Pool Reports of February 8, 2024

In-town pool report #1 -- Kirby to join briefing

NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby will join today's press briefing, according to the White House. The briefing is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.

In-town pool report #2 -- two-minute warning to briefing

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

In-town pool report #3 -- briefing underway

The White House press briefing started at 1:36 p.m.

In-town pool report #4 -- briefing over

The press briefing concluded at 2:18 p.m.

In-town pool report #5 -- gathering for departure

Pool is gathering for POTUS departure from the South Lawn

In-town pool report #6 — M1 departure

President Biden exited the Oval Office at 3:05 p.m.

POTUS waved at the press as he crossed the South Lawn and boarded Marine One.

Biden did not stop to talk or respond to shouted questions about the special counsel investigation into his handling of classified documents, but it was unclear if he could heard them over the helicopter noise.

M1 lifted off at 3:11 p.m.

In-town pool report #7 -- Traveling with POTUS/statement on special counsel investigation

From the White House:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Leesburg Executive Airport:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations

The press office also sent the pool the following statement by Special Counsel to the President Richard Sauber:

Statement from Special Counsel to the President Richard Sauber

We are pleased that this investigation has concluded and that the Special Counsel found "no criminal charges are warranted in this matter," even if the President were out of office and a private citizen.

As the Special Counsel report recognizes, the President fully cooperated from day one. His team promptly self-reported the classified documents that were found to ensure that these documents were immediately returned to the government because the President knows that's where they belong. Not only was there no obstruction, the President's cooperation throughout this 15-month investigation has been extraordinary.

The simple truth is President Biden takes classified information seriously and strives to protect it. He has spent decades at the highest levels of government defending and advancing America's national security and foreign policy interests and protecting her secrets.

As the Special Counsel report acknowledges, mistakes when packing documents at the end of an Administration or when Members of Congress leave office are unfortunately a common occurrence. It's happened with every Administration, Republican and Democrat, for the past 50 years. Now that this investigation has concluded, President Biden plans to take new, substantive action to help prevent such mistakes in the future and will announce it soon.

We disagree with a number of inaccurate and inappropriate comments in the Special Counsel's report. Nonetheless, the most important decision the Special Counsel made—that no charges are warranted—is firmly based on the facts and evidence.

In-town pool report #10 -- Gathering for remarks

The pool has been called to gather for POTUS remarks in the Diplomatic Reception Room.

In-town pool report #11 — two-minute warning

We have a two-minute warning for POTUS remarks.

In-town pool report #12 -- Remarks over/Quotes on special counsel report.

President Biden walked into the Diplomatic Reception Room at 7:58 p.m.

He gave brief opening remarks on the special counsel report on his handling of classified documents after stepping down as vice president. Quick highlights here now (reception was poor in the room). Check quotes against transcript.

"I was pleased to see he reached a firm conclusion" that no charges should be brought, Biden said.

"I did not throw up any roadblocks," Biden said, reprising the comments he made earlier in the day.

Biden noted the finding in the special counsel report that he didn't remember when his son Beau Biden died.

"How in the hell dare he raise that?" Biden said. He added, "I don't need anyone, I don't need anyone to remind me of when he passed away."

The president also responded to several questions about his memory, saying that his "memory is fine."

He also said he took "responsibility" for not overseeing his staff's handling of documents after he left the vice presidency.

Biden also touched on negotiations for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Biden said he has spoken with several allies in the Middle East. At one point he said that he had spoken to the "president of Mexico," in referring to the leader of Egypt.

Biden noted that he was pushing for more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, and said he thought an "initial" ceasefire agreement could led to extended pause.

POTUS left the Diplomatic Reception Room at 8:10 p.m.

In-town pool report #13 -- lid

The White House called a lid at 8:24 p.m. Have a good evening,

WH out-of-town pool report #1

President Biden landed on Marine One at the Leesburg, Va. airport at 3:33 pm.

Biden waved at reporters but did not come over to speak before stepping into the Beast.

Biden did not appear to hear a question shouted his way about the special counsel's classified documents report.

We are rolling at 3:35 pm.

WH out-of-town pool report #2

From the WH:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Lansdowne Resort:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Shuwanza Goff, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs
Ashley Jones, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs & House Liaison
Dilpreet Sidhu, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Deputy Chief of Staff

WH out-of-town pool report #3

President Biden's motorcade pulled up to the Landowne Resort in Leesburg at 3:47 pm after a short uneventful drive, mostly on the interstate.

A handful of people — perhaps two dozen — waved as the motorcade turned the corner into the resort grounds and parking lot.

Your pooler did not see Biden exit the beast.

The pool is now waiting at the back of a ballroom waiting for POTUS to speak to the House Democratic caucus.

The packed room is full of Democratic House members, a couple hundred strong, who are sitting at roundtables.

WH out-of-town pool report #4

From the WH:

In attendance for the President's remarks at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference:

House Democratic Caucus
Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Shuwanza Goff, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs

Speaking Program
Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Pete Aguilar (CA-33)
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)
The President

WH out-of-town pool report #5 POTUS takes stage

President Biden took the stage and began speaking at 4:13 pm after being introduced by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Biden's remarks can be watched at Whitehouse.gov/live

WH out-of-town pool report 6 Biden addresses special counsel report

President Biden began his remarks addressing the special counsel report on classified documents that were found at his residence.

"I'm pleased to see they reached the conclusion I believed all along that they would: that there are no charges that should be brought in this case."

Biden said it was an "exhaustive investigation" going back 40 years into his political career.

"The special counsel acknowledged I cooperated completely. I did not throw up any roadblocks. I sought no delays. In fact, I was so determined to get the special counsel what they needed, I went for a five-hour in person interview over two days of October — the 8th and 9th — even though Israel had just been attacked by Hamas on the 7th. I was in the middle of handling an international crisis."

Biden said: "I was especially pleased to see the senior Special Counsel make clear there's stark differences between this case and Donald Trump."

Biden: "Bottom line is the special counsel in my case decided against moving forward on any charges. This matter is now closed."

Biden did not address claims about his memory that were made in the special counsel's report.

Biden finished speaking at 4:28 pm after about 15 mins.

Check the rest of his remarks on the livestream or transcript.

WH out-of-town pool report #7 rolling again

The pool held for about 15 minutes in an auditorium in the same resort building while President Biden continued to speak to House Democratic caucus members. The pool then held for another 20 minutes in vans outside.

Your pooler did not see Biden enter The Beast.

We are now rolling back to the Leesburg Executive Airport at 5:15 pm.

WH out-of-town pool report #8

Biden and his motorcade arrived back at the Leesburg Executive Airport at 5:25 pm.

It was an uneventful ride, mostly on the interstate. A few dozen people spread out across the drive waved at POTUS as he drove by. One man held a blue Trump flag that was blowing in the wind.

Biden walked out of the beast at 5:27 pm and boarded Marine One without coming over to reporters. The helicopter was too loud to shout any questions that would have been heard.

Marine One lifted at 5:33 pm.

The pool is now headed back to the White House by van while Biden flies back.

WH out-of-town pool report #9

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the White House:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations