Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters Upon Arrival From Norfolk, Virginia

The President. So we had a great day celebrating the Navy. That was amazing, actually. I think everybody would agree. There's nothing like it in the world. And we really—when you saw those planes, the quality of the equipment and everything else—we rebuilt the Navy, mostly in my first term, but we're doing it even beyond.

So thank you all for being there. That was a great celebration today. Right? Didn't you think? Okay?

Cease-Fire and Hostage-Release Deal Between Israel and Hamas

Q. Are you willing to set a deadline for Hamas to release the hostages?

The President. Yes, we're going to, very quickly.

Q. What is the——

The President. We had some very——

Q. ——actual deadline?

The President. ——good meetings. The countries of the world—a lot of the countries surrounding Israel—frankly, Muslim, Arab, and many others—have had great meetings with Hamas, and it looks like it's working. So we'll wait for a little while, see how it all turns out.

Q. When will the administration begin firing Federal——

Hostages Held in Gaza, Palestinian Territories

Q. [Inaudible]—the deadline?

The President. I think it will work very, very quickly. I think it's going to go very quickly. The meetings seem to be very good. We'll find out. We'll let you know soon.

Q. When will the administration begin——

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Q. Mr. President, the rebels in D.R.C., Democratic Republic of the Congo, they continue to kill a lot of——

The President. In Congo?

Q. Yes, they continue to kill——

The President. Well, we're looking into that. We've heard of that.

Q. But what about the cease-fire?

The President. We're going to look at that. Yes.

Q. The cease-fire?

U.S. Airstrikes on Suspected Drug-Trafficking Vessels in the Caribbean Sea

Q. Mr. President, you said there was an attack yesterday night in the Caribbean. Could you give more details about that?

The President. My people will give you those details.

Lapse in Federal Government Appropriations/Federal Workforce Reduction Efforts

Q. Mr. President, when will the administration begin firing Federal employees during this Government shutdown?

The President. It's taking place right now, and it's all because of the Democrats. The Democrats are causing the loss of a lot of jobs with their—it's a shutdown. It's their shutdown, not our shutdown. It's their shutdown.

Q. What agencies does the——

The President. And I hope everybody likes what's—the Presidential Walk of Fame. You know that? Have you seen the——

Q. It looks nice.

The President. It's beautiful, isn't it? Presidential Walk of Fame.

Thank you very much.

Again, congratulations to the Navy. They did a great job today. Thank you very much. Thank you.