*Administration of Barack Obama, 2017 *

**Remarks During White House Press Secretary Joshua R. Earnest's Final Briefing and an Exchange With Reporters **

*January 17, 2017 *

[*The President joined the briefing in progress.*]

*The President.* I'm not interrupting because he was saying nice things about you guys—[*laughter*]—because I largely concur.

When I first met Josh Earnest, he was in Iowa. I think he was wearing jeans. He looked even younger than he was. And since my entire campaign depended on communications in Iowa, I gave him a pretty good once-over. And there are a couple things I learned about him right away. Number one, he's just got that all-American, matinee, good-looking thing going. [*Laughter*] That's helpful. Let's face it. Face made for television. [*Laughter*] Then, the guy's name is Josh Earnest—[*laughter*]—which, if somebody is speaking on your behalf, is a pretty good name to have. [*Laughter*]

But what struck me most, in addition to his smarts and his maturity and his actual interest in the issues, was his integrity. There are people you meet who you have a pretty good inkling right off the bat are straight shooters and were raised to be fundamentally honest and to treat people with respect. And there are times where that first impression turns out to be wrong, and you're a little disappointed. And you see behind the curtain that there's spin and some hype and posturing going on. But then, there's others who, the longer you know them, the better you know them, the more time you spend with them, the more you're tested under tough situations, the more that initial impression is confirmed.

And I have now known this guy for 10 years, almost, and I've watched him grow, and I've watched him advance, and I've watched him marry, and I've watched him be a father, and I've watched him manage younger people coming up behind him. And he's never disappointed. He has always been the guy you wanted him to be.

And I think that if you're the President of the United States and you find out that this is the guy who has been voted the most popular Press Secretary ever by the White House Press Corps, that may make you a little nervous—[*laughter*]—thinking, well, maybe the guy's, kind of, being too solicitous towards the press. But the fact is, is that he was worthy of that admiration.

He was tough, and he didn't always give you guys everything you wanted. But he was always prepared. He was always courteous. He always tried to make sure that he could share with you as much of our thinking and our policy and our vision as possible and tried to be as responsive as possible. And that's how he trained the rest of his team to be.

So, of the folks that I've had the great joy and pleasure of working with over the last 10 years on this incredible journey, this guy ranks as high as just about anybody I've worked with. He is not only a great Press Secretary, but more importantly, he is a really, really good man. And I'm really, really proud of him.

So, Josh, congratulations.

*Press Secretary Earnest.* Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. And, Natalie and Walker, thanks for putting up with all of this, because they've made sacrifices too.

*Press Secretary Earnest.* Thank you, sir.

*President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia *

*Q. *Mr. President, before you go—a response to Vladimir Putin?

*The President.* I'm going to be here tomorrow. [*Laughter*]

*Q*. Where are you going on Friday? [*Laughter*]

[*The President departed, and Press Secretary Earnest continued the briefing.*]

NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 12:26 p.m. in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Natalie Wyeth Earnest, wife, and Walker Earnest, son, of Press Secretary Earnest.

*Categories:* Addresses and Remarks : White House Press Secretary Joshua R. Earnest, final briefing, remarks during; Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: White House*.*

*Locations: *Washington, DC.

*Names:* Earnest, Joshua R.; Earnest, Natalie Wyeth; Earnest, Walker*.*

*Subjects:* White House Office : Assistants to the President :: Press Secretary.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201700050.