WEBVTT 00:00.710 --> 00:01.633 - Hello, everyone. 00:02.088 --> 00:03.421 - [Man] Morning. 00:03.680 --> 00:05.923 - I haven't seen you guys in a week or so. 00:07.120 --> 00:09.410 I'm hoping that there's actually spring 00:09.410 --> 00:11.050 showing up this weekend. 00:11.050 --> 00:11.883 That's my hope. 00:15.030 --> 00:19.380 First, President Trump recently established March 29th 00:20.090 --> 00:23.423 as our National Vietnam War Veterans Day. 00:24.120 --> 00:27.323 Today is the first anniversary of that special day. 00:28.890 --> 00:31.423 To commemorate our Vietnam War heroes, 00:31.790 --> 00:34.810 Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan 00:34.880 --> 00:36.950 will host a ceremony this afternoon 00:37.240 --> 00:38.713 at the Vietnam Memorial. 00:40.020 --> 00:41.773 On behalf of a grateful nation, 00:41.810 --> 00:45.143 we want to thank all who served during the Vietnam War, 00:45.890 --> 00:47.423 as well as their families, 00:47.780 --> 00:50.383 for their service and for their sacrifices. 00:54.940 --> 00:56.853 On the Pentagon's cloud initiative, 00:57.340 --> 00:59.040 we are modernizing the department 00:59.040 --> 01:00.963 and reforming the way we do business. 01:01.870 --> 01:06.373 This is a performance based, single award contract. 01:07.130 --> 01:11.693 It is a two year contract with four two year options. 01:12.380 --> 01:14.173 It is an open competition, 01:14.700 --> 01:17.683 and first of many open competitions. 01:18.450 --> 01:21.343 Our goal is to retire legacy systems, 01:21.730 --> 01:23.823 streamline our processes, 01:23.990 --> 01:27.013 and implement a performance based culture. 01:27.940 --> 01:30.403 We want competition, and now we have it. 01:32.520 --> 01:34.290 On the budget, last week, 01:34.290 --> 01:36.030 President Trump signed a spending bill 01:36.030 --> 01:39.063 appropriating $700 billion for defense. 01:39.780 --> 01:42.310 This law, along with the two year budget agreement, 01:42.310 --> 01:44.690 provides the budget certainty we need 01:44.690 --> 01:46.973 to implement the National Defense Strategy. 01:47.730 --> 01:50.510 We are heartened by the bipartisan support 01:50.510 --> 01:52.223 we've received from Congress. 01:52.840 --> 01:54.820 We will use the money to rebuild 01:54.820 --> 01:57.760 and restore our military to ensure 01:57.760 --> 02:01.073 we remain the most lethal force in the world. 02:01.910 --> 02:05.080 On Monday, Secretary Mattis issued a memorandum 02:05.250 --> 02:06.940 to the department reinforcing 02:07.320 --> 02:10.500 that every decision we make must focus 02:10.500 --> 02:13.163 on lethality and affordability. 02:14.340 --> 02:17.700 We are humbled and grateful to the American people 02:17.700 --> 02:21.573 for entrusting their hard earned tax dollars to us. 02:22.570 --> 02:24.893 We owe it to them to spend their money wisely. 02:27.670 --> 02:31.060 On transgender, I know you have a lot of questions 02:31.060 --> 02:32.203 about this topic, 02:32.350 --> 02:35.163 so I want to be up front about what I can address today. 02:35.880 --> 02:39.140 We will continue to comply with four court orders 02:39.320 --> 02:43.353 assessing transgender applicants for military service, 02:43.780 --> 02:47.553 and retaining current transgender service members. 02:48.480 --> 02:50.743 Because there is ongoing litigation, 02:51.100 --> 02:53.913 and to safeguard the integrity of the court process, 02:54.310 --> 02:57.633 I am unable to provide any further details at this time. 02:59.260 --> 03:01.203 On the situation in northern Syria, 03:02.090 --> 03:05.503 military operations continue in Syria as we work by, 03:05.630 --> 03:08.090 with, and through our coalition partners 03:08.400 --> 03:12.220 to defeat ISIS and ensure conditions 03:12.220 --> 03:14.573 are set to prevent its return. 03:15.930 --> 03:19.313 While the coalition has significantly degraded ISIS, 03:19.450 --> 03:22.880 important work remains to guarantee the lasting defeat 03:23.340 --> 03:25.103 of these violent extremists. 03:25.820 --> 03:28.610 Our commitment to win must outlast 03:28.610 --> 03:31.290 the so called physical caliphate 03:31.830 --> 03:34.310 and the warped ideas that guide 03:34.310 --> 03:36.533 the calculated cruelty of ISIS. 03:37.750 --> 03:39.140 This is a group that plots 03:39.140 --> 03:41.403 and launches terror attacks globally. 03:42.180 --> 03:44.200 They have no regard for anything decent 03:44.540 --> 03:45.853 or valuable in life. 03:46.570 --> 03:48.590 As long as they exist and bring death 03:48.590 --> 03:50.713 and destruction around the world, 03:51.040 --> 03:53.503 we will continue to degrade, destroy, 03:53.760 --> 03:55.833 and ultimately defeat ISIS. 03:56.700 --> 03:58.640 We cannot allow our focus to deviate 03:58.640 --> 04:01.980 from the most important task of eliminating ISIS 04:01.980 --> 04:02.813 from the region. 04:04.070 --> 04:06.450 The ISIS terrorist network is more fragile 04:06.450 --> 04:07.883 than it was one year ago, 04:08.700 --> 04:11.950 but it still presents a capable 04:12.060 --> 04:13.163 and committed threat. 04:14.110 --> 04:17.540 ISIS is taking full advantage of any opportunity 04:17.620 --> 04:19.093 to regain momentum. 04:20.480 --> 04:22.840 We must not relent on ISIS or permit 04:22.840 --> 04:25.953 these terrorists to recover from their battlefield loses. 04:26.500 --> 04:29.240 We are working with our NATO ally Turkey 04:29.570 --> 04:31.300 to reassure them that we understand 04:31.300 --> 04:32.660 their security concerns 04:32.980 --> 04:34.730 and will appropriately address them 04:34.810 --> 04:37.023 as we fight ISIS together, 04:38.040 --> 04:39.710 but we must not become distracted 04:39.710 --> 04:42.023 and reduce the pressure on ISIS. 04:42.410 --> 04:44.510 The nature of our mission has not changed. 04:44.920 --> 04:46.300 The coalition remains committed 04:46.300 --> 04:48.623 to the lasting defeat of ISIS. 04:49.250 --> 04:51.400 We will accomplish this by training, advising, 04:51.400 --> 04:55.203 and assisting our partner forces in Iraq and Syria. 04:56.220 --> 04:59.570 The Syrian Democratic Forces have repeatedly shown 05:00.000 --> 05:02.210 they are the most capable force on the ground 05:02.210 --> 05:03.423 to defeat ISIS. 05:03.940 --> 05:06.000 We will continue to support the SDF 05:06.000 --> 05:08.483 as they continue to fight against ISIS. 05:09.400 --> 05:10.960 We will work together to secure 05:10.960 --> 05:13.383 and stabilize liberated territory, 05:13.660 --> 05:16.880 as our diplomats work to resolve the Syrian conflict 05:17.080 --> 05:18.573 through the Geneva Process. 05:19.220 --> 05:20.940 We must quickly resolve our differences 05:20.940 --> 05:24.120 in Syria and consolidate our gains 05:24.130 --> 05:26.873 to guarantee ISIS does not regroup. 05:27.600 --> 05:30.030 We support our diplomats who are working tirelessly 05:30.030 --> 05:32.923 to ensure we can finish the ISIS fight. 05:33.510 --> 05:35.560 So with that, I will take your questions. 05:35.730 --> 05:36.563 Lita? 05:37.030 --> 05:38.533 - Dana, two things. 05:38.570 --> 05:41.020 One, can you tell us what the topic 05:41.020 --> 05:46.020 of the meeting was today with Director Pompeo, 05:47.240 --> 05:49.163 Sessions, and Senator Graham? 05:49.790 --> 05:52.350 Can you just give us an idea of what that was about 05:52.940 --> 05:55.820 and if there were additional people in the meeting, 05:55.820 --> 05:56.653 who they were? 05:56.800 --> 05:58.373 And then I have a second question. 05:59.170 --> 06:01.476 - The meeting today was a routine meeting 06:01.476 --> 06:03.333 of Cabinet members. 06:04.290 --> 06:07.850 The secretary talked about his three priorities, 06:07.850 --> 06:09.740 and that's the lethality of the force, 06:09.740 --> 06:11.753 its alliances and partnerships, 06:11.940 --> 06:13.690 and the reform that we're bringing. 06:16.820 --> 06:18.593 He is focused on that, 06:18.670 --> 06:21.233 on those issues, so that was the conversation. 06:21.790 --> 06:23.700 Senator Graham is a key member 06:23.700 --> 06:25.683 of the Armed Services Committee, 06:25.820 --> 06:27.930 and so it's also a part of keeping 06:27.930 --> 06:30.960 our members of Congress informed 06:30.960 --> 06:31.900 of everything we're doing, 06:31.900 --> 06:33.653 but it was a routine conversation. 06:33.898 --> 06:34.731 - Okay. 06:34.731 --> 06:36.950 And secondly, I completely understand 06:36.950 --> 06:41.593 your reluctance to talk about the transgender lawsuits. 06:41.690 --> 06:43.910 I have a question on the actual memo 06:43.910 --> 06:47.200 that the Defense Department posted publicly 06:47.460 --> 06:49.363 on its website on Friday night. 06:50.290 --> 06:52.250 I think that memo is out there. 06:52.250 --> 06:54.330 It's public for everyone to read, 06:54.330 --> 06:56.823 but I think there's some confusion about it, 06:56.830 --> 07:01.220 and I think the department owes the service members 07:01.220 --> 07:03.450 and the public at least some clarity 07:03.450 --> 07:05.779 on what the actual document says 07:05.779 --> 07:07.340 and what its intent was, 07:07.340 --> 07:09.460 whether or not that has an impact 07:09.460 --> 07:11.460 on the lawsuit completely aside, 07:11.460 --> 07:13.713 just that actual document itself, 07:15.200 --> 07:18.250 because it was written and signed 07:18.250 --> 07:19.750 by the secretary of defense, 07:19.750 --> 07:22.290 and that appears to be the policy 07:22.290 --> 07:25.793 that the White House then endorsed. 07:25.930 --> 07:27.900 So my question is, 07:27.900 --> 07:30.033 I just want to make sure I have this clear, 07:30.060 --> 07:33.760 the policy said that transgender troops 07:33.760 --> 07:38.190 who have a history of gender dysphoria are disqualified, 07:38.190 --> 07:40.430 except under certain circumstances. 07:40.430 --> 07:43.093 There were exceptions that could be done, 07:44.120 --> 07:46.880 but it also said that transgender troops 07:46.880 --> 07:51.123 who require or have undergone transition are disqualified, 07:51.230 --> 07:54.090 and there were no similar exceptions. 07:54.090 --> 07:57.543 I want to make sure that I understand correctly that, 07:58.090 --> 08:00.923 under the document you posted, 08:02.730 --> 08:05.640 that transgender troops who have actually 08:05.640 --> 08:09.610 undergone transition would no longer be allowed to serve, 08:09.610 --> 08:10.760 so would be thrown out. 08:11.567 --> 08:14.383 Is that an accurate interpretation of what you posted? 08:17.210 --> 08:19.480 - I'm limited in my ability to talk about it. 08:19.480 --> 08:22.240 One, we have to remember that what was posted 08:22.240 --> 08:23.403 was a recommendation. 08:24.180 --> 08:26.703 The department remains under four court orders, 08:26.740 --> 08:31.233 so we continue to assess transgender individuals, 08:31.280 --> 08:34.023 as well as retain transgender service members, 08:34.150 --> 08:37.680 but beyond that, I have to respect the integrity 08:37.680 --> 08:38.673 of the litigation. 08:38.730 --> 08:42.060 I'd have to refer you to the Department of Justice. 08:42.060 --> 08:43.583 They are the lead in this. 08:44.820 --> 08:46.623 The documents are there. 08:46.660 --> 08:47.690 We made them public 08:47.700 --> 08:51.193 as soon as the announcements were made, so. 08:51.630 --> 08:53.910 - But don't you think it's the Pentagon's responsibility 08:53.910 --> 08:56.120 to at least explain the document itself, 08:56.120 --> 08:58.943 I mean, just to make clear what the document says? 08:59.800 --> 09:03.250 - Much of that will be explained through litigation, 09:03.250 --> 09:06.253 and, as the Department of Justice is the lead, 09:07.030 --> 09:11.123 I have to respect the current process, 09:11.210 --> 09:14.010 but we remain under those four court orders 09:14.190 --> 09:15.883 and will continue to comply. 09:15.945 --> 09:16.778 - Right, I'm not arguing with that. 09:16.778 --> 09:18.773 I'm just saying, the document, 09:19.230 --> 09:23.083 is that not a Defense Department document, right? 09:23.150 --> 09:25.900 That is the Defense Department's policy recommendation. 09:26.220 --> 09:30.590 - It is the secretary's recommendation that was posted, yes. 09:30.590 --> 09:32.340 - Right, and the White House then endorsed it, 09:32.340 --> 09:35.700 saying, "We accept the Defense Department's recommendation." 09:35.700 --> 09:38.333 So that is the Defense Department's policy. 09:38.890 --> 09:40.900 - Right, we are under a court order. 09:40.900 --> 09:41.733 - No, I understand that, 09:41.733 --> 09:43.943 but that is the department's recommended policy. 09:44.540 --> 09:47.453 - What was posted was the recommendation. 09:49.530 --> 09:51.060 The Department of Defense remains 09:51.060 --> 09:52.560 under those four court orders. 09:52.700 --> 09:54.183 There is current litigation, 09:54.610 --> 09:58.163 and until any and all of that is resolved, 10:00.460 --> 10:01.943 I can't comment further. 10:02.040 --> 10:05.560 I understand, but there is a process that's going on. 10:05.560 --> 10:07.160 - [Woman] Can I follow up on that, actually? 10:07.160 --> 10:07.993 - Sure (mumbling). 10:07.993 --> 10:09.290 - Because, as reporters, we all got this. 10:09.290 --> 10:10.870 Late Friday night, we got the memo, 10:10.870 --> 10:12.870 and we're trying to report accurately on it, 10:12.870 --> 10:15.220 and there is some confusion about the status 10:15.220 --> 10:16.920 of currently serving transgenders, 10:18.080 --> 10:18.960 transgender individuals, 10:18.960 --> 10:22.480 under this new policy that Secretary Mattis signed. 10:22.480 --> 10:23.410 His name, he wrote it. 10:23.410 --> 10:24.330 His name is on it. 10:24.330 --> 10:26.460 So again, like Lita, I understand 10:26.460 --> 10:27.680 that this is under litigation, 10:27.680 --> 10:29.600 but, for our reporting purposes, 10:29.600 --> 10:32.013 can you just explain to us, 10:32.190 --> 10:33.560 currently serving individuals 10:33.560 --> 10:36.050 who have undergone reassignment surgery 10:36.160 --> 10:37.823 or are in the process of it, 10:38.970 --> 10:41.790 does this policy find that they are eligible 10:41.790 --> 10:43.733 to continue to serve or not? 10:44.240 --> 10:45.073 - [Dana] Again-- 10:45.210 --> 10:46.670 - It doesn't have anything to do with the court. 10:46.670 --> 10:47.750 I really understand, 10:47.750 --> 10:49.010 and I understand the integrity of the process, 10:49.010 --> 10:51.090 but if this is something that's been presented 10:51.090 --> 10:51.983 to the court, 10:52.010 --> 10:54.140 why is it that we have to have the court 10:54.140 --> 10:56.100 and the Department of Justice be the ones 10:56.100 --> 10:58.110 who explain your policy? 10:58.110 --> 11:00.240 Do you understand the disconnect here that-- 11:00.240 --> 11:01.553 - It's a recommendation. 11:02.330 --> 11:05.913 The Department of Justice is leading this. 11:06.160 --> 11:08.720 They will explain, because there is a court. 11:08.720 --> 11:10.363 This is pending litigation, 11:10.370 --> 11:12.493 and as long as it's pending litigation, 11:12.570 --> 11:15.233 there is very limited amounts that we can talk about. 11:15.690 --> 11:17.690 As the secretary said earlier this week, 11:17.750 --> 11:20.343 we have to respect the integrity of the process. 11:21.210 --> 11:22.540 The documents are there. 11:22.540 --> 11:24.050 They are free for you to read. 11:24.050 --> 11:26.623 We put them up as soon as we could. 11:26.810 --> 11:29.113 There were multiple filings that were done, 11:30.120 --> 11:31.933 and this is pending litigation. 11:32.133 --> 11:32.966 (mumbling) 11:32.966 --> 11:33.799 Tom, Tom, Tom. 11:34.084 --> 11:35.121 - [Woman] Then why not explain them? 11:35.121 --> 11:36.223 - On the same subject, 11:36.223 --> 11:39.070 I think the documents say there's some fewer 11:39.070 --> 11:41.220 than 1,000 transgenders in the military 11:41.220 --> 11:42.233 across the board. 11:42.300 --> 11:45.100 Can we get a breakdown of those numbers by service 11:45.100 --> 11:48.630 and how many are in combat arms, how many in support? 11:48.630 --> 11:50.100 You must have some sort of a sense 11:50.100 --> 11:52.720 of at least which service we're talking about here. 11:52.720 --> 11:54.120 Can we get that information? 11:54.140 --> 11:55.850 It has nothing to do with a court case or anything. 11:55.850 --> 11:58.273 It should be readily available, I think. 11:59.380 --> 12:01.713 - I will be happy to talk to OGC about it, 12:02.070 --> 12:04.867 but you are dealing with, also, privacy issues, so-- 12:04.870 --> 12:05.880 - I'm not asking for names. 12:05.880 --> 12:08.487 I'm just asking for what the services they're in, 12:08.487 --> 12:10.010 and are they in combat arms, 12:10.010 --> 12:11.320 they're in support, and so forth? 12:11.320 --> 12:13.713 - I'll be happy to take it, absolutely. 12:14.100 --> 12:14.933 Lalit. 12:14.933 --> 12:15.766 - Thank you. 12:16.520 --> 12:17.710 India is planning to buy 12:17.710 --> 12:20.693 S-400 air defense system from Russia. 12:21.400 --> 12:23.800 Would CAATSA legislation kick in to it 12:23.830 --> 12:25.763 if India goes ahead with this purchase 12:25.763 --> 12:28.323 of (mumbling) defense system from Russia? 12:29.720 --> 12:30.833 - Say the second part? 12:31.290 --> 12:32.590 What are the implications? 12:32.900 --> 12:34.170 - The CAATSA legislation, 12:34.170 --> 12:36.731 which is Countering America's Adversaries 12:36.731 --> 12:38.493 Through Sanctions Act, 12:39.030 --> 12:41.750 prevents American allies to buy 12:41.750 --> 12:43.873 certain defense equipments from Russia, 12:44.980 --> 12:46.800 and if they go ahead to buy it, 12:46.800 --> 12:48.743 do sanctions kick in to it? 12:49.260 --> 12:50.580 India being an important partner 12:50.580 --> 12:53.120 for U.S. and also for Russia, 12:53.120 --> 12:54.990 to India, you know, buys around 60% 12:54.990 --> 12:57.050 of its equipments from Russia 12:57.050 --> 12:59.893 because of its historic relationship with them. 13:00.660 --> 13:01.870 Now India is planning to buy 13:01.870 --> 13:04.673 S-400 air defense system from Russia. 13:04.780 --> 13:08.400 So my questions is, will this legislation kick in to it 13:08.400 --> 13:11.263 and U.S. will be imposing sanctions on India? 13:11.670 --> 13:13.610 - I can't comment on pending legislation, 13:13.610 --> 13:15.560 but what I can say is that, ultimately, 13:15.660 --> 13:17.650 those decisions are sovereign decisions, 13:17.650 --> 13:19.130 and so those are decisions 13:19.130 --> 13:20.883 that India has to make for itself. 13:21.586 --> 13:23.520 (mumbling) 13:23.800 --> 13:25.283 Let's hold on one second. 13:26.030 --> 13:26.863 Ryan? 13:27.062 --> 13:27.895 - Thank you, ma'am. 13:27.895 --> 13:29.453 Just on the border wall, 13:29.540 --> 13:32.120 there's a lot of reports that President Trump 13:32.120 --> 13:34.270 is looking at having the Department of Defense 13:34.270 --> 13:37.550 fund the border wall and re-appropriating funding 13:37.550 --> 13:39.173 from the omnibus, potentially. 13:39.340 --> 13:41.940 Is there any effort going on inside this building 13:41.940 --> 13:44.253 to look at how that might be done, 13:44.280 --> 13:46.510 looking at funding and reauthorization 13:46.510 --> 13:48.620 or using National Guard forces? 13:48.620 --> 13:50.630 Is there any kind of effort going on the border wall? 13:50.630 --> 13:52.780 And then I have a small, separate question. 13:52.950 --> 13:55.700 - What I can tell you is that the secretary 13:55.700 --> 13:57.913 has talked to the president about it, 13:58.230 --> 14:00.332 but I don't have any specifics with respect 14:00.332 --> 14:04.583 to any more details than they have spoken about it. 14:04.630 --> 14:05.463 Go ahead, Ryan. 14:05.463 --> 14:06.296 Go ahead-- 14:06.389 --> 14:07.222 - [Man] What about the money being used? 14:07.222 --> 14:08.280 Just to be clear on that, 14:08.280 --> 14:11.937 he's talked to him about using Pentagon funds for the wall? 14:11.937 --> 14:13.453 Is that what you asked? 14:14.662 --> 14:19.173 - They have talked about the proposal, potentially. 14:19.670 --> 14:22.970 Remember, securing Americans and securing the nation 14:23.620 --> 14:27.363 is of paramount importance to the secretary. 14:27.710 --> 14:28.760 They have talked about it, 14:28.760 --> 14:30.450 but I don't have any more details 14:30.450 --> 14:32.453 with respect to any specifics. 14:32.554 --> 14:33.387 (mumbling) 14:33.520 --> 14:34.353 Go ahead, Ryan. 14:34.353 --> 14:35.186 - Can you talk about the purpose 14:35.186 --> 14:36.280 of the meeting this afternoon 14:36.280 --> 14:38.480 between the secretary and Ambassador Bolton? 14:39.189 --> 14:41.689 - So this will be the first time that they've met, 14:42.080 --> 14:43.740 but it's a very routine meeting 14:44.580 --> 14:47.063 just to start to get to know each other. 14:47.610 --> 14:49.210 As the secretary said earlier this week, 14:49.210 --> 14:52.383 he looks forward to a very productive partnership. 14:53.076 --> 14:53.909 - [Tara] A follow up on the wall? 14:53.909 --> 14:54.742 - Tara, go ahead. 14:54.742 --> 14:55.742 - Thank you. 14:56.057 --> 14:57.490 You know, over the last few years, 14:57.490 --> 15:00.303 and especially as Secretary Mattis took office, 15:01.700 --> 15:03.720 really emphasized the state of readiness 15:03.720 --> 15:05.920 of U.S. forces and how much money was needed 15:05.920 --> 15:08.453 to rebuild the forces, rebuild squadrons. 15:08.700 --> 15:10.343 If this wall costs $25 billion, 15:10.580 --> 15:12.580 wouldn't that significantly harm 15:12.610 --> 15:15.150 this department's ability to buy the ships, 15:15.150 --> 15:17.960 to buy the aircraft that it needs to get back 15:17.960 --> 15:19.853 to the strength it needs to be? 15:20.300 --> 15:22.800 - I think that's a bridge too far 15:22.800 --> 15:24.840 because we don't have those details, 15:24.840 --> 15:28.233 and again, it's been an initial conversation, 15:28.300 --> 15:30.450 so I don't have any more details, 15:30.450 --> 15:33.130 but if I get more details about a way forward, 15:33.130 --> 15:34.030 I will certainly share them. 15:34.030 --> 15:34.863 - But in those conversations, 15:34.863 --> 15:37.640 has Secretary Mattis pressed the need 15:37.640 --> 15:39.830 to keep a focus on lethality, 15:39.830 --> 15:42.330 which has been his primary focus this entire time? 15:42.770 --> 15:44.890 - The president and the secretary, 15:44.890 --> 15:47.210 there's no daylight between them with respect 15:47.210 --> 15:49.540 to ensuring that this military stays the most lethal 15:49.540 --> 15:50.583 in the world. 15:52.440 --> 15:55.203 There is no disagreement with them on that issue. 15:56.580 --> 15:57.413 Idris? 15:57.622 --> 15:59.763 - Just going back to transgender very quickly, 15:59.880 --> 16:02.900 in the memo, the secretary says the RAND study 16:03.530 --> 16:04.820 has significant shortcomings, 16:04.820 --> 16:06.770 and then refers to the panel of experts 16:07.060 --> 16:08.503 that provided the recommendations. 16:08.610 --> 16:11.060 Could you tell us who is on the panel of experts? 16:11.790 --> 16:14.125 - Again, I don't have that information, 16:14.125 --> 16:15.910 and I know it's been a request, 16:15.910 --> 16:18.093 and we are working on what we can do, 16:18.530 --> 16:21.403 but again, the documents are there. 16:21.920 --> 16:24.023 The supporting documents are there. 16:25.040 --> 16:26.563 They stand for themselves. 16:26.640 --> 16:28.490 I understand there are questions, 16:28.490 --> 16:31.293 but again, I have to respect the fact 16:31.293 --> 16:32.993 that this is pending litigation. 16:33.250 --> 16:36.080 - Is the secretary proud of the recommendations they made? 16:36.080 --> 16:37.470 Because generally if you put something out 16:37.470 --> 16:39.053 at 9:30 on a Friday, 16:39.670 --> 16:41.990 the impression is that it's being put out there 16:41.990 --> 16:43.670 because it's being hidden or something, 16:43.670 --> 16:45.470 and it was not easy to find the memo 16:45.600 --> 16:46.540 on the website either. 16:46.540 --> 16:48.210 I mean, is he proud of the recommendations 16:48.210 --> 16:49.673 he's made to the president? 16:51.930 --> 16:55.030 - The secretary was asked for his thoughts, 16:55.030 --> 16:56.973 and he provided his recommendation. 16:58.240 --> 16:59.903 The way that this was done, 17:00.140 --> 17:02.940 is it was a coordinated effort with the White House 17:02.940 --> 17:05.240 as well as the Department of Justice, 17:05.240 --> 17:09.030 and because there were multiple filings done 17:09.240 --> 17:10.803 in different time zones, 17:12.130 --> 17:14.500 it drove the timing of the release. 17:14.500 --> 17:16.733 But as soon as it was done, 17:17.130 --> 17:20.450 we provided that information to ensure 17:20.450 --> 17:21.430 that there was transparency, 17:21.430 --> 17:22.330 that you could read it 17:22.330 --> 17:24.973 and could see not just the memo, 17:25.000 --> 17:27.150 but also the supporting document behind it. 17:27.190 --> 17:30.503 So that is his recommendation, 17:31.810 --> 17:34.280 and that is what it is. 17:34.280 --> 17:36.620 We remain under the four court orders, 17:36.620 --> 17:38.780 and therefore we're going to continue 17:38.930 --> 17:42.550 to comply and assess transgender individuals 17:42.550 --> 17:45.070 as well as retain currently serving 17:45.070 --> 17:46.633 transgender service members. 17:47.450 --> 17:50.500 - [Woman] You're not saying that the names 17:50.500 --> 17:52.810 of the people on the panel has an impact 17:52.810 --> 17:53.950 on the lawsuit, are you? 17:53.950 --> 17:57.993 - I'm saying that the documents there have been submitted, 17:58.490 --> 18:02.123 and that is what we have submitted. 18:02.160 --> 18:04.283 With respect to the names, 18:04.310 --> 18:08.223 I would have to defer and talk to Justice as well as OGC. 18:08.760 --> 18:09.593 Yes? 18:09.593 --> 18:10.780 - [Nancy] Can I follow up on that, please? 18:10.780 --> 18:11.613 - Sure, Nancy. 18:12.306 --> 18:14.933 - In the memo, as Lita, (mumbling) pointed out, 18:14.933 --> 18:18.200 there's some ambiguity about what exactly it means in there. 18:18.200 --> 18:21.550 Some in the military who might be male, 18:21.550 --> 18:23.390 who identify as female or vice versa, 18:23.390 --> 18:25.683 who say that because of that ambiguity, 18:25.770 --> 18:27.900 that they are taking it as a don't ask, don't tell 18:27.900 --> 18:28.733 sort of approach, 18:28.733 --> 18:30.783 that if they identify one way or the other, 18:30.810 --> 18:32.630 that because of the ambiguity in this policy, 18:32.630 --> 18:34.600 that it is best that they do not say 18:34.910 --> 18:36.960 what gender they identify with. 18:36.960 --> 18:39.590 Is that an accurate conclusion 18:39.590 --> 18:40.850 that one should draw from this memo 18:40.850 --> 18:43.420 if you're a currently serving member 18:43.420 --> 18:47.623 of the military who may identify in a different sex? 18:47.690 --> 18:52.100 - What one can assume is that right now 18:52.100 --> 18:54.580 the Department of Defense is retaining 18:54.580 --> 18:56.780 transgender service members 18:56.980 --> 18:58.930 because we are under four court orders. 18:58.950 --> 19:00.533 That is what you can assume. 19:01.290 --> 19:04.210 Beyond that, this is pending litigation. 19:04.210 --> 19:06.290 - Right, but what I guess I'm asking is 19:06.430 --> 19:08.590 in an organization of two million personnel, 19:08.590 --> 19:11.110 clear personnel policies is critical, 19:11.110 --> 19:12.850 and I'm just trying to understand. 19:12.850 --> 19:14.910 If you're a transgender service member, 19:14.910 --> 19:17.710 if you're a male who identifies as female or vice versa, 19:18.330 --> 19:21.663 going forward, until this is settled legally, 19:21.750 --> 19:25.803 that you should not reveal what gender you identify with? 19:26.440 --> 19:28.290 - That is up to an individual. 19:28.290 --> 19:29.451 What I can tell you-- 19:29.451 --> 19:31.010 - [Nancy] But I'm asking what the personnel policy is 19:31.010 --> 19:32.010 for this department. 19:32.240 --> 19:34.360 - The personnel policy of this department is 19:34.360 --> 19:37.800 that we continue to allow and assess 19:37.930 --> 19:40.066 and retain transgender individuals. 19:40.066 --> 19:43.813 That is the state in which we are, 19:43.980 --> 19:45.253 four court orders. 19:45.494 --> 19:47.220 - And if I were to come out and identify 19:47.220 --> 19:48.380 as a different gender, 19:48.380 --> 19:50.810 would that threaten my ability to serve right now 19:50.810 --> 19:51.643 in the U.S. military? 19:51.643 --> 19:52.500 - I'm not gonna deal with hypotheticals. 19:52.500 --> 19:53.353 Way in the back. 19:54.100 --> 19:56.067 - Okay, going back to the transgender story, 19:56.067 --> 19:57.363 what I don't understand, 19:57.383 --> 20:00.583 why, if it's so important, the litigation issue, 20:00.660 --> 20:02.860 why haven't your department waited 20:03.000 --> 20:04.853 until litigations are over? 20:05.200 --> 20:06.620 There has been any kind of pressure 20:06.620 --> 20:07.723 from the White House? 20:07.910 --> 20:10.680 Why not wait until everything is clear, 20:10.680 --> 20:12.530 until the courts have made a decision 20:12.930 --> 20:14.680 whether it's constitutional or not? 20:14.870 --> 20:17.320 And I have a second question on the budget, but-- 20:18.620 --> 20:22.645 - Well, because, one, there was a memo. 20:22.645 --> 20:25.810 The president requested the secretary 20:25.810 --> 20:27.313 provide a recommendation, 20:27.620 --> 20:29.880 and that was very transparent, 20:29.880 --> 20:33.193 and so now we are in this process, 20:33.370 --> 20:36.053 and we're going to see it through. 20:36.180 --> 20:37.660 We've provided the documents. 20:37.660 --> 20:39.503 We've provided the recommendation, 20:41.134 --> 20:44.483 and we remain under the court orders. 20:44.850 --> 20:46.800 - Yeah, but what's the sense of providing 20:46.800 --> 20:49.080 any recommendation if the final decision 20:49.080 --> 20:50.850 is going to depend on the courts anyway? 20:50.850 --> 20:54.593 I mean, if it's unconstitutional, which could happen, 20:54.860 --> 20:57.320 your recommendation would make no sense anyway. 20:57.320 --> 20:59.823 Maybe it would have been better to find out how, 21:00.200 --> 21:01.890 which is exactly the problem 21:01.890 --> 21:04.830 before telling the White House, 21:04.830 --> 21:06.460 sorry, how to deal with it. 21:06.460 --> 21:10.340 - This is a process, and, more on the process, 21:10.340 --> 21:12.450 I would have to refer you to the Department of Justice. 21:12.450 --> 21:15.293 This is current litigation, and this is where we are. 21:15.320 --> 21:16.153 Lucas. 21:16.153 --> 21:17.700 - My second question on the budget, 21:17.700 --> 21:19.853 which is really the border wall, 21:20.140 --> 21:22.140 you were saying that Secretary Mattis 21:22.210 --> 21:24.823 is really focused on defending the Americans, 21:25.020 --> 21:28.490 but my understanding is that American security 21:28.960 --> 21:30.623 in U.S. soil, 21:30.790 --> 21:33.983 it has nothing to do with the Department of Defense, 21:34.120 --> 21:35.170 or it has more to do 21:35.170 --> 21:37.233 with the Department of Homeland Security. 21:37.470 --> 21:39.810 So why ask the Department of Defense? 21:39.810 --> 21:43.280 Because the idea that people outside 21:43.470 --> 21:46.793 this whole business are getting is that Trump, 21:46.850 --> 21:48.750 the president, sorry, has vied 21:48.750 --> 21:51.633 for you to have an increase of your funds, 21:51.870 --> 21:54.260 but then so he can use it for what he wants, 21:54.260 --> 21:56.513 which is not exactly the military. 21:56.740 --> 21:58.640 - I think it's important to understand 21:59.113 --> 22:00.840 that the president and the secretary talk 22:00.840 --> 22:02.673 about a variety of subjects. 22:02.840 --> 22:03.943 This was one of them, 22:04.571 --> 22:07.633 and I don't have any more details for you. 22:07.810 --> 22:08.643 Tom. 22:08.643 --> 22:09.476 Yeah, Tom, Tom. 22:09.476 --> 22:12.343 - The conversation that you just referred to, and earlier, 22:13.130 --> 22:14.730 and I realize they have a lot of conversations, 22:14.730 --> 22:16.870 but when did they talk about this concept 22:16.870 --> 22:17.703 that you brought up, 22:17.703 --> 22:20.563 about the money from the defense budget for the wall? 22:20.680 --> 22:24.440 Was it before the president sort of tweeted about it, 22:24.440 --> 22:26.913 and made, publicly, his musings on this thought? 22:27.020 --> 22:29.163 Or was it after the president did that? 22:29.260 --> 22:31.260 And I have a follow up on another topic. 22:31.450 --> 22:33.300 - I don't know about the exact timing. 22:33.300 --> 22:36.123 Again, the president and the secretary talk frequently, 22:36.270 --> 22:38.700 but I can confirm that they have spoken about it, 22:38.700 --> 22:40.090 but I don't have any other details, so-- 22:40.090 --> 22:42.340 - To follow on this transgender thing, 22:42.340 --> 22:47.063 what I want to get clear on one thing, please. 22:47.630 --> 22:51.270 When and if there's court action that involves 22:51.270 --> 22:53.557 the Justice Department and DOD, 22:54.870 --> 22:57.900 will it be a Justice Department individual 22:57.900 --> 23:00.310 who will then explain the DOD memo 23:00.910 --> 23:04.413 that we're referring to here and what it means? 23:04.420 --> 23:06.270 In other words, if there are questions, 23:06.270 --> 23:07.270 does this mean this, 23:07.270 --> 23:09.270 as raised by some of my colleagues here, 23:09.850 --> 23:11.730 will it be a Justice Department person 23:11.730 --> 23:12.883 who is explaining that? 23:13.160 --> 23:16.043 - Yes, so it will be Justice in the lead. 23:16.320 --> 23:17.243 Lucas. 23:17.460 --> 23:18.293 - [Lucas] Dana, does the president's-- 23:18.293 --> 23:19.126 - Thank you. 23:19.126 --> 23:20.680 - Pick to be the next VA secretary 23:20.680 --> 23:23.363 have to leave the Navy before assuming the job? 23:23.810 --> 23:25.703 - So this happened yesterday, 23:25.820 --> 23:30.063 and so I don't have any details with respect to that, 23:30.950 --> 23:32.320 but when we have some more details, 23:32.320 --> 23:33.620 I'm certain I'll certainly share, 23:33.620 --> 23:35.823 but, again, it happened yesterday. 23:36.050 --> 23:38.200 - Does Secretary Mattis have confidence 23:38.330 --> 23:40.880 that Rear Adm. Jackson can do the job successfully? 23:43.610 --> 23:46.603 - We have confidence in the president's pick. 23:47.367 --> 23:49.200 I don't know how familiar 23:49.620 --> 23:52.190 the secretary is with the doctor, 23:52.190 --> 23:56.143 but you know, it's the president's pick, 23:56.260 --> 23:57.770 and it's for the president to determine 23:57.770 --> 23:59.020 who serves in his cabinet. 23:59.020 --> 24:01.163 - Was the secretary surprised by the name? 24:02.010 --> 24:04.223 - The secretary is not surprised by much, 24:04.920 --> 24:06.720 so no, he was not surprised, 24:06.720 --> 24:08.150 and he was fully supportive 24:08.330 --> 24:12.493 of having Under Secretary Wilkie serve in the interim. 24:12.810 --> 24:14.893 - [Man] Ma'am, we have time for a few more questions. 24:15.082 --> 24:17.007 - [Woman] (mumbling) Korea? 24:17.007 --> 24:17.870 - How about Korea? 24:17.870 --> 24:18.703 Go ahead. 24:18.703 --> 24:20.000 - Thank you very much, Dana. 24:20.040 --> 24:20.873 I like you. 24:21.042 --> 24:23.292 (laughing) 24:23.300 --> 24:27.713 Well, on the exercise of the withdrawing 24:28.420 --> 24:32.423 U.S. Forces, Korea family members, 24:32.440 --> 24:37.440 and the Americans in South Korea to the United States, 24:37.916 --> 24:39.050 do you have anything on that? 24:39.050 --> 24:43.653 Are they gonna evacuate U.S. citizens from Korea? 24:45.490 --> 24:47.440 - I don't have any information on that. 24:47.870 --> 24:49.383 We stay very vigilant. 24:49.820 --> 24:51.520 As the secretary had said earlier, 24:51.650 --> 24:53.760 as these talks go on, we want the people 24:53.760 --> 24:56.193 who are involved in those talks to lead them, 24:56.720 --> 24:59.940 but we remain cautiously optimistic about developments. 24:59.940 --> 25:00.773 Tony. 25:00.920 --> 25:02.673 - You started off reading a memo 25:02.673 --> 25:04.110 that the secretary put out the other day 25:04.110 --> 25:06.913 about peerless stewardship of tax dollars. 25:07.240 --> 25:09.353 What prompted the memo? 25:09.490 --> 25:12.720 Is he concerned that potential overspending 25:12.720 --> 25:15.070 may occur on desks and travel 25:15.070 --> 25:18.690 and odds and ends that have occurred at HUD and EPA 25:18.690 --> 25:19.530 and other places, 25:19.530 --> 25:22.213 and he wants to nip that kind of thinking in the bud? 25:23.060 --> 25:25.200 - What prompted it is the passage. 25:25.200 --> 25:28.723 You know, it got overwhelming bipartisan support, 25:29.170 --> 25:34.170 and therefore, we're grateful for the increase. 25:34.800 --> 25:37.320 I mean, it's 700 billion, 25:37.320 --> 25:39.133 and it's 716, 25:39.500 --> 25:41.500 so we're grateful for the increase, 25:41.500 --> 25:42.333 and he knows, 25:42.333 --> 25:44.720 and he wants to ensure that this department 25:44.990 --> 25:49.990 is focused on meeting our performance, 25:50.420 --> 25:52.450 making sure the warfighter has what they need. 25:52.450 --> 25:54.460 He wants us to have budget discipline. 25:54.460 --> 25:55.563 He mentions that. 25:55.870 --> 25:57.500 It is a call to action, 25:57.500 --> 26:00.253 that we're all responsible for this money. 26:01.160 --> 26:02.820 This has been entrusted to us, 26:02.820 --> 26:04.900 and it's our responsibility to ensure 26:05.140 --> 26:07.063 that we maximize every dollar. 26:07.130 --> 26:08.690 - Is he gonna take any additional steps, 26:08.690 --> 26:10.080 like maybe greater oversight 26:10.080 --> 26:13.700 of some key weapons programs and service contracts, 26:13.700 --> 26:15.570 where he will put his imprint 26:15.570 --> 26:17.430 on potential contracts that may 26:17.430 --> 26:19.883 or may not seem overspending? 26:19.970 --> 26:21.610 - Well, I will tell you that the secretary 26:21.610 --> 26:23.590 and the deputy talk frequently 26:23.590 --> 26:26.712 with the service secretaries about how are we going 26:26.712 --> 26:29.013 to ensure performance. 26:29.030 --> 26:32.893 We are instilling a culture of performance. 26:33.208 --> 26:36.150 I think the biggest change you will see 26:36.350 --> 26:39.500 is the fact that you do have, now, two unders, 26:39.500 --> 26:42.393 one with Ellen Lord, with Secretary Lord, 26:42.530 --> 26:43.963 dealing with sustainment, 26:44.090 --> 26:49.090 and you have Mike Griffin dealing in future, 26:49.650 --> 26:51.093 in research and engineering. 26:51.460 --> 26:52.930 That's a key point 26:52.930 --> 26:55.400 because then we have greater accountability 26:55.510 --> 26:56.700 for those capabilities, 26:56.700 --> 26:58.280 so now you have two individuals 26:58.380 --> 27:00.130 who that is their sole focus. 27:00.130 --> 27:03.270 So we are infusing accountability. 27:03.270 --> 27:05.163 We are infusing responsibility, 27:05.630 --> 27:08.130 so that was the purpose and the reason, 27:08.130 --> 27:11.293 and what prompted his desire to put out that memo. 27:11.528 --> 27:12.830 (mumbling) 27:12.830 --> 27:13.663 Jeff 27:14.310 --> 27:16.600 - Yeah, I was going to ask about Undersecretary Wilkie. 27:16.600 --> 27:18.050 His portfolio included 27:18.050 --> 27:20.920 the close combat lethality portfolio. 27:20.920 --> 27:22.313 Who takes that on now? 27:22.700 --> 27:27.650 - So Acting Principal Deputy Undersecretary Kurta 27:27.800 --> 27:29.963 will be there in his stead. 27:30.170 --> 27:31.003 Alright. 27:31.310 --> 27:32.143 - [Woman] Is Mr. Wilkie there today? 27:32.143 --> 27:33.833 I mean, did he actually start the job, his-- 27:33.940 --> 27:35.240 - He will start on Monday. 27:35.457 --> 27:37.176 (mumbling) 27:37.280 --> 27:38.620 I haven't gotten to this side. 27:38.620 --> 27:39.453 Corey. 27:39.870 --> 27:42.590 - [Corey] The secretary talks a lot about keeping 27:42.590 --> 27:44.840 his recommendations to the president private. 27:44.980 --> 27:46.430 Was it the Pentagon's decision 27:46.430 --> 27:48.430 or the White House's decision to release 27:48.460 --> 27:50.643 the memo of his transgender recommendation? 27:50.900 --> 27:53.713 - Well, again, as this is in litigation, 27:54.320 --> 27:56.620 when it was filed, it became public, 27:56.620 --> 28:00.003 so by all means, we want to provide you, 28:00.010 --> 28:01.830 and we did as quickly as we could. 28:01.830 --> 28:04.030 When it was released, we provided it online. 28:04.083 --> 28:06.110 - And then on do you have any update at all 28:06.110 --> 28:08.473 on the Niger investigation? 28:08.700 --> 28:13.063 Has the families been notified at this point of anything? 28:13.380 --> 28:14.753 - I don't have any updates. 28:15.460 --> 28:18.003 The secretary is still reviewing it, 28:18.370 --> 28:20.713 and we will let you know. 28:20.748 --> 28:24.740 First notifications of the families, then to Congress, 28:24.740 --> 28:27.313 and then we will let you all know. 28:27.330 --> 28:28.913 Thank you all very, very much.