NBC’s Alexander Grills KJP: Biden Says Border Walls Don’t Work, Now DHS Is Building Walls

ALEXANDER: “The president earlier today said that — he was asked, ‘Does the border wall work?’ He said, ‘No.’ But in the statement that was posted within the last 24 hours, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary says, ‘There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States.’ So, who’s right: the statement from the DHS Secretary overnight or the President’s comments today saying they don’t work?”
Jean-Pierre: “So, a couple of things. Yes, it showed up on the register today. But the announcement — this is not new. This is from six months ago.”
ALEXANDER: “Well, it is new, because the waiving of the laws actually didn’t happen until overnight.”
Jean-Pierre: But it was — this is something that was out back — that the DHS was — put out back in — in — in — six months ago.”
ALEXANDER: “So, wait, wait. So, they waived the —“
Jean-Pierre: “So — and now — they announced — no —“
ALEXANDER: “Did they waive the laws six months ago?”
Jean-Pierre: “Well, what I’m saying is DHS announced this back in — in June, that the agency would do so. They actually said that they would do that back — in DHS –”
ALEXANDER: “But — so, they moved forward with it today — but the initial announcement was six months ago — by waiving the law. So, that’s what’s new today. Understood.”
Jean-Pierre: “Yes —“
ALEXANDER: “So, this statement, when he says ‘presently’ was filed —“
Jean-Pierre: “ — just want to make sure we’re clear on that.”
ALEXANDER: “— so, when he said there is ‘presently,’ are you saying, when he says there is ‘presently,’ he was referring to six months ago or referring to the date of which it was filed — 10/4?”
Jean-Pierre: “What I can tell you is DHS announced this back in June, that they were going to move forward with this. That’s what I can share with you. That’s what I — I know is to be true and is to be fact. Look, I can speak for the President. The President said — he was asked directly — he doesn’t believe a border wall is effective.”
ALEXANDER: “Does he have a disagreement with his Department of Homeland Security Secretary?”
Jean-Pierre: “I — I — what I can tell you is what the President — I — I’m going to tell you what the President said and what your colleague asked him. He said no, he doesn’t believe that the border wall —“
ALEXANDER: “I ask because he’s speaking —“
Jean-Pierre: “— is effective.”
ALEXANDER: “— in direct contradiction to what his own Homeland Security —“
Jean-Pierre: “No, I hear you.”
ALEXANDER: “ — Secretary says.”
Jean-Pierre: “I hear you. I’m speaking for the president. I’m saying that he has said that he does not believe a border wall is effective. That’s what he was asked. He has said that for some time now, and it still remains to be the case. He asked — right? — he asked Congress multiple times, his team has asked Congress to reappropriate the funds. They refuse to do that. We’re going to comply by law.”
ALEXANDER: “Will you ask the president on our behalf, then, in the absence of our ability to do that, whether he disagrees with the statement that there is ‘presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers’?”
Jean-Pierre: “I’m happy to take that back.”
ALEXANDER: “Thank you.”
Jean-Pierre: “I’m happy to take that back."