1 00:00:00,540 --> 00:00:04,260 afternoon , man . No opening statement , 2 00:00:04,450 --> 00:00:06,728 so we'll just get right to it . Leader , 3 00:00:06,728 --> 00:00:07,783 I think your first 4 00:00:10,740 --> 00:00:12,907 Sorry . I was trying to run you . Um , 5 00:00:12,907 --> 00:00:15,073 John , I'm wondering if you can , um , 6 00:00:15,073 --> 00:00:17,960 perhaps it all update us on 7 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:22,190 the soul agreement in any way . Um , do 8 00:00:22,190 --> 00:00:24,870 you have any sense when ? If that's 9 00:00:24,870 --> 00:00:27,490 going to be signed or what ? Any costs 10 00:00:27,500 --> 00:00:31,160 that may have been agreed to the full 11 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:33,327 agreement lead . Are you talking about 12 00:00:33,327 --> 00:00:36,960 the National Guard Extension request ? 13 00:00:37,540 --> 00:00:39,707 No , no , no . Soul . No . I'm sorry . 14 00:00:39,707 --> 00:00:42,470 Korea . Oh , no , I don't have an 15 00:00:42,470 --> 00:00:44,637 update for you on that . I would refer 16 00:00:44,637 --> 00:00:46,914 you to our State Department colleagues . 17 00:00:46,914 --> 00:00:48,637 That is , uh , that is a State 18 00:00:48,637 --> 00:00:50,803 Department lead . Obviously , we share 19 00:00:50,803 --> 00:00:53,060 their pleasure at the knowledge that , 20 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:55,580 um , they were able to come to 21 00:00:55,580 --> 00:00:57,691 conclusion on that . But I don't have 22 00:00:57,691 --> 00:00:59,969 details to share with you today . Okay ? 23 00:00:59,969 --> 00:01:02,420 Just , um can I follow up ? Of course . 24 00:01:02,430 --> 00:01:04,940 Yes . And then , um And secondly , then 25 00:01:04,950 --> 00:01:07,420 also on the National Guard . Can you 26 00:01:07,420 --> 00:01:10,310 update us on where that is ? Now , I 27 00:01:10,320 --> 00:01:12,530 can tell you that again . The there is 28 00:01:12,530 --> 00:01:14,910 an official formal request here in the 29 00:01:14,910 --> 00:01:17,380 building that , uh , that's working its 30 00:01:17,380 --> 00:01:19,102 way up to the secretary . As I 31 00:01:19,102 --> 00:01:21,440 understand it , the analysis behind 32 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:23,790 that request for assistance has been 33 00:01:23,790 --> 00:01:27,120 completed . Um , and I would expect the 34 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:30,710 secretary to be able to look at that 35 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:32,720 analysis and make a decision very , 36 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:34,776 very soon . Um , I don't want to get 37 00:01:34,776 --> 00:01:36,609 ahead of his his decision making 38 00:01:36,609 --> 00:01:38,810 process . Uh , but when we have 39 00:01:38,810 --> 00:01:40,754 something that we can announce and 40 00:01:40,754 --> 00:01:43,000 speak to , we certainly will . Thank 41 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:46,360 you . You got in the room , Dan . 42 00:01:47,140 --> 00:01:48,930 Admiral Davidson today , in his 43 00:01:48,930 --> 00:01:52,340 testimony , said that the the 44 00:01:52,340 --> 00:01:55,940 Chinese well , if it quadrupled in the 45 00:01:55,940 --> 00:01:59,170 next decade , would would result an 46 00:01:59,180 --> 00:02:01,124 overmatched to the U . S . Nuclear 47 00:02:01,124 --> 00:02:03,236 arsenal . Does the Defense Department 48 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:05,162 believe that that is a serious 49 00:02:05,162 --> 00:02:08,050 possibility or danger that China could 50 00:02:08,060 --> 00:02:10,227 quadruple at stark violent vineyards ? 51 00:02:10,290 --> 00:02:12,346 Well , without getting into specific 52 00:02:12,346 --> 00:02:14,940 numbers , we clearly believe that the 53 00:02:14,940 --> 00:02:17,130 PRC is pursuing a nuclear triad 54 00:02:17,130 --> 00:02:19,297 capability , increasing their delivery 55 00:02:19,297 --> 00:02:22,230 options . Um , and they're working to 56 00:02:22,230 --> 00:02:24,563 improve the survivability of its forces . 57 00:02:24,563 --> 00:02:27,060 Um , we also believe that they may seek 58 00:02:27,060 --> 00:02:29,320 to develop nuclear strength 59 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:32,410 commensurate with a great power . Left 60 00:02:32,410 --> 00:02:34,490 unchecked , the department believes 61 00:02:34,490 --> 00:02:37,770 that the PRC's nuclear arsenal could 62 00:02:37,770 --> 00:02:41,110 grow commensurate commensurately with 63 00:02:41,110 --> 00:02:43,332 its regional ambitions . But I won't go 64 00:02:43,332 --> 00:02:45,443 into more detail than that . And then 65 00:02:45,443 --> 00:02:48,110 just to , uh , switch topics slightly . 66 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:50,320 Is there anything further you have to 67 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:53,680 say about who is responsible or who is 68 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:55,569 likely responsible for the rocket 69 00:02:55,569 --> 00:02:59,430 attack and al Assad ? As far as I know , 70 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:02,440 uh , we're still working our way 71 00:03:02,450 --> 00:03:04,750 through that , and I don't have final 72 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:06,704 attribution to be able to speak to 73 00:03:06,704 --> 00:03:10,160 today . Yeah . Hi , John . Thanks for 74 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,104 doing this . What's the Pentagon's 75 00:03:12,104 --> 00:03:14,490 analysis of the recent Polish Army 76 00:03:14,490 --> 00:03:17,510 exercise called Zima 20 where the 77 00:03:17,510 --> 00:03:19,780 Russian forces , uh , took war . The 78 00:03:20,020 --> 00:03:22,500 Russian forces took Warsaw in five days , 79 00:03:22,510 --> 00:03:24,621 Of course , is quicker than the Nazis 80 00:03:24,621 --> 00:03:26,621 took it in World War Two . Has this 81 00:03:26,621 --> 00:03:28,732 changed the Pentagon's outlook on how 82 00:03:28,732 --> 00:03:30,954 it's going to rotate forces into Poland 83 00:03:30,954 --> 00:03:32,899 or any permanent facility of U . S 84 00:03:32,899 --> 00:03:34,820 forces ? And what's it say about 85 00:03:34,830 --> 00:03:36,950 pulling as a NATO ally ? Thanks . I 86 00:03:36,950 --> 00:03:39,100 don't have any specifics about this 87 00:03:39,100 --> 00:03:42,590 particular exercise . Uh , we can try 88 00:03:42,590 --> 00:03:46,100 to get better information . I just 89 00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:48,710 wasn't tracking this specific exercise , 90 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,360 Obviously . Uh huh . 91 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:55,470 We consider Poland a terrific ally . We 92 00:03:55,470 --> 00:03:59,140 also recognize , uh , the importance of 93 00:03:59,140 --> 00:04:02,630 improving , uh , national security and , 94 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:05,910 uh , military readiness , uh , in that 95 00:04:05,910 --> 00:04:08,021 part of Europe and I think you'll see 96 00:04:08,021 --> 00:04:10,243 that . Continue . I don't have anything 97 00:04:10,243 --> 00:04:12,299 specific , nor would I to talk to in 98 00:04:12,299 --> 00:04:14,890 terms of rotational developments going 99 00:04:14,890 --> 00:04:17,010 forward . I mean , you've seen us do 100 00:04:17,010 --> 00:04:19,232 this in the past . I know of no changes 101 00:04:19,232 --> 00:04:22,340 to that training regimen . Uh , and I 102 00:04:22,340 --> 00:04:24,562 also would just point you to the global 103 00:04:24,562 --> 00:04:26,618 posture review that the Secretary is 104 00:04:26,618 --> 00:04:28,562 conducting , which we expect to be 105 00:04:28,562 --> 00:04:30,562 complete midsummer , which may help 106 00:04:30,562 --> 00:04:32,784 inform the process of training events , 107 00:04:32,784 --> 00:04:35,010 uh , and posture specifically related 108 00:04:35,020 --> 00:04:37,020 to Poland coming up in the future . 109 00:04:37,020 --> 00:04:39,020 Okay . Thank you . You're welcome . 110 00:04:39,020 --> 00:04:40,020 Sylvie . 111 00:04:44,940 --> 00:04:48,030 So were you there ? Yes . 112 00:04:48,540 --> 00:04:50,651 Yes , I am here . I thought you heard 113 00:04:50,651 --> 00:04:53,400 me , but do you hear me ? Now ? I hear 114 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:56,950 you . Okay . Um , I 115 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:00,430 you said that there is no decision 116 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:02,630 yet on the national Guard , but I 117 00:05:02,630 --> 00:05:04,852 understand that some people are writing 118 00:05:04,852 --> 00:05:07,800 that the decision has been actually 119 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:11,640 taken , and it's yes . So can you 120 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:14,400 explain me the situation and and what 121 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,160 is exactly the threat I 122 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:21,150 have long given up trying to explain 123 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:24,980 what you guys end up writing every day 124 00:05:24,990 --> 00:05:28,520 and where you get it from ? Um , 125 00:05:28,530 --> 00:05:31,820 I can tell you that , uh , that the 126 00:05:31,820 --> 00:05:34,670 secretary hasn't signed off on uh , on 127 00:05:34,670 --> 00:05:37,280 the request for assistance yet , And if 128 00:05:37,280 --> 00:05:39,580 and when that changes , I'll be sure to 129 00:05:39,580 --> 00:05:42,070 let you know . But I can't I can't 130 00:05:42,070 --> 00:05:45,360 speak to to what you guys are reporting . 131 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:49,300 Um , and as for the threat So 132 00:05:49,300 --> 00:05:51,411 we we've talked about this , uh , you 133 00:05:51,411 --> 00:05:53,300 know , I'm loathe to get into the 134 00:05:53,300 --> 00:05:55,467 details of threat analysis anywhere in 135 00:05:55,467 --> 00:05:57,800 the world . Certainly here at home , Um , 136 00:05:57,800 --> 00:05:59,911 it's obviously different here at home 137 00:05:59,911 --> 00:06:02,078 than it would be for forces overseas . 138 00:06:02,078 --> 00:06:04,189 Of course , Um , it's a more domestic 139 00:06:04,189 --> 00:06:06,411 threat that we're talking about , which 140 00:06:06,411 --> 00:06:08,356 means that the the information and 141 00:06:08,356 --> 00:06:10,411 intelligence comes from domestic law 142 00:06:10,411 --> 00:06:12,356 enforcement agencies , and I would 143 00:06:12,356 --> 00:06:14,467 point you to them to speak to it more 144 00:06:14,467 --> 00:06:16,578 than me . The other thing that I said 145 00:06:16,578 --> 00:06:15,680 the other day and I think it's 146 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:18,540 important to remember , is that the the 147 00:06:18,550 --> 00:06:20,494 Guard presence on the hill , while 148 00:06:20,494 --> 00:06:24,220 certainly there to address a 149 00:06:24,230 --> 00:06:27,150 requirement that is based on uh , 150 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:30,990 law enforcement's concerns , is also 151 00:06:30,990 --> 00:06:34,790 there to help bolster and support the 152 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,330 Capitol police and their capabilities , 153 00:06:37,340 --> 00:06:40,850 which may not be at the level where it 154 00:06:40,850 --> 00:06:43,072 needs to be , given the fact that we're 155 00:06:43,072 --> 00:06:45,128 in sort of a new environment in this 156 00:06:45,128 --> 00:06:47,820 country , So it's It's not just about a 157 00:06:47,820 --> 00:06:49,542 threat assessment . It's about 158 00:06:49,550 --> 00:06:51,930 assisting and supporting capabilities 159 00:06:51,930 --> 00:06:54,130 at the Capitol . Police may now lack 160 00:06:54,140 --> 00:06:57,050 and may need to look at improving on 161 00:06:57,050 --> 00:06:59,106 their own in their own sense . And I 162 00:06:59,106 --> 00:07:00,990 think that , um , again without 163 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,056 speaking to the secretary's decision 164 00:07:03,056 --> 00:07:05,167 here that I think that's largely what 165 00:07:05,167 --> 00:07:07,520 was behind the extension request was 166 00:07:07,530 --> 00:07:11,060 was was was also a , uh , continued 167 00:07:11,060 --> 00:07:13,280 enabling support that the Guard can 168 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:16,100 bring to make up for gaps in Capitol 169 00:07:16,100 --> 00:07:18,211 police capabilities , at least in the 170 00:07:18,211 --> 00:07:20,378 short term . Okay , here in the room , 171 00:07:20,378 --> 00:07:24,260 Abraham , uh , returning to the 172 00:07:24,270 --> 00:07:26,492 Admiral Davidson's talk today testimony 173 00:07:26,492 --> 00:07:28,680 before Congress does . How does the 174 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:31,800 secretary view his budget requests ? As 175 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,000 you heard , uh , there was there would 176 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,000 have to be some shifting within the 177 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,222 Department of Defense in order to honor 178 00:07:38,222 --> 00:07:40,333 those requests in full . And how does 179 00:07:40,333 --> 00:07:42,389 the secretary assess ? Does he agree 180 00:07:42,389 --> 00:07:44,611 with Admiral Davidson's asks , And does 181 00:07:44,611 --> 00:07:46,667 he believe that all those things are 182 00:07:46,667 --> 00:07:48,944 necessary in terms of containing China ? 183 00:07:48,944 --> 00:07:51,000 And then can you also talk about his 184 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,111 upcoming trip yet ? Uh , I don't have 185 00:07:53,111 --> 00:07:56,020 any travel to speak to today . Um , As 186 00:07:56,020 --> 00:07:58,480 for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative , 187 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:00,758 I think I mentioned this the other day . 188 00:08:00,758 --> 00:08:02,813 The department is developing what we 189 00:08:02,813 --> 00:08:04,980 call the P D . I , uh , in fiscal year 190 00:08:04,980 --> 00:08:06,924 22 . It's that development will be 191 00:08:06,924 --> 00:08:08,758 nested into the budget process , 192 00:08:08,758 --> 00:08:11,580 informed by the budget process to fund 193 00:08:11,580 --> 00:08:13,636 key investments that will maintain a 194 00:08:13,636 --> 00:08:15,802 credible deterrent in the Indo Pacific 195 00:08:15,802 --> 00:08:18,024 and reassure our allies and partners as 196 00:08:18,024 --> 00:08:20,247 well as reducing operational risk . And 197 00:08:20,247 --> 00:08:22,469 I'm not going to get ahead of of budget 198 00:08:22,469 --> 00:08:24,691 decisions going forward . You mentioned 199 00:08:24,691 --> 00:08:26,802 the trip yet . Can you talk about the 200 00:08:26,802 --> 00:08:28,580 importance of building regional 201 00:08:28,580 --> 00:08:30,691 partners and allies in Indo Pacific ? 202 00:08:30,691 --> 00:08:32,858 Well , and the 66 are Try this again , 203 00:08:32,858 --> 00:08:34,810 this time with my tongue . The 204 00:08:34,810 --> 00:08:38,670 secretary is Uhh yeah , spoken a lot 205 00:08:38,680 --> 00:08:40,650 about the importance of the Indo 206 00:08:40,650 --> 00:08:43,370 Pacific region Um , and , uh , the 207 00:08:43,370 --> 00:08:45,314 importance of making sure that the 208 00:08:45,314 --> 00:08:47,430 department is prepared to to to meet 209 00:08:47,430 --> 00:08:50,140 the pacing challenge that is China with 210 00:08:50,150 --> 00:08:52,094 operational concepts and plans and 211 00:08:52,094 --> 00:08:54,690 capabilities , uh , that enhance our 212 00:08:54,690 --> 00:08:57,350 competitive edge . And while I won't 213 00:08:57,350 --> 00:08:59,183 speak to travel that hasn't been 214 00:08:59,183 --> 00:09:01,590 announced , I think you will continue 215 00:09:01,590 --> 00:09:03,340 to see this department and the 216 00:09:03,340 --> 00:09:06,790 secretary put a lot of effort into 217 00:09:06,790 --> 00:09:08,930 making sure that we're postured 218 00:09:08,930 --> 00:09:11,152 properly in the end of Pacific and that 219 00:09:11,152 --> 00:09:13,319 we are properly respecting , utilizing 220 00:09:13,319 --> 00:09:15,790 and empowering our alliances and 221 00:09:15,790 --> 00:09:18,068 partnerships in that part of the world . 222 00:09:18,068 --> 00:09:20,290 Five of our seven treaty allowances are 223 00:09:20,290 --> 00:09:22,290 in the Indo Pacific region , and we 224 00:09:22,290 --> 00:09:24,179 take that very seriously . You're 225 00:09:24,179 --> 00:09:26,290 welcome , Lucas . John . In a tweet . 226 00:09:26,290 --> 00:09:28,512 Does this mean you're not gonna get the 227 00:09:28,512 --> 00:09:27,810 last question ? Are you taking your 228 00:09:27,810 --> 00:09:30,500 shot ? Now you will see 229 00:09:31,010 --> 00:09:34,660 a tweet . Dr . Colin 230 00:09:34,660 --> 00:09:36,730 Call called the Republican Party . 231 00:09:36,730 --> 00:09:39,150 Quote the party of ethnic cleansing . 232 00:09:39,210 --> 00:09:41,590 Does Secretary Austin agreed . I think 233 00:09:41,590 --> 00:09:45,570 the the , uh , Mr Call 234 00:09:45,580 --> 00:09:48,790 also spoke pretty eloquently about his 235 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:50,967 Twitter habits and his hearing . And , 236 00:09:50,967 --> 00:09:54,790 uh , and I think , made clear , 237 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:58,780 you know , his respect for members 238 00:09:58,780 --> 00:10:00,836 of Congress , of both parties , Um , 239 00:10:00,836 --> 00:10:03,058 and spoke to his Twitter activity , and 240 00:10:03,058 --> 00:10:04,947 I think I'll leave it there . The 241 00:10:04,947 --> 00:10:06,950 secretary , um , looks forward to 242 00:10:06,950 --> 00:10:09,630 having a doctor call , uh , installed 243 00:10:09,630 --> 00:10:11,741 as the under secretary of Defense for 244 00:10:11,741 --> 00:10:14,740 Policy . He , uh , yeah . 245 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:18,750 Urges the Senate to give them a vote so 246 00:10:18,750 --> 00:10:20,861 we can get them on board . It's a key 247 00:10:20,861 --> 00:10:22,972 job in this in this building . It's a 248 00:10:22,972 --> 00:10:25,139 critical job in the building , uh , to 249 00:10:25,139 --> 00:10:27,139 make sure that as the secretary has 250 00:10:27,139 --> 00:10:29,361 said , we have policy that's matched to 251 00:10:29,361 --> 00:10:31,361 the will of the American people and 252 00:10:31,361 --> 00:10:33,417 strategy and resources that they can 253 00:10:33,417 --> 00:10:35,583 then flow from that policy . And Colin 254 00:10:35,583 --> 00:10:37,806 Kahl is exactly the right individual to 255 00:10:37,806 --> 00:10:40,083 help us lead that policy making effort . 256 00:10:40,083 --> 00:10:42,139 The secretary again looks forward to 257 00:10:42,139 --> 00:10:44,250 the confirmation process , concluding 258 00:10:44,250 --> 00:10:46,472 with a vote for Dr Call and getting him 259 00:10:46,472 --> 00:10:48,694 on board as soon as possible . Politico 260 00:10:48,694 --> 00:10:50,917 is reporting that the secretary reached 261 00:10:50,917 --> 00:10:53,139 out to Senator Joe Manchin to urge them 262 00:10:53,139 --> 00:10:55,139 to vote . Yes , Doctor . Call is is 263 00:10:55,139 --> 00:10:57,250 that true ? The secretary is planning 264 00:10:57,250 --> 00:10:59,250 to have a conversation with Senator 265 00:10:59,250 --> 00:11:01,194 Manchin today . I'm not gonna as I 266 00:11:01,194 --> 00:11:03,417 would never from this podium talk about 267 00:11:03,417 --> 00:11:05,472 the details of conversations between 268 00:11:05,472 --> 00:11:05,340 the secretary and individual members of 269 00:11:05,340 --> 00:11:07,562 Congress and with a tweet like this get 270 00:11:07,562 --> 00:11:09,396 flagged as extremist behavior in 271 00:11:09,396 --> 00:11:11,451 today's Department of Defense . Uh , 272 00:11:11,451 --> 00:11:13,507 come on , Lucas , I think when we're 273 00:11:13,507 --> 00:11:15,618 talking about extremist ideology here 274 00:11:15,618 --> 00:11:17,507 in the in the building and in the 275 00:11:17,507 --> 00:11:19,729 context of that , um , I think you know 276 00:11:19,729 --> 00:11:21,951 well what we're talking about and we're 277 00:11:21,951 --> 00:11:23,784 talking about , you know , white 278 00:11:23,784 --> 00:11:25,896 supremacist extremist ideology , that 279 00:11:25,896 --> 00:11:28,660 is , uh , and gang related extremist 280 00:11:28,660 --> 00:11:30,990 ideology that is prejudicial to good 281 00:11:30,990 --> 00:11:33,157 order and discipline . and can lead to 282 00:11:33,157 --> 00:11:36,020 and inspire actual criminal acts 283 00:11:36,020 --> 00:11:38,180 against our teammates inside the 284 00:11:38,180 --> 00:11:40,402 Department of Defense . What's the cops 285 00:11:40,420 --> 00:11:42,476 for ? Like a quick , please . What's 286 00:11:42,476 --> 00:11:44,698 the count now is how many positions are 287 00:11:44,698 --> 00:11:46,864 filled . You often give us up . Yeah , 288 00:11:46,864 --> 00:11:49,350 well , you know , I don't think I've 289 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:51,690 got we'll take that one . That's an 290 00:11:51,690 --> 00:11:53,912 easy one to get back to you . I think I 291 00:11:53,912 --> 00:11:56,079 gave a readout yesterday , and I don't 292 00:11:56,079 --> 00:11:58,190 think it changed from yesterday , But 293 00:11:58,190 --> 00:12:00,412 there's like they're still filling some 294 00:12:00,412 --> 00:12:02,468 positions , but sure , as opposed to 295 00:12:02,468 --> 00:12:02,190 the nominated positions as opposed to 296 00:12:02,190 --> 00:12:04,301 the other key positions . Right . Let 297 00:12:04,301 --> 00:12:06,523 me get you a better breakdown . I don't 298 00:12:06,523 --> 00:12:08,690 have it with me right now . Every week 299 00:12:08,690 --> 00:12:10,857 we onboard more . We just think I just 300 00:12:10,857 --> 00:12:10,560 announced another four or five 301 00:12:10,570 --> 00:12:13,320 yesterday . Um , I just don't have it 302 00:12:13,330 --> 00:12:15,386 in front of me , But we can get that 303 00:12:15,386 --> 00:12:17,608 for you . That's that's no problem . Uh 304 00:12:17,608 --> 00:12:19,760 huh . See Laura from Politico . 305 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:24,496 Hi , Dan . Thanks for doing this . I 306 00:12:24,496 --> 00:12:27,000 wanted to ask you about the rest of the 307 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,910 duty nominations . It seems like it's 308 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:32,700 taking a really long time . And , uh , 309 00:12:32,710 --> 00:12:34,960 for the president is behind some of his 310 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:38,420 predecessors on naming people to keep 311 00:12:38,430 --> 00:12:41,140 BOT roles . So can you talk about when 312 00:12:41,140 --> 00:12:43,050 we might see those nominations , 313 00:12:43,050 --> 00:12:45,106 particularly for service secretaries 314 00:12:45,106 --> 00:12:47,106 and undersecretaries ? And what the 315 00:12:47,106 --> 00:12:50,150 delay is ? Laura , I think I'm gonna 316 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:52,760 take issue with the idea of a delay . I 317 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:54,816 mean , these are these are important 318 00:12:54,816 --> 00:12:56,871 decisions , and I think , and nobody 319 00:12:56,871 --> 00:12:58,982 wants to rush to . Clearly , it's the 320 00:12:58,982 --> 00:13:01,204 president's prerogative as commander in 321 00:13:01,204 --> 00:13:01,080 chief to nominate these individuals . 322 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:03,090 And I would not get ahead of his 323 00:13:03,090 --> 00:13:05,610 decision making process or ahead of any 324 00:13:05,610 --> 00:13:07,721 recommendations that the Secretary of 325 00:13:07,721 --> 00:13:09,943 Defense might be making with respect to 326 00:13:09,943 --> 00:13:11,832 those nominations . It is clearly 327 00:13:11,832 --> 00:13:14,910 something that , um , the secretary has 328 00:13:14,910 --> 00:13:17,440 been working on , um , and consulting 329 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:21,220 on , uh uh feels completely free to 330 00:13:21,230 --> 00:13:23,230 offer his recommendations . But I I 331 00:13:23,230 --> 00:13:25,452 don't know that I would agree there's a 332 00:13:25,452 --> 00:13:28,170 delay . We're in Week six here of a new 333 00:13:28,170 --> 00:13:30,680 administration , and we have been 334 00:13:30,680 --> 00:13:32,736 feeling a lot of the positions . And 335 00:13:32,736 --> 00:13:34,902 again , we've been reading them out to 336 00:13:34,902 --> 00:13:37,180 you almost well , certainly every week , 337 00:13:37,180 --> 00:13:39,347 if not every every day . But these are 338 00:13:39,347 --> 00:13:41,402 you know , when you're talking about 339 00:13:41,402 --> 00:13:43,291 some of the jobs , I think you're 340 00:13:43,291 --> 00:13:45,069 referring to some of the Senate 341 00:13:45,069 --> 00:13:45,050 confirmed jobs . I mean , these are big 342 00:13:45,050 --> 00:13:48,080 jobs with big responsibilities . Uh , 343 00:13:48,090 --> 00:13:50,034 it's more important that we get it 344 00:13:50,034 --> 00:13:52,600 right and that we properly informed the 345 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:55,170 process so the president can make sure 346 00:13:55,170 --> 00:13:56,892 he's getting it right and feel 347 00:13:56,892 --> 00:13:59,170 comfortable that he's getting it right . 348 00:13:59,170 --> 00:14:01,281 Then it is to do it , uh , you know , 349 00:14:01,281 --> 00:14:03,059 against some sort of artificial 350 00:14:03,059 --> 00:14:05,059 timeline . Are there any particular 351 00:14:05,059 --> 00:14:08,080 problem areas or areas of disagreement ? 352 00:14:08,090 --> 00:14:10,423 Um , that we might attribute this delay , 353 00:14:10,423 --> 00:14:12,534 too , because I am going to call it a 354 00:14:12,534 --> 00:14:15,070 delay because it is . This president is 355 00:14:15,070 --> 00:14:17,420 behind his predecessors , including 356 00:14:17,430 --> 00:14:20,640 President Trump in at least naming 357 00:14:20,650 --> 00:14:23,760 these people , Uh , Laura , I think , 358 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:25,760 you know , lining it up against the 359 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:27,871 previous administration . That's sort 360 00:14:27,871 --> 00:14:30,038 of an artificial , uh , schedule , and 361 00:14:30,038 --> 00:14:31,927 we're not going to be beholden to 362 00:14:31,927 --> 00:14:33,760 ourselves to a schedule set by a 363 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:35,927 previous administration . So again , I 364 00:14:35,927 --> 00:14:38,260 push back on your use of the word delay . 365 00:14:38,260 --> 00:14:40,482 And as for problems , I'm certainly not 366 00:14:40,482 --> 00:14:42,260 aware of any . And if I was , I 367 00:14:42,260 --> 00:14:44,371 certainly wouldn't speak to it at the 368 00:14:44,371 --> 00:14:46,890 podium . Tony , the mansion meeting is 369 00:14:46,890 --> 00:14:48,723 the secretary meeting with other 370 00:14:48,723 --> 00:14:50,779 Democratic senators on the South and 371 00:14:50,779 --> 00:14:52,890 the Senate Armed Services Committee . 372 00:14:52,890 --> 00:14:54,834 Besides mansion or just mansion of 373 00:14:54,834 --> 00:14:56,723 concern , that he's wavering into 374 00:14:56,723 --> 00:14:58,834 support , and I had to follow up on a 375 00:14:58,834 --> 00:14:58,400 different congressional . I don't know 376 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:02,090 of any other discussions . Uh , Tony , 377 00:15:02,100 --> 00:15:04,044 I'm not aware of any other . Is he 378 00:15:04,044 --> 00:15:06,044 concerned that mansion , uh , may I 379 00:15:06,044 --> 00:15:09,320 won't get into the parameters and the 380 00:15:09,450 --> 00:15:11,561 and the specifics of the conversation 381 00:15:11,561 --> 00:15:13,728 That hasn't even happened yet . I just 382 00:15:13,728 --> 00:15:15,839 won't I won't . I won't do that . One 383 00:15:15,839 --> 00:15:17,950 thing that did happen on Friday , the 384 00:15:17,950 --> 00:15:17,690 Senate of the House Armed Services 385 00:15:17,690 --> 00:15:20,070 Committee chairman Adam Smith , took 386 00:15:20,070 --> 00:15:22,348 several shots at your Keystone program . 387 00:15:22,348 --> 00:15:24,470 The F 35 he said he want . He didn't 388 00:15:24,470 --> 00:15:26,470 want to start to keep pouring money 389 00:15:26,470 --> 00:15:29,820 down a rat hole . All right , rhetoric 390 00:15:29,820 --> 00:15:32,510 aside , which what's the Pentagon's 391 00:15:32,510 --> 00:15:35,460 response to his rather striding attack ? 392 00:15:35,470 --> 00:15:38,020 Well , what I can say is , and you know 393 00:15:38,020 --> 00:15:40,190 that's probably better than anybody in 394 00:15:40,190 --> 00:15:42,357 the room . Tony . They have 35 remains 395 00:15:42,357 --> 00:15:44,970 the premier air system of choice for 396 00:15:44,980 --> 00:15:48,220 three of the armed forces . Seven 397 00:15:48,220 --> 00:15:50,420 international partners , six foreign 398 00:15:50,420 --> 00:15:52,642 military sales customers . It routinely 399 00:15:52,642 --> 00:15:54,880 demonstrates high end capabilities at 400 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:56,936 the hands of our joint international 401 00:15:56,936 --> 00:15:59,047 war fighters , and it's performing in 402 00:15:59,047 --> 00:16:01,102 combat operations from land and from 403 00:16:01,102 --> 00:16:03,269 the sea . The department will continue 404 00:16:03,269 --> 00:16:05,436 the low rate initial production at the 405 00:16:05,436 --> 00:16:07,602 plant rate that we're currently seeing 406 00:16:07,602 --> 00:16:09,213 as directed by Congressional 407 00:16:09,213 --> 00:16:11,324 authorization and appropriation . And 408 00:16:11,324 --> 00:16:13,102 we look forward to working with 409 00:16:13,102 --> 00:16:15,269 Chairman Smith and the Committee as we 410 00:16:15,269 --> 00:16:17,324 work forward to address the needs of 411 00:16:17,324 --> 00:16:19,547 the department and the specific advance 412 00:16:19,547 --> 00:16:21,658 of this program . I need to ask you , 413 00:16:21,658 --> 00:16:23,769 what does your tip she tell you about 414 00:16:23,769 --> 00:16:23,490 the problems the program is having to 415 00:16:23,490 --> 00:16:25,530 its having no numbers is not a tip 416 00:16:25,530 --> 00:16:28,370 sheet . This is just helping me answer 417 00:16:28,370 --> 00:16:31,270 your question . Acknowledging issues 418 00:16:31,270 --> 00:16:33,830 with sustainment , flat cost per flying 419 00:16:33,830 --> 00:16:36,930 hour , avionics , software delays . I 420 00:16:36,930 --> 00:16:39,660 don't have that detail , uh , in front 421 00:16:39,660 --> 00:16:41,800 of me . I mean , obviously , we're 422 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:43,800 mindful of the complexities of this 423 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:47,260 particular program . Um uh , 424 00:16:48,140 --> 00:16:50,362 development of an updated schedule that 425 00:16:50,362 --> 00:16:52,418 addresses all the previous causes of 426 00:16:52,418 --> 00:16:54,196 schedule overruns has got to be 427 00:16:54,196 --> 00:16:56,418 informed by a detailed understanding of 428 00:16:56,418 --> 00:16:58,473 the of the path ahead and associated 429 00:16:58,473 --> 00:17:00,900 timelines . We are continuing analysis 430 00:17:00,900 --> 00:17:03,000 here , uh , and we'll deliver the 431 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:04,778 proposed acquisition production 432 00:17:04,778 --> 00:17:06,944 baseline revision when it's complete . 433 00:17:06,944 --> 00:17:08,778 You dismissed the view that it's 434 00:17:08,778 --> 00:17:10,889 pouring money down a rat hole and you 435 00:17:10,889 --> 00:17:10,700 think that's over the top . And I think 436 00:17:10,700 --> 00:17:13,460 I was pretty clear in the degree to 437 00:17:13,460 --> 00:17:15,682 which the department continues to stand 438 00:17:15,682 --> 00:17:17,293 by the F 35 . Thanks . Yep . 439 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:21,950 Okay . Uh , Jeff testing purpose . 440 00:17:23,540 --> 00:17:25,600 Thank you . Is there any possibility 441 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:27,767 that the National Guard mission in the 442 00:17:27,767 --> 00:17:30,100 capital will become an enduring mission ? 443 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:33,360 You know , Jeff , I don't think anybody 444 00:17:33,360 --> 00:17:35,416 can answer that question right now . 445 00:17:35,416 --> 00:17:37,638 Right now , we're really dealing with a 446 00:17:37,638 --> 00:17:39,804 specific request for assistance for an 447 00:17:39,804 --> 00:17:41,749 additional couple months , Uh , an 448 00:17:41,749 --> 00:17:44,460 extension at a reduced number . From 449 00:17:44,460 --> 00:17:46,682 what we're seeing now , I think there's 450 00:17:46,682 --> 00:17:50,080 5100 roughly on the hill . Um , and 451 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:52,136 this is an extension for a couple of 452 00:17:52,136 --> 00:17:54,302 months of a reduced number from that , 453 00:17:54,302 --> 00:17:56,358 And and that's where our focus right 454 00:17:56,358 --> 00:17:58,580 now is Jeff . So I , uh , I'm in , uh , 455 00:17:58,580 --> 00:18:00,747 no position to speculate beyond that . 456 00:18:00,940 --> 00:18:03,051 Thank you . But it sounds like you're 457 00:18:03,051 --> 00:18:05,107 leaving the possibility open that it 458 00:18:05,107 --> 00:18:07,107 could be an enduring mission . Am I 459 00:18:07,107 --> 00:18:09,107 hearing you correctly ? I think you 460 00:18:09,107 --> 00:18:11,051 might be overhearing me . Uh , I'm 461 00:18:11,051 --> 00:18:13,107 saying what we're focused on is this 462 00:18:13,107 --> 00:18:15,329 extension request . That's where that's 463 00:18:15,329 --> 00:18:17,384 where the focus is right now . And I 464 00:18:17,384 --> 00:18:19,384 just wouldn't hypothesis about this 465 00:18:19,384 --> 00:18:21,662 going forward . I mean , look , I mean , 466 00:18:21,662 --> 00:18:23,910 as I said in my answer to Sylvie . Uh , 467 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:27,060 part of the calculus here is in helping , 468 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:31,880 uh , so plant , uh , plant helping fill 469 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:33,824 some of the gaps in Capitol police 470 00:18:33,824 --> 00:18:37,070 capabilities on the on Capitol Hill and 471 00:18:37,070 --> 00:18:39,920 at the Capitol complex . Uh , so part 472 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,850 of this is obviously valid requirements 473 00:18:42,850 --> 00:18:44,961 to have them there , but also to help 474 00:18:44,961 --> 00:18:47,128 backfill some of these capabilities as 475 00:18:47,128 --> 00:18:48,794 they look at themselves as an 476 00:18:48,794 --> 00:18:51,017 institution and what they need to do in 477 00:18:51,017 --> 00:18:52,628 for their long term future . 478 00:18:54,340 --> 00:18:57,670 Okay , back here . Thank you , Dan . 479 00:18:58,820 --> 00:19:01,470 The Republic of Korea and the United 480 00:19:01,470 --> 00:19:04,970 States alliance is important to counter . 481 00:19:04,980 --> 00:19:07,450 China and North Korea didn't know there 482 00:19:07,450 --> 00:19:10,750 are . Then why did you feel compelled 483 00:19:10,750 --> 00:19:14,690 to say it ? Because it is my okay . 484 00:19:14,700 --> 00:19:17,670 Do you think to for us to a 485 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:20,030 diplomatic and defence 486 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:23,830 ministerial meeting is necessarily 487 00:19:23,830 --> 00:19:26,980 to strengthen the US and 488 00:19:26,990 --> 00:19:30,700 ROK alliance ? That is a 489 00:19:30,700 --> 00:19:32,811 heck of a back door to try to open to 490 00:19:32,811 --> 00:19:35,460 talking about rumors of a trip to the 491 00:19:35,460 --> 00:19:38,770 region . Um , not only that one . 492 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:41,462 Yeah , but I know what you were doing . 493 00:19:41,740 --> 00:19:44,890 Uh , I don't have any travel to speak 494 00:19:44,890 --> 00:19:47,057 to you right now . I know you didn't , 495 00:19:47,057 --> 00:19:49,390 but that's what you wanted to ask about . 496 00:19:49,390 --> 00:19:52,020 Yes , I know . Look , without getting 497 00:19:52,020 --> 00:19:54,580 into specifics on two plus two , 498 00:19:54,590 --> 00:19:58,190 the we've said before , 499 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:00,330 this alliance is the linchpin of 500 00:20:00,330 --> 00:20:02,580 security , Uh , in the region . We 501 00:20:02,580 --> 00:20:04,580 believe that the secretary believes 502 00:20:04,580 --> 00:20:07,020 that , um , and , uh , we look forward 503 00:20:07,030 --> 00:20:09,870 to furthering alliance objectives and 504 00:20:09,870 --> 00:20:12,460 goals , uh , as best we can . And you 505 00:20:12,460 --> 00:20:14,682 heard the secretary talk about this and 506 00:20:14,682 --> 00:20:17,290 numerous venues about the importance of , 507 00:20:17,300 --> 00:20:19,522 uh , strengthening and revitalizing our 508 00:20:19,522 --> 00:20:21,633 alliances and partnerships around the 509 00:20:21,633 --> 00:20:23,578 world . And I think you'll see him 510 00:20:23,578 --> 00:20:25,800 continue to make good on that promise . 511 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:28,880 Okay . Yeah . Yeah . And today we heard 512 00:20:28,890 --> 00:20:32,160 from the General 513 00:20:32,540 --> 00:20:35,020 Davidson as well about China and both 514 00:20:35,020 --> 00:20:36,798 from this podium and many other 515 00:20:36,798 --> 00:20:38,909 platforms . Secretary Austin also has 516 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:41,151 defined challenging China has a sense 517 00:20:41,151 --> 00:20:44,300 centerpiece of its policy . But on the 518 00:20:44,300 --> 00:20:46,189 other hand , we see that China is 519 00:20:46,189 --> 00:20:49,080 currently control controls one of the 520 00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:51,730 largest port , the Haifa port in Israel . 521 00:20:51,740 --> 00:20:54,560 And then recently , Israel refused to 522 00:20:54,940 --> 00:20:57,240 refused the U . S . Request to inspect 523 00:20:57,250 --> 00:21:00,350 that Chinese port in Haifa . How are 524 00:21:00,350 --> 00:21:03,130 you going to challenge China ? And how 525 00:21:03,130 --> 00:21:05,352 are you going to handle this issue with 526 00:21:05,352 --> 00:21:07,574 Israel ? Given I don't have any details 527 00:21:07,574 --> 00:21:09,741 on the issue you're talking about with 528 00:21:09,741 --> 00:21:12,260 respect to Haifa . The secretary has 529 00:21:12,260 --> 00:21:14,204 said and said it in that strategic 530 00:21:14,204 --> 00:21:16,427 document . You saw him lay out that the 531 00:21:16,427 --> 00:21:20,080 department can sees China as the chief 532 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:22,940 pacing challenge . Um , and we stood up 533 00:21:22,940 --> 00:21:25,780 a China task force . Dr . Ratner was 534 00:21:25,780 --> 00:21:27,891 down here talking to you about that a 535 00:21:27,891 --> 00:21:30,058 couple of weeks ago , uh , to help him 536 00:21:30,058 --> 00:21:32,169 flesh out how the department is going 537 00:21:32,169 --> 00:21:34,630 to better address that challenge here 538 00:21:34,630 --> 00:21:37,690 at D o D . Uh , with respect to 539 00:21:37,690 --> 00:21:41,320 operational concepts and policies , uh , 540 00:21:41,330 --> 00:21:43,870 enforced posture thinking , Um and so 541 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:45,936 we're gonna let that work continue , 542 00:21:45,936 --> 00:21:48,158 and we're going to continue to focus on 543 00:21:48,158 --> 00:21:50,269 that part of the world as we should , 544 00:21:50,269 --> 00:21:52,491 but I don't have anything specific with 545 00:21:52,491 --> 00:21:54,491 respect to your question on Haifa . 546 00:21:54,491 --> 00:21:57,730 Question . Greek media is reporting 547 00:21:57,730 --> 00:22:01,680 that the US has donated a bunch of 548 00:22:01,690 --> 00:22:04,670 military equipment to Greece . Do you 549 00:22:04,670 --> 00:22:06,559 have any detail on that ? Can you 550 00:22:06,559 --> 00:22:09,870 confirm it ? I don't I don't have it . 551 00:22:09,870 --> 00:22:12,600 At first I heard of this . I will take 552 00:22:12,600 --> 00:22:14,600 the question , but it's likely that 553 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:16,767 you're probably if if there's anything 554 00:22:16,767 --> 00:22:18,822 to it , you'll probably get a better 555 00:22:18,822 --> 00:22:18,700 answer out of our State Department 556 00:22:18,700 --> 00:22:20,644 colleagues . But I just don't know 557 00:22:20,644 --> 00:22:24,590 anything about that . Okay , Um , see , 558 00:22:24,590 --> 00:22:27,820 Peter Martin Bloomberg . Yeah . Hi 559 00:22:27,820 --> 00:22:30,042 there , John . We reported earlier that 560 00:22:30,042 --> 00:22:32,790 India plans to buy 30 armed drones from 561 00:22:32,790 --> 00:22:35,230 the U . S . I wondered if you have any 562 00:22:35,230 --> 00:22:37,360 comments on that or any broader 563 00:22:37,360 --> 00:22:39,527 comments on U . S . Military ties with 564 00:22:39,527 --> 00:22:42,900 India . I'm sorry I missed it . You ? 565 00:22:42,910 --> 00:22:46,860 India . What ? India plans to buy 30 566 00:22:46,860 --> 00:22:49,830 armed drones from the U . S . That's a 567 00:22:49,830 --> 00:22:52,470 question put to the Indian Ministry of 568 00:22:52,470 --> 00:22:54,526 Defence . Um , I wouldn't be able to 569 00:22:54,526 --> 00:22:56,692 comment on that one way or the other . 570 00:22:57,640 --> 00:23:00,540 Yes , thank you . I want to ask you 571 00:23:00,540 --> 00:23:03,780 about the US Japan relations . The 572 00:23:03,790 --> 00:23:06,880 March 11 . Uh , we've marked the 10th 573 00:23:06,890 --> 00:23:10,170 anniversary over the very destructive 574 00:23:10,180 --> 00:23:13,510 earthquake and tsunami disaster hit in 575 00:23:13,510 --> 00:23:16,950 Japan in 2011 . The U . S forces 576 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:20,340 provided humanitarian support , 577 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:22,600 and these are still supposed to the 578 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:24,489 Japanese people . And their those 579 00:23:24,489 --> 00:23:26,378 efforts are called Operation That 580 00:23:26,378 --> 00:23:30,110 friendship . Uh , do you think , uh , 581 00:23:30,120 --> 00:23:32,660 Operation Friendship , the most rated 582 00:23:32,670 --> 00:23:35,160 strong alliance with Japan ? Do you 583 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:37,740 have any comment about the U . S . 584 00:23:37,750 --> 00:23:40,490 Efforts to help Japan recover from the 585 00:23:40,500 --> 00:23:42,920 data start ahead of the anniversary to 586 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:45,690 have helped Japan ? What ? Helping 587 00:23:45,700 --> 00:23:48,490 Japan recover ? Recover from the data ? 588 00:23:49,140 --> 00:23:52,460 Um I remember that . And I remember 589 00:23:53,340 --> 00:23:55,840 visiting Japan not long after and 590 00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:58,062 flying in a helicopter over some of the 591 00:23:58,062 --> 00:24:00,000 devastated areas . It was quite 592 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,480 something to see . Quite stunning . Um , 593 00:24:02,500 --> 00:24:05,930 and the United States was proud to be 594 00:24:05,930 --> 00:24:08,980 able to help the Japanese people begin 595 00:24:08,980 --> 00:24:11,147 to recover from that devastation . And 596 00:24:11,147 --> 00:24:13,147 I suspect that devastation is still 597 00:24:13,147 --> 00:24:15,147 being felt by many of them in those 598 00:24:15,147 --> 00:24:18,600 areas . Hard hit , uh , in certainly . 599 00:24:18,670 --> 00:24:22,450 Um , it's a testament to the 600 00:24:22,450 --> 00:24:24,760 strength of our alliance , but more 601 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:26,927 importantly , I think it's a testament 602 00:24:26,927 --> 00:24:29,093 to the strength of our friendship with 603 00:24:29,093 --> 00:24:31,204 the Japanese people and how much they 604 00:24:31,204 --> 00:24:35,010 mean to us . In goodness knows , 605 00:24:35,010 --> 00:24:37,290 nobody wants to be called in to have to 606 00:24:37,290 --> 00:24:39,330 do that again or see that happen to 607 00:24:39,330 --> 00:24:42,390 anybody again . Um , but I hope the 608 00:24:42,390 --> 00:24:44,580 Japanese people will always know that 609 00:24:44,590 --> 00:24:47,140 the United States military will be 610 00:24:47,150 --> 00:24:49,270 ready , able and willing to assist . 611 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:52,760 Should should the need recur . Okay . 612 00:24:54,440 --> 00:24:58,310 Uh , Greece . Hey , John . Just going 613 00:24:58,310 --> 00:25:00,477 back to to Collin College nomination . 614 00:25:00,477 --> 00:25:03,070 Um , you know , whether he passes 615 00:25:03,070 --> 00:25:05,050 through the Senate or not . Is the 616 00:25:05,050 --> 00:25:07,161 secretary concerned about the lack of 617 00:25:07,161 --> 00:25:10,070 bipartisan support he he's been getting , 618 00:25:10,070 --> 00:25:12,070 at least in the committee level and 619 00:25:12,070 --> 00:25:14,126 then have another unrelated follow . 620 00:25:14,126 --> 00:25:16,460 Well , certainly mindful of the , uh , 621 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:20,840 of the concerns that some members have 622 00:25:20,850 --> 00:25:24,450 expressed , um , we 623 00:25:24,450 --> 00:25:26,870 value the oversight , the advise and 624 00:25:26,870 --> 00:25:30,100 consent responsibility of of the 625 00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:32,550 committee . Um , and the secretary 626 00:25:32,550 --> 00:25:34,940 looks forward to continue to work with 627 00:25:34,940 --> 00:25:37,051 the committee and to help address any 628 00:25:37,051 --> 00:25:39,218 of the concerns that they might have . 629 00:25:39,218 --> 00:25:41,329 I will go back to what I mentioned to 630 00:25:41,329 --> 00:25:43,496 Lucas . This is a critically important 631 00:25:43,496 --> 00:25:46,910 position here at the department , and 632 00:25:47,030 --> 00:25:50,690 the doctor calls eminently qualified 633 00:25:50,700 --> 00:25:53,180 to fill it . The secretary fully 634 00:25:53,180 --> 00:25:56,180 supports his nomination . Um , and , uh , 635 00:25:56,190 --> 00:25:58,590 wants him installed as soon as possible . 636 00:25:58,590 --> 00:26:01,180 And again , we were grateful that the 637 00:26:01,180 --> 00:26:03,069 committee scheduled a hearing and 638 00:26:03,069 --> 00:26:05,420 conducted it . Um , again , mindful of 639 00:26:05,420 --> 00:26:07,531 the concerns expressed by some of the 640 00:26:07,531 --> 00:26:09,642 members , Um , and , uh , and we look 641 00:26:09,642 --> 00:26:11,698 forward to working with them through 642 00:26:11,698 --> 00:26:13,864 the confirmation process . Um , And to 643 00:26:13,864 --> 00:26:16,200 seeing doctor call , uh , get voted in 644 00:26:16,200 --> 00:26:18,089 and and get installed here at the 645 00:26:18,089 --> 00:26:21,330 Pentagon . Orange on military 646 00:26:21,330 --> 00:26:23,552 vaccinations . I was wondering if there 647 00:26:23,552 --> 00:26:25,552 was an update to the opt in Raiders 648 00:26:25,552 --> 00:26:27,719 that holding in about two thirds . And 649 00:26:27,719 --> 00:26:27,540 is there a number on option rate for 650 00:26:27,540 --> 00:26:31,170 officers versus enlisted ? Uh , or you 651 00:26:31,170 --> 00:26:33,910 know that again . The two thirds , uh , 652 00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:36,670 that keeps getting cited was 653 00:26:37,340 --> 00:26:41,070 anecdotal . You know , we're not 654 00:26:41,080 --> 00:26:43,247 using two thirds as what you call it , 655 00:26:43,247 --> 00:26:46,160 an opt in rate . What I can tell you is , 656 00:26:46,540 --> 00:26:49,590 um that , uh , we've had a million and 657 00:26:49,590 --> 00:26:52,890 a half doses delivered to D O D . And 658 00:26:52,890 --> 00:26:56,490 we've administered 1.3 million . Um , 659 00:26:56,500 --> 00:26:59,150 so about almost a 90% 660 00:27:00,130 --> 00:27:02,970 rate of delivery . Um , so these 661 00:27:02,980 --> 00:27:04,980 vaccines are not waiting on shelves 662 00:27:04,980 --> 00:27:07,147 very long before we're finding arms to 663 00:27:07,147 --> 00:27:09,147 put them in . And it's important to 664 00:27:09,147 --> 00:27:11,147 remember that we're still operating 665 00:27:11,147 --> 00:27:13,258 largely on the force through tier one 666 00:27:13,258 --> 00:27:15,091 and tier one B . These are front 667 00:27:15,091 --> 00:27:17,258 frontline healthcare workers deploying 668 00:27:17,258 --> 00:27:19,480 and deployed troops . I mean , the bulk 669 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:21,820 of the work force hasn't even been 670 00:27:21,820 --> 00:27:25,230 given , you know , uh , an option to to 671 00:27:25,230 --> 00:27:28,440 take the vaccine . So , uh , we're 672 00:27:28,440 --> 00:27:30,662 comfortable that , you know , we're not 673 00:27:30,662 --> 00:27:32,662 waiting around as we get vaccines . 674 00:27:32,662 --> 00:27:34,996 They're going into arms . Um , and that , 675 00:27:34,996 --> 00:27:37,107 um , you know , the secretary said we 676 00:27:37,107 --> 00:27:39,273 certainly have to continue to press on 677 00:27:39,273 --> 00:27:41,329 providing context and information to 678 00:27:41,329 --> 00:27:43,551 everybody in the workforce so that they 679 00:27:43,551 --> 00:27:45,773 understand that these vaccines are safe 680 00:27:45,773 --> 00:27:49,720 and effective . Okay , uh , Jeff Voice 681 00:27:49,720 --> 00:27:53,070 of America . All right . Thanks very 682 00:27:53,070 --> 00:27:55,090 much for doing this . Um , two 683 00:27:55,090 --> 00:27:57,660 questions . One on the National Guard . 684 00:27:57,670 --> 00:28:00,720 Um , have any other cities been putting 685 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:02,998 in requests for National Guard support ? 686 00:28:02,998 --> 00:28:05,331 Kind of like what we're seeing in the U . 687 00:28:05,331 --> 00:28:07,664 S . Capitol . There have been concerned . 688 00:28:07,664 --> 00:28:07,530 And what , if anything , is being done 689 00:28:07,540 --> 00:28:11,310 to make the information sharing the the 690 00:28:11,310 --> 00:28:13,800 threat information sharing easier So 691 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:16,070 that , uh , the Defense Department has 692 00:28:16,070 --> 00:28:18,014 a better understanding of what the 693 00:28:18,014 --> 00:28:19,959 requirements are as they come in . 694 00:28:19,959 --> 00:28:22,070 Second question any reaction from the 695 00:28:22,070 --> 00:28:24,190 Pentagon to Russia , reportedly 696 00:28:24,190 --> 00:28:26,301 extending invitations to keep parties 697 00:28:26,301 --> 00:28:28,023 in Afghanistan for a three day 698 00:28:28,023 --> 00:28:30,134 conference in March 18th ? Especially 699 00:28:30,134 --> 00:28:32,301 given how , in the past , the Pentagon 700 00:28:32,301 --> 00:28:34,468 said , Russia has provided arms to the 701 00:28:34,468 --> 00:28:36,690 Taliban . And of course , there was the 702 00:28:36,690 --> 00:28:38,690 allegations of the bounties on your 703 00:28:38,690 --> 00:28:40,523 second question point is that my 704 00:28:40,523 --> 00:28:40,350 colleague at the State Department , 705 00:28:40,350 --> 00:28:42,720 that's really , uh , more for them to 706 00:28:42,730 --> 00:28:46,480 to speak to . That's not that's clearly 707 00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:48,610 in the diplomatic lane . I might get 708 00:28:48,620 --> 00:28:50,787 confused on your first question . Were 709 00:28:50,787 --> 00:28:53,470 you talking about , uh , National Guard 710 00:28:53,470 --> 00:28:56,990 support to covid vaccination efforts or 711 00:28:57,000 --> 00:28:58,944 to physical security efforts ? I'm 712 00:28:58,944 --> 00:29:01,000 sorry . I got I got a little No , No 713 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:03,420 worries . I meant with the mission to 714 00:29:03,420 --> 00:29:05,531 the U . S . Capitol . And of course , 715 00:29:05,531 --> 00:29:07,642 there are concerns about security and 716 00:29:07,642 --> 00:29:09,809 other points . The other US capitals , 717 00:29:09,809 --> 00:29:12,031 uh , earlier on this year . So in terms 718 00:29:12,031 --> 00:29:14,350 of security mission , um , any anything 719 00:29:14,350 --> 00:29:16,406 that's been done , any more requests 720 00:29:16,406 --> 00:29:18,628 that have come in from any places other 721 00:29:18,628 --> 00:29:20,683 than the U . S . Capitol and Capitol 722 00:29:20,683 --> 00:29:22,739 police ? And is there anything being 723 00:29:22,739 --> 00:29:24,628 done to facilitate the sharing of 724 00:29:24,628 --> 00:29:26,739 threat information ? There's no other 725 00:29:26,739 --> 00:29:28,906 requests for assistance that I'm aware 726 00:29:28,906 --> 00:29:31,128 of for National Guard assistance . Um , 727 00:29:31,128 --> 00:29:34,980 as you know , um , the under title 32 728 00:29:34,990 --> 00:29:37,810 which this mission is under , um , 729 00:29:37,820 --> 00:29:40,250 that's that's , you know , driven by 730 00:29:40,250 --> 00:29:42,250 the governors and their authorities 731 00:29:42,250 --> 00:29:44,750 over the National Guard . So if there 732 00:29:44,750 --> 00:29:48,150 are , if there would be deemed similar , 733 00:29:48,160 --> 00:29:51,180 um , needs in cities and towns across 734 00:29:51,180 --> 00:29:53,236 the country , it would really be the 735 00:29:53,236 --> 00:29:55,402 governors of those states to make that 736 00:29:55,402 --> 00:29:57,458 decision and to and to , uh , and to 737 00:29:57,458 --> 00:30:00,220 deploy those forces . So it's not . It 738 00:30:00,220 --> 00:30:02,450 wouldn't be uncommon for us not to have 739 00:30:02,450 --> 00:30:04,283 visibility on that . Here at the 740 00:30:04,283 --> 00:30:06,283 Pentagon . We do have , of course , 741 00:30:06,283 --> 00:30:08,283 visibility over the Capitol complex 742 00:30:08,283 --> 00:30:10,940 situation because of the unique command 743 00:30:10,950 --> 00:30:13,172 and control requirements of the D . C . 744 00:30:13,172 --> 00:30:15,394 National Guard up through the Secretary 745 00:30:15,394 --> 00:30:17,339 of the Army . And again , the only 746 00:30:17,339 --> 00:30:19,506 request that we're tracking is the one 747 00:30:19,506 --> 00:30:21,728 I've spoken to , which is is up for the 748 00:30:21,728 --> 00:30:23,783 secretary's decision here relatively 749 00:30:23,783 --> 00:30:26,006 soon . So I don't have any more updates 750 00:30:26,006 --> 00:30:28,100 on that . It's good . David Martin , 751 00:30:28,110 --> 00:30:31,120 CBS Gun . 752 00:30:31,130 --> 00:30:34,460 Uh , General Mackenzie , uh , 753 00:30:34,840 --> 00:30:38,150 did an interview with Al Jazeera , in 754 00:30:38,150 --> 00:30:41,020 which he is quoted as saying we did a 755 00:30:41,020 --> 00:30:43,020 number of things to help defend the 756 00:30:43,020 --> 00:30:46,670 kingdom against this latest houthi A 757 00:30:46,680 --> 00:30:50,010 missile and drone attack . Uh , we have 758 00:30:50,010 --> 00:30:52,860 helped them a lot over the past weeks . 759 00:30:52,870 --> 00:30:56,340 So , uh , what is he talking about ? 760 00:30:56,340 --> 00:31:00,100 And specifically , um , did the 761 00:31:00,100 --> 00:31:04,100 US , uh , systems in Saudi Arabia 762 00:31:04,100 --> 00:31:08,000 engage any of those Houthi missiles ? I 763 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:10,056 would point you to General Mackenzie 764 00:31:10,056 --> 00:31:11,833 for more detail about what he's 765 00:31:11,833 --> 00:31:13,778 referring to there . Um and , uh , 766 00:31:14,140 --> 00:31:16,060 again , I'm loathe to get into 767 00:31:16,060 --> 00:31:18,227 operational details here too much from 768 00:31:18,227 --> 00:31:20,282 this podium . The only thing I'd add 769 00:31:20,282 --> 00:31:23,850 David is we've said before , and we we 770 00:31:23,850 --> 00:31:27,060 have security commitments with Saudi 771 00:31:27,060 --> 00:31:28,893 Arabia to help them defend their 772 00:31:28,893 --> 00:31:31,620 territory against attacks which have , 773 00:31:31,620 --> 00:31:33,453 as we've seen as recently as the 774 00:31:33,453 --> 00:31:35,620 weekend , continue to happen . We take 775 00:31:35,620 --> 00:31:37,787 those responsibilities seriously . But 776 00:31:37,787 --> 00:31:40,009 as for the details , I'd point you back 777 00:31:40,009 --> 00:31:42,231 to General Mackenzie in the room . Last 778 00:31:42,231 --> 00:31:44,860 one . Does the secretary believe that 779 00:31:44,860 --> 00:31:47,270 once Twitter fetus potential liability , 780 00:31:48,740 --> 00:31:52,120 the secretary fully respects and 781 00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:54,560 supports freedom of speech , and he 782 00:31:54,560 --> 00:31:57,770 recognizes that Twitter is one way to 783 00:31:57,780 --> 00:31:59,947 exercise one's freedom of speech . And 784 00:31:59,947 --> 00:32:02,058 you never answered my question . Does 785 00:32:02,058 --> 00:32:04,930 the secretary believe that the GOP is 786 00:32:04,940 --> 00:32:07,051 the party of quote ethnic cleansing ? 787 00:32:07,051 --> 00:32:09,590 As doctor call ? I said , Of course he 788 00:32:09,590 --> 00:32:12,860 doesn't . Of course he doesn't know . I 789 00:32:12,870 --> 00:32:15,330 didn't think that that needed to be 790 00:32:15,340 --> 00:32:18,360 said so . Clearly , Secretary looks 791 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:20,471 forward to working with the committee 792 00:32:20,471 --> 00:32:22,360 in a bipartisan way to see Doctor 793 00:32:22,360 --> 00:32:24,582 called get confirmed and getting solved 794 00:32:24,582 --> 00:32:26,693 here at the thanks , everybody have a 795 00:32:26,693 --> 00:32:28,060 great day two .