Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

September 1, 2022

Drinking Water Crisis in Jackson, Mississippi/The President's Travel Plans

Q. Sir, are you going to Mississippi?

The President. Can't hear you.

Q. Are you going to Mississippi?

The President. No, I've been talking to Mississippi. I've talked to the mayor. I've talked to the Congressman. And I've encouraged theyâwe haveâwe've offered every single thing available to Mississippi. The Governor has to act. There is money to deal with this problem.

Andâbut I justâwe're waiting forâwe've given them EPA, theâwell, we've given them everything there is to offer.

Q. But you have no plans to go there. Is that correct?

The President. I have no plan to go there right now, no.

Student Loan Debt Relief

Q. Mr. President, what is your response to conservatives who want to challenge your student loan plan in court?

The President. Who want to what?

Q. Challenge your student loan plan in court.

The President. They have a right to do that.

Q. Have you been briefed on Iran's responseââ

The President. Actually, do you have a student loan since youâ[laughter]?

Q. Do I have a student loan? No. Do you, sir?

The President. No.

Q. I'll bet you a lot of your staff does.

The President. Well, Iâthey may. I don'tâno one's told me they have.

Iran

Q. Have you been briefed on Iran's response to the U.S. proposal on the nuclear deal?

The President. I haven't gottenâI've been briefed, but unless something happened in the last

2 hoursââ

Q. Yes.

The President. [Inaudible]

Q. They responded toâsureâthey replied to the U.S. response.

The President. Yes, I haven't heard it yet. Okay? I'll find out when I walk in the door, I suspect.

Afghanistan Refugees

Q. Mr. President, what's your response to Afghans that are still stuck around the world and are wanting to come here to the U.S. and are trying to get here through the refugee program?

The President. Well, I think they have toâthey're like everyone else trying to get here, and I think they have a right to try to get here. And if we can, we should accommodate them.

Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 10:05 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House after exiting Marine One. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba of Jackson, MS; Rep. Bennie G. Thompson; and Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on September 2.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: White House. Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Lumumba, Chokwe Antar; Reeves, Tate; Thompson, Bennie G.

Subjects: Afghanistan : Refugees, humanitarian situation; Communications : News media :: Presidential interviews; Education : Postsecondary education :: Federal student loans, partial forgiveness; Environmental Protection Agency; Immigration and naturalization : Refugees; Iran : International diplomatic efforts; Mississippi : Governor; Mississippi : Water management crisis, mitigation efforts.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200753.