Category: Dec2015

President Obama spoke by phone last night with President Xi Jinping of China to express appreciation for the important role China played in securing an historic climate agreement in Paris on December 12. The two leaders recognized the important contributions of their joint announcement of climate targets in November 2014, their joint statement on climate…

The Vice President spoke again today with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu regarding Turkey’s troop deployments in northern Iraq. The Vice President welcomed reports of the withdrawal of Turkish troops out of Camp Bashiqa as an important step to de-escalate recent tensions.  The Vice President reiterated that any foreign military presence in Iraq must be…

In case you missed it: As part of the #BetterMakeRoom campaign, the First Lady and Jay Pharoah released a music video with CollegeHumor. WATCH As part of the Let Girls Learn initiative, last night on Project Runway: Junior the First Lady issued a surprise challenge for the young designers in collaboration with Lands’ End. Learn moreHERE. And check out the First Lady’s interview…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Alan J. Kreczko, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board for a term expiring September 14, 2019, vice Paul Cherecwich, Jr., resigned. Andrew Mayock, of Illinois, to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget, vice Beth F. Cobert. Edith Ramirez, of…

President Obama spoke by phone today with President Francois Hollande of France to thank and congratulate him and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius for their leadership in achieving an historic climate agreement in Paris on December 12.  President Obama accepted President Hollande’s appreciation for the U.S. leadership and commitment to addressing the challenges presented by climate…

President Obama spoke by phone today with President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil to thank and congratulate her and Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira for their leadership in achieving an historic climate agreement in Paris on December 12th.   President Rousseff underscored the importance of the United States’ leadership in ensuring a successful outcome to the negotiations.  Both…

Jill and I are blessed that Evelyn Lieberman was our dear friend for thirty years. She was one of the wisest people we knew. Smart, funny. Gifted story teller. Trusted counselor. And devoted mentor to a generation of younger staffers—especially scores of women who have gone on to do incredible things. A former high school…

President Obama spoke by phone today with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to thank him for his leadership in achieving the historic climate agreement in Paris on December 12th. The Secretary-General emphasized the important leadership role that the United States played in achieving a successful agreement.  The President and the Secretary-General underscored their commitment to…

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 1:28 P.M. EST MR. EARNEST:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I think based on the President’s comments at the Pentagon, he essentially has taken care of any opening remarks I might have.  So we can just dive right into your questions. Kathleen, do you want to start? Q    Actually, first I…

The Pentagon 12:47 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  Today, the United States and our Armed Forces continue to lead the global coalition in our mission to destroy the terrorist group ISIL.  As I outlined in my speech to the nation last weekend, our strategy is moving forward with a great sense of urgency…