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Military

Remarks by President Biden Before Marine One Departure

January 18, 2024

11:46 A.M. EST

Q What do you make of these attacks between Iran and Pakistan?

THE PRESIDENT: As you can see, Iran is not particularly well-liked in the region.

Q Yeah.

THE PRESIDENT: And where — where that goes, we're working on now. I don't know where that goes.

Q And how was your — how was your meeting yesterday?

THE PRESIDENT: I thought the meeting went well yesterday. I thought the meeting went well.

Q What are the sticking points on the border agreement? Where are the disagreements you're working on?

THE PRESIDENT: I don't think we have any sticking points left.

Q Are the airstrikes in Yemen working?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, when you say "working," are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they going to continue? Yes.

Q Mr. President, how do you feel about aid for Ukraine after yesterday's meeting with members of Congress?

THE PRESIDENT: I think the vast majority of members of Congress support aid to Ukraine. The question is whether or not a small minority are going to hold it up, which would be — which would be a disaster.

Q How concerned are you with the Arab American votes during this election? And what Iowa means to you, to your reelection race?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't think Iowa means anything. The President got 50-some-thousand votes — the lowest number of votes anybody who's won got. You know, this idea that it's been a runaway, I think he can characterize it any way he wants. I'll let them make that judgment.

What was the second part of the question?

Q The part was: Are you concerned with the Arab American votes voting for you during this election because of Gaza? Many say they will not vote for you.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, look, the President wants to put a — the former President wants to put a ban on Arabs coming into the country. We'll make sure he — we understand who cares about the Arab population, number one.

Number two, we got a long way to go in terms of settling the situation in Gaza.

(Cross-talk.)

Q The March for Life is tomorrow in Washington, D.C. — the March for Life is tomorrow in Washington, D.C.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I know that.

Q What's your message to those attending?

THE PRESIDENT: March.

(Cross-talk.)

Q Sir — sir, can you talk about inflation? When will prices come down?

Q Should anybody be held for — should anybody be held criminally responsible for failures after the Uvalde shooting? Should anybody be held responsible with criminal charges?

THE PRESIDENT: I have not read the full report. The report will be out today —

Q Today.

THE PRESIDENT: — number one. We're going to do what we can to implement the recommendations of the Justice Department. But I don't know if there is any criminal liability. I — I have not read the report.

Q Were you — were you briefed by the Attorney General on this?

THE PRESIDENT: I was briefed by my staff on it.

(Cross-talk.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

11:48 A.M. EST



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