Pool Reports of September 16, 2024

In-town pool report #1 - Gathering

The WH called pool to gather at the Palm Room Doors at 8:51 a.m. for POTUS' departure to DANG ahead of his remarks at the National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia this afternoon.

In-town pool report #2 - POTUS spoke to pool

POTUS exited the WH at 9:06 am. and approached the pool. Quotes to come, but he weighed in Trump's second assassination attempt.

"The Secret Service needs more help," he said.

In-town pool report #3 - M1 lift

M1 lifted at 9:11 a.m.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One enroute to Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Communications
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

In-town pool report #5 - Gathering

The WH called pool to gather at 4:05 p.m. for POTUS' arrival from JBA.

In-town pool report #6 - M1 touched down/POTUS says he tried to call Trump

M1 touched down on the WH South Lawn at 4:15 p.m.

POTUS disembarked at 4:18 p.m.

POTUS told reporters from a distance that he had called Trump, but he wasn't available and that he would try again later.

POTUS entered the Oval Office at 4:19 p.m.

In-town pool report #7- Lid/WH confirmation of call

The WH called a lid at 4.30 pm.

From the WH when asked to confirm POTUS call to Trump: Yes. They did not connect but he called.

Here is a link to the exchange courtesy of France24's Fraser Jackson: https://x.com/FrazJ/status/1835776649767637241

In-town pool report #8 - POTUS connects with Trump

From a WH official:

President Biden just spoke with former President Trump, and conveyed his relief that he is safe. The two shared a cordial conversation and former President Trump expressed his thanks for the call.

In-town pool report #9 - POTUS records interview

From the WH:

The President recorded an interview with DeDe in the Morning. The interview will air tomorrow.

Out-of-town pool report #1: DANG arrival

Marine One was wheels down at 10:05 am at Delaware Air National Guard Base.

POTUS stepped off the helicopter four minutes later and immediately got into a black SUV.

Pool was too far away to ask questions.

We are rolling at 10:12 am.

From the White House:

Greeting the President on arrival to Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew P. Sides, Commander of the 166th Operations Group, Delaware Air National Guard Base

Out-of-town pool report #2: Travelers

From the White House:

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out-of-town pool report #5: DuPont Country Club

Motorcade arrived at the DuPont Country Club at 11:28 am.

From the White House:

The President is stopping by the Beau Biden Foundation's Child Protection Classic at DuPont Country Club.

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out-of-town pool report #6: Departing country club

Motorcade departed the country club at 12:19 pm and is rolling toward DANG.

We did not see POTUS.

Out-of-town pool report #7: Departure for Philadelphia

Motorcade arrived back at Delaware Air National Guard Base at 12:31 pm.

POTUS immediately boarded Marine One, and pool was escorted to the ospreys.

We are wheels up shortly for Philadelphia.

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One enroute to Philadelphia International Airport:

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out-of-town pool report #8: Philadelphia arrival

Marine One was wheels down at Philadelphia International Airport at 12:53 pm.

POTUS stepped off the helicopter four minutes later and chatted briefly with his greeters before boarding the Beast. Greeters' names are below.

We are rolling at 1:01 pm.

From the White House:

Greeting the President on arrival to Philadelphia International Airport:

Mayor Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Chair Monica Taylor, Delaware County Council, Pennsylvania
Former Rep. Bob Brady (PA-01)

Out-of-town pool report #9: Marriott arrival

Motorcade arrived at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott at 1:18 pm.

Crowds of spectators took photos with their cell phones as the motorcade made its way through the downtown.

A man across the street from the hotel flashed two middle fingers at the motorcade while a woman beside him held up a handwritten sign that said "Trump."

Pool did not see POTUS exit the Beast.

Out-of-town pool report #10: POTUS takes the stage

Biden took the stage at 1:45 p.m. to a standing ovation and a raucous reception.

"Thank you, Joe!" the crowd cheered.

He is speaking at the 2024 National HBCU Conference Week in downtown Philadelphia. The event is being held in what appears to be a ballroom in the hotel.

POTUS' remarks are being streamed live on the White House website.

More to come.

Out-of-town pool report #11: Remarks on assassination attempt

Biden addressed the assassination attempt against Donald Trump at the beginning of his remarks:

He commended the Secret Service for their "expert handling of the situation."

"Let me just say there is no, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart, and those of you who know me know this: In America, there is no place for political violence."

As usual, check quotes against the transcript.

Out-of-town pool report #12: More remarks

POTUS spoke for 21 minutes about the contributions of HBCU's.

HBUC's have instilled a sense of purpose and freedom, he said.

"Every American of every race and every background … should have a fair and equal chance to go as far as your God-given talents" will take them.

He noted that in some states DEI is under attack and pointed out that "lies and hate" are being spread against Haitians in Ohio.

"It's wrong. It's simply wrong, and it must stop," he said.

From the White House:

The President is delivering remarks at the 2024 National HBCU Week Conference.

Program

Jessi Mitchell
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
Veronica Redden
Dr. Tony Allen, President of Delaware State University & Introducer
The President

Participating in a photoline with the President:

Secretary Miguel Cardona, Department of Education
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)
Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04)
Mayor Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out-of-town pool report #13: additional remarks

After his official remarks, POTUS addressed a smaller crowd in an overflow room at the hotel.

Holding a microphone, he stood on a small stage and began speaking at 2:14 pm, he addressed the crowd for 16 minutes.

He spoke about his early career and how he was supported by the black community.

He reminisced about the night in 2008 when he and Barack Obama were introduced for the first time as the next president and vice president of the United States.

Out-of-town pool report #14: Photo lines

After his remarks in the overflow room, POTUS participated in two photo lines — one with presidents of HBCU's, the other with a group of honor students at HBCU's.

"You're going to change the world and if you're going to be inclusive you've got to be inclusive for everybody," he told the students.

Out-of-town pool report #15: Rolling

We are rolling back to Philadelphia International Airport at 2:48 pm.

Out-of-town pool report #16: Airport arrival

Motorcade arrived back at the Philadelphia airport at 3:03 pm

POTUS immediately boarded AF1.

We are wheels up shortly for JBA.

Out-of-town pool report #17: JBA arrival

AF1 was wheels down at JBA at 3:46 pm.

Wheels up time in Philadelphia was 3:17 pm.

There were no visitors to the press cabin during the flight.

From the White House:

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

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Communications
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Adele El-Khouri, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Staff Secretary
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President