Joshua Earnest, White House deputy press secretary, speaks to the media in the briefing room of the White House in Washington on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
** FILE ** President Obama speaks during a ceremony to award U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ty M. Carter the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry on Aug. 26, 2013, at the White House. (Associated Press)