Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters Prior to Departure From Los Angeles, California

The President. So thank you very much. We just heard that we have a great Secretary of Defense. We're very happy about that, and we appreciate everybody's vote.

And very importantly, I think we had two fantastic meetings in North Carolina and also in Los Angeles, and we made a lot of progress. It's—they're tragic events, really tragic.

And we appreciate your being here, and we're going home.

Governor Gavin C. Newsom of California

Q. What did you promise the Governor, Mr. President? Did he ask for Federal dollars? Did he ask for your help?

The President. No, no, we just had a good talk. We're on the same team. We want to get it fixed. So we had a very good talk. With the Governor, I had a very, very good talk.

Senator A. Mitchell McConnell/Secretary of Defense Peter B. Hegseth

Q. What do you think of Mitch McConnell voting against Hegseth's nomination?

The President. I didn't know that. I just know we won. I didn't know that.

Mayor Karen R. Bass of Los Angeles, California/Wildfire Recovery Efforts

Q. Do you think the mayor got the message that she's got to cut redtape and get—[inaudible]?

The President. I hope the mayor got the message. Yes. I don't know. [Laughter] I'm not sure, but I hope so. Now, look, I think she means well, but these people want to get about building their house. They're not going to wait around 18 months, and they're not going to wait around a long time.

Q. Mr. President, are you——

The President. So we're going to give an immediate permit.

Secretary of Defense Peter B. Hegseth

Q. Are you concerned about any other nominations for confirmation in the Senate?

The President. No. No, I'm honored to have Pete. I think Pete is going to be a great Secretary of Defense—Pete Hegseth—and we're honored to have him.

Q. I apologize. I couldn't hear you. Did you say you were speaking to him on the phone?

The President. No, I did speak to Pete—yes—in the plane, in the helicopter. I think Pete is going to be a great Secretary of Defense.

Senator A. Mitchell McConnell/Secretary of Defense Peter B. Hegseth

Q. Are you disappointed that McConnell voted no?

The President. No, I didn't even know that. No, I don't know that. I just heard that we won. Winning is what matters, right?

So thank you very much everybody. Are you going on the plane?

Q. Yes.

The President. Good. Maybe I'll see you on the plane.

Q. That would be great.

The President. We'll see you on the plane.

Q. Come back.

Q. Come back and say hello, okay?

The President. I will.