Remarks by President Biden Before Air Force One Departure | Tampa, FL

MacDill Air Force Base
Tampa, Florida

12:35 P.M. EDT

Q    Mr. President, where was Governor DeSantis?  Did you speak with him while you were here?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, I didn’t. 

But I — by — by the way, I think we’re making real progress.  Everybody seems pretty happy with the way it’s going.  We’re not leaving.  We’re provi- — we’re going to — the next thing to do, we’re trying to make sure we get the money in there for small businesses; talking to the Congress to see if they can get the money quickly.  It’s important. 

So, you saw, I mean, Republicans and Democrats are happy with what we’re doing.  And so, we’re making progress.  We’re making progress.

Q    Sir, could you —

Q    On the THAAD.  Did you — wh- — why did you decide to give the permission for the THAAD to be deployed in Israel?

THE PRESIDENT:  To defend Israel.

Q    Any — any worries about it?

Q    Is the misinformation hurting FEMA’s ability to respond?

12:36 P.M. EDT