Day: January 28, 2023

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke today with President Isaac Herzog of Israel to offer condolences for the horrific terror attack at a synagogue in Jerusalem, a senseless act of violence that took the lives of at least seven innocent victims at a place of worship. The Vice President also condemned and expressed concern about subsequent violent attacks.  The Vice President offered all appropriate support to the Government and people of Israel in the coming days and beyond.  The Vice President and President Herzog reflected on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and discussed the importance of efforts to support Holocaust remembrance and combat…

Twenty years ago today, President George W. Bush declared that preventing and treating HIV/AIDS was a foreign policy priority of the United States. At a time when nearly 30 million people were HIV positive, but very few were receiving life-saving medicines, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) transformed the global AIDS response and laid a marker for America’s commitment to countries that were impacted the hardest by the AIDS epidemic. Helping lead the bipartisan effort in Congress to authorize PEPFAR is among my proudest achievements from my time in the Senate. To this day, PEPFAR remains a powerful…

Eisenhower Executive Office Building 2:35 P.M. EST THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi, everyone.  (Applause.)  Have a seat.  Have a seat.  Welcome.  Deanna, you are just — you are a superstar — the superheroes and a superstar.  Thank you so very much.  And to the boys, thank you, guys.  Aiden, we are so motivated by your mom and the two of you, as young leaders on this issue.  Your voice has been so important.  And to everyone here, welcome.  Thank you for convening on this Friday afternoon.  I know it’s been a good day of a lot of important discussion and meeting about our plan for…

This afternoon, White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall and Senior Advisor to the President Julie Rodriguez held a call with mayors from cities across the nation to brief them on federal preparations in support of state and local leaders as they prepare for the anticipated release of footage of the brutal death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. Participating mayors shared their perspectives on how important it is to recognize the pain felt by communities across this country, be prepared in advance with a game plan to provide adequate community support, and to reinforce the importance of peace and…

Like so many, I was outraged and deeply pained to see the horrific video of the beating that resulted in Tyre Nichols’ death. It is yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain, and the exhaustion that Black and Brown Americans experience every single day.  My heart goes out to Tyre Nichols’ family and to Americans in Memphis and across the country who are grieving this tremendously painful loss. The footage that was released this evening will leave people justifiably outraged. Those who seek justice should not to resort to violence or destruction. Violence is never acceptable; it is…

South Lawn 5:49 P.M. EST Q    Talk to us about Tyre Nichols, Mr. President. THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.  I spoke with Tyre’s mother and expressed my condolences, and told her that I was going to be making the case to the Congress to pass the George Floyd Act.  We should get this under control.  I can only do so much in an executive order at a federal level.  And — and the prayers — I was really pleased that she called for no — peaceful protests, no — no violence, no movement at all.  And so, I — you know, I spoke with her…

President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to discuss the horrific terror attack tonight in Jerusalem, which claimed at least seven innocent Israeli lives. The President made clear that this was an attack against the civilized world. He offered all appropriate means of support to the Government and People of Israel over the coming days. The President stressed the iron-clad U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, and agreed that his team would remain in constant touch with their Israeli counterparts.  ### Official news published at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/01/27/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-call-with-israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu/

Tyre Nichols should have made it home to his family. Yet, once again, America mourns the life of a son and father brutally cut short at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve. The footage and images released tonight will forever be seared in our memories, and they open wounds that will never fully heal. The persistent issue of police misconduct and use of excessive force in America must end now.  I join President Biden in his call for accountability and transparency. We must build trust—not fear—within our communities.  Congress must act with urgency and pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. To…