USS Iowa
Port of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
10:51 A.M. PDT
THE PRESIDENT: As we used to say in the United States Senate, I hope you’ll excuse a point of personal privilege, but I think that Sal must be related closely to my good friend from Holy Rosary High School in Claymont, Mike DiCostanzo (ph). (Laughter.) You think I’m kidding. (Laughs.) I’m not.
I tell you what — but anyway, thank you, Sal.
Look, everybody, before I begin, I want to say a few words very briefly about the January 6th hearings that were highlighted last night.
The insurrection on January 6th is one of the darkest chapters in our nation’s history. A brutal assault on our democracy. A brutal attack on law enforcement — some losing their lives. And we — and we heard about it last night again.
It’s important that the American people understand what truly happened and to understand that the same forces that led January 6th remain at work today. It’s about our democracy itself.
We have to protect our democracy. I know it sounds corny to say it. We were all raised in school that democracy — every generation has to protect it. I have to admit to you, I never thought that it was going to be this straightforward a challenge before.
The rule of law matters in democracies. And we’re seeing how the battle for the soul of America has been far from won.
But I know, together — and I mean this — we can unite and defend this nation, Democrat and Republican, and allow no one to place a dagger at the throat of our democracy.
That’s what those hearings are all about. You’re going to hear a lot more. I didn’t get to watch them last night because I was doing other business. But I tell you what: There’s a lot — a lot going on.
Now, look, to the reason I’m here. You know, thank you, Sal. And thanks to Gene and the Port of Los Angeles, as well. Mario, thank you, for the Port of Long Beach. And thank Mayor Garcetti of Los Angeles and the Mayor of Long Beach, who I suspect is soon going to be the Congressman of Long Beach, the way it looks like. (Applause.)
You guys did a heck of a job when I came out here a couple years ago to try to get things moving. Everybody did — management, labor, the elected leaders. As well as, at the time, we also had Governor Newsom pushing hard as well.
Look, we have two excellent senators: Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla. I tell you what, Alex — (applause) — you don’t look any worse for the wear, man. (Laughter.) You’re looking awful good. You’re looking awful good.
And, Nanette, I — I think you’ve always looked good, particularly compared to these guys. You know what I mean? (Laughter.) And me. But seriously, thank you, Nanette, for the fire you bring. You bring some fire to this. I really mean it. It’s in your heart.
And Alan Lowenthal has been working on this for a long time. Alan and I just had a little meeting together. We got to change it, Alan. We’ve got — we can’t — we can’t give up. We got to turn this corner.
And, John, I can’t thank you. You’re — you’re the real deal. Anybody — well, I won’t get into — get you in trouble, but thanks for sticking up for me.
And, look — and we have a Labor Secretary that — I’m his translator. He’s “Marty Walsh from Boston.” (Pronounced in Boston accent.) (Laughter.) And — but if you need any- — the only thing you got to know: He always has your back. He always has your back. I had an uncle who used to say, “Joey, you’re labor from belt buckle to shoe sole.” Well, he’s labor from forehead to the tip of his toes. He used to run a labor’s outf- — union.Look, folks, today I’d like to speak about my top economic priority: fighting inflation. I understand Americans are anxious, and they’re anxious with good reason. I was raised in a household when the price of gasoline rose precipitously, it was the discussion at the table. It made a difference when food prices went up.But we’ve never seen anything like Putin’s tax on both food and gas.Americans should also understand our economy has unique strengths that we can build on. The job market is the strongest it’s been since World War Two, notwithstanding the […]
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