Pool Reports of August 16, 2021

In-Town Pool Report #1

Good morning from your in-town pooler.

No changes to the president's schedule per the White House press office a few minutes ago. Pool call time is 10 a.m.

In-Town Pool Report #2 - POTUS coming back

The president will return to the White House today. He will deliver marks on Afghanistan in the East room at 3:45 p.m.

It is raining.

In-Town Pool Report #3 - lunch lid until 12 p.m.

Lunch lid until 12 p.m., per loudspeakers in the White House press area.

In-Town Pool Report #4

The pool is driving to Fort McNair.

In-Town Pool Report #5

Pool has arrived at Fort McNair.

Marine One was wheels up at 12:36 p.m. per White House press office. Pool is expecting POTUS to arrive at about 1:20 p.m.

In-Town Pool Report #5a

Updated arrival time for President Biden at Fort McNair is 1:15 p.m.

In-Town Pool Report #5b

From a White House official: the vice president will attend the president's speech this afternoon.

In-town pool report #6

from the White House:

This morning, the President was briefed by his national security team, including the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman Milley, on the security situation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, and ongoing efforts to safely evacuate American citizens, US Embassy personnel and local staff, SIV applicants and their families, and other vulnerable Afghans.

In-Town Pool Report #7

Marine One landed at Fort McNair at 1:12 p.m.

The president exited at 1:14 p.m. and waved to the pool. He walked to his car. He took no questions.

Returning with the president on Marine One, per the White House press office:
AnnieTomasini, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Yohannes Abraham, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
Ashley Williams, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations

Pool is in vans and waiting to depart for White House.

In-town pool report #8

Pool has arrived at White House. President exited his car and walked into the building at 1:26 p.m.

pool report #9

Lunch lid until 3:30 p.m., per the White House press office.

pool report #10

The pool and other press are seated for the president's remarks in the East Room on Afghanistan. No indication on specific start time yet.

pool report #10a - Two-minute warning

Two-minute warning.

Pooler spotted White House press secretary Jen Psaki walking in the halls of the White House ahead of speech.

pool report #11 - POTUS speech begins

The president arrived in the East Room at 4 p.m. He is now speaking.

The vice president is not here.

pool report #11a - POTUS speech begins

The vice president is watching President Biden speak from the Green Room, per a White House official.

Pool report #12

President Biden left the East Room at 4:20 p.m. He took no questions from press.

Pool gathering to depart to Fort McNair for president's departure to Camp David.

Pool Report #13

The pool is in the vans and on the way to Fort McNair.

Pool Report #14

President walked out of car at Fort McNair at 4:52. He saluted, walked to Marine One, and boarded the helicopter.

Staff carrying luggage followed and boarded.

Wheels up at 4:57.

It is drizzling so pool is standing under trees.

Pool Report #14a

Returning with the president on Marine One per the White House Press office:
Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Yohannes Abraham, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary

Pool Report #15

Pool arrived back at the White House about 10 minutes ago from Fort McNair. No word on a lid yet or whether POTUS has landed at Camp David.

Pool Report #16 — Lid

President was wheels down at Camp David at 5:29 p.m., per White House press office.

Travel/photo lid called at the White House at 5:48 p.m.