President Biden Comments on the Election, Economy and His Future

After offering remarks on the economy and the newly released jobs report, reporters asked about Russia sanctions, Pope Francis, Meta's decision on fact-checking, pardoning himself, Ukraine, whether Harris should run again, the Havana syndrome, and what role he sees for himself after the presidency.

Here are some quotes:

Question on today's Russia sanctions: Can you explain why those sanctions were imposed today and not earlier in the term?

Biden: "The sanctions were imposed today because they will have a profound effect... for the Russian economy." "It will make it more difficult for him to conduct his wars."

Question on the canceled trip to Italy: Did you speak to Pope Francis about canceling your trip to the Vatican and are you disappointed to not make that visit before leaving office?

Biden: "Well to be honest, I am disappointed. But it's much more important I stay here with all that's going on. He fully understands that. I did not personally speak to him, but the team spoke with the apostolic delegate. But I am disappointed."

Question on self-pardoning: Have you ruled out pardoning yourself or any other additional members of your family?

Biden: “For myself? What would I pardon myself for? I have no contemplation of pardoning myself. I didn't do anything wrong.”

Question on Meta’s elimination of factchecking: Would you comment on Meta's decision to undo its fact checking operations in the United States? Was that a good decision in your opinion?

Biden: “The whole idea of walking away from fact checking as well as not reporting anything having to do with discrimination with regarding TPS, I find to be, just contrary to American justice, American, the way we talk about one another. Telling the truth matters."

Question on re-election: Do you regret your decision to run for reelection? Do you think it made it easier for your predecessor to now become your successor?

Biden: “I don't think so. I think I would have beaten Trump and would have beaten Trump." "I thought it was important to unify the party and when the party was worried about whether or not I was going to be able to move, even though I thought I could win again, I thought it was better to unify the party."

Question about support for Ukraine:

Biden: "I had a long talk with Zelensky today. I think as long as we continue to keep Western Europe united with respects to Ukraine, there is a real chance Ukrainians can prevail. Because the cost to Russia is incredibly high."

Question about whether Kamala Harris should run again:

Biden: "I think she's competent to run again in four years. That will be a decision for her to make."

Question was asked about a change in the US intelligence assessment on the Havana syndrome.

Biden said: "I don't have a full brief on that right now. I'm not going to comment on that."

Question on (preemptive) pardons: Can you give us a sense of what other pardons and commutations you are considering in your last days?

Biden: "It depends on some of the language and expectations that Trump broadcasts in the last couple days here as to what he's going to do. The idea that he would punish people for not adhering to what he thinks should be policy as related to his well being is outrageous. But there is still consideration for some folks, but still no decision."

Question on post-residency: What kind of role will you have post presidency? Will you have a role or will you follow the Bush model where you are kind of out of sight, out of mind?

Biden: "I'm not going to be out of sight or out of mind."

The quotes were provided by the White House press pool.