1 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:04,824 Okay . Good afternoon , ladies and 2 00:00:04,824 --> 00:00:06,880 gentlemen . I'm gonna turn this over 3 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:09,102 Thio Secretary in just a minute . He'll 4 00:00:09,102 --> 00:00:11,158 have a few opening comments on Ben . 5 00:00:11,158 --> 00:00:13,213 We'll get to your questions . As you 6 00:00:13,213 --> 00:00:16,020 know , uh , we're gonna be doing 7 00:00:16,020 --> 00:00:18,120 questions from the phone and in the 8 00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:20,287 room , so I'm gonna go to on the phone 9 00:00:20,287 --> 00:00:22,287 to in the room . Secretaries got 30 10 00:00:22,287 --> 00:00:24,342 minutes , so we're gonna try to move 11 00:00:24,342 --> 00:00:26,564 this crisply . Given the restriction of 12 00:00:26,564 --> 00:00:28,731 of time and his schedule , I'd ask you 13 00:00:28,731 --> 00:00:30,842 to limit your follow ups if you can . 14 00:00:30,842 --> 00:00:33,070 Meaning limit them to zero . Uh , eso 15 00:00:33,070 --> 00:00:35,348 with that , Mr Secretary , over to you . 16 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:38,720 Good afternoon , everyone . And thanks 17 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:40,664 to all of you for being here today 18 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:44,760 before I start , let me just say that 19 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:47,640 I deeply appreciate the work that you 20 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:51,430 do on behalf of the public . I 21 00:00:51,430 --> 00:00:53,374 respect the way that you cover our 22 00:00:53,374 --> 00:00:56,030 military , and I respect the role that 23 00:00:56,030 --> 00:00:58,360 you play and holding us accountable for 24 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:00,960 how we defend the nation . 25 00:01:03,140 --> 00:01:05,251 And that is the number one job of the 26 00:01:05,251 --> 00:01:07,307 Department of Defense to defend this 27 00:01:07,307 --> 00:01:10,910 nation and protect our interest . As 28 00:01:10,910 --> 00:01:13,510 you know , I I just wrapped up my first 29 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:16,290 NATO defense ministerial meeting 30 00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:19,460 yesterday and it was a terrific couple 31 00:01:19,460 --> 00:01:21,590 of days and I want to thank , uh , 32 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:25,100 Secretary General Stoltenberg for all 33 00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:27,267 his leadership in making that happen , 34 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:31,870 you all know that it's a little tougher 35 00:01:31,870 --> 00:01:34,790 to meet with people in a pandemic . And 36 00:01:34,790 --> 00:01:37,050 even though we met virtually , we still 37 00:01:37,050 --> 00:01:40,580 enjoyed productive discussions about a 38 00:01:40,580 --> 00:01:43,350 range of challenges facing NATO today 39 00:01:44,540 --> 00:01:46,651 and many that we're going to continue 40 00:01:46,651 --> 00:01:49,380 to face in the future . And they 41 00:01:49,380 --> 00:01:51,960 include a resurgent Russia , 42 00:01:53,100 --> 00:01:56,180 disruptive technologies , climate 43 00:01:56,180 --> 00:01:59,290 change , an ongoing war in 44 00:01:59,290 --> 00:02:02,490 Afghanistan , the persistent threat of 45 00:02:02,490 --> 00:02:05,910 terrorism in an increasingly 46 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:06,976 aggressive China . 47 00:02:09,940 --> 00:02:11,718 We were joined in some of those 48 00:02:11,718 --> 00:02:13,829 conversations by representatives from 49 00:02:13,829 --> 00:02:15,829 some of our most capable partners , 50 00:02:15,829 --> 00:02:17,884 including Finland and Sweden and the 51 00:02:17,884 --> 00:02:21,020 European Union , and we appreciated 52 00:02:21,020 --> 00:02:23,770 their unique perspectives , especially 53 00:02:23,770 --> 00:02:27,460 about China . Indeed , I applaud 54 00:02:27,460 --> 00:02:29,516 NATO's work on China , and I made it 55 00:02:29,516 --> 00:02:32,280 clear that the United States is 56 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:33,830 committed to defending the 57 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:37,100 international rules based order which 58 00:02:37,100 --> 00:02:39,680 China has consistently undermined for 59 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:43,620 its own interest . We here at 60 00:02:43,620 --> 00:02:45,620 the Pentagon and the Department of 61 00:02:45,620 --> 00:02:48,930 Defense view China as our primary 62 00:02:48,930 --> 00:02:51,210 pacing challenge , and we believe NATO 63 00:02:51,210 --> 00:02:53,770 can help us better think through our 64 00:02:53,770 --> 00:02:55,700 operating concepts and investment 65 00:02:55,700 --> 00:02:58,260 strategies . When it comes to meeting 66 00:02:58,260 --> 00:03:01,950 that challenge . But really , my 67 00:03:01,950 --> 00:03:05,700 first goal during the 68 00:03:05,700 --> 00:03:07,760 ministerial is was to carry forward 69 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,920 President Biden's message that strong 70 00:03:10,920 --> 00:03:13,370 alliances and partnerships remain vital 71 00:03:13,370 --> 00:03:16,840 to our collective security and that 72 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:18,920 foreign policy will be led by our 73 00:03:18,920 --> 00:03:22,850 diplomats . I also stressed 74 00:03:22,850 --> 00:03:26,140 are are are ironclad commitment to the 75 00:03:26,140 --> 00:03:29,630 security guarantee under Article five 76 00:03:29,640 --> 00:03:31,751 of the National of the North Atlantic 77 00:03:31,751 --> 00:03:35,080 Treaty . And I don't use that word 78 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:38,390 ironclad lightly . Our shared 79 00:03:38,390 --> 00:03:42,000 responsibility as allies . Our 80 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:45,590 duty is to protect our populations and 81 00:03:45,590 --> 00:03:48,780 our territory . And to meet that duty , 82 00:03:48,780 --> 00:03:51,730 we require what the Secretary general 83 00:03:51,730 --> 00:03:55,040 refers to as credible deterrence and 84 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:58,260 defense , which I believe means that 85 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,700 we must each of us do our part to 86 00:04:02,700 --> 00:04:06,620 procure , prepare and provide 87 00:04:06,620 --> 00:04:10,060 ready forces and capabilities . And so 88 00:04:10,060 --> 00:04:12,171 I'm heartened to see that many of our 89 00:04:12,171 --> 00:04:15,350 allies meet or exceed NATO's 90 00:04:15,380 --> 00:04:18,460 2014 defense investment pledge 91 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,960 99 of them this year alone , in fact , 92 00:04:23,540 --> 00:04:25,707 and now we're into our seventh year of 93 00:04:25,707 --> 00:04:28,370 steady defense spending increases , and 94 00:04:28,370 --> 00:04:30,148 naturally we want this trend to 95 00:04:30,148 --> 00:04:32,500 continue and we want to see every 96 00:04:32,500 --> 00:04:35,510 member of the alliance contribute their 97 00:04:35,510 --> 00:04:38,920 first year . We recognize that this and 98 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,550 this isn't always easy , but 99 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,600 collective security rarely is , 100 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:49,207 and neither are the missions that were 101 00:04:49,207 --> 00:04:51,207 conducting in Iraq or Afghanistan . 102 00:04:51,207 --> 00:04:54,080 Easy . We set aside a good bit of time 103 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:56,990 to talk about those two places and on 104 00:04:56,990 --> 00:04:59,060 Iraq . I reiterated our strong 105 00:04:59,060 --> 00:05:01,950 commitment to the defeat of Isis and to 106 00:05:01,950 --> 00:05:04,450 supporting Iraq's long term security , 107 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:07,480 stability and prosperity . 108 00:05:09,340 --> 00:05:11,451 That's a commitment that I made to my 109 00:05:11,451 --> 00:05:13,229 Iraqi counterpart and the Iraqi 110 00:05:13,229 --> 00:05:15,451 minister of interior just the other day 111 00:05:15,940 --> 00:05:17,910 after last weekend's deadly rocket 112 00:05:17,910 --> 00:05:21,780 attack . In a reveal , I also welcomed 113 00:05:21,780 --> 00:05:24,060 and expanded NATO mission in Iraq that 114 00:05:24,540 --> 00:05:27,140 response to the desires and aspirations 115 00:05:27,140 --> 00:05:30,470 of the Iraqi government . With respect 116 00:05:30,470 --> 00:05:33,400 to Afghanistan , I walked our allies 117 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:35,210 through our thinking as the new 118 00:05:35,210 --> 00:05:37,377 administration comes to grips with the 119 00:05:37,377 --> 00:05:40,520 reality on the ground . The bottom line 120 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:43,800 is this . We are committed to a 121 00:05:43,810 --> 00:05:46,460 responsible and sustainable into this 122 00:05:46,460 --> 00:05:50,230 war while preventing Afghanistan from 123 00:05:50,230 --> 00:05:52,540 becoming a safe haven for terrorist 124 00:05:52,540 --> 00:05:55,090 groups and and that that threatened the 125 00:05:55,090 --> 00:05:57,201 interest of the United States and our 126 00:05:57,201 --> 00:06:00,480 allies and ensuring a just and durable 127 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:04,480 into the long running conflict . And 128 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:06,536 so to that end , we are conducting a 129 00:06:06,536 --> 00:06:09,540 rigorous interagency review of the 130 00:06:09,540 --> 00:06:11,630 situation , including all relevant 131 00:06:11,630 --> 00:06:14,380 options with full consideration of the 132 00:06:14,380 --> 00:06:16,670 consequences of any potential course of 133 00:06:16,670 --> 00:06:20,520 action . We are mindful of the looming 134 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:23,800 deadlines , but we want to do this 135 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,780 methodically and deliberately , and I 136 00:06:26,780 --> 00:06:28,613 certainly won't get ahead of any 137 00:06:28,613 --> 00:06:32,150 decisions . Nor will I preview the 138 00:06:32,150 --> 00:06:34,039 advice that I plan to give to the 139 00:06:34,039 --> 00:06:37,750 president . Clearly , the 140 00:06:37,750 --> 00:06:40,500 violence is too high right now and more 141 00:06:40,500 --> 00:06:42,556 progress needs to be let needs to be 142 00:06:42,556 --> 00:06:45,060 made in the Afghan led negotiations . 143 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:48,560 And so I urge all parties to choose the 144 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:52,070 path towards peace . The violence must 145 00:06:52,070 --> 00:06:55,730 decrease now . I told our 146 00:06:55,730 --> 00:06:57,897 allies that no matter what the outcome 147 00:06:57,897 --> 00:07:00,680 of our review , the United States will 148 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:03,050 not undertake a hasty or disorderly 149 00:07:03,050 --> 00:07:05,910 withdrawal from Afghanistan that puts 150 00:07:05,910 --> 00:07:08,500 their forces or the alliance's 151 00:07:08,500 --> 00:07:12,000 reputation at risk . At this 152 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,680 time , no decisions about our future 153 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,400 force posture have been made . In the 154 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:19,233 meantime , current missions will 155 00:07:19,233 --> 00:07:21,456 continue . And , of course , commanders 156 00:07:21,456 --> 00:07:23,567 have the right and the responsibility 157 00:07:23,567 --> 00:07:25,800 to defend themselves and their Afghan 158 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:29,770 partners against attack . As we move 159 00:07:29,770 --> 00:07:31,992 forward in our review , we will consult 160 00:07:31,992 --> 00:07:34,590 with our NATO allies , our resolute 161 00:07:34,590 --> 00:07:37,010 support partners and , of course , the 162 00:07:37,010 --> 00:07:39,670 government of Afghanistan , and there 163 00:07:39,670 --> 00:07:42,660 will be no surprises . We will consult 164 00:07:42,660 --> 00:07:46,530 each other Onda consult together 165 00:07:46,690 --> 00:07:50,290 and and decide together and act 166 00:07:50,290 --> 00:07:52,960 together . And so that was my message 167 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:55,270 over the last two days . And I think it 168 00:07:55,270 --> 00:07:58,900 was well received for over the last . 169 00:07:58,910 --> 00:08:01,430 For the last 70 years , NATO has proven 170 00:08:01,430 --> 00:08:03,640 itself to be the strongest alliance in 171 00:08:03,650 --> 00:08:06,990 history , upholding our shared values 172 00:08:06,990 --> 00:08:09,470 of democracy , individual liberty and 173 00:08:09,470 --> 00:08:13,220 the rule of law on article five was 174 00:08:13,220 --> 00:08:16,330 first invoked . It was in our defense 175 00:08:16,330 --> 00:08:19,690 on September 11th . The United States 176 00:08:19,690 --> 00:08:22,950 will not forget that . Nor will we 177 00:08:22,950 --> 00:08:25,250 forget our own obligations to 178 00:08:25,710 --> 00:08:28,620 revitalizing this and all our other 179 00:08:28,630 --> 00:08:32,440 alliances . Collective security is , as 180 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:34,551 I said , hard work and we're ready to 181 00:08:34,551 --> 00:08:36,384 put our shoulders to the wheel . 182 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:39,490 Finally , I'd like to close by thanking 183 00:08:39,490 --> 00:08:41,657 the men and women of the Department of 184 00:08:41,657 --> 00:08:44,610 Defense . Who has President Biden puts 185 00:08:44,610 --> 00:08:46,554 it , are often how the rest of the 186 00:08:46,554 --> 00:08:49,420 world encounters America because of 187 00:08:49,420 --> 00:08:52,430 them and their families . And our 188 00:08:52,430 --> 00:08:54,650 nation will always lead from from a 189 00:08:54,650 --> 00:08:57,940 position of strength . Thank you . And 190 00:08:57,940 --> 00:09:00,810 I look forward to your questions . Okay . 191 00:09:00,820 --> 00:09:04,450 We're gonna go Thio Lita Baldor from ap 192 00:09:04,450 --> 00:09:08,080 on the phone . Lida . Thank 193 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,820 you . Thank you . Mr . Secretary on . 194 00:09:10,830 --> 00:09:14,220 Um uh , It's been quite a while since 195 00:09:14,230 --> 00:09:16,452 we've been able to ask questions of the 196 00:09:16,452 --> 00:09:19,260 defense secretary in the briefing room , 197 00:09:19,270 --> 00:09:21,492 we appreciate it . And we hope that you 198 00:09:21,492 --> 00:09:23,370 are committed to doing this on a 199 00:09:23,370 --> 00:09:26,130 regular basis . My question is on 200 00:09:26,130 --> 00:09:29,260 Afghanistan , um , during the NATO 201 00:09:29,260 --> 00:09:31,670 meeting , where the allies pressing 202 00:09:31,670 --> 00:09:35,030 used for timing on an answer . 203 00:09:35,380 --> 00:09:37,830 How long do you think the U . S can 204 00:09:37,830 --> 00:09:41,630 wait before making a decision ? 205 00:09:41,650 --> 00:09:44,240 And is that enough time , Do you think , 206 00:09:44,250 --> 00:09:46,700 um , for the Taliban who measurably 207 00:09:46,710 --> 00:09:49,350 change , uh , either the violence or 208 00:09:49,350 --> 00:09:51,160 the negotiation . Thank you . 209 00:09:52,940 --> 00:09:55,850 Thanks . Uh , I would just say that 210 00:09:55,860 --> 00:09:58,027 again . You know , we're going through 211 00:09:58,027 --> 00:10:00,027 a rigorous process , and our allies 212 00:10:00,027 --> 00:10:02,290 understand that on they would want us 213 00:10:02,290 --> 00:10:04,234 to make sure that we're thoughtful 214 00:10:04,234 --> 00:10:06,401 about how we approach this and what we 215 00:10:06,401 --> 00:10:10,370 do on DSO . You know , all of us 216 00:10:10,370 --> 00:10:13,040 are mindful of the time that that 217 00:10:13,050 --> 00:10:15,050 that's available . But we're really 218 00:10:15,050 --> 00:10:17,800 focused on making sure that , uh , that 219 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:20,240 the negotiation process takes place as 220 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:22,780 it should and that , you know , 221 00:10:22,780 --> 00:10:25,760 hopefully the parties will abide by 222 00:10:25,770 --> 00:10:28,430 their commitments , uh , that they made 223 00:10:28,430 --> 00:10:31,030 at the outset of the negotiations and 224 00:10:31,030 --> 00:10:33,086 that violence will who can bring the 225 00:10:33,086 --> 00:10:35,180 level of violence down , but we're 226 00:10:35,180 --> 00:10:37,980 focused on making sure that we make the 227 00:10:37,980 --> 00:10:40,036 right decisions and we'll go through 228 00:10:40,036 --> 00:10:42,202 this process deliberately . Our allies 229 00:10:42,202 --> 00:10:44,850 understand that . And my my sense is 230 00:10:44,850 --> 00:10:47,200 that they did not fully expect that we 231 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:50,120 would have a have a decision . Uh , 232 00:10:50,130 --> 00:10:52,380 this early on in our in the this 233 00:10:52,380 --> 00:10:55,450 administration's tenure . Next question . 234 00:10:55,450 --> 00:10:57,410 Thio . Missy Ryan on the phone , 235 00:10:57,410 --> 00:11:01,220 Washington Post Thanks for doing 236 00:11:01,220 --> 00:11:04,190 this . Um , on , uh , echo Lida Lida 237 00:11:04,190 --> 00:11:06,079 hoped that we could do this again 238 00:11:06,079 --> 00:11:08,301 regularly . I have a question regarding 239 00:11:08,310 --> 00:11:10,660 the department's handling of sexual 240 00:11:10,660 --> 00:11:12,716 harassment and assault . I know that 241 00:11:12,716 --> 00:11:14,716 one of your first actions waas this 242 00:11:14,716 --> 00:11:18,160 memo asking for initial input from 243 00:11:18,170 --> 00:11:21,050 senior officials by February sits . I'm 244 00:11:21,050 --> 00:11:23,272 just wondering what you have learned so 245 00:11:23,272 --> 00:11:25,106 far and how that will die . Your 246 00:11:25,106 --> 00:11:27,510 approach thio in the problem of sexual 247 00:11:27,510 --> 00:11:30,030 harassment and assault a corollary . 248 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:32,730 There was a video that went viral in 249 00:11:32,730 --> 00:11:36,380 the last e o . 250 00:11:36,390 --> 00:11:40,970 E 251 00:11:40,980 --> 00:11:43,420 retained a commanding general wondering 252 00:11:43,430 --> 00:11:47,060 that video . 253 00:11:48,340 --> 00:11:50,562 So Mr There was quite a bit of feedback 254 00:11:50,562 --> 00:11:52,860 in the transmission there , and I don't 255 00:11:52,860 --> 00:11:55,080 think I I fully understood all of the 256 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:58,720 question , but I I what ? I think I 257 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:02,700 heard you ask Waas based upon what we 258 00:12:02,700 --> 00:12:04,980 received from our from the from the 259 00:12:04,980 --> 00:12:07,940 services . Where are we in our efforts 260 00:12:07,950 --> 00:12:10,350 in taking on the sexual assault issue 261 00:12:10,940 --> 00:12:13,800 and the second issue as I understood it 262 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,460 waas about the video . 263 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,007 First of all , you know , as I said in 264 00:12:20,007 --> 00:12:22,690 my in my testimony , uh , in front of 265 00:12:22,690 --> 00:12:25,990 Congress , I take this issue of sexual 266 00:12:25,990 --> 00:12:28,660 assault very , very seriously , and I 267 00:12:28,660 --> 00:12:30,820 know that the service chiefs and the 268 00:12:30,820 --> 00:12:33,740 service secretaries do as well . And so 269 00:12:33,740 --> 00:12:36,800 the collection of the data eyes a first 270 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:39,300 step . But you can look for us to take 271 00:12:39,310 --> 00:12:42,850 additional steps , uh , and looking in 272 00:12:42,850 --> 00:12:45,830 detail at ourselves and what's worked , 273 00:12:45,830 --> 00:12:48,052 what hasn't worked and what measures we 274 00:12:48,052 --> 00:12:50,110 need to take going forward to ensure 275 00:12:50,110 --> 00:12:53,010 that we provide for a safe and secure 276 00:12:53,020 --> 00:12:54,742 productive environment for our 277 00:12:54,742 --> 00:12:56,620 teammates . I think any other 278 00:12:56,620 --> 00:12:59,160 approaches , in my view , irresponsible . 279 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:01,271 We've been working at this for a long 280 00:13:01,271 --> 00:13:03,890 time in earnest , but we haven't gotten 281 00:13:03,890 --> 00:13:06,660 it right in my commitment to our 282 00:13:06,670 --> 00:13:09,003 soldiers , sailors , airmen and Marines . 283 00:13:09,003 --> 00:13:11,470 And dependence is we're going to do 284 00:13:11,470 --> 00:13:14,300 everything that in our in our power to 285 00:13:14,300 --> 00:13:17,160 get it right . Regarding the video , 286 00:13:21,540 --> 00:13:24,060 I found the video deeply disturbing 287 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:29,010 and I've asked my staff for additional 288 00:13:29,010 --> 00:13:31,343 information , and I'll leave it at that . 289 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:35,490 Tom Tom Tom Tom Secretary . Your 290 00:13:35,490 --> 00:13:37,546 confirmation hearing A month ago you 291 00:13:37,546 --> 00:13:39,601 talked about the problem of domestic 292 00:13:39,601 --> 00:13:41,379 extremism in the military . I'm 293 00:13:41,379 --> 00:13:43,546 wondering now , weeks on , Do you have 294 00:13:43,546 --> 00:13:45,768 any sense of the scope of the extremist 295 00:13:45,768 --> 00:13:47,823 problem in the military ? Any data , 296 00:13:47,823 --> 00:13:50,150 Any numbers about who's kicked out , 297 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:52,327 who's not went into the military , and 298 00:13:52,327 --> 00:13:54,493 if not , do you still hope to get some 299 00:13:54,493 --> 00:13:56,493 data ? And also it's now prohibited 300 00:13:56,493 --> 00:13:58,740 under D O D regulations to be an active 301 00:13:58,750 --> 00:14:01,800 member of an extremist group . But okay , 302 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:04,800 to have simple membership , do you will 303 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:06,580 you move to change that bar all 304 00:14:06,580 --> 00:14:09,900 membership in such groups ? So I think 305 00:14:09,900 --> 00:14:11,956 there was about six questions in one 306 00:14:11,956 --> 00:14:15,000 there , but but , yeah , let me 307 00:14:15,030 --> 00:14:18,800 let me just say a couple of words 308 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:21,660 about that . First of all , um , I 309 00:14:21,660 --> 00:14:23,882 think this is a very important issue to 310 00:14:23,882 --> 00:14:26,600 us in a department , and I think it's 311 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:28,970 an important issue because a ZAY said 312 00:14:28,970 --> 00:14:32,910 in my testimony , um , this tears at 313 00:14:32,910 --> 00:14:36,470 the fabric , very fabric of of 314 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:39,900 cohesion , and it's important for us to 315 00:14:39,900 --> 00:14:42,700 be able to trust the men and women on 316 00:14:42,700 --> 00:14:45,160 our left and right . Um , 317 00:14:47,340 --> 00:14:50,800 I've asked for the services Thio 318 00:14:50,810 --> 00:14:53,020 conduct one day , stand down and take 319 00:14:53,020 --> 00:14:56,210 them , you know , 60 days to do it on . 320 00:14:56,210 --> 00:14:58,870 Then , as they conduct that stand down , 321 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:01,840 I've encouraged them to have a dialogue 322 00:15:02,340 --> 00:15:05,860 with their troops about our 323 00:15:05,860 --> 00:15:09,710 values , about the oath that they 324 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:11,950 took when they came into the service 325 00:15:12,740 --> 00:15:15,180 and about who we are and what we're 326 00:15:15,180 --> 00:15:19,150 about . Um , this 327 00:15:19,150 --> 00:15:21,190 is also a time for us to educate 328 00:15:21,190 --> 00:15:24,140 leaders in terms off , um , 329 00:15:24,310 --> 00:15:27,610 understanding those signs and those 330 00:15:27,620 --> 00:15:30,390 those symptoms that can indicate that 331 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:34,030 we could be developing on issue within 332 00:15:34,030 --> 00:15:37,940 our ranks . Um , but let me 333 00:15:37,940 --> 00:15:40,051 say up front here , though , before I 334 00:15:40,051 --> 00:15:42,730 go one step further that that I really 335 00:15:42,740 --> 00:15:45,510 I really and truly believe that 336 00:15:45,510 --> 00:15:49,450 99.9% of our servicemen 337 00:15:49,450 --> 00:15:52,890 and women believe in that oath , they 338 00:15:52,890 --> 00:15:55,770 believe , embrace the values that we're 339 00:15:55,770 --> 00:15:58,060 focused on , and they're doing the 340 00:15:58,060 --> 00:16:00,450 right things , but 341 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:03,984 and I expect for the numbers to be 342 00:16:03,984 --> 00:16:07,840 small , but quite frankly , 343 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:09,951 they'll probably probably be a little 344 00:16:09,951 --> 00:16:12,229 bit larger than most of us would guess . 345 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:15,070 But I expect for him to be small , but 346 00:16:15,070 --> 00:16:18,390 I would just say that You know , small 347 00:16:18,390 --> 00:16:20,223 numbers in this case can have an 348 00:16:20,223 --> 00:16:23,110 outsized impact . And when I think 349 00:16:23,110 --> 00:16:25,332 about , you know , the issue of extreme 350 00:16:25,332 --> 00:16:27,443 extremism in the ranks , you've heard 351 00:16:27,443 --> 00:16:29,499 me talk about my experience with the 352 00:16:29,499 --> 00:16:29,190 82nd Airborne Division , which I 353 00:16:29,190 --> 00:16:32,290 believe was is a great 354 00:16:32,300 --> 00:16:34,300 organization . And we have a lot of 355 00:16:34,300 --> 00:16:36,411 great organizations in the military , 356 00:16:36,411 --> 00:16:38,411 but , you know , the history of the 357 00:16:38,411 --> 00:16:40,633 storied 82nd Airborne Division . And as 358 00:16:40,633 --> 00:16:42,744 we wrestled with this with this issue 359 00:16:42,744 --> 00:16:45,260 when I was a lieutenant colonel , we 360 00:16:45,260 --> 00:16:47,260 couldn't tell that story of what we 361 00:16:47,260 --> 00:16:49,093 were doing and how great we were 362 00:16:49,093 --> 00:16:51,316 because nobody wanted to hear it . They 363 00:16:51,316 --> 00:16:53,371 wanted to hear about the skin hits . 364 00:16:53,371 --> 00:16:57,230 And so that had an outsized impact on 365 00:16:57,230 --> 00:16:59,590 that on that organization . And one of 366 00:16:59,590 --> 00:17:01,990 the things that sticks in my in my mind 367 00:17:01,990 --> 00:17:03,990 right now . And General Milley will 368 00:17:03,990 --> 00:17:05,990 probably step on my toes for saying 369 00:17:05,990 --> 00:17:08,090 this , but I have this image of Mark 370 00:17:08,090 --> 00:17:10,423 Milley , Lieutenant General Mark Milley , 371 00:17:10,423 --> 00:17:12,423 standing in front of a podium in in 372 00:17:12,423 --> 00:17:15,370 Fort Hood , Texas , talking about the 373 00:17:15,380 --> 00:17:18,850 impact . Um , that was 374 00:17:18,860 --> 00:17:21,670 that was experienced by one of our 375 00:17:21,670 --> 00:17:24,540 members who had become radicalized and 376 00:17:24,540 --> 00:17:27,210 killed a bunch of our soldiers that 377 00:17:27,210 --> 00:17:30,240 were preparing for deployment that 378 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:33,110 nearly crippled the the organization 379 00:17:33,110 --> 00:17:35,880 for a period of time . So incredible . 380 00:17:35,890 --> 00:17:39,360 An outsized impact on the organization . 381 00:17:40,340 --> 00:17:43,160 I think that , you know , are the 382 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:46,470 American public has high expectations 383 00:17:46,470 --> 00:17:49,340 of its military as it should . And the 384 00:17:49,340 --> 00:17:51,700 American public should should know and 385 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:53,700 understand that we're not afraid to 386 00:17:53,700 --> 00:17:55,756 take a look at ourselves . And we're 387 00:17:55,756 --> 00:17:57,922 not afraid . Thio address If there are 388 00:17:57,922 --> 00:18:00,630 issues to address those issues , uh , 389 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:04,360 that that maybe , um , rising up 390 00:18:04,360 --> 00:18:07,840 in our climates in our communities on . 391 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:11,200 So we're gonna learn a lot more . You 392 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:13,570 know , we don't have specific data 393 00:18:13,580 --> 00:18:15,802 about about numbers right now , but but 394 00:18:15,802 --> 00:18:18,640 quite frankly , as I said earlier , you 395 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:20,696 know , small number is gonna have an 396 00:18:20,696 --> 00:18:22,751 incredible impact on a great force . 397 00:18:22,751 --> 00:18:24,918 And we have a great force . Ladies and 398 00:18:24,918 --> 00:18:27,140 gentlemen , Jennifer . Mr . Secretary , 399 00:18:27,300 --> 00:18:29,530 will any U . S troops remain in the 400 00:18:29,530 --> 00:18:31,530 capital after March 12th ? And what 401 00:18:31,530 --> 00:18:33,530 would you say to those who say that 402 00:18:33,530 --> 00:18:35,808 there is no incredible threat to the U . 403 00:18:35,808 --> 00:18:37,974 S . Capitol and those troops should go 404 00:18:37,974 --> 00:18:41,360 home right now ? Right now , in terms 405 00:18:41,360 --> 00:18:45,080 of , you know , are expected to 406 00:18:45,210 --> 00:18:48,570 stay . Uh , it is 407 00:18:48,580 --> 00:18:52,310 March 12 on , and we don't have an 408 00:18:52,310 --> 00:18:54,477 additional requirement or request from 409 00:18:54,477 --> 00:18:56,643 another federal agency to provide them 410 00:18:56,643 --> 00:18:58,977 support . So that's our focus right now . 411 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:02,007 But while I'm talking about them , let 412 00:19:02,007 --> 00:19:04,600 me just emphasize the tremendous work 413 00:19:04,610 --> 00:19:06,666 that our guardsmen have been doing . 414 00:19:06,740 --> 00:19:09,350 Andi , you've been You've you know , 415 00:19:09,740 --> 00:19:11,907 you've seen the weather that we've had 416 00:19:11,907 --> 00:19:14,620 lately . They are out there on point on 417 00:19:14,620 --> 00:19:18,100 guard in support of other federal 418 00:19:18,100 --> 00:19:20,470 agencies , uh , protecting our 419 00:19:20,470 --> 00:19:23,400 lawmakers , and I can't say enough 420 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:26,020 about them . And I'm really proud of 421 00:19:26,020 --> 00:19:28,020 what their what their leadership is 422 00:19:28,020 --> 00:19:30,750 doing . Also , Thio take care of them 423 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:32,871 while they're doing this tough work . 424 00:19:32,871 --> 00:19:36,740 But , uh , presently , we don't 425 00:19:36,740 --> 00:19:39,560 have any additional requirements beyond 426 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:41,560 the one that that we just we talked 427 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:44,420 about incredible threat , Jennifer , 428 00:19:44,420 --> 00:19:46,560 you know , I mean , it's probably not 429 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,560 appropriate for me to talk about 430 00:19:48,570 --> 00:19:50,850 intelligence matters from this podium , 431 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:53,607 but I would just tell you that we will 432 00:19:53,607 --> 00:19:57,600 continue to assess the threats as a sui 433 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:00,620 go forward . Andi decisions will be 434 00:20:00,620 --> 00:20:02,731 based upon . You know what we believe 435 00:20:02,731 --> 00:20:05,160 is credible or not ? Um 436 00:20:06,740 --> 00:20:08,851 I told them when I when I went to see 437 00:20:08,851 --> 00:20:11,420 them the other day that you know , my 438 00:20:11,420 --> 00:20:13,640 plan is to not keep them one there one 439 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:15,670 day longer than than is necessary . 440 00:20:17,140 --> 00:20:20,080 Having said that , uh , they know and 441 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:22,850 understand that if our lawmakers need 442 00:20:22,860 --> 00:20:24,638 need help , they need They need 443 00:20:24,638 --> 00:20:26,560 protection . They stand ready to 444 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:29,340 provide that protection . But again , 445 00:20:29,350 --> 00:20:31,683 March 12th is what we're focused on now . 446 00:20:31,683 --> 00:20:33,683 Okay , I'm gonna go to the phones . 447 00:20:33,683 --> 00:20:37,170 Phil , start Reuters . Yes , I am , Mr 448 00:20:37,170 --> 00:20:39,230 Secretary , On your call with your 449 00:20:39,230 --> 00:20:41,570 Saudi counterpart , what message do you 450 00:20:41,570 --> 00:20:44,890 deliver about the war in Yemen and how 451 00:20:44,890 --> 00:20:47,360 this administration and the Pentagon 452 00:20:47,370 --> 00:20:49,920 will approach threat to the kingdom of 453 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:52,260 Saudi Arabia emanating from Yemen ? 454 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:56,080 Mormon ? Well , you know , I 455 00:20:57,010 --> 00:21:00,720 I certainly I consider that call to 456 00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:04,290 have been a good call . It was 457 00:21:04,570 --> 00:21:07,030 certainly re establishing connectivity 458 00:21:07,030 --> 00:21:10,230 with with the crown prince , who is 459 00:21:10,230 --> 00:21:12,119 also the Minister of Defense . My 460 00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:15,510 counterpart Um hmm . As you 461 00:21:15,510 --> 00:21:18,020 know , President Biden has been clear 462 00:21:18,020 --> 00:21:20,131 about the fact that we will no longer 463 00:21:20,131 --> 00:21:23,240 support offensive operations , the 464 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:25,296 Saudis offensive operations , and to 465 00:21:25,296 --> 00:21:28,240 Yemen on DSO . They've heard that 466 00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:31,770 message loud and clear on in terms of 467 00:21:31,770 --> 00:21:35,660 specific issues that that I would 468 00:21:35,660 --> 00:21:38,160 have covered with with the Crown Prince . 469 00:21:38,540 --> 00:21:40,651 You know , we provide a readout , but 470 00:21:40,651 --> 00:21:44,360 and I'm certainly , Uh yeah , 471 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:48,020 I look forward . Toa having issues are 472 00:21:48,020 --> 00:21:51,010 talking about issues of substance . Uh , 473 00:21:51,020 --> 00:21:53,990 in these conversations , uh , but I 474 00:21:53,990 --> 00:21:55,879 certainly won't . I won't provide 475 00:21:55,879 --> 00:21:57,934 details of the conversation from the 476 00:21:57,934 --> 00:22:00,540 podium here , so Okay , because of time , 477 00:22:00,540 --> 00:22:02,651 I'm gonna go back into the room . Now 478 00:22:02,651 --> 00:22:04,707 we're going one for one until we run 479 00:22:04,707 --> 00:22:06,707 out of time . Helene , Uh , this is 480 00:22:06,707 --> 00:22:08,873 Secretary . Thank you for doing this . 481 00:22:08,873 --> 00:22:11,096 Um , I have two questions , but they're 482 00:22:11,096 --> 00:22:13,318 connected . Uh , the first one is , you 483 00:22:13,318 --> 00:22:15,429 said that you found the viral video . 484 00:22:15,429 --> 00:22:17,596 They're both related to females in the 485 00:22:17,596 --> 00:22:17,090 military . You found the viral video 486 00:22:17,090 --> 00:22:20,790 very disturbing . But in this video , 487 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:23,510 this female marine says , and I quote , 488 00:22:23,510 --> 00:22:25,730 this is why females in the military 489 00:22:25,730 --> 00:22:27,674 kill themselves . And you say that 490 00:22:27,674 --> 00:22:29,730 you're looking into this issue . She 491 00:22:29,730 --> 00:22:31,850 ingested specifically the commanding 492 00:22:31,850 --> 00:22:35,170 general , Her CGs saying that , uh , 493 00:22:35,180 --> 00:22:37,347 whoever the perpetrator is is gonna be 494 00:22:37,347 --> 00:22:39,347 retained in the military . How What 495 00:22:39,347 --> 00:22:41,347 kind of message are you going to be 496 00:22:41,347 --> 00:22:43,900 sending to sort of the the CGs , the 497 00:22:43,900 --> 00:22:46,280 captain's , the brigade commanders 498 00:22:46,290 --> 00:22:48,457 throughout the military about how they 499 00:22:48,457 --> 00:22:50,568 deal with this issue and connected to 500 00:22:50,568 --> 00:22:52,346 that ? My second question is on 501 00:22:52,346 --> 00:22:54,820 specifically the issue of Laura 502 00:22:54,820 --> 00:22:57,160 Richardson and Jacqueline Van Os . Your , 503 00:22:57,170 --> 00:22:59,850 uh , predecessor told us that he 504 00:22:59,850 --> 00:23:01,906 withheld their promotions because he 505 00:23:01,906 --> 00:23:04,270 was afraid of how President Trump would 506 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:06,760 react to them . Are you going to be 507 00:23:06,770 --> 00:23:08,881 forwarding these promotions for these 508 00:23:08,881 --> 00:23:11,450 two women to President Biden ? 509 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:15,407 Alina , I think that was two questions 510 00:23:15,407 --> 00:23:18,870 each with six parts . Yeah . Um , on 511 00:23:18,870 --> 00:23:22,870 the on the second question first , um , 512 00:23:22,970 --> 00:23:26,830 I certainly can't comment on decisions 513 00:23:26,830 --> 00:23:28,860 that someone else made by my 514 00:23:28,860 --> 00:23:31,210 predecessor made . Uh , I'll leave that 515 00:23:31,210 --> 00:23:35,210 to them to explain their actions . And 516 00:23:35,210 --> 00:23:39,050 I certainly , uh , won't 517 00:23:39,060 --> 00:23:42,530 won't comment on personnel actions . Uh , 518 00:23:42,540 --> 00:23:44,762 from this podium in this room , I don't 519 00:23:44,762 --> 00:23:46,873 think that's fair to the system . Not 520 00:23:46,873 --> 00:23:48,930 fair to my boss . Uh , and certainly 521 00:23:48,930 --> 00:23:51,140 not fair to the people who are in the 522 00:23:51,150 --> 00:23:53,570 who are competing . I would just say 523 00:23:53,570 --> 00:23:55,792 that I have seen the records of both of 524 00:23:55,792 --> 00:23:58,440 these women . They are outstanding and 525 00:23:58,450 --> 00:24:01,560 and so and I'll leave it at that , um , 526 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:05,460 on on the issue of sexual assault . 527 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:08,470 And you know what's what is going to be 528 00:24:08,470 --> 00:24:10,930 done and and what ? I'm what I'm gonna 529 00:24:10,940 --> 00:24:14,270 emphasize Thio commanders . I think we 530 00:24:14,270 --> 00:24:16,970 need to consider who I am and where I 531 00:24:16,970 --> 00:24:20,210 fit in , uh , the judicial process , 532 00:24:20,220 --> 00:24:23,560 uh , or her chain 533 00:24:24,140 --> 00:24:26,770 on . We wanna make sure that , you know , 534 00:24:26,770 --> 00:24:30,560 I preserve my ability , uh , to , uh , 535 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:33,500 to adjudicate or take action or 536 00:24:33,500 --> 00:24:35,540 whatever needs to happen . But the 537 00:24:35,540 --> 00:24:38,260 first things , uh , first things first , 538 00:24:38,740 --> 00:24:41,410 we have to get the fax . We have to 539 00:24:41,410 --> 00:24:44,510 understand what just happened . Uh , 540 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:48,410 and let me also say that that , you 541 00:24:48,410 --> 00:24:50,620 know , I care about each and every one 542 00:24:50,630 --> 00:24:53,640 of our our troops and certainly , you 543 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:55,840 know , I'm gonna ask that her chain of 544 00:24:55,840 --> 00:24:58,620 command , make sure that someone is 545 00:24:58,620 --> 00:25:00,676 looking out after her needs and make 546 00:25:00,676 --> 00:25:02,850 sure that we're taking care of , so 547 00:25:03,240 --> 00:25:06,390 Okay , back back to the phone here . Uh , 548 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:08,670 terror cop from McClatchy . 549 00:25:10,340 --> 00:25:12,990 Thank you , Mr Secretary , for doing 550 00:25:12,990 --> 00:25:15,260 this . I also have a question about the 551 00:25:15,260 --> 00:25:17,380 National Guard A few weeks ago . The 552 00:25:17,380 --> 00:25:19,324 Andersons general for the State of 553 00:25:19,324 --> 00:25:21,324 Washington and California says that 554 00:25:21,324 --> 00:25:23,870 domestic demands on the guard , whether 555 00:25:23,870 --> 00:25:26,110 they're wild fires or storms or 556 00:25:26,110 --> 00:25:27,999 domestic unrest , are expected to 557 00:25:27,999 --> 00:25:31,670 continue to in future years . And what 558 00:25:31,670 --> 00:25:33,726 really needs to happen is we need to 559 00:25:33,726 --> 00:25:36,003 increase the and strength of the guard . 560 00:25:36,003 --> 00:25:38,226 I was wondering if you've talked to the 561 00:25:38,226 --> 00:25:40,170 National Guard about this . And if 562 00:25:40,170 --> 00:25:42,226 you're considering requesting an end 563 00:25:42,226 --> 00:25:44,392 strength increase for guard numbers to 564 00:25:44,392 --> 00:25:46,614 address these future domestic threats , 565 00:25:46,614 --> 00:25:50,010 Thank you , Uh , again , I'm really 566 00:25:50,010 --> 00:25:52,510 proud of our of the work that our guard 567 00:25:52,510 --> 00:25:54,621 has done . I mean , it Zand continues 568 00:25:54,621 --> 00:25:56,610 to do . We didn't talk about this 569 00:25:56,610 --> 00:25:58,777 earlier , but I think most of you know 570 00:25:58,777 --> 00:26:00,943 that they're over 20,000 guardsmen out 571 00:26:00,943 --> 00:26:03,480 there right now around the country 572 00:26:03,490 --> 00:26:05,760 helping out with with the cove it 573 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:08,320 crisis and helping to distribute 574 00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:11,130 vaccines in that sort of stuff . So 575 00:26:11,140 --> 00:26:12,973 they're doing . They're having a 576 00:26:12,973 --> 00:26:14,862 tremendous positive effect on our 577 00:26:14,862 --> 00:26:17,140 country , and they're doing great work . 578 00:26:17,140 --> 00:26:20,240 And I'm really proud of them , um , in 579 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:22,860 terms of in strength . That's a 580 00:26:22,860 --> 00:26:25,270 conversation that I have not had with 581 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:27,751 with the chairman or the chief of the 582 00:26:27,751 --> 00:26:30,600 guard on . Certainly , I think when 583 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:32,656 they feel that it's appropriate , if 584 00:26:32,656 --> 00:26:34,740 that's their concern , then they'll 585 00:26:34,740 --> 00:26:36,970 bring it . Bring the issue forward . 586 00:26:36,980 --> 00:26:39,202 But to answer your question , we've not 587 00:26:39,202 --> 00:26:41,369 had those discussions . They last last 588 00:26:41,369 --> 00:26:43,480 question today is gonna goto , Tony . 589 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:45,970 Then we're gonna have to wrap up , have 590 00:26:45,970 --> 00:26:48,280 a sort of a trade a question . Do you 591 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:51,060 see any areas of cooperation with China . 592 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:54,040 You talk about pacing , threat facing 593 00:26:54,050 --> 00:26:56,106 challenge . This is four years we've 594 00:26:56,106 --> 00:26:58,272 heard the rhetoric . What areas do you 595 00:26:58,272 --> 00:27:00,383 see ? Potential cooperation toe lower 596 00:27:00,383 --> 00:27:02,670 the intentions between our two nations . 597 00:27:05,940 --> 00:27:09,830 I would say that you know anything that 598 00:27:09,830 --> 00:27:13,560 we do will be based upon 599 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:17,950 our best interest . And s o 600 00:27:19,370 --> 00:27:22,730 there , no doubt , are some areas where 601 00:27:22,740 --> 00:27:26,130 we will see , uh , common interest . 602 00:27:26,130 --> 00:27:28,920 And there may be an opportunity , uh , 603 00:27:28,930 --> 00:27:32,810 to to engage , but it will be from the 604 00:27:32,810 --> 00:27:35,330 standpoint of promoting our best 605 00:27:35,330 --> 00:27:38,360 interests . Now , having said that from 606 00:27:38,360 --> 00:27:40,527 the Department of Defense standpoint , 607 00:27:40,527 --> 00:27:42,693 as I mentioned earlier , you know , my 608 00:27:42,693 --> 00:27:45,270 number one concern and my number one 609 00:27:45,270 --> 00:27:47,900 job is to defend this country and 610 00:27:47,900 --> 00:27:51,390 protect our interests . And so we're in 611 00:27:51,390 --> 00:27:53,168 this department are going to do 612 00:27:53,168 --> 00:27:56,080 everything possible , uh , to ensure 613 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:58,680 that we have the right operational , uh , 614 00:27:58,690 --> 00:28:01,160 concepts , uh , the right plans in 615 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:03,490 place and that we have resource those 616 00:28:03,490 --> 00:28:06,520 plans with right capabilities , uh , to 617 00:28:06,520 --> 00:28:10,390 present credible deterrence to not only 618 00:28:10,390 --> 00:28:13,250 to China or any other adversary who 619 00:28:13,250 --> 00:28:15,450 would wanna wanna take us off . Thank 620 00:28:15,450 --> 00:28:17,617 you . Thanks , everybody . We have toe 621 00:28:17,617 --> 00:28:19,728 call it quits right there . Thank you 622 00:28:19,728 --> 00:28:21,839 so much . Thank you very much . Thank 623 00:28:21,839 --> 00:28:25,410 you . Tonight , Uh , thanks , 624 00:28:25,410 --> 00:28:26,860 everybody . Thank you .