Pool Reports of August 31, 2023

Pool Report 1/DeSantis call

The White House shares the following:

"This morning, President Biden called Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to convey that he has signed a Major Disaster Declaration and ordered all available federal resources to help with the continued response to Tropical Storm Idalia. The President reiterated that the people of Florida have his full support as they recover from the storm."

Pool Report 2/Lunch lid

We have a lunch lid until noon. And the White House shares the following:

"Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall will join Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at today's press briefing to discuss the Administration's whole of government response to Hurricane Idalia."

Pool Report 3/Unscheduled trip

The pool has gathered for an unscheduled presidential trip. The destination is not yet specified.

Pool Report 4/Rolling

President Biden walked from the Oval Office to the driveway at 1:52 and the motorcade began rolling one minute later.

Pool Report 5/FEMA

The motorcade stopped near FEMA headquarters in Southwest DC at 1:59.

Pool Report 6/Remarks

President Biden walked to a lectern at 2:07 at FEMA's national command center. The large room was full of workers seated at desks and also standing.

DHS Secretary Mayorkas introduced Biden, who began speaking at 2:09 and mentioned Administrator Criswell's trip to Florida and his calls with Gov. DeSantis about hurricane recovery.

He thanked the FEMA staffers for their hard work "with climate change really kicking in."

"There are still some deniers out there," he added.

He also mentioned Maui wildfire recovery briefly and called on Congress to approve more funding for federal disaster relief initiatives.

Remarks ended at 2:15 and Biden took some questions, including about Overdose Awareness Day, a possible government shutdown and Mitch McConnell.

He said he called McConnell today and "he was his old self." He said something about how his symptoms resemble those of a person who had a concussion.

Biden heard but didn't seem to orally answer questions about whether he would provide his bank records to Congress, as requested by Speaker McCarthy, to prevent his possible impeachment.

Biden said he is going to Florida on Saturday morning.

Around 2:19 the pool was pulled from the room as Biden shook hands and told FEMA workers people "need hope" during disasters.

Pool Report 7/WH statements

The White House shares:

"This afternoon, the President is visiting FEMA's headquarters to thank the team staffing the FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) throughout Hurricane Idalia and the ongoing federal response efforts to the fires on Maui, Hawaii. The President's visit at the FEMA headquarters in Washington, DC will be covered by the in-town travel pool."

"The President is being greeted by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FEMA Associate Administrator of the Office of Response and Recovery Anne Bink."

"The President had pizza delivered for staff who have been working around the clock at the NRCC on Hurricane Idalia and the ongoing coordination efforts in response to the fires on Maui, Hawaii."

Pool Report 8/WH return

The motorcade was rolling again at 2:31 and passed through the White House gates at 2:35.

At 2:37, President Biden walked into the Oval Office.

We have no update on briefing timing.

Pool report 9/Briefing now 3PM

The briefing is delayed slightly.

Pool Report 10/2 min warning

We have a two-minute warning for the press briefing.

Pool Report 11/Lid

We have a travel/photo lid.