The White House News

Former President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement marking the death of Rosalynn Carter on Sunday, honoring her work spreading “hope, health and democracy across the globe.”

In their statement, the Clintons thanked Rosalynn Carter for her decades of “extraordinary service to our nation and world, and for more than forty years of friendship.”

“Rosalynn Carter was a compassionate and committed champion of human dignity everywhere,” they wrote in the statement, adding later, “Rosalynn will be forever remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose.”

Rosalynn Carter died Sunday afternoon at 96 years old, just two days after announcing she was entering hospice care. She and former President Carter were married 77 years – the longest of any president and first lady. She is survived by her husband, who is the oldest president who ever lived at 99 years old.

In their statement, the Clintons touted Rosalynn Carter’s work with the Carter Center and destigmatizing mental health.

“Throughout her long, remarkable life, she was an unwavering voice for the overlooked and underrepresented,” the Clintons’ statement read.

“Thanks to her mental health advocacy, more people live with better care and less stigma.  Because of her early leadership on childhood immunization, millions of Americans have grown up healthier. And through her decades of work at the Carter Center and with Habitat for Humanity, she spread hope, health, and democracy across the globe,” the statement added.

Former President Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump marked the death of Rosalynn Carter in a statement Sunday highlighting her “legacy of extraordinary accomplishment and national service.”

“Melania and I join all Americans in mourning the loss of Rosalynn Carter,” Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform. “She was a devoted First Lady, a great humanitarian, a champion for mental health, and a beloved wife to her husband for 77 years, President Carter.”

“Over a life spanning nearly a century, Rosalynn Carter earned the admiration and gratitude of our entire nation,” he wrote.

Rosalynn Carter died Sunday afternoon at 96 years old, just two days after she entered hospice care. She is survived by her husband, former President Carter, who entered hospice care in February. He is 99 years old.

The Carters and Trumps have diverged significantly on policy matters and the two presidents have exchanged barbs in the past, but President Trump’s statement struck a gracious note.

“From her days as a U.S. Navy spouse, to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, to her tenure as First Lady of the United States, and her later work at the Carter Center and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, she leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary accomplishment and national service,” he wrote. “Our prayers are with the former president, the Carter family, and the entire community of Plains, Georgia, that she loved so much!”

Melania Trump posted separately about her fellow first lady.

“Rosalynn Carter leaves behind a meaningful legacy not only as First Lady but as a wife and mother. We will always remember her servant’s heart and devotion to her husband, family, and country. May she rest in peace,” she wrote on Truth Social.

First lady Jill Biden on Sunday remembered former first lady Rosalynn Carter for her efforts with mental health, caregiving and women’s rights while meeting with service members and their families in Norfolk, Va.

“[Rosalynn] was well known for her efforts on mental health and caregiving and women’s rights,” Biden said, standing alongside President Biden.

“So I hope that during the holidays, you’ll … include the Carter family in your prayers,” the first lady continued.

Rosalynn Carter, the wife of former President Carter, died earlier Sunday at the age of 96. The Carter Center said the former first lady passed away at her home in Plains, Ga., about two days after she entered hospice care.

Biden and the first lady were in Norfolk, Va., visiting naval installations ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday week. The president and first lady hosted an early screening for the movie “Wonka” and participated in a “friendsgiving” meal with service members and their families.

The event, with service members from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS Gerald R. Ford and their families, is part of the White House’s Joining Forces Initiative.

Rosalynn was diagnosed with dementia in March, around a month after her husband himself entered hospice care following a series of hospital stays.

Rosalynn Carter was known as an advocate for various humanitarian issues, notably for her efforts to improve mental health care and caregiving.

Earlier this year, President Biden, 80, revealed the former president asked him to deliver his eulogy when he dies.

“I spent time with Jimmy Carter, and it’s finally caught up with him, but they found a way to keep him going for a lot longer than they anticipated because they found a breakthrough,” Biden said at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in March. “He asked me to do his eulogy.”

Jimmy Carter, 99, was diagnosed in 2015 with melanoma that spread to his liver and brain, but by the end of the year he was cancer-free after undergoing radiation therapy and cancer immunotherapy. He is the oldest former living president in U.S. history.

The Bidens visited the Carters at their Georgia home in 2021 in a private meeting between the oldest-lived former president and the oldest serving president.

Lawmakers on both sides express their condolences on the death of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, referring to the humanitarian activist as a “beacon of humble charity.” 

The Carter Center, a human rights nonprofit organization founded by Carter and her husband, Former President Jimmy Carter, announced Sunday afternoon that the former First Lady passed away just after 2 p.m. Sunday at her home in Plains, Georgia. Carter, 96, just entered hospice care two days ago. 

“First Lady Rosalynn Carter dedicated her life to serving others,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote in an X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter, post on Sunday. “America has lost a passionate humanitarian and champion for people all over the world. My heart goes out to her entire family.” 

“Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter was a beacon of humble charity, kindness, and generosity that inspired our nation for generations,” Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) wrote in an X post. “I mourn her passing and the pain President Carter is feeling today. America is blessed by the Carters.” 

“First Lady Rosalynn Carter was a beacon of hope and light—using her platform for humanitarian causes to make our world a better place,” Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH.) wrote in an X post. 

“I send my heartfelt prayers and steadfast support to President Carter and the entire Carter family. May she rest in perfect peace.”

“Erika and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Her commitment to her philanthropic work, her beloved husband and family, and our nation was admirable,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said in an X post. “May her legacy live forever and may God be near to those mourning her passing.”

“Wishing peace and comfort to former President Carter and his family,” Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said in an X post. “Rosalynn Carter was a champion for the nation and a lifelong partner in public service. May her memory be a blessing.”

“All her life Rosalynn Carter dedicated herself to serving others. As First Lady she served our country with grace and kindness,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) wrote in an X post, also sharing a photo he took with the Carters and late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) “My heart is with her love of over 75 years, President Carter and their family today.” 

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Rosalynn Carter. A beloved First Lady and wonderful humanitarian, she led a life of service and compassion,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in his own statement. “May God watch over President Jimmy Carter and their family during this difficult time.”

“First Lady Rosalynn Carter devoted her entire life to our Nation. She brought compassion and grace to every issue she fought for, especially mental health advocacy,” Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA.) said in an X post. “Terese and I send our deepest condolences to President Carter and the entire Carter family.”

“Rosalynn Carter lived an incredible life that was wholeheartedly devoted to serving others,” Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) said in an X post. “She leaves behind a legacy of grace, grit, and goodwill. Our thoughts and prayers are with President Carter and their loved ones.” 

“I extend my deepest condolences to President Carter, Jack, Chip, Jeff, Amy, and the entire Carter family on their loss,” Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) said in a statement, noting the former First Lady’s achievements with her work as a humanitarian and advocate for mental health. 

“The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of Rosalynn Carter,” Ossoff added. “I join all Georgians and Americans in mourning her loss. May Rosalynn Carter’s memory be a blessing.”

U.S. officials are walking a delicate yet contorted tightrope when it comes to addressing Israel’s offensive in Gaza as it stares down a potential deal to release dozens of hostages from Hamas’ grip while emphasizing “real concern” for an Israeli operation eyed in the coastal enclave’s southern tip.

Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer was tasked Sunday with tackling the aftermath of a report that broke late Saturday indicating that a deal was close to being reached for a five-day pause in fighting in exchange for the release of some of the 239 hostages in Gaza who were captured on Oct. 7. 

Reporting by The Washington Post indicated that a U.S.-brokered deal as a result of talks in Doha that involved Israel and Hamas via Qatari mediators would free dozens of women and children as well as allow an increase in much-needed humanitarian assistance for civilians, including fuel.

Finer, as well as U.S. Ambassador to Israel Michael Herzog, expressed hope a hostage agreement could be reached in coming days, but were careful to remain cautious that the deal is not yet done.

“[W]e are closer than we have been to reaching a final agreement, but that on an issue as sensitive as this and as challenging is this, the mantra that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed really does apply. And we do not yet have an agreement in place,” Finer told CBS’ Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation.”

On ABC’s “This Week” with Martha Raddatz, Finer responded to a notion expressed by Qatar’s prime minister that mostly “very minor” logistical and practical issues remain before the hostages could be released.

“[S]ome of the gaps have now narrowed. Some of the issues that were at odds have now been closed out. But we are not finished – there is not yet a deal in place. And I think it would be premature to conclude that this is inevitable given how close we have come in the past,” Finer said, adding that he would not detail negotiations in public.

“They’re making some progress and we hope that that will be concluded soon so that these people can finally come home,” he added.

Herzog also on ABC’s “This Week” described the status of the negotiations as “hopeful,” and one that could soon come to fruition. 

“We are hopeful that we can get a significant number of hostages freed in the coming days. I don’t want to go into the details of these talks. They are obviously very sensitive. The less we’re going to the details, the better the chances of such a deal. But they are very serious efforts and I’m hopeful that we can have the deal in the coming days,” he said.

Herzog was also cautious, however, to emphasize that a brief pause did not indicate support for a cease-fire, which U.S. and Israeli officials firmly maintain would only help Hamas regroup.

“We’re talking about a pause in the fighting for a few days, so we can get the hostages out,” Herzog said. “It’s not — it’s not a cease-fire because we will continue to push against Hamas to dismantle their military infrastructure and their terror infrastructure. We are not going to stop that, but we are willing to go for a pause, for a significant number of hostages, if we have [a] deal.”

Simultaneously, Israel has been eyeing an offensive in Gaza’s south, where thousands of civilians have fled to in recent weeks after heeding evacuation orders by Israel to do so.

Finer on CBS was asked how much the U.S. would apply any legal restrictions to military equipment it sends Israel on a “human rights basis” after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the network last week that Israel was “not successful” in minimizing civilian casualties. 

The national security adviser responded with a sustained notion by the Biden administration that Israel had the right to defend itself, but added there were concerns about where they would target next.

“In the event that we believe that Israel is likely to to embark on combat operations, including in the south, we believe both that they have the right to do that, but that there is a real concern, because hundreds of thousands of residents of Gaza have fled now from the north to the south at Israel’s request,” FIner said. “And we think that their operations should not go forward until those people- those additional civilians have been accounted for in their military planning.

Thomas White, the director of  the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, told ABC that the situation in Gaza remained “very desperate,” describing a recent report that one of its schools were hit as “horrific.”

“This is the reality of this conflict is that people in Gaza have got nowhere to go. It’s unlike other conflicts where, you know, there’s fighting in one city and you move to another city,” White said. “You know, the reality is, the Gazans have got nowhere to go for safety. And they are all exposed to the threat of fighting, and particularly air strikes.”

The Biden administration has come under increased pressure over the last month as the Palestinian death toll climbs to the tens of thousands, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. 

It has shifted its tone on the war since it’s start, at first offering unequivocal support to Israel before it began lacing its messaging with warnings to its strongest Middle East ally that it must abide by international law and do what it can to limit civilian casualties while allowing for humanitarian aid to enter.

But that shift hasn’t resonated with Democrats, whose support of Biden on the matter of foreign policy continues to erode, as evidenced by an NBC poll released Sunday.

That survey found just 34 percent of voters approved of how Biden is handling the Israel-Hamas war with 51 percent of Democrats approving of Biden’s handling of the conflict.

A growing contingent of Democratic lawmakers are also increasing calls for a cease-fire, a move that neither the administration nor Israel support. Meanwhile, demonstrations by protestors who support a cease-fire have turned violent at the doorstep of Democratic Party headquarters both in Washington and California in recent days.

For his part, Biden made his most recent case on the matter in an op-ed published by The Washington Post in which he acknowledged brutal attacks by Hamas on Israelis and the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza while offering again the only foreign policy solution he sees fit in the region.

“A two-state solution — two peoples living side by side with equal measures of freedom, opportunity and dignity — is where the road to peace must lead. Reaching it will take commitments from Israelis and Palestinians, as well as from the United States and our allies and partners. That work must start now,” Biden wrote.

When asked about House and Senate Democrats who are increasingly pushing for conditions on aid in relation to what some call indiscriminate bombing, Finer said no U.S. assistance to another country was unconditional but that the situation at hand came with its own set of unique complications.

“All of the requirements associated with international humanitarian law are applicable here. The last thing I will say on this, though, and it’s important to bear in mind, is that Israel is fighting an adversary that not only does not hold itself to these same standards; it openly boasts about flouting them and about its violations, flagrant violations of international law,” Finer told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.”

“That does not diminish Israel’s obligations, but it is a facet of this conflict that makes the challenge extremely daunting.”

In a nod to swing state Pennsylvania, turkeys Liberty and Bell will appear at the White House’s annual turkey pardoning this week, continuing a decades-long tradition in the nation’s capital.

Liberty and Bell made their debut on Sunday at a news conference with the National Turkey Federation at the Willard InterContintenal hotel in Washington. The lucky birds hail from Willmar, Minn. and were hatched as part of the “Presidential Flock” back in July.

During Sunday’s unveiling, Steve Lykken, Jennie-O Turkey Store president and National Turkey Federation chairman, pointed to the importance of turkey farmers’ work and his excitement for the event.

“This event certainly for us, is an opportunity to recognize the really hard work of turkey farmers and men and women throughout animal agriculture and the turkey industry and this is no exception,” Lykken said.

The annual “pardoning” of White House turkeys officially began 76 years ago in 1947 under former President Truman, according to the White House. Many, however, have said former President Lincoln’s clemency to a turkey in 1863 was the origin of the pardoning ceremony, though the White House said this is “likely apocryphal.”

The National Turkey Federation chairman designates a home state turkey farmer to raise the Presidential Flock and National Thanksgiving Turkey, where the turkeys are raised in very similar conditions as all turkeys available for consumers. The birds are protected from weather extremes and predators in a barn and can walk around freely with access to water and feed mix, according to the National Turkey Federation.

The turkeys are also gradually introduced to crowds, camera lights and loud noises in preparation for the annual White House pardoning ceremony.

Part of this preparation is listening to music, with Lykken telling reporters the turkeys are “Swifities,” in reference to singer Taylor Swift and that “they do enjoy some Prince.”

The turkey’s names are an apparent reference to Pennsylvania, where the historic Liberty Bell is located and First Lady Jill Biden grew up. President Biden’s 2020 campaign was also headquartered in Philadelphia.

Lykken will present the turkeys to Biden on Monday, just days ahead of Thanksgiving.

Upon the birds’ departure from D.C., the turkeys will be brought and housed at the University of Minnesota, Lykken said.