LIVE: White House briefing

State of the Union Address

• President Biden will deliver the State of the Union address, reflecting on his first term's accomplishments and outlining his vision for the second term.
• The address will cover foreign policy issues, including the need for House Republicans to support funding for Ukraine and prioritizing national security.
• President Biden is personally involved in writing and editing the speech, working with his senior staff at Camp David.
• The White House will not provide details about the address in advance.

Haiti

• The US clarifies that it is not pushing Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign but emphasizes the need for a political accord and democratic elections.
• The US is not providing any assistance to the Haitian Prime Minister's return to Haiti.
• The deteriorating situation in Haiti has made it difficult to deliver aid, but the US government has been leading in providing assistance to the Haitian people.
• The State of the Union address will likely include a focus on Haiti, emphasizing the need for restoring democratic order through free and fair elections, inclusive governance, and power-sharing.

Ukraine

• The US is aware of a Russian missile strike that occurred near President Zelensky in Ukraine and is investigating whether he was the intended target.
• President Biden will address foreign policy issues during the State of the Union, including the need for House Republicans to support funding for Ukraine.

Technology and National Security

• The White House supports a bipartisan bill to address the national security risks posed by certain technology services, but it does not view this as an outright ban on apps like TikTok.
• The President would sign the bill if it reaches his desk, as it provides the administration with the authority to ban apps if ownership concerns are not resolved.
• President Biden signed an executive order to prevent adversaries, including China and North Korea, from stealing American information.

Other Notable Points

• The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, previews President Biden's upcoming State of the Union address, highlighting his achievements and plans for the future.
• The Houthis attacked a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier, killing innocent civilians and disrupting global trade. The US condemns these attacks and calls on governments worldwide to join in condemning them.
• President Biden has not commented on Dean Phillips' suspension of his presidential campaign.
• Victoria Nuland, the third-highest-ranking US Diplomat, has announced her resignation. The White House appreciates her service and does not have any specific comments on her departure.
• President Biden is committed to fulfilling his promise to black voters who played a crucial role in his 2020 victory. He has taken actions on voting rights, criminal justice reform, and economic policies to address the needs of black communities.