CSPAN - State Department Spokesperson Holds Briefing

All Episodes

Previous Next

April 17, 2025 23:02-23:54 - CSPAN

51:57

State Department Spokesperson Holds Briefing

Participants

Main

tammy bruce

08:49

Appearances

reginald dwayne betts

00:43

Large

Audio Only |

Scroll

Show episode speakers

Speaker	Time	Text
unidentified		The Vietnam War draft evaders.
		Watch First 100 Days Friday at 8 p.m. Eastern on C-SPAN 2 or online at c-SPAN.org.
		C-SPAN, Democracy Unfiltered.
		We're funded by these television companies and more, including Sparklight.
		What is great internet?
		Is it strong?
		Is it fast?
		Is it reliable?
		At Sparklight, we know connection goes way beyond technology.
		From Monday morning meetings to Friday nights with friends and everything in between.
		But the best connections are always there, right when you need them.
		So how do you know it's great internet?
		Because it works.
		We're Sparklight, and we're always working for you.
		Sparklight supports C-SPAN as a public service, along with these other television providers, giving you a front-row seat to democracy.
		At the State Department briefing, spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed questions about negotiations with Russia and Iran over potential ceasefire and denuclearization deals and announced the U.S. has sanctioned the International Bank of Yemen for its financial support of the Houthis.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Thank you, ma'am.
unidentified		Thank you very much.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Hi, everybody.
unidentified		It was a beautiful day yesterday.
unidentified		I don't know.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Is today nice?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Have you guys been outside at all?
unidentified		Nice.
		It's nice.
		Oh, great.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I had no idea.
		Good, that's good.
		Spring is here.
unidentified		Alrighty, obviously a few announcements here at the top.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Busy day.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I think I can answer some questions for you.
unidentified		I'm going to do my best.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		So thank you for being here.
unidentified		And good afternoon, everyone.
		On this holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, I want to again extend warm wishes to Christians around the world who are observing this sacred time.
		May it be one of reflection and peace for all who celebrate.
		And once again, someone's phone rings.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Once again, Secretary Marco Rubio, Ambassador Steve Witchkoff, and their teams have left the comfort of their homes to once again work to end the carnage that is unfolding in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, hoping to again bring peace to the families across that region who one day themselves may be able to enjoy the comfort of their homes as well.
unidentified		President Donald Trump has been clear.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		This madness has to come to an end quickly and completely.
		During his recent visit to NATO, Secretary Rubio also noted that the time for peace is now, not in months or years.
		It is now.
		He stated specifically that just two weeks ago that it would be a matter of weeks when we would be able to know if Russia was serious about wanting to end this catastrophe.
		And now the civilized world waits to see if Russia is indeed serious.
unidentified		President Trump has committed his administration to peace and a future that everyone can count on.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		His vision and demand for an end to the hostilities remains a North Star for Secretary Rubio, Ambassador Witkoff, Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, and so many others who are determined to make clear to everyone around the world that the Russia-Ukraine war would never have happened if President Trump had been president at the time.
unidentified		Now he remains committed to reversing the disaster that has unfolded.
unidentified		To that end, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Steve Witkoff, and Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, are in Paris today with a clear motivation to find a path forward to end the Russia-Ukraine war in order to stop the bloodshed.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		The visit, which includes meetings with European partners, aims to advance the shared interests and restore stability to the region.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		The Secretary will also be talking to partners about our shared commitment to ensuring that Iran never develops or obtains a nuclear weapon.
unidentified		These efforts are rooted in common sense and a firm belief that American strength and decisive leadership can reshape the world for the better.
unidentified		And now turning to the news of the week, because there is more.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I know everyone's surprised.
unidentified		Today, the United States sanctioned the International Bank of Yemen for its financial support of the Houthis, as well as key leaders or officials of that bank.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		The United States is committed to disrupting the Houthi financial networks and banking access as part of our whole-of-government approach to eliminating Iran's threat network.
		Moreover, we can confirm the reporting that Changuang Satellite Technology Company Limited is directly supporting Iran-backed Houthi terrorist attacks on U.S. interests.
		Their actions and Beijing's support of the company, even after our private engagements with them, is yet another example of China's empty claims to support peace.
unidentified		We urge our partners to judge the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese companies on their actions, not their empty words.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is a priority to President Trump.
		Beijing should take this priority seriously when considering any future support of CGSTL.
		The United States will not tolerate anyone providing support to foreign terrorist organizations such as the Houthis.
		Now, as part of President Trump's unwavering defense of free speech, Secretary Rubio has permanently shut down the State Department's Counter-Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Office, formerly the Global Engagement Center.
		As Secretary Rubio stated, over the past half decade, the bodies like GEC have called by our own governing ruling class nearly destroyed America's long free speech history.
unidentified		We have launched a sweeping transparency initiative.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		The American people deserve answers and we intend to deliver them.
		Most of you will recall, of course, the effort to censor Americans using certain entities here in the government, including that one here at the State Department.
		Now, turning to the budget, we continue to review the Department's global posture and programs to ensure that they serve U.S. interests in a rapidly evolving world.
		Our foreign policy is grounded in delivering results, results that make our nation safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
		And as the Office of Management and Budget, the OMB, has already stated, the funding decisions will be detailed in the President's budget request, which will be transmitted to Congress in due course.
		And I will not get ahead of that process today, just not that any of you would have asked.
		But I look forward to detailing more as we receive it.
		With that, I welcome your questions, all of them which I may not be able to even answer, or I will answer them.
		Matt Lee.
unidentified		Thank you, Tammy.
unidentified		And I am going to have to leave in 12 minutes because I got to get to the end of the day.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Oh, darn.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I should have been later today.
unidentified		When I walk out, I'm not leaving in protest.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I would never suggest that.
unidentified		It's more important.
		So I just want to ask you about what you said about the talks in Paris.
		Yes.
		Is there any more detail that you can provide?
		And when you say that the civilized world waits to see if Russia will be serious, are you suggesting that Russia is not part of the civilized world?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, I guess we're waiting to see for a minute.
unidentified		And I suppose clearly I think clearly Russia has an interest in being part of the civilized world, as we all do.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And we take actions that make it easy and appropriate for us to do business with and to be embraced by countries that think accordingly, that peace matters.
unidentified		I think that matters to everyone.
		And that in part, of course, affects the choices we make.
		So, okay.
		So do you have anything more?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, yes, I can tell you.
unidentified		That is happening, I guess.
		Yes, now what I can note, of course, is regarding the other meeting that we expect, and I can confirm that it will be Saturday and in Rome.
		So that is confirmed for those.
		I'm sorry.
		I'm sorry, Matt?
		Sorry.
		Now many just said it's going to be in Rome.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, it's going to be in Rome.
unidentified		It's going to be in Rome on Saturday.
		So many of us are saying it.
		Rubio is not going to be there.
		So I'm not asking about that.
		I'm asking about you.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Oh, so you know that.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And that's really it.
unidentified		Thank you very much.
		Sorry.
		MS. You're asking about – I'm asking about the talks in Paris today.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		MS. Uh-huh.
unidentified		I'm just wondering if you're not.
		Well, they are ongoing as we sit here.
		Okay.
		Yeah, they're ongoing.
		And I think also there's one element where Iran, in fact, was discussed as well with the people who are attending.
		So as we are expecting certain reports on what the meetings have been, so we will have more to say, to say the least.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And hopefully by, I think, tomorrow morning, very early, perhaps Eastern time, we may even have some remarks by the Secretary.
unidentified		But all of this, as I've seen at these kinds of situations and gatherings, that things change quickly.
		And that may even be the case now.
		So I hesitate to go more into what we may see and when we may see it, only based on the fact that, of course, that's going to be determined by what happens on the ground.
		Thank you.
		All right.
		And I have to go.
		See you.
		Hi, Matt.
		All right.
		Yes.
		Andrea Mitchell.
		Hi.
		Thank you very much, Tammy.
		Let me follow up on the Saturday meeting.
		Yes.
		When they left the last meetings, initially Ambassador Witkoff said that the U.S. would agree to no dismantling, but then it was clarified.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Would agree to what?
unidentified		I'm sorry.
		To not require Iran to dismantle everything that they had.
		The Iranian position has been, according to my best understanding, that they want to retain enough for a peaceful nuclear power, for a civilian program with verification under the NPT, and are willing to give up what they had broken out to 60% in the last couple of years of alarming the U.S. and other allies in the rest of the world.
		But the position now is that they are saying, apparently, that they will not totally dismantle any nuclear program.
		Is the U.S. position that they have to dismantle even what could be verifiably proved to be a peaceful, low-level enrichment of nuclear power?
		And I had one other question to ask you.
		Let me answer that one.
		And then I will definitely stay with you.
		I won't scoot, I promise.
		But this is important because I do, it's an important question.
		But that is, of course, if we were going to be negotiating through our conversations or on television or anywhere else, we wouldn't need to be going to Rome on Saturday.
		Those are issues that I suppose some would want to have be in the media or discussed publicly, but that's not the nature of what the negotiations are.
		That's not a reflection of what will...
		The U.S. decision has been that they have to totally dismantle this.
		Is that still the U.S. position?
		That's been the public.
		Right.
		The bright red line is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.
		That is unacceptable.
		That's been President Trump's statement from the start.
		Now, one could ask if you need enriched uranium at 60% for a peaceful program.
		I'm not in those negotiations.
		I don't know what questions will be asked.
		But that is the bright red line.
		And that's going to be discussed in private between the people who are assigned to have that conversation.
		And if there's anything, we know it's what is acceptable and not acceptable to President Trump.
		And that position has been clear.
		I understand that.
		Yes, ma'am.
		But at a much lower level, something 5% plus.
		The question was whether they have to give up all uranium.
		If we were in Rome and having lunch, we could have that conversation.
		I will certainly will not at all presume what diplomatic conversations or now what might be negotiations.
		I'm not going to presume about them or comment or have an opinion.
		You had a second part.
		Second issue.
		Yes, ma'am.
		There has been an attempted hijacking on an airplane internally in Belize, Tropic Air, and it involved an alleged hijacker who is a U.S. citizen who, according to law enforcement reports down there, was fatally shot on a confrontation with police.
		He's been identified as a U.S. citizen and a passport holder.
		Does the State Department have anything on this?
		Not yet.
		We watched that unfold, I think, as everyone else did.
		Horrifying.
		We are grateful, I think all of us are, that that did not turn into a mass casualty event with, I believe, over a dozen people on the plane.
		Clearly, we know a few details.
		We don't know much more.
		But as I was actually working on the briefing, that came across my timeline.
		It came across yours.
		And it's terrifying, but thank God.
		We don't know about injuries or any other details, so I certainly can't comment.
		But it seems like there was obviously effective law enforcement on the ground.
		And that's all I have for you now.
		But obviously, we're watching it as well.
		All right.
		Yes.
		Yumaira.
		Hi, Tammy.
		Thank you.
		Back to your comments a moment ago that Matt also picked up.
		The civilized world waits to see if Russia is serious.
		So we're just trying to understand what exactly is the United States waiting, given Russia rejected President Trump's proposal.
		What exactly are the metrics here?
		And given Secretary said, you know, we will see in weeks.
		Like, what are you waiting to see?
	And is the administration starting to put together a Plan B if it becomes clear to the administration that Russia is not serious?
	Well, obviously, I can't talk about the specifics of what the President has said to other people or what those decision lines are.
	We do know that, and also I would say, I would dispute, push back a bit on your contention that the Russians have rejected something.
	Again, that's based on perhaps what you've observed and what others have observed.
	I don't know what the conversations are, what's been stated between any of the parties.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		So we can't go there.
unidentified		But what we do know, and what the Secretary has said often, and what the President says, is that we are going to judge people based on their actions, not their words.
		And that is a universal standard that we will be using.
		And I think that's important.
		As far as the metrics, those, again, that's why you go and you meet people face to face or you have conversations, and that's what we're doing.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		That's an important dynamic of determining, as many people have argued, about whether or not who's serious, who isn't serious.
unidentified		And we've seen the actions that our friends, the Ukrainians, have taken, which is a commitment to a full ceasefire, the nature of the actions that they've said that they would do.
		That has been clear from the start.
		And it's understandable.
		You've got two parties here, and we have a standard.
		And so that's why, though, we have now, again, our best and brightest are in Paris making this determination, which is more, which is clearly complicated.
		And as far as the Secretary noting it'll be a matter of weeks, that again is a judgment and a statement that I think all of us can understand on a timeline, but clearly is based in what it is they say that they expect to see.
		I am not privy to that.
		And those conversations, of course, all day long and continuing on right now, I would guess are to determine that.
		Just one follow-up.
		The French, actually, even though the conversations are ongoing, they described the current conversations so far excellent, positive, constructive.
		I don't want to put words in your mouth, but do you have some adjectives to describe how it has been so far?
		Yeah, I think it's nice when any party to a conversation of this sort believes that it's positive.
		And that's great news.
		It's good news.
		What I care about is what President Trump and Secretary Rubio think when it comes to what they have asked for and what they expect and what the United States expects.
		That is the standard that the world looks for.
		And we'll know then what will come from that.
		The French being happy is fabulous.
		I love the French.
		I love Paris.
		It's a great country.
		It really is.
		And one must go.
		I know there's stuff about the French in America, but it really is.
		Traveling is wonderful.
		Meeting people is terrific.
		And the French are great people.
		But what I do know is that through today, as they've been talking in that wonderful, exquisite capital, more people have died who expected to be alive tonight and tomorrow, who will miss Good Friday, who will miss Easter, who just enjoyed Passover.
		So we can think about the feelings of diplomats, which are important, but what matters is the end result, what the United States is able to deliver and achieve during those meetings and what the United States wants, frankly, to make this a situation that this is the first involvement and the nature of both parties at the table since the beginning of this atrocity.
		And that speaks to the power of Trump, the power of diplomacy in the United States.
		So that's good news, but the better news will be when America and President Trump's expectations are met.
		Yes.
		Yes, sir.
		Thank you, Tenny.
		Appreciate it.
		Two questions.
		First off.
		Number one, President of Lebanon remarked yesterday that he intends to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, but he said it needs to be done on a bilateral basis without foreign interference or foreign pressure.
		I wanted to get state's reaction to that comment from the Lebanese President and ask how it might shape Deputy Special Envoy Ortegas' role going forward in dealing with the Lebanon portfolio.
		You know, you always ask me things that I have opinions on.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I would love to answer.
unidentified		But I can't, as the State Department, I'm here to talk to you about results of things, what we're intending, what we're doing.
		Certainly not speculating on what Morgan Ortegas will be able to do, what any special envoy will be able to do, what our response to another nation's leader will do, or what they are stating.
		What we do know, of course, and what is clear and remains clear, is that we want peace in that entire region, obviously.
		We are dealing with the Iran threat, which of course includes Hezbollah, let alone Hamas and the Houthis.
		This is an encompassing dynamic.
		So I leave that, for very good reason, to diplomats.
		And we know that they're addressing and aware of all the other aspects there.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		But we stand with Israel.
unidentified		This is not difficult, as is the reason why we're there and why we stand with Israel.
		Second question.
		It's been three weeks now since Elise Stefanik withdrew from the nomination for UN ambassador.
		A draft came out, it was leaked, I guess, yesterday.
		But a draft is always a window into an administration's thinking zeroing out funding.
		If it's real.
		If it's real.
		If it's actually, yeah, if it actually came from where they say it came from, go ahead.
		Zeroing out funding for the UN.
		So I'm trying to find out.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes.
unidentified		Is there a correlation here between the lack of willingness to put forward another candidate and how long?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Oh, my, the conversation.
unidentified		So over Drinks at night with you must be amazing.
		I look forward to that.
		How long?
		With an interim ambassador in there, doesn't it do damage to drag on the process as long?
		No, it's you've been, I think you've been around for a while.
		The budget process is a long one.
		We're also going through a process here of cutting down the budget because the deficit and the problems we've had, the way we've been spending is unsustainable.
		And so the president is making America great again by making sure she doesn't collapse economically.
		That's one of those standards.
		When it comes to, we've seen the process, I'm not going to speak to the choices President Trump has made or the nature of Congress and the issue of majorities and minorities.
		And the fact, though, that there is a great deal of talent that he has to choose from for the UN ambassador, for every other position here.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		It's people perhaps who haven't been in government, people who have been, people who've never been ambassadors, people who could be.
unidentified		It really opens up his point of view and who he knows and what he expects, like Steve Witkoff, Ambassador Witkoff, remarkable man now playing an extraordinary role in trying to achieve world peace.
		That is maybe not something that was ever on his plate, but it's happening.
		I would say the talent that is here is more than enough for the president to choose another candidate.
		And secondly, that other story which we addressed on Tuesday about zeroing out NATO and the UN is absurd.
		The fact is that the funding might look different, but it also will be more effective, more efficient funding that allows us perhaps to do even more as we deal with waste, fraud, and abuse.
		It is something you've heard before, but it's worth repeating.
		So that when we deal with NATO, Secretary Rubio has stated repeatedly: we are committed to NATO, but one that is viable, and our love for NATO will be part of examples by our assisting them and encouraging them to become more viable and to be more financially independent.
		For the UN, the UN clearly needs a strong American voice, as we've seen that it can make a difference, and we are going to have one.
		President Trump will make that decision, and it will be a good one.
		All right, yes, sir.
		Thank you, Fami.
		I'm also going back to Ukraine with two questions.
		Yes, sir.
		China.
		You probably have heard President Zelensky's latest statement on China saying that China supplies Russia with manpower, gunpower, and even helps them to manufacture some weapons inside Russia.
		This sort of goes back to your earlier statement a couple of days ago about China providing nearly 80% of the U.S. supplies to Russia.
		There are calls from the Congress, bipartisan calls, urging the administration to come up with sanctions on China.
		Are you planning to take any action to prevent this from happening?
		Well, we know, of course, I don't need to mention the word tariffs to everyone, but these are things that are not about punishment of any one nation, but it's about a fair playing field.
		And that's relevant, certainly proving that President Trump not only isn't shy about engaging with China, he's not shy about engaging with anyone.
		And that's one thing the American people know.
		And I think also our commentary and the nature of the actions we're taking in general when it comes to China's choices have been clear.
		One thing I speaking of China and the nature of what they're involved in, I will tell you something.
		It's a little bit out of the Ukraine region.
		Is that there is a Chinese company providing satellite imagery to the Houthis, the Houthis.
		And we are aware of those reports.
		That has been, I think, reported originally, perhaps by the Financial Times.
		But China consistently attempts, as you know, to frame itself as a global peacemaker.
		And however, it is clear that Beijing and China-based companies provide key economic and technical support to regimes like Russia, North Korea, and Iran and its proxies.
		The CCP continues to enable these regimes, whether it be through the provision of dual-use items Russia needs to sustain its war in Ukraine, North Korea's ballistic missile development, or Iran's support of terrorism across the Middle East.
		And just taking back to my topper a bit on Chiang Guang, it's a dynamic where it's clear, as we're learning, their engagement with war and the suffering of people globally.
		And of course, that remains unacceptable.
		Beijing's support, by the way, of that company, the satellite company, even after we've engaged in discussions with them about this, the fact that they continue to do this is unacceptable, certainly contradicts their claims of being peace supporters.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And we urge our partners to judge the CCP and Chinese companies, again, on their actions and not their words.
unidentified		I'm asking questions.
		Yes, if I may.
		Let's go back to SUNY.
		You made your comments about it last time.
		I was hoping you could help us clarify either kill or keep alive reports that the U.S. has blocked G7 unified response to SUNY.
		I'm confused because we have seen the Secretary's statement, the President's statement, they were very clear about that.
		The report suggests that you have been doing it because you want to refrain from quote-unquote angering Russia.
		Well, again, I understand that we all see a lot of things written.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		It's perhaps your colleagues or people you know.
unidentified		But the world does not run on the guesswork or the conspiracy theories that show up in newspapers and magazines.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		It's clear to the world that that was a horrible strike.
unidentified		But also, the notion of me engaging in discussing what our private diplomatic conversations might be is not going to happen.
		But we also know that because you don't hear about our reaction, because we're not going to engage in this public dynamic, doesn't mean that things aren't happening.
		So we clearly don't run foreign policy based on whatever new conspiracy theory or supposition that's coming up in a magazine about what we're doing or why we're doing it or why we're not doing it.
		That's not going to happen.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Eventually, maybe not as quickly as some would like, people do find out what the results are.
unidentified		And so that's as much as I'll say about that particular report.
		Yes, ma'am.
		Two quick questions.
		The French have said there will be additional conversations next week in London on Ukraine.
		Will the Secretary attend those?
		I've heard about that statement, and I can't say right now about what those specifics are or what the Secretary's actions will be.
		But stay tuned.
		Obviously, these are important meetings.
		But as the Secretary has noted, we aren't going to be having meetings about meetings.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		All right.
unidentified		Sorry, one more question.
		Oh, yes, one more question.
		Of course.
		On the case of Mohsen Matwani, the Columbia student whose visa has been revoked, the New York Times has a report that Secretary Rubia put out a memo saying that his activities could, quote, potentially undermine the Middle East peace process.
		Can you confirm that's a legitimate memo and how would his activities have been?
		No, I won't confirm or discuss or deny about a memo like that.
		And when it comes to, as you know, all of these, and I know sometimes it's not exciting, but it's true, is that we do have a standard about not talking about individual visa dynamics, including with that individual.
		And no, I won't give talk about that memo.
		Yes, ma'am.
		Thanks, Tammy.
		A short while ago, the President said that the mineral deal with Ukraine would be signed next Thursday.
		Just wondering if you have any more details to offer about that.
		And can you say whether that was a topic of discussion in Paris today with the Secretary?
		You know, again, I don't know.
		And even if I did, I wouldn't talk about the specifics of what that conversation would be.
		What I've said before, and it's still true, of course, is that there are no conversations that will happen regarding arrangements for things that are related to the ceasefire talks, right?
		I mean, we've had, for the first time, we've been able to talk with Russia regarding diplomatic relations and the nature of how we're able to connect with each other.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And that's not at all related to the ceasefire dynamic.
unidentified		And while I can't comment on where that deal stands, what I will say is that negotiations are ongoing.
		But again, it's not related to, obviously, the effort regarding ending those hostilities.
		On April 11th and 12th, U.S. and Ukraine technical teams conducted constructive negotiations on the proposed Reconstruction Investment Fund.
		We have agreed to continue those discussions to finalize the agreement as soon as possible.
		This fund will help provide economic guarantees as we look to bring this conflict to a peaceful end.
		So you are going to be hearing about the investment fund.
		And we'll see what that contains as things go on.
		But those are active negotiations at this point.
		Yes, sir.
		Thank you very much.
		Just going back to Iran for a moment.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Can you tell me where you're from, sir?
unidentified		Tom Watkins with the National.
unidentified		Excellent.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Welcome aboard.
unidentified		Thank you very much.
		President Trump on Monday said Tehran was tapping us along, suggesting a sense of impatience with the pace of talks.
		Can you talk about that if there's a sense of time running out and staying on Iran?
		Several reports this week pertaining to U.S. discussions with Yemeni factions or Yemeni forces about a potential land offensive against the Houthis.
		Can you tell us anything about those discussions?
		Yes, I was asked, I believe, on Tuesday about the reports about what's happening on the ground there versus the Houthis, which is not something we're involved in, of course, so I can't speak to what the plans are or what battle plans or attacks against the Houthis by other individuals or other governments or regimes.
		So those discussions aren't taking place.
		Those conversations aren't happening.
		The conversations about between the U.S. and Yemeni factions that are against the Houthis.
		Well, again, I just said how I'm the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department.
		I can't speak to and wouldn't about what Yemen may or may not be saying to the Houthis or anyone else.
		But your first question was about President Trump's what you perceived as irritation about the pace of negotiations.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, throughout this process, it's clear that they expect swift answers.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Again, there will be no meetings about meetings.
unidentified		It will not be months or years for answers.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I see you, sir.
unidentified		It's a matter of weeks, right?
		This is about life and death.
		And that's how we view it.
		I would say that, though, there remains a commitment.
		President Trump, clearly, as the United States, could take many actions against people who threaten this country.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And we choose not to.
unidentified		I think that speaks volumes.
		And the commitment to speak with entities that have threatened us repeatedly, that have an interest in threatening us, or who have done things that have been appalling.
		And yet, the first issue, in order to stop that, without resorting to more violence, which sometimes has had to happen, is to sit down and talk and find an answer.
		But it's not, again, none of these individuals are prepared to have it be that the answer is the search, right?
		That the effort and the thing that we do is the trying.
		It has to be a result.
		And I think that's what Trump is exhibiting here, is that it's not going to be about trying or meeting after meeting.
		There's answers that you can say yes or no to and get it done.
		And that's what he as a president expects.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		As a businessman, he expected that.
unidentified		And as a president, he expected it.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, in the back there, sir.
unidentified		Thank you very much.
		And Nadia, right after him.
		Thank you.
		What did Victoria Taylor discuss in her meeting with senior Kurdish leaders in her visit to Kurdistan?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Good question.
unidentified		I don't have the answer to that, but we're going to get it.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		May we?
		Thank you, ma'am.
		I'll get that for you.
		Nadia, go ahead, please.
		Yes, of course.
unidentified		One follow-up on the other side.
		We're also busy.
		We are.
		One follow-up on the Iran question.
		Assuming that these talks is going to take place on Saturday in Rome.
		Yes.
		What would the United States want to see that you can describe it as successful?
		So as a measuring stick, you will say that we entered this negotiation and therefore we consider him successful.
		What exactly is this?
		I don't make that decision about what that's going to be when it comes to the negotiators who are at that table.
		The president, again, has a bright line.
		They will not have a nuclear weapon.
		How that is determined is going to be the people at the table.
		One more.
		I have one question on Gaza quickly.
		The situation for the children in Gaza is described as hell on earth.
		Seven weeks, no food is getting in.
		Do you think that Israel should allow humanitarian aid to get to women and children in Gaza, regardless if there is negotiation or progress with Hamas on the hostage?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, there's, and it comes up all the time for a good reason, because it's a serious issue, and we all care about it.
unidentified		We also know that it is a zone where there's still fighting, where there's, we have just the other day we had Hamas say that they suddenly don't know where Idan Alexander is.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		It is a remarkable dynamic.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		It's horrible.
unidentified		Everything that we do, though, is to affect exactly what you mentioned, which is saving the lives of everyone, certainly men as well, and women and children.
		It is to stop this so that this is not an issue for people.
		That's why we do everything.
		To say that, ask or whether or not we're concerned during the process when ceasefires are broken or it becomes impossible, of course it's frustrating.
		It's not what any of us want, let alone the people who go there and are negotiating all the time.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		It is the thing that drives our desire for peace as human beings.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And yet, we can't quit because it gets stopped or frustrated.
unidentified		And it is a reminder about why that horrible situation has to end, why the Ukraine-Russia situation has to end as we are here in a comfortable environment and go home to our families.
unidentified		That seems to be a luxury these days, but to not take it for granted.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		So, of course, that is the goal, is to get that fixed, and it's a goal we work toward every day.
unidentified		Yes, ma'am.
		I didn't get you last time.
		Welcome.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Welcome back.
unidentified		Yes, thank you.
		Thank you, Tom.
		So today I was watching the briefing with special senior advisor of President Trump, Mr. Mossad Baloz.
		He just returned from his trip to Africa.
		He visited DRC.
		Yes, he did.
		And he shares some of the meetings that he had with some presidents in this region.
		So I want to hear from you.
		He mentioned about discussion of these mineral deals between United States and DRC.
		But the main purpose of the main interesting of the DRC is the peace that they are looking for.
		Yes, of course, what we all want.
		So can you share with us how confident Trump's administration is that this time finally there will be peace for Congolese people because until today there is people dying in the region?
		Well that that's he's a the president is obviously a confident man.
		He has an apparatus at his hands that he can try to make things work and he's confident enough to he's a great deal maker.
		He's accessible.
		He's transparent.
		So in general what he does he's confident but I can tell people a little bit about this dynamic and I like that you asked because a lot of people don't ask about Africa in certain senses and certainly the DRC.
		But the senior advisor Boulos, for those of you who don't know, B-O-U-L-O-S, he traveled along with the Deputy Secretary for State of African Affairs Sanders, traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda this month to meet with heads of state and business leaders to advance efforts for durable peace in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and to promote U.S. private sector investment in the region.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Economic prosperity will not happen without security.
unidentified		We reiterate that there is no military solution to the crisis in the Eastern DRC.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		We want to see a lasting peace in that region, which lays the foundation for a thriving regional economy.
		And it's regarding the mineral deal specifically.
		He met with the president there, Che Sikhady.
unidentified		Our countries are working on a minerals agreement that will boost U.S. investment in the DRC's mining sector.
		And our DRC partners have pledged to facilitate an efficient, transparent, and effective business environment to strengthen our cooperation in this sector and attract U.S. investment that creates jobs and prosperity.
		We expect that this partnership will involve not only our governments but a range of private sector partners.
		We are in the process of determining next steps and we'll have more to announce in the near future.
		And as we've said, when it comes to financial investment funds or otherwise, is that when a country has the United States as a partner and private American companies invested in the region, not only is it about jobs and hope for the future, but it also is a signal to the region that there is more strength for that nation.
		So he also commented that the United States will fully, I mean, I mean, the Trump administration will fully support the Lobitro corridor process.
		Can you share with us because he mentioned also he's planning to travel to Army?
		Well, you know, I can't speak on what their president said or what President Trump mentioned, President, I mean, this administration fully supports.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I'm sure he said that.
unidentified		I don't doubt that he said that.
		I'm not a party to what President Trump may or his advisors or envoys may have said or not said.
		So he said that.
		It's not something that I certainly can remark on or confirm.
		Yes, sir.
		Thank you.
		Thank you, Tammy.
		Question about Syria.
		There are a lot of people talking about the U.S.'s withdrawing or reducing their forces in Syria.
		Discussion is not about the military posture, but it's about the administration's decision to withdraw or keep their forces in Syria.
		I remember President Trump said that we are looking at our forces to Syria and we will make a decision.
		So I'm asking this question to the State Department because the state is a key player in decision-making process and oversees ISIS activities in Syria.
		Have you made any foreign policy decision regarding the U.S. forces in Syria?
		And I would like to have your comments on these reports because maybe they will miscarry.
		Well, I know that the State Department is not involved in dealing with ISIS.
		All right.
		That's the Department of Defense.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Right?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		So we have Homeland Security, certain issues, Department of Defense and our military.
unidentified		State Department is the diplomatic arm.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Of course, we deal with partners in issues when it comes to terrorist foreign terrorist organizations here, the nature of who's here and how they got here.
unidentified		But we certainly, I can't speak to the nature of that.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		What we I can tell you from just my experience is that the Department of Defense routinely reallocates forces based on operational needs and contingencies.
		So that wouldn't necessarily be unusual.
		But for a specific answer on that issue, I refer you to the Department of Defense.
unidentified		Yes, sir.
		Thank you.
		Thank you so much, Jehan Sebel from Airbnb News.
		President Trump's foreign policy, like peace through strength, bringing the world together, many analysts believe that it is because of these administration policies that we see more opportunities for peace in the Middle East and Russia.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I hope so.
unidentified		President Trump also made it clear that he has zero tolerance for terrorism.
		So when we can expect some military actions against terrorist networks in Afghanistan like we have seen in Yemen, because those terrorists are using American weapons left by Biden administration against neighboring countries, I pass.
		Yes, you're seeing the breadth of what we're doing regarding and the tools we're using to deal with terrorist networks.
		That's been clear, I think, in every briefing.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		When it comes to Iran, I certainly can't speak to the nature of our choices when it comes to that country.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		But it's a worldwide effort.
unidentified		It's in both hemispheres.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And in part, this is what addresses, of course, our desire to make sure that NATO is strong and reaffirming our commitment to NATO because of that area.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		But we also, of course, as the United States, have to deal with other areas and other major regions and the entire globe.
unidentified		So it is worldwide.
		In that particular instance, I can't give you any specifics.
		Yes, Eric, go ahead.
		Yes, Terry, thank you for the question.
		I wanted to ask you, we saw a short time ago today President Zelensky speaking with reporters in Kiev and accusing China of supplying weapons to Russia and saying that he will present detailed evidence next week.
		Does the U.S. have a similar assessment of China's role directly in weapons, not just technology, but actual arms support for Russia?
		Well, the specifics of their support, which I've spoken about a great deal when it comes to Russia and this war, as well as, as I've mentioned a few times here in this briefing, their support of Iran and particularly the Houthis.
		I'm not going to get into the specifics of what sectors that is in, but I think we've been very clear about our concern regarding China.
		Yes, ma'am.
		Thank you very much, Tiemy.
		A quick welcome to Iran.
		Secretary Ribos Bubio spoke with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Kidan, on Monday over the phone, and they discussed threats posed by Iran, among other issues.
		This is according to the State Department readout.
		Can you elaborate on that?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		The slide was sent out by me, as a matter of fact.
unidentified		I don't know.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes.
unidentified		Can you elaborate on the role Turkey is playing or could play?
		Oh, no, I can't.
		I can't.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		But it's a good question.
unidentified		What I can say is that all of our partners and allies, it is a remarkable thing to watch with all the bad guys that are out there doing things to people, horrible things.
		There's a lot of countries working together.
		It is remarkable to see the global engagement framework that exists.
		I'm going to sound like a hippie here, but it's beautiful.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		It's a beautiful thing to see, and it's why we should have hope.
unidentified		You don't see that so much because it's quiet.
unidentified		We see the horrible things that emerge.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		But it is a remarkable network of human beings from a vast array of countries in both hemispheres that are working to make the future a better place.
unidentified		And it's an honor knowing that the State Department of the United States is a key element in helping to make that happen.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		It's beautiful.
unidentified		Yes, ma'am, in the back there, the white jacket.
		Thank you.
		Two questions first.
		I'm following up in Syria, actually.
		Should we at least expect a kind of drawdown of U.S. troops in Syria in the near future, particularly following the Iran terrorism?
		I'm sorry, a kind of what in the near future?
		A drawdown of U.S. troops.
		A drawdown.
		Again, I'm talking about the Iran talks, especially.
		Yes, that is something, and I'm never really, I think you'd know if I was being coy because I don't do that well.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I don't know.
unidentified		I would not, I don't speak for the DOD or the nature of what the military decisions versus a department that I work for, which is about talking, which of course is good for me because I'm talking and can't shut up.
		So I can't speak to that at all, but I'm sure the DOD would have a whole array and they've got a great communications department, and I'm sure they'd share with you.
		Okay, and the U.S. yesterday voted against a UN General Assembly resolution condoning Russian actions against Ukraine along with North Korea-Sudan.
		This marks the second time similar vote.
		Does this indicate that you are that optimistic about Russian intentions to end the war?
		Is it because you are working a peace deal, or are you done with the UN?
		We certainly, first, I can't speak to any of those things as I wouldn't have an answer to those.
		I wouldn't, I just can't speak to it.
		But again, I do know that this is an administration that we are in the UN for a reason.
		It's here in the United States.
		It can play an important role, and it has in the past, and it can again.
		That's the bottom-line truth.
		When it comes to how votes are done, that's again not my business, and it's not something I really can speak with.
		All right, I think we're kind of here.
		I think we're done.
		I think we're done for today.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I want to thank all of you.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I did not go to Paris specifically so that I could be here with you guys today.
unidentified		Again, I will remind you: we are expecting a statement that would be on the record.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		We hope things can change very dramatically in the very early hours.
unidentified		So just keep that in mind.
		As soon as we get any kind of confirmation, which has not come through, we will let certainly our bullpen know, and I think the rest of you will be able to find out.
		But we'll see what happens.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		But we expect that a little later on, and I will see you next Tuesday.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Thank you.
unidentified		Thank you, everyone.
		Watch our signature interview program Q&A all week on C-SPAN 2.
		On Friday, ex-convict, award-winning poet, and Yale Law School graduate Reginald Duane Betts is our guest.
		He wrote the afterword for a new commemorative edition of Dr. King's Letter from Birmingham Jail and talks about the book and the work done by Freedom Reads, an organization he founded that builds libraries in prisons.
reginald dwayne betts ▲ ● ▼		You know, the judge might have been under no illusion that sending me to prison will help, but he did say I could get something out of it if I tried.
		And I think that this is a testament, not just that I got something out of it, but that I came home to a world where it might feel overwhelming.
		It might feel like it is absolutely hard to make a wave when you have hurt somebody in the past.
		But I also came to a world that has radically changed and shifted and created more and more opportunities for people to reflect on the ways in which they've changed.
		and to be welcomed back into what I like to think of as King Say the Beloved Community.
unidentified		Reginald Duane Betts, Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern on Q ⁇ A on C-SPAN 2.
		You can listen to Q&A wherever you get your podcasts and on the C-SPAN Now app.
		American History TV, Saturdays on C-SPAN 2, exploring the people and events that tell the American story.
		This weekend, at 4.45 a.m. Eastern, we'll look at baseball, America's pastime, examining the question, what is baseball's place in America's national story?
		With Washington Post columnist George Will and author Kevin Baker.
		And then at 8 p.m. Eastern on Lectures in History, Tulane University history professor Jana Lippmann on Cold War refugees from Cuba and Vietnam and the impact of the Refugee Act of 1980.
		At 9.30 p.m. Eastern on the presidency, author Jay Hakes shares his book, The Presidents and the Planet, looking at the politics and government policies on climate issues through the lens of the White House and presidents dating from the 1950s to the 1990s.
		And at 10.30 p.m. Eastern, we'll look back at the history of Earth Day from a 1990 C-SPAN interview with former Democratic Wisconsin Governor and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, founder of the first Earth Day in 1970, where he reflects on his work and the state of the environment.
		Exploring the American story, watch American History TV Saturdays on C-SPAN 2 and find a full schedule in your program guide or watch online anytime at c-span.org/slash CSPAN.org slash History.

▲