White House Press

White House lifting Covid-19 testing rule for people around Prez Biden

The White House on Monday lifted its COVID-19 testing requirement for those who plan to be in close contact with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses, bringing to an end the last coronavirus prevention protocol at the White House. The White House said the change aligns its policies with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. The agency last week relaxed its recommendation that those who test positive for COVID-19 isolate for five days. Now, the agency says people can return to work or regular activities if their symptoms are mild and improving and it's been a day since they've had a fever. The White House testing protocol was instituted shortly after the pandemic began in 2020 when former President Donald Trump was in the White House. It was further strengthened by Biden's administration when he took office amid the pandemic in January 2021. Both Trump and Biden contracted the virus while in office. Trump required hospitalization afte

White House writes to WHCA over inaccurate reporting by major media outlets

In a rare move, the White House Counsel's Office has written to the White House Correspondents Association expressing concern over the striking inaccuracies in the reporting of several US media outlets on the recent release of a Special Counsel report on the handling of classified documents by President Joe Biden as a private citizen. In the letter addressed to WHCA president Kelly O'Donnell from NBC News, White House Counsel's Office spokesman Ian Sams listed out the alleged factual inaccuracies in the reporting of several American media outlets, including CNN, CBS News, the Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Sams also asked that the letter be distributed through WHCA's email chain that goes out to its members and journalists. The WHCA, however, refused to share the letter through its platform. It is inappropriate for the White House to utilise internal pool distribution channels, primarily for logistics and the rapid sharing of need-to-know information,

Russia developing anti-satellite nuclear capability troubling: White House

Russia developing anti-satellite nuke capability is troubling, but not a threat to anyone's safety as it has not been deployed yet, the White House said. This is not an active capability that's been deployed. And though Russia's pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone's safety, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House told reporters at a news conference here. We are not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth. That said, we've been closely monitoring this Russian activity and we will continue to take it very seriously, he said. Kirby said US President Joe Biden has been kept fully informed and regularly informed by his national security team. He has directed a series of initial actions, including additional briefings to Congressional leaders, direct diplomatic engagement with Russia, with our allies and

US' relationship with India stronger than ever: WH after PM Modi's visit

America's relationship with India is stronger than ever, the White House said Wednesday nearly a month after the historic Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States. "The visit last month was extremely successful and important. The relationship with India is stronger than ever and, as you know, we announced a range of key deliverables, some of them are being implemented," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference. "We have remained very optimistic as it relates to our long-term future and relationship with India. And we believe that's going to continue," Jean-Pierre said. Responding to another question on the I2U2 the new grouping that includes the US, India, Israel and the UAE she said this is already deepening those partnerships among four countries. "Those four countries and beyond and evidenced by existing projects and initiatives. There is still a strong future with I2U2, and so we're really ...

From green-diamonds to Robert Frost poems: Gifts that Modi, Biden exchanged

The green diamond gifted to the US First Lady Jill Biden reflects earth-mined diamonds' chemical and optical properties

From marinated millets to stuffed mushrooms, White House menu for PM Modi

Keeping in mind his food preferences, First Lady Jill Biden said that she had asked her chef Nina Curtis to prepare a stunning vegetarian menu

Biden takes classified documents, information very seriously: White House

US President Joe Biden takes classified documents and information "very seriously", the White House said Thursday hours after it revealed that more classified documents were found from his residences and private offices. The Attorney General has appointed a Special Counsel, Robert Hur, to investigate the discovery of classified documents at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C. and the Bidens' personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware. "It is important for the American people to know this, is that the President has said, he takes classified documents and information very seriously," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference. "This is something, as you all know, that he will not shy away from saying and has continued to say this this week. And again, he was surprised that these records have been found. "He does not know what's in them and his team, once they identified that these documents were there, they immediately reached out

US has concerns about any country exercising with Russia: Official

The United States has concerns about any country conducting an exercise with Russia which has waged an unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday. It said this in response to a question on a multinational military exercise -- called "Vostok 2022" -- from September 1-7 in Russia which among others would be attended by India and China. This will be the first large-scale multinational military exercise in Russia since the beginning of its offensive in Ukraine. "The United States has concerns about any country exercising with Russia while Russia wages an unprovoked, brutal war against Ukraine. But, of course, every participating country will make its own decisions. And I'll leave it at that," White House Press Secretary Karen Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard the Air Force One. When she was specifically asked why "not put any pressure on India", Jean-Pierre said, "My first sentence there is saying that we have concerns over any country exercising with Russi

White House: Russian officials visited Iran 'at least twice' to view drones

Russian officials have visited an airfield in central Iran at least twice in recent weeks to view weapons-capable drones it is looking to acquire for use in its ongoing war in Ukraine: The White House

Jen Psaki leaves role as WH press secretary after serving for 15 months

Jen Psaki left her role as the White House press secretary on Friday.

Putin making threats that don't exist, justifying aggression in Ukraine: WH

Putin is making threats that do not exist in order to justify aggression in Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki alleged, said that the US will stand up for it and may slap energy sanctions.

US Deputy Press Secy TJ Ducklo resigns after threatening reporter

Ducklo had been put on a weeklong suspension without pay on Friday after a report surfaced in Vanity Fair outlining his sexist threats against a female Politico journalist

Trump's new press secretary Kayleigh McEnany vows 'not to lie from podium'

McEnany said she spends most of the day with the president and is constantly with him, absorbing his thinking.

Covid-19 briefings not worth my time, says Trump after disinfectant gaffe

After a strong rebuff of his suggestion by top medical experts and disinfectant manufacturers, Trump on Friday claimed he had been speaking "sarcastically."

In a first, White House press briefing room to have 'Skype seats'

Media outlets which don't have funds to hire a Washington correspondent will benefit, admin said