At first solo information convention, Biden says he plans to run once more, defends US-Mexico border coverage

President Joe Biden on Thursday mentioned he expects to run for president once more in 2024 and defended his coverage to supply shelter to unaccompanied kids crossing the U.S. border from Mexico at his first solo information convention since taking workplace.
Appearing earlier than reporters for greater than an hour, Biden appeared well-prepared, learn from written papers often and calmly took questions, a pointy distinction to the usually raucous, combative information conferences held by his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.
Biden set a brand new purpose of administering 200 million vaccination pictures in opposition to COVID-19 within the United States in his first 100 days in workplace. He warned North Korea of penalties for launching two ballistic missiles on Thursday and mentioned he was consulting with US.allies on the way in which ahead.  And Biden sought to carry down the tone of rhetoric with China after his prime aides had bitter exchanges with Chinese counterparts in Alaska earlier this month.
At 78 years previous, many political analysts consider Biden may determine to serve just one time period. But requested whether or not he deliberate to run for re-election, he mentioned he deliberate to take action, preserving Vice President Kamala Harris as his working mate. “My answer is yes, I plan to run for re-election. That’s my expectation,” he mentioned. On January 20, Biden grew to become the oldest U.S. president to be inaugurated.
Struggling to include a surge in border crossings, Biden advised reporters that no earlier administration had refused care and shelter to kids coming over from Mexico – besides that of Trump.”I’m not going to do it,” Biden mentioned, noting he had chosen Harris to steer diplomatic efforts with Mexico, Honduras,Guatemala and El Salvador aimed toward stemming the migration move.
Appearing within the White House East Room, Biden mentioned his preliminary purpose of administering 100 million vaccination pictures in his first 100 days in workplace was reached final week, 42 days forward of schedule, and that he would now double the goal. “I know it’s ambitious, twice our original goal, but no other country in the world has even come close,” the Democratic president mentioned.
Biden backed away from a May 1 deadline to withdraw US troops in Afghanistan after Trump tried however failed to drag them out earlier than leaving workplace.”It’s going to be laborious to satisfy the May 1 deadline,” mentionedBiden. But he added, “We are not staying a long time” in Afghanistan, the positioning of America’s longest conflict. He mentioned he didn’t assume the troops would nonetheless be there subsequent yr.
Biden learn rigorously from speaking factors in responding to a query about North Korea’s missile launches, which have alarmed US allies Japan and South Korea. “If they choose to escalate, we will respond accordingly,” he mentioned. He mentioned he was ready for “some form of diplomacy” with North Korea “but it has to be conditioned upon the end result of denuclearization.” Pyongyang needs the United States and different nations to ease financial sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons program. US officers have mentioned they’ve tried to have interaction with North Korea diplomatically however obtained no response.
After tough Alaska talks, Biden mentioned he was not on the lookout for a confrontation with China however would insist that Chinese President Xi Jinping adhere to worldwide norms on commerce.”What I’ve advised him in particular person on a number of events is that we’re not on the lookout for confrontation, though we all know there will probably be steep, steep competitors…however we’ll insist that China play by the worldwide guidelines, truthful competitors, truthful practices,truthful commerce,” he mentioned.
Biden known as for Republicans within the U.S. Congress to assist him transfer ahead along with his agenda as he takes on points like gun management, local weather change and immigration reform.He mentioned he believes the Democratic-controlled US Senate ought to make it tougher for Republicans to make use of a parliamentary blocking maneuver known as the filibuster that requires 60 votes to advance most laws within the 100-seat chamber, saying itis being abused.
Biden was repeatedly pressed to defend his migration coverage alongside the US border with Mexico. Biden mentioned the rise in migration was cyclical.”It occurs each single solitary yr. There is a major improve within the variety of folks coming to the border within the winter months,” he mentioned. “It happens every year.”He mentioned many migrants have been fleeing issues of their dwelling nations and blamed Trump, for dismantling elements of the US immigration system.
Most of Biden’s predecessors had held their first information convention of their first two months in workplace, however the  Democratic incumbent has thus far taken few questions.