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☆ White House counts jobs report as a win, though inflation path – and interest rate cuts – far from certain ahead of November
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Within the walls of the White House, it was seen the same way, stoking relief among officials, who said the data hewed near the team’s own targets for ideal job creation. In the wake of the latest jobs report, many market participants are now expecting the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates in September, potentially easing a source of consternation for voters. Mark Zandi, an economist at Moody’s cited frequently by the White House, said certain psychological thresholds will remain important as the election approaches. In the meantime, White House officials continue to watch the data carefully and refrain from declaring victory until it bears out the trajectory the Biden administration wants to see. “The best measure of inflation is inflation,” the official told CNN.

Persons: Joe Biden, Ron Klain, “, Mark Zandi, Moody’s, ” Zandi, Biden “, ” Biden, Mandel Ngan, – Biden, Biden Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve, White, Biden, Democratic, Reserve, Wilmington Convention, Getty Locations: Wilmington, Wilmington , North Carolina, AFP

☆ Some in State Department don’t believe Israel is using US weapons in accordance with international law, source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The State Department is divided over whether Israel is using American-provided weapons in accordance with international law ahead of a fast-approaching deadline next week for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to make a determination to Congress. Human rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes and abuses during the war in Gaza. The State Department official Sunday did not give further details about which parts of the department are in favor of accepting Israel’s assurances, which are in favor of rejecting them, and which took no position. “We don’t comment on leaked documents, especially those purporting to contain classified information,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. While the report does not represent the US government’s own conclusions, Blinken said last week that the State Department was looking at the incidents.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Israel, Joe Biden, Blinken, International Organization Affairs –, Matthew Miller, ”, Biden, Joe, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “, Lloyd Austin, Israel “ meritless, ” CNN’s Michael Conte, Kayla Tausche, MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, The State Department, ”, Hamas, Reuters, –, Human Rights, Labor, Justice, International Organization Affairs, Department, National, Israel, Foreign, Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Progressives, Sunday, Central, State, State Department, Armed Services Locations: Israel, Gaza, Western

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden on Saturday night will attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, giving the president a stage and primetime slot to needle the media and his rival former President Donald Trump. “I haven’t had a chance to watch the court proceedings because I’ve been campaigning,” Biden told supporters at a campaign reception in New York Thursday, according to pool reports. While Biden has delivered many of these speeches before, the stakes for what could be his last White House Correspondents’ Dinner are high. “He’s the entertainer.”Administration officials said Katzenberg led daily strategy sessions in the White House residence this week to tweak Biden’s comedy set drafted by longtime speechwriter Vinay Reddy. Biden administration officials said they sought to share that concern with Kelly O’Donnell, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association and senior White House correspondent for NBC News, and with Jost’s team in NBC’s entertainment division as well.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Calvin Coolidge, Trump, “, I’ve, ” Biden, he’d, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Katzenberg, punchlines, Vinay Reddy, Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, Anita Dunn, Karine Jean, Pierre, Annie Tomasini, Live’s Colin Jost, Kelly O’Donnell, ” O’Donnell, –, “ He’s, ”, Rob Flaherty, Dan Cluchey, Jon Macks, Jay Leno ”, Seth Meyers, – Biden, Barack Obama, Lil Jon, Gary Busey, ” Obama, Osama bin Laden Organizations: Washington CNN, White, Trump, Biden, Dreamworks, CNN, New York City –, Republican, ’ Association, White House, NBC News, Gridiron Locations: New York, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, White, New York City, Washington

☆ White House unbowed on support for Israel despite growing frustration from progressives and unrest on campuses
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Kayla Tausche | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

This week’s rapid spread of college campus encampments meant to protest the war has ratcheted up the pressure on the US over its support for Israel. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke by phone with two Jewish leaders on campus, a White House official said, to discuss the immediate need to address antisemitism on college campuses. Despite being just miles from Columbia and the most tense scenes of the protests, Biden will not be making a visit to campus as he holds events in the New York area Friday. The White House must by May 8 certify whether Israel is complying. And while Sanders sought assurances from Biden on how he was approaching the situation, the president remained characteristically diplomatic, Shakir, the Sanders adviser said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Biden, Sanders, Biden –, ‘, ” Faiz Shakir, Joe, Doug Emhoff, Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, ” Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Shakir, “, CNN’s Sam Fossum Organizations: York, York City CNN, Democratic, CNN, Israel, Columbia University, White, Republican, Representatives, National Guard, Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute, Politics, Israeli, Hamas, Biden Locations: York City, Virginia, Vermont, Gaza, Israel, Columbia, New York

☆ Biden keeps needling Trump as he walks a tightrope over his rival’s trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Campaign officials are fully aware the Trump trial could dominate news coverage in the weeks to come. Even some occasional critics of Biden’s campaign strategy have not found fault in his approach to the Trump trial. Their strategy of not campaigning, wasting money, acting like small time thugs, and pushing their extreme agenda is driving away voters,” Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer said in a statement Friday. On the trail during the trialIt is that viewpoint that has largely animated the president’s schedule as Trump’s first criminal trial gets underway. The trip followed swings through battleground Pennsylvania during the court’s jury selection and Virginia on the first day of Trump’s trial.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, ”, ” Biden deadpanned, Trump’s, Biden, Trump, Kennedy, grumble, “, David Axelrod, Barack Obama, I’m, He’s, ” Axelrod, CNN’s Dana, Don ”, ” Biden, James Singer, it’s, –, needling Trump Organizations: New York CNN, Republican, Trump, Micron, Biden, CNN, White Locations: Syracuse, New York, Manhattan, Florida, Pennsylvania, Washington, Syracuse , New York, America’s, Tampa , Florida, Virginia

☆ White House says it’s very concerned by China’s actions in the South China Sea ahead of key trilateral meeting
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Samantha Waldenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —The White House is very concerned by China’s actions in the South China Sea, a senior administration official said, as President Joe Biden prepares to draw two Asian allies closer at a historic meeting on Thursday. Japan and the Philippines both have separate territorial disputes with China, in the former’s case the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and in the latter’s areas of the South China Sea. Meanwhile, China claims the shoal, which is in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, as its sovereign territory, as it does much of the South China Sea, in defiance of an international arbitration ruling. CNN has previously reported that the three leaders will hold private discussions on the South China Sea. A senior administration official also said that on Thursday the White House will be announcing a new infrastructure project in the Philippines.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Fumio Kishida, Thomas, Kishida, Marcos, Rodrigo Duterte, “ We’re, ” Biden, Australia –, ”, Brad Lendon, Arlette Saenz, Kayla Tausche Organizations: Washington CNN, Japanese, East China, China Coast Guard, CNN, American, White, Clark Air Base, Subic Naval Base, Coast Guard Locations: South China, Japan, Philippines, China, East, Philippine, Palawan, Taiwan, South, North Korea, Russia, Kishida, Ukraine, Manila, Asia, Pacific, United States, Beijing, India, US, Australia

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden hosts Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for a state visit Wednesday, including a crucial Oval Office meeting, reinforcing his commitment to bolstering vital partnerships in the Indo-Pacific amid a militarily and economically resurgent China. Over 70 items covering a wide array of critical sectors are expected to be announced as part of the bilateral meeting between Biden and Kishida, according to senior administration officials. “The idea of switching to a multilateral, lattice-like strategic architecture is to flip the script and isolate China,” this person said. Cherry Blossom diplomacyEven as the leaders plan to announce the lengthy list of defense and diplomatic agreements during the course of their visit, senior administration officials also sought to highlight a more symbolic takeaway. A senior Biden administration official called the original gift of cherry trees from Japan one of the most important diplomatic gifts in US history – second only to the Statue of Liberty, a present from France.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kishida Fumio, Biden, Kishida, Jake Sullivan, ”, Cherry, “, Donald Trump Organizations: Washington CNN, Japanese, Carnegie Mellon University, Keio University, University of Washington, Washington State, Tsukuba University, US Steel, American, White, National Park Service, Biden, of, Japan Locations: China, Japan, Australia, Tokyo, Philippines, North Korea, Kishida, Ukraine, United States, Washington, France

☆ Bidens roll out the diplomatic – and literal – red carpet for Japan state visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The White House will lean into the full pomp and circumstance of a state visit as the president seeks to emphasize the strong alliance between the two countries. The Bidens welcomed the prime minister and his wife to the White House on Tuesday evening, hosting the couple for a casual dinner at BlackSalt, a local seafood restaurant. The White House will serve wines from the Willamette Valley and Columbia Valley in the Pacific Northwest. The Bidens presented their counterparts with a three-legged black walnut table handmade by a Japanese American owned company in Pennsylvania, the White House said. The Biden White House has previously hosted the leaders of Australia, India, France and South Korea for state visits.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kishida Fumio, Kishida Yuko, Paul Simon, Biden, ” Jill Biden, ”, Bryan Rafanelli, “, Cris Comerford, Susie Morrison, George W, Bush, Lyndon B, Johnson, Carlos Elizondo –, ’ toasts, Elizondo, Billy Joel, CNN’s Arlette Saenz, Kayla Tausche, Sam Fossum Organizations: CNN, Japanese, White, White House social, Wing, State Department, White House, US, National Soccer Team, National Football Team, Biden White Locations: China, Ukraine, Gaza, United States, Japan, BlackSalt, California, Willamette, Columbia, Pacific Northwest, American, Pennsylvania, Australia, India, France, South Korea

☆ Visits from Japanese and Filipino leaders highlight Biden’s efforts to blunt China’s aggression
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Arlette Saenz | Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Biden’s week also includes an official visit for Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, reinforcing his commitment to cultivating partnerships in the Indo-Pacific in the face of China’s rising economic and military power. The historic leaders summit on Thursday between Biden, Kishida and Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos is expected to produce announcements relating to infrastructure, energy security, digital connectivity and maritime security. Meanwhile, Japan has recently loosened restrictions on the export of military technology – paving the way for deeper collaboration with like-minded allies. The first virtual meeting with the four leaders took place in March 2021 with subsequent in-person summits in the years that followed. Biden and his team also have sought to draw in smaller regional neighbors concerned about China’s military and economic aggression.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kishida, Biden, Jake Sullivan, “, Jill Biden, Kishida Yuko, They’re, Ferdinand Marcos, Marcos, ” Sullivan, ”, John Neuffer, ” Biden, ” Rahm Emanuel, Sullivan, zeroed, Japan’s, Yoshihide Suga, Korea’s, Moon Jae, Yoon Suk Yeol, Rodrigo Duterte, Donald Trump, ” Kishida Organizations: Washington CNN, Japanese, CNN, Biden White House, Australia, US Steel, APEC, Washington, Semiconductor Industry Association, Clark Air Base, Subic Naval Base, American, White, Kishida, White House, Pacific, PBS Locations: Japan, Philippines, North Korea, Ukraine, Gaza, India, South Korea, China, Manila, ’, lockstep, Netherlands, Taiwan, Beijing, Thursday’s, US, Australia, South China, South, Russia, Kishida, United States, Tokyo, Seoul, David, United Kingdom, Washington, Vietnam, U.S

☆ A Situation Room scramble, daily calls and political intrigue: Inside the White House response to the Key Bridge collapse
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

ET, overnight staffers in the White House Situation Room began frantically reaching out to senior officials to notify them of the collision – and collapse – of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. Jen Daskal, the deputy homeland security adviser, began preparing a briefing for President Joe Biden. Two Oval Office meetings were convened as staff at various levels began trickling into the White House. Seven barges and nine tugboats have deployed to the area, according to Tom Perez, the White House director of intergovernmental affairs. In another case – that of Moore and Perez – the two have already opposed each other on the ballot.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg, Dali, Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key, Buttigieg, ” Buttigieg, Wes Moore, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Jeff Zients –, Jen Daskal, Joe Biden, “, ”, Johnny Olszewski – Biden, ” Olszewski, Biden, “ I’ve, ” Biden, –, Tom Perez, ” Perez, Perez, “ It’s, we’ve, Natalie Quillian, Moore, Perez –, that’s, ” CNN’s Donald Judd Organizations: Baltimore CNN —, US Coast Guard, CNN, Maryland Gov, Baltimore Mayor, White House, Baltimore, Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, Maryland, White, Administration, Democratic Locations: Wyoming, Montana, Maryland, Baltimore County, Washington, Delaware, Baltimore, Patapsco, synchrony, Federal, White, United States

The 30-minute conversation was the two leaders’ first phone call since an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza. The killings have set off a furor inside the White House and Biden has been described as reaching a new level of frustration with Israel’s campaign. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” the White House said in a statement shortly after the call wrapped. Blinken said Israel should not stoop to the level of Hamas in its response to the group’s October 7 attacks. Blinken acknowledged the World Central Kitchen strike was not the first time Israel has killed aid workers in the conflict.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, ’, Biden, “, ” Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, ”, John Kirby, Kirby, Blinken, ” Blinken, haven’t, ” Kirby, Biden’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Coons –, CNN’s Sara Sidner, Netanyahu, Jennifer Hansler, Donald Judd Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, National Security, White House, Central Kitchen, Capitol Hill, Democratic, CNN, Israel, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Brussels, Blinken, United States, Rafah

Still, officials from both countries described the meeting as “constructive” in a joint statement and said another, in-person meeting could take place as early as next week. The Israeli delegation included national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer, who chaired the meeting. Pentagon officials shared some of their alternatives for Rafah with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant when he was in town last week. Netanyahu has said he is undeterred by the Biden administration’s opposition to an invasion of Rafah. Vice President Kamala Harris left the door open last week for unspecified consequences for Israel if it decides to proceed.

Persons: Biden, Monday’s, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Jon, Brett McGurk, Jack Lew, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, “ It’s, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Austin, Israel “, ”, Karine Jean, Pierre, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, “, ” Still, Kamala Harris, Kevin Liptak, Donald Judd Organizations: Washington CNN —, CNN, White, White House, State Department and Department of Defense, Biden, Pentagon, Israeli, United Nations Security, Netanyahu’s Locations: United States, Israel, Rafah, Gazan, Gaza, “, ”, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, New York

☆ Rescheduled Rafah talks in DC could happen as soon as Monday, US officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —High-level talks between US and Israel officials over potential military operations in Rafah could take place in Washington, DC, as soon as Monday, US officials told CNN. The Israeli delegation proposed to reschedule the talks for Monday, officials said, acknowledging the timing is complicated by a Sunday deadline facing the Israeli government to design a new law governing conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews, long exempted from mandatory military service. US officials have said no date is finalized. The White House has said it supports the rescheduling of the talks and is working with its counterparts to do so in a timely manner. “We’re now working with them to find a convenient date that’s obviously going to work for both sides,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier in the week.

Persons: CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “ We’re, Karine Jean, Pierre Organizations: CNN, Israeli Locations: Israel, Rafah, Washington ,, Nations, Gaza, United States

Five months later, Albanese will be welcomed to the White House with the highest trappings of American diplomacy, including a black-tie state dinner underneath a tent erected on the South Lawn. Already, the White House had struggled to secure billions of dollars in new funding for Ukraine. When Albanese arrives at the White House Tuesday evening, the US House of Representatives will have been without a permanent House speaker – and legislatively paralyzed – for 21 days. Senior Biden administration officials believe that only weeks remain before a lack of additional funding for Ukraine starts to become a serious battlefield concern. The first lady developed the menu with guests chef Katie Button, a James Beard Award nominee who owns a popular tapas restaurant Cúrate in Asheville, North Carolina; White House executive chef Cris Comerford; and White House executive pastry chef Susie Morrison.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Biden, Cedric Richmond, “, Volodymyr Zelensky, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, –, ’ Biden, ” Biden, it’s, Ukraine –, Michèle Flournoy, Xi Jinping, Wang Yi, Wang, Antony Blinken, Sullivan, Blinken, Xi, Blinken’s, ”, Karine Jean, Pierre, Australia –, They’ll, John Kirby, ” Kirby, Kirby, ” Dr, we’ve, Bryan Rafanelli, Katie Button, James Beard, Cris Comerford, Susie Morrison Organizations: CNN, Australian, ., White, Hamas, Ukraine, Biden, CBS, Defense, APEC, Washington, Publicly, ”, Australia, Wednesday, ’, National Security, Army and Air Force, White House Locations: Pacific, Washington, Gaza, Israel, Asia, Vietnam, China, Ukraine, Tel Aviv, Australia, United States, America, White, San Francisco, Beijing, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, there’s, United Kingdom, India, Japan, Asheville , North Carolina

CNN —President Joe Biden plans to make a direct appeal to the American people to continue funding Ukraine and Israel amid their war efforts in an Oval Office address Thursday, according to two administration officials. The Biden administration in August delivered its last so-called supplemental funding request, which encapsulates unique requests beyond traditional government programs. The proposal requested $24.1 billion to aid Ukraine through the end of the year, but Congress failed to approve it during a process to greenlight short-term federal funding. By contrast, support to sustain aid to Ukraine has waned significantly since Russia’s unprovoked invasion in February 2022. An August CNN poll found 55% of respondents said Congress should not pass more funding to aid Ukraine.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, “ He’s, –, Janet Yellen, ”, Mahmoud Abbas, Biden scoffed, “, Benjamin Netanyahu –, ” Biden Organizations: CNN, White, Hamas, US, Ukraine, White House, Kiel Institute, Sky News, Russia, Officials, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Israeli Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Mexico, Washington, Gaza, Amman, Jordan, Tel Aviv, Egypt, United States

Hours later, the president and his national security team were not confident enough to draw a final determination absolving Israel of responsibility. Had the early evidence examined by the president’s team pointed in the other direction, the White House would have been more inclined to reconsider the trip. But during a refueling stop in Germany on the way home from Israel, Biden told reporters on Air Force One that he had spoken by phone with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Advisers had appeared determined to reorient expectations before Biden had even arrived in Israel, saying that showing the powerful visual of American solidarity with Israel was a major goal of the trip. One adviser put it simply: Biden sent a “strong message to Israel, which was the purpose of it.”

Persons: Joe Biden, Israel, absolving Israel, Antony Blinken, “, Biden, –, John Kirby, ”, Jordan –, Abdel Fattah el, Sisi, David Satterfield, Jordan, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, White House, Base Andrews, White, Air Force, ”, Islamic, National Security Council Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Amman, Jordan, Israel, ”, Germany, Rafah

And based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you. And Americans are worried,” Biden told Netanyahu as they began a bilateral meeting, acknowledging the complex dynamic. Hospital blast looms over tripThe trip comes less than a day after a horrifying blast at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City. Biden landed in Israel on October 18, on a solidarity visit following Hamas attacks that have led to major Israeli reprisals. “The Jews have been subject to abuse, prejudice and attempts to wipe them out for, oh, God, over a thousand years,” Biden told interviewer Scott Pelley.

Persons: Joe Biden, ”, Biden, Israel –, Benjamin Netanyahu –, ” Biden, Netanyahu, “, ” Netanyahu, Israel, you’ve, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Abdel Fattah el, Mahmoud Abbas, –, Abbas, Benjamin Netanyahu, Evan Vucci, Israel “, Isaac Herzog, CNN Israel readies, Brendan Smialowski, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, Brednan Smialowski, it’s, John Kirby, Netanyahu’s, ’, ” Kirby, Scott Pelley, It’s Organizations: CNN, Israel, Tel Aviv Wednesday, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Palestinian, Defense Intelligence Agency, Malaysia Airlines Flight, Hamas, Air Force, Israeli, United, ” Israel, Tel Aviv's, Getty, National Security, Advisers Locations: Israel, Gaza City, Gaza, Tel Aviv, United States, Iran, Jordan, Al, Ahli, Jihad, Russian, Ukraine, Egypt, Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion, AFP, –, Dachau

The original rules had sought to hamper China’s ability to procure advanced computing chips and manufacture advanced weapons systems. Not all chipsRaimondo, who visited China in August, said the administration was “laser-focused” on slowing the advancement of China’s military. Chips used in phones, video games and electric vehicles were purposefully carved out from the new rules, according to senior administration officials. In recent months, the United States has enlisted its allies in Europe and Asia in restricting sales of advanced chipmaking equipment to China. In July, Beijing hit back by imposing its own curbs on exports of germanium and gallium, two elements essential for making semiconductors.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, Mao Ning, chipmakers, “, ”, ASML Organizations: Washington CNN, US Commerce Department, Washington, Ministry, Biden, United States, Nvidia, Intel, AMD, United Arab, ” Nvidia, Semiconductor Industry Association, US Department of Commerce, Biren Technology, CNN Locations: China, Hong Kong, Washington, Macao, United States, Iran, Russia, Beijing, United, Europe, Asia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Dutch

☆ How Joe Biden got on board with a wartime trip to Israel – and what he hopes to accomplish
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Phil Mattingly Kevin Liptak Kayla Tausche Mj Lee Jennifer Hansler Alex Marquardt | Phil Mattingly | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —It took an explicit commitment from his Israeli counterpart to open Gaza for humanitarian aid for President Joe Biden to agree to make an extraordinary wartime trip to Tel Aviv. He spent Monday deliberating over the trip at the White House with his top national security and intelligence advisers. Satterfield will be meeting with Israeli officials on Tuesday to start to figure out the specific contours of the plan. There remains a good amount of trepidation that despite the many, many hours Blinken was in consultation with Israeli officials and others, some things may not gel. In Amman, Biden will meet with Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, they’re, John Kirby, ”, “ We’re, ” Kirby, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Israel “, David Satterfield, Satterfield, “, it’s, Abdel Fattah al, …, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Mahmoud Abbas, King Abdullah, Olaf Scholz Organizations: CNN, National Security, White, Israeli, Biden’s, Hamas, Saudi, Palestinian Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, United States, ”, Middle East, Jerusalem, Egypt, Blinken, Cairo, Egyptian, Colorado, Amman, Jordan, Berlin

The security risks of a diplomatic visit to Israel were starkly illustrated Monday when Blinken, in his meeting with Netanyahu, was forced to shelter in place after air sirens warned of incoming rockets. Biden, he said, “very much looks forward to discussing it further” during his visit. A visit with ‘strategic importance’In weighing Netanyahu’s invitation with his team, Biden factored in both the symbolism of a visit and its practicalities. Before war in Israel broke out, Biden and Netanyahu were planning to visit in person again at the White House, a personal invitation Biden extended when the two last met in New York City. Speaking to reporters Monday, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said a visit by Biden would have “strategic importance” for the entire Middle East.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Israel “, King Abdullah II, Abdel Fattah el, Mahmoud Abbas, –, Netanyahu, they’d, John Kirby, ” Blinken, “, we’ll, ”, Biden –, Daniel Hagari, Volodymyr Zelensky, White, Netanyahu –, Jake Sullivan, Israel –, ” Sullivan, Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi Organizations: CNN, White, Biden’s, Palestinian, National Security, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, USA, ”, CBS, Saudi Crown Locations: Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, United States, Jordan, Egypt, Rafah, Iran, Lebanon, New York City, Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Tehran, Saudi Arabia, Israel’s

The American people must understand just how shocking and gruesome Hamas’ actions were, Biden told his aides. I think we can change the Middle East,” Biden told a group of Jewish American leaders on Wednesday. “If tomorrow Hezbollah started launching missiles into Israel, that would be seen as a real escalation,” according to a person close to the situation. In his private conversations with Netanyahu, Biden has not urged the Israeli leader to practice restraint in its counterattack against Hamas. “He has always approached Israel with moral clarity and full commitment,” a senior adviser to the president told CNN.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, ” Biden, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, John Kirby, it’s, ”, Netanyahu, –, Biden’s, CNN’s Matthew Chance, I’m, Jake Sullivan, Netanyahu’s, ” Sullivan, Netanyahu “, Alexandria Ocasio, ” Ocasio, Cortez Organizations: CNN, White, Jewish, Israel, National Security Council, Senate Foreign Relations, Defense Department, Biden, Democratic Party, New, New York Democrat Locations: Israel, Europe, Tehran, Gaza, United States, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, “, Alexandria, Cortez, New York

For now, the White House plans to seize upon the dysfunction for as long as it lasts. The two declared candidates for the speakership, Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Steve Scalise of Louisiana, each have their own history with the Biden White House. White House officials have been steadfast in trying to highlight the broader economic progress since the height of the pandemic and when inflation had soared to record highs. Gas prices remain one of the data points that White House officials are watching most closely and with heightened sensitivity. House Republicans, it’s time for you to do your job,” he said.

Persons: Joe Biden, he’s, Biden, ”, nothing’s, ” Biden, Andrew Bates, “, can’t, Jim Jordan of, Steve Scalise, Jordan, Scalise, White, It’s, Roosevelt, let’s Organizations: CNN, Republican, Ukraine, House, GOP, Republicans, Biden White, nonfunctioning, Kyiv, White, Biden, Democratic, House Republicans Locations: New York, Washington, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Louisiana, Ukraine, United States, America

His most substantive comment on Trump’s myriad legal issues was a sarcastic remark about his mugshot in the Fulton County, Georgia, case. Defending democracy is an issue Biden allies believe remains deeply resonant with voters, almost three years after the 2020 contest. A White House official noted Arizona was a state that has toggled between Democratic and Republican leadership. “President Biden will talk about his conviction that we must not walk away from the sacrifices generations of Americans have made to defend our democracy,” the official said. “It’s well past time for President Biden to see the border crisis first hand and for the administration to do its job, secure the border, and keep Arizona safe.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, he’s, MAGA, ” Biden, Sen, John McCain, “, ”, Biden, Joe Biden’s, Republican Sen, Trump, Hunter, –, “ I’m, “ MAGA, Jon Meacham, Thursday’s, – Biden, Biden harkened, McCain, McCain’s, Cindy, Katie Hobbs, Kyrsten Sinema –, Beau Organizations: Washington CNN, Republican Party, MAGA Republican, Department, Republican, Trump, White House, Biden, Gettysburg, McCain, White, GOP, Republicans, MAGA Republicans, Broadway, Democrats, Democratic, Democrat Locations: America, Arizona, Fulton County , Georgia, East, Tempe , Arizona, ”, Michigan, Chicago, Silicon Valley, Washington, Hanoi

CNN —UAW President Shawn Fain has become the X factor in the striking autoworkers’ pursuit of increased pay and benefits, injecting a level of chaos into negotiations that neither the automakers nor the White House predicted or quite know how to manage. The UAW on Friday struck at just three plants, one at each of the Big Three automakers. Nevertheless, the strike marks the first time in history the UAW has struck at all three automakers simultaneously. Fain told union members Thursday that the union’s strike strategy “will keep the companies guessing” and give union negotiators “maximum leverage” when they return to the bargaining table. Although Fain has at times praised Biden, he has also criticized the president for failing to do enough to help the autoworkers in their cause.

Persons: Shawn Fain, –, Fain, Jim Farley, Mary Barra, Stellantis, Joe Biden, Biden, Fain isn’t, ”, He’s, he’s, Curry, Wheaton, “, ” Wheaton Organizations: CNN, White, UAW, Big Three, Thursday, GM, National Labor Relations Board, Democratic, Chrysler, Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations Locations: Kokomo , Indiana, Indiana, Buffalo, Wheaton

☆ Biden to visit fire-ravaged Maui on Monday as search efforts continue, with more than 800 people still missing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Biden is planning to name a senior federal emergency official to oversee long-term recovery efforts during his visit. Josh Green, Biden sought to ensure the large footprint required for a presidential visit would not obstruct ongoing response and recovery efforts. “If President Biden could just teleport himself over, he would’ve come here in five seconds,” Green said at a news conference last week. Bob Fenton, an experienced disaster response official, will serve as the chief federal response coordinator. During the visit, Biden plans to reassure residents that the federal government will support their recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell said Sunday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Biden’s, curt “, Biden couldn’t, Josh Green, ” Biden, “, ” Green, “ I’ve, Jill Biden, Bob Fenton, Fenton, Deanne Criswell, “ He’s, ”, Criswell, Isabella Guzman, ” Guzman, CNN’s Kayla Tausche, ” Criswell Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Biden, FEMA, White, Federal Emergency Management, Union, US Small Business Administration, SBA Locations: Maui, Maui County, Delaware, Salt Lake City, Green, Lahaina, Hawaii, “ State

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