Pool Reports of September 9, 2025

In-town pool report #1

Good morning from the briefing room, where I'll be your print pooler today. Karoline Leavitt is scheduled to brief at 1 pm, and the president has a late afternoon signing event on his public schedule.

In-town pool report #2 - Homan gaggle

Tom Homan just gaggled for 15 minutes. Otter failed but will send audio to anyone who wants.

In-town pool report #2A - Homan audio

Thanks to 

Thanks to Christian Datoc, here is the audio via otter

https://otter.ai/u/L_QF9cD1inaCWSu10lp2ocSZBI4?utm_source=copy_url

In-town pool report #3 - lunch lid

Lunch lid till noon.

in-town pool report #4 - briefing starting at 1:30
[APP Note: This is the first of two reports numbered 4.]

Apologies for delay in relating this, internet spotty in briefing room and the mass of people blocking the door made getting outside rather hard.

in-town pool report #4 - briefing starting at 1:30
[APP Note: This is the second of two reports numbered 4.]

Addendum to this, will effort to send a two-minute warning here when we get one but may be tricky with the internet.

In-town press pool #5 - two-minute warning to briefing

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

In-town pool report #6 - timing

We are being told the president's late afternoon event is delayed (which should be clear from the clock); will update when we have clarity on timing.

In-town pool report #6a

We have been given no updated guidance as to the timing of the Oval Office event that was set for 4:30ish but they have not said it's closed.

In-town pool report #6b - memorandum signed already

While the White House press office has not officially said the signing that was supposed to happen two hours ago won't be opened, they just said it's been signed and sent out a link:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/memorandum-for-the-secretary-of-health-and-human-services-the-commissioner-of-food-and-drugs/

However; no lid has been called. 

Additionally, RFK Jr. walked out of the West Wing lobby a few minutes ago and is about to do an interview with Bret Baier for his Fox News show. Many of us are around the two of them in a semi-circle.

In-town pool report #7 - sign above WH gate

Most of press corps still at briefing room moved outside to look at a yellow sign that is somehow positioned just above the White House grounds gate that reads "not a hoax."

In-town pool report #8 - pool called to briefing room doors.

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

In-town pool report #9 - loading into motorcade

Pool is being loaded into motorcade for destination unknown.

In-town pool report #10 - rolling

Motorcade rolling at 7:27 pm

In-town pool report #11 - arrival Joe's Stone Crab

At 7:30 pm

In-town pool report #12 - gaggle

POTUS did a brief gaggle with pool outside of Joe's. He arrived alongside Vice President JD Vance, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and SecDef Pete Hegseth standing slightly behind him. 

He said he was doing this to highlight Washington as a safer city than it was.  He was greeted to loud cheers from people across the street and a smattering of boos. 

Your pooler will send an audio recording in a follow up email but highlights:

- The president said he wasn't notifid about the Israeli strike ahead of time and he wasn't "not thrilled" and will give a full statement tomorrow on it. 

-  He said it wasn't his signature on the Jeffrey Epstein birthday card turned over to lawmakers by Epstein's estate. 

At 7:40 pm a few woman walked out of the restaurant screaming "free DC! free Palestine! trump is the Hitler of our time!" They were led across the street by law enforcement.

In-town pool report #13 - audio

Thanks to co pooler Skylar Woodhouse for otter link 

https://otter.ai/u/1NMlraOD5HzaKI4X8YnvPJ2jRgs

Pool is holding outside, loading back in vans

In-town pool report #14 - additional dinner attendees

Among the other staff who accompanied POTUS who were spotted going in after he did: Susie Wiles, Karoline Leavitt, Stephen Miller, Dan Scavino, James Blair, James Braid. 

h/t co-pooler Skylar Woodhouse for the spot.

In-town pool report #15

At roughly 10 pm, the time the restaurant normally closes, POTUS emerged and once again had a crowd waiting across the street. 

POTUS did not respond to a co-pooler's question about the ruling in the Lisa Cook case. 

We were rolling at 10:02 pm, returned to White House at 10:05 pm.

In-town pool report #16 -- food at Joe's and lid

From Karoline Leavitt on what was eaten at the restaurant: 

"The President and his team enjoyed crab, shrimp, salad, steak, and dessert. The food was phenomenal and the service was fantastic. Thank you, Joe's!" 

Additionally, co-pooler Kellie Meyer says the president was also asked about reports of Polish drones in Russian air space and did not respond. 

And with that, we have a lid. Have a great night, all.

In-town pool report #16a - correction on question

My apologies - Kellie Meyer asked about reports of Russian drones in Poland's air space. 

Have a great night.