Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2024

January 13, 2024

Taiwan

Q. Mr. President, do you have a reaction to the Taiwan election?

The President. We do not support independence. [Inaudible]

Border Security/Immigration Reform

Q. Mr. President, would you call the situation on the southern border a "crisis"?

The President. No, but I wish they would react. I've been pushing themâmy Republican colleaguesâsince I got into office. I think we have to make major changes at the border. I've been pushing it. I'm prepared to make significant alterations at the border. And there are negotiations going on for the last 5 weeks, so I'm hopeful we'll get there.

[*At this point, several reporters began speaking at once*.] *The President. *Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Q. Any commentâany commentââ

Q. What's your message to Iranââ

Q. What's next with support for Ukraine?

The President. Pardon me?

U.S. Assistance to Ukraine

Q. What's next with support for Ukraine?

The President. Well, if my Republican colleagues don't fund Ukraine, they're going to have an awful lot ofâto pay for, in terms ofâ[inaudible].

Poland

Q. Mr. President, any commentâany comment on the political change in Poland as the new proâEuropean Union government is taking over?

The President. I think that's very good, pro-European.

Q. Are you going to invite Polishâthe new Polish Prime Minister to the White House?

Iran

Q. Do you have a message to Iran in the face of all these attacks from the Houthis?

The President. I've deliveredâwe've delivered it privately, and we're confident we're well

prepared.

Q. Mr. President, can you finish your answerââ

Q. [Inaudible]âPolish Prime Minister to the White House?

Border Security

Q. Are youâ[inaudible]âexecutive action when it comes to the border to address the border crisis if Republicans don't pass more funding?

The President. Well, Republicans have to pass funding. They have toâI've read one Republican said, "We don't want our borderâ[inaudible]âit will only help Biden."

I've been pushing for fundamental change on the border for a long timeâa long time. And so, I'm hopeful. I'm going to let those negotiations play out. But other than that, I'm going to take action myself.

Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 9:50 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White House prior to boarding Marine One. In his remarks, he referred to Rep. Troy E. Nehls. A reporter referred to Prime Minister Donald Franciszek Tusk of Poland.

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

Names: Nehls, Troy E.

Subjects: Border security; European Union; Iran, regional involvement; News media, Presidential interviews; Poland, relations with European Union; Taiwan, political status with respect to China; Ukraine, U.S. assistance.

DCPD Number: DCPD202400023.