Biden NatSec Chief Jake Sullivan Dismisses Idea Trump Transition Politics ‘Undercut’ Gaza Ceasefire Chances or Even Matter to Hamas
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that terror group Hamas is not motivated by American politics or the transition process that is currently gripping the American political press, and even praised the cooperation between the incoming and outgoing administrations as “how it should be.”
Sullivan appeared on the latest Face the Nation and spoke about the situation in Gaza with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett, who filled in as moderator Sunday for host Margaret Brennan.
During the conversation, Garrett asked whether the “probability’ of a ceasefire agreement is “enhanced or undercut” by comments such as those from Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham on president-elect Donald Trump wanting an agreement before inauguration.
“Does that help you or hurt you?” Garrett asked.
Sullivan replied frankly that “the key thing motivating Hamas is not American politics or the American presidential transition.”
He also went on to add that “there has been very good coordination between our team and the incoming team on all of the aspects of the crisis in the Middle East.”
“This is how it should be in a transition,” Sullivan said.
GARRETT: Jake, is the probability of a ceasefire enhanced or undercut when someone such as South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham says, President-elect Trump wants a ceasefire before inauguration deal. Does that help you or hurt you?
SULLIVAN: Look, I think the key actor right now holding the decision on the ceasefire is Hamas. And the key thing motivating Hamas is not American politics or the American presidential transition, it’s their determination about whether or not it makes sense for them at this point, after Hezbollah has abandoned them, after their leader has been killed, after their military formations have been degraded to finally say yes to a ceasefire and hostage deal. That’s going to be the telling thing more than anything that’s said back here.
But I will say this, there has been very good coordination between our team and the incoming team on all of the aspects of the crisis in the Middle East. We felt it was important that we be in touch with them, to keep them up to speed on what’s happening, because this handoff has got to be smooth. And they, in turn, have reciprocated by being open and transparent and working with us.
This is how it should be in a transition. This is what we’re going to keep driving for, for every day that we have left in office.
Watch the clip above via CBS News.
