Pool Reports of January 12, 2024

In-town pool report #1 / Traveling with Biden today on AF1

Good morning,

From the White House:
Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby will gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to the Allentown area, Pennsylvania.

My cell phone is [redacted by the APP] if you have any questions today about pool reports.

In-town pool report #2 / Pool gathering for POTUS departure

Pool is gathered by Palm Room doors ahead of POTUS departure from the White House South Lawn.

POTUS is scheduled to go to Pennsylvania's Allentown area today.

In-town pool report #3 / POTUS departs from South Lawn to JBA

POTUS exited the White House at 12:12 p.m., by my cell phone clock, and walked directly to Marine One on the South Lawn. He waved but did not respond to shouted questions about Thursday's strikes in Yemen. He boarded M1 at 12:13 p.m. The aircraft lifted at 12:17 p.m.

POTUS was wearing his signature aviator sunglasses and carrying his cell phone in his left hand.

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews:
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications

In-town pool report #4 / Gaggle will happen at 12:50 p.m.

In-town pool is told that the press gaggle aboard AF1 with Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby will occur at 12:50 p.m.

In-town pool report #5 / Bad weather call

Pool gathering now to go to JBA.

In-town pool #6 / POTUS lands at JBA

AF1 touched down at JBA just before 6:30 p.m.

POTUS exited AF1 and was in his vehicle by 6:36 p.m. Poolers were held near vans at a distance.

Motorcade rolling at 6:37 p.m.

In-town pool report #7 / POTUS arrived at White House

Motorcade pulled up to the White House at 7:04 p.m.

Your pooler did not see POTUS enter White House.

Lid called at 7:07 p.m.

Out of town pool report #1 - checking in

Good morning from JBA. I’ll be your print pooler for the president’s trip to Allenton, Pennsylvania. Pool has been swept and is awaiting departure.

Here is the White House guidance for the day (Bates will now gaggle in lieu of Dalton). Please get in touch if you have any questions.

EST

9:00 AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Closed Press

10:00 AM In-Town Pool Call Time

11:15 AM Out-of-Town Pool Call Time
Joint Base Andrews Overhang

12:10 PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews
South Lawn
Open Press (Gather 11:55 AM – Palm Room Doors)

12:30 PM THE PRESIDENT departs Joint Base Andrews en route to the Allentown area, Pennsylvania
Joint Base Andrews
Out-of-Town Pool

1:15 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives in the Allentown area, Pennsylvania
Lehigh Valley International Airport, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Open Press

1:50 PM THE PRESIDENT visits several small businesses in the Allentown area, Pennsylvania
Allentown area, Pennsylvania
Out-of-Town Pool

4:25 PM THE PRESIDENT departs the Allentown area, Pennsylvania en route to the White House
Lehigh Valley International Airport, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Out-of-Town Pool

5:25 PM THE PRESIDENT departs Joint Base Andrews en route to the White House
Joint Base Andrews
Out-of-Town Pool

5:35 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
South Lawn
Open Press (Gather 5:25 PM – Palm Room Doors)

Briefing Schedule

Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby will gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to the Allentown area, Pennsylvania

Out of town pool report #2 - M1 arrival

Marine One touched down at JBA at 12:27. President Biden chatted with his greeter as he walked to the plane, waved to the press and was up the stairs at 12:32.

We are on the smaller AF1 plane today. Consider this your wheels up notification.

The White House shares the following:

Greeting the President upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews:

Colonel Gregory Adams, 89th Air Wing, Joint Base Andrews

______

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Lehigh Valley International Airport:

Administrator Isabel Guzman, Small Business Administration
Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07)
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Christian Tom, Assistant to the President & Director of Digital Strategy
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
Andrew Bates, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary & Senior Communications Advisor for Strategic Response
Jen Daskal, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor
Dennis Cheng, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director for Political Strategy & Outreach

Out of town pool report #3 - wheels down

AF1 was wheels down at 1:12pm.

Kirby and Bates gaggled for about 17 minutes. I understand there was an audio issue with the live stream. Attaching an audio file. Please let me know if there are any issues.

Biden exited AF1 at 1:25 and chatted with Gov. Shapiro, Sen. Casey and other airport greeters for a few minutes before getting into motorcade at 1:27.

WH shares the following:

Greeting the President upon arrival at Lehigh Valley International Airport:

Governor Josh Shapiro (PA)
Senator Bob Casey (PA)
Mayor Matthew "Matt" Tuerk, Allentown, PA

________

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Governor Josh Shapiro (PA)
Administrator Isabel Guzman, Small Business Administration
Senator Bob Casey (PA)
Representative Susan Wild (PA-07)
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Christian Tom, Assistant to the President & Director of Digital Strategy
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
Andrew Bates, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary & Senior Communications Advisor for Strategic Response
Jen Daskal, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor
Dennis Cheng, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director for Political Strategy & Outreach

Out of town pool report #4

Motorcade is rolling from airport at 1:34pm.

Including an otter link to the gaggle: https://otter.ai/u/E0tElVMVYdWOvQE1JM0kNZ9Gwek

Out of town pool report #5 - arrival at first location

After and uneventful motorcade, we arrived at the small business tour at 1:58. Pool is waiting at first tour stop, Emmaus Run Inn.

The White House shares the following:

Emmaus Run Inn offers a wide range of running and walking shoe brands, athletic gear, and accessories. This is one of five store locations that make up the Bryn Mawr Running Company. Emmaus Runn Inn hosts community running events including the "pizza mile" and "sneakers for soldiers." The Emmaus Run Inn is owned by Sean Linehan. Sean has been seeing an increased demand for his business and is considering further expansion plans.

Greeting the President upon arrival at Emmaus Run Inn:

Sean Linehan, Owner, Emmaus Run Inn
Nicole Linehan, Wife of Sean Linehan

##

Participating in the Main Street Tour with the President:

Governor Josh Shapiro (PA)
Administrator Isabel Guzman, Small Business Administration
Senator Bob Casey (PA)
Representative Susan Wild (PA-07)
Lauren Vargas, Co-Owner, President of Nowhere Coffee Co.
Juan Vargas, Co-Owner, President of Nowhere Coffee Co.

Out of town pool report #6 - waiting at next stop

Pool was in the running store visit for about 2 minutes before we were moved to the next tour stop. Biden walked into the running store and asked: "when are you opening a store in Delaware?"

Biden briefly spoke about the importance of small businesses. He pointed the press and joked: "Would you give them running shoes so they can take off?"

We are now waiting outside the next stop, a bike store. Info on this location as shared by the White House:

South Mountain Cycle provides the community with an array of biking gear. The shop has been owned by Heather and Chad Balliet since 2013. Chad is also serving his second term on the Borough Council. Heather and Chad purchased the café with the goal to create a place for the community to gather. Every Tuesday, the shop hosts group rides along the South Mountain trails.

Greeting the President upon arrival at South Mountain Cycle:

Chad Balliet, Owner, South Mountain Cycle
Heather Balliet, Co-Owner, South Mountain Cycle
Melvin Balliet, Son of Chad and Heather Balliet

Out of town pool report #7 - bike store

POTUS walked out of the running store at 2:31pm and made his way a few doors down to South Mountain Cycle.

Biden greeted store staff and asked about their most popular selling bike. Pool was only in the store for a brief moment. On our way out, Gov. Shapiro asked staff if they were selling more electric bikes than regular bikes. An employee responded that electric was really taking off.

As Biden walked into the bike store, onlookers sitting on the deck of a nearby house shouted, "go home, Joe" and "you're a loser."

We're now waiting in Nowhere Coffee, which is in the same building as the bike shop.

WH shares the following info:

Nowhere Coffee Company was started in May 2021 with the help of two Small Business Administration loans during the Biden-Harris Administration. The owners of Nowhere Coffee credit these loans made possible by President Biden, as well as money from their savings, for helping them start their small business. The shop is owned by Juan and Lauren Vargas. They opened their first location in February, 2022 in Allentown, and customers asked them to quickly open a second location in Emmaus six months later. They have 15 employees across their two stores. As roasters, Juan and Lauren are very close to their customer base.

Out of town pool report #8 - POTUS shouted questions

Biden entered Nowhere Coffee at 2:57.

Shapiro joked that the staff wouldn't ask Biden to make his own espresso. Biden then asked staff if they could make a smoothie. He took selfies and chatted while he waited for the smoothie, paying for it in cash.

He then made his way around the cafe, chatting with the roughly 11 people who were seated at tables. Most of them appeared to be other local business owners. One person owned a bookstore, another a local salon.

He took a few shouted questions from the press.

Do you have a message for Iran?

"I've already delivered the message to Iran."

Are you willing to continue bombing the Houthis if the attacks don't stop?

"We will make sure we respond to the Houthis if they countinue this outrageous behavior."

Asked if he has confidence in secretary Austin he said "I do." He was asked if it was a lapse in judgment for Austin to not inform him. He responded: "yes"

Biden says we will talk more later.

Out of town pool report #9 - Gov. Shapiro gaggle

Gov. Shapiro gaggled with us for a few minutes outside the coffee shop. He was asked about how Bidenomics is resonating in PA, Biden polls in the state, voter response to Israel-Hamas conflict, and more.

Here's an Otter link. https://otter.ai/u/-sghEdwHPN2DUw04lYwxM54miOc

Pool is holding outside the coffee shop.

Out of town pool report #10 - rolling to Allentown

Motorcade was en route at 4:02 to our next location, the Allentown Fire Training Academy (the first 3 businesses were in the nearby town of Emmaus).

Out of town pool report #11 - arrived in Allentown

Motorcade pulled up to the next location at 4:15pm. As we pulled into the Allentown Fire Training Academy, dozens of pro-Palestine protestors lined the street chanting "peace right now" and "we will remember in November" as well as "no vote for genocide Joe." There was a notable police presence. Some officers carried shields.

Out of town pool report #12 - fire academy

POTUS entered the garage where greeters were waiting at 4:30pm. He brought what appeared to be coffee and baked goods from the coffee shop visit and offered them to greeters/fire academy staff/firefighters. Pool was ushered out at 4:33 as POTUS was going around shaking hands. We are holding outside the garage.

WH provides the below info on fire academy:

Allentown Fire Training Academy opened in summer 2023. It is a training center for professional firefighters and the city’s first-ever emergency operations center. Thanks to President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, Allentown received $57 million in funding from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. The city chose to invest over $2.3 million of these funds for construction of the Allentown Fire Training Academy and $4.5 million of these funds for construction of a new central fire station. The Allentown Fire Department also received a $4.2 million dollar SAFER grants thanks to President Biden’s 2023 Omnibus, and hired 12 new firefighters who start their training on January 22nd. The new Allentown Fire Training Academy has brand new equipment and a classroom space for up to 100 people. The Training Academy’s new facilities are also available to other local fire stations and emergency personnel.

Greeting the President upon arrival at Allentown Fire Training Academy:

Governor Josh Shapiro (PA)
Administrator Isabel Guzman, Small Business Administration
Senator Bob Casey (PA)
Representative Susan Wild (PA-07)
Matt Tuerk, Mayor of Allentown, PA
Lee Ann Gilbert, Mayor of the Borough of Emmaus, PA
Matt Eharth, Training Director, Allentown Fire Academy
Jeremy Warmkessel, President, Allentown International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 302
Robert Brooks, President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFA)
Freddie Agosto, Fire Chief, Allentown Fire Department
Christian Williams, Deputy Fire Chief, Allentown Fire Department
Scott Brokaw, Education Coordinator, Allentown Fire Training Academy 12
Angela Marino, Office Manager, Allentown Fire Training Academy
Adam Perreault, Survey Crew Chief at LandMaker Geospatial, LLC and Member of IAFF Local 302
Jason Tatum, Firefighter, Allentown Fire Department
Tim Bruce, Firefighter, Allentown Fire Department
Chris Groller, Lieutenant, Allentown Fire Department
Jamie Miranda, Firefighter, Allentown Fire Department
Zac Shepard, Firefighter, Allentown Fire Department

In town pool report #13 - POTUS gaggle/rolling

Pool was brought back into garage for brief remarks from POTUS about the small business trip. POTUS took a few questions on Bidenomics, last nights strike against the Houthis, oil prices and Speaker Johnson.

Asked for a response to members of his own party who believe he need congressional authorization for last night's strike, he said "they're wrong."

Asked how soon he'd be willing to designate the Houthis as a terrorist group, Biden said it was "irrelevant" whether we designated them as such. He said "if they continue to act and behave as they do, we'll respond."

Pool could not make out Biden's response to a question about how his conversation went with Soekaer Johnson.

Otter link: https://otter.ai/u/eI3dHfvngI-a_eHbBovRGsBvr_4

Motorcade is rolling back to airport at 5:18pm

Some notes from his remarks at the top:

"Starting a new business is an act of hope"

Spoke about impact of Covid, a topic he said came up with the coffee shop owners earlier today.

"When the middle class does well, everyone does well."

He said that his take away from the business owners today was that there's a "genuine sense of optimism."

He said that child care access also came up in his conversations.

"I came away from this really reassured that what we've done has had an impact."

Sen. Casey also spoke briefly about the benefits of the child tax credit, American Rescue Plan and infrastructure investments. He said we need to continue to get costs down for families, which are high because of "corporate greed."

out-of-town pool report #14 - wheels up shortly

Motorcade arrived back at the airport at 5:37. Biden went right up the steps. Consider this a wheels up notification.

The WH shares the following guidance:

WEEK AHEAD 1/13 - 1/21

On Saturday, the President will travel to Camp David where he will remain over the weekend.

On Monday, the President will depart Camp David en route to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Then, the President will participate in a service event in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Later, the President will return to the White House.

On Friday, the President will welcome bipartisan mayors attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting to the White House. The President will highlight ongoing partnership between federal and local governments to ensure communities across the country realize the full potential of the Investing in America agenda.

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

Administrator Isabel Guzman, Small Business Administration
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Christian Tom, Assistant to the President & Director of Digital Strategy
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
Andrew Bates, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary & Senior Communications Advisor for Strategic Response
Jen Daskal, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor
Dennis Cheng, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director for Political Strategy & Outreach

Out of town pool report #15 - wheels down

AF1 was wheels down at JBA at 6:27. Uneventful flight aside from turbulence. POTUS walked down AF1 steps at 6:36 and entered the motorcade.

That’s it from me. Have a great weekend.