On CNN's “The Lead” broadcast on Friday, Defense Department Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh questioned why President Joe Biden was absent from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin when the two sides should talk frequently. When asked if he didn't know, he said, “The two of us talk a lot.'' . Once again, the vacation period is coming to an end. They communicate frequently. As far as I can tell, our staff is in touch almost every hour. ”
Host Jake Tapper asked, “Isn't it common practice for the president to speak to the secretary of defense every day during two wars?”
Shin replied: “They talk a lot. Once again, the vacation period is coming to an end. They communicate frequently. I would say our staff communicates almost hourly. Again, miscontrol. Our national security was never in jeopardy, and the Secretary not only apologizes but also takes responsibility for not informing the White House of his own procedures that actually occurred. We want to reiterate the fact that we're here to look at our own processes and do a 30-day review to find out what worked and what didn't. I would like to emphasize that. And once we have those results, we will of course preview them as well.”
Tapper then asked: “It seems strange to me, but let me just say, this is not the director of the Bureau of Weights and Measures. This is the Secretary of Defense, but I think the United States is in some way in two major wars in Gaza with Ukraine and Israel. Why don't President Biden and Secretary Austin talk every day even though they're embroiled in this?”
Mr. Shin replied: “Again, they are in frequent communication. I tell you, and I want you to be reassured, our staff, our teams are in constant communication with each other, And the Secretary of Defense is – you'll never meet anyone who works harder than the Secretary of Defense. Again, his 40 years were short. [of] He is serving in the military here. He is proud to have contributed to his country. He's been in touch with his team here at the Pentagon, he's been in touch with the White House, he's been monitoring everything that's going on around the world, and right now he's focused on getting well and getting back to work, but he's been in touch with I have been able to continue to take this. Just like we saw last night, with the White House. ”
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