'Putin is a murderer and he will pay': Biden's big interview about politics, vaccination and migrants

On Tuesday, March 16, US President Joe Biden met with George Stephanopoulos of ABC Newsto give an extensive interview in which he spoke about migrants, Vladimir Putin, the governor of New York, relations with the Middle East and his dog.

Photo: Shutterstock

Biden also told Stephanopoulos that he agreed with the assertion that Vladimir Putin was a "killer" and would "pay the price" for meddling in the US elections.

The president said it would be "difficult" to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan by May 1, the deadline set in the deal former President Donald Trump's administration struck with the Taliban.

"I thought that vaccination would not be politicized"

Biden was surprised that COVID-19 vaccinations are still so politicized.

“How do you take the politics out of these vaccine conversations?” Stephanopoulos asked.

“Frankly, I thought we did it,” Biden said. “I thought that once we guaranteed that we had enough vaccine for everyone, things would start to calm down.” Well, they've calmed down a lot. But I don’t understand these macho-style statements: “I won’t get vaccinated. I have the right as an American and my freedom not to do this.” Well, why don't you be a patriot? Protect other people."

Biden said the vaccinations allowed him to show Americans that it was safe and changed his life "because now I can hug my grandchildren."

“They come to the house,” the president said. - I see them. I can be with them."

Putin will "pay"

On Tuesday, March 16, the US Intelligence Agency released an unclassified report on foreign interference in the 2020 elections, which states that Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a massive effort to "vilify" President Joe Biden's candidacy.

Biden told Stephanopoulos that he warned Putin of a possible response during a phone call in late January.

“He will pay,” Biden said. -We had a long conversation. I know him relatively well. At the beginning of the conversation I said, “I know you and you know me. If I determine that this has happened, then be prepared.”

Stephanopoulos asked: “So you know Vladimir Putin. Do you consider him a killer? "

“Um, yeah,” Biden responded.

Although the president said “you will see” that Putin will “pay the price,” he did not go into details.

However, he said it was possible to “walk and chew gum at the same time in places where working together is in our common interests.” Biden pointed to his decision to extend the arms deal with Russia in January.

It will be 'difficult' to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by May

Biden also addressed his administration's consideration of a deal made by former President Donald Trump with the Taliban, according to which the United States will withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan by May 1 if the Taliban comply with certain requirements.

“I'm making a decision now about when they go,” Biden said. “The fact is that this was not a very strong agreement that the president - the former president - developed. And so we are consulting with our allies as well as the government, and that decision will be - it's in process now."

Biden said it would be "tough" for all service members to leave by May 1.

“It could happen,” he said, “but it’s difficult.”

On the subject: Biden and immigration: what important decisions did the president make in a month and a half of work

Cuomo must resign if charges are confirmed

Biden told Stephanopoulos that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should step down if the investigation confirms the allegations that he committed sexual harassment.

“You said you want the investigation to continue,” Stephanopoulos told Biden, referring to the New York attorney general's investigation into allegations Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women. “If the investigation confirms the women’s allegations, should he resign?”

“Yes,” the president replied. “I think he will probably face criminal charges as well.”

In recent weeks, seven people have filed charges against the Democratic governor, and one statement has been reported to the police in Albany, New York. Cuomo is being called upon to step down, but he denies the charges.

Biden had not previously supported an immediate end to Cuomo's governorship.

“There needs to be an investigation to determine whether what she says is true,” Biden told Stephanopoulos during a wide-ranging interview in Darby, Pennsylvania.

Photo: screenshot abcnews.go.com

Relations with Saudi Arabia will change

Stephanopoulos also insisted on the question of why Biden did not punish Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally after US intelligence concluded that the crown prince had approved an operation to capture or assassinate Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi. As a candidate, Biden promised a strong response.

The president said, "I am the one who published the report," referring to the American intelligence report, which the Trump administration did not publish, but he did. Biden also said that he "made it clear" to the King of Saudi Arabia that "everything will change."

“We held accountable all the people in this organization - but not the crown prince, because never, as far as I know, if we have an alliance with a country, have we approached the current head of state, punished that person and ostracized him.” , Biden said.

He said that he "omitted the list of what we expected from the Saudis," including that it should "end the war in Yemen, end the famine there."

Addressing migrants

Amid a surge of migrants and unaccompanied minors at the U.S. southern border, Stephanopoulos asked the president: “Should you clearly say, 'Don't come'?”

“Yes, I can say very clearly: don’t come,” Biden said. — Don't leave your city or community. "

The number of unaccompanied teenagers and children taken into US custody along the US-Mexico border has skyrocketed in recent weeks as more migrants try to cross the country's border.

Stephanopoulos asked Biden, "Was it a mistake not to anticipate this surge?"

“First of all, the surge has occurred over the last two years,” the president said. “There was also a surge in 2019 and 2020.”

Stephanopoulos remarked, "This could be worse," and Biden admitted, "Well, maybe."

"They have this idea that Joe Biden said, 'Come.' I heard the other day that they are coming because they know I am a good person. But the fact is, they don’t,” Biden said.

Thousands of unaccompanied minors are being held at US Customs and Border Protection, many for longer than the law, as Biden said his administration is struggling to "provide beds for these children."

“I believe that by next month we will have enough beds to take care of children who have nowhere to go,” Biden said.

Biden said he "inherited the disorder" and that it is important to address the root causes of migration from Central America.

“It’s not like somebody sitting in Guadalajara right now in Mexico and saying, ‘I have a great idea. Let's sell everything we have, give it to a coyote (the man who guides illegals across the border - Ed.), give him our children, let him take them across the border. Let us leave them in the desert, where they do not speak this language. Wouldn’t that be fun?,” the president said.

He added: “This is not why people come. They come because their circumstances are so bad. Now some are coming because they want a better opportunity, for economic reasons. They do not fit the requirements. In the meantime, we are doing everything we can to provide these children with beds. "

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The Major Dog Incident

At the end of the interview, the president also recalled his dog Major, who recently inflicted "minor injury" on someone in the White House. Major was taken to Biden's home in Delaware after the incident, although the White House said the dog was sent there because First Lady Jill Biden was absent from the city.

“Major was taken from the dog house?” Stephanopoulos asked the president.

“Yes,” Biden said, laughing. “Look, Major was a rescued puppy. He didn't bite anyone or break through the skin. Life in the new environment amazed Major. You turn a corner and there are two people you don't know at all. And he moves to protect. But he's a sweet dog. Eighty-five percent of the people there love him. All he does is lick them and wag his tail."

Biden said the "dog is now being trained" in Delaware and that he planned to see him later that night when he was staying in Delaware.

“I didn’t run him away,” Biden said. — Jill was supposed to be gone for four days. I was going to be gone for two days, so we took him home."

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