Aboard Air Power One

2:19 P.M. EDT

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Okay, everyone.  Joyful Friday.

Q    Joyful Friday.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  All proper, as we speak we’re on our strategy to Delaware State College, a traditionally Black school and college, the place over 75 % of scholars acquired a Pell Grant, that means they might be eligible for as much as $20,000 in debt aid below the President’s plan.

Whereas there — whereas there, the President will present an replace on the profitable launch of his program and spotlight the life-changing affect scholar debt aid could have on thousands and thousands of working- and middle-class Individuals, notably debtors of coloration.

And because the President stated earlier as we speak: Even after offering middle-class households the aid they want and deserve, we’re nonetheless decreasing the deficit by file ranges.  This yr, the deficit fell by $1.4 trillion, the most important one-year drop in American historical past. 

The President will likely be joined by Delaware State College President Tony Allen, Senator Tom Carper, Senator Chris Coons, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Governor John Carney, and extra group leaders and college students.

Earlier this week — sorry, guys, maintain on one second.  Okay. 

Earlier this week, the President spoke about extra actions to convey the worth of gasoline down.  So I used to be — I additionally needed to notice on this Friday — this Friday afternoon that gasoline costs nationwide got here down each single day this week.  And we’re seeing steeper declines in state throughout — in states throughout the nation that had seen current upticks.

Nationwide, gasoline costs have come down one — $1.20 per gallon since June, saving American households with two vehicles about 130 bucks per thirty days on common.

Lastly — lastly, the week forward, a fast overview of what’s going to occur subsequent week.

On Monday, the President and the First Woman will host a reception to have a good time Diwali within the East Room.  The Vice President and the Second Gentleman will attend.

On Wednesday, the President appears ahead to welcoming President of Israel to the White Home, a go to that underscores the enduring partnership and friendship between the US and Israel.  They are going to seek the advice of on key points together with regional and international challenges of mutual concern, alternatives to deepen Israel’s regional integration, and methods to advance equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and safety for each Israelis and Palestinians.

On Friday, the President and Vice President will journey to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The President and the Vice President will take part in a reception for the Pennsylvania Democratic Occasion. 

You possibly can count on extra particulars on that journey early — on journey, basically, early subsequent week.  However that is just a bit little bit of taste for all of you.

Darlene, you wish to kick us off?

Q    Sure.  Thanks for the week forward.  Is there any remark from the White Home on the truth that the January 6 committee has now issued a subpoena?  And I’m not asking you particularly about Trump however about the place we’re within the nation the place a former President is now being subpoenaed to testify earlier than Congress.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Look, I’m simply going to talk extra broadly on this, as we don’t touch upon any ongoing investigation.  The Division of Justice is an indepen- — is impartial and when it — with reference to any investigation.

However the President has spoken to this many occasions.  You will need to resolve January 6.  As you’ve gotten heard him say, January 6 was one of many darkest day in our nation.  And it’s essential for the American individuals to know precisely what occurred in order that it doesn’t — in order that doesn’t occur once more, so we don’t repeat that very darkish day in our nation. 

Q    And second query.  Sorry, second query.  An Afghan household is accusing a U.S. Marine of taking away their youngster as they have been evacuated from Afghanistan.  Are you aware if the White Home has been briefed on the scenario?  And has it been in contact with the navy or the State Division or DOJ?  And is anybody reaching out to the Afghan couple that’s accusing the Marine of stealing their youngster?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, as you understand, these are — I’ve not even seen these studies.  However that is one thing that we’d take very significantly.  I don’t have any feedback on it at the moment.  I must examine in with our workforce to see if now we have been briefed about it and what — and what our assertion could be on this explicit situation.

Q    It was the topic of an AP story yesterday, so you’ll be able to learn our story.  (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Oh, I’m at all times — I at all times learn your story.  Yesterday we have been on the street, as you understand, in Pennsylvania, so it was a protracted day.  However, sure, we’re pleased to examine in with the workforce.

Q    Ought to former President Trump adjust to the January 6 committee subpoena?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Once more, I’m not going to get into any specifics on that — on that — on the subpoena.  Once more, I might refer you to the Division of Justice.  We’re simply not going to remark about that from right here.  It’s an impartial investigation.  We’re simply not going to remark.

Q    Total — general, although, is it essential to adjust to congressional subpoenas? 

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Once more, all I may say is what I stated on the prime when Darlene requested me the query, which was: You will need to resolve what occurred on January 6.  It was a really darkish day in our nation.  It was an assault on our democracy.

And because the President has stated many occasions, you will need to resolve it and for the American individuals to know precisely what occurred in order that it doesn’t — we don’t repeat that day.

Q    Karine, fast query on the EU agreeing to slap sanctions on Iran for supplying drones to Russia to combat Ukraine.  How quickly does the U.S. plan to match that?  Are you able to speak a bit bit about what’s below dialogue?  How quickly does the President plan to answer it?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So let me simply say a few issues right here.

So — my gosh, it’s so bumpy.  (Laughs.)  (Air Power One experiences turbulence.)

So, the US is pursuing all means to show, deter, and confront Iran’s provision of those — of those munitions in opposition to the Ukrainian individuals. 

We are going to proceed to vigorously implement all U.S. sanctions on each the Russian and Ukrainian — I’m sorry, Iranian — pardon me — arms commerce; make it tougher for Iran to promote these weapons to Russia; assist the Ukrainians have what they should defend in opposition to these threats.  And we’ll stand with our companions all through the Center East area in opposition to the Iranian risk.

We’re additionally working with our Allies and companions, together with the United Nations, to deal with Iran’s harmful proliferation of weapons to Russia.

As you understand, on Wednesday, simply two days in the past, in New York, we started the method — along with Ukraine, the UK, and France — to carry Iran accountable for its provisions of UAVs to Russia.

This closed assembly within the U.N. Safety Council kicked off a course of below the U.N. Safety Council Decision 2231 led by a panel of specialists.

So, once more, we’re going to proceed to work with our allies and companions.

Q    After which, one fast one on Ukraine and Starlink.  Elon Musk has publicly withdrawn his request to have the Pentagon fund the Starlink Web service in Ukraine.  However with no contract, Ukraine’s Web service type of stays at his whims.  Is the U.S. contemplating at any level maybe beginning a procurement course of for Ukraine’s Web service?  Or is the administration and the White Home happy with Musk’s promise that he’ll hold it operating?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, I — I’m — I — you understand, I’m not going to share — I don’t have any — something particular to share on that.  

However what I might say is we proceed to take a look at all choices to help the brave ladies and likewise males of Iran preventing for his or her rights.  As you understand, we’ve taken steps to make it simpler for Iranians to entry the Web, together with by facilitating higher entry to safe exterior platforms and providers.  We proceed to take a look at all choices in coordination with the non-public sector and Division of Treasury.

Q    Would a contract be an choice? 

Q    A follow-up on Iran.

Q    Would a contract be an choice?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I’m — I — once more — I’m not — I’m simply not going to talk to that.  We’re going to do every little thing that we will to guarantee that we proceed to help the courageous women and men of Iran who’re who’re preventing for, once more, their fundamental rights.

Go forward, Jen.

Q    Karine, two questions on power.  The Turkish international minister as we speak weighed in and stated the U.S. is “bullying” Saudi Arabia, in gentle of its OPEC+ resolution, and this bullying will not be proper.  Do you’ve gotten any response to that, to the Turkish authorities?  Are you involved that you simply’re shedding affect with companions within the Center East, notably the NATO Ally, Turkey?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So we’ve been very clear concerning the OPEC+ resolution and the way we fou- — we discovered it to be shortsighted, particularly within the time of what we’re seeing with our international — our international markets.  And so we consider that it was a mistake.  We consider it was shortsighted.  And — and the President was very clear about that.  We’ve been very clear about that. 

It’s going to assist — it’s going to harm the international locations who’ve — you understand, low- — decrease — decrease economies and center — middle-economy international locations. 

And so, once more, the President goes to be reevaluating his relationship with Saudi Arabia; it’s one thing that he has stated from the start of this administration.  We’re going to do it in a bipartisan method.  And he’s going to do it in a strategic — in a strategic method. 

And as quickly as now we have extra to say about that, we’ll say it.

Q    No response to Turkey or any —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  Nicely, we’ve been very — I imply, we’ve —

Q    (Inaudible.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I imply, we’ve been very clear about what we take into consideration the OPEC+ resolution, and we’ve stated it a number of occasions.  That doesn’t — that doesn’t change.

Q    Karine, we’re en path to Dover.  And subsequent week, it sounds such as you’re going to Philly, which is very near Delaware.  Is that this a part of what Ron Klain the opposite day was speaking about is a low — a low-prile [sic] — low-profile technique by design of not repeating, like, the failed 2018 and 2010?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  So, look, the President — to begin with, I’ve to be — make — be very cautious right here — proper? — with the Hatch Act and never say — and never speak about —

Q    It doesn’t apply right here.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I — (laughs) —

(Air Power One crew member asks press and employees to take a seat down.)

Sure, okay.  All proper.  Okay.  Nicely, we’re being requested to sit down. 

However very, in a short time, the President has been very clear that, you understand, his focus is on delivering and proceed to speak about how congressional Democrats and the way he has delivered for the American individuals prior to now 19, 20 months.  And that’s an economic system that works for everybody, that’s — that works from — that — that’s from the underside up, center — center out. 

And if you concentrate on the Inflation Discount Act, it’s going to decrease prices, which is one thing that’s so extremely essential for the American individuals, and you’ve got Republicans that wish to do the exact opposite.  They wish to improve power prices.  They wish to improve healthcare prices whereas we are attempting to ensure we decrease these prices, particularly within the time when inflation is our prime precedence and it’s actually squeezing the American individuals.  We’re doing every little thing that we will to guarantee that we decrease prices for the American individuals. 

Q    Karine, (inaudible).

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  I acquired to go.  They’re actually — they’re telling us to take a seat down.

2:29 P.M. EDT