1 00:00:01,840 --> 00:00:05,840 after everybody happy Friday , a couple 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:09,300 of things at the top here As I 3 00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:12,290 think and hope you saw yesterday , the 4 00:00:12,290 --> 00:00:14,480 secretary published his message to the 5 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:16,591 force which committed to ensuring the 6 00:00:16,591 --> 00:00:18,647 department develops the right people 7 00:00:18,647 --> 00:00:20,702 priorities and purpose of mission to 8 00:00:20,702 --> 00:00:22,647 continue to defend the nation from 9 00:00:22,647 --> 00:00:24,980 enemies . Secretary Austin provided his 10 00:00:24,990 --> 00:00:27,157 top three priorities in specific areas 11 00:00:27,157 --> 00:00:29,379 of focus . I think you saw in there the 12 00:00:29,379 --> 00:00:31,657 three priorities are defend the nation , 13 00:00:31,657 --> 00:00:33,657 take care of our people and succeed 14 00:00:33,657 --> 00:00:35,879 through teamwork . Secretary reiterated 15 00:00:35,879 --> 00:00:37,712 the need for resources matched a 16 00:00:37,712 --> 00:00:39,879 strategy strategy match the policy and 17 00:00:39,879 --> 00:00:41,990 policy match to the American people's 18 00:00:41,990 --> 00:00:44,212 will . These priorities will help guide 19 00:00:44,212 --> 00:00:46,212 the department as we develop policy 20 00:00:46,212 --> 00:00:48,046 fashion strategy and acquire the 21 00:00:48,046 --> 00:00:49,934 necessary resources to defend our 22 00:00:49,934 --> 00:00:52,046 country and support our alliances and 23 00:00:52,046 --> 00:00:54,212 partnerships around the world . Next , 24 00:00:54,212 --> 00:00:56,323 just a quick update on our support to 25 00:00:56,323 --> 00:00:58,601 FEMA led vaccination sites . Yesterday , 26 00:00:58,601 --> 00:01:00,768 the secretary authorized an additional 27 00:01:00,768 --> 00:01:02,960 10 type two teams for future FEMA 28 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:05,127 support . This brings our total to now 29 00:01:05,127 --> 00:01:08,490 35 teams 15 of the Type one variety and 30 00:01:08,490 --> 00:01:11,060 20 of the type two . Currently , we are 31 00:01:11,060 --> 00:01:13,370 supporting 15 state led federally 32 00:01:13,370 --> 00:01:15,592 supported community vaccination centers 33 00:01:15,592 --> 00:01:18,960 in six states California , Texas , New 34 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:21,990 York , Florida , Pennsylvania , New 35 00:01:21,990 --> 00:01:24,160 Jersey and the U . S Virgin Islands . 36 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:27,218 Today we are deploying teams to 37 00:01:27,218 --> 00:01:29,329 community vaccination center sites in 38 00:01:29,329 --> 00:01:31,384 Illinois and North Carolina . And in 39 00:01:31,384 --> 00:01:33,551 the coming weeks we will send teams to 40 00:01:33,551 --> 00:01:35,773 Ohio and to Georgia , and we'll be able 41 00:01:35,773 --> 00:01:37,940 to provide you a better site breakdown 42 00:01:37,940 --> 00:01:40,162 after the briefing . Uh , if you if you 43 00:01:40,162 --> 00:01:42,430 need that , finally , I want to finish 44 00:01:42,430 --> 00:01:44,708 by honoring a hero from the Korean War , 45 00:01:44,940 --> 00:01:47,700 the Defense POW MIA accounting agency 46 00:01:47,700 --> 00:01:50,300 formally identified the remains of Army 47 00:01:50,300 --> 00:01:54,080 Chaplain Emil Kapaun of Kansas that 48 00:01:54,090 --> 00:01:56,034 from remains that had rested among 49 00:01:56,034 --> 00:01:58,280 unknowns at the National Memorial 50 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:01,050 Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii . His 51 00:02:01,050 --> 00:02:03,790 remains had rested among the 867 52 00:02:03,790 --> 00:02:06,012 remains buried there as unknowns at the 53 00:02:06,012 --> 00:02:09,860 cemetery . 2018 , the Defense 54 00:02:09,860 --> 00:02:12,810 POW MIA accounting agency began a seven 55 00:02:12,810 --> 00:02:15,710 phased project to disinter all 56 00:02:15,710 --> 00:02:17,877 remaining Korean War unknowns from the 57 00:02:17,877 --> 00:02:20,270 cemetery and at a White House ceremony 58 00:02:20,270 --> 00:02:22,210 on April 11th , back in 2013 , 59 00:02:22,210 --> 00:02:24,290 President Obama posthumously awarded 60 00:02:24,290 --> 00:02:26,512 the chaplain the Medal of Honor for his 61 00:02:26,512 --> 00:02:28,679 heroic service during the Korean War . 62 00:02:28,679 --> 00:02:30,679 Just to remind because I think it's 63 00:02:30,679 --> 00:02:32,880 important to think about , uh , what 64 00:02:32,890 --> 00:02:36,600 heroes like he did on November 2nd , 65 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:39,120 1950 . The third Battalion was near 66 00:02:39,130 --> 00:02:41,297 Johnson when the unit came under heavy 67 00:02:41,297 --> 00:02:43,408 fire from Chinese forces and received 68 00:02:43,408 --> 00:02:45,463 orders to withdraw . Approximately a 69 00:02:45,463 --> 00:02:47,630 quarter of the battalion soldiers made 70 00:02:47,630 --> 00:02:49,797 their way back to friendly lines , but 71 00:02:49,797 --> 00:02:51,797 the others , including many wounded 72 00:02:51,797 --> 00:02:53,852 soldiers , became trapped . Chaplain 73 00:02:53,852 --> 00:02:53,670 Kapaun volunteered to stay with the 74 00:02:53,670 --> 00:02:55,892 wounded and was soon captured and taken 75 00:02:55,892 --> 00:02:58,560 to a Chinese run POW camp on the Yalu 76 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:01,160 River . Chaplin continued to minister 77 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,410 to other POWs even after he became 78 00:03:03,410 --> 00:03:05,577 gravely ill , and he lived long enough 79 00:03:05,577 --> 00:03:07,577 to celebrate a final Easter Mass in 80 00:03:07,577 --> 00:03:11,260 late March , dying on May 23rd , 1951 . 81 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:14,062 I think it's just terrific that we were 82 00:03:14,062 --> 00:03:16,120 able to identify his remains , uh , 83 00:03:16,130 --> 00:03:18,352 bring closer to his family and to honor 84 00:03:18,352 --> 00:03:20,720 his service . And the department thanks 85 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:22,942 him for that service . Uh , and for the 86 00:03:22,942 --> 00:03:24,776 example , he said of bravery and 87 00:03:24,776 --> 00:03:26,720 courage under fire that takes some 88 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:28,998 questions . Uh , looks like Lead us on . 89 00:03:28,998 --> 00:03:32,260 Go ahead . Yeah . Thanks , John . Um , 90 00:03:32,270 --> 00:03:35,050 two questions . One . Um , can you 91 00:03:35,050 --> 00:03:38,520 bring us up to date on the latest U . S . 92 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,930 Capitol Police request to the Defense 93 00:03:40,930 --> 00:03:43,340 Department for additional , uh , 94 00:03:43,350 --> 00:03:47,180 National Guard um , for 95 00:03:47,180 --> 00:03:49,402 additional national Guard to stay on at 96 00:03:49,402 --> 00:03:51,860 the capital for another extended period 97 00:03:51,860 --> 00:03:54,060 of time . And then the second question 98 00:03:54,070 --> 00:03:57,480 is , um , is the department concerned 99 00:03:57,480 --> 00:03:59,700 at all about this latest effort to 100 00:03:59,700 --> 00:04:02,460 narrow the A u M f Is there any 101 00:04:02,460 --> 00:04:05,340 concerns that this might make strikes 102 00:04:05,340 --> 00:04:07,229 like the one in on the Syria Iraq 103 00:04:07,229 --> 00:04:11,150 border more difficult ? . So on your 104 00:04:11,150 --> 00:04:13,350 first question , Lita and I'm gonna 105 00:04:13,350 --> 00:04:15,350 write down the second one in case I 106 00:04:15,350 --> 00:04:19,270 forget it . Um , we are in receipt of a 107 00:04:19,270 --> 00:04:21,437 formal request from the Capitol police 108 00:04:21,437 --> 00:04:23,659 for continued National Guard assistance 109 00:04:23,659 --> 00:04:25,770 at the Capitol complex . This request 110 00:04:25,770 --> 00:04:27,937 does seek an extension for a number of 111 00:04:27,937 --> 00:04:29,826 guardsmen over the next couple of 112 00:04:29,826 --> 00:04:31,937 months . We're evaluating the request 113 00:04:31,937 --> 00:04:34,103 right now , as we do with all others , 114 00:04:34,103 --> 00:04:35,992 uh , with an eye towards properly 115 00:04:35,992 --> 00:04:38,048 balancing the need , uh , to balance 116 00:04:38,048 --> 00:04:40,270 the need with the resources available . 117 00:04:40,270 --> 00:04:42,270 And I'm not gonna get ahead of that 118 00:04:42,270 --> 00:04:44,381 process . But again confirmed that we 119 00:04:44,381 --> 00:04:46,492 do have the request in the building . 120 00:04:46,492 --> 00:04:48,210 As for your question on the 121 00:04:48,220 --> 00:04:50,240 authorization , uh , for use of 122 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:52,462 military force , the department fully , 123 00:04:52,462 --> 00:04:54,590 uh , supports the effort to work with 124 00:04:54,590 --> 00:04:57,450 Congress , um , to , uh , to 125 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:02,080 craft a new authorization . Um , and we 126 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:04,080 expect to be a full partner in that 127 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:07,250 conversation with Congress and and with 128 00:05:07,250 --> 00:05:09,472 the national security leadership of the 129 00:05:09,472 --> 00:05:12,990 country . Um , And again , we as I said 130 00:05:12,990 --> 00:05:15,212 the other day , you know , we will be a 131 00:05:15,212 --> 00:05:17,350 full partner in that effort , uh , to 132 00:05:17,350 --> 00:05:19,960 make sure that the necessary 133 00:05:20,540 --> 00:05:22,651 authorizations are in place for us to 134 00:05:22,651 --> 00:05:25,620 continue to defend the nation . I'll 135 00:05:25,620 --> 00:05:27,731 see you in your room . Yeah . There . 136 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:30,660 Sean . Um , at the White House press 137 00:05:30,660 --> 00:05:32,604 briefing yesterday , Jen Psaki was 138 00:05:32,604 --> 00:05:34,850 asked whether the administration is 139 00:05:34,850 --> 00:05:37,280 going to start putting the numbers of 140 00:05:37,290 --> 00:05:39,123 troop levels in Iraq , Syria and 141 00:05:39,123 --> 00:05:41,350 Afghanistan back on the Web . As you 142 00:05:41,350 --> 00:05:44,740 know , they were removed from public 143 00:05:44,740 --> 00:05:48,550 release in 2017 . She said that 144 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:50,227 it would be up to the Defense 145 00:05:50,227 --> 00:05:52,393 Department . I'm just wondering if the 146 00:05:52,393 --> 00:05:54,560 secretary is considering this . If the 147 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:56,782 Pentagon will put those numbers back up 148 00:05:56,782 --> 00:05:58,838 there , were reviewing it . You know 149 00:05:58,838 --> 00:06:00,949 any sense of how long this might take 150 00:06:00,949 --> 00:06:03,171 to review or what ? No , I don't have a 151 00:06:03,171 --> 00:06:05,171 I don't have a timeline on it , but 152 00:06:05,171 --> 00:06:07,282 we're aware of the of the issue , and 153 00:06:07,282 --> 00:06:09,338 we're going to take a look at that . 154 00:06:09,338 --> 00:06:10,504 Uhh . Phil Stewart . 155 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:17,351 Sorry about that . Just taking off of 156 00:06:17,351 --> 00:06:19,580 you . Um , two quick things . One is 157 00:06:19,590 --> 00:06:21,940 Reuters reported earlier today that the 158 00:06:21,950 --> 00:06:24,660 HHS has done a site survey at Fort Lee 159 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:27,640 in Virginia . Two house unaccompanied 160 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:29,696 Children . Just wondering whether or 161 00:06:29,696 --> 00:06:31,750 not , um uh , there are other sites 162 00:06:31,750 --> 00:06:33,972 that d o . D is also looking Should the 163 00:06:33,972 --> 00:06:36,028 numbers continue to swell . And then 164 00:06:36,028 --> 00:06:38,083 and then what would that look like ? 165 00:06:38,083 --> 00:06:39,917 What would have an unaccompanied 166 00:06:39,917 --> 00:06:42,028 Children at Fort Lee look like ? Uh , 167 00:06:42,028 --> 00:06:44,306 if you could help walk us through that , 168 00:06:44,306 --> 00:06:46,083 uh , and then I have a separate 169 00:06:46,083 --> 00:06:48,417 question . Uh , so , I mean , obviously , 170 00:06:48,417 --> 00:06:51,540 we can confirm that that HHS did do a 171 00:06:51,550 --> 00:06:53,820 site survey visited Fort Lee yesterday 172 00:06:53,820 --> 00:06:55,987 to determine if facilities there might 173 00:06:55,987 --> 00:06:58,098 be suitable for temporary housing for 174 00:06:58,098 --> 00:07:00,098 unaccompanied Children . There's no 175 00:07:00,098 --> 00:07:03,570 formal request by HHS to do this at 176 00:07:03,570 --> 00:07:05,460 Fort Lee . And I know of no other 177 00:07:05,460 --> 00:07:08,050 requests to look at or to consider 178 00:07:08,340 --> 00:07:11,740 other installations . And Phil , as you 179 00:07:11,740 --> 00:07:13,960 know , this is , uh if it were to come 180 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:16,127 to pass , it certainly wouldn't be the 181 00:07:16,127 --> 00:07:18,510 first time that we've done this . Uh , 182 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:21,320 we've done this , uh , back in 2012 , 183 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:24,140 and I believe there was a similar 184 00:07:24,150 --> 00:07:26,940 request for assistance , Uh , in , uh , 185 00:07:26,950 --> 00:07:29,010 in 2017 , most recently in February 186 00:07:29,010 --> 00:07:31,200 2017 . So it's not something that 187 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,150 hasn't been done before . Um , I 188 00:07:33,150 --> 00:07:35,317 wouldn't certainly speculate now as to 189 00:07:35,317 --> 00:07:37,539 whether it's even gonna come to pass or 190 00:07:37,539 --> 00:07:39,761 what that might look like . But the the 191 00:07:39,761 --> 00:07:42,030 Children , uh , would be housed on the 192 00:07:42,030 --> 00:07:45,970 facilities in , um , in , uh , 193 00:07:45,980 --> 00:07:49,160 usually base housing . They're not not 194 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,780 for families , but , uh , barracks type 195 00:07:51,780 --> 00:07:53,700 housing . And there are under the 196 00:07:53,710 --> 00:07:56,190 responsibility and the care of HHS . 197 00:07:56,190 --> 00:07:58,079 The department's role would be to 198 00:07:58,079 --> 00:08:00,060 provide the space in a fully 199 00:08:00,060 --> 00:08:02,630 reimbursable format . Go ahead . What 200 00:08:02,630 --> 00:08:04,741 was your second ? Uh , the second one 201 00:08:04,741 --> 00:08:07,870 was on attribution for the rocket 202 00:08:07,870 --> 00:08:10,037 attack . I know they were looking into 203 00:08:10,037 --> 00:08:12,148 that before . Um uh , have you gotten 204 00:08:12,148 --> 00:08:14,092 any further and potentially , uh , 205 00:08:14,092 --> 00:08:16,250 id'ing , Which specific group and are 206 00:08:16,250 --> 00:08:18,472 you ready to talk about that publicly ? 207 00:08:18,472 --> 00:08:21,490 I don't have any update on attribution 208 00:08:21,490 --> 00:08:23,490 and certainly nothing specific with 209 00:08:23,490 --> 00:08:27,020 respect to Iran backed militias . Yeah , 210 00:08:27,380 --> 00:08:30,640 I want to go back to the mandate for 211 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:32,850 use of force . Can you please clarify 212 00:08:32,860 --> 00:08:35,650 if the administration , while waiting 213 00:08:35,650 --> 00:08:38,590 to replace the current mandate , will 214 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:42,600 seek congressional approval before 215 00:08:42,610 --> 00:08:45,160 carrying any airstrikes ? Especially 216 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:48,430 that airstrikes from last week relied 217 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:50,607 on the mandate . The current mandate . 218 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:54,860 The As I said last week , the 219 00:08:55,740 --> 00:08:58,770 presidents legal authorities to conduct 220 00:08:58,770 --> 00:09:00,714 those defensive strikes were under 221 00:09:00,714 --> 00:09:02,714 article two of the Constitution and 222 00:09:02,714 --> 00:09:04,750 article 51 of the U . N . Charter , 223 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:06,880 which provides for the right of self 224 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:09,150 defense for for nations . Uh , we're 225 00:09:09,150 --> 00:09:11,120 very comfortable with those legal 226 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:13,860 authorities . Yeah . Thank you , John . 227 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:17,430 Um , so according to your what you just 228 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:19,960 said , there's no change in the 229 00:09:20,340 --> 00:09:23,940 department policy toward a designating 230 00:09:23,940 --> 00:09:26,180 certain militia groups as being backed 231 00:09:26,190 --> 00:09:29,390 by Iran because we've seen some news 232 00:09:29,390 --> 00:09:31,840 reports after my question last time . 233 00:09:31,850 --> 00:09:34,850 So I've seen this too . Yeah , yeah . I 234 00:09:34,850 --> 00:09:36,961 just want you to address this issue , 235 00:09:36,961 --> 00:09:39,239 and I have a second question on Israel . 236 00:09:39,239 --> 00:09:41,128 Fatty , I misspoke . I got tongue 237 00:09:41,128 --> 00:09:44,200 twisted . It happens what ? We refer to 238 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:46,422 them as Iran backed militias . And that 239 00:09:46,422 --> 00:09:48,644 hasn't changed . Okay , Thank you . And 240 00:09:48,644 --> 00:09:51,060 we heard in the Fox news interview from 241 00:09:51,070 --> 00:09:53,700 the Israeli defense minister statements 242 00:09:53,700 --> 00:09:57,200 that Israel is updating plans to target 243 00:09:57,230 --> 00:09:59,930 Iranian nuclear sites At the same time , 244 00:09:59,940 --> 00:10:02,340 we hear you're saying , Although we're 245 00:10:02,340 --> 00:10:04,507 trying to defend our troops , our part 246 00:10:04,507 --> 00:10:06,790 is what we don't want to see escalation 247 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:09,530 in the region . Are you in consultation 248 00:10:09,530 --> 00:10:13,220 with your with Israel , the main U S . 249 00:10:13,230 --> 00:10:15,560 Ally in the region over these 250 00:10:15,560 --> 00:10:19,000 statements ? Are you concerned about 251 00:10:19,010 --> 00:10:21,250 escalation in light of these statements 252 00:10:21,510 --> 00:10:23,343 without talking about diplomatic 253 00:10:23,343 --> 00:10:25,177 consultations , which is not our 254 00:10:25,177 --> 00:10:28,550 purview , as I said and have said since , 255 00:10:29,140 --> 00:10:32,470 uh , since the 256 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:35,020 strikes that we took in Syria , that 257 00:10:35,030 --> 00:10:37,360 nobody is interested in this escalating 258 00:10:37,740 --> 00:10:41,250 in the situation escalating . Um , what 259 00:10:41,250 --> 00:10:43,250 we are interested in is making sure 260 00:10:43,250 --> 00:10:45,361 that we are protecting our troops and 261 00:10:45,361 --> 00:10:48,100 that we are able to conduct are the 262 00:10:48,110 --> 00:10:50,360 mission in Iraq that we've been invited 263 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:52,650 by the government there to conduct and 264 00:10:52,650 --> 00:10:56,040 then also standing with and by our 265 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:59,760 Iraqi partners . Thank you . Uh , 266 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:04,870 Laura Seligman . Hi , 267 00:11:04,870 --> 00:11:07,000 John . Thanks . I just wanted to ask 268 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:10,850 you Oh , 269 00:11:11,540 --> 00:11:13,980 sorry . Someone needed me . Um , yeah . 270 00:11:13,980 --> 00:11:16,091 I just wanted to ask you following up 271 00:11:16,091 --> 00:11:18,258 on the attribution Question . When can 272 00:11:18,258 --> 00:11:21,080 we expect a response ? Will there be a 273 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:23,610 response ? And what kind of options are 274 00:11:23,610 --> 00:11:26,180 being discussed ? I assume you mean a 275 00:11:26,190 --> 00:11:28,950 response . A military response to the 276 00:11:28,950 --> 00:11:31,560 strikes , not a response on attribution 277 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:34,207 A military response to the streets . I 278 00:11:34,207 --> 00:11:36,151 just simply won't get ahead of the 279 00:11:36,151 --> 00:11:38,410 process . Laura . The Iraqi partners 280 00:11:38,410 --> 00:11:41,220 are investigating the attack at Al Asad . 281 00:11:41,220 --> 00:11:43,276 We want to let them do their work as 282 00:11:43,276 --> 00:11:46,220 we've done in the past . Um , and , uh , 283 00:11:46,230 --> 00:11:48,950 if it's a 284 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:52,000 uniformly decided inside the national 285 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:53,778 security establishment that our 286 00:11:53,778 --> 00:11:56,170 military response is warranted , you 287 00:11:56,170 --> 00:11:59,130 know , then you know that will be a 288 00:11:59,130 --> 00:12:02,080 response . That , as before , is at a 289 00:12:02,090 --> 00:12:04,590 time in a manner of our choosing . But 290 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:06,544 we aren't there yet , and I just I 291 00:12:06,544 --> 00:12:08,544 wouldn't get ahead of the process . 292 00:12:08,544 --> 00:12:10,990 According to Iraqi press , though , um , 293 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,260 like you said earlier this week , the 294 00:12:13,270 --> 00:12:15,159 Iraqi investigators were on scene 295 00:12:15,159 --> 00:12:17,214 immediately , and according to Iraqi 296 00:12:17,214 --> 00:12:19,270 press , they found the launcher that 297 00:12:19,270 --> 00:12:21,381 was used in the attack . So what else 298 00:12:21,381 --> 00:12:23,381 do you need for attribution ? Laura 299 00:12:23,381 --> 00:12:26,010 again , we're evaluating this , Uh , 300 00:12:26,020 --> 00:12:28,330 the Iraqis are are , too . And I I 301 00:12:28,330 --> 00:12:30,640 simply don't have any updates on the 302 00:12:30,650 --> 00:12:32,860 evaluation process , the investigative 303 00:12:32,860 --> 00:12:36,450 process . Uh uh , any specific degree 304 00:12:36,450 --> 00:12:39,120 of certainty that we have about who is 305 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:42,520 responsible . Um , but I think as it 306 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:44,890 was made clear last week , this 307 00:12:44,890 --> 00:12:47,550 administration is not afraid to hold 308 00:12:47,550 --> 00:12:49,700 those responsible accountable for 309 00:12:49,700 --> 00:12:51,910 attacks on our people again . I'm just 310 00:12:51,910 --> 00:12:54,490 going to not get ahead of the decision 311 00:12:54,490 --> 00:12:56,546 making process that's underway right 312 00:12:56,546 --> 00:12:59,520 now , Jenny . Thank you , John . The 313 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:02,550 South Korea government seems to be 314 00:13:02,550 --> 00:13:05,680 considering to suspending the joint 315 00:13:05,680 --> 00:13:07,740 military exercise between years in 316 00:13:07,740 --> 00:13:11,090 South Korea Concerts , Lots of 317 00:13:11,100 --> 00:13:14,490 relations with North Korea . And what 318 00:13:14,500 --> 00:13:16,556 do you think that that was pretty in 319 00:13:16,556 --> 00:13:19,450 government ? Considered North Korea 320 00:13:19,940 --> 00:13:23,290 more than important than the 321 00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:26,320 security alliance with the United 322 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:29,860 States . I've not seen reports that 323 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:33,770 Yeah , I have not seen those reports . 324 00:13:33,770 --> 00:13:36,200 And I certainly wouldn't speak for the 325 00:13:36,210 --> 00:13:39,110 South Korean government and their view 326 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:43,110 of of specific training events on the 327 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:45,231 on the peninsula . I'll just say what 328 00:13:45,231 --> 00:13:47,398 I've said before , which is that , you 329 00:13:47,398 --> 00:13:49,980 know , we take our alliance commitments 330 00:13:49,980 --> 00:13:52,313 to the Republic of Korea very seriously , 331 00:13:52,313 --> 00:13:54,536 and that includes making sure there are 332 00:13:54,536 --> 00:13:56,800 ready military capabilities should they 333 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,780 be needed . Um and , um , General 334 00:14:00,780 --> 00:14:04,260 Abrams minds that very , very well in 335 00:14:04,260 --> 00:14:08,050 lockstep with our South Korean 336 00:14:08,050 --> 00:14:10,710 allies , and I just wouldn't wouldn't 337 00:14:10,710 --> 00:14:12,821 comment more beyond that . Other than 338 00:14:12,821 --> 00:14:15,043 we know , we've got serious commitments 339 00:14:15,043 --> 00:14:17,266 to make sure we have ready forces there 340 00:14:17,266 --> 00:14:20,320 have upcoming together on the Secretary 341 00:14:20,330 --> 00:14:23,940 Austin to visit South Korea and Japan . 342 00:14:23,950 --> 00:14:25,950 I don't have any travel to speak to 343 00:14:25,950 --> 00:14:28,050 today . I have something 344 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,060 information . I want to confirm that . 345 00:14:32,540 --> 00:14:36,080 Because the year everybody knows it 346 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:39,400 really does Would . Secretary trip to 347 00:14:40,140 --> 00:14:42,490 I don't have any travel to announce . I 348 00:14:42,490 --> 00:14:44,823 don't have any travel to announce today , 349 00:14:44,823 --> 00:14:48,220 but thanks for trying . Um , Tony 350 00:14:48,220 --> 00:14:51,380 Cappuccio Bloomberg . Hi , John . Can 351 00:14:51,380 --> 00:14:53,820 you hear me ? Yes , I can . Okay . Two 352 00:14:53,820 --> 00:14:56,050 quick questions . Admiral Davidson this 353 00:14:56,050 --> 00:14:58,780 week has been advocating putting on 354 00:14:58,780 --> 00:15:01,100 Guam a major air defense system . One 355 00:15:01,100 --> 00:15:03,170 of these Aegis assures , does the 356 00:15:03,180 --> 00:15:05,180 secretary endorsed that And I had a 357 00:15:05,180 --> 00:15:07,750 second question . Uh , secretaries 358 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:10,900 Mindful of what I think , uh , what 359 00:15:10,900 --> 00:15:13,122 you're talking about is part and parcel 360 00:15:13,122 --> 00:15:15,456 of the Pacific Defense Initiative . And , 361 00:15:15,456 --> 00:15:18,490 um , again , he This is something that 362 00:15:18,490 --> 00:15:21,120 will be , I'm sure , informed by and 363 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:23,250 informing our global posture review . 364 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:26,296 Okay , Second question . In terms of 365 00:15:26,296 --> 00:15:28,296 necessary resources , I keep I keep 366 00:15:28,296 --> 00:15:30,573 asking you about the 22 budget process . 367 00:15:30,573 --> 00:15:32,740 Last week you said it was in a nascent 368 00:15:32,740 --> 00:15:34,796 stage . A week later . Where is it ? 369 00:15:34,796 --> 00:15:36,962 Did you get a pass back yet from om Be 370 00:15:36,962 --> 00:15:39,129 giving you a top line ? And just where 371 00:15:39,129 --> 00:15:41,018 where is all these reviews ? That 372 00:15:41,018 --> 00:15:43,240 Secretary Hicks is , uh , ask for their 373 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:45,462 still ongoing Tony ? Uh , we're still , 374 00:15:45,462 --> 00:15:47,629 and we're still working with O and B . 375 00:15:47,629 --> 00:15:49,907 I don't have anything further to share , 376 00:15:49,907 --> 00:15:52,129 you know ? And I won't until the budget 377 00:15:52,129 --> 00:15:54,296 is delivered to Congress . Do you have 378 00:15:54,296 --> 00:15:56,407 any sense when it make it released in 379 00:15:56,407 --> 00:15:58,407 early May ? Bid May . That's July . 380 00:15:58,407 --> 00:16:00,573 That is really a question . Better put 381 00:16:00,573 --> 00:16:02,573 to , um , be Tony . Not not to us , 382 00:16:02,573 --> 00:16:04,740 John . Getting back to Capitol Hill in 383 00:16:04,740 --> 00:16:06,851 the guard . I think you said it was a 384 00:16:06,851 --> 00:16:08,910 $480 million cost for this was that 385 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:11,580 through through March . Or if you give 386 00:16:11,580 --> 00:16:14,190 us an update on that , it was It was 387 00:16:14,190 --> 00:16:17,730 budgeted . 483 million through 388 00:16:17,730 --> 00:16:21,010 March 12 March , which next week . One 389 00:16:21,010 --> 00:16:23,920 other thing on chapel in , uh , coupon . 390 00:16:23,940 --> 00:16:27,480 Um , his remains are being 391 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:29,647 returned . Were they being returned to 392 00:16:29,647 --> 00:16:31,758 Where is the family ? In the States ? 393 00:16:31,758 --> 00:16:33,758 They don't have an update on that . 394 00:16:33,758 --> 00:16:35,924 I'll have to get that for you . We can 395 00:16:35,924 --> 00:16:35,730 take that question . That's fair . 396 00:16:36,070 --> 00:16:39,560 That's fair . Okay . Matt from ABC . 397 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:51,780 Okay , um , let's see 398 00:16:51,790 --> 00:16:53,401 Jeff from Voice of America . 399 00:16:56,340 --> 00:16:58,396 Hi . Thanks very much for doing this 400 00:16:58,396 --> 00:17:00,673 and taking questions . Um , first , uh , 401 00:17:00,673 --> 00:17:02,840 two questions one on Afghanistan . Any 402 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:06,150 update on where the processes as the 403 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:08,216 May 1st deadline and continues to be 404 00:17:08,216 --> 00:17:10,271 closer . We've been hearing recently 405 00:17:10,271 --> 00:17:12,271 from lawmakers on both sides of the 406 00:17:12,271 --> 00:17:14,400 aisle now , uh , saying including the 407 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,456 chairman of the House Armed Services 408 00:17:16,456 --> 00:17:18,567 Committee earlier today , saying that 409 00:17:18,567 --> 00:17:20,456 they see no way that the Pentagon 410 00:17:20,456 --> 00:17:22,678 camera there should be meeting that may 411 00:17:22,678 --> 00:17:24,844 1st withdrawal their mind . And I have 412 00:17:24,844 --> 00:17:27,120 a second question as well . I don't 413 00:17:27,120 --> 00:17:29,342 have an update . The interagency review 414 00:17:29,342 --> 00:17:32,130 continues . Okay , Um and also there's 415 00:17:32,130 --> 00:17:34,710 been reporting this week about how 416 00:17:34,710 --> 00:17:37,160 airstrikes are carried out . We saw in 417 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:39,580 a in a release from the African Africa 418 00:17:39,580 --> 00:17:43,000 Command today , quoting Somali defence 419 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:45,440 chief is saying that the airstrikes are 420 00:17:45,450 --> 00:17:48,580 absolutely needed . Has there been any 421 00:17:48,590 --> 00:17:51,010 expression of concern from U . S allies 422 00:17:51,010 --> 00:17:53,232 or partners about what's happening with 423 00:17:53,232 --> 00:17:55,454 the policy on airstrikes and whether or 424 00:17:55,454 --> 00:17:57,630 not it might impede their efforts 425 00:17:57,630 --> 00:17:59,574 against violent extremist groups , 426 00:17:59,574 --> 00:18:01,297 terrorist groups in Africa and 427 00:18:01,297 --> 00:18:03,408 elsewhere ? I'm not aware of any such 428 00:18:03,408 --> 00:18:05,463 concerns that have been expressed to 429 00:18:05,463 --> 00:18:08,810 the department . Mm . Okay . Hey . 430 00:18:09,250 --> 00:18:11,220 Yes . Thanks , John . Would the 431 00:18:11,220 --> 00:18:12,998 National Guard that request for 432 00:18:12,998 --> 00:18:15,164 extension ? Could you give us any more 433 00:18:15,164 --> 00:18:17,276 details like the number of troops are 434 00:18:17,276 --> 00:18:20,660 fencing would come down . I don't have 435 00:18:20,660 --> 00:18:23,680 any updates on fencing . Um , and I 436 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:25,680 would point you to what the Capitol 437 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:27,680 police have said about what they're 438 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:30,630 requesting . Uh , that's better for 439 00:18:30,630 --> 00:18:34,490 them to speak to . Uh , but what I 440 00:18:34,490 --> 00:18:36,450 would say is , as I said , were in 441 00:18:36,450 --> 00:18:38,506 receipt of it we're evaluating , and 442 00:18:38,506 --> 00:18:40,450 we're gonna treat it just like any 443 00:18:40,450 --> 00:18:42,561 other requests for assistance that we 444 00:18:42,561 --> 00:18:44,561 get , uh , reviewing it with an eye 445 00:18:44,561 --> 00:18:46,839 towards whether we can meet the demand , 446 00:18:46,839 --> 00:18:49,061 whether you know , the requirements are 447 00:18:49,061 --> 00:18:51,172 all valid . And then on what timeline 448 00:18:51,172 --> 00:18:53,339 and what's sourcing and that process ? 449 00:18:53,339 --> 00:18:55,450 I mean , just came in last night . So 450 00:18:55,450 --> 00:18:57,506 we're working very quickly at that . 451 00:18:57,506 --> 00:18:59,561 Mindful of the 12 March deadline for 452 00:18:59,561 --> 00:19:03,160 the current mission . Okay , um , 453 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:08,260 let's see Sam from us and I 454 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:12,200 Hi , John . Um , just a quick one . So 455 00:19:12,210 --> 00:19:15,480 from the Austin message that we saw 456 00:19:15,490 --> 00:19:18,390 yesterday , the interim national , uh , 457 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:21,110 security guidance that came out earlier 458 00:19:21,110 --> 00:19:22,888 this month and then some of the 459 00:19:22,888 --> 00:19:25,054 reporting around , Um uh , some of the 460 00:19:25,054 --> 00:19:28,740 directives from , uh , def sec def hits 461 00:19:28,750 --> 00:19:31,010 on kind of the priorities for the 462 00:19:31,010 --> 00:19:33,121 department going forward . Do you all 463 00:19:33,121 --> 00:19:35,232 have a good definition on what you're 464 00:19:35,232 --> 00:19:37,121 referring to ? His legacy systems 465 00:19:37,121 --> 00:19:39,700 because divestiture of legacy systems 466 00:19:39,710 --> 00:19:42,480 is something that's in all sort of all 467 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:45,020 three of those instances . Is that 468 00:19:45,020 --> 00:19:47,131 something that you all have kind of a 469 00:19:47,131 --> 00:19:49,298 clear definition on , or is it sort of 470 00:19:49,298 --> 00:19:51,550 a little squishier as we move through 471 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:54,330 these reviews ? I couldn't give you a 472 00:19:54,330 --> 00:19:57,260 precise definition of the word in 473 00:19:57,260 --> 00:19:59,770 budget terms here from the podium , Sam , 474 00:19:59,770 --> 00:20:01,880 But I think , you know , everybody 475 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:04,920 understands that to mean , uh , older 476 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:07,550 systems . Uh , 477 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:11,520 capabilities . Um , that may need 478 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:14,700 to be replaced or revised . I guess I'm 479 00:20:14,700 --> 00:20:16,756 just asking the question because the 480 00:20:16,756 --> 00:20:18,970 consistency of the language across a 481 00:20:18,970 --> 00:20:21,830 lot of different vectors means that 482 00:20:21,840 --> 00:20:24,000 there's something in mind and there's 483 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:25,944 sort of a definition in mind . And 484 00:20:25,944 --> 00:20:27,944 there's there's a particular set of 485 00:20:27,944 --> 00:20:30,167 missions that you all have in mind when 486 00:20:30,167 --> 00:20:32,278 this is coming . I was just wondering 487 00:20:32,278 --> 00:20:34,056 if there was a more of a firmer 488 00:20:34,056 --> 00:20:36,730 definition on what that would be . Yeah , 489 00:20:36,730 --> 00:20:39,080 I know . I I get the question . I just 490 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:41,247 point you back to my original answer . 491 00:20:41,247 --> 00:20:43,080 I mean , I don't have a specific 492 00:20:43,080 --> 00:20:45,247 definition to give you , uh , accept . 493 00:20:45,247 --> 00:20:47,191 And I think you know , you've been 494 00:20:47,191 --> 00:20:46,970 covering this a long time , Sam . and , 495 00:20:46,970 --> 00:20:49,192 you know , in general what we mean when 496 00:20:49,192 --> 00:20:51,526 we talk about legacy systems . But look , 497 00:20:51,526 --> 00:20:53,581 that's what you do , and that's what 498 00:20:53,581 --> 00:20:55,692 you do in budget season . That's what 499 00:20:55,692 --> 00:20:57,859 you do every year when you take a look 500 00:20:57,859 --> 00:20:59,748 at and what resources you need to 501 00:20:59,748 --> 00:21:01,970 defend the country . You take a look at 502 00:21:01,970 --> 00:21:01,530 the systems , the platforms , the 503 00:21:01,530 --> 00:21:03,697 capabilities to make sure that they're 504 00:21:03,697 --> 00:21:05,530 relevant to the threats and the 505 00:21:05,530 --> 00:21:07,697 challenges that you're facing . And so 506 00:21:07,697 --> 00:21:09,919 when we refer to legacy systems , we're 507 00:21:09,919 --> 00:21:11,586 talking about typically older 508 00:21:11,586 --> 00:21:13,752 capabilities that are worth asking the 509 00:21:13,752 --> 00:21:15,863 question . Do we still need them ? Do 510 00:21:15,863 --> 00:21:18,086 we still need them in the same number ? 511 00:21:18,086 --> 00:21:20,197 Do they need to be modernized ? Or do 512 00:21:20,197 --> 00:21:22,363 they You need to be eliminated ? And I 513 00:21:22,363 --> 00:21:24,586 think that's the the general gist of Of 514 00:21:24,586 --> 00:21:26,863 of how that word was used in , uh , in , 515 00:21:26,863 --> 00:21:30,350 uh , in our planning . Yes , go ahead . 516 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:34,370 Thank you . Uh , China said , writing 517 00:21:34,370 --> 00:21:37,820 that it would increase China would 518 00:21:37,830 --> 00:21:40,880 increase its the defense budget by 519 00:21:40,890 --> 00:21:44,460 6.8% in 2021 . 520 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:47,520 How much are you concerned about the 521 00:21:47,530 --> 00:21:50,650 continuing increase of China's military 522 00:21:50,650 --> 00:21:52,817 spending ? The secretary has been very 523 00:21:52,817 --> 00:21:55,190 clear . I mean , he holds China as the 524 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:57,490 pacing challenge of the department . 525 00:21:57,500 --> 00:21:59,556 You saw that in the document that we 526 00:21:59,556 --> 00:22:02,560 made public yesterday . Um , And as he 527 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:04,727 further articulated in that document , 528 00:22:04,727 --> 00:22:06,893 that means we've got to make sure that 529 00:22:06,893 --> 00:22:09,050 we have the right capabilities . Uh , 530 00:22:09,060 --> 00:22:11,270 the right operational concepts , Uh , 531 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:13,336 the right policies and strategies in 532 00:22:13,336 --> 00:22:15,490 place not just in the Indo Pacific 533 00:22:15,490 --> 00:22:17,712 region , but around the world , because 534 00:22:17,712 --> 00:22:20,170 china is having an impact globally . Uh , 535 00:22:20,170 --> 00:22:22,281 and to make sure that we're already , 536 00:22:22,281 --> 00:22:24,114 uh , to meet , uh , to meet that 537 00:22:24,114 --> 00:22:26,448 challenge , uh , forthright and head on , 538 00:22:26,740 --> 00:22:30,150 uh , there is also a criticism of 539 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:32,710 China's military spending . Uh , there 540 00:22:32,710 --> 00:22:35,260 is a criticism accusations of China's 541 00:22:35,940 --> 00:22:38,060 military spending in terms of 542 00:22:38,070 --> 00:22:41,370 transparency and openness . Do you 543 00:22:41,370 --> 00:22:44,210 think that China's actual spending is 544 00:22:44,220 --> 00:22:47,510 much larger than the amount that 545 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:50,980 publicly announced ? I don't have 546 00:22:50,980 --> 00:22:54,110 a from this podium . I wouldn't have 547 00:22:54,120 --> 00:22:56,730 that kind of context to offer . I What 548 00:22:56,730 --> 00:23:00,460 I think you're asking Is they being 549 00:23:00,940 --> 00:23:03,370 dishonest about the increase in their 550 00:23:03,370 --> 00:23:05,520 spending that it's more than what 551 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:07,576 they're saying it . I think that's a 552 00:23:07,576 --> 00:23:09,298 great question for the Chinese 553 00:23:09,298 --> 00:23:11,409 government to post to them . I mean , 554 00:23:11,409 --> 00:23:13,576 I'm in no position to judge uh , right 555 00:23:13,576 --> 00:23:15,920 here today what we believe about the 556 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:19,070 veracity of the figure that they're 557 00:23:19,070 --> 00:23:21,070 putting out there . Our focus is on 558 00:23:21,070 --> 00:23:23,240 getting our budget , uh , in order and 559 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:25,770 getting it ready along . Oh , MBs 560 00:23:25,770 --> 00:23:27,992 timelines . That's where that's why our 561 00:23:27,992 --> 00:23:30,370 head is right here . Um , Ellen from 562 00:23:30,370 --> 00:23:31,060 synopsis . 563 00:23:36,540 --> 00:23:38,707 Hi . Thank you so much for taking me . 564 00:23:38,707 --> 00:23:40,651 Um , I'm gonna get to , um , covid 565 00:23:40,651 --> 00:23:42,750 vaccination . And I'm sure that 566 00:23:42,760 --> 00:23:44,900 vaccination is still ongoing at 567 00:23:44,910 --> 00:23:47,030 throughout d d o d . There's this 568 00:23:47,030 --> 00:23:49,120 number of a third of service members 569 00:23:49,120 --> 00:23:51,064 refusing the vaccine . Are you all 570 00:23:51,064 --> 00:23:53,950 doing anything to actually measure this , 571 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:55,770 or is this just anecdotal ? 572 00:23:57,140 --> 00:23:59,980 We've talked about this before , 573 00:23:59,990 --> 00:24:03,840 um , at d o d . At 574 00:24:03,850 --> 00:24:05,610 this level , the office of the 575 00:24:05,610 --> 00:24:07,499 Secretary of Defense . We are not 576 00:24:07,499 --> 00:24:10,240 essentially tracking the rate at which 577 00:24:10,250 --> 00:24:13,800 the raw numbers at which , um , those 578 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:15,689 who are being offered the vaccine 579 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:19,220 declined to take it . There are . The 580 00:24:19,230 --> 00:24:22,670 services are working through , um , 581 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:26,490 getting better clarity around the 582 00:24:26,500 --> 00:24:29,450 both the acceptance decisions , um and , 583 00:24:29,460 --> 00:24:33,150 uh , declination decisions . And so I'd 584 00:24:33,150 --> 00:24:35,261 point you to each of the services who 585 00:24:35,261 --> 00:24:37,340 can talk . We probably more fidelity 586 00:24:37,340 --> 00:24:39,340 about what they're seeing . I would 587 00:24:39,340 --> 00:24:41,451 caution you , though . And all of you 588 00:24:41,451 --> 00:24:43,562 and as I've said before , I mean , we 589 00:24:43,562 --> 00:24:45,562 are still vaccinating . Essentially 590 00:24:45,562 --> 00:24:47,562 tier one , tier one A and two . I'm 591 00:24:47,562 --> 00:24:49,562 sorry . Tier one and tier one . Bee 592 00:24:49,562 --> 00:24:51,507 populations largely throughout the 593 00:24:51,507 --> 00:24:53,670 force . So the majority of people I 594 00:24:53,670 --> 00:24:55,781 think we've administered now almost a 595 00:24:55,781 --> 00:24:59,060 million and a half , uh , doses and , 596 00:24:59,070 --> 00:25:01,292 uh , as you well know , all of you have 597 00:25:01,292 --> 00:25:03,403 covered the workforce . We're talking 598 00:25:03,403 --> 00:25:05,348 at over three million total in the 599 00:25:05,348 --> 00:25:07,570 workforce , so there's still a long way 600 00:25:07,570 --> 00:25:11,300 to go . And so the the rates , whatever 601 00:25:11,300 --> 00:25:14,170 they are acceptance rates or or or 602 00:25:14,180 --> 00:25:16,420 declination rates , uh , that you'll 603 00:25:16,420 --> 00:25:18,364 find you have to keep in mind that 604 00:25:18,364 --> 00:25:20,587 that's a that's of a small subset right 605 00:25:20,587 --> 00:25:22,642 now as we still continue to work our 606 00:25:22,642 --> 00:25:25,020 way through the program . Yes . 607 00:25:26,740 --> 00:25:29,073 I'm sorry . Was there another one ? Yes . 608 00:25:29,073 --> 00:25:31,240 Do you have the Janssen vaccine in the 609 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,296 supply chain already ? And where are 610 00:25:33,296 --> 00:25:35,407 you sending that ? Is it mainly going 611 00:25:35,407 --> 00:25:37,351 overseas or to particular kinds of 612 00:25:37,351 --> 00:25:40,660 troops ? We , uh 613 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:46,060 yeah , we are . We are We are receiving 614 00:25:46,060 --> 00:25:49,800 allocations of the Johnson vaccine . Um , 615 00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:51,967 and we're going to start incorporating 616 00:25:51,967 --> 00:25:54,440 it into the existing distribution 617 00:25:54,450 --> 00:25:56,450 process . What we said before is it 618 00:25:56,450 --> 00:25:58,561 does give us more flexibility because 619 00:25:58,561 --> 00:26:00,394 it shifts in bulk and it doesn't 620 00:26:00,394 --> 00:26:02,450 require refrigeration . Um , it only 621 00:26:02,450 --> 00:26:04,728 requires one shot . So , uh , you know , 622 00:26:04,728 --> 00:26:06,950 making a single vaccine you can be able 623 00:26:06,950 --> 00:26:09,790 to accomplish more and less time . Um 624 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:12,730 uh , it's also highly effective . We 625 00:26:12,730 --> 00:26:15,070 believe it will appropriately protect 626 00:26:15,070 --> 00:26:17,237 our personnel from hospitalization and 627 00:26:17,237 --> 00:26:19,980 possibly death . And like we've said , 628 00:26:19,980 --> 00:26:21,813 like all the other vaccines , we 629 00:26:21,813 --> 00:26:23,758 believe this is going to be key to 630 00:26:23,758 --> 00:26:25,813 helping end the end . The pandemic . 631 00:26:25,813 --> 00:26:28,780 Yes . So we I would like to go back to 632 00:26:28,790 --> 00:26:32,460 the National Guard . Um , I'm not a 633 00:26:32,460 --> 00:26:34,870 specialist , but I know that there is a 634 00:26:34,870 --> 00:26:38,290 law that prevents , uh , military 635 00:26:38,300 --> 00:26:41,870 to , uh , accept some police 636 00:26:41,870 --> 00:26:44,470 activities in the in the country , the 637 00:26:44,690 --> 00:26:48,200 communities . So I wanted to know if in 638 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:50,960 the Pentagon there is a concern that 639 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:54,960 keeping a national guards at the 640 00:26:55,340 --> 00:26:58,420 capital for two more months with the 641 00:26:58,430 --> 00:27:02,360 risk to violate this law . No , There's 642 00:27:02,360 --> 00:27:04,980 no concern about the Posse Comitatus 643 00:27:04,980 --> 00:27:08,730 which restricts active duty . 644 00:27:09,740 --> 00:27:12,200 What we would call title 10 troops from 645 00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:14,150 participating in law enforcement 646 00:27:14,150 --> 00:27:16,310 activities that the National Guard , 647 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:19,580 under Title 32 does have the mandate to 648 00:27:19,580 --> 00:27:23,430 support local authorities as 649 00:27:23,430 --> 00:27:26,410 requested . So there's no concern for 650 00:27:26,410 --> 00:27:29,220 pasta comatose here . Do you ? Do you 651 00:27:29,220 --> 00:27:31,920 consider that the situation right now 652 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:34,170 is an emergency that 653 00:27:34,540 --> 00:27:38,460 deserve the National Guard to stay ? 654 00:27:38,470 --> 00:27:40,510 Well , as I said , we just received 655 00:27:40,510 --> 00:27:42,510 this request , and we're evaluating 656 00:27:42,510 --> 00:27:44,399 that . And part of the evaluation 657 00:27:44,399 --> 00:27:46,510 process is to look at the requirement 658 00:27:46,510 --> 00:27:48,732 to consider the need . Um , and again , 659 00:27:48,732 --> 00:27:50,621 I won't get ahead of the decision 660 00:27:50,621 --> 00:27:53,850 making process here . Uh , but there's 661 00:27:53,860 --> 00:27:57,240 also in addition to looking at the 662 00:27:57,240 --> 00:28:00,260 threat environment . Um , you know , 663 00:28:00,260 --> 00:28:03,850 there's also I think it's , uh , 664 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:06,696 necessary for us to also look at the 665 00:28:06,696 --> 00:28:08,918 capabilities requirement , Um , and the 666 00:28:08,918 --> 00:28:10,807 degree to which I mean things are 667 00:28:10,807 --> 00:28:14,170 things are clearly different now , uh , 668 00:28:14,740 --> 00:28:17,760 in the wake of January 6th . And the 669 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:19,871 secretary believes that our lawmakers 670 00:28:19,871 --> 00:28:21,927 absolutely deserve a safe and secure 671 00:28:21,927 --> 00:28:24,260 environment in which to work . Um , and , 672 00:28:24,260 --> 00:28:25,982 uh , So we have to look at the 673 00:28:25,982 --> 00:28:28,093 capabilities there and on the Capitol 674 00:28:28,093 --> 00:28:30,093 complex , um , and ask ourselves if 675 00:28:30,093 --> 00:28:32,840 there are capabilities we can add that 676 00:28:32,850 --> 00:28:35,390 the Capitol police don't have right now 677 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:38,710 or or or have insufficient to the need . 678 00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:40,870 So it's It's a combination of looking 679 00:28:40,870 --> 00:28:42,703 at the threat and looking at the 680 00:28:42,703 --> 00:28:44,703 capabilities need , and that's what 681 00:28:44,703 --> 00:28:46,814 were we doing in the coming hours and 682 00:28:46,814 --> 00:28:48,814 days as we work through this and my 683 00:28:48,814 --> 00:28:50,981 answer to Tom ? I mean , we're mindful 684 00:28:50,981 --> 00:28:53,037 of the current mission ending on the 685 00:28:53,037 --> 00:28:55,203 12th of March , So I don't expect that 686 00:28:55,203 --> 00:28:57,370 you're gonna see the Pentagon take too 687 00:28:57,370 --> 00:28:59,481 long here to make a decision . Yeah , 688 00:28:59,840 --> 00:29:01,840 sure . Go ahead . Lucas . Secretary 689 00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:04,062 support using the U . S . Military as a 690 00:29:04,062 --> 00:29:06,173 full time quick reaction force to the 691 00:29:06,173 --> 00:29:08,900 capital , as requested were recommended 692 00:29:08,900 --> 00:29:11,380 by General Honore . I don't have any , 693 00:29:11,390 --> 00:29:14,910 Uh , as far as I know , we don't have 694 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:17,530 haven't received the report and don't 695 00:29:17,530 --> 00:29:18,919 have an opinion on those 696 00:29:18,919 --> 00:29:21,141 recommendations , so I mean , I haven't 697 00:29:21,141 --> 00:29:23,252 seen a report . I don't know that I'm 698 00:29:23,252 --> 00:29:25,252 not faulting you here , but I don't 699 00:29:25,252 --> 00:29:25,170 know that those are recommendations 700 00:29:25,170 --> 00:29:28,330 that that General Honore has made . Um , 701 00:29:28,340 --> 00:29:30,507 so I'm I'm unable to answer that right 702 00:29:30,507 --> 00:29:32,840 now . And just to follow up on Fort Lee , 703 00:29:32,840 --> 00:29:34,951 does the secretary support using Fort 704 00:29:34,951 --> 00:29:36,896 Lee as a base to potentially house 705 00:29:36,896 --> 00:29:39,620 migrant Children ? The secretary was 706 00:29:39,620 --> 00:29:42,530 supportive of having HHS visit Fort Lee 707 00:29:42,530 --> 00:29:44,750 to examine , uh , and to do a site 708 00:29:44,750 --> 00:29:47,910 survey . Um , and if there is a need , 709 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:50,142 and right now there isn't one . There's 710 00:29:50,142 --> 00:29:52,253 no request . But if there's one , the 711 00:29:52,253 --> 00:29:54,420 Secretary is fully committed to making 712 00:29:54,420 --> 00:29:56,642 sure that that that request gets a full 713 00:29:56,642 --> 00:29:58,864 airing here at the Pentagon and that we 714 00:29:58,864 --> 00:30:00,920 make the best decisions we can . You 715 00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:02,864 support the name of the base being 716 00:30:02,864 --> 00:30:05,087 changed before any potential migrants . 717 00:30:05,087 --> 00:30:07,087 As you know , there's a base naming 718 00:30:07,087 --> 00:30:08,976 commission at work . He named for 719 00:30:08,976 --> 00:30:11,090 commissioners to it that they have 720 00:30:11,090 --> 00:30:13,620 started to have their initial 721 00:30:13,660 --> 00:30:16,230 deliberations . Um , and he wants them 722 00:30:16,230 --> 00:30:18,174 to make sure that they get all the 723 00:30:18,174 --> 00:30:20,230 support they need from us . And they 724 00:30:20,230 --> 00:30:22,490 will in . We'll see what they what they 725 00:30:22,490 --> 00:30:24,712 come up with at the end of their work . 726 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:27,320 Um , hang on . Just saying Peter from 727 00:30:27,330 --> 00:30:28,170 same symbol . 728 00:30:34,140 --> 00:30:36,260 Okay , Peter is not there . 729 00:30:37,640 --> 00:30:41,590 Uh , Jared , I'm there 730 00:30:41,590 --> 00:30:43,710 are sorry There . There are too few 731 00:30:43,710 --> 00:30:46,043 buttons that you have to push on . Zoom . 732 00:30:46,043 --> 00:30:49,850 Um So which one of you am I talking to ? 733 00:30:50,340 --> 00:30:53,660 Mhm . You're talking to Peter Lowy from 734 00:30:53,660 --> 00:30:55,716 the attacking . All right , Thanks . 735 00:30:56,940 --> 00:30:59,480 The thank you . The the South Korean 736 00:30:59,480 --> 00:31:01,424 government , but also the Japanese 737 00:31:01,424 --> 00:31:03,591 government have both confirmed as well 738 00:31:03,591 --> 00:31:05,591 as Australian government has talked 739 00:31:05,591 --> 00:31:08,460 about the quad . Can you Can you You 740 00:31:08,460 --> 00:31:10,571 have already said that you cannot say 741 00:31:10,571 --> 00:31:12,627 anything about about the secretary's 742 00:31:12,627 --> 00:31:15,350 trip to to the end of Pacific . Can you 743 00:31:15,350 --> 00:31:17,294 explain why other governments have 744 00:31:17,294 --> 00:31:19,294 released it so much quicker than we 745 00:31:19,294 --> 00:31:22,490 have ? I , um , as as has been 746 00:31:22,490 --> 00:31:26,390 evidenced by misstatements and , uh , 747 00:31:26,400 --> 00:31:29,140 that I've made up here . I am barely 748 00:31:29,140 --> 00:31:31,140 capable of speaking for the Defense 749 00:31:31,140 --> 00:31:33,196 Department . Not , And I'm certainly 750 00:31:33,196 --> 00:31:35,084 not capable of speaking for other 751 00:31:35,084 --> 00:31:37,520 governments . I've got no travel to 752 00:31:37,520 --> 00:31:39,680 announce and and if and when there is 753 00:31:39,680 --> 00:31:41,902 travel to speak to , uh , we'll do that 754 00:31:41,902 --> 00:31:42,902 in due course 755 00:31:45,740 --> 00:31:48,830 is what Secretary Kerry to 756 00:31:48,840 --> 00:31:52,620 Korea depends top secret . Or when I 757 00:31:52,620 --> 00:31:54,787 have something to announce and to talk 758 00:31:54,787 --> 00:31:56,898 to , I will do that . Thanks . Thanks 759 00:31:56,898 --> 00:32:00,040 for the concerted effort , Peter . Can 760 00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:02,460 you tell us a little bit more about how 761 00:32:02,460 --> 00:32:05,590 the secretary got to the point where he 762 00:32:05,590 --> 00:32:07,479 talked about the threats that are 763 00:32:07,479 --> 00:32:09,570 coming from states ? We've heard the 764 00:32:09,570 --> 00:32:11,890 secretary speaking mainly about about 765 00:32:11,900 --> 00:32:14,490 China . We've heard them speaking about 766 00:32:14,610 --> 00:32:18,400 Russia Sometimes , but North Korea and 767 00:32:18,400 --> 00:32:20,660 Iran were like , at least new to me . 768 00:32:20,810 --> 00:32:22,977 How did we come here ? Is it something 769 00:32:22,977 --> 00:32:25,199 that is added ? Is it something that is 770 00:32:25,199 --> 00:32:27,032 being He looked at ? It from the 771 00:32:27,032 --> 00:32:29,199 previous administration and re adopted 772 00:32:29,420 --> 00:32:31,642 in the message that he sent yesterday . 773 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:35,310 Um , and I think the short answer to 774 00:32:35,310 --> 00:32:37,980 your question is no , uh , I mean , 775 00:32:37,990 --> 00:32:41,670 we've spoken quite a bit from this 776 00:32:41,670 --> 00:32:43,892 podium , and the secretary spoken about 777 00:32:43,892 --> 00:32:46,003 malign activities that Iran continues 778 00:32:46,003 --> 00:32:48,226 to perpetrate in the region support for 779 00:32:48,226 --> 00:32:50,180 terrorism , uh , their ballistic 780 00:32:50,180 --> 00:32:52,400 missile program , the maritime threats 781 00:32:52,400 --> 00:32:55,570 that they pose . Uh , it's certainly no 782 00:32:55,580 --> 00:32:58,020 secret . And it's not lost on on the 783 00:32:58,020 --> 00:33:00,187 defense Department today any more than 784 00:33:00,187 --> 00:33:02,242 it was . Uh , you know , in the last 785 00:33:02,242 --> 00:33:04,540 few years , I myself have stood at this 786 00:33:04,540 --> 00:33:06,373 podium before , many years ago , 787 00:33:06,373 --> 00:33:08,318 talking about Iran and about North 788 00:33:08,318 --> 00:33:10,530 Korea . North Korea continues to 789 00:33:10,540 --> 00:33:14,270 develop . Uhh continues to possess 790 00:33:14,640 --> 00:33:18,150 a a dangerous , 791 00:33:18,160 --> 00:33:20,370 uh , program of weapons of mass 792 00:33:20,370 --> 00:33:24,290 destruction . That that threatens , uh , 793 00:33:24,300 --> 00:33:26,560 the region and potentially threatens 794 00:33:26,940 --> 00:33:29,030 the United States certainly , uh , 795 00:33:29,040 --> 00:33:30,873 poses a threat to our allies and 796 00:33:30,873 --> 00:33:33,040 partners in the region . So that's not 797 00:33:33,040 --> 00:33:35,040 that's not new . Um , I would think 798 00:33:35,040 --> 00:33:37,262 that you'd be surprised if when talking 799 00:33:37,262 --> 00:33:39,540 about state threats that Secretary 800 00:33:39,540 --> 00:33:41,762 Austin didn't mention those countries . 801 00:33:42,140 --> 00:33:45,460 Okay , uh , Tom from 802 00:33:46,240 --> 00:33:47,573 looks like talk media . 803 00:33:51,840 --> 00:33:55,720 Mhm . I'm gonna 804 00:33:55,720 --> 00:33:58,020 wait for him to pit the two buttons . 805 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:02,373 I didn't know you had to do two buttons . 806 00:34:02,373 --> 00:34:05,330 Okay , I can hear me . Hey , is that 807 00:34:05,330 --> 00:34:09,210 your job , Tom ? All right , John . Yep . 808 00:34:09,210 --> 00:34:11,377 I got you , buddy . Okay . Hey , I was 809 00:34:11,377 --> 00:34:13,266 wondering if you could give me an 810 00:34:13,266 --> 00:34:15,321 update . Austin update , please . On 811 00:34:15,321 --> 00:34:17,432 when the freedom of navigation report 812 00:34:17,432 --> 00:34:19,210 for the last fiscal you will be 813 00:34:19,210 --> 00:34:19,080 released usually comes at the end of 814 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:22,080 January . The folks at OSD Press 815 00:34:22,080 --> 00:34:24,136 officers have checked me each week , 816 00:34:24,136 --> 00:34:26,247 and each week they tell me it's going 817 00:34:26,247 --> 00:34:28,302 to be released the end of the week . 818 00:34:28,302 --> 00:34:30,469 It's about two months later . You have 819 00:34:30,469 --> 00:34:32,636 any idea when that might be released ? 820 00:34:32,636 --> 00:34:32,400 Please have a related question on that . 821 00:34:32,410 --> 00:34:35,050 Thanks . I don't , Tom . I'll take it 822 00:34:35,050 --> 00:34:37,450 as a question and we'll we'll get back 823 00:34:37,450 --> 00:34:39,617 to you . I'm sure we'll be able to get 824 00:34:39,617 --> 00:34:42,050 back to you by next week . I'm kidding . 825 00:34:42,050 --> 00:34:44,540 I'm kidding . Well , it's a fair 826 00:34:44,540 --> 00:34:46,651 question , Tom . So let me let me let 827 00:34:46,651 --> 00:34:48,540 me get back to you . Did you have 828 00:34:48,540 --> 00:34:50,707 another one ? Follow on . That is that 829 00:34:50,707 --> 00:34:49,730 the Germans announced that they're 830 00:34:49,730 --> 00:34:51,952 gonna have a frigate in the South China 831 00:34:51,952 --> 00:34:54,063 Sea this coming summer . Is this part 832 00:34:54,063 --> 00:34:56,174 of a larger effort by the Pentagon to 833 00:34:56,174 --> 00:34:58,341 get more NATO allies to participate in 834 00:34:58,341 --> 00:35:00,341 in the South China Sea . Freedom of 835 00:35:00,341 --> 00:35:02,452 navigation operations . Well , that's 836 00:35:02,452 --> 00:35:06,040 the the issue of 837 00:35:06,040 --> 00:35:08,670 a German ship , or or any other ship 838 00:35:08,670 --> 00:35:10,781 operating in that part of the world . 839 00:35:10,781 --> 00:35:12,726 Really is a question better put to 840 00:35:12,726 --> 00:35:14,670 their ministries of defense . They 841 00:35:14,670 --> 00:35:16,503 should speak to their assets . I 842 00:35:16,503 --> 00:35:18,670 certainly can't do that . Um , I think 843 00:35:18,670 --> 00:35:21,003 what you're seeing , though Tom is , uh , 844 00:35:21,003 --> 00:35:23,920 you know , rather than than some us 845 00:35:23,920 --> 00:35:27,040 driven , uh , concerted strategy . I 846 00:35:27,040 --> 00:35:28,984 think you're seeing many countries 847 00:35:28,984 --> 00:35:31,240 around the world expressing their 848 00:35:31,240 --> 00:35:33,190 concerns about China's aggressive 849 00:35:33,190 --> 00:35:35,357 activities , particularly in the South 850 00:35:35,357 --> 00:35:37,523 China Sea . And there . And they are . 851 00:35:37,523 --> 00:35:39,468 They're acting on those concerns . 852 00:35:39,468 --> 00:35:41,750 Thanks . Yep . You bet . Okay . Here in 853 00:35:41,750 --> 00:35:44,280 the room . Megan . Has the secretary 854 00:35:44,290 --> 00:35:46,510 made a decision on where Ike is going 855 00:35:46,510 --> 00:35:48,621 to go on its upcoming deployment ? Or 856 00:35:48,621 --> 00:35:50,780 if he hasn't ? Did he have meetings 857 00:35:50,780 --> 00:35:53,390 with the chairman or the Combs this 858 00:35:53,390 --> 00:35:55,279 week ? As he told us last week on 859 00:35:55,279 --> 00:35:57,557 limits that he planned to do this week , 860 00:35:57,557 --> 00:36:00,740 he meets with military leaders every 861 00:36:00,740 --> 00:36:03,920 week . Megan , I do not have a specific 862 00:36:03,930 --> 00:36:06,890 decision to speak to today . Okay ? 863 00:36:06,900 --> 00:36:09,370 Okay . Sure . John . Although you said 864 00:36:09,370 --> 00:36:11,990 the peace agreement between Taliban and 865 00:36:11,990 --> 00:36:14,480 us is not done yet . It's under review , 866 00:36:14,490 --> 00:36:16,870 Right ? That's correct . But where is 867 00:36:16,870 --> 00:36:19,740 the new decision came from regarding 868 00:36:19,740 --> 00:36:22,110 coalition government and Afghanistan 869 00:36:22,110 --> 00:36:25,880 That Dr Salha What ? His team went to 870 00:36:25,880 --> 00:36:29,760 Afghanistan and announced this for , 871 00:36:29,770 --> 00:36:33,750 uh , this topic coalition 872 00:36:33,750 --> 00:36:36,480 government , But still some of the 873 00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:38,424 leader of Afghanistan . They don't 874 00:36:38,424 --> 00:36:40,970 accept that coalition 50 50 between 875 00:36:40,970 --> 00:36:43,890 Taliban and Afghan government . It 876 00:36:43,890 --> 00:36:47,870 means that , uh , the agreement does 877 00:36:47,870 --> 00:36:50,820 not reviewing is not finished yet , 878 00:36:50,830 --> 00:36:53,760 right ? It's under review . But we are 879 00:36:53,770 --> 00:36:56,310 This decision comes from I would have 880 00:36:56,310 --> 00:36:58,532 to point you to the State Department to 881 00:36:58,532 --> 00:37:00,950 speak to that and , uh , Ambassador 882 00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:04,030 Khalilzad and his activities . I'm I'm 883 00:37:04,030 --> 00:37:06,280 not aware of that . And that even if I 884 00:37:06,280 --> 00:37:08,502 was , would not be appropriate to speak 885 00:37:08,502 --> 00:37:11,460 to you from this podium . Uh , 886 00:37:13,230 --> 00:37:16,350 met ABC . We tried him , didn't we ? 887 00:37:17,730 --> 00:37:20,160 Right . Is he Can you hear me ? Yeah , 888 00:37:20,160 --> 00:37:22,680 I got you . Yes , I failed the in 889 00:37:22,680 --> 00:37:25,420 meeting test earlier . Thanks . Um , so 890 00:37:25,420 --> 00:37:28,040 I have another question about Iraq and 891 00:37:28,050 --> 00:37:30,161 the New York Times reported about the 892 00:37:30,161 --> 00:37:33,400 pope landing today . Um , saying that 893 00:37:33,410 --> 00:37:35,600 his flight was escorted by U . S 894 00:37:35,610 --> 00:37:38,040 aircraft once he entered Iraqi airspace . 895 00:37:38,040 --> 00:37:40,262 Can you say anything about that confirm 896 00:37:40,262 --> 00:37:43,410 that cannot confirm that . Okay , One 897 00:37:43,410 --> 00:37:46,170 other thing . It you're not ready to 898 00:37:46,180 --> 00:37:48,347 give attribution for this attack . But 899 00:37:48,347 --> 00:37:50,236 if that should come , just having 900 00:37:50,236 --> 00:37:52,291 somebody like the pope in the region 901 00:37:52,291 --> 00:37:54,402 complicate the calculus when it comes 902 00:37:54,402 --> 00:37:56,624 to a U . S . Response again , there are 903 00:37:56,624 --> 00:37:58,791 no decision has been made with respect 904 00:37:58,791 --> 00:38:00,958 to whether there will be a response or 905 00:38:00,958 --> 00:38:03,236 what that response might might be like . 906 00:38:03,236 --> 00:38:05,236 And as I think you know , there's a 907 00:38:05,236 --> 00:38:08,260 multitude of factors that go into , uh , 908 00:38:08,270 --> 00:38:10,270 any decision that the United States 909 00:38:10,270 --> 00:38:13,930 military makes , uh , to conduct a 910 00:38:13,940 --> 00:38:16,051 strike of that sort . Lots of factors 911 00:38:16,051 --> 00:38:18,760 go into that . Okay . Thank you . 912 00:38:18,770 --> 00:38:22,710 Uh , corn . Uh , Jake Sullivan 913 00:38:22,710 --> 00:38:24,821 warned yesterday of the danger or the 914 00:38:24,821 --> 00:38:27,030 threat posed by the Microsoft Exchange 915 00:38:27,030 --> 00:38:29,141 hack , and it was echoed by the White 916 00:38:29,141 --> 00:38:30,974 House , and he specifically said 917 00:38:30,974 --> 00:38:33,086 defense industrial base entities were 918 00:38:33,086 --> 00:38:35,419 targeted . I wonder , Was the was the D . 919 00:38:35,419 --> 00:38:37,586 O . D . A target as well ? Was there a 920 00:38:37,586 --> 00:38:36,790 breach ? And have you been in 921 00:38:36,790 --> 00:38:38,512 communication with any defense 922 00:38:38,512 --> 00:38:40,457 industrial base entities that were 923 00:38:40,457 --> 00:38:42,679 targeted ? So what I can tell you or in 924 00:38:42,679 --> 00:38:44,734 is that we're aware of the Microsoft 925 00:38:44,734 --> 00:38:46,790 threat . Intelligence centers report 926 00:38:46,790 --> 00:38:48,957 we're currently assessing our networks 927 00:38:48,957 --> 00:38:51,012 right now for any evidence of impact 928 00:38:51,012 --> 00:38:53,179 were also , as I don't think will come 929 00:38:53,179 --> 00:38:55,234 as a surprise , taking all necessary 930 00:38:55,234 --> 00:38:57,068 steps to identify and remedy any 931 00:38:57,068 --> 00:38:58,820 possible issues related to the 932 00:38:58,820 --> 00:39:01,840 situation . Joint Force Headquarters . 933 00:39:03,120 --> 00:39:05,390 We call it Dodon , but it's D o D . 934 00:39:05,390 --> 00:39:08,060 Information Network is coordinating 935 00:39:08,060 --> 00:39:10,171 with the National Security Agency and 936 00:39:10,171 --> 00:39:12,004 the Cybersecurity Infrastructure 937 00:39:12,004 --> 00:39:14,430 Security Agency on guidance and 938 00:39:14,430 --> 00:39:17,040 directives to make sure we can protect 939 00:39:17,050 --> 00:39:19,710 D o D networks and I t systems . So 940 00:39:19,720 --> 00:39:21,831 right now we're aware of it and we're 941 00:39:21,831 --> 00:39:24,053 assessing it . And that's really as far 942 00:39:24,053 --> 00:39:27,260 as I'm able to go right now . Okay . Uh , 943 00:39:27,270 --> 00:39:31,250 Jared . Hi , John . 944 00:39:31,250 --> 00:39:33,306 Thanks for doing this . Just a quick 945 00:39:33,306 --> 00:39:35,361 question on Israeli Defense Minister 946 00:39:35,361 --> 00:39:37,583 Benny Gantz . Comments yesterday to Fox 947 00:39:37,583 --> 00:39:39,750 News . Does the department assess that 948 00:39:39,750 --> 00:39:41,917 the Israelis are capable of conducting 949 00:39:41,917 --> 00:39:44,410 unilateral operation against Iran's 950 00:39:44,410 --> 00:39:46,466 nuclear site ? And what might be the 951 00:39:46,466 --> 00:39:48,700 consequences of that ? I absolutely 952 00:39:48,700 --> 00:39:50,589 would not comment on that today . 953 00:39:51,120 --> 00:39:53,287 That's that's really a question better 954 00:39:53,287 --> 00:39:56,040 put to to our Israeli 955 00:39:56,420 --> 00:39:58,750 friends in the region . I would not 956 00:39:59,120 --> 00:40:02,830 comment on that . Um Terrence Newsy 957 00:40:06,110 --> 00:40:09,590 Theresa . Did I get that wrong ? I'm 958 00:40:09,590 --> 00:40:12,940 sorry . Yes , Theresa . Sorry , 959 00:40:13,310 --> 00:40:15,590 Yes , sir . Can you hear me ? Yes . 960 00:40:15,740 --> 00:40:17,518 Okay . Excellent . Actually , a 961 00:40:17,518 --> 00:40:19,740 reporter asked my question earlier , so 962 00:40:19,740 --> 00:40:21,684 I don't have one . Thank you . I'm 963 00:40:21,684 --> 00:40:23,962 sorry I butchered your first name . No , 964 00:40:23,962 --> 00:40:26,018 no , that's okay . I'm gonna do it . 965 00:40:26,018 --> 00:40:25,300 I'm gonna blame it on Brooke the wallet . 966 00:40:25,300 --> 00:40:28,510 First handwriting . Okay . Back 967 00:40:28,510 --> 00:40:31,370 there . Following question on the 968 00:40:31,380 --> 00:40:34,380 Chinese defense budget . So one of the 969 00:40:34,380 --> 00:40:36,400 arguments from the Chinese side is 970 00:40:36,410 --> 00:40:39,290 their budget is still , uh , relatively 971 00:40:39,300 --> 00:40:41,400 small compared to the United States 972 00:40:41,400 --> 00:40:44,120 budget . So which brings that 973 00:40:44,130 --> 00:40:46,220 transparency question . Do you think 974 00:40:46,220 --> 00:40:49,340 it's fair to compare the US budget that 975 00:40:49,340 --> 00:40:52,600 is publicly announced to the one the 976 00:40:52,610 --> 00:40:56,070 Chinese government ? Yeah , I think 977 00:40:56,070 --> 00:40:59,250 it's fair for who , uh , to make a 978 00:40:59,250 --> 00:41:01,910 comparison . I didn't make a comparison . 979 00:41:01,920 --> 00:41:05,080 Uh , and I'm not attempting to make a 980 00:41:05,080 --> 00:41:07,520 comparison . Um , the Chinese 981 00:41:07,520 --> 00:41:09,631 government can speak to their defense 982 00:41:09,631 --> 00:41:11,742 budget . They should have to speak to 983 00:41:11,742 --> 00:41:13,853 their defense budget and what they're 984 00:41:13,853 --> 00:41:13,280 doing and what they're spending and 985 00:41:13,280 --> 00:41:15,500 what they're using it for , um , and 986 00:41:15,500 --> 00:41:17,722 they should have to answer and speak to 987 00:41:17,722 --> 00:41:19,667 their aggressive activities in the 988 00:41:19,667 --> 00:41:21,667 South China Sea and the way they're 989 00:41:21,667 --> 00:41:23,833 coercing , uh , their neighbors . Um , 990 00:41:23,833 --> 00:41:26,000 they should speak to a lot of things . 991 00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:28,222 Our job is to speak to what we're doing 992 00:41:28,222 --> 00:41:27,400 here in the U . S . Defense Department . 993 00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:29,400 And that's one of the reasons why I 994 00:41:29,400 --> 00:41:31,622 wanted to make sure we publicly release 995 00:41:31,622 --> 00:41:31,580 the secretary's priorities to all of 996 00:41:31,580 --> 00:41:34,910 you . So you can see , um , what he 997 00:41:34,910 --> 00:41:36,990 wants to do here at the Defense 998 00:41:36,990 --> 00:41:39,046 Department and what we're willing to 999 00:41:39,046 --> 00:41:41,157 speak to on on behalf of the American 1000 00:41:41,157 --> 00:41:42,990 people And you saw right in that 1001 00:41:42,990 --> 00:41:46,360 document that China was was was clearly 1002 00:41:46,360 --> 00:41:48,740 delineated as the pacing challenge for 1003 00:41:48,740 --> 00:41:50,851 the department . So we're comfortable 1004 00:41:50,851 --> 00:41:54,320 speaking to that . Abraham . Former 1005 00:41:54,330 --> 00:41:56,386 Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he 1006 00:41:56,386 --> 00:41:58,552 wanted to travel to China to meet with 1007 00:41:58,552 --> 00:42:00,552 his counterpart . Is that something 1008 00:42:00,552 --> 00:42:02,719 that Secretary Austin would like to do 1009 00:42:02,719 --> 00:42:04,774 as well ? I don't have any potential 1010 00:42:04,774 --> 00:42:06,997 travel to China to speak to either , do 1011 00:42:06,997 --> 00:42:10,140 I , Jenny ? Yeah . You're hired . 1012 00:42:11,150 --> 00:42:13,970 You like this one too ? I'm hitting 1013 00:42:13,970 --> 00:42:16,137 them out of the park with you , aren't 1014 00:42:16,137 --> 00:42:18,359 I ? I'm going to run out of Thai soon . 1015 00:42:18,359 --> 00:42:20,303 Go ahead in the back . Thank you . 1016 00:42:20,303 --> 00:42:22,359 Notes with diplomatic times I have a 1017 00:42:22,359 --> 00:42:24,470 question on U . S . Africa Command in 1018 00:42:24,470 --> 00:42:26,470 terms of operations in the question 1019 00:42:26,470 --> 00:42:28,780 Africa , Seville . Do you see them 1020 00:42:28,780 --> 00:42:30,836 stepping up in the operations in the 1021 00:42:30,960 --> 00:42:33,340 area , given the unprecedented terror 1022 00:42:33,340 --> 00:42:35,562 attacks there , because we know they're 1023 00:42:35,562 --> 00:42:37,784 involved in Eastern Horn of Africa with 1024 00:42:37,784 --> 00:42:39,840 Somalia . So you see there anymore , 1025 00:42:39,840 --> 00:42:42,173 expanding their operations in the house . 1026 00:42:42,173 --> 00:42:44,340 I think we've said before we certainly 1027 00:42:44,340 --> 00:42:46,600 take seriously the terrorism threat in 1028 00:42:46,600 --> 00:42:50,010 Africa and hell specifically and , uh , 1029 00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:51,756 continue to work inside the 1030 00:42:51,756 --> 00:42:53,978 international community to address that 1031 00:42:53,978 --> 00:42:56,089 threat . I don't have and won't speak 1032 00:42:56,089 --> 00:42:58,256 to potential future operations . Yes , 1033 00:42:58,256 --> 00:43:01,510 ma'am . Um , it is reported that you as 1034 00:43:01,520 --> 00:43:04,750 will establish missile network along 1035 00:43:04,750 --> 00:43:07,190 the so called first island chain for 1036 00:43:07,190 --> 00:43:09,570 the Inter Positive Theater . And then 1037 00:43:09,580 --> 00:43:12,020 the plan forms part of a specific 1038 00:43:12,020 --> 00:43:14,430 deterrence initiative proposed by the U . 1039 00:43:14,430 --> 00:43:16,597 S . Inter Pacific comment and expected 1040 00:43:16,597 --> 00:43:19,480 to cost 27 billion over six years . So 1041 00:43:19,480 --> 00:43:21,670 can you elaborate more on this like 1042 00:43:21,680 --> 00:43:24,350 missile network system and just one 1043 00:43:24,350 --> 00:43:27,190 more The SME agreement . Actually , us 1044 00:43:27,190 --> 00:43:29,470 and ROK are getting close to the final 1045 00:43:29,480 --> 00:43:32,100 SMH agreement , so they are now having 1046 00:43:32,110 --> 00:43:34,810 a final meeting in D . C now today . So 1047 00:43:34,810 --> 00:43:37,080 what does he expect from its agreement 1048 00:43:37,090 --> 00:43:39,320 in terms of the U S . Rok alliance ? 1049 00:43:39,400 --> 00:43:43,040 Thank you . Um , talk about that for 1050 00:43:43,040 --> 00:43:45,207 the S m . A . As far as I know , those 1051 00:43:45,207 --> 00:43:47,270 discussions are still ongoing . And 1052 00:43:47,270 --> 00:43:49,270 that's a question better put to the 1053 00:43:49,270 --> 00:43:51,048 State Department on the Pacific 1054 00:43:51,048 --> 00:43:52,770 Deterrence Initiative . We are 1055 00:43:52,770 --> 00:43:55,040 developing , uh , in , uh , fiscal year 1056 00:43:55,040 --> 00:43:58,090 22 to to fund key investments that will 1057 00:43:58,090 --> 00:44:00,146 maintain a credible deterrent in the 1058 00:44:00,146 --> 00:44:02,312 Indo Pacific , reassure our allies and 1059 00:44:02,312 --> 00:44:04,534 partners and reduce operational risk of 1060 00:44:04,534 --> 00:44:06,910 U . S forces , Uh , specifically the 1061 00:44:06,920 --> 00:44:10,090 Pacific Defense Initiative Specific 1062 00:44:10,090 --> 00:44:12,050 Deterrence initiative . Sorry will 1063 00:44:12,050 --> 00:44:14,470 support the department's efforts to 1064 00:44:14,470 --> 00:44:16,248 feel more lethal and survivable 1065 00:44:16,248 --> 00:44:18,359 capabilities , build a more resilient 1066 00:44:18,359 --> 00:44:20,581 and distributed force posture , improve 1067 00:44:20,581 --> 00:44:22,526 the capabilities of our allies and 1068 00:44:22,526 --> 00:44:24,526 partners , and enhance innovation , 1069 00:44:24,526 --> 00:44:26,581 experimentation and training for the 1070 00:44:26,581 --> 00:44:28,692 joint force . And that's about as far 1071 00:44:28,692 --> 00:44:28,160 as I'm going to go in detail today . 1072 00:44:28,160 --> 00:44:30,327 For any further details . We point you 1073 00:44:30,327 --> 00:44:32,660 to the Indo Pacific Command to speak to . 1074 00:44:33,090 --> 00:44:35,423 Okay . Have a great weekend , everybody . 1075 00:44:35,423 --> 00:44:37,646 Looks like I got everybody on the sheet 1076 00:44:37,646 --> 00:44:39,479 that everybody here have a great 1077 00:44:39,479 --> 00:44:43,410 weekend . Of course it would 1078 00:44:43,790 --> 00:44:45,734 Wouldn't be a briefing without you 1079 00:44:45,734 --> 00:44:47,457 getting the last one . Are you 1080 00:44:47,457 --> 00:44:49,512 concerned this tit for tat with Iran 1081 00:44:49,512 --> 00:44:51,512 will lead up to a war ? I mean , we 1082 00:44:51,512 --> 00:44:53,568 talked about that , Lucas . Nobody . 1083 00:44:53,568 --> 00:44:57,010 First of all , uh , I would 1084 00:44:57,690 --> 00:45:00,000 not character as this is a tit for tat . 1085 00:45:00,990 --> 00:45:03,157 We took defensive strikes last week in 1086 00:45:03,157 --> 00:45:05,190 order to protect our people , and 1087 00:45:05,190 --> 00:45:07,357 nobody wants to see this escalate . As 1088 00:45:07,357 --> 00:45:09,523 I've said before , nobody wants to see 1089 00:45:09,523 --> 00:45:11,523 this escalate . Uh , but we have an 1090 00:45:11,523 --> 00:45:13,746 obligation to protect our people . Um , 1091 00:45:13,746 --> 00:45:16,210 and , uh , if and when we feel like we 1092 00:45:16,210 --> 00:45:19,190 need to do that again , we will . But 1093 00:45:19,190 --> 00:45:21,023 these running back militias , if 1094 00:45:21,023 --> 00:45:23,023 they're hearing this that you don't 1095 00:45:23,023 --> 00:45:25,246 want to escalate this doesn't that mean 1096 00:45:25,246 --> 00:45:27,079 that they can keep going knowing 1097 00:45:27,079 --> 00:45:29,134 there's not gonna be responsible ? I 1098 00:45:29,134 --> 00:45:30,857 again without getting ahead of 1099 00:45:30,857 --> 00:45:33,079 decisions that have been made ? I think 1100 00:45:33,079 --> 00:45:35,246 the president sent a very clear signal 1101 00:45:35,246 --> 00:45:37,579 last week , Uh , that he's going to act , 1102 00:45:37,579 --> 00:45:40,930 uh , proportionately deliberately , uh , 1103 00:45:40,940 --> 00:45:43,107 and prudently to protect our people in 1104 00:45:43,107 --> 00:45:44,996 our Iraqi allies . Uh , our Iraqi 1105 00:45:44,996 --> 00:45:47,420 partners in the region going the 1106 00:45:47,430 --> 00:45:50,160 previous administration stated clearly 1107 00:45:50,240 --> 00:45:53,510 that it will hold Iran responsible for 1108 00:45:53,520 --> 00:45:56,150 any action or attacks by the proxies . 1109 00:45:56,160 --> 00:45:58,730 Are you saying proportional means that 1110 00:45:58,730 --> 00:46:00,730 for that ? Then whoever is going to 1111 00:46:00,730 --> 00:46:03,063 attack us , we are going to attack them ? 1112 00:46:03,063 --> 00:46:05,174 I'm saying I'm saying quite clearly , 1113 00:46:05,174 --> 00:46:07,230 we're not interested in getting into 1114 00:46:07,230 --> 00:46:09,452 what Lucas describes as a tit for tat . 1115 00:46:09,452 --> 00:46:11,341 What we're interested in doing is 1116 00:46:11,341 --> 00:46:13,508 making sure that we are protecting our 1117 00:46:13,508 --> 00:46:15,508 people and our Iraqi partners , and 1118 00:46:15,508 --> 00:46:17,674 that we continue to be able to conduct 1119 00:46:17,674 --> 00:46:19,730 the mission inside Iraq at the Iraqi 1120 00:46:19,730 --> 00:46:21,730 government's invitation to go after 1121 00:46:21,730 --> 00:46:24,008 Isis . That is That is what I'm saying . 1122 00:46:24,008 --> 00:46:27,310 Okay . Thanks , everybody . Yep . You 1123 00:46:27,320 --> 00:46:27,810 too .