CSPAN - State Department Spokesperson Holds Briefing

All Episodes

Previous Next

July 18, 2025 03:40-04:43 - CSPAN

01:02:51

State Department Spokesperson Holds Briefing

Participants

Main

tammy bruce

43:00

Appearances

brian lamb

cspan 00:34

Clips

karoline leavitt

admin 00:11

Large

Audio Only |

Scroll

Show episode speakers

Speaker	Time	Text
unidentified		With our 2025 Congressional Directory.
		Get essential contact information for government officials all in one place.
		This compact, spiral-bound guide contains bio and contact information for every House and Senate member of the 119th Congress.
		Contact information on congressional committees, the President's Cabinet, federal agencies, and state governors.
		The Congressional Directory costs $32.95 plus shipping and handling, and every purchase helps support C-SPAN's non-profit operations.
		Scan the code on the right or go to c-spanshop.org to order your copy today.
		State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce highlighted the situation in Syria and a recent Israeli strike that destroyed a Catholic church in Gaza during a press briefing at the agency's headquarters in Washington.
		This is about an hour.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Seems like it was just yesterday that I was here.
		That's great.
		Oh my gosh, Nadia is gracing us with her presence.
		Welcome back from the White House coverage you've been doing.
		Thank you.
		But we were proud of you, if I may say.
		And yes, very good job.
		And not a lot of people would be as composed.
		I certainly am not when I'm there and talking to him.
		So, yes, very impressive.
		So I do have a few comments for you as we begin the briefing here today at State.
		To begin, an update on the situation in Syria.
		The United States unequivocally condemns this violence.
		All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire.
		Why?
		Whoever's got the music going, that's a lovely touch.
		But we really need it to be turned off.
unidentified		All right.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Sorry, Daniel, do you have to use it again for you?
		I'm going to start again at the stop.
		Please turn off your phones.
		Please turn off the sound.
		Do not disturb.
		You don't have to have it on airport, but although I could say that we are an airplane, but we're not.
		Let's start again, shall we?
		And welcome aboard to everybody watching at home.
		We know C-SPAN covers this live as well.
		We appreciate that.
		And of course, we're a little late today, but actually, every time is the perfect time because our colleague Caroline had her later briefing, so here we are right now.
		So to begin, an update on the situation in Syria.
		The United States unequivocally condemns the violence.
		All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire.
		In a tweet this morning, Ambassador Tom Barrick, also, of course, our special envoy for Syria, said, thankful to all sides for their break from chaos and confusion as we attempt to navigate all parties to a more durable and peaceful solution in Syria.
		Over the last 48 hours, the United States has led diplomatic efforts to promote real de-escalation and peace.
		As Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted yesterday, we have engaged all the parties involved in the clashes in Syria.
		We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight.
		This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, and this is what we fully expect them to do.
		We are actively engaging all constituencies in Syria to navigate towards calm and continued discussions on integration and a stable, more prosperous future for all Syrians.
		To that end, we are calling on the Syrian government to lead in determining the path forward.
		Now, today, the United States also sanctioned TDA leader Hector Ruthenford Guerrero-Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, and five other key members.
		The Department of State, through the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, managed by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and or conviction of Guerro.
		TDA is a foreign terrorist organization that originated in Venezuela and has launched a campaign of terror throughout our hemisphere.
		We are determined to protect Americans by eliminating TDA's vicious criminal activities.
		In addition, yesterday the United States, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the United Kingdom marked the UK's ascension to the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, C SEPA.
		This milestone framework builds on the historic Abraham Accords and is aimed at fostering broader integration in the Middle East, bolstering mutual deterrence against external threats and expanding cooperation to advance security, stability, and prosperity in the region.
		And finally, for today's topper, starting today, Secretary Rubio decided to end the ordered departure status for the U.S. mission Iraq personnel, including personnel at the U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General Erbil.
		Personnel who are temporarily relocated outside of Iraq will begin a gradual return to U.S. Embassy Baghdad and Consulate General Erbil.
		The State Department's travel advisory for Iraq remains at a level 4, which of course translates to do not travel.
		We remain strongly committed to advancing our policy priorities in Iraq, strengthening Iraq's sovereignty, advancing U.S. business interests, and engaging with Iraqi leaders and the Iraqi people.
		The State Department, U.S. Embassy Baghdad, and Consulate General Erbil will continue to closely monitor and assess, as you might imagine, the security situation across Iraq and the region.
		And that is the conclusion of my announcements.
		And I'm ready to take your questions.
		And we'll start with the young lady who was in the White House first.
		So we'll start with Nadia right now.
unidentified		Thank you.
		I want to follow up with what you said.
		The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
		He just issued a statement to say he's very sorry about targeting or not targeting by attacking this church.
		He said it was done by mistake.
		But the State Department and the White House put a priority on protecting minorities, especially Christians.
		How can you make sure that Christians in Gaza are protected?
		We have three people dead, including 88-year-old woman from Ayyad family.
		And to make sure that these people are not actually targeted, but as the Prime Minister said, because there have been many, many incidents before Tami, as you know, they targeted the Russian Orthodox Church before.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, well, in this case, of course, it was an accident.
		I think that the response from Netanyahu is an appropriate start.
		Of course, we share condolences to the citizens, the civilians' deaths at the Roman Catholic Church.
		We have asked that Israel investigate the strike still, of course, and ensure that all civilians, including Christian civilians, remain safe.
		That's one of our, of course, regular asks of everyone as we try to stop war and engage with ceasefires because of the horrible dynamics that exist across the world when this goes on.
		There's no benefit to this, any kind of military action, no real benefit at all.
		So Israel did express a deep sorrow over the damage and over any civilian casualties, and the IDF, they do know, is investigating.
		And of course, for further information, we refer you to the government of Israel.
		I can tell you, as I think Caroline also noted, that President Trump also spoke to the Prime Minister.
		And I think it's an understatement to say that he was not happy that it was who is.
		This is, again, the kind of thing that reinforces his commitment to peace around the world.
		I've spoken with the Secretary today at length on a number of issues.
		Obviously, everyone is appalled.
		I can tell you, for those who haven't seen it and for those at home, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has said, Israel expresses deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty.
		The IDF is examining the incident, the circumstances of which is still unclear, and the results of the investigation will be published transparently.
		Israel never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any harm to a religious site or to uninvolved civilians.
		The IDF has a statement as well.
		The IDF is aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene.
		The circumstances of the incident are under review.
		The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them.
		So this is, I think, a good indication of their realizing what the world expects, what we expect, and, of course, appreciating POTUS's contact as well, which is helpful for all of us.
		Nadia, one more.
unidentified		Yes, ma'am.
		Yesterday, the Secretary told us at the Oval Office that the conflict in Sweden is between the Bedouins and the Druze.
		Do you rule out any involvement of foreign fighters or ISIS fighters in what we have seen witnessed in the last three days, including atrocities against civilians?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, there will be some continued, obviously there will need to be some continued investigation of the nature of what's occurred.
		We saw, of course, the President and the Secretary note, both of them that they've been involved, and certainly our special envoy, Tom Barak, is also, of course, the ambassador to Turkey.
		And we know what we know at this point.
		Clearly, there has to be more investigation into the nature of how this started.
		But ultimately, the discussions have created a dynamic where the Syrians have withdrawn.
		Israel has not continued.
		That has ceased.
		And, of course, there continue to be skirmishes.
		This is a rivalry between the Druze and the Bedouins.
		That's, I think, 400 years old.
		This is, though, one of those challenges that, if perhaps confronted in the modern age with new possibilities of living together, that is the kind of thing we now know must be addressed.
		So we've had some success.
		You heard in my topper the Secretary's continued optimism.
		And Ambassador Barak, of course, is returning and will be involved.
		And of course, I can tell you also that we unequivocally condemn the violence that has unfolded there.
		All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire.
		Of course, we know those lines from various other locations, but we also have committed to them.
		And we engage with them as we are also in this case.
		Over the last 48 hours, the United States has led the diplomatic efforts to promote real de-escalation and peace.
		We are actively engaging all constituencies in Syria to navigate toward calm and continued discussions on integration and a stable, more prosperous future for Syrians.
		And that continues.
		That has been the mission of Envoy Barak, and it remains the mission of President Trump and Secretary Rubio.
		All right.
		Yes, ma'am.
		You Myra.
unidentified		Hi, Tommy.
		I just want to understand, my colleagues asked about this yesterday, but did you guys get to the bottom of the misunderstanding that Secretary Rubio talked about yesterday?
		We see it in a different wording again today in Ambassador Barak's tweets or posts, confusion.
		What was this misunderstanding, and did the U.S. government intervene in a way to assure that this misunderstanding will not happen going forward again?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		You seem a little skeptical, but I don't know if I know some people at home can see some of the reporters here in the first two rounds.
unidentified		This is a prerequisite in this job.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, yes, perhaps it is.
		But for those who don't know, the language from Ambassador Barak's tweet, thankful to all sides for their break from chaos and confusion as we attempt to navigate all parties to a more durable and peaceful solution in Syria.
		And I noted to you already the language from the Secretary.
		The confusion, as was conveyed to me and was, I think, generally understood, was this ancient rivalry between the Druze and the Bedouins and violence ensuing, the Syrians moving to that area to quell and stop that violence, and the Israelis who see that occurring to the Druze community and their concerns,
		then entered what they assessed was something larger than what or even not what it was at all.
		I am not a party to the full discussions or to the details of, obviously, of all of these groups and nations, what their choices were.
		But when the Secretary chose and the President chose to use the word miscommunication or misunderstanding, obviously hear now from the Ambassador, chaos and confusion.
		The good news is the story is it stopped within the management of that larger conflict.
		Again, there's still skirmishes and other issues that, as we've also noted, the Syrian government is going to have to lead, obviously there'll be other involvements, but lead into this de-escalation and to the stability.
		So this is a reminder, and you weren't here, but as I noted to one of your colleagues who asked as well yesterday, that this is a region and certainly a nation that has been unstable, which is why we talk about stability for generations.
		There have been rivalries for hundreds of years.
		We are optimistic people.
		Humans tend to be that.
		And our effort is to try to bring this together and to stop it.
		The answer to whether or not there's hope is the fact that there has been a response, that the parties have acquiesced and are dealing with that response, and that we are committed to seeing this problem that emerged.
		And now we know what to work on to make sure it doesn't happen again.
unidentified		Right.
		My follow-up to that is related to something that you just said.
		U.S. is pursuing stability in Syria, as far as I can tell, lifting of the sanctions.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I promise you that's what we're pursuing.
unidentified		Right.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes.
unidentified		So does it support Israel carrying out these military operations when it deems necessary?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I can tell you regarding Israel's intervention and activity is that the United States did not support recent Israeli strikes.
		We are engaging diplomatically with Israel and Syria at the highest levels, both to address the present crisis and reach a lasting agreement between the two sovereign states.
		President Trump has outlined his clear vision of a prosperous Middle East and stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors.
		Peace among neighbors, including Israel and Syria, is a critical component of this vision.
		So I won't speak to future conversations or past ones.
		What we're dealing with now is this particular episode, what was required, and I think we've been very clear about our displeasure.
		Certainly the President has, and we've worked very quickly to have it stop.
		All right.
		Yes?
		Thank you.
unidentified		Just back to your talk, bro.
unidentified		On Syria, you mentioned you can.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And let's stick with Syria for a bit while we're in it, just so you know, and then we'll continue on, of course.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Go ahead.
unidentified		You mentioned that you condemn the violence.
		Are you specifically talking about the Druze-Bedouin violence?
		All the violence.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		All the violence.
		Clearly, this started between those two groups.
		And what we know is that violence erupted.
		Well, it's a continuing long issue between those two tribes.
		And then two major nations began to engage.
		Obviously, we then engaged and it stopped.
		And that is, for me, a very, very proud moment.
		I've been, it's a remarkable situation being here at the State Department and here at this podium and taking this job is to be an observer of actions that can be taken that stop what could end up being major global, horrible issues, and we continue to work on on some.
		We have been successful on others, but it was it was a very heartening and wonderful to see the work in that regard.
		So I think that it's it's the violence in general that appalls the president, that disturbs the secretary, and it is what we all want, even though we've grown used to it.
		But it is, it's possible and if anyone can make it happen, if any country can, it's the United States and it's the president and it's Secretary Rubio.
unidentified		All right yes Sean, kind of follow up your answer that you have to remember.
		I said that the United States did not support recent Syrian strikes.
		Can we say that the United States wants to?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Quietly the voice of God?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Don't want to give you any hints there.
unidentified		That's always my aspiration.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, there we go.
unidentified		Just going back on Syria's point that you said that the United States opposed the Israeli strikes, yes, two parts to that.
		Was there a message beforehand that Israel should not do this?
		And now going forward?
		Will the U.S. Continue to reject Israeli military?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, as you know, I won't speculate, I'm not going to comment on what was or was not said prior to the situation that we're dealing with currently, nor will I speculate about every situation is different.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I'm not going to speculate or guess none of us should at what, What the leaders of our country might do under any other certain Circumstance.
unidentified		Well, just also at the beginning, you're talking about how the Syrian government needs to lead a future path, if it's the exact words.
		But is there a long-term solution?
		I mean, you mentioned that the United States helped defuse the situation, but this is essentially the Syrian forces leaving part of what is part of Syrian territory.
		Are you seeing a long-term demilitarization?
		Is that what the U.S.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, I know it's about Syria taking the lead in determining the path forward?
		And so that was a very specific way that it was put.
		And I can't, I think there's a few people who have an idea of what's possible in what seems to be maybe an impossible situation, but we don't see it that way.
		And I think that's where new ideas, new solutions can emerge: when you don't give up to what you think is impossible.
		So I can't comment on what the strategy would be, what individuals imagine.
		It is a region that is ancient and the people are ancient, and it is the modern world.
		And I think we now provide a chance, our generations do, to have a different kind of path forward.
unidentified		Just one more point out.
		I mean, one of the points that Israel is making is that there are jihadists involved in this and that some of the violence has been against Druze.
		Is there any concern about linkages potentially between the Syrian government?
		Is that something the U.S. has seen as something that the U.S. would be?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, I know that from the beginning, the issue was, of course, working with the new Syrian government on dealing with the problem of ISIS.
		That's, I think, a unifying dynamic.
		We know that ISIS has been an issue.
		We know in that region, my goodness, look at what we've been facing with Iran and state sponsors of terrorism and what we've all experienced for quite some time.
		So we know that that has to be part of, of which I won't preview anything for you because I'm not a part of that team, but we know that that matters deeply to Envoy Barak, and everyone is clear-eyed about what this is.
		And yet, it won't stop them from trying.
		But the good news is, is that the good and the bad news is that we have enough history to know what's solvable, what isn't.
		I recall before President Trump's first term that this idea of getting rid of ISIS as it was moving around the globe, that it was going to be impossible.
		It would take 30 years.
		This is just a giant, horrible thing that we would just have to learn to adapt to, but it could never be crushed.
		President Trump did not believe that and chose to move forward anyway.
		And I think it was about 18 months, two years at the most, and he eradicated ISIS.
		And so we know that there's new, in order for something new to happen, you've got to have the idea first.
		We have that.
		Again, we're not naive, but we are optimistic.
		I think that is the history of the American people.
		And we're going to continue on that.
		We have good representatives helping us with that as well.
		Yes, sir.
unidentified		You said that the U.S. didn't support the Israeli strikes.
		You were asked about any conversations beforehand, but what about Arthur?
		I mean, Caroline Levitt had said that the president called Prime Minister Netanyahu, or they spoke on the phone today, in which he condemned the strike in Gaza.
		But was that lack of support for the strikes on Syria?
		Was that also conveyed to Prime Minister Netanyahu?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, I don't know.
		I wasn't on the call.
		We were not informed of those details.
		Caroline had what she chose to share with you, so I won't get ahead of guessing what the conversation was.
unidentified		Just one other question about, I mean, you've said in the church strike, you've asked Israel to investigate that.
		Ambassador Hakabi said yesterday that the U.S. asked Israel to investigate the death of Saif Musaleh, the Palestinian American, who was killed.
		And yet in the same 24-hour period he tweeted that there was a travesty of justice in terms of the investigation of Benjamin Netanyahu.
		He called them the insanity of out-of-control prosecutors.
		So I'm just trying to understand how a system that appears that you don't have faith in over the investigation of Mr. Netanyahu is good enough to investigate the deaths of Palestinians.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, I would not want to characterize the ambassador's comments, but they were his remarks.
		If you want him to elaborate on those, you can.
		What I speak to here is the mission and the statement and the actions that the State Department and President of the United States has taken and that the government is taking.
		And not just these two issues, but our overall view and vision of what's going to be important in the world and how we react to it.
		So I'm not going to characterize or place the ambassador's comments in any kind of context.
unidentified		That was easy to read to be of the president.
unidentified		Yeah.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, it's not where I'm going to go.
		It's not what we're discussing today.
		All right.
		All right.
		Yes, Michelle?
unidentified		I have a different topic.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, do we have any more Syria?
unidentified		All right.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		We'll come back.
		So Michelle, you'll be the start of that.
		Yes, sir.
unidentified		Thank you so much, Tani.
		On the path forward and also the long-term solution, which Sean asked you, do you believe that the only path forward in Syria is that the whole constituency or the minority group is to integrate with a centralized government?
		Or have these escalation, the recent escalation changed your view?
		And do you think that federalism or some sorts of autonomy is a viable solution for the current situation in Syria?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, part of starting something like this so new is it's I don't think it's really ever happened before is looking at the nature of what works and what doesn't.
		Clearly, the people of Syria view themselves as Syrians.
		That is part of, I know what was discussed earlier, of the nature of how you're going to have a government like that for that nation be able to represent and include everyone.
		The issue was including them.
		Of course, every government is going to be, and I should say, should be, the decision, how it's formed, the nature of what it represents, should be the decision of the people of that country.
		But you've got to have a chance to start with the very basics, which is stability, infrastructure, some modicum of peace that you can rely on.
		And we expect, again, there's been instability.
		So the stability part you work on and you assess it as it continues and then you see what needs to be addressed.
		And that's what we're helping with.
		And so it clearly is going to be up to the Syrian people.
		But the way that it would work is that it, because we've seen the history of when everyone is not included, of what can happen.
		But that is, again, this is where the negotiators, those who are wise enough to be envoys, who delve into this, which is the hardest work in the world, we'll leave that to people like Ambassador Barrick and President Trump and Secretary Rubio.
unidentified		Help me, if I understand you correctly.
unidentified		Does that mean that the U.S. is not opposing federalism or autonomy for the Syrian future?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I'm not going to comment further than just the theory of trying to get some stability here and the inclusion of the people who are in Syria without going into at all what the details might be or what choices might be made.
		That's not my place, so I won't comment on that.
		Said, are you with Syria yet?
		No?
		All right.
		Yes, sir.
unidentified		Yes, thank you, Madam Bros.
		I'm not sure if my question is about the very most discussed topic in South Caucasus.
		An ongoing discussion in Sanskrit about the opening of the Zengazer corridor between Armenia and Azerbaijan and many people.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		All right, so we're talking, we'll stick with Syria for the moment and I'll come back to you.
		I know that's a large issue, but we will do that.
		Oh, yes, there we go, right there in the middle.
unidentified		Yeah, thank you, Tammy.
		It's still about Syria.
		So, how is the Secretary happy or convinced that the Syrian government is the right one at the moment for Syria looking at what's happening with the Israeli and the Truits?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, again, I would just caution in any dynamic that is this fluid and changing, it's new, it's the kind of new idea and commitment brought by the United States and President Trump.
		I would caution to not see something that occurs that has been by our government characterized as a mistake or a mischaracterization or a misunderstanding in the midst of something that is also part of a 400-year-old tribal conflict.
		But the story is it was stopped.
		We were able to stop it.
		We know that it's not going to be utopia the moment we all agree, let's do this.
		And then it happens.
		It's the idea and then it's the implementation of that idea.
		And that is the commitment of Ambassador Barak and, of course, of our leadership.
		So I would say that the issue is whether or not there would have been a response to this, whether or not there are relationships and partnerships that would listen to each other.
		And it occurred.
		Obviously, there's more work to do, but it's worth doing.
		And I think that's our approach.
unidentified		Follow-up only.
		And if I may, Tammy, thank you.
		And how concerned is the Secretary that these clashes, let's strike that Israeli had in Damascus may jeopardize the peace, the potential peace deal between Israel and Gaza?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		You know, this is a whole region that has, it's ancient, the beginning of time, with clashes throughout and with miraculous governments throughout, just like the rest of human history.
		We're looking at this clearly.
		There's Ambassador Barak, we have a very specific conversation going on about Gaza and Israel's situation.
		Certainly we have Russia-Ukraine and other aspects where there's new peace deals, new ceasefires that we also discuss.
		But don't let's not conflate all of them.
		There are different situations with different triggers, different dynamics.
		And that's why we look at each one differently and we're working on each one with a different goal that is particular to that situation.
		All right, now so we will go.
		Let's go to Michelle.
unidentified		I'm going to talk about the rescission package because it includes a lot of money for the United Nations.
		I'm wondering if it's going to affect UNHCR's efforts to resettle Syrians back into Syria, which they call this a historic moment to do that.
		And I also wonder if there's big cuts in peacekeeping, and it includes some language that is critical of the peacekeeping mission in Congo.
		Yet the peace deal that you guys negotiated relies on the UN peacekeeping operation in Eastern Congo to help implement it.
		So I wonder if you've changed your mind.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, of course, that's a dynamic regarding the White House and the bill regarding the budget, et cetera, the rescission bill, for sure.
		At the same time, I knew, Little Birdie told me that a lot of journalists were meeting and had a briefing on the issue of the UNHCR, right?
		And I don't have that answer for you yet.
		Want one for you.
		I'm not going, we're not, literally, I need to find the answer to the details of that.
		We're going to take that back and get that for you.
		And since there are others interested in that as well, we'll make sure others receive it if you want to contact us with that information.
		Regarding comments made in a bill, the nature of certain cuts, each situation is very unique and different.
		As we've, of course, as you know, we've just completed essentially a several month-long reorganization and some cuts regarding how foreign aid is applied and implemented and distributed.
		I would just repeat that even though there are cuts and we are looking at reforming certain dynamics, it doesn't mean that our efforts will stop.
		It doesn't mean because something looks different that it's going away.
		It might be handled differently.
		But I can't speak to the specifics that you mentioned, but what I do know is that what matters to the Secretary and what we've expressed regarding that region and the work we're doing there is that what we need to have done will get done and will be funded and we'll move forward with it.
		All right.
unidentified		Yes?
		Thanks, Kim.
		I'm hoping to ask about an update to the situation where the 500 tons of high-energy biscuits are set to expire and nowhere else in the Middle East.
		The statement from the department yesterday said that the U.S. would always look to try to avoid any kind of food waste, try to repurpose it.
		Is there any indication that repurposing might happen at this point?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, there's a lot of interesting numbers that have been moving about with this story.
		There's some basic responses I can give you, including the fact that if something is expired, we will destroy it.
		It's a matter of whether or not it's safe to distribute.
		But I think what's important and what part of the story is here, and a lot of people don't know this, is that we have been feeding the world's hungry for generations.
		And we've done it because we can.
		The issue is: are we doing it as efficiently as we can and as smartly as we can?
		We, as an example, distribute roughly 1 million metric tons of food aid every year, which is reflective of the American people's generosity.
		Of the 1 million tons of food distributed annually by the United States, 500 metric tons of high-energy biscuits also is part of what your question is in the news has been that they were destroyed and they were expired.
		And yet, that 500 metric tons represents less than 1% of the food aid that we distribute around the world.
		I would also note the difference in its situation where those biscuits, why those biscuits were stored.
		Americans don't realize, perhaps many do, that we store emergency food all around the world for people in the event of a catastrophe in that region.
		So we have food that we purchase and it goes to, let's say, the World Food Program or to another distributor for assigned to specific sites for distribution.
		And then we have food that is assigned to be held in the event of an emergency.
		Those are emergency frameworks.
		And they are not distributed.
		They're there in the event that obviously something horrible happens and you need that kind of nutrition.
		That's where those biscuits were.
		That was 500 tons, metric tons, of what they say, HEB, high-energy biscuits, and that is less than 1% of the food aid that we distribute, as I've mentioned.
		The best analogy I can use is that I think most of us have, I do, I'll just refer to myself, a lot of batteries in a battery carrier that I don't use, that they're there in the event of an emergency and the electricity is down, and I know what needs batteries and what doesn't need batteries.
		And if you wait long enough and there's no emergency, they start to do weird things.
		They start to sometimes bubble over and get a little corroded.
unidentified		That's why you should do something that's not.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		That's right.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Candles, perfect in earthquake country also.
unidentified		Yes.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Batteries, though, we have them.
		They're situated.
		Other survival stuff, you situate it, and then you have to get rid of it if fortunately you don't have to use it.
		That's this story.
		The story here is the nature of the commitment of the United States to food aid, which we all commit to, but also still, like everything else, doing it more efficiently, with less expense, but with the same framework.
		So yes, I mean, there's a dynamic there where we're going to destroy, and we have before the emergency food rations in particular that might expire and then replenish that.
		All right, well, we'll finish her questions and then I'll come to you, Matt.
unidentified		Yeah, Deputy Secretary Regis did say yesterday on the Hill that this was something that he found distressing.
		He said it appears to be a failure.
		Just this dynamic here, is there any effort within the department now to look at expiration dates at those warehouses around the world that are hosting these high energy biscuits and make sure that a dynamic like this doesn't happen again in the spirit of efficiency?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, DMR Rigas, he's a deputy secretary here at the State Department.
		He said a number of other things indicating, and I'll read part of his testimony to you as well in this regard.
		He said, we're still the biggest giver of aid anywhere in the world by far.
		So this is a media account.
		So I'd want to look into, forgive me if I don't take everything in the media that's reported as 100% factual, but I do want to find out what happened here and get to the ground truth.
		So the fact is, is that what I've described to you is the case.
		The numbers that are being reported are wildly incorrect without the context of what the food is there for.
		It is, considering the nature of the situation, I would say that this, if the implication there was that this was due to the USAID action or a pause or something, I would say that that is incorrect.
		But the deputy, I think, noted the fact that there's a number of things that can affect this, and I've described some of them to you.
		At the same time, we are involved in looking at all of our systems.
		That's been the case from really day one.
		That's been a commitment of the Secretary, not just of aid technically and the structure of the building, which we've been just through, changing that for more efficiency.
		But that is, I think, a hallmark of what matters to Secretary Rubio and something that we will continue to do, which inevitably would address this dynamic as well.
		But I have to say, for 1%, when you are moving 1 million metric tons of food around the world every year, for 1% to be at the factor that has to get destroyed is a remarkable record.
		And if there is a suggestion that we're not doing it right or we're not doing enough, it is fair to say that we will not be lectured about the issue of food aid or what we do for the rest of the world, being the world's largest supporter of people with food and other aid.
		We have been, we are now, and we will be.
		All right.
		Yes, Matt.
unidentified		Sorry.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Oh, don't be sorry.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		You're never really sorry.
unidentified		Go ahead.
unidentified		Well, maybe.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		It's all right.
unidentified		Maybe, maybe not.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Maybe, maybe not.
unidentified		Are you making a case, making a case that these biscuits were not needed, that there wasn't anything?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Oh, well, that's very clever.
		I'm presenting the context that we have stations of food around the world that are specifically aligned to being held for an emergency while we then distribute a million tons of food around the world in immediate need frameworks that are destined for a certain place.
		And then that gets replenished.
		So it's not that it wasn't needed.
		It served its purpose.
		It was needed.
		It was needed to be held in the event that there was an emergency.
		And that was accomplished and it will continue to be accomplished.
unidentified		You don't think there was an emergency in Gaza?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Oh, yes, and you know what's interesting.
		We contribute and have aided emergencies around the world through this time.
		We were not waiting for anything in a holding station.
		As I don't know, I won't say it again.
		We are the largest giver of food aid and provider of aid around the world, certainly of food aid, a million metric tons of food.
		So it's not like because those biscuits are in the emergency section that we simply went home to watch television.
		We are the largest provider.
		We are proud of that and we will continue to be.
unidentified		Are you committing that this administration will continue to provide a million metric tons of emergency food aid to the world?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, you rarely ask me to speculate or on a hypothetical situation.
		We are going to continue to be the world's largest giver of aid and of food.
		We are going to be doing it in a smarter, more efficient manner, but it is our nature to do so.
		And I've said it from the beginning.
		You guys have heard me.
		Yes, things are changing.
		They look different.
		But we are still in the foreign aid business and we're going to be better about it.
		I think that's pretty clear.
		Said, you've been very patient, sir.
unidentified		I think you actually related to Matt's topic in a way.
		Yesterday, Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, they basically told the UN Security Council, they painted a horrific picture of how children are suffering in Gaza.
		They're saying that the war is going on, but the children are bearing the brunt of it.
		There's about 17,000 child kids have been killed at the beginning of the war.
		They spoke of no water or no clean water.
		They spoke of waterborne diseases because it's not clean and so on.
		No fuel.
		The hospitals are not working.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Said, we know war is horrible.
unidentified		We know.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		We know.
unidentified		And she said, you know, like on a daily basis, 28 kids die, get killed since October 7th until now, on average.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, it's horrible.
		He has a question, though.
		We'll get to it right now, I trust.
unidentified		My question to you.
		Is the United States government happy with the level of aid that is going on, the level of water that is going on, the level of fuel that is going to be in the middle of the middle of the morning?
		Or are we likely to see that?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes, I understand.
		Said, in every war, in every conflict that is going on on this day, someone is suffering, someone is being killed, a child is suffering, a child is dying.
		We've seen the images.
		That is one of the issues we talked yesterday about the immediacy of media.
		We now see those images.
		I remember growing up, and we were shocked that we could see some of the footage of the combat in Vietnam.
		That was a turning point for, I was a child, I had no idea.
		My mother was appalled.
		And things now, you get on your phone in a moment.
		We know the suffering.
		I have this conversation with you, Saeed, every time I see you.
		We're both, I understand your concern.
		I've committed my time in this season to address that as well, as have everyone else in this building, as have Americans.
		We're proud of being Americans because of what we've been able to accomplish for the world.
		What I can say is that it is, I think you used the word happy.
		Of course, we're not happy.
		Who's happy with these developments?
		It is, it's war.
		It is, while it is common, it is unnatural.
		It's an obscene display of what humans are capable of.
		And that is why we work to stop it.
		And the people who aren't stopping it are Hamas.
		So when you think about why this continues in the Gaza Strip and organizations who are condemning the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and their delivery of over 70 million meals at this point, the fact is, there is one group responsible, and that's Hamas.
		They are still holding dead bodies.
		They're still holding live people.
		They are still murdering people.
		So the onus is on us trying to move through that obscene environment.
		And we do to do what we can, which will never be enough.
		Said, I don't know if it's because you want me to repeat this or if you forget what I say.
		It is worth repeating sometimes that we understand this, and it's why we do what we do.
		It's why the president is passionate, why the secretary is passionate, and why I stand at this podium, and why all of you are in this room, because we don't like much of what we see.
		We have successes sometimes.
		But of course, it's not good enough.
		And it won't be because the only time children will have exactly what they need is when Hamas is gone, when the terrorists are not controlling a swath of land, and when peace is generated by a government that its people have chosen and is not based in the inhumane slaughter of people.
		Yes, sir.
		All right, so yes to you, sir, and then we'll go ahead.
unidentified		Thank you very much.
		I have two quick questions.
		You are aware.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Make them not quick.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Go ahead.
unidentified		Yes.
		The militia have intensified their attacks on the Kurdistan regional governments, oil, felts, and on U.S. companies operating in Iraq.
		Action that threaten the stability of the global energy market.
		These attacks are no different from what the Husis in Yemen are doing against international trade.
		What responsibilities do the Iraqi state and the international community have in addressing this situation?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		You know, obviously that is an issue that we are concerned about.
		I have put out a statement, which I don't know by heart.
		I am going to ask, well, where's my Tommy?
		Is my principal deputy not here?
		Where did he go?
		All right.
		Well, Nicole, I know my statement's in here, and I'd like to read it for everyone regarding the Kurdistan situation.
		Nicole, could I ask you to come up?
		Actually, you'll have to come up here.
		I know it's not that intimidating.
		It isn't.
		Everyone, this is Nicole, a woman who makes a great deal possible in this building.
unidentified		Let's see what we have.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		She does this for me all the time.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And if I can't find it there, I'll find it.
unidentified		Yeah.
unidentified		I'll pull it if we can give it to you in just a second.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		All right, great.
		So we'll get that.
		We're concerned enough, obviously, to where I issued a statement on this, on the attack, essentially, in Kurdistan.
		And I do want, because I wasn't able to answer it yesterday, and I do want to get that to you.
		So I'm going to come back to that.
		Did you have a second question, sir?
unidentified		Second question.
unidentified		On Friday, in the Kurdistan Regional Government, some PKK members surrendered their weapons as a goodwill gator in support of the peace process in Turkey.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yes.
unidentified		What is your position on this?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		So we're aware of the videos of the members of the PKK, which is the Kurdistan Workers' Party, burning their weapons in a public ceremony, as we know.
		So that's very important.
		They wanted people to see them actually doing it.
		That was in northern Iraq last Friday.
		We consider the PKK a foreign terrorist organization.
		So any move to lay down arms and remove that threat is a welcome step.
		And of course, we know that the SDF remains a great partner in the fight against ISIS, and now it's time for them to integrate into moving more back into Syria.
		So we're going to wait on that.
		And I think you found my statement on the other issue.
unidentified		Thank you, ma'am.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I appreciate that.
		I didn't used to have to do this when I was 20.
		Many of you have to do this.
		The United States strongly condemns the drone attack, attacks that have been targeting oil fields in the Iraqi Kurdistan region since July 14th.
		These attacks imperil Iraq's stability and economic future.
		The government of Iraq has a duty to protect its territory and all of its citizens.
		These strikes target international companies that are working with Iraq to invest in Iraq's future.
		The United States remains committed to our partners across Iraq who are working to build a stable, federal, and sovereign state.
		All right.
		Yes, go ahead, Eric.
unidentified		Thank you, Tammy.
		Two questions.
		We saw Secretary Rubio's very important meeting with Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, last Friday in Malaysia.
		Secretary Rubio said it was very constructive.
		We're now reporting that the President of Taiwan plans to transit the United States next month.
		And I wanted to ask if there's any concern about expected or foreseeable Chinese reaction, because we've seen in the past, for instance, in December when the President transited Hawaii and Guam, we saw China's largest naval deployment in years along the first island chain.
		And is there any concern that at a time when, you know, coming off of this high of the Secretary's meeting with his counterpart, that the presence of the Taiwanese president will somehow be counterproductive or disturbing to this point that's been reached?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		I think you mentioned that they had met, and I would refer you back to his comments following that meeting.
		He stated that this was not a warning meeting and that the discussion was constructive and positive.
		And I remember his attitude, and I appreciated that.
		And also, he noted, I want to reiterate that transits by the Taiwan president are fully consistent with our long-standing policy and practice.
		I don't want to necessarily attach that to the Secretary.
		I'm not sure that that's what he said, but that is the case.
		I would also say that transits of the United States by high-level Taiwan officials, including presidents, are, again, in line with past practice and fully consistent with our long-standing policy.
		And such transits are undertaken with consideration for the safety, comfort, convenience, and dignity of the passenger.
		All right.
		All right, go ahead.
		All right.
		I'll be back to you in one moment.
unidentified		Ukraine, if I may.
		Your colleague at the White House spoke to President's expectations following his 50-day deadline.
		My question is about Russia's reaction in these three days.
		There's no sign of any different behavior.
		Instead, they did issue a nuclear threat.
		They questioned President's motives.
		And the Russian Foreign Minister today said that we are not accepting any threats.
		So what makes the President Administration believe that the next 47 days will be any different?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, I can't read their mind.
		And, you know, I won't begin to try to think of what they might be thinking.
		I don't know what I'm going to be thinking tomorrow.
		You never know.
		But what I can say is that obviously they've expressed their displeasure with how things have been so far, which in part led to this new structure that we're looking at, including the 50 days.
		Regarding any kind of nuclear commentary or preemptive strikes, et cetera, let's just say that rhetoric does not improve regional security.
		And of course, as President Trump has said, the word nuclear should not be treated casually.
		And we have seen these kinds of reckless and unhelpful statements before.
		So it's not something I can preview for you regarding what might happen or might not happen.
		But the good news is that the world knows the nature and the attitude and the values of President Trump and the Secretary and the American government.
		And we also, of course, remain committed, as we have, to Ukraine and to ending that situation peacefully, hopefully through diplomacy, as the President has been committed to.
		I will go right back.
unidentified		On that line, last week, today, this day, the Secretary of Methodist Lavrov, and he signaled a quote-unquote new different approach from Russia.
unidentified		The fact that the President moved forward with his own deadline, does that mean that you guys have rejected what Lavrov offered?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Oh, you know, I can't speak to that.
		I can't address that at all.
		But I would caution again, drawing conclusions because of what someone else may have said or if a phone call happened.
		These are very deliberate individuals, the men and women making decisions, engaging in these things.
		We know what's at stake.
		We know why they're doing it.
		It's about life and death and who's alive today, who might not be tomorrow.
		They're aware of everything, and the choices they'll make will be the right choices.
		And we'll go right back to Eric here for his last question.
unidentified		Thank you, Terry.
		On the same topic of Ukraine, we've seen the President earlier this week.
		He had Secretary General of NATO in the Oval Office.
		I know that he often repeats that this is that he views this as Biden's war and a war that wouldn't have happened had President Trump been president.
		But do you think that we're seeing any kind of a pivot or a greater investment from the Secretary, Secretary Rubio, and President Trump in the outcome in Ukraine, particularly since the NATO meeting and this idea that six months in, yes, his view has stated many times is that the war would not have happened had he been president.
		But now six months in, there's an opportunity to make an impact or to own the future of what happens in Ukraine.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Well, I know that the first thing that drives the president and that the cabinet, including the Secretary of State, follows, is the vision of the president and how to approach these issues in which they agree.
		I can just reiterate for people from the president who said on the 14th, we're very, very unhappy with Russia.
		I'm disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have a deal two months ago, but it doesn't seem to get there.
		I speak to him a lot about getting this thing done, and I always hang up and say, well, that was a nice phone call.
		And then missiles launch into Kyiv or some other city.
		And after that happens three or four times, you say the talk doesn't mean anything.
		So that is the president speaking quite transparently about his assessment of things, allowing the American people in the world to understand that his patience, he is a very patient man, and he's a realist, and he's going to be honest.
		And the arrangements and the conversation, certainly with Secretary General Ruta and NATO in general, the plans in which to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs defensively.
		But I think the President is someone who will make these decisions and continues to approach it aggressively so that his vision of this conflict ending will come to pass.
		And that is it.
		I had the army.
		Thank you.
		Thank you, Dream.
		I'm interested in that.
unidentified		You normally sit, Michelle from MPR.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		You're normally way in the back.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		And I was thinking, well, this is, you must.
unidentified		I need to get more attention to the people.
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Yeah, well, that's what you've always said.
		You've always said that.
		All right, so let's, this is something that, of course, we do want to address.
		So if we could start again, and we'll answer your questions.
		Yes, sir.
		Go ahead.
unidentified		Thank you, Madam Bruce.
		I'm a child from Azerbaijan, and I want to ask you about the Zenghazar corridor, because there is an ongoing discussion in South Caucasus about the opening of the Zengazir corridor between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
		And many believe that this project can help improve transportation, trade, and trust in the region.
		And last week, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Barak, mentioned that an American company could manage this corridor for 100 years.
		At the same time, Russia and Iran have also expressed their concern about this corridor.
		And some reports say that they want to keep this corridor under their own control.
		And my question is, what is the U.S. position on Zengazer corridor?
		Because this corridor will connect Armenia and Azerbaijan by land, and it will not only contribute to the development of both countries, but also change the geopolitical landscape in South Caucasus.
		Does the United States?
tammy bruce ▲ ● ▼		Perhaps that's it.
		Well, I think we have a general sense here, and it's obviously sometimes one of the problems with being in a location geopolitically that many places are interested in.
		We do know, and this is what I can say, and it's not exactly what you're looking for, because this is also a question that the White House, the President's team, we'd like to check with them and see what they would say to this.
		But I can just tell you that the United States, we support, of course, efforts to promote peace and stability in the South Caucasus, as you know, and we track the events there.
		We are watching.
		We clearly, it's something we are addressing.
		But I want to get something more for you than that, and we will indeed.
		So thank you all very much.
		I appreciate it.
		That's it.
		Thank you everyone.
		I'll see you next week.
		Thank you very much.
		Have a great day.
unidentified		C-SPAN's Washington Journal, our live forum, inviting you to discuss the latest issues in government, politics, and public policy.
		From Washington, D.C. to across the country.
		Coming up this morning.
		Heritage Foundation senior fellow Mike Gonzalez on Congress's efforts to cut $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding.
		And Kate Riley, president and CEO of the advocacy group America's Public Television Stations, talks about her group's opposition to funding cuts for public broadcasting.
		C-SPAN's Washington Journal.
		Join the conversation live at 7 Eastern this morning on C-SPAN, C-SPAN Now, our free mobile app, or online at c-SPAN.org.
		Today, it's a panel discussion on lifting the barriers to media access and sharing skills to empower others to pursue careers in the media with expert media professionals and communicators.
		From the National Urban League Conference, watch it live at 8.30 a.m. Eastern on C-SPAN 2. C-SPAN Now, our free mobile app, or online at cspan.org.
brian lamb ▲ ● ▼		Dave Barry's memoir is called Class Clown.
		It is at least his 46th book.
		On the front of his book, he makes an important declaration, quote, how I went 77 years without growing up, unquote.
		For 30 years, Dave Berry wrote a weekly humor column published in newspapers, mostly on the weekends.
		He retired that column in 2005, but has kept writing.
		In the back flap of his memoir, the bio says he has more bestsellers than you can count on two hands.
		Barry won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.
		He lives in Miami.
unidentified		Author Dave Berry with his book, Class Clown, How I Went 77 Years Without Growing Up on this episode of Book Notes Plus with our host Brian Lamb.
		Book Notes Plus is available wherever you get your podcasts and on the C-SPAN Now app.
		Sunday on C-SPAN's Q&A, a discussion on preserving the legacies of U.S. presidents and the work their privately funded organizations do to achieve this, including through the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program, which launched in 2015.
		The participants talk about the relationship between their foundations and the government-funded presidential library system, which is overseen by the National Archives.
		The idea of opening the George W. Bush Center on SMU campus was first broached.
		There was some resistance among faculty and students.
		That has totally changed.
		And these days now, President Bush on occasion may make surprise appearances in classrooms.
		And I think that's a huge hit for a lot of the students, some of whom weren't born when he was first elected president.
		The partnership is really what's important at all of our institutions.
		And we all have a little bit of a different model.
		At the Clinton Presidential Center, the foundation and the library, we work very closely together on our programs, but the library staff really, a lot of them focus on the core mission, which is to preserve and open the records of those eight years.
		We do try to bring programming to either the Texas A ⁇ M campus utilizing our network so that students have the opportunity to be exposed to those that embody the principles, the values of the 41st president, so that the legacy is living on in that way.
		The foundations put additional money into these institutions.
		Actually, they build the libraries, they build the edifices and turn them over to the American people through the National Archives, which maintain these institutions.
		But we continue to be involved and put money into them to make them what they are.
		Preserving the legacies of U.S. presidents Sunday night at 8 p.m. Eastern on C-SPAN's Q ⁇ A. You can listen to Q ⁇ A and all our podcasts wherever you get your podcasts or on our free C-SPAN Now app.
		White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt discussed President Trump's health during a news briefing, highlighting a memo from the president's physician.
		During the nearly 45-minute briefing, Press Secretary Leavitt also addressed the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and cuts to funding for NPR and PBS.
		Good afternoon, everyone.
		I apologize for our tardiness.
		I was with the President.
karoline leavitt ▲ ● ▼		Let me begin with a few scheduling announcements today.
karoline leavitt ▲ ● ▼		President Trump will travel to Scotland, where he will visit both Turnbury and Aberdeen from July 25th to July 29th.

▲