First Lady Pool Reports of December 2, 2024

FLOTUS Pool Report | Remarks to National Guard Families

News from event
After she finished her prepared remarks, FLOTUS responded to a shouted question from CNN about whether she supported the pardon of Hunter Biden. "Of course I support the pardon of my son," FLOTUS responded.

Event
"Jingle Bells" played as the program's speakers walked into the State Dining Room, flanked on either side by giant Christmas trees. FLOTUS wore a pink blazer over a black patterned dress. The room smelled like fresh fir trees. Roughly 100 members of the National Guard and their families had gathered in their holiday finest to be the first in the country to see the White House's holiday decor.

General Steven S. Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, said celebrating the holidays at the White House is "an incredible event for us," and thanked FLOTUS for her work on behalf of military families and took a moment to remember Beau Biden, who was also a National Guardsman. First Lieutenant ShyQuira Garden, Delaware National Guard, said it was an "honor" to speak at the White Hosue and "share my journey with the Army National Guard," which "shaped my career and personal life in ways I could not have imagined."

Garden introduced FLOTUS, who invited all the children in the room onto the stage to show off their outfits before she began speaking. "You all got so dressed up today!" she told the kids. "Wow, you guys look great!"

FLOTUS's office will send along full prepared remarks, but some highlights:

• "I know from my kids and grandkids that you serve too."
• "The Bidens are a Guard family. Our son Beau was a major in the Delaware National Guard"
• FLOTUS recalled how, the day after POTUS's inauguration, she brought chocolate chip cookies to the Guardsmen "who kept us safe on that day," adding later: "I began my time as First Lady by thanking national guard members, and I remain grateful."
• FLOTUS noted how she prioritized military families during her tenure as first lady — that she worked to "make this life a little easier for fellow Guard families."

Some children yelped and cried throughout the prepared remarks.

FLOTUS tried to get the kids to clap after she was done speaking. "Don't forget to look at the gingerbread house!" she told them as she exited the room.

Reportable background from the Office of the First Lady:
Today, December 2nd, ahead of unveiling this year's White House holiday theme and as part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military families, First Lady Jill Biden will deliver remarks to National Guard families from across the country who will be the first members of the public to experience the White House holiday décor. As a fellow National Guard mother, Dr. Biden wanted to show appreciation for, and honor, the special role the National Guard plays in serving our country.

Remarks Program:

• General Steven S. Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau
• First Lieutenant ShyQuira Garden, Delaware National Guard
• First Lady Jill Biden

**First Lieutenant Garden will be joined on stage by her family: John Garden (spouse) and Jaiden Garden (son).

As First Lady, Dr. Biden has visited over 25 military installations; worked with Joining Forces partners to support over 125 events with the military-connected community; and helped coordinate the Administration's efforts to increase and raise awareness of resources and support for military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. In one of her first events as First Lady after President Joe Biden's inauguration, the First Lady visited the National Guard at the U.S. Capitol to thank them for keeping our country safe.

Most recently, through Joining Forces, the First Lady has hosted the military community and spotlighted their stories at the White House throughout 2024:

• November 2024: The President and the First Lady hosted a Veterans Day breakfast at the White House to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
• November 2024: The First Lady received the official 2024 White House Christmas Tree at the White House alongside North Carolina National Guard families.
• July 2024: The President and the First Lady hosted military families at the White House for a July 4th celebration.
• May 2024: Ahead of Memorial Day, the First Lady hosted a White House event to honor the men and women who served during World War I and recognize the contributions of those who made the National World War I Memorial possible.
• April 2024: The First Lady hosted a Joining Forces Military Kids Workout on the South Lawn at the White House to celebrate Month of the Military Child.

About Joining Forces:
Joining Forces is the First Lady's initiative to support those who also serve: military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. The First Lady's work and priorities of Joining Forces are guided by the life experiences and the perspectives shared during listening sessions with military-connected families.

FLOTUS pool report 2 - Holiday message to nation

The first lady entered the East Room -- freshly decorated for the holiday season -- and began her remarks at 12:54 pm.

FLOTUS, wearing a red dress, spoke from a small platform placed in between the East Room's two Christmas trees, which are decorated with white lights and white and silver ornaments. The white paper doves in Cross Hall could be seen behind her.

She spoke for about 13 minutes, concluding her remarks and exiting at 1:07pm.

Remarks were streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/9sXAGCAP6xY?si=CguLTw0BeaJsP9e-

The first lady ran through the decor in each room of the White House. Those gathered in the East Room to hear her remarks cheered when she mentioned the aspects of the decorations meant to honor U.S. troops, including the tree dedicated to Gold Star families.

She noted that the "official White House Menorah," placed just outside the Green Room, was made during POTUS' first year in office. "Make sure that you see it, it's truly beautiful," she said.

After going through the decor, the first lady then turned attention to the volunteers who decorated the White House:
"This would not be possible without your work. It's been incredible to watch all of you transform this space year after year," she said.

She mentioned that "lifelong friendships" are made during the decorating process.

The First Lady concluded by noting that this year marks her and President Biden's last holiday season in the White House. She said her and POTUS have "opened the doors of the People's House wider and wider, so we can bring the light of more Americans into these halls."

"It's been the honor of our lives to serve as your first family," the first lady concluded. "May our nation be blessed with peace and light this holiday season."

Background from the First Lady's office:

REPORTABLE BACKGROUND FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY: December 2, 2024

Today, December 2nd, First Lady Jill Biden will officially unveil this year's White House holiday theme and seasonal décor. The First Lady will deliver remarks in the East Room to offer her holiday message to the Nation, and thank the volunteers from across the country who helped decorate the White House for the season.

Earlier in the morning, as part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military families, the First Lady delivered remarks to National Guard families from across the country who were the first members of the public to experience the White House holiday décor. As a fellow National Guard mother, Dr. Biden wanted to show appreciation for, and honor, the special role the National Guard plays in serving our country.

For additional information about the White House holiday theme and décor, please visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays-2024/. A press release issued earlier this morning is linked HERE

Have a great Monday,