Pool Reports by Myah Ward, POLITICO
| Sent: | Reports: |
| January 6, 2025 11:58 EST |
In-town pool report #1 Hi everyone, hope you're staying warm. Passing along this note from the White House: From White House spokesperson Jeremy Edwards: The President and his team are closely monitoring the severe winter weather impacting communities across the Central Plains and the Mid-Atlantic, including the National Capital Region. At his direction, senior White House Officials are in close touch with their state and local counterparts in the affected areas, and we stand ready to support as needed. We want to encourage all Americans affected by this weather to take it seriously, continue to monitor forecasts, and heed the warnings of local officials. And here's a reminder of the president's schedule today: EST |
| January 6, 2025 12:07 EST |
In-town pool report #2: Gonzalez to the sticks From the WH: President-elect Gonzalez of Venezuela will be heading to the sticks shortly. |
| January 6, 2025 | [APP Note: Report #3 does not exist or was not received by the APP.] |
| January 6, 2025 15:51 EST |
In-town pool report #4: AF1 Gaggle Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is gaggling on Air Force One en route to New Orleans, Louisiana. Live stream is below. |
Pool Reports below by Danny Kemp, Agence France-Presse
| Sent: | Reports: |
| January 6, 2025 12:42 EST |
Out of town pool report #1 - Motorcade rolling Good morning from a beautifully snowy White House at the start of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden's trip to New Orleans and California. The out of town pool is motorcading with them from the White House to JBA, and we were treated to views of the snow-covered Rose Garden and South Lawn. POTUS emerged from the Oval Office at 12.39pm and walked down the path to a black SUV - not the Beast. Motorcade is rolling as of 12.40pm. |
| January 6, 2025 13:25 EST |
Out of town pool report #2 - JBA arrival Motorcade passed along largely clear but still somewhat slushy roads, past a snowy Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and Capitol (where President-elect Donald Trump's election victory will be certified later today, on the fourth anniversary of the 2021 Capitol riot). It traveled more slowly than usual, stopping at Joint Base Andrews at 1.15pm. Lots of snowplows were at work on the runway. Due to what the White House calls inclement weather' POTUS boarded Air Force One - the small plane - inside a hangar. As a result we've been told there will be no under wing opportunity, and no filming or photos allowed. Pool didn't see him board the plane. We are rolling - backwards - as of 1.21pm. Passing on the following from the White House: Traveling with the President and the First Lady via motorcade en route to Joint Base Andrews : Rep. Cleo Fields (LA-06) |
| January 6, 2025 13:53 EST |
Out of town pool report #3 - Wheels up We will be wheels up shortly from JBA for New Orleans. Passing on the following from the WH: Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Air Force One en route to Louis Armstrong International Airport: Rep. Cleo Fields (LA-06) |
| January 6, 2025 15:31 CST |
Out of town pool report #4 - New Orleans arrival Air Force One was wheels down at a sunny Louis Armstrong International Airport at 3.27pm local time after a mainly smooth flight. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre came to the press cabin and gaggled for 23 minutes. There were toppers on New Orleans and Offshore Drilling, and questions on subjects including Jan 6 and Canadian PM Trudeau's resignation. Should have been broadcast on WH live. |
| January 6, 2025 15:50 CST |
Out of town pool report #5 - Rolling from airport POTUS, wearing his Aviators and a navy blue suit and tie, and FLOTUS, wearing sunglasses and a dark coat, emerged from AF1 into a biting wind at 3.41pm, descended the steps and spent a minute or so with greeters before climbing into their SUV. POTUS didn't speak to the pool. Motorcade is now rolling. Passing on from the WH: Greeting the President and the First Lady on arrival to Louis Armstrong International Airport: Rep. Cleo Fields (LA-06) |
| January 6, 2025 16:12 CST |
Out of town pool report #6 - Bourbon Street OTR The motorcade has made an OTR stop at Bourbon Street, the site of the Jan 1 attack, after a drive of some 20 minutes. POTUS and FLOTUS stepped out of their SUV, FLOTUS laid flowers at a shrine for victims, and they stood in silence with heads bowed. POTUS put his hand behind FLOTUS' back and then crossed himself. Back in SUV after a minute. More tk |
| January 6, 2025 16:32 CST |
Out of town pool report #7 - St Louis Cathedral Just to note that neither the President nor the First Lady spoke during the very brief stop at Bourbon Street. The motorcade then left quickly for the short drive to St Louis Cathedral, in the French Quarter. Pool did not see POTUS or FLOTUS. Pool is now holding at the cathedral ahead of a prayer service for victims of the attack due at 6pm CST. |
| January 6, 2025 17:26 CST |
Out of town pool report #8 - POTUS meeting families Passing on this from the White House: The President and the First Lady are greeting with the families, survivors, and local law enforcement impacted by the tragic attack on January 1st. Pool is still holding at the Cathedral |
| January 6, 2025 18:07 CST |
Out of town pool report #9 - POTUS enters cathedral, service starts President Biden and the First Lady entered the Cathedral at 5.58pm, two minutes before the scheduled start of the service, and took their places in the front row of pews on the right hand side. A clarinettist and an organ were playing as they entered. The cathedral is huge with white stucco pillars and brightly colored frescoes all the way along the roof of the nave, and on the far end behind the altar. POTUS is due to deliver remarks later. The service is being livestreamed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFxKeGH9Mp4 Passing on this from the White House: The President and the First Lady are attending an Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace and Healing hosted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans at the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France and are grieving with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack on January 1. Program: Hymn: Healer of Our Every Ill |
| January 6, 2025 19:08 CST |
Out of town pool report #10 - POTUS candle and remarks President Biden, accompanied by the First Lady, placed what the program calls a candle on behalf of our Nation' on a table, in the middle of a semi-circle of candles for each of the 14 victims, after their names were read out by Reverend Ajani Gibson, pastor of Saint Peter Claver Church in New Orleans. They briefly held hands in front of the candles before returning to their places. POTUS delivered remarks 8 minutes later on the horrific act of terrorism. My wife and I are here to stand with you, grieve with you, pray with you, let you know you're not alone. I know events like this are hard, the shock and pain so very raw. I've directed my team to make every federal resource available& to complete this investigation quickly. New Orleans defines strength and resilience, whether through terrorism or hurricanes or superstorms I promise you the day will come& when the memory of your loved one will bring a smile to your lips before a tear to your eye& my prayer is that that day comes sooner than later. At times it was hard to make out his words, particularly because of the echo in the cathedral. The congregation applauded POTUS after his remarks, which wrapped up a few minutes before 7pm. At the start of the service, worth noting that Archbishop Gregory Aymond read out a message of condolence from Pope Francis, whom President Biden is due to visit in Rome later this week. Motorcade is now rolling through the French Quarter as of 7.07pm |
| January 6, 2025 19:41 CST |
Out of town pool report #11 - Airport and wheels up The motorcade arrived at Louis Armstrong International at 7.30pm. POTUS and FLOTUS were already halfway up the steps to Air Force One by the time pool was out of the van and under the wing, so no questions. POTUS waved from the top and they went inside. AF1 is rolling and we should be wheels up shortly for Los Angeles. From the WH: Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Air Force One en route to Los Angeles International Airport: Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| January 6, 2025 21:46 PST |
Out of town pool report #12 - LAX Air Force One was wheels down at Los Angeles International airport at 10.32pm PST. No visitors to press cabin. POTUS and FLOTUS deplaned at 10.43pm, with the president briefly waving to the pool. They boarded Marine One (the new VH-92 version) and pool is now headed for Ospreys. From the WH: Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to Santa Monica Landing Zone: Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff to the First Lady |
| January 6, 2025 22:08 PST |
Out of town pool report #13 - Time Correction and Santa Monica LZ Correcting the times on note #12 which were an hour out - AF1 wheels down at LAX at 9.32pm and POTUS-FLOTUS deplaned at 9.43pm. Many apologies for the error. M1 was wheels down at the Santa Monica Landing Zone at 10pm. Pool was too far for questions as POTUS disembarked. Motorcade is now rolling. |
| January 6, 2025 22:31 PST |
Out of town pool report #14 - RON and lid Motorcade reached the RON at 10.18pm after an uneventful drive. Pool did not lay eyes on POTUS. And we have a lid, called by the WH at 10.25pm. Thanks to co-pooler Adam Cancryn of Politico for the assists. Have a good evening! |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of January 6, 2025 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/375893