Pool Reports of January 28, 2024

Travel pool report 1 - motorcade rolling

Good morning from Columbia SC, where it is 51 degrees and windy. Motorcade is rolling from RON at 9:58am to St John Baptist Church in Columbia.

POTUS is expected to make brief remarks toward the end of the service. Service begins at 10:00 am. Link to livestream:

https://www.youtube.com/user/saintjohnbapchurch/live

Travel pool report 2 - traveling w POTUS

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to St. John Baptist Church:

Representative Jim Clyburn (SC-06)
Virginia Newman, Guest of Representative Clyburn
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
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa

Travel pool report 3- background from campaign

On background from the Biden-Harris campaign: President Biden will attend services and deliver remarks at the St. John Baptist Church. St. John Baptist is over 100 years old and played an active role during the Civil Rights Movement. The church is home to community leaders like Stephen Benjamin and WNBA star Aja Wilson's family — whose grandfather Roscoe Wilson Sr. was pastor during the Civil Rights Movement.

Travel pool report 4 - church arrival

Motorcade arrived at St John Baptist Church in Columbia SC at 10:04 am. A woman stood across street from church holding sign that said in all caps: BIDEN STOP KILLING GAZA'S MOMS AND CHILDREN

As pool entered sanctuary of this African American church, the congregation and choir were singing and swaying.

Travel pool report 5 - Biden enters sanctuary

POTUS entered the church sanctuary to cheers from the congregation, accompanied by Rep Jim Clyburn. The two are in the front pew, currently standing

Pool is viewing service from the balcony

Travel pool report 6 - run of show

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

The President is delivering remarks at a political event at St. John Baptist Church. Livestream available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSC-BaEHj0Q

Program
Reverend Dr. Edward Johnson
Minister Whilhelmenia Wilson
Yvette Graham and her daughter Jasmyn Graham
Hymnal / Choir song
Reverend Dr. Jamey O. Graham Sr.
The President

Travel pool report 7 - from the campaign

On background from the Biden-Harris campaign: President Biden will attend the Brookland Baptist Banquet Center for their "Sunday Lunch." President Biden has a long-standing relationship with Brookland Baptist's pastor and First Lady, Robin Jackson, who is First Lady Dr. Jill Biden's prayer partner.

Travel pool report 8 - potus remarks

POTUS stepped up to the pulpit to applause at 11:13 am, after a rousing sermon by the Reverend Dr. Jamey O. Graham Sr. The pastor spoke at the top on "the power of the Black vote."

POTUS and Rep. Clyburn sat for most of the sermon, but were standing for the final portion, as was the rest of the congregation. Then they were seated again, as the pastor welcomed various people, including "special guests." Rep. Clyburn was recognized from the pulpit, and he stood, turned, and waved to the congregation. Welcomed "President Biden and his presidential team."

The pastor thanked POTUS for making Harris his VP.

Remarks streaming at St John Baptist Church's YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/saintjohnbapchurch/live

Travel pool report 9 - brief POTUS remarks

Potus started with a shoutout to former Columbia Mayor Stephen Benjamin, who is now his Director of Public Engagement.

POTUS is reading from printed remarks. Some excerpts (check transcript):

"In my life, I've tried to walk my faith."

"Here's what I've learned: We're all imperfect beings. We don't know where faith is going to take us, or when it's going to take us.... But we can do our best to seek the light, the hope, the love. Where I come from, that's the power of faith."

Wrapped up remarks at 11:19.

Travel pool report 10 - potus exits sanctuary

POTUS and Clyburn exited the church sanctuary st 11:21, as service was ending. Pool is now holding in motorcade.

Travel pool report 11- motorcade rolling

Motorcade is rolling from St John Baptist Church at 11:27

Travel pool report 12 - arrival at hotel

Motorcade arrived at the hotel where we had RON'd at 11:32.

Travel pool report 13- lunch lid called till 1:30

[APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.]

Travel pool report 14- a little more background

Stephen Benjamin, the WH director of public engagement, was seated next to Rep Clyburn in the church. Former Mayor Benjamin's daughter was seated next to her dad. This was POTUS's first visit to St John Baptist Church in Columbia. It's also Mayor Benjamin's home church.

Travel pool report 15 - POTUS briefed on attack on US service members

From the WH press office:

President Biden was briefed this morning on the attack against U.S. service members in Northeast Jordan near the Syria border by Defense Secretary Austin, National Security Advisor Sullivan, and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Finer.

Travel pool report 16- update on Jordan attack

From the WH press office:

President Biden and Vice President Harris were briefed by their national security team this afternoon on the latest regarding the attack on U.S. service members and coalition partners in northeastern Jordan, near the Syria border, by Iran-backed militant groups. Participants included National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary Antony Blinken, Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, Chairman CQ Brown, Director Avril Haines, Director Bill Burns, Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, and Chief of Staff Jeff Zients.

Travel pool report 17- motorcade rolling

Motorcade is rolling at 3:05 pm from RON hotel in Columbia SC to next event, mingling at a church Sunday lunch.

Travel pool report 18- motorcade arrives Brookside Baptist Sunday lunch

Motorcade arrived 3:13 at the Brookside Baptist Church n Columbia for Sunday lunch.

Travel pool report 19- event details

The President is stopping by Brookland Baptist Banquet Center.

Attendees
Representative Jim Clyburn (SC-06)
Virginia Newman, Guest of Representative Clyburn
Reverend Dr. Charles B. Jackson, Sr., Senior Pastor, Brookland Baptist Church
Robin Jackson, First Lady of Brookland Baptist Church
Local Patrons, Members of the Community, and Frequent Visitors

Travel pool report 20 —Brookside Baptist - news on Jordan attack

First the news: potus final comment:

"We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls"

POTUS then led a moment of silence. Then he said "and we shall respond"

From the top:

POTUS entered the large dining room, filled wth several hundred people dressed in their Sunday finest, at 3:28 pm. Diners cheered when he entered.

After a brief introduction, potus began to speak at 3:29- interrupted briefly by chants of "four more years."

Highlights - check transcript

"I'm here for one reason, not a joke, Jim Clyburn"

"I came to say thank you. You had my back"

Brings up Charlottesville, and how Trump said there are "good people on both sides"

"Our democracy is safe for the first time in a long time…. Jim said, because of our churches"

Talks about Dad, he said Joey a job is about a lot more than about a paycheck- it's about dignity and respect"

"But we must abide by our democratic principles"

"The Bible teaches, ye shall know the truth and the trust shall set us free. We know the truth."

Talks about his "long, long experience in foreign policy. That's why Barack put me on the ticket"

"Ive spent a lotta time in Black churches…" then talks about going to catholic mass, followed by a Black church

Repeats "ye shall know the truth" Bible reference

Then goes to a quote from Psalms.

"We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls"

POTUS then led a moment of silence. Then he said "and we shall respond"

Remarks wrapped at 3:40.

Then Clyburn presented potus with a handmade American flag made by a 93 year old constituent.

Many diners are congregants at Brookland Baptist, a Black church here in Columbia. Others are here for "Greek Unity Day," representing the "Divine Nine"- the Black fraternities and sororities. Some diners knew in advance that POTUS would be here, others didn't, according to participants. It was announced at the end of today's church service that POTUS would be here, and to prepare for strict security, said Dr. Tonjua Freeman, a church member.

Travel pool report 21 - POTUS arrives airport/fuller quote

Motorcade rolled from Brookland Baptist Church at 4:02 pm, arrived Columbia Metro Airport, West Columbia, SC, at 4:16 pm.

Also, here's a fuller version of POTUS quote on Jordan attack from Brookland Baptist remarks:

"We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases"

Then after moment of silence: "and we shall respond"

Travel pool report 22- wheels up for JBA

POTUS boarded Air Force One before pool got to the plane. TVs in press cabin are set to football. We are rolling for JBA at 4:23

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force Oneen 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
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Steve Benjamin, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa
Tori Taylor, Special Assistant to the President & Director of Political Outreach

Travel pool report 23 - JBA arrival

AF1 landed JBA at 5:58 pm.

We have a late bad weather call, so no Marine One and no time for in-town pool to get to JBA. Most of travel pool will ride the motorcade back to WH with POTUS. Co-pooler Eugene Daniels will take over travel print pool duties, as yours truly has a family obligation and will drive back to DC on her own (avoiding a return trip to JBA to retrieve her car).

Thank you, Eugene! And thanks to everyone in travel pool for the good cheer and assistance on quotes.

Travel Report #24 -- Rolling to the white house

President Biden got off AF1, shook hands with the greeterand got in the motorcade at 6:10. Motorcade took off to WH at 6:13.

Travel report 25 -- Motorcade travelers/Deets on blanket

The White House sends the below on behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

At Brookland Baptist Banquet Center, Edna Knight, 93, presented the President with a hand crocheted American flag.

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the White House:

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
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Steve Benjamin, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa
Tori Taylor, Special Assistant to the President & Director of Political Outreach

intown pool report #1/bad weather call

The President will motorcade from JBA to the White House.

This is a reversal from a good weather call issued around 4 pm.

Air Force One is still en route from South Carolina.

intown pool report #2/travel pool will motorcade from JBA

The travel pool will motorcade back to the White House with the president.

The short-notice bad weather call didn't leave enough time to get the intown pool to JBA.