Category: 2015

Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Washington, DC * 1:15PM ET – As part of the Joining Forces initiative, the First Lady will visit Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, where she will give brief remarks and deliver toys and gifts donated by Executive Office of the President staff to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign. Monday, December 14, 2015 Washington,…

President Obama spoke by phone today with President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil to discuss ongoing progress in the Paris climate conference, which will conclude on December 11.  Both leaders emphasized their personal commitment to reach an ambitious climate change agreement and their interest in working together to drive success.  They agreed to continue to stay…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Marcela Escobari, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, vice Mark Feierstein, resigned. Charlotte P. Kessler, of Ohio, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2018. (Reappointment) Esperanza Emily Spalding, of Oregon,…

The Bankova Kyiv, Ukraine 3:47 P.M. (Local) PRESIDENT POROSHENKO:  (In Ukrainian, no translation.) VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Well, Mr. President, thank you very, very much.  Thank you for your hospitality.  It’s good to be back in Ukraine.  As you pointed out, it’s the fourth time since the Revolution of Dignity two years ago.  And I’m always…

Tonight, Jews in America, Israel, and around the world come together to light the first candle of the Festival of Lights. At its heart, Hanukkah is about the struggle for justice in the face of overwhelming obstacles. It’s a chance to reflect on the triumph of liberty over tyranny, the rejection of persecution, and on…

East Room 5:15 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.  Please, everybody, have a seat, have a seat.  Have a seat and welcome to the White House.  This is a good-looking group.  (Laughter.)  President Kennedy once said, “There is a connection, hard to explain logically but easy to feel, between achievement in public life…

Oval Office **Please see below for a correction, marked with an asterisk. 8:01 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening.  On Wednesday, 14 Americans were killed as they came together to celebrate the holidays.  They were taken from family and friends who loved them deeply. They were white and black; Latino and Asian; immigrants and American-born;…

The President this morning received an update from FBI Director Comey, Attorney General Lynch, Secretary of Homeland Security Johnson, and his intelligence community leadership on the ongoing investigation into the horrific shootings in San Bernardino, California. The President was briefed on the latest details of the investigation. The President’s team highlighted several pieces of information…

President Obama spoke today by phone with President Francois Hollande of France about the horrific shootings in San Bernardino, California.  On behalf of the American people, the President accepted President Hollande’s condolences for the loss of life in the attack.  The President briefed President Hollande on what we know about the attack and steps our…

Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Argentine President-elect Mauricio Macri by phone today to discuss the prospects for strengthening cooperation between the United States and Argentina on bilateral and regional issues.  The Vice President congratulated President-elect Macri on his election victory on November 22nd and upcoming inauguration on December 10th.  The two leaders agreed that…