Gibbs Gives First Official White House Briefing

Looking relaxed and jovial, Presidential Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had his first briefing with the White House press corps Thursday. Raucous at times, with every seat filled and some five dozen additional journalists crammed into the small briefing room, Gibbs was pelted with questions ranging from Guantanamo and the TARP to the how the First Family is settling into their new digs.

Most of the questions centered around Guantanamo, namely the series of executive orders signed by the president this morning ordering the closure of the U.S. Navy's detention facility there.

The orders, signed at a West Wing ceremony, specify the closure should occur within 12 months. Obama is also ending what the new administration believes are harsh interrogation techniques used previously. Obama has said the United States will fight terrorism “in a manner consistent with our values and ideals.”

The move means the clock is ticking on figuring out just what to do with the 245 detainees being held at Gitmo. Among them: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

A senior administration official says detainees will eventually be classified into various groups, ranging from those who could be released, to those who cannot. The official said that some detainees could still be “in detention for years,” but added “but not without due process.”

Among the options at the administration’s disposal for detainees: repatriation to their home country or a willing third country, civil trials in the U.S., or a special civil or military process. The official told reporters that prisoners would be released or transferred on a rolling basis, based on how their individual cases are determined. The administration is now in contact with foreign governments to take detainees who may be released at a future date.

ECONOMIC BRIEFING

Gibbs also said that in addition to his daily intelligence briefing, President Obama is now being briefed each morning on the troubled U.S. economy. At this morning's meeting: chief economic advisor Larry Summers, Vice-President Joe Biden, Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag, Domestic Policy chief Melody Barnes and Jared Bernstein, Biden's economic advisor.

Gibbs, who repeated Obama's campaign pledge that fixing the economy is priority one, wouldn't talk about the $825 billion stimulus plan under consideration on Capitol Hill, or just what the administration would do with the remaining $350 billion from the Troubled Assets relief program, or TARP, passed by Congress last Fall. Some analysts on Wall Street are warning the money isn't enough.

Obama has ordered pay freezes for all White House staff making $100,000 or more. But Gibbs demurred on whether the president - whose $400,000 salary is set by law - would set an example for others by taking a pay cut.

LIVING "ABOVE THE STORE"

Meantime, how are the Obamas settling in at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Gibbs said the president "looks comfortable in his surroundings" and "enjoys living above the company store."

"They have a routine that works," Gibbs said, "and you have to give credit to (First Lady) Michelle for making it work for everyone, especially their kids."

KEEPING THE BLACKBERRY

And the president gets to keep his beloved BlackBerry. Gibbs, pointing to an exemption in the presidential records act that allows for it, says Obama will use it to communicate with a "small group" of senior staff and friends. The BlackBerry will have "enhanced security features," Gibbs said.

"What's his address?" someone asked.

Gibbs smiled and said "See you all tomorrow."