1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:08,462 Good afternoon , everybody . Thanks for 3 00:00:08,980 --> 00:00:11,147 calling in or coming into the building 4 00:00:11,147 --> 00:00:13,202 today to do a quick press briefing . 5 00:00:14,010 --> 00:00:16,121 First and foremost , I want to take a 6 00:00:16,121 --> 00:00:17,843 moment to Echo Secretary Esper 7 00:00:17,843 --> 00:00:20,066 sentiments and express the department's 8 00:00:20,066 --> 00:00:22,232 deepest condolences to the families of 9 00:00:22,232 --> 00:00:24,288 the nine service members who we lost 10 00:00:24,288 --> 00:00:26,399 last week in California . Our prayers 11 00:00:26,399 --> 00:00:26,130 are with the family , friends and 12 00:00:26,130 --> 00:00:28,500 teammates of his brave young men . They 13 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:30,333 also want express the department 14 00:00:30,333 --> 00:00:32,556 sympathies and mourning the lives of so 15 00:00:32,556 --> 00:00:34,722 many lost in Lebanon on Tuesday . This 16 00:00:34,722 --> 00:00:36,500 is a horrific tragedy . General 17 00:00:36,500 --> 00:00:38,722 Mackenzie has spoken with the commander 18 00:00:38,722 --> 00:00:38,430 of the Lebanese armed forces and 19 00:00:38,430 --> 00:00:40,541 informed him of an impending delivery 20 00:00:40,541 --> 00:00:42,610 of three C 17 shipments of relief 21 00:00:42,610 --> 00:00:44,777 supplies and foodie , including food , 22 00:00:44,777 --> 00:00:46,910 water and medical spas . The first of 23 00:00:46,910 --> 00:00:48,799 the Air Force see SEVENTEENS with 24 00:00:48,799 --> 00:00:50,854 humanitarian aid , has now taken off 25 00:00:50,854 --> 00:00:53,021 from cutter bound for Beirut . We will 26 00:00:53,021 --> 00:00:55,188 continue to coordinate with Department 27 00:00:55,188 --> 00:00:57,132 of State in U . S . A . I . D . On 28 00:00:57,132 --> 00:00:59,299 additional aid missions This morning , 29 00:00:59,299 --> 00:01:01,299 Secretary Esper had an hour and 1/2 30 00:01:01,299 --> 00:01:03,410 long telephone call with the People's 31 00:01:03,410 --> 00:01:05,577 Republic of China Minister of National 32 00:01:05,577 --> 00:01:07,760 Defense General Way Banku . In their 33 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:09,871 discussion , the secretary called for 34 00:01:09,871 --> 00:01:12,149 greater trans PRC transparency on COVE . 35 00:01:12,149 --> 00:01:14,850 It express concerns about Piercy Piercy 36 00:01:14,850 --> 00:01:17,017 destabilizing activity in the vicinity 37 00:01:17,017 --> 00:01:19,360 of Taiwan and the South China Sea , and 38 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:20,940 called on the PRC toe honor 39 00:01:20,950 --> 00:01:23,250 international obligations . Secretary 40 00:01:23,250 --> 00:01:25,417 Esper also communicated the importance 41 00:01:25,580 --> 00:01:27,600 that the PRC abide by international 42 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:29,900 laws , rules and norms and meet its 43 00:01:29,900 --> 00:01:32,220 international commitments . Finally , 44 00:01:32,220 --> 00:01:34,331 Secretary Esper affirm the principles 45 00:01:34,331 --> 00:01:36,553 and importance of constructive , stable 46 00:01:36,553 --> 00:01:38,164 and results oriented defense 47 00:01:38,164 --> 00:01:40,331 relationship between the United States 48 00:01:40,331 --> 00:01:42,800 and the PRC . This week we had historic 49 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:44,689 transitions take place across the 50 00:01:44,689 --> 00:01:46,522 department as we welcome General 51 00:01:46,522 --> 00:01:48,633 Charles CQ Brown as the 22nd chief of 52 00:01:48,633 --> 00:01:50,578 staff of the U . S . Air Force and 53 00:01:50,578 --> 00:01:52,633 General Daniel Hawkinson as the 29th 54 00:01:52,633 --> 00:01:54,856 chief of the National Guard Bureau . We 55 00:01:54,856 --> 00:01:56,800 want to thank General Goldfein and 56 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:58,911 General Lingle and their families for 57 00:01:58,911 --> 00:02:01,133 their distinguished service and express 58 00:02:01,133 --> 00:02:02,856 gratitude for their decades of 59 00:02:02,856 --> 00:02:05,078 commitment to our nation . We wish them 60 00:02:05,078 --> 00:02:06,911 well in retirement . We also saw 61 00:02:06,911 --> 00:02:06,830 significant progress this week with 62 00:02:06,830 --> 00:02:08,719 hearings for seven senior D . O D 63 00:02:08,719 --> 00:02:10,552 nominees before the Senate Armed 64 00:02:10,552 --> 00:02:12,274 Services Committee for Problem 65 00:02:12,274 --> 00:02:14,386 positions such as the Under secretary 66 00:02:14,386 --> 00:02:13,770 of the Air Force General Counsel , the 67 00:02:13,770 --> 00:02:15,659 army and deputy undersecretary of 68 00:02:15,659 --> 00:02:17,881 Defense for Intelligence and security . 69 00:02:17,881 --> 00:02:19,826 We thank the Senate Armed Services 70 00:02:19,826 --> 00:02:21,992 Committee and chairman and the ranking 71 00:02:21,992 --> 00:02:24,103 member for having those hearings this 72 00:02:24,103 --> 00:02:25,992 week and pursuing and moving this 73 00:02:25,992 --> 00:02:28,214 process forward . So with that , I will 74 00:02:28,214 --> 00:02:30,437 take your questions . So , first of the 75 00:02:30,437 --> 00:02:33,860 phone leader , I think , Jonathan , 76 00:02:34,810 --> 00:02:37,980 Two things on Lebanon . Number one . 77 00:02:38,930 --> 00:02:41,097 Is there any concerns about any of the 78 00:02:41,097 --> 00:02:43,319 aid ending up in Hezbollah hands of her 79 00:02:43,319 --> 00:02:45,750 name ? Precautions being taken in that 80 00:02:45,750 --> 00:02:49,410 regard . Um , and is there any move toe ? 81 00:02:49,410 --> 00:02:51,860 Have us be involved in any type of 82 00:02:51,870 --> 00:02:54,500 investigation into what actually 83 00:02:54,500 --> 00:02:57,860 happened there . And second , um , did 84 00:02:57,870 --> 00:03:00,270 U s generals give the president 85 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:03,440 inaccurate information ? When he said 86 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:05,770 that , they I told him that this was an 87 00:03:05,770 --> 00:03:08,020 attack . And have you been able to sort 88 00:03:08,020 --> 00:03:10,242 of get to the bottom of this ? Is there 89 00:03:10,242 --> 00:03:12,870 still any lingering thoughts among the 90 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:14,991 military ? This was an attack . Thank 91 00:03:14,991 --> 00:03:17,620 you . So first , obviously again 92 00:03:17,620 --> 00:03:19,731 reiterate our condolences for for the 93 00:03:19,731 --> 00:03:21,842 hundreds killed in the thousands that 94 00:03:21,842 --> 00:03:24,240 were injured in Beirut , the 95 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,240 investigation into the explosion is 96 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:28,351 ongoing . We're going to defer to and 97 00:03:28,351 --> 00:03:30,462 give the Lebanese government space to 98 00:03:30,462 --> 00:03:32,629 complete their investigation and reach 99 00:03:32,629 --> 00:03:34,684 their conclusions . I'm not going to 100 00:03:34,684 --> 00:03:36,907 offer any any conclusions from from the 101 00:03:36,907 --> 00:03:38,962 U . S . Government or from the Intel 102 00:03:38,962 --> 00:03:38,600 community today ? That's not not my 103 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:41,950 role . So we're gonna work with them if 104 00:03:41,950 --> 00:03:43,672 they ask for . If they ask for 105 00:03:43,672 --> 00:03:45,728 assistance , three us would would be 106 00:03:45,728 --> 00:03:47,672 willing to provide that . But I'll 107 00:03:47,672 --> 00:03:49,617 defer to State Department into the 108 00:03:49,617 --> 00:03:51,839 coordination of what could take place . 109 00:03:52,540 --> 00:03:54,707 Yeah , I think your second calm . Your 110 00:03:54,707 --> 00:03:56,873 second question was in regard , Teoh , 111 00:03:56,873 --> 00:03:59,096 Uh uh , comments from the president . I 112 00:03:59,096 --> 00:04:00,762 would just state that the the 113 00:04:00,762 --> 00:04:03,150 situation's been fast evolving and that 114 00:04:03,150 --> 00:04:06,430 on Tuesday and Wednesday , we saw 115 00:04:06,430 --> 00:04:08,541 different information come to light . 116 00:04:08,541 --> 00:04:10,652 The president and secretary have both 117 00:04:10,652 --> 00:04:12,874 been consistent . That we've reached no 118 00:04:12,874 --> 00:04:16,590 definitive cause for the explosion on 119 00:04:16,590 --> 00:04:18,701 that information is still coming in . 120 00:04:18,701 --> 00:04:20,868 We're going to continue to assess it . 121 00:04:20,868 --> 00:04:24,330 All right , I'll go to Ah , right . So 122 00:04:24,340 --> 00:04:26,562 last week , the secretary unveiled this 123 00:04:26,562 --> 00:04:28,784 plan to move troops out of Germany back 124 00:04:28,784 --> 00:04:30,896 home around other parts of Europe and 125 00:04:30,896 --> 00:04:32,896 said that some of these units would 126 00:04:32,896 --> 00:04:34,784 start making their moves within a 127 00:04:34,784 --> 00:04:36,896 matter of weeks . Has there been sort 128 00:04:36,896 --> 00:04:39,062 of a call sheet of units who are gonna 129 00:04:39,062 --> 00:04:41,229 be notified about those movements ? So 130 00:04:41,229 --> 00:04:43,284 I would refer you over to Tito . You 131 00:04:43,284 --> 00:04:45,451 come into General Walters and his team 132 00:04:45,451 --> 00:04:47,673 on the exact timeline of implementation 133 00:04:47,673 --> 00:04:49,729 for , uh , the the decision that was 134 00:04:49,729 --> 00:04:51,840 announced last week . Obviously , our 135 00:04:51,840 --> 00:04:53,840 commitment to NATO and the European 136 00:04:53,840 --> 00:04:56,062 Community is ironclad , and we're going 137 00:04:56,062 --> 00:04:58,229 to continue to bolster our NATO forces 138 00:04:58,229 --> 00:05:00,396 on bolster our deterrence for Russia . 139 00:05:00,610 --> 00:05:02,750 But the timeline that those will take 140 00:05:02,750 --> 00:05:04,861 place , obviously , this is something 141 00:05:04,861 --> 00:05:06,861 that's gonna take a little while to 142 00:05:06,861 --> 00:05:09,660 implement fully . But as we met Annette , 143 00:05:09,660 --> 00:05:11,882 mentioned last week was that there will 144 00:05:11,882 --> 00:05:13,771 be some elements that of advanced 145 00:05:13,771 --> 00:05:15,827 forces , that may be a transitioning 146 00:05:15,827 --> 00:05:17,938 from one location to another to begin 147 00:05:17,938 --> 00:05:19,716 for further larger , you know , 148 00:05:19,716 --> 00:05:21,716 deployments . But I like I said , I 149 00:05:21,716 --> 00:05:23,660 defer . Ugo , you come to get more 150 00:05:23,660 --> 00:05:25,716 details on that . Okay . All right . 151 00:05:25,716 --> 00:05:27,827 We'll go the phone . Uh , address Ali 152 00:05:27,827 --> 00:05:30,420 Reuters . The shop in 153 00:05:31,250 --> 00:05:34,890 question . Mr . Kids started working in 154 00:05:34,890 --> 00:05:37,820 his new role , Pentagon yet , and 155 00:05:37,820 --> 00:05:39,876 secondly , some senators have called 156 00:05:39,876 --> 00:05:42,490 the move to install him without Senate 157 00:05:42,490 --> 00:05:45,070 confirmation . Hearing in a process , a 158 00:05:45,070 --> 00:05:47,730 mockery for the Pentagon Was this sort 159 00:05:47,730 --> 00:05:49,563 of a one off not going through a 160 00:05:49,563 --> 00:05:51,730 confirmation process or it's not gonna 161 00:05:51,730 --> 00:05:53,841 be the new norm . I'm going forward . 162 00:05:53,841 --> 00:05:56,063 Where someone's installed without going 163 00:05:56,063 --> 00:05:58,063 through Ah Senate process . So , as 164 00:05:58,063 --> 00:05:59,841 you're aware , Mr Tate has been 165 00:05:59,841 --> 00:06:01,952 designated , is performing the duties 166 00:06:01,952 --> 00:06:04,174 of the deputy undersecretary of defense 167 00:06:04,174 --> 00:06:06,119 for policy . This is just a simple 168 00:06:06,119 --> 00:06:08,341 delegation that allows an individual to 169 00:06:08,341 --> 00:06:10,341 serve ah , performing many of those 170 00:06:10,341 --> 00:06:12,674 duties . But it is not a in acting role . 171 00:06:12,674 --> 00:06:14,630 Hey , is he does not have all the 172 00:06:14,630 --> 00:06:16,700 statutory responsibilities of that . 173 00:06:16,700 --> 00:06:19,170 He's just performing the duties off . I 174 00:06:19,170 --> 00:06:21,281 will note that this is not uncommon . 175 00:06:21,281 --> 00:06:24,160 This is something that takes place in 176 00:06:24,170 --> 00:06:26,830 this organization , others on and in 177 00:06:26,840 --> 00:06:29,007 prior administration . I'll just point 178 00:06:29,007 --> 00:06:31,173 out that in the prior administration , 179 00:06:31,173 --> 00:06:33,173 a current member of Congress was it 180 00:06:33,173 --> 00:06:35,284 designated the senior senior official 181 00:06:35,284 --> 00:06:37,284 performing the duties of the deputy 182 00:06:37,284 --> 00:06:36,870 undersecretary of defense for policy 183 00:06:36,870 --> 00:06:39,470 for over a year . This is not unusual , 184 00:06:39,890 --> 00:06:41,946 so this is delegated . Like I said , 185 00:06:41,946 --> 00:06:44,057 it's a delegation of responsibilities 186 00:06:44,057 --> 00:06:46,140 and not enacting status . But as I 187 00:06:46,140 --> 00:06:47,862 mentioned , we have ah , seven 188 00:06:47,862 --> 00:06:50,330 individuals who are before the Senate 189 00:06:50,330 --> 00:06:52,590 Armed Services Committee this week that 190 00:06:52,590 --> 00:06:54,590 had hearings . Ah , I think four of 191 00:06:54,590 --> 00:06:56,534 them had hearings on Tuesday , and 192 00:06:56,534 --> 00:06:58,880 three more had hearings today , so the 193 00:06:58,890 --> 00:07:00,723 department is still committed to 194 00:07:00,723 --> 00:07:03,060 providing names that the president 195 00:07:03,060 --> 00:07:04,949 appointed for considerate ization 196 00:07:04,949 --> 00:07:07,116 consideration by the Senate and , ah , 197 00:07:07,116 --> 00:07:09,420 hopeful confirmation . And , uh , and , 198 00:07:09,420 --> 00:07:11,587 uh , placement in positions within the 199 00:07:11,587 --> 00:07:14,700 department . Okay , so we'll go to the 200 00:07:14,700 --> 00:07:16,800 next one to Ah , Sylvie hp ? 201 00:07:20,940 --> 00:07:23,130 Yes . You know , Jonathan , you 202 00:07:23,130 --> 00:07:25,130 mentioned the this morning . We the 203 00:07:25,130 --> 00:07:29,040 call . We've a general way . I wanted 204 00:07:29,050 --> 00:07:31,680 to know if the secretary discussed with 205 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:35,550 the Chinese defense Minister visit he 206 00:07:35,550 --> 00:07:38,200 wants to make to China this year . And 207 00:07:38,210 --> 00:07:41,860 if they decided on a date , and I'm so 208 00:07:41,870 --> 00:07:45,780 again get your you didn't answer 209 00:07:45,790 --> 00:07:49,330 the question about the room the 210 00:07:49,340 --> 00:07:52,380 aid is given in even on did the 211 00:07:52,380 --> 00:07:55,970 government . Or is it NGOs ? Thank you 212 00:07:55,970 --> 00:07:58,081 for reminding on that . I did . I did 213 00:07:58,081 --> 00:08:00,192 forget to respond to that s o right . 214 00:08:00,192 --> 00:08:02,359 Now that I differ you over the dissent 215 00:08:02,359 --> 00:08:04,581 com Obviously , this has been kind of a 216 00:08:04,581 --> 00:08:06,470 fast developing plan with General 217 00:08:06,470 --> 00:08:06,470 Mackenzie's announcement . Only a 218 00:08:06,470 --> 00:08:08,637 couple hours ago in the first aircraft 219 00:08:08,637 --> 00:08:10,859 just taking off were well aware of some 220 00:08:10,859 --> 00:08:14,150 of the concerns with the with whom the 221 00:08:14,150 --> 00:08:16,261 aid would go to and ensuring that the 222 00:08:16,261 --> 00:08:18,428 aid gets to the people of Lebanon that 223 00:08:18,428 --> 00:08:20,650 need it most . So we'll work with State 224 00:08:20,650 --> 00:08:22,830 Department Ah , and in U S A . I D and 225 00:08:22,830 --> 00:08:24,941 take their guidance on who to deliver 226 00:08:24,941 --> 00:08:26,774 aid to . I don't have additional 227 00:08:26,774 --> 00:08:29,108 information for you on that . Right now . 228 00:08:29,108 --> 00:08:31,330 Centcom can get that to you , or we can 229 00:08:31,330 --> 00:08:33,497 put you in touch with the right people 230 00:08:33,497 --> 00:08:35,608 over at ST in U S . A . I d . To your 231 00:08:35,608 --> 00:08:37,663 your second question . Don't have ah 232 00:08:37,663 --> 00:08:39,830 announcement regarding the secretary's 233 00:08:39,830 --> 00:08:41,941 proposed visit . Teoh , China . We're 234 00:08:41,941 --> 00:08:43,997 still looking toe Have that complete 235 00:08:43,997 --> 00:08:46,052 this year to talk about as secretary 236 00:08:46,052 --> 00:08:48,274 mentioned . Some secretary discussed on 237 00:08:48,274 --> 00:08:49,941 this call today some of these 238 00:08:49,941 --> 00:08:51,997 incredibly important issues with the 239 00:08:51,997 --> 00:08:54,219 with the important nation , which we're 240 00:08:54,219 --> 00:08:56,108 working through . Ah , A number A 241 00:08:56,108 --> 00:08:58,108 number of topics . Uh , well , just 242 00:08:58,108 --> 00:09:00,163 santa phones will go to a politico . 243 00:09:02,950 --> 00:09:05,117 I don't . And thanks so much for doing 244 00:09:05,117 --> 00:09:07,680 this . So , first of all , I just 245 00:09:07,680 --> 00:09:09,680 wanted to follow up on the question 246 00:09:09,680 --> 00:09:11,736 about general data . I don't believe 247 00:09:11,736 --> 00:09:13,791 it's normal to designate someone who 248 00:09:13,791 --> 00:09:16,870 the Senate has basically essentially 249 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:18,936 rejected at this point as performing 250 00:09:18,936 --> 00:09:21,047 the duties of So can you just clarify 251 00:09:21,047 --> 00:09:23,269 that point ? Um and then my second , my 252 00:09:23,269 --> 00:09:25,690 actual question is just about 253 00:09:25,690 --> 00:09:27,912 Afghanistan . Has the Pentagon received 254 00:09:27,912 --> 00:09:30,820 orders to go down to 4 to 5000 troops 255 00:09:30,900 --> 00:09:33,178 in Afghanistan . As the president said , 256 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:35,542 Eso you got your first ? What ? I'm not 257 00:09:35,542 --> 00:09:37,764 gonna discuss hypothetical votes in the 258 00:09:37,764 --> 00:09:40,750 Senate , but ah , no , no vote on Mr 259 00:09:40,750 --> 00:09:42,806 Data took place . So he withdrew his 260 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:45,820 his name from consideration . Ah , and 261 00:09:45,830 --> 00:09:47,608 he was currently serving at the 262 00:09:47,608 --> 00:09:49,274 department . And based on his 263 00:09:49,274 --> 00:09:51,386 withdrawal from consideration for the 264 00:09:51,386 --> 00:09:53,330 position of the undersecretary for 265 00:09:53,330 --> 00:09:56,130 policy , hey was placed into a 266 00:09:56,140 --> 00:09:58,307 different position from the one he was 267 00:09:58,307 --> 00:10:00,780 being considered for . I don't have the 268 00:10:00,790 --> 00:10:02,901 history of every single individual in 269 00:10:02,901 --> 00:10:06,170 the department who has been with name 270 00:10:06,170 --> 00:10:08,392 that withdrawing from consideration for 271 00:10:08,392 --> 00:10:10,614 a Senate hearing . But once again , the 272 00:10:10,614 --> 00:10:12,781 placing of an individual , uh , who is 273 00:10:12,781 --> 00:10:14,781 currently serving at the department 274 00:10:14,781 --> 00:10:16,770 into a P T . D . O position is not 275 00:10:16,770 --> 00:10:18,770 unusual . And it's something that's 276 00:10:18,770 --> 00:10:20,603 happened repeatedly through this 277 00:10:20,603 --> 00:10:22,103 administration of previous 278 00:10:22,103 --> 00:10:24,270 administrations . So second question , 279 00:10:24,270 --> 00:10:27,720 I think , was on Afghanistan . So the 280 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:29,776 president direction on this has been 281 00:10:29,776 --> 00:10:31,664 very clear , and the department's 282 00:10:31,664 --> 00:10:33,720 moving to effectively implement that 283 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:35,887 guidance in consultation with Congress 284 00:10:35,887 --> 00:10:38,164 and in accordance with our NATO allies . 285 00:10:38,164 --> 00:10:40,276 So it's important . Remember that the 286 00:10:40,276 --> 00:10:42,498 resolute support mission is a is a NATO 287 00:10:42,498 --> 00:10:44,664 mission on DSO way came to Afghanistan 288 00:10:44,664 --> 00:10:46,664 together we fought together . We'll 289 00:10:46,664 --> 00:10:48,887 adjust together , and if conditions are 290 00:10:48,887 --> 00:10:51,109 met , we will end up leaving together . 291 00:10:51,109 --> 00:10:53,109 So at this time , I'm not gonna get 292 00:10:53,109 --> 00:10:55,276 into ah , orders or direction that has 293 00:10:55,276 --> 00:10:57,276 been given . But this is an ongoing 294 00:10:57,276 --> 00:10:59,480 process . Planning is in place on at 295 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:01,369 the appropriate time . We'll have 296 00:11:01,369 --> 00:11:03,536 additional information and updates for 297 00:11:03,536 --> 00:11:05,880 you . All right , Lucas , Jonathan 298 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:07,769 Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese 299 00:11:07,769 --> 00:11:09,880 government . Why ? What are you doing 300 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:11,936 To make sure that they don't receive 301 00:11:11,936 --> 00:11:14,270 any of this aid money . So just go back . 302 00:11:14,270 --> 00:11:16,492 I don't think we specifically mentioned 303 00:11:16,492 --> 00:11:18,548 aid money . We've actually mentioned 304 00:11:18,548 --> 00:11:20,381 aid in terms of food and medical 305 00:11:20,381 --> 00:11:22,720 supplies . And so with with that 306 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:25,380 question , fast evolving situation , 307 00:11:25,670 --> 00:11:27,726 Centcom is going to continue to work 308 00:11:27,726 --> 00:11:29,892 with State Department U . S A . I d to 309 00:11:29,892 --> 00:11:32,003 do what we can to make sure that that 310 00:11:32,003 --> 00:11:33,948 aid gets to the Lebanese people in 311 00:11:33,948 --> 00:11:36,170 those people that are suffering . We're 312 00:11:36,170 --> 00:11:35,420 optimistic and hopeful that this is an 313 00:11:35,420 --> 00:11:38,750 opportunity for all those who want to 314 00:11:38,750 --> 00:11:40,900 see ah ah better outcome for the 315 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:42,956 Lebanese people to come together and 316 00:11:42,956 --> 00:11:44,956 work for them concerned at all that 317 00:11:44,956 --> 00:11:46,956 Hezbollah gets some money . I don't 318 00:11:46,956 --> 00:11:48,956 have any input or inside into money 319 00:11:48,956 --> 00:11:51,680 going to Hezbollah in this situation . 320 00:11:51,680 --> 00:11:53,347 It's It's not coming from the 321 00:11:53,347 --> 00:11:55,569 department Defense Department offense . 322 00:11:55,569 --> 00:11:57,736 I can kind of read off to you the list 323 00:11:57,736 --> 00:12:00,013 of things that are traveling right now . 324 00:12:00,013 --> 00:12:02,490 So it's seven pallets of food , pallets 325 00:12:02,490 --> 00:12:05,220 of water , palace of of relief material 326 00:12:05,670 --> 00:12:07,726 that are moving out . That's on that 327 00:12:07,726 --> 00:12:09,948 first aircraft . There's two additional 328 00:12:09,948 --> 00:12:09,520 aircraft that are scheduled to depart 329 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:13,420 cutter for for Beirut's . Are 330 00:12:13,420 --> 00:12:15,810 you concerned at all about these recent 331 00:12:15,820 --> 00:12:17,931 rocket attacks on your forces in Iraq 332 00:12:17,931 --> 00:12:20,020 and some of the supply convoys that 333 00:12:20,090 --> 00:12:23,030 come ? We're always concerned about our 334 00:12:23,390 --> 00:12:25,500 force protection efforts , General 335 00:12:25,500 --> 00:12:27,850 Mackenzie on and the generals on the 336 00:12:27,850 --> 00:12:30,720 ground in Afghanistan and Iraq . We'll 337 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:32,664 always take whatever measures they 338 00:12:32,664 --> 00:12:34,609 think are necessary to protect our 339 00:12:34,609 --> 00:12:36,720 people and our forces . They have the 340 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:38,942 inherent right of self defense on we've 341 00:12:38,942 --> 00:12:41,220 seen in the past that we are . We will . 342 00:12:41,220 --> 00:12:40,750 We will do what is necessary to take 343 00:12:40,750 --> 00:12:42,917 care of our men and women in uniform , 344 00:12:42,917 --> 00:12:45,139 right ? Just one quick follow up on the 345 00:12:45,139 --> 00:12:47,083 Afghanistan , the president said . 346 00:12:47,083 --> 00:12:49,194 We're going down toe 4 to 5000 by the 347 00:12:49,194 --> 00:12:50,861 election . Does that mean the 348 00:12:50,861 --> 00:12:53,083 conditions have been met to cut the U . 349 00:12:53,083 --> 00:12:55,310 S troops by half . You said it's 350 00:12:55,310 --> 00:12:57,790 conditions based , so I just want is if 351 00:12:57,790 --> 00:13:00,200 the conditions been met , Teoh once 352 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,033 again state that the president's 353 00:13:02,033 --> 00:13:03,978 direction on this has been clear . 354 00:13:03,978 --> 00:13:06,144 We've got an agreement with the Afghan 355 00:13:06,144 --> 00:13:08,200 Taliban with Taliban and how we will 356 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:10,422 proceed in Africa , Afghanistan , where 357 00:13:10,422 --> 00:13:12,478 we want to end up . It is conditions 358 00:13:12,478 --> 00:13:14,367 based . We're going to do this in 359 00:13:14,367 --> 00:13:16,200 consultation with our allies and 360 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:18,256 partners . But today I don't have an 361 00:13:18,256 --> 00:13:20,200 announcement for for that timeline 362 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,422 outside of of what things the president 363 00:13:22,422 --> 00:13:24,820 said previously , Just on that point , 364 00:13:24,820 --> 00:13:26,876 I mean , you're on duty , released a 365 00:13:26,876 --> 00:13:28,931 report last month saying they hadn't 366 00:13:28,931 --> 00:13:30,990 broken with Al Qaeda . Um , the 367 00:13:30,990 --> 00:13:33,320 violence levels have remained high , so 368 00:13:33,330 --> 00:13:35,441 it doesn't appear that the conditions 369 00:13:35,441 --> 00:13:37,650 are currently being met . So I would 370 00:13:37,650 --> 00:13:39,817 say we're optimistic . I think we have 371 00:13:39,817 --> 00:13:42,150 the Afghan government has ah , you know , 372 00:13:42,150 --> 00:13:44,372 the government wide meetings , the with 373 00:13:44,372 --> 00:13:46,261 Georgia taking place on and we're 374 00:13:46,261 --> 00:13:48,317 optimistic that that can lead to the 375 00:13:48,317 --> 00:13:50,317 start of inter Afghan dialogue that 376 00:13:50,317 --> 00:13:52,750 could advance the peace process . We've 377 00:13:52,750 --> 00:13:56,030 seen the prisoner exchanges taking 378 00:13:56,030 --> 00:13:59,790 place and so we have Ah , we continue 379 00:13:59,790 --> 00:14:01,957 to be optimistic . We continue to help 380 00:14:01,957 --> 00:14:03,734 ensure that there is a security 381 00:14:03,734 --> 00:14:06,650 environment from our side . The Taliban 382 00:14:06,650 --> 00:14:09,100 has ah abided by the reduction in 383 00:14:09,100 --> 00:14:12,040 attacks on U . S forces on . They've ah 384 00:14:12,060 --> 00:14:13,838 followed through on some of the 385 00:14:13,838 --> 00:14:15,949 prisoner releases . So we'll continue 386 00:14:15,949 --> 00:14:18,116 to push that with State Department , a 387 00:14:18,116 --> 00:14:20,116 State Department lead negotiator in 388 00:14:20,116 --> 00:14:22,171 this to see that they they get there 389 00:14:22,171 --> 00:14:24,227 and to see that those interacting in 390 00:14:24,227 --> 00:14:26,393 negotiations take place and that we do 391 00:14:26,393 --> 00:14:28,282 reach a peaceful solution for the 392 00:14:28,282 --> 00:14:31,650 Afghan people . Um , 393 00:14:32,490 --> 00:14:35,220 quick foot off on Lebanon . Do you have 394 00:14:35,220 --> 00:14:37,730 any concerns that the material exploded 395 00:14:37,740 --> 00:14:39,684 in Beirut is linked in any way toe 396 00:14:39,684 --> 00:14:42,300 Hezbollah or Iran ? I'm asking this 397 00:14:42,300 --> 00:14:44,522 question because we're seeing a lot off 398 00:14:44,522 --> 00:14:46,744 media reports on this issue . Also , do 399 00:14:46,744 --> 00:14:48,633 you trust the an investigation to 400 00:14:48,633 --> 00:14:51,720 determine the cause led by the Lebanese 401 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:53,887 government giving that its allies part 402 00:14:53,887 --> 00:14:56,700 of this government ? So we will Ah , 403 00:14:57,020 --> 00:14:59,900 I'm not gonna make any assumptions or 404 00:14:59,900 --> 00:15:02,410 assertions about the possible cause of 405 00:15:02,410 --> 00:15:04,466 it . As I said it , I'm not going to 406 00:15:04,466 --> 00:15:07,170 discuss our intelligence . We are . 407 00:15:07,180 --> 00:15:09,291 We're gonna continue to investigate . 408 00:15:09,291 --> 00:15:11,180 We're gonna continue to watch the 409 00:15:11,180 --> 00:15:13,291 investigation that's conducted by the 410 00:15:13,291 --> 00:15:15,850 Lebanese government . Ah , and help , 411 00:15:15,850 --> 00:15:19,010 if if necessary , refer vast to get to , 412 00:15:19,010 --> 00:15:21,250 Ah , the conclusion about the actual 413 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:23,896 cause . And there's been speculation 414 00:15:23,896 --> 00:15:25,970 about whether this was a could have 415 00:15:25,970 --> 00:15:29,200 been a ah weapons cache or could have 416 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:32,690 been , uh hey , uh , some sort of an 417 00:15:32,700 --> 00:15:35,160 intentional device or whether this is 418 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:37,940 that many people have posited an 419 00:15:37,940 --> 00:15:39,950 accident a terrible , unfortunate 420 00:15:39,950 --> 00:15:42,061 accident . So we're gonna we're gonna 421 00:15:42,061 --> 00:15:43,839 work with with the intelligence 422 00:15:43,839 --> 00:15:45,950 community we're gonna work with . Our 423 00:15:45,950 --> 00:15:45,480 allies and partners were gonna wait and 424 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:48,340 see until we reach conclusion about 425 00:15:48,340 --> 00:15:50,360 that and then we will we will come 426 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:54,340 forward with him . I have 427 00:15:54,340 --> 00:15:56,673 a kitchen . So one needs in South Korea . 428 00:15:56,673 --> 00:15:59,330 Another one knows idea . At the U . S . 429 00:15:59,330 --> 00:16:02,840 A . Rock rok Italian military exercise 430 00:16:03,030 --> 00:16:05,410 going on this month . They have 431 00:16:05,410 --> 00:16:08,750 anything on that ? Is the scare reduced ? 432 00:16:09,140 --> 00:16:13,130 And 2nd 1 knows Korea is listen to 433 00:16:13,140 --> 00:16:15,710 before to that window and killed the 434 00:16:15,790 --> 00:16:19,760 700 North Koreans include krone , 435 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:22,710 biogas , conformers . Do you have any 436 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:24,950 information about the North Koreans ? 437 00:16:25,640 --> 00:16:28,290 So any information about the North 438 00:16:28,290 --> 00:16:31,240 Korean Corona virus data ? I don't have 439 00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:33,750 information on on that that I that I 440 00:16:33,750 --> 00:16:36,460 can share this in this setting . Um , 441 00:16:36,610 --> 00:16:39,170 and I'm not actually familiar of what 442 00:16:39,170 --> 00:16:41,392 the numbers have been reported publicly 443 00:16:41,392 --> 00:16:43,448 on that side . I don't have much . I 444 00:16:43,448 --> 00:16:45,392 can offer you there with regard to 445 00:16:45,392 --> 00:16:48,060 exercises and in the Republic of Korea . 446 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:51,730 Obviously , we continually evaluate the 447 00:16:51,730 --> 00:16:53,730 situation with regard to Covic . So 448 00:16:53,730 --> 00:16:55,952 there were some changes or exercise and 449 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:59,650 maneuver efforts during covert with the 450 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:02,460 commander on the ground . General 451 00:17:02,460 --> 00:17:05,070 Abrams has made determinations to 452 00:17:05,070 --> 00:17:07,810 continue or we'd never stopped training . 453 00:17:07,810 --> 00:17:09,810 We never stopped exercising . We're 454 00:17:09,810 --> 00:17:11,532 bringing back some , and we're 455 00:17:11,532 --> 00:17:15,190 adjusting our force training posture . 456 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:17,631 But that's gonna be ongoing . Part of 457 00:17:17,631 --> 00:17:19,798 it is obviously , we're looking toward 458 00:17:19,798 --> 00:17:21,853 the op con transfer , and we want to 459 00:17:21,853 --> 00:17:23,909 make sure we take the steps that are 460 00:17:23,909 --> 00:17:25,798 necessary to get to that place by 461 00:17:25,798 --> 00:17:27,798 ensuring that that capability is is 462 00:17:27,798 --> 00:17:30,076 there for the Republic of Korea forces ? 463 00:17:30,540 --> 00:17:34,260 So thank you . I would follow up . 464 00:17:34,740 --> 00:17:38,000 The secretary is going to be the China 465 00:17:39,510 --> 00:17:43,400 China show wearing nous or openness to 466 00:17:43,450 --> 00:17:45,060 secretary visit . 467 00:17:48,210 --> 00:17:50,580 So I don't have any update on the visit 468 00:17:50,580 --> 00:17:52,802 from the call today to share with you . 469 00:17:53,100 --> 00:17:55,267 But as soon as we do have an update on 470 00:17:55,267 --> 00:17:57,830 either timing or ah , or location or 471 00:17:57,830 --> 00:17:59,886 anything like that . I'll be sure to 472 00:17:59,886 --> 00:18:01,774 share it with us . Okay , David ? 473 00:18:03,930 --> 00:18:06,152 All right , we'll go back to the phones 474 00:18:06,152 --> 00:18:09,370 here , so we'll go to Ah , uh , Helen 475 00:18:09,370 --> 00:18:10,370 Mill Heuser . 476 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:16,560 Well , that Jonathan , thank you so 477 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:18,782 much for doing this . Um , I'm gonna go 478 00:18:18,782 --> 00:18:20,940 domestically . The covered response . 479 00:18:20,950 --> 00:18:24,210 Is there anything that the Pentagon 480 00:18:24,490 --> 00:18:26,900 that the military is doing domestically 481 00:18:27,550 --> 00:18:30,760 in support of the nation's pandemic ? 482 00:18:32,110 --> 00:18:33,910 We do have some forces that are 483 00:18:33,910 --> 00:18:37,750 deployed in California and Texas that 484 00:18:37,750 --> 00:18:39,750 are that are in place . Obviously . 485 00:18:39,750 --> 00:18:41,890 Additionally , the president extended 486 00:18:42,150 --> 00:18:44,210 the National Guard funding 487 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:47,550 opportunities for the next , Actually , 488 00:18:47,550 --> 00:18:49,772 for the rest of the year , eso those to 489 00:18:49,772 --> 00:18:51,920 ashes were taking place . Third , I 490 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:53,976 would include Operation warp speed , 491 00:18:54,060 --> 00:18:55,949 the efforts that we have underway 492 00:18:55,949 --> 00:18:58,240 broadly with regard to research and 493 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:00,018 development of therapeutics and 494 00:19:00,018 --> 00:19:02,560 vaccines on General Pernas efforts as 495 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:05,010 the CEO of warp speed and helping 496 00:19:05,020 --> 00:19:07,370 Marshall the whole of government forces . 497 00:19:07,370 --> 00:19:10,200 Teoh , find a vaccine manufacturer and 498 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:12,311 distributed to the American people by 499 00:19:12,311 --> 00:19:14,422 the end of the year , eso those would 500 00:19:14,422 --> 00:19:16,478 be the main ones that are underway . 501 00:19:16,478 --> 00:19:18,533 And obviously we work with FEMA on a 502 00:19:18,533 --> 00:19:20,533 daily basis . And this FEMA and HHS 503 00:19:20,533 --> 00:19:23,000 identify mission assignments were 504 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,000 country or states and counties come 505 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:26,667 forward , identify a need for 506 00:19:26,667 --> 00:19:28,840 additional support . Whether it's for 507 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:30,896 National Guard forces or active duty 508 00:19:30,896 --> 00:19:33,150 forces will work with them . Teoh just 509 00:19:33,780 --> 00:19:36,030 staff those and to move personnel into 510 00:19:36,030 --> 00:19:38,600 those positions . All right , Well , 511 00:19:38,610 --> 00:19:40,888 Santa phones will go to Tony Cappuccio , 512 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:44,070 either John . Three annual China Report . 513 00:19:44,370 --> 00:19:46,648 When do you anticipate that coming out ? 514 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:48,750 And secondly , what areas of 515 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:51,050 transparency with the secretary like to 516 00:19:51,050 --> 00:19:53,410 see improved from the P l . A . 517 00:19:54,820 --> 00:19:56,960 So I'll get back to you on the China 518 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,016 report . I haven't been tracking the 519 00:19:59,016 --> 00:20:01,238 date on that . I think one of the first 520 00:20:01,238 --> 00:20:03,238 ones that obviously is discussed is 521 00:20:03,238 --> 00:20:05,590 gonna be on Cove it . We've discussed 522 00:20:05,590 --> 00:20:09,220 that there are obligations that the 523 00:20:09,230 --> 00:20:11,180 Chinese government is under 524 00:20:11,180 --> 00:20:14,400 responsibility for with regard to the W 525 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:16,860 H O agreements . So they have a have a 526 00:20:16,860 --> 00:20:17,990 need toe , provide 527 00:20:20,100 --> 00:20:22,940 samples to provide data that didn't 528 00:20:22,940 --> 00:20:25,260 happen , and we expect them . Teoh 529 00:20:25,270 --> 00:20:28,600 continue to improve their information 530 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:31,170 sharing in in regard of that . So 531 00:20:31,170 --> 00:20:34,210 that's one issue that was discussed . I 532 00:20:34,210 --> 00:20:36,600 can I can get back to you on a couple 533 00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:38,767 other ones , but that with some of the 534 00:20:38,767 --> 00:20:40,878 China experts . But that was one that 535 00:20:40,878 --> 00:20:43,044 came upon the call today . All right , 536 00:20:43,044 --> 00:20:46,110 we'll go to , um uh , back on the phone 537 00:20:46,110 --> 00:20:48,850 will go to Jeff Schobel . Thank you . 538 00:20:53,830 --> 00:20:57,230 All right , Um , Ryan , you 539 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,120 follow up on the National Guard . 540 00:21:02,870 --> 00:21:04,759 Was the Pentagon Did the Pentagon 541 00:21:04,759 --> 00:21:07,590 recommend that they fully fund the 542 00:21:07,590 --> 00:21:09,890 guard deployments ? Or did the Pentagon 543 00:21:09,890 --> 00:21:13,540 recommend the 75% funding level ? So 544 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:16,720 the Pentagon responsibility on this is 545 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:18,831 you know how the system works is with 546 00:21:18,831 --> 00:21:20,980 the funding things . Activity is the 547 00:21:20,990 --> 00:21:22,601 theme is responsible for the 548 00:21:22,601 --> 00:21:24,768 reimbursement call share assessments . 549 00:21:24,768 --> 00:21:26,657 And so that's FEMA's role in that 550 00:21:26,657 --> 00:21:28,990 process of working with the White House . 551 00:21:28,990 --> 00:21:30,768 And so , uh , the department we 552 00:21:30,768 --> 00:21:32,934 advocated for , uh , the deployment or 553 00:21:32,934 --> 00:21:35,101 the opportunity for the National Guard 554 00:21:35,101 --> 00:21:37,268 to be used by states to be continued , 555 00:21:37,268 --> 00:21:39,490 we worked with the White House and with 556 00:21:39,490 --> 00:21:39,280 the other agencies on on a 557 00:21:39,290 --> 00:21:41,457 determination about the cost share and 558 00:21:41,457 --> 00:21:44,960 the funding 100% cost shares a very 559 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:47,490 rarely used tool on . In fact , this is 560 00:21:47,490 --> 00:21:50,900 Ah , uh , the only time 100% has been 561 00:21:50,900 --> 00:21:53,011 used , at least that we're aware of . 562 00:21:53,011 --> 00:21:55,178 And the White House's shares that 100% 563 00:21:55,178 --> 00:21:57,400 has been used nationwide in every state 564 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,730 in every county and so very unusual on . 565 00:22:00,730 --> 00:22:02,786 So the White House and the president 566 00:22:02,786 --> 00:22:04,841 made decision Teoh roll that back to 567 00:22:04,841 --> 00:22:08,350 the more traditional 75 25 cost share . 568 00:22:08,630 --> 00:22:10,850 But FEMA administers that . Eso I'd 569 00:22:10,850 --> 00:22:13,072 have to direct you over toe team in the 570 00:22:13,072 --> 00:22:14,906 White House for the actual final 571 00:22:14,906 --> 00:22:17,730 decision making on that in Florida and 572 00:22:17,740 --> 00:22:19,573 Texas were given exemption , but 573 00:22:19,573 --> 00:22:21,796 there's similarly I know that it's been 574 00:22:21,796 --> 00:22:23,796 a while , but the rates , in fact , 575 00:22:23,796 --> 00:22:25,962 Corona virus infection rates are going 576 00:22:25,962 --> 00:22:28,230 up in some states , so with you . But 577 00:22:28,230 --> 00:22:30,397 there was no petting on recommendation 578 00:22:30,397 --> 00:22:32,619 about how this should be done , so that 579 00:22:32,619 --> 00:22:34,563 wouldn't necessarily be our role I 580 00:22:34,563 --> 00:22:36,397 don't want I don't want it to be 581 00:22:36,397 --> 00:22:38,174 misconstrued that the lack of a 582 00:22:38,174 --> 00:22:37,910 recommendation would not in a severe , 583 00:22:37,910 --> 00:22:39,466 Rowland said . FEMA has the 584 00:22:39,466 --> 00:22:41,632 responsibility on the three investment 585 00:22:41,632 --> 00:22:43,743 costs here on the White House , works 586 00:22:43,743 --> 00:22:45,743 directly with states on that . So I 587 00:22:45,743 --> 00:22:47,966 know from previous comments from others 588 00:22:47,966 --> 00:22:47,750 and from the from the White House that 589 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:50,071 the president had direct conversation 590 00:22:50,071 --> 00:22:51,793 of the governors and reached a 591 00:22:51,793 --> 00:22:53,849 determination where he felt the cost 592 00:22:53,849 --> 00:22:56,016 share assessment should be on . Look , 593 00:22:56,016 --> 00:22:58,127 we're just we've been very encouraged 594 00:22:58,127 --> 00:22:58,120 by the work that the National Guard has 595 00:22:58,120 --> 00:23:00,287 been able to do and that they're gonna 596 00:23:00,287 --> 00:23:02,342 continue to dio . So every state now 597 00:23:02,342 --> 00:23:04,564 continues toe have the availability and 598 00:23:04,564 --> 00:23:06,731 access to National Guardsmen to help , 599 00:23:06,731 --> 00:23:08,564 whether it's ah , it's testing , 600 00:23:08,564 --> 00:23:10,509 screening , sanitizing locations , 601 00:23:10,509 --> 00:23:12,620 supporting food , banks , areas , eso 602 00:23:12,620 --> 00:23:14,453 all of those resources are still 603 00:23:14,453 --> 00:23:16,342 available . All of those National 604 00:23:16,342 --> 00:23:15,740 Guardsmen who are on orders will still 605 00:23:15,740 --> 00:23:17,962 continue to accrue . The retirement and 606 00:23:17,962 --> 00:23:20,129 benefits will be no difference . Based 607 00:23:20,129 --> 00:23:22,184 on on what the cost share is on that 608 00:23:22,184 --> 00:23:24,129 will continue to see CR people out 609 00:23:24,129 --> 00:23:26,351 there doing what they've been doing for 610 00:23:26,351 --> 00:23:28,462 six months . They'll continue through 611 00:23:28,462 --> 00:23:27,660 the end of year and will make an 612 00:23:27,660 --> 00:23:29,493 assessment . Is toe whether that 613 00:23:29,493 --> 00:23:31,604 continues . Okay . All right , guys , 614 00:23:31,604 --> 00:23:32,120 thank you very much .