Pool Reports of November 12, 2025

In-Town Pool Report #1: Lunch Lid

White House called a lunch lid until 12:30.

In-Town Pool Report #2: Two Minute Warning

White House just gave the two-minute warning for the briefing.

In-Town Pool Report #3: FBI Director Kash Patel

FBI Director Kash Patel was at the podium with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to give an update in the administration's efforts "to crush the plague of fentanyl," specifically a framework of an agreement with China to stop the flow of fentanyl precursors into the US.

"Essentially, President Trump has shut off the pipeline that creates fentanyl," said Patel. He exited at 1:30 without taking questions.

The briefing is being livestreamed.

In-Town Pool Report #4: Briefing Concludes

The briefing has concluded.

In-Town Pool Report #5: Dinner Lid Until 6:30PM

White House called a dinner lid until 6:30pm.

In-Town Pool Report #6: Oval Begins

Pool entered a packed Oval Office at 10:12. President Trump is speaking now. Speaker Mike Johnson stands to his right and numerous members of Congress flank POTUS in a semi-circle.

"Today we are sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion," said the president.

Remarks are ongoing and live streamed on regular channels.

In-Town Pool Report #7: Guest List/Remarks Ongoing

Remarks are ongoing.

"So, with my signature, the federal government will now resume normal operations," the president said.

Earlier after heralding the soon to end shutdown, Trump reiterated his call to end the Senate filibuster.

"I say terminate the filibuster, because, by the way, the Democrats will do it immediately if they ever assume office, which hopefully they won't," he said.

He thanked the eight Senate Democrats who "did the right thing in voting to end this craziness."

The White House passes along the following:

GUESTS:

• Speaker of the House Mike Johnson
• House Majority Leader Steve Scalise
• House Majority WHIP Tom Emmer
• Rep. Tom Cole
• Rep. Kevin Hern
• Rep. Guy Reschenthaler
• Rep. Lisa McClain
• Chris Sununu (President, Airlines for America)
• Nick Daniels (President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association)
• Jim Pasco (Executive Director, National Fraternal Order of Police)
• Joseph R. Chenelly (National Executive Director, AMVETS)
• Derek Tate (Director of Government Affairs, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association)

In-Town Pool Report #8: Government Reopens

President Trump signed legislation to re-open the government at 10:24pm. Applause from attendees ensued.

Pool was ushered out of the Oval Office at 10:25. POTUS did not take questions.

In-Town Pool Report #9: Lid

White House called a travel-photo lid at 10:30pm.