Category: 2013

North Portico 1:30 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody, and happy Thanksgiving. The office of the presidency — the most powerful position in the world — brings with it many awesome and solemn responsibilities.  This is not one of them.  (Laughter.)  But the White House Turkey Pardon is a great tradition.  And I know…

Via Teleconference 9:19 A.M. EST MS. TROTTER:  Hi, everyone.  Thanks for joining us this morning to learn more about the Vice President’s trip to China, Japan and South Korea next week.  Our speakers today, who you can quote as senior administration officials, will get us started with some information about the Vice President’s schedule and…

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, November 27, 2013, President Obama will pardon the National Thanksgiving Turkey in a ceremony on the North Portico.  The President will celebrate the 66th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation, reflect upon the time-honored traditions of Thanksgiving, and wish American families a warm, safe, and healthy holiday. The President will…

Michelle and I send warm wishes to all those celebrating Hanukkah. For the first time since the late 1800s – and for the last time until some 70,000 years from now – the first day of Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving.  It’s an event so rare some have even coined it “Thanksgivukkah.”  As we gather with…

On Wednesday, November 27, 2013, the President signed into law: H.R. 1848, the “Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013,” which requires the Federal Aviation Administration to advance the safety and continued development of small airplanes by reorganizing the certification requirements for such airplanes under the Code of Federal Regulations in a final rule to be…

President Obama called His Majesty King Abdullah today as part of regular consultations between our two countries on the range of Middle East issues.  The President shared the details of the P5+1’s first step agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear program, reaffirming the importance of Iran following through on its commitments.  The two leaders agreed…

On March 9, 2007, American citizen and retired FBI Agent Robert Levinson went missing during a business trip to Kish Island, Iran.  Today, Mr. Levinson becomes one of the longest held Americans in history. As we approach the upcoming holiday season, we reiterate the commitment of the United States Government to locate Mr. Levinson and…

Private Residence Beverly Hills, California 7:47 P.M. PST THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  (Applause.)  Well, I am just thrilled to be back in California, thrilled to be back in LA, and thrilled to be with my great friend, Magic Johnson — (applause) — and Cookie.  We thank them so much for their hospitality.  This is just…

Private Residence Beverly Hills, California 9:16 P.M. PST THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  All right, everybody.  Have a seat.  That’s enough.  That’s enough.  (Laughter.) Now, let me clarify something.  First of all, there was valet parking — (laughter) — for Cheryl.  We thought it was appropriate for Haim to get some exercise.  (Laughter.)  Cheryl, being…