Pool Reports of April 12, 2024

In town pool report #1 - checking in

Good morning from the White House. Just checking in — no updates to the schedule as yet, so just waiting for the one public event of the day, the president's remarks at 2:45.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

In-town pool report #2 - lunch lid

The White House has called a lunch lid until 1:15 p.m.

In town pool report #3 - awaiting remarks

The pool and credentialed media have moved over to South Court for the president’s remarks to the National Action Network. The organization’s logo is on the monitors behind the presidential lectern.

Will send a two-minute warning when we get it.

In town pool report #4 - Sharpton introducing Biden now

Did not get two minute warning but Rev Al Sharpton speaking in NYC popped up live in the monitor behind the podium at 2:48 p.m.

So stand by!

I will not be sending a rundown of the remarks, which you can watch here: whitehouse.gov/live

In town pool report #5 - Biden remarks and questions on Iran/Israel

The president stepped to the lectern at 2:50 and delivered his remarks via teleprompter, outlining his administration's accomplishments and outlining a vision for the future.

He wrapped remarks at 3:00. Applause from the ballroom was audible in the monitor behind him.

After it quieted, he responded to questions from the pool about a possible attack by Iran against Israel.

Asked how imminent an attack on Israel may be, POTUS said he didn't want to get into classified information but "my expectation is sooner than later."

He took a second question asking what's his message to Iran?

"Don't," he replied.

Several questions were shouted at POTUS as he tried to turn away, and he came back to the lectern and said:

"We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel and help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed."

He walked off stage at 3:01.

Please check all quotes against transcript.

Pool moving now back to WH.

In town pool report #6 - bad weather call

We have a bad weather call due to the wind. Pool will gather to motorcade to JBA at 5:00 p.m.

In town pool report #7 - motorcade rolling

Pool loaded into vans parked in the South driveway at 5:25 p.m.

POTUS was spotted from a distance walking out of the Oval and getting into his SUV at 5:32.

We are rolling for JBA at 5:33.

& from the WH:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President and Counselor to the President
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the White House Situation Room

In town pool report #8 - JBA arrival

After an uneventful drive, POTUS’ motorcade rolled onto the tarmac at JBA at 5:51 and pulled up beside AF1 at 5:55.

From the pool van, we watched POTUS exit the SUV and board the baby AF1 using the main stairs.

Over to you, out of town pool.

Supplemental pool report #1 — JBA

POTUS' motorcade arrived at JBA at 1754.

He emerged from his armored SUV at 1755, shook hands with and saluted greeters and then began walking up the airstairs. He heard a question from pool on whether he was "worried that Iran would kill Americans" and responded from the stairs but his response was not heard by pool.

He did not respond to a shouted follow-up on how he would respond if any Americans are killed by Iran and instead continued up the stairs into the plane.

We are on the smaller plane and will be wheels up for Dover shortly.

Supplemental pool report # — travelers

From White House press office:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Dover Air Force Base:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President and Counselor to the President
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the White House Situation Room

We are wheels up at 1807.

Supplemental pool report #3 — Dover arrival

Air Force One was wheels down at Dover as of 1825 following a short and slightly bumpy flight lasting approximately 18 minutes.

I am also told by both a co-pooler and a White House official that their lip-reading interpretations of POTUS' response to the question back at JBA was "I'm always concerned about Americans".

Supplemental pool report #4 — deplaning and lift

POTUS emerged from Air Force One at 1834.

He descended the airstairs without incident, returned a salute from/shook hands with a uniformed Air Force greeter and proceeded directly to Marine One, boarding at 1835.

Marine One was rolling at 1839, wheels up at 1843, accompanied by an identical VH-3D and one other "white top" helicopter.

Handing off to the out-of-town pool who will pick things up from the Gordon's Pond LZ.

Out of town pool report #1 - Gordon’s Pond Arrival and Lid

Marine One landed at Gordon’s Pond at 7.05pm, touching down in a parking lot by the beach and sending up a cloud of dust and vegetation.

The sun emerged from behind low clouds as POTUS disembarked at 7.07pm, saluted a waiting marine and walked the short distance to his SUV before climbing in. He was too far from the pool for questions.

Pooler saw the motorcade leave at 7.10pm for POTUS’s house. The pool bus was not part of the motorcade. WH said at 7.12pm that he had arrived home.

The White House then called a lid, also at 7.12pm.

Out of town pool report #2 - Week ahead

Passing this along from the White House

WEEK AHEAD 4/13-4/21

On Sunday, the President and the First Lady will return to the White House.

On Monday, the President will host Prime Minister Mohammed Shyaa Al-Sudani of the Republic of Iraq for a bilateral meeting.

Then, the President will host Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic for a bilateral meeting.

On Tuesday, the President will travel to Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Then, the President will participate in two campaign events.

On Wednesday, the President will depart Scranton, Pennsylvania and travel to the Pittsburgh area, Pennsylvania.

In the evening, the President will return to the White House.

On Thursday, the President will travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Then, the President will participate in two campaign events.

In the evening, the President will return to the White House.

On Friday, the President will travel to Wilmington, Delaware where he will remain throughout the weekend.