Psaki Says Americans “Grateful” Biden Isn’t Following Trump’s Foreign Policy, Dismisses “9,000 Unused Leases,” Leaves Door Open to Iranian Oil

On 3/5/2022, Psaki claimed Americans were “grateful” Biden had “not taken a page out of his predecessor’s playbook” on foreign policy — even as gas prices surged and Russia invaded Ukraine. She again deflected calls for domestic energy production by citing “9,000 unused approved permits,” said the U.S. didn’t “import a lot of Russian oil,” left the door open to Iranian oil under a new nuclear deal, and blamed Putin entirely for gas price volatility. Biden told students he missed being a professor at Penn and “really enjoyed teaching and writing."

"Grateful” for Biden’s Foreign Policy

Psaki made an extraordinary claim about public sentiment. “Another reason why the American people are grateful — the majority of the American people — that President Biden has not taken a page out of his predecessor’s playbook as it relates to global engagement and global leadership,” Psaki said. “Because certainly we could be in a different place.”

The claim came as Biden’s approval on foreign policy had cratered amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, and rising global instability.

”Not a Lot of Russian Oil”

When asked about the impact of cutting Russian oil imports, Psaki downplayed the volume. “We don’t import a lot of Russian oil,” she said. “But we are looking at options that we can take right now if we were to cut U.S. consumption of Russian energy.”

She added: “What’s really most important is that we maintain a steady supply of global energy.”

When pressed on whether reducing supply would raise prices, Psaki acknowledged the obvious. “If you reduce supply in the global marketplace, you are going to raise gas prices, you’re going to raise the price of oil, and that is something the president is very mindful of,” she said.

Iranian Oil on the Table

A reporter asked whether Biden would “welcome Iranian oil coming into the United States in order to increase that supply” if the Iran nuclear deal was completed. “There’s not a deal at this point in time. We’re close. We’re not there,” Psaki said. “So if and when we get to that point, we can speak to that question.”

When asked whether an Iran deal factored into supply considerations, Psaki said the “first and foremost priority focus is on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.” But she did not rule out Iranian oil as a supply source.

9,000 Leases — Again

A reporter cited the American Petroleum Institute president, who said Biden’s “ban on new development of federal lands and federal waters is really hindering American energy development during a critical time” and that increasing royalty fees discouraged investment.

Psaki pivoted to her standard deflection. “Onshore alone, as of the start of this year, the industry had more than 9,000 unused approved permits to drill in the United States,” she said. “Of the more than 37 million acres under lease offshore and onshore, nearly 60% are currently non-producing.”

“There’s no shortage of drilling leases that can be used domestically to enhance production in this moment,” Psaki said. “The oil and gas industry is literally sitting on stockpiled leases and permits.”

She then acknowledged the long-term goal. “What overall we need to do here is reduce our dependence on oil. Europeans are doing that, we’re doing that,” Psaki said.

Devon Energy CEO: “Mystified” by No Outreach

The Devon Energy CEO’s comments continued to haunt the administration. “I’m a little mystified that there hasn’t been some dialogue,” the CEO had told reporters. Labor Secretary Walsh had confirmed no outreach had occurred.

Biden Misses Being a Professor

Biden told students at an event that he missed his time at the University of Pennsylvania. “You make me miss being a professor at Penn. When I left the vice presidency, I took a professorship at University of Pennsylvania on presidential politics and history, so I envy you,” Biden said. “I really enjoyed teaching and writing.”

Stock Market Declines

A reporter asked whether stock market declines and commodity price spikes could reverse economic gains. Psaki separated the two. “I think it’s important to separate the stock market from the real economy,” she said.

When asked why Biden wasn’t getting credit from voters despite positive economic numbers, Psaki said: “We do have inflation. The president has acknowledged that. But what people also report is that their own finances are fairly healthy, but they see uncertainty in the economy.”

Key Takeaways

Psaki claimed Americans were “grateful” Biden had not followed Trump’s foreign policy playbook — amid Russia’s invasion, gas price surges, and Biden’s lowest approval ratings.
She said the U.S. didn’t import “a lot” of Russian oil and left the door open to Iranian oil if the nuclear deal was completed.
Psaki again cited 9,000 unused drilling permits to deflect calls for increased domestic production, while admitting the long-term goal was to “reduce our dependence on oil.”
The Devon Energy CEO remained “mystified” that no one from the administration had reached out about boosting production.
Biden told students he missed teaching at Penn and “really enjoyed teaching and writing.”

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

The majority of the American people are grateful that President Biden has not taken a page out of his predecessor’s playbook.
We don’t import a lot of Russian oil. But we are looking at options to cut U.S. consumption of Russian energy.
Would the President welcome Iranian oil? There’s not a deal at this point. If and when we get to that point, we can speak to that question.
The industry had more than 9,000 unused approved permits to drill. The oil and gas industry is literally sitting on stockpiled leases.
You make me miss being a professor at Penn. I really enjoyed teaching and writing.
I’m a little mystified that there hasn’t been some dialogue.

Full transcript: 1506 words transcribed via Whisper AI.