is really a question . Better put 16:00.573 --> 16:02.573 to , um , be Tony . Not not to us , 16:02.573 --> 16:04.740 John . Getting back to Capitol Hill in 16:04.740 --> 16:06.851 the guard . I think you said it was a 16:06.851 --> 16:08.910 $480 million cost for this was that 16:08.920 --> 16:11.580 through through March . Or if you give 16:11.580 --> 16:14.190 us an update on that , it was It was 16:14.190 --> 16:17.730 budgeted . 483 million through 16:17.730 --> 16:21.010 March 12 March , which next week . One 16:21.010 --> 16:23.920 other thing on chapel in , uh , coupon . 16:23.940 --> 16:27.480 Um , his remains are being 16:27.480 --> 16:29.647 returned . Were they being returned to 16:29.647 --> 16:31.758 Where is the family ? In the States ? 16:31.758 --> 16:33.758 They don't have an update on that . 16:33.758 --> 16:35.924 I'll have to get that for you . We can 16:35.924 --> 16:35.730 take that question . That's fair . 16:36.070 --> 16:39.560 That's fair . Okay . Matt from ABC . 16:47.840 --> 16:51.780 Okay , um , let's see 16:51.790 --> 16:53.401 Jeff from Voice of America . 16:56.340 --> 16:58.396 Hi . Thanks very much for doing this 16:58.396 --> 17:00.673 and taking questions . Um , first , uh , 17:00.673 --> 17:02.840 two questions one on Afghanistan . Any 17:02.840 --> 17:06.150 update on where the processes as the 17:06.160 --> 17:08.216 May 1st deadline and continues to be 17:08.216 --> 17:10.271 closer . We've been hearing recently 17:10.271 --> 17:12.271 from lawmakers on both sides of the 17:12.271 --> 17:14.400 aisle now , uh , saying including the 17:14.400 --> 17:16.456 chairman of the House Armed Services 17:16.456 --> 17:18.567 Committee earlier today , saying that 17:18.567 --> 17:20.456 they see no way that the Pentagon 17:20.456 --> 17:22.678 camera there should be meeting that may 17:22.678 --> 17:24.844 1st withdrawal their mind . And I have 17:24.844 --> 17:27.120 a second question as well . I don't 17:27.120 --> 17:29.342 have an update . The interagency review 17:29.342 --> 17:32.130 continues . Okay , Um and also there's 17:32.130 --> 17:34.710 been reporting this week about how 17:34.710 --> 17:37.160 airstrikes are carried out . We saw in 17:37.160 --> 17:39.580 a in a release from the African Africa 17:39.580 --> 17:43.000 Command today , quoting Somali defence 17:43.000 --> 17:45.440 chief is saying that the airstrikes are 17:45.450 --> 17:48.580 absolutely needed . Has there been any 17:48.590 --> 17:51.010 expression of concern from U . S allies 17:51.010 --> 17:53.232 or partners about what's happening with 17:53.232 --> 17:55.454 the policy on airstrikes and whether or 17:55.454 --> 17:57.630 not it might impede their efforts 17:57.630 --> 17:59.574 against violent extremist groups , 17:59.574 --> 18:01.297 terrorist groups in Africa and 18:01.297 --> 18:03.408 elsewhere ? I'm not aware of any such 18:03.408 --> 18:05.463 concerns that have been expressed to 18:05.463 --> 18:08.810 the department . Mm . Okay . Hey . 18:09.250 --> 18:11.220 Yes . Thanks , John . Would the 18:11.220 --> 18:12.998 National Guard that request for 18:12.998 --> 18:15.164 extension ? Could you give us any more 18:15.164 --> 18:17.276 details like the number of troops are 18:17.276 --> 18:20.660 fencing would come down . I don't have 18:20.660 --> 18:23.680 any updates on fencing . Um , and I 18:23.680 --> 18:25.680 would point you to what the Capitol 18:25.680 --> 18:27.680 police have said about what they're 18:27.680 --> 18:30.630 requesting . Uh , that's better for 18:30.630 --> 18:34.490 them to speak to . Uh , but what I 18:34.490 --> 18:36.450 would say is , as I said , were in 18:36.450 --> 18:38.506 receipt of it we're evaluating , and 18:38.506 --> 18:40.450 we're gonna treat it just like any 18:40.450 --> 18:42.561 other requests for assistance that we 18:42.561 --> 18:44.561 get , uh , reviewing it with an eye 18:44.561 --> 18:46.839 towards whether we can meet the demand , 18:46.839 --> 18:49.061 whether you know , the requirements are 18:49.061 --> 18:51.172 all valid . And then on what timeline 18:51.172 --> 18:53.339 and what's sourcing and that process ? 18:53.339 --> 18:55.450 I mean , just came in last night . So 18:55.450 --> 18:57.506 we're working very quickly at that . 18:57.506 --> 18:59.561 Mindful of the 12 March deadline for 18:59.561 --> 19:03.160 the current mission . Okay , um , 19:04.640 --> 19:08.260 let's see Sam from us and I 19:09.240 --> 19:12.200 Hi , John . Um , just a quick one . So 19:12.210 --> 19:15.480 from the Austin message that we saw 19:15.490 --> 19:18.390 yesterday , the interim national , uh , 19:18.400 --> 19:21.110 security guidance that came out earlier 19:21.110 --> 19:22.888 this month and then some of the 19:22.888 --> 19:25.054 reporting around , Um uh , some of the 19:25.054 --> 19:28.740 directives from , uh , def sec def hits 19:28.750 --> 19:31.010 on kind of the priorities for the 19:31.010 --> 19:33.121 department going forward . Do you all 19:33.121 --> 19:35.232 have a good definition on what you're 19:35.232 --> 19:37.121 referring to ? His legacy systems 19:37.121 --> 19:39.700 because divestiture of legacy systems 19:39.710 --> 19:42.480 is something that's in all sort of all 19:42.480 --> 19:45.020 three of those instances . Is that 19:45.020 --> 19:47.131 something that you all have kind of a 19:47.131 --> 19:49.298 clear definition on , or is it sort of 19:49.298 --> 19:51.550 a little squishier as we move through 19:51.560 --> 19:54.330 these reviews ? I couldn't give you a 19:54.330 --> 19:57.260 precise definition of the word in 19:57.260 --> 19:59.770 budget terms here from the podium , Sam , 19:59.770 --> 20:01.880 But I think , you know , everybody 20:01.880 --> 20:04.920 understands that to mean , uh , older 20:04.920 --> 20:07.550 systems . Uh , 20:07.560 --> 20:11.520 capabilities . Um , that may need 20:11.520 --> 20:14.700 to be replaced or revised . I guess I'm 20:14.700 --> 20:16.756 just asking the question because the 20:16.756 --> 20:18.970 consistency of the language across a 20:18.970 --> 20:21.830 lot of different vectors means that 20:21.840 --> 20:24.000 there's something in mind and there's 20:24.000 --> 20:25.944 sort of a definition in mind . And 20:25.944 --> 20:27.944 there's there's a particular set of 20:27.944 --> 20:30.167 missions that you all have in mind when 20:30.167 --> 20:32.278 this is coming . I was just wondering 20:32.278 --> 20:34.056 if there was a more of a firmer 20:34.056 --> 20:36.730 definition on what that would be . Yeah , 20:36.730 --> 20:39.080 I know . I I get the question . I just 20:39.080 --> 20:41.247 point you back to my original answer . 20:41.247 --> 20:43.080 I mean , I don't have a specific 20:43.080 --> 20:45.247 definition to give you , uh , accept . 20:45.247 --> 20:47.191 And I think you know , you've been 20:47.191 --> 20:46.970 covering this a long time , Sam . and , 20:46.970 --> 20:49.192 you know , in general what we mean when 20:49.192 --> 20:51.526 we talk about legacy systems . But look , 20:51.526 --> 20:53.581 that's what you do , and that's what 20:53.581 --> 20:55.692 you do in budget season . That's what 20:55.692 --> 20:57.859 you do every year when you take a look 20:57.859 --> 20:59.748 at and what resources you need to 20:59.748 --> 21:01.970 defend the country . You take a look at 21:01.970 --> 21:01.530 the systems , the platforms , the 21:01.530 --> 21:03.697 capabilities to make sure that they're 21:03.697 --> 21:05.530 relevant to the threats and the 21:05.530 --> 21:07.697 challenges that you're facing . And so 21:07.697 --> 21:09.919 when we refer to legacy systems , we're 21:09.919 --> 21:11.586 talking about typically older 21:11.586 --> 21:13.752 capabilities that are worth asking the 21:13.752 --> 21:15.863 question . Do we still need them ? Do 21:15.863 --> 21:18.086 we still need them in the same number ? 21:18.086 --> 21:20.197 Do they need to be modernized ? Or do 21:20.197 --> 21:22.363 they You need to be eliminated ? And I 21:22.363 --> 21:24.586 think that's the the general gist of Of 21:24.586 --> 21:26.863 of how that word was used in , uh , in , 21:26.863 --> 21:30.350 uh , in our planning . Yes , go ahead . 21:30.840 --> 21:34.370 Thank you . Uh , China said , writing 21:34.370 --> 21:37.820 that it would increase China would 21:37.830 --> 21:40.880 increase its the defense budget by 21:40.890 --> 21:44.460 6.8% in 2021 . 21:45.040 --> 21:47.520 How much are you concerned about the 21:47.530 --> 21:50.650 continuing increase of China's military 21:50.650 --> 21:52.817 spending ? The secretary has been very 21:52.817 --> 21:55.190 clear . I mean , he holds China as the 21:55.200 --> 21:57.490 pacing challenge of the department . 21:57.500 --> 21:59.556 You saw that in the document that we 21:59.556 --> 22:02.560 made public yesterday . Um , And as he 22:02.560 --> 22:04.727 further articulated in that document , 22:04.727 --> 22:06.893 that means we've got to make sure that 22:06.893 --> 22:09.050 we have the right capabilities . Uh , 22:09.060 --> 22:11.270 the right operational concepts , Uh , 22:11.280 --> 22:13.336 the right policies and strategies in 22:13.336 --> 22:15.490 place not just in the Indo Pacific 22:15.490 --> 22:17.712 region , but around the world , because 22:17.712 --> 22:20.170 china is having an impact globally . Uh , 22:20.170 --> 22:22.281 and to make sure that we're already , 22:22.281 --> 22:24.114 uh , to meet , uh , to meet that 22:24.114 --> 22:26.448 challenge , uh , forthright and head on , 22:26.740 --> 22:30.150 uh , there is also a criticism of 22:30.160 --> 22:32.710 China's military spending . Uh , there 22:32.710 --> 22:35.260 is a criticism accusations of China's 22:35.940 --> 22:38.060 military spending in terms of 22:38.070 --> 22:41.370 transparency and openness . Do you 22:41.370 --> 22:44.210 think that China's actual spending is 22:44.220 --> 22:47.510 much larger than the amount that 22:47.520 --> 22:50.980 publicly announced ? I don't have 22:50.980 --> 22:54.110 a from this podium . I wouldn't have 22:54.120 --> 22:56.730 that kind of context to offer . I What 22:56.730 --> 23:00.460 I think you're asking Is they being 23:00.940 --> 23:03.370 dishonest about the increase in their 23:03.370 --> 23:05.520 spending that it's more than what 23:05.520 --> 23:07.576 they're saying it . I think that's a 23:07.576 --> 23:09.298 great question for the Chinese 23:09.298 --> 23:11.409 government to post to them . I mean , 23:11.409 --> 23:13.576 I'm in no position to judge uh , right 23:13.576 --> 23:15.920 here today what we believe about the 23:15.920 --> 23:19.070 veracity of the figure that they're 23:19.070 --> 23:21.070 putting out there . Our focus is on 23:21.070 --> 23:23.240 getting our budget , uh , in order and 23:23.240 --> 23:25.770 getting it ready along . Oh , MBs 23:25.770 --> 23:27.992 timelines . That's where that's why our 23:27.992 --> 23:30.370 head is right here . Um , Ellen from 23:30.370 --> 23:31.060 synopsis . 23:36.540 --> 23:38.707 Hi . Thank you so much for taking me . 23:38.707 --> 23:40.651 Um , I'm gonna get to , um , covid 23:40.651 --> 23:42.750 vaccination . And I'm sure that 23:42.760 --> 23:44.900 vaccination is still ongoing at 23:44.910 --> 23:47.030 throughout d d o d . There's this 23:47.030 --> 23:49.120 number of a third of service members 23:49.120 --> 23:51.064 refusing the vaccine . Are you all 23:51.064 --> 23:53.950 doing anything to actually measure this , 23:53.960 --> 23:55.770 or is this just anecdotal ? 23:57.140 --> 23:59.980 We've talked about this before , 23:59.990 --> 24:03.840 um , at d o d . At 24:03.850 --> 24:05.610 this level , the office of the 24:05.610 --> 24:07.499 Secretary of Defense . We are not 24:07.499 --> 24:10.240 essentially tracking the rate at which 24:10.250 --> 24:13.800 the raw numbers at which , um , those 24:13.800 --> 24:15.689 who are being offered the vaccine 24:16.040 --> 24:19.220 declined to take it . There are . The 24:19.230 --> 24:22.670 services are working through , um , 24:22.680 --> 24:26.490 getting better clarity around the 24:26.500 --> 24:29.450 both the acceptance decisions , um and , 24:29.460 --> 24:33.150 uh , declination decisions . And so I'd 24:33.150 --> 24:35.261 point you to each of the services who 24:35.261 --> 24:37.340 can talk . We probably more fidelity 24:37.340 --> 24:39.340 about what they're seeing . I would 24:39.340 --> 24:41.451 caution you , though . And all of you 24:41.451 --> 24:43.562 and as I've said before , I mean , we 24:43.562 --> 24:45.562 are still vaccinating . Essentially 24:45.562 --> 24:47.562 tier one , tier one A and two . I'm 24:47.562 --> 24:49.562 sorry . Tier one and tier one . Bee 24:49.562 --> 24:51.507 populations largely throughout the 24:51.507 --> 24:53.670 force . So the majority of people I 24:53.670 --> 24:55.781 think we've administered now almost a 24:55.781 --> 24:59.060 million and a half , uh , doses and , 24:59.070 --> 25:01.292 uh , as you well know , all of you have 25:01.292 --> 25:03.403 covered the workforce . We're talking 25:03.403 --> 25:05.348 at over three million total in the 25:05.348 --> 25:07.570 workforce , so there's still a long way 25:07.570 --> 25:11.300 to go . And so the the rates , whatever 25:11.300 --> 25:14.170 they are acceptance rates or or or 25:14.180 --> 25:16.420 declination rates , uh , that you'll 25:16.420 --> 25:18.364 find you have to keep in mind that 25:18.364 --> 25:20.587 that's a that's of a small subset right 25:20.587 --> 25:22.642 now as we still continue to work our 25:22.642 --> 25:25.020 way through the program . Yes . 25:26.740 --> 25:29.073 I'm sorry . Was there another one ? Yes . 25:29.073 --> 25:31.240 Do you have the Janssen vaccine in the 25:31.240 --> 25:33.296 supply chain already ? And where are 25:33.296 --> 25:35.407 you sending that ? Is it mainly going 25:35.407 --> 25:37.351 overseas or to particular kinds of 25:37.351 --> 25:40.660 troops ? We , uh 25:42.240 --> 25:46.060 yeah , we are . We are We are receiving 25:46.060 --> 25:49.800 allocations of the Johnson vaccine . Um , 25:49.800 --> 25:51.967 and we're going to start incorporating 25:51.967 --> 25:54.440 it into the existing distribution 25:54.450 --> 25:56.450 process . What we said before is it 25:56.450 --> 25:58.561 does give us more flexibility because 25:58.561 --> 26:00.394 it shifts in bulk and it doesn't 26:00.394 --> 26:02.450 require refrigeration . Um , it only 26:02.450 --> 26:04.728 requires one shot . So , uh , you know , 26:04.728 --> 26:06.950 making a single vaccine you can be able 26:06.950 --> 26:09.790 to accomplish more and less time . Um 26:09.800 --> 26:12.730 uh , it's also highly effective . We 26:12.730 --> 26:15.070 believe it will appropriately protect 26:15.070 --> 26:17.237 our personnel from hospitalization and 26:17.237 --> 26:19.980 possibly death . And like we've said , 26:19.980 --> 26:21.813 like all the other vaccines , we 26:21.813 --> 26:23.758 believe this is going to be key to 26:23.758 --> 26:25.813 helping end the end . The pandemic . 26:25.813 --> 26:28.780 Yes . So we I would like to go back to 26:28.790 --> 26:32.460 the National Guard . Um , I'm not a 26:32.460 --> 26:34.870 specialist , but I know that there is a 26:34.870 --> 26:38.290 law that prevents , uh , military 26:38.300 --> 26:41.870 to , uh , accept some police 26:41.870 --> 26:44.470 activities in the in the country , the 26:44.690 --> 26:48.200 communities . So I wanted to know if in 26:48.200 --> 26:50.960 the Pentagon there is a concern that 26:51.240 --> 26:54.960 keeping a national guards at the 26:55.340 --> 26:58.420 capital for two more months with the 26:58.430 --> 27:02.360 risk to violate this law . No , There's 27:02.360 --> 27:04.980 no concern about the Posse Comitatus 27:04.980 --> 27:08.730 which restricts active duty . 27:09.740 --> 27:12.200 What we would call title 10 troops from 27:12.200 --> 27:14.150 participating in law enforcement 27:14.150 --> 27:16.310 activities that the National Guard , 27:16.320 --> 27:19.580 under Title 32 does have the mandate to 27:19.580 --> 27:23.430 support local authorities as 27:23.430 --> 27:26.410 requested . So there's no concern for 27:26.410 --> 27:29.220 pasta comatose here . Do you ? Do you 27:29.220 --> 27:31.920 consider that the situation right now 27:31.920 --> 27:34.170 is an emergency that 27:34.540 --> 27:38.460 deserve the National Guard to stay ? 27:38.470 --> 27:40.510 Well , as I said , we just received 27:40.510 --> 27:42.510 this request , and we're evaluating 27:42.510 --> 27:44.399 that . And part of the evaluation 27:44.399 --> 27:46.510 process is to look at the requirement 27:46.510 --> 27:48.732 to consider the need . Um , and again , 27:48.732 --> 27:50.621 I won't get ahead of the decision 27:50.621 --> 27:53.850 making process here . Uh , but there's 27:53.860 --> 27:57.240 also in addition to looking at the 27:57.240 --> 28:00.260 threat environment . Um , you know , 28:00.260 --> 28:03.850 there's also I think it's , uh , 28:04.640 --> 28:06.696 necessary for us to also look at the 28:06.696 --> 28:08.918 capabilities requirement , Um , and the 28:08.918 --> 28:10.807 degree to which I mean things are 28:10.807 --> 28:14.170 things are clearly different now , uh , 28:14.740 --> 28:17.760 in the wake of January 6th . And the 28:17.760 --> 28:19.871 secretary believes that our lawmakers 28:19.871 --> 28:21.927 absolutely deserve a safe and secure 28:21.927 --> 28:24.260 environment in which to work . Um , and , 28:24.260 --> 28:25.982 uh , So we have to look at the 28:25.982 --> 28:28.093 capabilities there and on the Capitol 28:28.093 --> 28:30.093 complex , um , and ask ourselves if 28:30.093 --> 28:32.840 there are capabilities we can add that 28:32.850 --> 28:35.390 the Capitol police don't have right now 28:35.400 --> 28:38.710 or or or have insufficient to the need . 28:38.720 --> 28:40.870 So it's It's a combination of looking 28:40.870 --> 28:42.703 at the threat and looking at the 28:42.703 --> 28:44.703 capabilities need , and that's what 28:44.703 --> 28:46.814 were we doing in the coming hours and 28:46.814 --> 28:48.814 days as we work through this and my 28:48.814 --> 28:50.981 answer to Tom ? I mean , we're mindful 28:50.981 --> 28:53.037 of the current mission ending on the 28:53.037 --> 28:55.203 12th of March , So I don't expect that 28:55.203 --> 28:57.370 you're gonna see the Pentagon take too 28:57.370 --> 28:59.481 long here to make a decision . Yeah , 28:59.840 --> 29:01.840 sure . Go ahead . Lucas . Secretary 29:01.840 --> 29:04.062 support using the U . S . Military as a 29:04.062 --> 29:06.173 full time quick reaction force to the 29:06.173 --> 29:08.900 capital , as requested were recommended 29:08.900 --> 29:11.380 by General Honore . I don't have any , 29:11.390 --> 29:14.910 Uh , as far as I know , we don't have 29:14.920 --> 29:17.530 haven't received the report and don't 29:17.530 --> 29:18.919 have an opinion on those 29:18.919 --> 29:21.141 recommendations , so I mean , I haven't 29:21.141 --> 29:23.252 seen a report . I don't know that I'm 29:23.252 --> 29:25.252 not faulting you here , but I don't 29:25.252 --> 29:25.170 know that those are recommendations 29:25.170 --> 29:28.330 that that General Honore has made . Um , 29:28.340 --> 29:30.507 so I'm I'm unable to answer that right 29:30.507 --> 29:32.840 now . And just to follow up on Fort Lee , 29:32.840 --> 29:34.951 does the secretary support using Fort 29:34.951 --> 29:36.896 Lee as a base to potentially house 29:36.896 --> 29:39.620 migrant Children ? The secretary was 29:39.620 --> 29:42.530 supportive of having HHS visit Fort Lee 29:42.530 --> 29:44.750 to examine , uh , and to do a site 29:44.750 --> 29:47.910 survey . Um , and if there is a need , 29:47.920 --> 29:50.142 and right now there isn't one . There's 29:50.142 --> 29:52.253 no request . But if there's one , the 29:52.253 --> 29:54.420 Secretary is fully committed to making 29:54.420 --> 29:56.642 sure that that that request gets a full 29:56.642 --> 29:58.864 airing here at the Pentagon and that we 29:58.864 --> 30:00.920 make the best decisions we can . You 30:00.920 --> 30:02.864 support the name of the base being 30:02.864 --> 30:05.087 changed before any potential migrants . 30:05.087 --> 30:07.087 As you know , there's a base naming 30:07.087 --> 30:08.976 commission at work . He named for 30:08.976 --> 30:11.090 commissioners to it that they have 30:11.090 --> 30:13.620 started to have their initial 30:13.660 --> 30:16.230 deliberations . Um , and he wants them 30:16.230 --> 30:18.174 to make sure that they get all the 30:18.174 --> 30:20.230 support they need from us . And they 30:20.230 --> 30:22.490 will in . We'll see what they what they 30:22.490 --> 30:24.712 come up with at the end of their work . 30:24.840 --> 30:27.320 Um , hang on . Just saying Peter from 30:27.330 --> 30:28.170 same symbol . 30:34.140 --> 30:36.260 Okay , Peter is not there . 30:37.640 --> 30:41.590 Uh , Jared , I'm there 30:41.590 --> 30:43.710 are sorry There . There are too few 30:43.710 --> 30:46.043 buttons that you have to push on . Zoom . 30:46.043 --> 30:49.850 Um So which one of you am I talking to ? 30:50.340 --> 30:53.660 Mhm . You're talking to Peter Lowy from 30:53.660 --> 30:55.716 the attacking . All right , Thanks . 30:56.940 --> 30:59.480 The thank you . The the South Korean 30:59.480 --> 31:01.424 government , but also the Japanese 31:01.424 --> 31:03.591 government have both confirmed as well 31:03.591 --> 31:05.591 as Australian government has talked 31:05.591 --> 31:08.460 about the quad . Can you Can you You 31:08.460 --> 31:10.571 have already said that you cannot say 31:10.571 --> 31:12.627 anything about about the secretary's 31:12.627 --> 31:15.350 trip to to the end of Pacific . Can you 31:15.350 --> 31:17.294 explain why other governments have 31:17.294 --> 31:19.294 released it so much quicker than we 31:19.294 --> 31:22.490 have ? I , um , as as has been 31:22.490 --> 31:26.390 evidenced by misstatements and , uh , 31:26.400 --> 31:29.140 that I've made up here . I am barely 31:29.140 --> 31:31.140 capable of speaking for the Defense 31:31.140 --> 31:33.196 Department . Not , And I'm certainly 31:33.196 --> 31:35.084 not capable of speaking for other 31:35.084 --> 31:37.520 governments . I've got no travel to 31:37.520 --> 31:39.680 announce and and if and when there is 31:39.680 --> 31:41.902 travel to speak to , uh , we'll do that 31:41.902 --> 31:42.902 in due course 31:45.740 --> 31:48.830 is what Secretary Kerry to 31:48.840 --> 31:52.620 Korea depends top secret . Or when I 31:52.620 --> 31:54.787 have something to announce and to talk 31:54.787 --> 31:56.898 to , I will do that . Thanks . Thanks 31:56.898 --> 32:00.040 for the concerted effort , Peter . Can 32:00.040 --> 32:02.460 you tell us a little bit more about how 32:02.460 --> 32:05.590 the secretary got to the point where he 32:05.590 --> 32:07.479 talked about the threats that are 32:07.479 --> 32:09.570 coming from states ? We've heard the 32:09.570 --> 32:11.890 secretary speaking mainly about about 32:11.900 --> 32:14.490 China . We've heard them speaking about 32:14.610 --> 32:18.400 Russia Sometimes , but North Korea and 32:18.400 --> 32:20.660 Iran were like , at least new to me . 32:20.810 --> 32:22.977 How did we come here ? Is it something 32:22.977 --> 32:25.199 that is added ? Is it something that is 32:25.199 --> 32:27.032 being He looked at ? It from the 32:27.032 --> 32:29.199 previous administration and re adopted 32:29.420 --> 32:31.642 in the message that he sent yesterday . 32:32.040 --> 32:35.310 Um , and I think the short answer to 32:35.310 --> 32:37.980 your question is no , uh , I mean , 32:37.990 --> 32:41.670 we've spoken quite a bit from this 32:41.670 --> 32:43.892 podium , and the secretary spoken about 32:43.892 --> 32:46.003 malign activities that Iran continues 32:46.003 --> 32:48.226 to perpetrate in the region support for 32:48.226 --> 32:50.180 terrorism , uh , their ballistic 32:50.180 --> 32:52.400 missile program , the maritime threats 32:52.400 --> 32:55.570 that they pose . Uh , it's certainly no 32:55.580 --> 32:58.020 secret . And it's not lost on on the 32:58.020 --> 33:00.187 defense Department today any more than 33:00.187 --> 33:02.242 it was . Uh , you know , in the last 33:02.242 --> 33:04.540 few years , I myself have stood at this 33:04.540 --> 33:06.373 podium before , many years ago , 33:06.373 --> 33:08.318 talking about Iran and about North 33:08.318 --> 33:10.530 Korea . North Korea continues to 33:10.540 --> 33:14.270 develop . Uhh continues to possess 33:14.640 --> 33:18.150 a a dangerous , 33:18.160 --> 33:20.370 uh , program of weapons of mass 33:20.370 --> 33:24.290 destruction . That that threatens , uh , 33:24.300 --> 33:26.560 the region and potentially threatens 33:26.940 --> 33:29.030 the United States certainly , uh , 33:29.040 --> 33:30.873 poses a threat to our allies and 33:30.873 --> 33:33.040 partners in the region . So that's not 33:33.040 --> 33:35.040 that's not new . Um , I would think 33:35.040 --> 33:37.262 that you'd be surprised if when talking 33:37.262 --> 33:39.540 about state threats that Secretary 33:39.540 --> 33:41.762 Austin didn't mention those countries . 33:42.140 --> 33:45.460 Okay , uh , Tom from 33:46.240 --> 33:47.573 looks like talk media . 33:51.840 --> 33:55.720 Mhm . I'm gonna 33:55.720 --> 33:58.020 wait for him to pit the two buttons . 34:00.040 --> 34:02.373 I didn't know you had to do two buttons . 34:02.373 --> 34:05.330 Okay , I can hear me . Hey , is that 34:05.330 --> 34:09.210 your job , Tom ? All right , John . Yep . 34:09.210 --> 34:11.377 I got you , buddy . Okay . Hey , I was 34:11.377 --> 34:13.266 wondering if you could give me an 34:13.266 --> 34:15.321 update . Austin update , please . On 34:15.321 --> 34:17.432 when the freedom of navigation report 34:17.432 --> 34:19.210 for the last fiscal you will be 34:19.210 --> 34:19.080 released usually comes at the end of 34:19.080 --> 34:22.080 January . The folks at OSD Press 34:22.080 --> 34:24.136 officers have checked me each week , 34:24.136 --> 34:26.247 and each week they tell me it's going 34:26.247 --> 34:28.302 to be released the end of the week . 34:28.302 --> 34:30.469 It's about two months later . You have 34:30.469 --> 34:32.636 any idea when that might be released ? 34:32.636 --> 34:32.400 Please have a related question on that . 34:32.410 --> 34:35.050 Thanks . I don't , Tom . I'll take it 34:35.050 --> 34:37.450 as a question and we'll we'll get back 34:37.450 --> 34:39.617 to you . I'm sure we'll be able to get 34:39.617 --> 34:42.050 back to you by next week . I'm kidding . 34:42.050 --> 34:44.540 I'm kidding . Well , it's a fair 34:44.540 --> 34:46.651 question , Tom . So let me let me let 34:46.651 --> 34:48.540 me get back to you . Did you have 34:48.540 --> 34:50.707 another one ? Follow on . That is that 34:50.707 --> 34:49.730 the Germans announced that they're 34:49.730 --> 34:51.952 gonna have a frigate in the South China 34:51.952 --> 34:54.063 Sea this coming summer . Is this part 34:54.063 --> 34:56.174 of a larger effort by the Pentagon to 34:56.174 --> 34:58.341 get more NATO allies to participate in 34:58.341 --> 35:00.341 in the South China Sea . Freedom of 35:00.341 --> 35:02.452 navigation operations . Well , that's 35:02.452 --> 35:06.040 the the issue of 35:06.040 --> 35:08.670 a German ship , or or any other ship 35:08.670 --> 35:10.781 operating in that part of the world . 35:10.781 --> 35:12.726 Really is a question better put to 35:12.726 --> 35:14.670 their ministries of defense . They 35:14.670 --> 35:16.503 should speak to their assets . I 35:16.503 --> 35:18.670 certainly can't do that . Um , I think 35:18.670 --> 35:21.003 what you're seeing , though Tom is , uh , 35:21.003 --> 35:23.920 you know , rather than than some us 35:23.920 --> 35:27.040 driven , uh , concerted strategy . I 35:27.040 --> 35:28.984 think you're seeing many countries 35:28.984 --> 35:31.240 around the world expressing their 35:31.240 --> 35:33.190 concerns about China's aggressive 35:33.190 --> 35:35.357 activities , particularly in the South 35:35.357 --> 35:37.523 China Sea . And there . And they are . 35:37.523 --> 35:39.468 They're acting on those concerns . 35:39.468 --> 35:41.750 Thanks . Yep . You bet . Okay . Here in 35:41.750 --> 35:44.280 the room . Megan . Has the secretary 35:44.290 --> 35:46.510 made a decision on where Ike is going 35:46.510 --> 35:48.621 to go on its upcoming deployment ? Or 35:48.621 --> 35:50.780 if he hasn't ? Did he have meetings 35:50.780 --> 35:53.390 with the chairman or the Combs this 35:53.390 --> 35:55.279 week ? As he told us last week on 35:55.279 --> 35:57.557 limits that he planned to do this week , 35:57.557 --> 36:00.740 he meets with military leaders every 36:00.740 --> 36:03.920 week . Megan , I do not have a specific 36:03.930 --> 36:06.890 decision to speak to today . Okay ? 36:06.900 --> 36:09.370 Okay . Sure . John . Although you said 36:09.370 --> 36:11.990 the peace agreement between Taliban and 36:11.990 --> 36:14.480 us is not done yet . It's under review , 36:14.490 --> 36:16.870 Right ? That's correct . But where is 36:16.870 --> 36:19.740 the new decision came from regarding 36:19.740 --> 36:22.110 coalition government and Afghanistan 36:22.110 --> 36:25.880 That Dr Salha What ? His team went to 36:25.880 --> 36:29.760 Afghanistan and announced this for , 36:29.770 --> 36:33.750 uh , this topic coalition 36:33.750 --> 36:36.480 government , But still some of the 36:36.480 --> 36:38.424 leader of Afghanistan . They don't 36:38.424 --> 36:40.970 accept that coalition 50 50 between 36:40.970 --> 36:43.890 Taliban and Afghan government . It 36:43.890 --> 36:47.870 means that , uh , the agreement does 36:47.870 --> 36:50.820 not reviewing is not finished yet , 36:50.830 --> 36:53.760 right ? It's under review . But we are 36:53.770 --> 36:56.310 This decision comes from I would have 36:56.310 --> 36:58.532 to point you to the State Department to 36:58.532 --> 37:00.950 speak to that and , uh , Ambassador 37:01.200 --> 37:04.030 Khalilzad and his activities . I'm I'm 37:04.030 --> 37:06.280 not aware of that . And that even if I 37:06.280 --> 37:08.502 was , would not be appropriate to speak 37:08.502 --> 37:11.460 to you from this podium . Uh , 37:13.230 --> 37:16.350 met ABC . We tried him , didn't we ? 37:17.730 --> 37:20.160 Right . Is he Can you hear me ? Yeah , 37:20.160 --> 37:22.680 I got you . Yes , I failed the in 37:22.680 --> 37:25.420 meeting test earlier . Thanks . Um , so 37:25.420 --> 37:28.040 I have another question about Iraq and 37:28.050 --> 37:30.161 the New York Times reported about the 37:30.161 --> 37:33.400 pope landing today . Um , saying that 37:33.410 --> 37:35.600 his flight was escorted by U . S 37:35.610 --> 37:38.040 aircraft once he entered Iraqi airspace . 37:38.040 --> 37:40.262 Can you say anything about that confirm 37:40.262 --> 37:43.410 that cannot confirm that . Okay , One 37:43.410 --> 37:46.170 other thing . It you're not ready to 37:46.180 --> 37:48.347 give attribution for this attack . But 37:48.347 --> 37:50.236 if that should come , just having 37:50.236 --> 37:52.291 somebody like the pope in the region 37:52.291 --> 37:54.402 complicate the calculus when it comes 37:54.402 --> 37:56.624 to a U . S . Response again , there are 37:56.624 --> 37:58.791 no decision has been made with respect 37:58.791 --> 38:00.958 to whether there will be a response or 38:00.958 --> 38:03.236 what that response might might be like . 38:03.236 --> 38:05.236 And as I think you know , there's a 38:05.236 --> 38:08.260 multitude of factors that go into , uh , 38:08.270 --> 38:10.270 any decision that the United States 38:10.270 --> 38:13.930 military makes , uh , to conduct a 38:13.940 --> 38:16.051 strike of that sort . Lots of factors 38:16.051 --> 38:18.760 go into that . Okay . Thank you . 38:18.770 --> 38:22.710 Uh , corn . Uh , Jake Sullivan 38:22.710 --> 38:24.821 warned yesterday of the danger or the 38:24.821 --> 38:27.030 threat posed by the Microsoft Exchange 38:27.030 --> 38:29.141 hack , and it was echoed by the White 38:29.141 --> 38:30.974 House , and he specifically said 38:30.974 --> 38:33.086 defense industrial base entities were 38:33.086 --> 38:35.419 targeted . I wonder , Was the was the D . 38:35.419 --> 38:37.586 O . D . A target as well ? Was there a 38:37.586 --> 38:36.790 breach ? And have you been in 38:36.790 --> 38:38.512 communication with any defense 38:38.512 --> 38:40.457 industrial base entities that were 38:40.457 --> 38:42.679 targeted ? So what I can tell you or in 38:42.679 --> 38:44.734 is that we're aware of the Microsoft 38:44.734 --> 38:46.790 threat . Intelligence centers report 38:46.790 --> 38:48.957 we're currently assessing our networks 38:48.957 --> 38:51.012 right now for any evidence of impact 38:51.012 --> 38:53.179 were also , as I don't think will come 38:53.179 --> 38:55.234 as a surprise , taking all necessary 38:55.234 --> 38:57.068 steps to identify and remedy any 38:57.068 --> 38:58.820 possible issues related to the 38:58.820 --> 39:01.840 situation . Joint Force Headquarters . 39:03.120 --> 39:05.390 We call it Dodon , but it's D o D . 39:05.390 --> 39:08.060 Information Network is coordinating 39:08.060 --> 39:10.171 with the National Security Agency and 39:10.171 --> 39:12.004 the Cybersecurity Infrastructure 39:12.004 --> 39:14.430 Security Agency on guidance and 39:14.430 --> 39:17.040 directives to make sure we can protect 39:17.050 --> 39:19.710 D o D networks and I t systems . So 39:19.720 --> 39:21.831 right now we're aware of it and we're 39:21.831 --> 39:24.053 assessing it . And that's really as far 39:24.053 --> 39:27.260 as I'm able to go right now . Okay . Uh , 39:27.270 --> 39:31.250 Jared . Hi , John . 39:31.250 --> 39:33.306 Thanks for doing this . Just a quick 39:33.306 --> 39:35.361 question on Israeli Defense Minister 39:35.361 --> 39:37.583 Benny Gantz . Comments yesterday to Fox 39:37.583 --> 39:39.750 News . Does the department assess that 39:39.750 --> 39:41.917 the Israelis are capable of conducting 39:41.917 --> 39:44.410 unilateral operation against Iran's 39:44.410 --> 39:46.466 nuclear site ? And what might be the 39:46.466 --> 39:48.700 consequences of that ? I absolutely 39:48.700 --> 39:50.589 would not comment on that today . 39:51.120 --> 39:53.287 That's that's really a question better 39:53.287 --> 39:56.040 put to to our Israeli 39:56.420 --> 39:58.750 friends in the region . I would not 39:59.120 --> 40:02.830 comment on that . Um Terrence Newsy 40:06.110 --> 40:09.590 Theresa . Did I get that wrong ? I'm 40:09.590 --> 40:12.940 sorry . Yes , Theresa . Sorry , 40:13.310 --> 40:15.590 Yes , sir . Can you hear me ? Yes . 40:15.740 --> 40:17.518 Okay . Excellent . Actually , a 40:17.518 --> 40:19.740 reporter asked my question earlier , so 40:19.740 --> 40:21.684 I don't have one . Thank you . I'm 40:21.684 --> 40:23.962 sorry I butchered your first name . No , 40:23.962 --> 40:26.018 no , that's okay . I'm gonna do it . 40:26.018 --> 40:25.300 I'm gonna blame it on Brooke the wallet . 40:25.300 --> 40:28.510 First handwriting . Okay . Back 40:28.510 --> 40:31.370 there . Following question on the 40:31.380 --> 40:34.380 Chinese defense budget . So one of the 40:34.380 --> 40:36.400 arguments from the Chinese side is 40:36.410 --> 40:39.290 their budget is still , uh , relatively 40:39.300 --> 40:41.400 small compared to the United States 40:41.400 --> 40:44.120 budget . So which brings that 40:44.130 --> 40:46.220 transparency question . Do you think 40:46.220 --> 40:49.340 it's fair to compare the US budget that 40:49.340 --> 40:52.600 is publicly announced to the one the 40:52.610 --> 40:56.070 Chinese government ? Yeah , I think 40:56.070 --> 40:59.250 it's fair for who , uh , to make a 40:59.250 --> 41:01.910 comparison . I didn't make a comparison . 41:01.920 --> 41:05.080 Uh , and I'm not attempting to make a 41:05.080 --> 41:07.520 comparison . Um , the Chinese 41:07.520 --> 41:09.631 government can speak to their defense 41:09.631 --> 41:11.742 budget . They should have to speak to 41:11.742 --> 41:13.853 their defense budget and what they're 41:13.853 --> 41:13.280 doing and what they're spending and 41:13.280 --> 41:15.500 what they're using it for , um , and 41:15.500 --> 41:17.722 they should have to answer and speak to 41:17.722 --> 41:19.667 their aggressive activities in the 41:19.667 --> 41:21.667 South China Sea and the way they're 41:21.667 --> 41:23.833 coercing , uh , their neighbors . Um , 41:23.833 --> 41:26.000 they should speak to a lot of things . 41:26.000 --> 41:28.222 Our job is to speak to what we're doing 41:28.222 --> 41:27.400 here in the U . S . Defense Department . 41:27.400 --> 41:29.400 And that's one of the reasons why I 41:29.400 --> 41:31.622 wanted to make sure we publicly release 41:31.622 --> 41:31.580 the secretary's priorities to all of 41:31.580 --> 41:34.910 you . So you can see , um , what he 41:34.910 --> 41:36.990 wants to do here at the Defense 41:36.990 --> 41:39.046 Department and what we're willing to 41:39.046 --> 41:41.157 speak to on on behalf of the American 41:41.157 --> 41:42.990 people And you saw right in that 41:42.990 --> 41:46.360 document that China was was was clearly 41:46.360 --> 41:48.740 delineated as the pacing challenge for 41:48.740 --> 41:50.851 the department . So we're comfortable 41:50.851 --> 41:54.320 speaking to that . Abraham . Former 41:54.330 --> 41:56.386 Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he 41:56.386 --> 41:58.552 wanted to travel to China to meet with 41:58.552 --> 42:00.552 his counterpart . Is that something 42:00.552 --> 42:02.719 that Secretary Austin would like to do 42:02.719 --> 42:04.774 as well ? I don't have any potential 42:04.774 --> 42:06.997 travel to China to speak to either , do 42:06.997 --> 42:10.140 I , Jenny ? Yeah . You're hired . 42:11.150 --> 42:13.970 You like this one too ? I'm hitting 42:13.970 --> 42:16.137 them out of the park with you , aren't 42:16.137 --> 42:18.359 I ? I'm going to run out of Thai soon . 42:18.359 --> 42:20.303 Go ahead in the back . Thank you . 42:20.303 --> 42:22.359 Notes with diplomatic times I have a 42:22.359 --> 42:24.470 question on U . S . Africa Command in 42:24.470 --> 42:26.470 terms of operations in the question 42:26.470 --> 42:28.780 Africa , Seville . Do you see them 42:28.780 --> 42:30.836 stepping up in the operations in the 42:30.960 --> 42:33.340 area , given the unprecedented terror 42:33.340 --> 42:35.562 attacks there , because we know they're 42:35.562 --> 42:37.784 involved in Eastern Horn of Africa with 42:37.784 --> 42:39.840 Somalia . So you see there anymore , 42:39.840 --> 42:42.173 expanding their operations in the house . 42:42.173 --> 42:44.340 I think we've said before we certainly 42:44.340 --> 42:46.600 take seriously the terrorism threat in 42:46.600 --> 42:50.010 Africa and hell specifically and , uh , 42:50.200 --> 42:51.756 continue to work inside the 42:51.756 --> 42:53.978 international community to address that 42:53.978 --> 42:56.089 threat . I don't have and won't speak 42:56.089 --> 42:58.256 to potential future operations . Yes , 42:58.256 --> 43:01.510 ma'am . Um , it is reported that you as 43:01.520 --> 43:04.750 will establish missile network along 43:04.750 --> 43:07.190 the so called first island chain for 43:07.190 --> 43:09.570 the Inter Positive Theater . And then 43:09.580 --> 43:12.020 the plan forms part of a specific 43:12.020 --> 43:14.430 deterrence initiative proposed by the U . 43:14.430 --> 43:16.597 S . Inter Pacific comment and expected 43:16.597 --> 43:19.480 to cost 27 billion over six years . So 43:19.480 --> 43:21.670 can you elaborate more on this like 43:21.680 --> 43:24.350 missile network system and just one 43:24.350 --> 43:27.190 more The SME agreement . Actually , us 43:27.190 --> 43:29.470 and ROK are getting close to the final 43:29.480 --> 43:32.100 SMH agreement , so they are now having 43:32.110 --> 43:34.810 a final meeting in D . C now today . So 43:34.810 --> 43:37.080 what does he expect from its agreement 43:37.090 --> 43:39.320 in terms of the U S . Rok alliance ? 43:39.400 --> 43:43.040 Thank you . Um , talk about that for 43:43.040 --> 43:45.207 the S m . A . As far as I know , those 43:45.207 --> 43:47.270 discussions are still ongoing . And 43:47.270 --> 43:49.270 that's a question better put to the 43:49.270 --> 43:51.048 State Department on the Pacific 43:51.048 --> 43:52.770 Deterrence Initiative . We are 43:52.770 --> 43:55.040 developing , uh , in , uh , fiscal year 43:55.040 --> 43:58.090 22 to to fund key investments that will 43:58.090 --> 44:00.146 maintain a credible deterrent in the 44:00.146 --> 44:02.312 Indo Pacific , reassure our allies and 44:02.312 --> 44:04.534 partners and reduce operational risk of 44:04.534 --> 44:06.910 U . S forces , Uh , specifically the 44:06.920 --> 44:10.090 Pacific Defense Initiative Specific 44:10.090 --> 44:12.050 Deterrence initiative . Sorry will 44:12.050 --> 44:14.470 support the department's efforts to 44:14.470 --> 44:16.248 feel more lethal and survivable 44:16.248 --> 44:18.359 capabilities , build a more resilient 44:18.359 --> 44:20.581 and distributed force posture , improve 44:20.581 --> 44:22.526 the capabilities of our allies and 44:22.526 --> 44:24.526 partners , and enhance innovation , 44:24.526 --> 44:26.581 experimentation and training for the 44:26.581 --> 44:28.692 joint force . And that's about as far 44:28.692 --> 44:28.160 as I'm going to go in detail today . 44:28.160 --> 44:30.327 For any further details . We point you 44:30.327 --> 44:32.660 to the Indo Pacific Command to speak to . 44:33.090 --> 44:35.423 Okay . Have a great weekend , everybody . 44:35.423 --> 44:37.646 Looks like I got everybody on the sheet 44:37.646 --> 44:39.479 that everybody here have a great 44:39.479 --> 44:43.410 weekend . Of course it would 44:43.790 --> 44:45.734 Wouldn't be a briefing without you 44:45.734 --> 44:47.457 getting the last one . Are you 44:47.457 --> 44:49.512 concerned this tit for tat with Iran 44:49.512 --> 44:51.512 will lead up to a war ? I mean , we 44:51.512 --> 44:53.568 talked about that , Lucas . Nobody . 44:53.568 --> 44:57.010 First of all , uh , I would 44:57.690 --> 45:00.000 not character as this is a tit for tat . 45:00.990 --> 45:03.157 We took defensive strikes last week in 45:03.157 --> 45:05.190 order to protect our people , and 45:05.190 --> 45:07.357 nobody wants to see this escalate . As 45:07.357 --> 45:09.523 I've said before , nobody wants to see 45:09.523 --> 45:11.523 this escalate . Uh , but we have an 45:11.523 --> 45:13.746 obligation to protect our people . Um , 45:13.746 --> 45:16.210 and , uh , if and when we feel like we 45:16.210 --> 45:19.190 need to do that again , we will . But 45:19.190 --> 45:21.023 these running back militias , if 45:21.023 --> 45:23.023 they're hearing this that you don't 45:23.023 --> 45:25.246 want to escalate this doesn't that mean 45:25.246 --> 45:27.079 that they can keep going knowing 45:27.079 --> 45:29.134 there's not gonna be responsible ? I 45:29.134 --> 45:30.857 again without getting ahead of 45:30.857 --> 45:33.079 decisions that have been made ? I think 45:33.079 --> 45:35.246 the president sent a very clear signal 45:35.246 --> 45:37.579 last week , Uh , that he's going to act , 45:37.579 --> 45:40.930 uh , proportionately deliberately , uh , 45:40.940 --> 45:43.107 and prudently to protect our people in 45:43.107 --> 45:44.996 our Iraqi allies . Uh , our Iraqi 45:44.996 --> 45:47.420 partners in the region going the 45:47.430 --> 45:50.160 previous administration stated clearly 45:50.240 --> 45:53.510 that it will hold Iran responsible for 45:53.520 --> 45:56.150 any action or attacks by the proxies . 45:56.160 --> 45:58.730 Are you saying proportional means that 45:58.730 --> 46:00.730 for that ? Then whoever is going to 46:00.730 --> 46:03.063 attack us , we are going to attack them ? 46:03.063 --> 46:05.174 I'm saying I'm saying quite clearly , 46:05.174 --> 46:07.230 we're not interested in getting into 46:07.230 --> 46:09.452 what Lucas describes as a tit for tat . 46:09.452 --> 46:11.341 What we're interested in doing is 46:11.341 --> 46:13.508 making sure that we are protecting our 46:13.508 --> 46:15.508 people and our Iraqi partners , and 46:15.508 --> 46:17.674 that we continue to be able to conduct 46:17.674 --> 46:19.730 the mission inside Iraq at the Iraqi 46:19.730 --> 46:21.730 government's invitation to go after 46:21.730 --> 46:24.008 Isis . That is That is what I'm saying . 46:24.008 --> 46:27.310 Okay . Thanks , everybody . Yep . You 46:27.320 --> 46:27.810 too .