Carney dodges when asked for the administration's response to the news that nearly 400 people at the Occupy Oakland encampment were arrested over the weekend.

"What is your reaction, is the administration concerned that some of these protesters are taking things too far?," a reporter asked during his Monday briefing.

"With regards to Oakland, that's obviously a local law enforcement matter," Carney said. "Here in Washington I would refer you for specifics to the U.S. National Park Services and U.S. Park Police. And our position has been and continues to be that we need to balance First Amendment concerns, the right to demonstrate, the right to speak freely with public safety concerns and public health concerns and we understand that whether it local law enforcement as well as in this case, the National Park Service and U.S. Park Police are weighing those considerations when making these decisions and that’s appropriate."