Pool Reports of October 20, 2023

In-Town Pool Report #1—Oct. 20th 2023

Good morning. European Council President Charles Michel arrived at 12:01 p.m. at The White House. He didn't gaggle with press. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived at 12:24 p.m. She didn't gaggle. A large gathering of European press gathered for their arrival, however, I'm afraid there was no news made.

In-Town Pool Report #2—Oct. 20th 2023

Good morning. A trilateral meeting in the cabinet room began at around 12:40 p.m. with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Biden sat next to Antony Blinken and Janet Yellen on the far side of the room.

POTUS took a single question, and he responded:

"I believe you will see…I got a commitment from the Israelis and the president of Egypt that the crossing will be open. The highway had to be repaved, and it was in very bad shape…and I believe in the next 24 to 48 hours, the first 20 trucks will come across the border. Thank you."

In-Town Pool Report #3—Oct. 20th 2023

Some notes from the trilateral meeting between European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Biden are below.

Biden: "Last summer, we committed to revitalizing the partnership between the EU and The United States, and, uh, over the last two years, we made good on that commitment we made. We stood together to support the brave people of Ukraine in the face of Putin aggression. And we stood together to tackle economic challenges, established standards to guide our relationship with China, and we're standing together now to support Israel in the wake of Hamas' appalling terrorist attack."

Biden said they plan to discuss Israel/ Ukraine, a "clean energy transition," and fair-trade regarding steel and aluminum.

European Council President Charles Michel: "Today, the world faces enormous challenges. And today, more than ever, the world needs a strong EU-US alliance to tackle these challenges.

[…]

In the Middle East, tragedy. So much suffering, so many heartbreaking images.…. We condemned Hamas…Israel has the right to defend itself, and this must be done in line with international humanitarian law."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: "I want to thank you for your remarkable visit to Israel. It is important to show solidarity with Israel, [the] victim of the worst attack since the Shoah [Holocaust]. Israel has the right to self-defense in line with humanitarian law. I was in Israel too. Exactly one week ago, I went to the Kibbutz…what I saw was barbaric. The impact on the Israeli society cannot be emphasized enough. We stand with Israel and against terror. At the same time, Palestinians also suffer from Hamas' terroristic actions. ….The United States and the European Union are both significantly increasing the humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. This is crucial."

On regional escalations, von der Leyen said she was "particularly concerned about Iran." "We have all seen the incidents…missiles and drones from Yemen."

"And let me also stress the events in the Middle East will not distract us from our rock-solid support of Ukraine. We have already provided assistance was almost $90 billion to Ukraine. This includes financial support to keep the state of the economy running, military equipment, humanitarian aid, and support for 4 million refugees."

"Putin will ultimately fail. He is running Russia into the ground. These conflicts show democracies must stand together."

In-Town Pool Report #4 Oct 20th 2023

Our friend Mr. Marek Walkuski with Polskie Radio (Poland radio) writes into our in-town pool report that Ursula von der Leyen "left the West Wing at 2:33 p.m., 45 minutes after President Michel, who departed the White House at 1:48 p.m." We greatly appreciate Mr. Walkuski passing along the information—and braving the elements in the process.

The White House also sent this along just before 2 p.m. EST:

The President is participating in a walk and talk with President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.

In Town Pool Report #5 Oct 20th 2023

Good afternoon. The motorcade is preparing to roll to a reception where President Biden will speak. However, there is something notable happening close to the White House grounds. A rather large mob of pro-Palestinian protests are yelling "cease-fire now" outside the White House, gathered in Lafayette Square. I would estimate there are around 400 protesters—that count coming from, of course, myself inside of the fenced-in north lawn area. Notably, one shouted phrase they seemed rather focused on was: "Biden, Biden, you can't hide!"

In Town Pool Report #6 Oct 20th 2023

President Biden made two phone calls this evening. One call with the family of the American hostages and one with the hostages themselves.

From the White House:

5:00 note: This afternoon, the President spoke by phone with the family of the two Americans released today after being taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel.

5:25 note: The President just completed a call with the two Americans released today after being taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel. He relayed that they will have the full support of the U.S. government as they recover from this terrible ordeal.

The motorcade is on its way to the reception, at an unknown home.

In Town Pool Report #7 Oct 20th, 2023

The president spoke at the fundraiser. Press back in vans.

From Biden-Harris campaign:

The President is attending a campaign reception at the home of Dr. Claire Lucas & Judy Dlugacz.

Speaking Program
Dr. Claire Lucas
The President

—As for news, Biden joked about Rep. Jim Jordan: "he just got his rear end kicked" —following the events on Capitol Hill this afternoon.

—An event organizer said the event raised 1.6 million dollars.

—Around halfway through the event, one attendee began to wobble, or as the Secret Serice officer put it next to me, "possible medical emergency." The man took a seat and water was brought to him. Notably, the room in a private home in northwest Washington was warm with all blinds closed.

…

I received a wide variety of questions about the pro-Palestinian protesters outside of the White House. Upon departing for the fundraising reception, the United States Secret Service moved the modercade out onto 17th Street and the modercade did NOT pass by protesters. The full chant from the initial protester pool report was: "Biden, Biden you can't hide. We charge you with genocide!" Finally, I can't confirm the name of the group of protesters at this time, as I was on the other side of the fence. Feel free to text me with additional questions, I'll do my best to address them.

In Town Pool Report Number 8 Oct 20, 2024

Biden arrived at JBA at 7:35 p.m. and boarded at 7:37 p.m. Biden appeared to stop questions—which was out of earshot for the in-town pool.

From the White House:

Greeting the President upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews: Colonel Paul R. Pawluk, Vice Commander, 89th Airlift Wing,

Pool Report Number 9 Oct 20th 2023 — Saudi Arabia Quote at Fundraiser

Biden said he thought one of the reasons Hamas attacked Israel was over increased diplomatic activity between Saudi Arabia and Israel. But your pooler didn't get the full quote. I have contacted the White House, as our recorders didn't pick it up from the back. The part I was able to capture was "sit down with the Saudis." [Crowd laughter] "Guess what? The Saudis wanted to recognize Israel."

Pool Report Number 10 Oct 20th 2023 — Saudi Arabia Quote at Fundraiser

More quotes on Saudi Arabia. The front side of the quote is:

"One of the reasons why they acted like they did…why Hamas moved on Israel…because they knew I was about to sit down with the Saudis…"

Back side is:

[Crowd laughter] "Guess what? The Saudis wanted to recognize Israel…unite the Middle East."

Still working the recording on varying decibels. Thanks. ZTP

Foreign pool report #1 – Background on the U.S. – EU summit

Hi all,

I'm your foreign pooler for the second U.S. - EU summit since President Joe Biden took office.

President Joe Biden will host President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel. The summit is scheduled for noon. The pool spray is planned at the top of the meeting in the Cabinet Room. A group of European reporters from different EU countries will join the U.S. restricted in-house pool. There will be no joint press conference. Von der Leyen and Michel are not planning to show up at the stakeout location.

After arriving in Washington the EU leaders have had several engagements. The President of the European Council met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and the World Bank Group President Ajaypal Banga. He also addressed students at Georgetown University. Michel and von der Leyen visited the Capitol where they held talks with a bipartisan group of Senators (Sheehan, Coons, Romney). Separately, the President of the European Commission delivered a policy address at the Hudson Institute.

The EU leaders meet with POTUS on a regular basis. They have participated in three G20 and three G7 summits, as well as several G7 videoconferences. Ursula von der Leyen met with Joe Biden during COP26 and visited the White House twice - in November 2021 and in March 2023.

First U.S. - EU summit
The first U.S.-EU summit during Biden's presidency was held in Brussels on June 15, 2021. The leaders focused on renewing transatlantic partnership after years of conflict and tensions during Trump presidency. They adopted joint declaration on cooperation in a post-pandemic era and addressed such issues as climate, trade, investment, and common values.

Agenda:
During their second summit Biden, von der Leyen and Michel will focus on two geopolitical crises – in Ukraine and in the Middle East after a terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas. European officials expect that POTUS and E.U. leaders will show "close alignment" on both issues.

In her policy address at the Hudson Institute on Thursday Ursula von der Leyen stated: "These crises, however different, call on Europe and America to take a stand – and stand together. We must support these democracies". Biden echoed this message yesterday during his Oval Office address.

Israel:
Ursula von der Leyen traveled to Israel on October 13, less than a week after Hamas terrorist attacks, and expressed unaverred solidarity with Israel "on behalf of the European Union". She was later criticized by many European politicians as being one-sided for not explicitly calling on Israel to respect international humanitarian law. While expressing support for the Israel's right to defend itself, von der Leyen and other U.U. officials now emphasize humanitarian needs of Palestinians from Gaza.

Ukraine:
Europe has already spent more on supporting Ukraine than the United States. The EU institutions and member states have made available almost $90 billion in financial, military, humanitarian, and refugee assistance for Ukraine. This figure includes an unprecedented commitment of up to $19.3 billion in financial assistance for 2023, disbursed in regular monthly increments to ensure stable financing for the running of the Ukrainian state, per the Delegation of the European Union to the U.S. The E.U is now working on a new €50 billion multi-year support package for Ukraine. The funds are going to be part of the EU's budgets until 2027, showing a long-term commitment to support Ukraine.

Trade:
Before the summit European officials were hoping for a deal on tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed during Donald Trump's presidency. "We are working hard to agree strong and mutually-beneficial trade outcomes with our US partners. We want to make Trump-era 232 tariffs a thing of the past & seek new avenues of cooperation" – the European Commission VP and trade representative Valdis Dombrovskis tweeted our earlier this week. However, negotiators failed to reach agreement and the U.S. and EU leaders are no longer expected to announce a deal.

Von der Leyen bio:
Ursula von der Leyen is a 65-years old German politician who holds the position of President of the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU. Since 2005 she held several cabinet positions in Angela Merkel government. She was the first woman to serve as Germany's minister of defense from 2013 to 2019. She supported modernization of the German military and called for increasing military budget. In June 2019 she was elected the President of the European Commission, becoming the first woman to hold the office.

Von der Leyen was born in 1958 in Brussels, where she lived until the age of 13. From 1992 to 1996 she lived in the United States while her husband was a faculty member of Stanford University. She speaks English fluently and is a native speaker of German and French. He has seven children.

Michel bio:
48-years old Charles Michel is a Belgian politician serving as the president of the European Council, which is composed of the heads of states or governments of the EU member states. As the President of the Council, he chairs meetings and represents the European Union at the international level.

Charles Michel held several positions in Belgian government and European institutions. He was the prime minister of Belgium from 2014 to 2019. Michel belongs to the Belgian Reformist Movement (French: Mouvement Réformateur) - a conservative-liberal party which represented 25% of the French-speaking population.

He is considered a cool-headed and an effective conciliator. In his profile published in March 2023 the Politico called him a "relatively young, still ambitious, an intensely political animal" who strives for the international prominence.

Michel is married to Amélie Derbaudrenghien Michel, whom he married "discreetly" in October 2021. The couple has two children. He also has a son from a previous relationship. Michel speaks Dutch, English and French.

Foreign Pool Report #2 - Michel’s arrival

The President of the European Council Charles Michel arrived at the White House shortly after noon. The pool in now waiting for Ursula von der Leyen.

Foreign pool report #3 - arrival

Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen arrived at the West Wing separately: Michel at 12:01 PM followed by von der Leyen at 12:23 PM.

Two large U.S. and Australians flags were visible in the background as the EU leaders walked up the stairs from the West Executive Avenue. The flags were placed on the facade of the EEOB ahead of the Australian PM’s state visit to the White House next week.

Foreign pool report #4 - waiting for the summit

Restricted in-house pool and European reporters have gathered in the James Brady Briefing Room for the Biden-Michel— von der Leyen trilateral engagement in the Cabinet Room.

According to the European Union Delegation to the United States the following EU officials will join von der Leyen and Michel during the meeting with POTUS:

- Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

- Valdis Dombrovskis, VP of the European Commission for an Economy, and the EU Trade Commissioner,

- Věra Jourová, VP of the European Commission for Values and Transparency.

Foreign pool note #5 - Cabinet Room remarks

After POTUS's opening remarks the EU leaders spoke for about 3 minutes each about their personal connections' with the US, transatlantic relations, Ukraine and Israel.

They both emphasized that Israel has the right to defend itself but it must be done in line with international humanitarian law.

Michel and von der Leyen spoke about European support for Ukraine – as of now $90 billion, with additional $53 billion coming soon.

"The events in the Middle East will not distract us from our rock solid support to Ukraine" – said von der Leyen. "Democracies must stand stronger" – she added.

Before the pool was escorted out POTUS answered one question on the humanitarian corridor to Gaza. See the in-town pool report.

Foreign pool report #6 - more quotes from Michel and von der Leyen

Bellow more quotes from the EU leaders.

Michel:

-"We share a special bond. We are more than close allies, we are close friends",

- "Today, the world faces enormous challenges. And today, more than ever, the world needs a strong EU-US alliance to tackle these challenges".

- "Israel has the right to defend itself. This must be done in line with international humanitarian law".

Von der Leyen:

- "Mr. President. I want to thank you for your remarkable visit to Israel. It is important to show solidarity with Israel's victims of the worst attack since the Shoah. Israel has the right to self defense in line with humanitarian law".

- "I'm particularly concerned about Iran and proxies. We have all seen the incidents involving missiles and drones…. No one should take advantage of this situation".

-"The events in the Middle East will not distract us from our rock solid support to Ukraine. We have already provided assistance of almost $90 billion to Ukraine This includes financial support to keep the state of the economy running, military equipment, humanitarian aid and support for 4 million refugees. In the next four years, we aim to provide another 50 billion Euros".

-"Putin will ultimately fail. (…) This conflict shows democracies must stand together.

As always please check the quotes against officials transcript.

Foreign pool report #7 - separate POTUS’s meeting with Michel

The White House passes along the following note:

In the afternoon, the President hosted a meeting with President Charles Michel of the European Council.

U.S. Manifest
The President
T.H. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State

European Council Manifest
H.E. Charles Michel, President of the European Council
H.E. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy & Vice-President of the European Commission

After, the President participated in a family photo with President Charles Michel of the European Council and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.

Foreign pool report #8 - walk and talk with von der Leyen

Another note from the White House:

"The President is participating in a walk and talk with President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission".

The WH Press Office told me that the walk and talk took place in the Rose Garden and the Collonade.

Foreign pool report #9 - the EU leaders left separately

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen left the West Wing at 2:33 PM, 45-minutes after President Michel, who departed the White House at 1:48 PM.

That’s all from your foreign pooler.

Enjoy the rest of your Friday.

WH Supplemental Pool Report 1

Greetings from Andrews AFB in the rain. First Lady Jill Biden has arrived and is boarding Air Force One. We are waiting for the president, who is traveling separately.

WH Supplemental Pool Report 2

The president boarded AF1. He did not stop to answer questions but they were shouted as he climbed thr stairs. While boarding he said "It went well" when asked about his call with the hostages. We could not hear his response to whether Israel should delay the Gaza invasion to free more hostages and didn't answer whether Saudi Arabia was about to recognize Israel.

WH Supplemental Pool Report 3

We are taxiing at 7:46.

WH Supplemental Pool Report 4

AF1 landed at Dover Air Force Base at pm.

President Biden's unheard response to the question about delaying a Gaza invasion to give more time for hostages to be released was "yes," but the White House said he misheard the question and was just saying he wanted more hostages released, the second part of the question.

WH Supplemental Pool Report 5

The president disembarked from Air Force One and walked over to the helicopter, holding the first lady's hand. He did not come over to take questions.

Handing over to the out of town pool.

WH Supplemental Pool Report 6

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Air Force One en route to Dover Air Force Base:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room

WH Supplemental Pool Report 7

Marine One lifted off at 8:29

That's all from here.

WH Supplemental Pool Report 8

Traveling with the president and first lady to Rehoboth Beach:

Annie Tomasini, assistant to the president, senior adviser to the president and director of Oval Office operations

Anthony Bernal, assistant to the president and senior adviser to the first lady

Marc Gustafson, special assistant to the president and senior director for the White House Situation Room.

Out-of-town pool report #1

Good evening from Rehoboth Beach, Del.

POTUS arrived at Gordons Pond via Marine One at 8:53 p.m. and disembarked at 8:56 p.m.

He entered the Beast, and the vehicle began rolling toward his home at 8:58 p.m. The pool was positioned too far away to shout questions.

The pool did not motorcade with POTUS and did not see him enter the home.

The White House called a lid at 9:02 p.m.