Department Press Briefing – March 21, 2025

We are grateful for the Government of Qatar’s support in bringing George home.  The United Arab Emirates also played a role in facilitating the initial discussions.  We remain deeply concerned about the well-being of Mahmoud Habibi and other Americans still detained in Afghanistan.  The safety and security of Americans abroad remains a highest priority of this State Department, and we are working tirelessly to bring Americans home.

I want to express – this is the Secretary’s statement.  He wants to express his gratitude to the Honduran Government for their cooperation in this extradition.  So that is a statement that’s been on the record from Secretary of State Marco Rubio about this excellent turn of events regarding Sarah and the justice now that her parents and her family will be able to enjoy. 

And I would like to open it up for questions.  I’m thinking you might have some.  Yes, sir.  Oh, Matt.  Matt.

QUESTION:  Well, you know what?  I just —

MS BRUCE:  I wanted to just make sure he was watching —

QUESTION:  (Laughter.)  I was.

MS BRUCE:  — and listening.  Matt Lee.

QUESTION:  In fact, I was actually going to say that I don’t really have anything big to start off with.  So you can —

MS BRUCE:  I could – I psychically could tell because the page in front of you, sir, is blank.  (Laughter.)  So let’s do something different.  But we’ll come back to Matt so he can recover.

Yes, sir.

QUESTION:  I’d never think of usurping Matt.

MS BRUCE:  And let’s also do – for people who are watching at home, obviously my fourth – my fourth briefing.  At some point, I won’t keep numbering them.  But a lot of new people keep watching every time, and it’s the American people wanting to get a sense of what is on your minds, what we’re doing, and I look forward to doing that.  So let’s go.

QUESTION:  Two questions for you.  First off, hope you’re doing well.

MS BRUCE:  Thank you.

MS BRUCE:  I can give you – I can give you a little bit, certainly; I don’t know if a full overview or not.  But we are monitoring the Syrian interim authority’s actions in general across a number of issues as we determine and think about the future U.S. policy for Syria.  We also continue to call for an inclusive civilian-led government that can ensure national institutions are effective, responsive, and representative.  Local ownership and broad societal support is necessary for stability in Syria and the region, as recent deadly violence on the coast demonstrated.  Long-term stability and prosperity for the people of Syria requires a government that protects all Syrians equally. 

Ultimately, the United States wants a Syria that lives in peace with its neighbors, respects human rights, and prohibits terrorists from using its territory as a safe haven.  Clear designs there, clear parameters, easy to understand, and we’re watching to see how they – how they behave and how they react.

QUESTION:  Second question for you.

MS BRUCE:  Yeah.

 MS BRUCE:  Well, we have seen the reporting on the issue, and we don’t comment on internal deliberations between really any city and its government, certainly the city of Johannesburg and the Government, in this case, of South Africa.  And perhaps South Africa would refer you to Johannesburg or South Africa for more details, but that’s what I have for you. 

All right, I —

QUESTION:  Did State get involved in any manner on this?

MS BRUCE:  That’s what I have for you. 

QUESTION:  Okay, thank you.

MS BRUCE:  All right, Matt Lee, who’s still – he’s scrolling.  He’s scrolling.

QUESTION:  I’m trying to find something and I can’t find it.

MS BRUCE:  Well, welcome to my world.  (Laughter.) 

Yes, Nadia.

MS BRUCE:  Well, first on your first question, the SAF, the Sudanese Armed Forces, they have retaken the presidential palace in Khartoum.  The ongoing fighting in Khartoum further underscores the devastating consequences of the conflict for the people of Sudan, and we continue to urge the warring parties to cease hostilities and facilitate the safe, unhindered movement of lifesaving humanitarian assistance.  So we’re watching that.  I think the world should be – much of it is – watching that situation, and that seems to be an important event.  But we’re watching and we’re aware of it.

As far as Gaza, look, we’re still dealing with the efforts to have a ceasefire, which we had and was, courtesy of Hamas, broken because of their lack of action on the parameters of the ceasefire itself.  We, of course, stand by our ally, Israel – as I mentioned, every day happily so.  And I – so I certainly won’t comment on or speculate on other hypotheses of what people think is going or not going to happen. 

I think the main goal is – right? – humanitarian supplies, the nature of the violence stopping.  That is the sole focus of the nature of where we’re at at this point. 

I’m going to —

QUESTION:  Have you —

MS BRUCE:  Well, I don’t know.  Is —

QUESTION:  Can I follow up on it? 

QUESTION:  A follow-up on this?

MS BRUCE:  I’ll get back to you, Said.  Let’s keep going here. 

QUESTION:  All right, well, I just wanted – so today was supposed to —

MS BRUCE:  This is your last chance.  Yes, sir.

MS BRUCE:  I can tell you that the deadline is now not today.

QUESTION:  Okay.

MS BRUCE:  I can’t tell you the specifics, but it’s – don’t expect that to be – that today is a day that something will have to come out.  Of course, what we do know is that, and what I can say to you, is that the Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process, as laid out by Trump’s executive order, which is what initiated this dynamic. 

The visa adjudication process must ensure that U.S.-bound foreign travelers do not pose a threat to the national security and public safety of the United States.  This was obviously a huge discussion on September 12th, 2001, and this is an issue that Americans care about and the nation’s safety requires.  The department, however, does not comment on internal deliberations or communications, to the extent where at least I can tell you that the deadline is not today.

QUESTION:  Okay, and then just one other thing, which is also kind of a – it’s a very brief thing.  But you know this lawsuit that’s going on that’s been the topic of – well, much attention on the AEA, the – to deport —

MS BRUCE:  Well, you obviously know I’m not going to speak to anything you’re going to be asking me —

QUESTION:  Well, no, no, no, but since there was a filing today —

MS BRUCE:  — because it involves a legal process.  What?  A filing even today?  But —

QUESTION:  Well, I know.  But it says that there are cabinet-level discussions about using a state secrets authority to —

MS BRUCE:  Matt, you know that – and I find —

QUESTION:  Well, I know, but I have to ask.

MS BRUCE:  You do have to ask.  And this is, I think, for everyone watching and everyone here, they’re learning from you, unfortunately, that there is – that yes, absolutely ask.  That’s part of it.  Americans wondering what is it you guys are looking at, what are you concentrating on, but also learning that when you’ve got a process within the legal system and also diplomatic conversations, et cetera, there are certain things that I can’t speak about, and that’s one of them.  But thank you, sir.

QUESTION:  And this is one of them.  Okay, thank you. 

MS BRUCE:  Andrea Mitchell.

MS BRUCE:  Well, a few things.  Of course, I don’t speak for the White House or the President.  He had some great comments to make earlier today, as you know, as you’re referencing, and I think his comments speak for themselves.

I also can’t speak about the individuals who have been transported or legal mechanisms or diplomatic mechanisms regarding their status.  But what I can say is that our relationship with President Bukele is excellent, that this isn’t a situation where there is no communication or relationship that doesn’t continue on with El Salvador or the President.  And of course, this is an issue that we also continue to focus on.

So that, I can tell you, is if the President mentioned it, I think that sends a signal, if not more so, about his commitment and the nature of what he knows and what he says he’s going to do about it, and that’s where we’re going to leave it.

QUESTION:  Well, let me just follow up because the videos certainly that the – that were taken by El Salvador showed some harsh treatment.  Does the U.S. feel any obligation in terms of human rights or legal authority when people are taken to another country, to a prison, to follow up on what the conditions are in which they’re being held?

MS BRUCE:  Well, again, that is also DHS; it’s not the State Department’s purview in that kind of framework, even the removing of people from the country.  It’s not the State Department’s purview.  That’s a question for the DHS, but it’s certainly not something I can even speculate on or I’m not going to speak on the nature of El Salvador’s process and how it handles the nature of the people that they repatriated.

QUESTION:  But they were taken under —

MS BRUCE:  Right.

QUESTION:  — the authority of the Secretary of State and his declarations.

MS BRUCE:  Well, that – and that was implemented by the Department of Homeland Security, so yes.

All right, now.  Jen – yes.    

QUESTION:  It’s Humeyra from Reuters.

MS BRUCE:  Humeyra.  Humeyra.  We’ve —

QUESTION:  That’s okay.  (Laughter.)

MS BRUCE:  This is – in all honesty, and if I was on Broadway it might be a different situation:  It’s kind of hard to see.  So you’ll have to forgive me in the sense of that. 

Humeyra, yes.

MS BRUCE:  Again, we are in a dynamic where there is diplomatic conversations happening.  We’re still working to implement ceasefires and dealing with issues and questions regarding what can happen on the ground when there’s still hostilities and still conflict.  I will not speak to or guess about what the President is going to do, what he’s thinking.  It’s not my place.  And the good news is we have a President and a Secretary of State, as I’ve mentioned a few times, that are not shy men, that you will hear from them – and you do – courtesy of social media, courtesy of statements from this department or the White House.

So it is – it’s certainly not my place.  We – what we – we want to have facts of the matter that I can state to you regarding our positions.  And it is, I think as I’ve mentioned to many of you, after 25-plus years of being on talk radio and television where there is guessing or opinion – we can’t do that.  And so I’m clearly very strict in that regard.

QUESTION:  Well, one more.

MS BRUCE:  Yes, sir.

MS BRUCE:  One more on Syria.

QUESTION:  Okay, thank you.  And thanks for that Syria statement; that might actually be the clearest and the first time that the administration talked about Syria.  So my follow-up is this. 

MS BRUCE:  Can I mention in the midst of that?

QUESTION:  Sure.

MS BRUCE:  It is because of your questions, the nature of what your interests are, and the importance of what I think we encourage here when it comes to there’s all kinds of countries and cities that are in the news all the time, but things are happening all around the world that affect all of us, and it’s that kind of modern age.  And it’s exciting to be able to look for those answers and at least provide some insight. 

So I’m sorry, go ahead.

QUESTION:  There is a big expectation for any sanctions relief that U.S. could give to Syria.  Is this something the administration is thinking about, and what would it take to give sanctions relief to Syria? 

MS BRUCE:  There are – the sanctions dynamic has not changed, and there’s no plans to change it at this point.  But there is – so these – the existing measures that have always existed remain.  And I understand why that’s a question.  But we have authorized Syria General License 24, which allows for transactions meant to help stabilize Syria.  So it is not a blanket block, but the previous measures remain but there is General License 24, again, that allows for transactions to help facilitate the stabilizing of that nation.

All right, yes, sir.

QUESTION:  Just staying on Syria, can you speak a little bit on Syria?  I was wondering what’s the State Department assessment on the new Syrian constitution that was drafted by the interim authority, which the draft was rejected by the minority groups and they are saying that it has – grants likely no rights of these minority groups like Kurds and Druze. 

MS BRUCE:  So one thing I can tell you:  We are following developments that Ahmed al-Sharaa signed, the – I guess signed a so-called constitutional declaration, and note concerns expressed around consolidation of power by al-Sharaa.  We continue to call, as I’ve mentioned in my first part of my statement, for an inclusive, civilian-led government to ensure national institutions are effective, responsive, legitimate, and representative.  And we are continuing to watch the interim authorities’ actions to see if they guarantee equal rights and treatment for all Syrians and preserve individual freedoms, as outlined in that constitutional declaration. 

So we continue to watch, and I think that will bear out the nature of what it is we are dealing with.  Bottom line, we continue to stand with the people of Syria.

MS BRUCE:  I’m sorry, I’m not – can you start again, please?

QUESTION:  Yeah, sure.  You spoke about Iran, and I think that the policy of this administration’s policy on Iran, it’s pretty much clear.  But the Iranian has rejected direct talks with you.  My question is that, what other options are on the table when it comes to Iran and make Iran that not pursuing getting nuclear weapons?

MS BRUCE:  Well, certainly sanctions as we have applied, to say the least.  Iran’s behavior, as we know, across the globe threatens U.S. national interests, which is why President Trump has reimposed the maximum pressure campaign designated to end Iran’s nuclear threat, curtail its ballistic missile program, and stop it from supporting terrorist groups.  The President has made clear Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.  So – and that includes, again, the sanctions of nations that are assisting that framework, the sanctions, again, on a company with – regarding China.  And there’s a number of things diplomatically that can be done.  This administration has been very effective in that regard considering their position regarding stopping malign behavior while also believing that wars have to end, to say the least. 

All right.  Yes, Said, you asked before.  Keep going.  Yeah.

MS BRUCE:  Well, and I know we – you ask, and I appreciate your passion in asking about the humanitarian situation.  That’s what we all think about.  We think about it here at State in a certain fashion, and you do yours.  But again, when we think about rumors or suggestions or hypotheses or things talked about in the media, it is not a basis for my commentary about whether or not something is or is not going to happen.  What I – I’ve expressed to you what we do know, is what is public and what is the policy of this administration, certainly that Secretary Rubio is committed to, which is ending bloodshed.

Now, so there’s – the talk about annexing things or – that is, if anything, for those of you who care about these issues, it is a distraction to move past the nature of what’s going on now via – with one cause, which is Hamas’s attitude and actions.  And while you then – we have to deal with what is continuing and not happening because of their choices.  We are continuing to try to stop that.  So it’s interesting that we can continue to keep in light – sir, just a minute – keep in our minds the nature of what’s in front of us, which is still to stop the wholesale slaughter of people, the use of other individuals as human shields, the general chaos that that causes, and the fact that there are ways to stop it. 

And that’s what we’re working on now, but others perhaps – they want us to always talk about something else, to get people distracted about that thing so you stop looking at what is the thing that we need to deal with immediately.  And I look to the Trump Administration and to Secretary Rubio as examples of keeping their eyes on the prize and working methodically in this moment to get us to where we need to go.

QUESTION:  Just to follow —

MS BRUCE:  All right.  Yeah, we’ll – let’s – we’ll – yes, go ahead.

QUESTION:  Okay.

QUESTION:  Well, I’m going to switch topics, so if you want to stay on the region.

MS BRUCE:  Well, is —  

QUESTION:  I have a question about Gaza. 

MS BRUCE:  All right.  Well, thank you.  We’ll stay on the region then.  Yes, sir.

QUESTION:  Just – Tammy, you just mentioned that your goal is to stop the war and to let the humanitarian aid get inside Gaza, and this is, I believe, a goal of everyone else.  But according to the UN, Israel stopped aid from going through the crossing 20 days now consecutively.  This is the longest since October 7th.  And this happened before the renewed airstrikes now.  So there was no military operations in the region that prevent aid from going in.  Do you feel that this is a collective punishment for Palestinians in Gaza to force Hamas to give some concessions?  And is this acceptable?

MS BRUCE:  Well, when you’re asking me if I feel something, obviously I’m not going to go into a soliloquy of what I feel.  What I can tell you is I also won’t speak about a hypothetical or a separate report of what has happened with Israel.  You would need to ask the Israeli Government about if something occurred that you believe occurred or want clarity on.  I don’t speak for the Israeli Government or for their prime minister.  I speak for the U.S. State Department that has an interest in it.  I – but you’re asking a question we could – we probably could discuss over dinner.  But that’s not a question for this podium or for what we are discussing here. 

QUESTION:  I’m asking —

MS BRUCE:  What we do know – what we – there are certain things that are facts of the matter, is that Hamas has put Israel and the world and the Gazan people in this position because of their – the madness, the savagery that they decided would be a good thing to do.  I don’t know what they thought would occur, but it perhaps is not what has occurred, which is a unity around the world after we saw that atrocity on October 7th. 

What we also, though, have done on – for everyone affected as a global issue – certainly, first, the Gazan people, the Israelis, et cetera – but as a global, unified effort is to stop the carnage.  It’s a meat grinder.  It’s people being used by others who just seem to not – certainly, they’re not focused on peace at the end.  It is Hamas who needs to be asked certain questions about why this continues because this has been their choice.  There has been elements that have been agreed upon, other steps that people – the world came together to facilitate that the United States was committed to, and it still – they still abandoned it.  Edan Alexander, when we talk about hostages who have been released or killers of Americans who’ve been extradited, there is an American who is still being held, the bodies of the dead being held.  That is what is in front of us.  This is what needs to be stopped, and that is what we’re committed to. 

Yes, sir. 

QUESTION:  My question —

MS BRUCE:  With the glasses there in the back. 

QUESTION:  Yeah – me?

MS BRUCE:  No, the gentleman in front of you, sir.  Yeah. 

QUESTION:  Yeah.  Yeah, so thank you.  Daniele Compatangelo for Italian La7. 

MS BRUCE:  Yes. 

QUESTION:  So a question still about the meeting, if you confirm the meeting with the Israeli and the Americans next week here at the State Department and the White House – and if so – about Iran, it’s going to be.  That’s from a report on Axios.  So can you – if it’s true, can you tell – can you give us some insight —

MS BRUCE:  Nice – nice ending phrase there.  (Laughter.)

QUESTION:  Yeah.  Can you give us some insight of what we’re going to see or —

MS BRUCE:  This – if this is at the White House, as you suggested —

QUESTION:  And also the State Department (inaudible) — 

MS BRUCE:  Well, it’s – again, I can’t tell you what’s going to happen at the White House, and I won’t be confirming any meetings in this regard. 

All right.  All right, now you’re ready, right?  Let’s do it.

MS BRUCE:  Well, I did have that question, and I have the question out to the Secretary.  It’s something that I’m following up with as well.  It has been a story, understandably.  You’re interested in the answers to this, so I’m going directly to him.  It’s a – it’s – he’s a busy guy, but as – I’m going to continue to look for that from him.  What I can tell you also, though, is that we’re reducing, clearly – he was elected in large part to reduce the federal bureaucracy, right? It’s about waste and fraud, mismanagement.  This is something that has to occur, and in any dynamic there’s going to be actions and tough decisions that have to be made.  It’s – many of us personally also have to go through that when you’re looking at a budget. 

The President continues to take action to ensure the whole of the United States Government, including Executive Branch agencies, are in line with the administration’s policy priorities.  And I’ve said before, I have to keep saying, is that many, many things are fluid, and it’s why – it’s good – why you’re here and why now we’re doing this three days a week, but also when we address the issue, as I asked about the issue of visas.  There are people who are reporting certain things, and like in any situation, if you’re in the United States and you are – and you have to leave, you can also apply for asylum.  If you are in a situation where you’re – where you believe your returning to your home country puts you at significant risk, we have, clearly, procedures where you can apply for asylum, and that is – certainly if someone is coming from that workplace or some other situation, that’s something that people can do. 

If you have a visa – and every situation is different.  That’s why we don’t discuss individual visa dynamics.  But if someone is here and it is a work visa and it’s – their employment has ended, there is a period of time – it’s like any other visa dynamic for anyone who holds a visa, and you can learn about that at state.gov.  You can talk to – there’s a whole host of people that can help you.  And if you – I would guess if you’re here on a work visa, that was probably a complicated, semi-complicated procedure, and so you’re aware of these things.  And so this is what is obvious for anyone in this kind of a situation, especially for those worried about the nature of reporting or a dynamic where they’re concerned about returning.  There are options like that, and that, again, is a very basic situation for everyone in that kind of a situation. 

Yes – yes, sir. 

MS BRUCE:  Sure. 

QUESTION:  You’re sort of highlighting some of the tools in your toolkit on Iran sanctions.  I want to ask you about particular sanction law – is the law of the land – which is called the MAHSA Act, which requires the administration to target Iranian leadership for their gross human rights violations.  Is this administration willing to implement the MAHSA Act? 

MS BRUCE:  Is this administration what? 

QUESTION:  Willing to implement the act? 

MS BRUCE:  Well, I’m not – that would take me knowing what their thoughts are or discussing what diplomatic considerations are, issues that I can’t – certainly not going to speculate on.  That’s a hypothetical for the most part, and I can’t do that. 

Yes.  At the —

MS BRUCE:  Wait, you’re going to have to – you’re going to – maybe his mike can come up.  Start again, and maybe a little bit more slowly, too. 

QUESTION:  Yeah, sure.  Absolutely. 

MS BRUCE:  Thank you. 

QUESTION:  I was hoping you could fill us in on the delegation is headed to Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine.  Michael Anton —

MS BRUCE:  Yeah. 

QUESTION:  — from this building is a part of the team.  Anyone else you could mention, please?  And also any reaction to overnight assault on Ukraine from —

MS BRUCE:  Well, I’m not going to speak about the particular individuals on the teams, all right?  It is senior officials.  It’s not principals – that’s what we have.  I think it’s inappropriate to discuss, certainly, personnel, let alone senior officials who might be on a negotiation team.  But yeah, it’s a dynamic that clearly we’ll get the results from, we’ll see the details, and then we can make some assessments about perhaps who was involved and where we go next.

QUESTION:  (Off-mike.)

MS BRUCE:  All right, now at the end of the row here.  Yes, ma’am.  Go ahead, please.

MS BRUCE:  Well, I wasn’t at the meeting with the Taliban.  Even if I was, I wouldn’t give you any details.  If there was – certainly these are diplomatic considerations, and we have – what the main end result, which I think is the north star of this framework, is that an American is home.  So that’s what we have to care about.  In the meantime, I think that there’s a general series of issues that we’re dealing with, but keep encouraging you to think about the nature of these subjects that are in front of us that we’re working on that are steps in longer processes to not just keep Americans safe and get Americans home, but to change the condition of the world that’s in front of us.

All right, all the way in the back.  Gentleman with the white shirt.  Yes, please.

MS BRUCE:  Sure.

QUESTION:  I wanted to ask you if the Global Engagement Center is still active.  How concerned are you that RT, Sputnik News, all that Russian disinformation outlets are going to be countered now without American state media to counter their narratives and what they have been doing the past years?  Thank you.

MS BRUCE:  Well, that is a stretch here, and I’ve mentioned this on Wednesday, that we do have a lot of very familiar structures and systems that are changing.  And that doesn’t mean that the work stops.  It means that the efforts and the outreach and the engagement will look different, perhaps.  But our values and what has informed the United States of America from day one through all of this time hasn’t changed, and it’s why we remain the greatest and the strongest country in the world.  We can have these conversations.  But while we’re in the process of change in this fashion, it’s the change of an administrative structure regarding taxpayer dollars as we assess is the money we’re spending – does it align with the values, with the agenda of the Trump Administration that the American people overwhelmingly voted for to get things done?  And it doesn’t mean burning the house down.  It means looking at how we can make it better, what needs to be changed, what needs to be reformed so that we can spend money in a smarter, more efficient way.

So yes, certain entities, certain buildings will be housed differently.  Certain attitudes will perhaps change.  But the goals and the attitude and the values of the United States not only haven’t changed – they’ve been highlighted by the election of Donald Trump, a man who has brought back the notion of the idea that any American should be forgotten, that there should be no forgotten man or woman, that we have a responsibility to the world, but not in participating and facilitating in wars – in doing things new and in a different way.  And that includes within the structure of this government and how we apply our values.

So I would argue that this is not – it’s not a retreat.  On – quite the opposite.  This is a preparation to continue the work in a smarter, stronger way.

All right, we’re going to take – we’ll take one more question.  Yes, Alex.

QUESTION:  Thank you so much, Tammy.  If I could just follow up on my colleagues’ questions, could you take us through the choreography of this weekend at these technical talks?  Is it over multiple days?  How are they dividing up the two different countries?  And then I’ll have a follow-up on the Taliban question as well.

MS BRUCE:  Yes.  I – this is held very close.  This is all very serious, and so I’m not going to answer the details of how it’s unfolding.  I – when this is complete, I will pursue the nature of getting some answers and the specifics for that for you, and I do believe one thing I can say is, like with everything with President Trump and Secretary Rubio, things happen quickly.  So I would suspect that we will have answers on this very soon.

MS BRUCE:  Yes, there is no one with an official government role, the gentleman you mentioned.  This was certainly not a negotiation.  There was no swap made, there was no thing given to accomplish this.  As a matter of fact, other hostages from Afghanistan were released on the day of Trump’s inauguration, so a little bit after noon on the 20th.  So I think this is – in addition to terrific envoys who know how to handle this situation, it is also the impact of a strong America led by a man who is known to do what he needs to do to accomplish his mission.  And that is, I think, often an unusual situation.  So I hope that answers your question. 

QUESTION:  Why were they there if they don’t have official roles?

MS BRUCE:  Well, I’m – I can’t speculate on that.  That’s something, though, at some point, but I certainly am not in a position to speculate about why they were.

QUESTION:  Change topics? 

MS BRUCE:  Yes, ma’am – the white jacket and then that that’s going to be – that’s going to be it for today.

QUESTION:  Thank you.  I appreciate. 

MS BRUCE:  Sure. 

MS BRUCE:  What’s your outlet again, by the way?

QUESTION:  Halk TV, Turkish. 

MS BRUCE:  Oh, great, great.  Welcome aboard.  Well, I can tell you a few things.  First, we’re following the events in Türkiye, as you might imagine, including the reported detention of the Istanbul mayor and a large number of municipal employees, journalists, and other individuals.  We would refer you to the Government of Türkiye for comments on internal judicial matters.  And of course, it is worth reiterating that Türkiye, we – it’s important that Türkiye protect the freedoms and human rights of all of its citizens consistent with the country’s constitution and in line with our shared values and democratic traditions.

QUESTION:  That was for the corruption charges mayor facing, of course, but how about appointing a trustee for the main opposition?  Do you have anything on that?

MS BRUCE:  Well, if that is going to come up, it’s not, again, my place to discuss it or to surmise or to hypothesize either.  I think that’s going to be it for today. 

QUESTION:  Same region?  

MS BRUCE:  All right, everybody, we will be back on Monday.  We will have our briefing on Monday and Friday next week.  All right.  Thank you, everybody.  Thanks for being here. 

QUESTION:  Thank you.

MS BRUCE:  It’s a beautiful day out there.  Enjoy it.

(The briefing was concluded at 2:55 p.m.)

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