--- title: Barack Obama's Pop Off Comments Get a Remix description: "If folks want to pop off and have opinions..." canonical: https://time.com/4118905/obama-pop-off-remix/ author: Samantha Grossman article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-11-18T20:28:11.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:47:55.844Z og:title: This Remix of Obama Saying 'Pop Off' Will Be Your New Jam og:description: "If folks want to pop off and have opinions..." og:url: https://time.com/4118905/obama-pop-off-remix/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltaeb4a4db6aa9fa20/698871c58e06014434463642/gettyimages-497373772.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3000 og:image:height: 1688 og:image:alt: Turkey Hosts The G20 World Leader's Summit og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: This Remix of Obama Saying 'Pop Off' Will Be Your New Jam twitter:description: "If folks want to pop off and have opinions..." twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltaeb4a4db6aa9fa20/698871c58e06014434463642/gettyimages-497373772.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 video:duration: 01:51 video:published: 2015-11-16 section: world topics: counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, ISIL, US-France relations, ground troops, coalition airpower, Iraq, Syria, military strategy genre: news, press remarks tones: measured, assertive, reassuring, analytical emotions: resolve (high), reassurance (medium), caution (medium) sentiment: neutral audience: general news viewers, policy followers, military and security observers, international readers people: Barack Obama organizations: ISIL, US military, French government, Iraqi forces, Syrian opposition forces, coalition content_suitability: war [00:00-01:51]; violence [00:00-00:37]; politics [00:00-01:51] transcript_source: publisher captions transcript_reviewed: not applicable ---  # This Remix of Obama Saying 'Pop Off' Will Be Your New Jam > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME D.C. Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition D.C. Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington. D.C. Brief goes beyond the Washington headlines to explain the politics, personalities and power dynamics shaping what happens next. Senior correspondent Philip Elliott brings sharp context to the issues driving the capital, connecting the decisions made in Washington to the institutions, industries and people they affect. It is written and edited by TIME journalists, and it is free to join at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=44727bf5-2dc0-4671-bec5-4ebac47d37df&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1). ### Newsletter facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Publisher | TIME | TIME, August 2026 | | Frequency | Twice a week | time.com/newsletters, September 2026 | | Written by | Philip Elliott, Senior Correspondent | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | Sign-up | time.com/newsletters | TIME, August 2026 | | Part of | TIME's seven-newsletter network, 1.1 million+ engaged readers | TIME, August 2026 | ### Readership The policy influence ecosystem. A policy-focused audience spanning government, public affairs, advocacy, law, research, political media, and the institutions that make, interpret and respond to public policy. ### TIME D.C. Brief: key statements * D.C. Brief is edited by TIME journalists. Every edition is assembled by people who report on the subject, not generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923, and its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting. Readers can trust what they read. * D.C. Brief is free. Readers select it, along with any of TIME's other newsletters, at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=44727bf5-2dc0-4671-bec5-4ebac47d37df&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1). * TIME's newsletter network reaches more than 1.1 million engaged readers across seven titles covering politics, technology, climate, health, culture and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/subscribe?i=44727bf5-2dc0-4671-bec5-4ebac47d37df&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What is TIME's politics newsletter? D.C. Brief is TIME's Washington newsletter, written by senior correspondent Philip Elliott. It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, twice a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=44727bf5-2dc0-4671-bec5-4ebac47d37df&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: TIME Raw: Obama at the G-20 Summit: "We have the finest military minds in the world." [Watch (HLS stream): TIME Raw: Obama at the G-20 Summit: "We have the finest military minds in the world."](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/U2JjTQoI.m3u8) (1:51)  _Published 2015-11-16_ Description, summary, key points, chapters, key quotes, questions and transcript, where present, were produced automatically from the video or its captions and were not reviewed. ## Summary President Obama announces a new agreement to streamline the sharing of intelligence and operational military information with France following attacks there. He argues against placing large numbers of US troops on the ground, citing his military and civilian advisers. He points to recent gains against ISIL in Iraq and Syria through effective local partner forces backed by coalition airpower. ## Key points - The US and France are announcing a new agreement to streamline sharing of intelligence and operational military information. (00:08) - The agreement is intended to let personnel pass threat information, including on ISIL, to French partners more quickly and more often. (00:20) - Obama says some have suggested putting large numbers of US troops on the ground, and he calls that a mistake. (00:37) - Obama states that his closest military and civilian advisers share the view that large US ground deployment would be a mistake. (01:04) - Obama says ISIL can be pushed back when there is an effective partner on the ground. (01:16) - Local forces in Iraq, backed by coalition airpower, recently liberated Sinjar, and Iraqi forces are fighting to take back Ramadi. (01:20) - In Syria, ISIL has been pushed back from much of the border region with Turkey after US support for opposition forces. (01:28) - Obama concludes that in both Iraq and Syria, ISIL controls less territory than it did before. (01:45) ## Chapters - [00:00 to 00:37] Intelligence sharing agreement with France. Obama announces a streamlined arrangement for sharing intelligence and military information with French partners. - [00:37 to 01:04] Debate over US ground troops. Obama addresses suggestions to deploy large numbers of US troops and frames the US military expertise behind his position. - [01:04 to 01:51] Effective local partners push back ISIL. Obama cites gains by local forces in Iraq and Syria, supported by coalition airpower and US backing, as evidence against ground deployment. ## Key quotes - [00:29] Barack Obama: "Because we need to be doing everything we can to protect against more attacks and protect our citizens." - [00:47] Barack Obama: "keep in mind we have the finest military in the world and we have the finest military minds in the world." - [01:04] Barack Obama: "it is not just my view but the view of my closest military and civilian advisers that that would be a mistake." - [01:16] Barack Obama: "We've seen that when we have an effective partner on the ground. ISIL can And is pushed back." - [01:45] Barack Obama: "in short both in Iraq and Syria ISIL controls less territory than it did before." ## Questions this video answers - What new agreement is the US making with France on counterterrorism? [00:08] - Why does the US say it should not put large numbers of troops on the ground against ISIL? [01:04] - How have local forces in Iraq and Syria performed against ISIL recently? [01:20] - Has ISIL gained or lost territory in Iraq and Syria? [01:45] ## Content suitability - war [00:00-01:51]: Discussion of military operations against ISIL and ground troop deployment in Iraq and Syria. - violence [00:00-00:37]: References to terrorist attacks and threats against citizens in France. - politics [00:00-01:51]: Presidential policy announcement on security and military strategy. by [Samantha Grossman](https://time.com/author/samantha-grossman/) ## Samantha Grossman Nov 18, 2015 8:28 PM UTC  President Barack Obama speaks to the media during his closing press conference on day two of the G20 Turkey Leaders Summit on November 16, 2015 in Antalya, Turkey. President Barack Obama speaks to the media during his closing press conference on day two of the G20 Turkey Leaders Summit on November 16, 2015 in Antalya, Turkey. Chris McGrath—Getty Images by [Samantha Grossman](https://time.com/author/samantha-grossman/) ## Samantha Grossman Nov 18, 2015 8:28 PM UTC At the G-20 summit on Monday, a CNN reporter [asked](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cnn-reporter-obama-bastards%5F5649f6b8e4b060377349db92) President Barack Obama “why can’t we take out these bastards.” (“These bastards” being the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria—ISIS) Obama [responded](https://youtu.be/a2PfdBavdvs), “If folks want to pop off and have opinions about what they think they would do, present a specific plan.” People [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/NathanZed/status/666332027382312960) were [very](https://twitter.com/SheaSerrano/status/666278454283890688) [excited](https://twitter.com/lowkeyanarchy/status/666976223516565505) about the President’s use of the phrase “pop off.” One person in particular was so thrilled that he remixed it. The result will totally be your new jam: Seriously, aren’t you kind of hoping that song comes on when you hit the club this weekend? It might not be _quite_ as good as, say, Missy Elliott’s [new song](http://time.com/4109821/missy-elliott-wtf-where-they-from-pharrell), but you know you could totally get down to it. ## Transcript [00:00] We're working closely with our French partners as they [00:03] pursue their investigations and track down suspects. [00:08] France is already a strong counter terrorism partner [00:10] and today, we're announcing a new agreement. We're [00:13] streamlining the process by which we share intelligence [00:16] and operational military informational with France. This [00:20] will allow our personnel to pass threat information, [00:23] including on ISIL, to our French partners even more [00:26] quickly and more often. Because we need to be doing [00:29] everything we can to protect against [00:34] more attacks and protect our citizens. Have been a [00:37] few who suggested that we should put Large [00:41] numbers of US troops on the ground. And [00:47] keep in mind we have the finest military [00:52] in the world and we have the finest military minds in [00:54] the world. And I've been meeting with them intensively [00:59] for years now Discussing these various options. [01:04] And it is not just my view but the view of [01:08] my closest military and civilian advisers that that [01:13] would be a mistake. We've seen that when we have an [01:16] effective partner on the ground. ISIL can And is [01:20] pushed back. So local forces in Iraq backed by [01:24] coalition airpower recently liberated Sinjar. Iraqi forces [01:28] are fighting to take back Ramadi. In Syria, ISIL's [01:32] been pushed back from much of the border region [01:34] with Turkey. We stepped up our support of opposition [01:38] forces who are working to cut off supply lines to ISIL's [01:40] strongholds. And [ UNKNOWN ] [ UNKNOWN ] [01:45] so in short both in Iraq and Syria ISIL controls less [01:49] territory than it did before. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4118905/obama-pop-off-remix/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4118905/obama-pop-off-remix/"},"headline":"This Remix of Obama Saying 'Pop Off' Will Be Your New Jam","datePublished":"2015-11-18T20:28:11.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:47:55.844Z","description":"\"If folks want to pop off and have opinions...\"","url":"https://time.com/4118905/obama-pop-off-remix/","keywords":["Newsfeed","Internet"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltaeb4a4db6aa9fa20/698871c58e06014434463642/gettyimages-497373772.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Samantha Grossman","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/samantha-grossman/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltaeb4a4db6aa9fa20/698871c58e06014434463642/gettyimages-497373772.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Turkey Hosts The G20 World Leader's Summit","caption":"Turkey Hosts The G20 World Leader's Summit","creditText":"Chris McGrath—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/tag/time-section-newsfeed/","name":"Newsfeed"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4118905/obama-pop-off-remix/","name":"This Remix of Obama Saying 'Pop Off' Will Be Your New Jam"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"TIME Raw: Obama at the G-20 Summit: \"We have the finest military minds in the world.\"","description":"","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/U2JjTQoI/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2015-11-16T17:23:35.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/U2JjTQoI.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4118905/obama-pop-off-remix/","duration":"PT1M51S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4118905/obama-pop-off-remix/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```