- yesterday
State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott held a press briefing.
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NewsTranscript
06:30So I have a few announcements up top, and then I'll be happy to take some questions.
06:36This week, President Trump and Secretary Rubio returned from the historic NATO summit in
06:40The Hague, where allies committed to dramatically increase defense and security spending to
06:455% of GDP.
06:46This landmark pledge in the U.S.
07:16for Europe, and the U.S.
07:46will serve as a deterrent, which will serve as a deterrent for continued illicit activities.
07:49We will continue to use all necessary tools to deter and dismantle the flow of fentanyl
07:55and other deadly drugs from entering our country.
07:59Tomorrow, Secretary Rubio will host the ministerial signing of a peace agreement between the Democratic
08:04Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, right here at the Department of State.
08:08This is a significant milestone for peace in the Great Lakes region, and a reminder
08:13that peace on paper must be matched by implementation on the ground.
08:18As the Secretary has made clear, implementation enables the economic investment and regional
08:23stability we all seek.
08:25The United States is proud to support this hard-won progress.
08:30And next week, Secretary Rubio will host foreign ministers from Australia, India, and Japan
08:35for the 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting on July 1st in Washington, D.C.
08:41The Secretary's first diplomatic engagement was with the Quad, and next week's summit
08:46builds on that momentum to advance a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.
08:51This is what American leadership looks like – strength, peace, and prosperity.
08:57And with that, I'll take some questions.
08:59There's nothing on GHF?
09:02So what I can say on GHF, actually – anticipating this question – so what I can say is we
09:10have approved funding for $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
09:15And we call on other countries to also support the GHF, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and
09:19its critical work.
09:21A track record of distributing over 46 million meals distributed to date, all while preventing
09:26Hamas, looting is absolutely incredible and should be commended and supported.
09:31From day one, we said we are open to creative solutions that securely provide aid to those
09:35in Gaza and protects Israel.
09:38This support is simply the latest iteration of President Trump's and Secretary Rubio's
09:42pursuit of peace in the region.
09:43Do you – this is a technical question.
09:46Do you happen to know what account that money is coming from?
09:49MR.
09:50At this point, I do not.
09:51I'll take it back and see if we can get an answer.
09:52All right.
09:53And then for something completely different – and I'll stop after this – just – are
09:56you aware of any rifts being issued today?
10:00MR.
10:01At this time, I have nothing to announce on that front.
10:02I'm not aware of anything to that effect.
10:05MR.
10:06Yes.
10:07Hi, Pam.
10:08I'll keep with the reorganization.
10:10So there – I'm just wondering – so you guys have the July 1st deadline for state
10:15reorg, right?
10:17There's an injunction by a federal judge that effectively blocks the department from implementing
10:22agency-wide layoffs, and there is SCOTUS potentially weighing on this.
10:29So can you tell us if we don't hear from SCOTUS by July 1st, which is Tuesday, is the
10:36State Department still going to go ahead with reduction in force?
10:40MR.
10:41Well, I'm not going to speculate until the future on hypotheticals, but I can tell you
10:43we have no plans here at the department to violate a court order.
10:46Right.
10:47So you're saying that if SCOTUS between now and July 1st does not weigh in on this,
10:52then the July 1st deadline will inevitably be postponed?
10:55MR.
10:56Well, my first answer stands, and I'm not going to speculate further on that.
10:59We have no plans here at the department to violate a court order.
11:01Okay.
11:02One more on this.
11:03We understand the Foreign Affairs Manual recently has been tweaked to prepare for the foundation
11:09of the RIF procedures.
11:13This administration has eliminated DEI, and it's bringing back merit-based.
11:19However, we understand that some of the RIFs will depend on where a Foreign Service officer,
11:26for example, is working at the moment.
11:29And there are critics who are saying that that type of criteria basically ignores the
11:35years of knowledge, experience, language skills these officers have accumulated.
11:40So can you help us understand how this is going to be completely merit-based?
11:45MR.
11:46Well, look, what I can say is from the beginning, as the Secretary has said, this reorganization
11:50is about making sure we're able to meet the challenges of the 21st century, being able
11:54to move at the speed of relevance, as the Secretary says.
11:57It's about empowering people instead of a bureaucracy.
11:59And I think it's also important to note the process of this from the beginning, a full
12:03transparency in this process, communicating with the American people, with Congress from
12:08the very beginning on this.
12:10So the point of this reorganization is, again, to move at that speed of relevancy.
12:13Again, I'll stress I don't want to speculate moving forward exactly on what may happen,
12:19but I think it's important to remember the track record of how we got here and the ultimate
12:22point of this and what the American people, I think, would expect when it comes to meeting
12:26those challenges that we face today.
12:28Could I ask a follow-up, though?
12:29MR.
12:30Yeah.
12:31If the point is to move at the speed of relevancy, would experienced language
12:35and previous posts, wouldn't that play into consideration?
12:42MR.
12:43Well, ultimately what we're seeing here is wanting to make sure the State Department
12:46is able to meet those challenges.
12:48That's been this whole process that's been communicated from the beginning to make sure
12:51we're effectively meeting those challenges.
12:52Can you take those into consideration?
12:53MR.
12:54Well, I think what we're –
12:55I think what we're seeing here is – which provisions he helps to –
12:56MR.
12:57Well, again, I don't want to speculate on certain individuals or get too specific
13:01on hypotheticals.
13:02But what I can say, as the Secretary has said, is this reorganization is about making
13:06sure we're empowering people, not bureaucracy, that we're able to meet those challenges
13:10in an effective way.
13:11He has spoken to that routinely.
13:13He has spoken to that publicly.
13:15That's the point here, and I think the American people expect to see that.
13:18If I may, I also want you to follow up on something that Matt raised on the GHF.
13:23There has been a lot of criticism, almost universal criticism from the Arab world, from the UN and
13:32others about the distribution process, foreign limited sites in southern Gaza, no access in
13:40northern Gaza, the deployment of IDF troops monitoring access in violation of certain international
13:47norms and – and the Geneva Conventions.
13:52Can you tell us, as the U.S. is about to begin funding, whether they are expanding the sites
13:58to more sites so that they can equal what the World Food Program and others had done previously?
14:04MR.
14:05Well, look, what I can say is, again, that 46 million meals distributed today.
14:09That's something that should be applauded.
14:10We've talked about here in the past different distribution sites that have been opened,
14:14but I think this is an example of seeing that aid that has been distributed.
14:18And President Trump's commitment, Secretary Rubio implementing that vision here to get
14:22aid to the people of Gaza.
14:23So we're seeing those 46 million meals, and then we're seeing from there the fact that
14:27we're seeing this $30 million approved.
14:28If I may, if you do the math, there are 2 million people in Gaza.
14:33If you figure that families have multiple children and that this process has been going on now
14:39for nearly a month, 46 million meals don't amount to feeding the population of Gaza.
14:47MR.
14:48Well, it's 46 million meals that have been distributed.
14:50That is a positive thing.
14:51And we call on other countries to support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in its work as
14:56we have this $30 million that are approved.
14:58We're seeing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in line with President Trump's call to deliver
15:02aid in a way where it can't be looted by Hamas.
15:05We're seeing those creative solutions.
15:07We're seeing the fact that we have 46 million meals distributed.
15:10That is good news that we have those meals being distributed, and we call on other countries
15:13to join in supporting the GHF's work.
15:16Can I follow up on that, please, Tommy?
15:21Every time there's been a distribution in some of those centers, there have been chaotic
15:25scenes and, according to the Palestinian sources, shots and people actually dying heading towards
15:36these centers.
15:38Now, the Israeli army is saying it's investigating and all that, but it seems to be a pattern from
15:43the beginning.
15:44Do you have no issue with that whatsoever?
15:46Can you – what's your take on that?
15:48Well, there are two factors here.
15:50First, we refer you to the IDF on their investigations.
15:53Second, I would remind you that many of these reports, some of these reports, are based in
15:56Hamas propaganda.
15:57So we have two factors here when it comes to some of these reports.
16:01Ultimately, we want to see aid reach the people of Gaza.
16:05The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has delivered 46 million meals.
16:09We've seen that.
16:10We want to see that food being delivered.
16:12We see the 30 million dollars approved.
16:14So that's what the story is here – moving to implement, get those creative solutions
16:18in there to make sure that the aid being distributed is not being looted by Hamas.
16:22And just to follow up on that, you said 30 million dollars.
16:25Has that money actually been given to the Foundation already?
16:29To whom?
16:30It's been approved.
16:31That's as far as I can go on that front.
16:33Can I follow up on that?
16:34Yes.
16:35Yeah, just to follow on what everyone is asking about, you say you want to see aid get
16:39into Gaza.
16:40Are you pushing the Israeli government to allow other groups into Gaza to distribute aid?
16:44Today, GHF was the only one allowed into the Strip.
16:46What we're pushing for is for other countries to join us in supporting the Gaza Humanitarian
16:51Foundation's work.
16:52That's what we're pushing for.
16:53But there are other groups who have been established and had methods that were able to distribute
16:55more widely before the restrictions of the Israeli government.
16:58So are you asking them to also lift these restrictions?
17:00What we're pushing for is for other countries to support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's work.
17:04The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation being able to deliver that aid without it being looted
17:08by Hamas.
17:09And again, that's about that creative solution that President Trump has said from the beginning.
17:12So we call on other countries to support the GHF in this.
17:15Yes.
17:17Just to follow up, I mean, I'm sure that 46 million meals are very good and the Palestinians
17:23appreciate that.
17:24But that, as Andrea said, that translates to about 20 meals per person over a period of a
17:30month because it's been a month since they started this thing.
17:33So there are only like four centers.
17:37So are there any plans to expand these centers to make – to more openings, more entry points
17:44and so on for aid and all these things?
17:46Because Gaza used to receive a thousand, maybe a couple thousand trucks of food a day.
17:52So the situation is very dire.
17:53MR.
17:54I don't have anything to preview in terms of future plans here.
17:57I'm not going to get into that here.
17:58I can say what we've seen in the past is distribution sites opening.
18:01We've seen a ramp up of the meals being delivered.
18:04And I think, again, the story here is 46 million meals being delivered to the people of Gaza.
18:09That is the story here.
18:10Right.
18:11But just to – if I may follow up.
18:12MR.
18:13All right, one more.
18:14One more.
18:15MR.
18:16Yeah.
18:17But also it has been a death drop.
18:18I mean, everybody is documenting that.
18:20Palestinians are being killed at these centers and so on.
18:23Many of them are afraid to go – there's a looming disaster.
18:27I mean, it is – are you talking to the Israelis?
18:31Are you urging them not to be trigger-happy and confronting very hungry people who are so
18:38desperate that they're probably grabbing stuff and so on?
18:41MR.
18:42I had a question earlier, but I think it's also important to recognize that Hamas bears
18:45sole responsibility for this conflict.
18:47As has been stated from this podium several times by spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the fact
18:52that we're seeing Hamas act in certain ways and really in barbaric ways, that they've
18:57continually done that.
18:58So Hamas bears sole responsibility for this conflict.
19:01And again, the story here is the 46 million meals that have been able to be distributed to
19:05the people in Gaza during this time and the fact that we're encouraging other countries
19:10to also support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
19:12Yes.
19:13Thanks, Tommy.
19:14Sticking on the GHF, do the Americans plan on playing, other than the role of a benefactor
19:19here, any other role in terms of management, in terms of security?
19:23There were eight Palestinian GHF contractors that were shot dead, what, last week.
19:29What is the role here, other than here's cash?
19:31MR.
19:32Well, fundamentally, again, we wanted to make sure we get those resources in a way that
19:35helps deliver that food, helps deliver that aid.
19:38I have no further details for you at this time.
19:41We may have more details in the days ahead.
19:43But ultimately, this is about those 46 million meals and trying to get more aid into Gaza in
19:47the sense of that $30 million that's been approved for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
19:50Special Envoy Whitcoff stressed moving forward with the Abraham Accords, President Abbas wrote
19:56a letter to President Trump basically congratulating him on the Iranian ceasefire, expressing his
20:02desire to move forward with the peace process here.
20:05I'm trying to figure out, because there's been almost no discussions between, at least
20:10publicly, between the State Department and the Palestinian Authority.
20:13I know Tammy always says just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not going on.
20:17But where – if Hamas is going to be out of the picture, maybe Arab countries run – don't
20:24know where it's going – what is the State Department's vision for future Palestinian
20:28Authority involvement in the region?
20:31What is the vision?
20:32What is the policy?
20:33MR.
20:34Well, right now what we're looking at is trying to get a ceasefire.
20:36That is our focus.
20:37Our focus now is the ceasefire we need to see.
20:40Our focus is getting to that ceasefire, standing with Israel's right to defend itself, its right
20:44to protect itself.
20:46That's where we are currently.
20:47That's where our focus is, and that's where it's going to remain until we reach
20:50those goals.
20:51Yes.
20:52Hi.
20:53Tommy, I'm going to stick on this subject just for a little bit more.
20:58You keep saying that this – the story is the distribution of 40-plus million meals,
21:05and we're just – we're trying to just point out all of the other multifaceted angles
21:09of what's going on here, given that the Government is about to invest a lot of money into this.
21:14So I'm just wondering, like, what – why, again, to Jenny's question, does this mean
21:20the U.S. Government doesn't support the World Food Program trying to get into Gaza right now?
21:25If not, why not?
21:26We're just trying to get a clear answer on whether – why is it just one organization
21:30and not the others?
21:31As I just said, what this indicates is the fact that we have $30 million approved for
21:34the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
21:36That's what this indicates.
21:37We've also seen the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, as I was saying, been able to deliver aid in
21:41a way that is not being looted by Hamas.
21:43The story here – again, as I said, as you pointed out, is that 46 million meals.
21:48That's the story here and the fact that we're encouraging other countries to step up and
21:50support this.
21:51The President's been clear he's been looking for those creative solutions to get aid into Gaza.
21:55This is one of those indicators showing a follow-through on that commitment from Secretary Rubio here
21:59implementing that vision at the State Department.
22:01I don't – sorry, if I could just have one more.
22:03I don't know if you've seen in the last couple of weeks there was an American security
22:06contractor who used to work for the organization.
22:10He did – he wrote his experience in ZTO, and he described how the contractors, the Americans
22:16going to work for the Gaza Health Humanitarian Foundation, were themselves not – not getting
22:23enough sleep, not getting enough to eat.
22:24He describes how some of the contractors were picking up food from the ground, food that
22:29was supposed to go to the Palestinian people.
22:32I'm just going to very quickly read this to you.
22:34He said, we're telling crying women trying to pick up food for their families that they
22:38had to go, and they were looking at this food on the ground that they desperately needed
22:42and they couldn't take it.
22:43He said it was absolutely horrific.
22:46So when you say the story is that they are getting millions of meals out, the other side
22:51of it is that there are many more people who are not getting food and it's not enough
22:56food.
22:57And the security situation on the ground – other stories are starting to come out about people
23:01who are actually there.
23:02So do you have a comment on the experience of some of these contractors who you're about
23:06to – you're about to fund?
23:07Well, every single one of these briefings, every single day we have conversations about
23:12the situation in Gaza.
23:13Every single day we have those conversations.
23:15And every single day we've been working in terms of trying to figure out creative ways
23:19to get aid to the people of Gaza.
23:21Every single day we've been working on that.
23:22The humanitarian situation, trying to address that.
23:25Every single day.
23:26And what we're seeing here is that $30 million commitment to this organization.
23:30That is what we're seeing.
23:32That is the commitment that President Trump laid out in terms of trying to get those creative
23:35solutions in there.
23:36So that's really what we're talking about here, that $30 million going to the organization,
23:41the 46 million meals.
23:42But of course we're aware of what's happening in Gaza.
23:45That's part of why the President had this commitment to get aid in there, but also to
23:49get to that ceasefire, get to that peace, talking about long-term prosperity for everyone
23:54in the region.
23:55The fact that the people of Gaza have suffered tremendously under the hands of Hamas.
23:59The President has spoken about this continually, so has Secretary Rubio.
24:02So that's part of what we're seeing here, that $30 million to this
24:05foundation.
24:06And we encourage, as I said, other countries to also join in supporting this effort.
24:09Yes.
24:10Thank you, Tommy.
24:11On Iran, there's been some perhaps mixed messaging on the diplomatic outlook.
24:15The President has said he doesn't think a deal is necessary, but Special Envoy Whitcoff
24:19said yesterday that he's hoping for a comprehensive peace agreement.
24:23If talks with Iran do indeed happen next week, as the President said they would, can you say
24:27what the goal would be for those discussions?
24:30MR.
24:31Well, I refer you to my colleague Caroline.
24:32She spoke about this at the press briefing at the White House.
24:35One of the things that she said there was, the goal of an Iranian meeting is to obtain
24:39longstanding peace in the region, and I have nothing further to add to her comments.
24:42So no nuclear agreement would be – would that be necessary?
24:45Can we say the peace?
24:46MR.
24:47Again, nothing to add in addition to my colleague Caroline's comments.
24:48Yes, sir.
24:49Well –
24:50MR.
24:51Yes.
24:52Yeah.
24:54Thanks, Todd.
24:55You mentioned Israeli army investigations into some of the food distribution incidents
25:00at these GHF sites.
25:01On June 2nd, Ambassador Huckabee attacked the press for reporting on some of the scenes
25:07of chaos and bloodshed.
25:08And he said that all the meals back then initially had been distributed smoothly and with, quote,
25:14without incident.
25:15Will the ambassador amend his statement against the press if the army – if the Israeli army
25:21confirms that there had indeed been chaos and bloodshed at the aid distribution sites?
25:26MR.
25:27Well, I'm not going to speculate on the future there.
25:29What I can say is, as – refer you to my earlier answer about the two dynamics that
25:32we're dealing with here.
25:33Okay.
25:34And then, secondly, on – there's been some reporting from Israel today about what happens
25:37next, assuming there's a durable ceasefire that endures, including the U.S.
25:42Israel talking about bringing Syria and Saudi – Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords,
25:46and that a peace plan could help Arab countries help administer Gaza if Hamas is removed.
25:51Are you able to talk about that at all or describe the administration's next focus
25:56for the region?
25:57MR.
25:58I'm not going to speculate.
25:59As I said, our focus remains on achieving that ceasefire.
26:01Yes.
26:02Today in Riyadh there was a meeting between Saudi foreign prince Faisal and Farhan and
26:09U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barak.
26:10Can you give us more details or read out about the meeting?
26:13MR.
26:14Nothing to preview here.
26:15I'll take back your question and see if there's anything we're able to share.
26:16I have a follow-up about the GHF.
26:19You said that there are investigations.
26:22Or are you aware that there are investigations from the Israelis?
26:24Because you said that they are looting by Hamas, but we are seeing kids dying.
26:28So why are they using force when there are kids, like, just trying to get food that
26:33they are in dire need for?
26:34MR.
26:35As I said, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is part of why we have seen the President
26:40call for creative solutions to get aid into Gaza.
26:42It's important to remember, though, that, as I said again, Hamas bears sole responsibility
26:46for this conflict.
26:48That is fundamental.
26:49And what we're seeing here is the President saying we need creative solutions to get aid
26:54into Gaza, and we're seeing $30 million approved to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in order
26:59to support those efforts.
27:00There's force used next to kids who are in dire need of food.
27:04Why are they – why are the IDF using force and, like, bullets next to kids who are trying
27:09just to get some flour?
27:10MR.
27:11Well, as I, again, refer you to my earlier answer, you have the two dynamics here.
27:13The fact that there are some examples, and the IDF has said publicly that they are investigating.
27:17I refer you to them on their investigation.
27:19But also that there are examples, excuse me, where – of Hamas propaganda.
27:23So there are two different dynamics here.
27:25I refer you to them on their question.
27:26Yes.
27:28MR.
27:29Yeah.
27:30Thank you, Tommy.
27:31Two questions.
27:32The Russian Defense Secretary, Andrei Belousov, announced that thousands of North Korean engineer
27:39Corps would be sent to help rebuild Khrushchev.
27:44Khrushchev is Ukraine territory.
27:49Do you think this will be an issue between Russia and Ukraine in ceasefire talks?
27:57MR.
27:58I'm sorry.
27:59Could you repeat that one more time?
28:00I missed the first part of your question.
28:01First part of the Russian and Russian defense minister – I mean, defense secretary
28:06– and the Russian defense server announced that thousands of North Korean engineer corps
28:13would be sent to help rebuild Khrushchev – I mean, Ukraine territory.
28:18So do you think this will be an issue between Russia and Ukraine in ceasefire talks?
28:25MR.
28:26On the issue of North Korea support for Russia –
28:29MR.
28:30to that multiple times from this podium, I refer you to those earlier comments from myself and
28:34spokesperson Bruce. As the President has said many times, we hope to see that ceasefire, that long
28:40peace where we've been working for that, engaging with that. Ultimately, it is up to the parties in
28:45order to reach that. Do you know how much will the U.S. increase its defense cost sharing with
28:54South Korea, and when will you discuss this issue? MR PRICE- Let me take back your question
29:00and see if we can get some further details for you.
29:02So what related to that, can I just ask you a logistical thing? And just very quick,
29:06you mentioned the Quad meeting that the Secretary's going to be hosting. MR PRICE- Yes.
29:10He is still planning to meet with these foreign ministers individually before the Quad meeting,
29:15right? MR PRICE- I'll see what we're able to read out. At this point, I can confirm
29:18the Quad meeting, but I'll see if they can get you more details on that.
29:21Can I go to Africa? What you talked about at the beginning. What exactly is being signed tomorrow?
29:30Because Nobel Peace Prize winner Dennis McWaigge said that this peace process has been opaque,
29:37non-inclusive, that this deal rewards aggression. I mean, he's been very critical of this. So I'm
29:45wondering what exactly is being signed here? MR PRICE- Also, first of all, as you mentioned,
29:50tomorrow Secretary Rubio will host the ministerial signing of the peace agreement between the
29:54Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, right here at the State Department.
29:59There are provisions on respect for territorial integrity and a prohibition of hostilities,
30:03disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration of non-state armed groups, establishment
30:09of a joint security coordination mechanism that incorporates the CONOPS of October 31st, 2024,
30:17facilitation of the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as humanitarian access
30:23and a regional economic integration framework. Though I would stress also what was mentioned
30:28in my topper, that it is with implementation of this agreement that the economic investment
30:33and development we all want to see will be possible. MS. So you talk about regional framework,
30:37but this is just between two countries, and there are a lot of countries involved in this conflict? MR PRICE- Well,
30:42I think ultimately, again, I'll refer you to the comments I just had there. There'll be more information
30:45as we approach the day itself, but this is good news. This is good news. This is a fantastic
30:52achievement. We're proud to support this effort, and we applaud this effort.
30:55MR PRICE- The State Department increases scrutiny on the student visas for foreign students, particularly from China.
31:05I'm wondering if the department has concerns about the Chinese student associations in the U.S.
31:11given their ties to the Chinese consulates, and they have been described as a tool to extend Chinese influence.
31:29MR PRICE- So on your first question, I'll take that back, see if we can get you some details on that.
31:33MR PRICE- On the second on student visas and on our visa policies here, in general, what I can say
31:39is that every single visa decision is a national security decision, and that's something that
31:43Secretary Rubio takes incredibly seriously. And I think the American people want that to be taken
31:49seriously, the ability to properly vet certain rules, regulations. Every single visa decision is a
31:53national security decision, no matter who you are applying for a visa. And that's, like I said,
31:58something the Secretary takes very seriously. So that's all for today. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
32:03Thank you very much.