Pool Reports of April 22, 2025

In town pool report #1: two minutes till the briefing

Good afternoon from your print pooler. My number is below if you need anything. 

We have a two minute warning for Karoline Leavitt's press briefing.

In town pool report #2: briefing ends

The press briefing ended at 1:43 PM EST. Leavitt hinted at hearing from the president later in the day. 

The only thing on the schedule as of now is a closed press swearing in for the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Oval Office.

In town pool report #3: lining up for SEC swearing in

The 4 pm swearing in of the SEC chairman is now open to the pool in the Oval Office. We are lining up for the event now. 

My understanding is that this event will be streamed live, so I will not provide in time updates, but an otter and notes following.

In town pool #4: SEC Chairman swearing in, Trump takes questions

The pool entered the Oval at 5:02 PM EST. The president shuffled the cameras around and then began the ceremony with an introduction. 

Paul Atkins was sworn in by Secretary Bessent at 5:08 PM EST. He then gave brief remarks at 5:09 PM EST. 

After Atkins took a few questions, Trump took questions for the majority of the time in the Oval Office until about 5:26 PM EST when he indicated the event was over. 

The president said he was happy with the rate of deportations, did not know when the Epstein files would be released, said he had "no intention" of firing Jerome Powell and called on China to make a deal or else he will "set the deal." 

Trump also said he is receiving intelligence briefings about the investigation into the Butler assasination attempt but chose to keep further details to himself. 

My pool colleague Jihan Abdalla shared her otter following a problem with my own. Here it is: https://otter.ai/u/8__edYgCPMu8VfJD3UiFLpu_x6c?utm_source=copy_url

The president is supposed to have dinner with the PM of Qatar tonight, though it was not on the WH schedule. No further updates on timing or press access to it.

In town pool report #5: lid

A lid was called at 6:44 PM. 

That's all from me! Thanks for all the help to my fellow poolers --