Pool Reports of April 17, 2024

Travel pool report #1- noisy night at RON

Good morning from Scranton, PA, where it's 58 degrees and partly cloudy

Before we depart the RON, a note about last night: Your pooler stayed in the quiet side of the RON, but other poolers were serenaded to noise and chanting by about a half dozen protesters between about 9 pm and 12:15 am.

Chanting: "I am your nightmare, Biden." "Genocide Joe has got to go" "Wake up sleepy Joe"

Also, screaming "murder," playing the song "The boys are back in town" and rap music, banging drums, using noisemakers. They had a loudspeaker.

One protester waved a Palestinian flag.

It's unclear if POTUS heard the racket.

Travel pool report #2- rolling for airport

Motorcade is rolling at 10:40 a.m. for Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, en route Pittsburgh, where POTUS will greet w/steelworkers and propose tariffs on Chinese steel in remarks at United Steelworkers union HQ.

Travel pool report #3- traveling in motorcade

From the WH:

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & National Security Communications Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
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

Travel pool report #5- OTR at cafe/"no trade war"

On way to airport, at about 1045, motorcade made an unscheduled stop at Zummo's Cafe in Scranton. While inside, POTUS asked, "does anyone in the press want a scone?" (At least one reporter said yes, but to no avail.) POTUS ordered something, details TK

POTUS worked the room. "I'm Joe Biden and I went to St Paul's," he told one patron.

Pool was escorted out of the cafe at 10:50, while POTUS stayed inside. At 11:20 POTUS emerged from Zummo's, and greeted more patrons. Pool shouted questions:

Q: Mr President can u talk about steel tariffs

A: "going to Pittsburgh"

Q: are u worried about a trade war

A. "No trade war"

Motorcade rolling again at 11:25

Travel pool report #5a- deets on Biden cafe visit

From WH:

The President and Mayor Paige Cognetti of Scranton stopped by Zummo's Cafe. He ordered an assortment of muffins and scones.

Travel pool report #6- OTR at war memorial

Motorcade stopped again at 11:31 at a war memorial park in Scranton, the place he mentioned in yesterday's speech, per an aide. Potus emerged from the Beast at 11:34 with the Scranton mayor and they walked into the memorial park. POTUS stood silently for a moment at a marker with a POW-MIA sign on the side, then walked to the wall of names, bent down and touched a name, then crossed himself. He stood silently before the wall for a few moments, Mayor Cognetti standing behind him. Then potus backed up and chatted with the mayor a bit.

Pool was escorted away from the memorial park at 11:38, and held in vans.

Motorcade rolling again for airport at 11:50 am

Note: there was no pool report 4, apologies!

Travel pool report #7- Scranton airport

Motor

Motorcade arrived at Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport at 12:04 pm. We drove along the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Expressway en route.

Potus emerged fr the Beast at 12:05, and greeted law enforcement . Then walked over to pool to explain his visit to war memorial, specifically, he said, to honor his uncle Ambrose Finnegan who perished in WWII. He also referenced Trump refusal to visit a war memorial and calling the soldiers "suckers and travel."

Pool asked about foreign aid legislation. Potus said "I'm getting briefed on it when I get on the plane." Then he headed toward steps of Af1 around 12:10.

Af1 rolling for Pittsburgh shortly.

Travel pool report #8- otter link

Here is link to Otter of gaggle at Scranton airport- mostly potus discussing his visit to the war memorial and family memories:

https://otter.ai/u/P7ABlK0LKITFz0sppbJpZIJTe_U

Travel pool report #9- Pittsburgh arrival

Air Force One took off from Scranton at 12:21 pm and landed at Pittsburgh International Airport at 1:02 pm.

POTUS emerged from AF1 at 1:17 pm. POTUS saluted as he approached greeters.

Greeted on tarmac by Mayor Gainey of Pittsburgh and two military officers. Gainey got a hug. POTUS stepped into the Beast at 1:18.

Motorcade is rolling for United Steelworkers HQ at 1:21 pm.

Correction: quote in previous pool report quoting POTUS quoting Trump should have said "suckers and losers." Pooler blames autocorrect.

From the WH:

After stopping at Zummo's Cafe, the President and Mayor Cognetti visited the War Memorial outside of Scranton High School. Yesterday, during his remarks in Scranton, President Biden mentioned that his uncle, 2nd Lt. Ambrose J. Finnegan, Jr., is one of the names etched on the monument.

Traveling with the President on Air Force One enroute to Pittsburgh International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & National Security Communications Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
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

Greeting the President upon arrival at Pittsburgh International Airport:

Mayor Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Colonel Frank Shoaf, 171st Mission Support Group Commander
Major Chris Bowser, 171st Installation Deployment Officer

Travel pool report #10- arrival at United Steelworkers HQ

Motorcade arrived at United Steelworkers HQ in Pittsburgh at 1:42 pm. Large group of protesters across street, one group chanting "Bidenomincs has got to go" and another yelling "Ceasefire now!"

We are in lobby awaiting POTUS entrance.

Travel pool report #11- POTUS at Steelworkers hq

POTUS entered lobby of United Steelworkers HQ at 1:48 to greet a group of about 20 steelworkers waiting for him. A big cheer erupted when he walked in.

The event is being live streamed.

From WH:

The President is participating in a greet with local steelworkers.

Travel pool report #12- POTUS quote on US Steel: "Guaranteed"

During the lobby "greet," as POTUS walked in, one of the steelworkers (a woman) shouted "Let's keep US Steel in America!", to which POTUS responded, "Guaranteed."

POTUS was posing with steelworkers for a photo at 1:52 pm when pool was ushered out. Pool is now holding in auditorium set up for his formal remarks.

Remarks will be livestreamed at whitehouse.gov/live

Travel pool report #13 - POTUS remarks begin

at United Steelworkers HQ, POTUS began speaking at 2:29.

Livestream here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

From WH:

Participating in a photoline with the President:

Attorney General Michelle Henry (PA)
State Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (PA)
Mayor Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sara Innamorato, County Executive, Allegheny County

Travel pool report #14 - run of show

From WH:

The President is delivering remarks at the United Steelworkers Headquarters.

Program
David McCall, President, United Steelworkers (USW) International
Sara Innamorato, County Executive, Allegheny County
Mayor Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rob Hutchinson, Introducer & Local 1219 USW Member
The President

Travel pool report #15 - speech color/quotes

POTUS remarks, which began at 2:29 pm, are on livestream, but here is some color and a few quotes.

He is flanked by a long row of steelworkers, holding signs that say USW. Behind them is a line of American and Pennsylvnia flags.

POTUS described himself as a union guy from "belt buckle to shoe sole."

"The backbone of America has a steel spine... Wall Street didn't build America, the middle class built America and you guys built the

Goes after Chinese government for dumping low-priced, subsidized steel in American market. ...."They're not competing, they're cheating." Also says he's investigating Chinese shipbuilding. .... Rejects the idea that China is on the rise and America's on the decline. "We are the strongest economy in the world."

Discusses China's economic problems, says China has more retirees than workers. "They're xenophobic."

"I want fair competition, not conflict." Says his predecessor did nothing about that. "Everything we build we build with American product and American workers, period." Touts infrastructure projects, "just getting started... all across America."

Touts union jobs. "Why? Because since the 30s, the law said we could do that." Touts Inflation Reduction Act, taking on climate change. ... includes billions in investments, including "clean American steel."

Remarks on his just concluded visit to hometown Scranton and its values. "Money doesn't determine your worth, I was always told."

"We're going to leave no one behind."

Speaks of his visit today to the war memorial for Scrantonians who died in WWII, to see Uncle Ambrose J. Finnegan's name on the wall.

"We have a lotta work to do.... Let's go out and get them."

Remarks end at 2:50

Travel pool report #16 - motorcade rolling

After remarks at USW headquarters, POTUS ropelined for a while. Motorcade now rolling at 3:14. Protesters are still chanting in front of USQ HQ as we depart.

Travel pool report #17 - OTR at Sheetz

Motorcade pulled into a Sheetz gas station mart for an OTR at 3:32 pm. POTUS, wearing aviators, entered the shop at 3:36, and was immediately talking to customers and posing for a selfie.

Then he went to the food counter, handed over some bills, picked up takeout bags. Went behind counter to pose for pics w employees.

A reporter shouted: are u concened the new steel tariffs will hurt your relationship with Xi Jinping?

"No!" He said. Why not? The reporter asked, standing on a chair. "Don't jump!" He said.

POTUS exited the store at 3:38. An aide walked behind him carrying a box of snacks.

We are rolling again at 3:42.

Travel pool report #18- more on Sheetz OTR

From WH:

The President stopped by Sheetz with Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato to pick up sandwiches for construction workers.

Travel pool report #19- Pittsburgh airport construction site

Motorcade arrived at Pittsburgh International Airport at 3:57 pm- but to an area that's under construction, a new terminal.

At 4:02 POTUS approached a line of construction workers in yellow vests and went down the line, shaking each one's hand and chatting - about 18 workers in all, men and women. POTUS is wearing aviators and a ball cap. The takeout food is sitting atop a storage container nearby. Allegheny County exec Sara Innamorato is with potus, as is Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey.

Potus poses for a photo with workers then walks back to address them, but pool is too far away to hear anything. At one point the workers applauded.

A blue sign with white letters behind the workers says Project Funded by President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Below that it says INVESTING IN AMERICA in all caps.

Motorcade is rolling again at 4:20

From WH:

The President is stopping by a construction site at the Pittsburgh International Airport to drop off sandwiches for workers. The airport terminal modernization project will build a new, 811,000 square foot terminal addition to the airport and was funded in part by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Joining the President for the construction site visit with local union leaders and members:

Mayor Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sara Innamorato, County Executive, Allegheny County

Travel pool report #20- rolling for JBA
[APP Note: This report is almost identical to the below Report #20, but with a different description in the title.]

Motorcade pulled up to AF1 at 4:28 pm after a drive to a different part of the Pittsburgh airport complex. At 4:29 potus stepped out of the Beast and walked over to a line of state troopers, shaking every hand as he went down the line.

He then posed with them for a photo.

At 4:31 he walked up the steps of Af1, and did not respond to shouted question. He waved from the top of the stairs and entered the plane.

Rolling for JBA at 4:39

Traveling with the President on Air Force One enroute to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & National Security Communications Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
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

Travel pool report #20- departing Pittsburgh
[APP Note: This report is almost identical to the above Report #20, but with a different description in the title.]

Motorcade pulled up to AF1 at 4:28 pm after a drive to a different part of the Pittsburgh airport complex. At 4:29 potus stepped out of the Beast and walked over to a line of state troopers, shaking every hand as he went down the line.

He then posed with them for a photo.

At 4:31 he walked up the steps of Af1, and did not respond to shouted question. He waved from the top of the stairs and entered the plane.

Rolling for JBA at 4:39

From WH:

Traveling with the President on Air Force One enroute to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & National Security Communications Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
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

Travel pool report #21- JBA arrival

AF1 landed at JBA at 5:21 pm.

During the flight, Biden economic adviser Lael Brainard came back and spoke to the pool off the record for about eight minutes.

At 5:30 pm, POTUS descended the stairs of AF1, greeted a base official and walked to Marine One, which lifted at 5:37 pm.

Thank you to co-pooler Nick Nehamas and the rest of the pool for their help and good cheer.

Handing off to in-town pool. Good evening!

From WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One enroute to the South Lawn:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff

White House in-town pool report #1

The pool is gathering at the Palm Room doors for President Biden's White House arrival.

White House in-town pool report #2 POTUS arrival

Marine One landed on the White House South Lawn at 5:46 pm. POTUS disembarked at 5:47 pm.

President Biden walked down the stairs by himself wearing a navy blue suit with no tie. He then waited a few seconds for the rest of his party for the walk back to the White House.

Biden did not take any shouted questions from reporters including one on whether he plans to speak to Bibi soon.

White House in-town pool report #3 lid

The White House called a lid at 5:55 pm.

Have a good evening!