Pool Reports of August 16, 2024

Pool report #1: Gather for Oval Office event

Good morning,

We're gathering in the Brady room ahead of the Oval Office event

Pool report #2: Biden's remarks

As press were escorted out of the Oval around 11:52 a.m., the president said he was delayed by "the ceasefire effort in the Middle East."

"We're much, much closer than we were three days ago," he said. "I don't want to jinx anything" and "we're not there yet," he said, but "we're close."

President Biden was joined in the Oval Office by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin of Illinois, along with U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski. The latter three delivered brief remarks alongside Biden.

At 11:50 a.m. ET, the president signed the proclamation to designate the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.

Brief summary of Biden's remarks (more TK):

- I never thought I'd see people try to erase history [through book bans and curriculum restrictions]

- it's so important for our children and grandchildren to understand what happened

- More than 100 years ago this week, a mob unleashed race riots in Springfield. It shocked the conscience of the nation. Shocked the conscience of the nation.

- Some of our colleagues say, 'no, no, no, we never had that problem' [with race]

- It also sparked the creation of the NAACP, one of the most important organizations, in my view

- I am a congenital optimist

Pool report #3: Attendees at Oval Office signing

From the WH:

The President was joined by civil rights leaders, community members, and elected officials to sign a proclamation to designate the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.

In attendance for the President's signing:

Secretary Deb Haaland, Department of the Interior
Senator Dick Durbin (IL)
Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL)
Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13)
State Senator Doris Turner (IL-48)
Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Illinois State House (IL-07)
Chair Brenda Mallory, Council on Environmental Equality
John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy
Derrick Johnson, President, NAACP
Ken Page, President, ACLU Springfield Chapter
Erin Mast, President & CEO, Lincoln Presidential Foundation
Austin Randolph, President, NAACP Springfield
Janai Nelson, President & Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Co-Convener, National African American Clergy Network
Cassandra Carmichael, Executive Director, National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE)
Bishop Vashti McKenzie, President of the National Council of Churches
Mr. Matt Fry, President & CEO of St. John's Hospital
Ben Jealous, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sierra Club
Floyd Mansberger, Director, Fever River Research
Sergio "Satch" Pecori, Chairman & CEO, Hanson Professional Services
Leon Russell, Chairman of the Board, NAACP

Pool report #4: Members and stakeholders at stakeout location

From the WH:

Members of Congress and stakeholders will be going to the stakeout location for brief remarks.

Senator Dick Durbin (IL)
Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL)
Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13)
Derrick Johnson, President, NAACP
Ken Page, President, ACLU Springfield Chapter
Erin Mast, President and CEO, Lincoln Presidential Foundation
Austin Randolph, President, NAACP Springfield

Pool report #5: More remarks from the Oval

See below for a more complete transcript of remarks during this morning's proclamation on the establishment of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument:

Biden:

One of the reasons why I was late was I was dealing with the ceasefire effort in the Middle East. And we are closer than we've ever been. I don't want to jinx anything…we're not there yet. But we're much, much closer than we were three days ago.

· I want to say one thing at the outset. I never thought that, having been in the Senate for so many years, as well as vice president for 12 years – for 8 years, president for 4 years – that I would see efforts to erase history, what we can read, what we can write.

· We're allowing history to be written. So our children, our grandchildren, everybody understands what happened.

· Look, over a hundred years ago this week, not far from [Abraham] Lincoln's home, unleashed the race riots and it really shocked the conscience of the nation. Shocked the conscience of the nation.

· It also sparked the creation of the NAACP. One of the most important organizations, in my view, in this country.

· By signing this designation for Springfield for the 1908 Race Riot, it's a reminder, it reminds ourselves that hate has no safe harbor. We must continue to remind people of that. To remind people what happened.

· You know, as you've heard me say, when I had an operation a few years ago, the doctor said 'your problem is you're a congenital optimist'

The president signed the proclamation at 11:50 a.m. and then invited guests to speak.

Sen. Duckworth: I just want to thank everybody here who came together to work so hard, because this is such an important part of our nation's history, what the Midwest has done, what the Midwest has done in terms of being part of the civil rights movement. So much of what happened in the South started and was supported through cases in Chicago and in Springfield. And I'm so proud that Springfield, Illinois is home to the beginning of the NAACP. Good things can come out of bad things, as long as you don't forget what happened. Thank you, Mr. President.

Sen. Durbin: This was not the only race riot. My hometown of East St. Louis had one as well. The difference here was it was the home of Abraham Lincoln. At this moment in history, people reflected on the fact that we are stunned and outraged that this happened in Mr. Lincoln's hometown. I think that's what inspired the NAACP. That's why it has national significance.

Rep. Budzinski: I would just add, again, my appreciation for the president for honoring this moment. We have so much more work to do.

Pool report #6: Lunch lid until 2:40 p.m.

The WH called a lunch lid until 2:40 p.m.

Pool report #7: Biden's call with leaders in Qatar and Egypt

From the WH:

From NSC Spokesman Sean Savett:

President Biden spoke with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and separately spoke with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt to review the significant progress made in Doha over two days of talks on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Readouts of the calls will be issued soon.

Pool report #8: Biden's remarks on ceasefire (complete)

Huge thanks to James Rosen for the exact transcript of Biden's remarks about the ceasefire, below:

Pres. Biden: [after clamor from reporters] One of the reasons why I was late for you all was I was dealing with the ceasefire effort in the Middle East. And we are closer than we've ever been. I don't want to jinx anything. But as my grandfather said, "With the grace of God, the goodwill of the neighbors, and a lot of luck, we may have something." But we're not there yet. But we're much, much closer than it was three days ago. So keep your fingers crossed. Thank you.

Pool report #9: Gather for POTUS departure

We're gathering at the Palm Room doors for the president's departure

Pool report #10: POTUS departure

The president appeared to take a call on his cell. He hung up and waved at reporters. He did not take shouted questions about the ceasefire negotiations and instead walked to greet supporters who were roped off and standing opposite the press by the South Lawn.

Biden shook hands and talked with supporters for several minutes, beginning around 3:50 p.m. He boarded Marine One at 3:54 p.m. and the chopper was wheels up at 3:58 p.m.

Pool report #11: Traveling with POTUS

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine 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
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #1 - JBA

Good afternoon from JBA.

Marine One set down on the tarmac and rolled to a stop in the usual spot at 4:08 p.m.

POTUS, in a navy suit, blue tie and aviators, stepped off a moment later and walked over to the plane.

He boarded using the main stairs at 4:11, waving from the top step.

We are about to be wheels up — on the baby AF1 — for Philadelphia.

From the WH:

Greeting the President on arrival to Joint Base Andrews:

Colonel Angela Ochoa, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route 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
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
Emilie Simons, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Deputy Press Secretary
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #2 - PHL

Philadelphia

AFI was wheels up from JBA at 4:22 and wheels down at PHL at 4:51. Uneventful flight.

POTUS came down the main steps at 5:00, waved to the pool and climbed into the SUV.

We are loading into a bus. Destination still undisclosed.

Out of town pool report #3 - rolling

Philadelphia

Motorcade is rolling off the tarmac at PHL at 5:03

Out of town pool report #4 - UPenn visit

Philadelphia

Motorcade came to a stop along Walnut Street in the middle of the UPenn campus at 5:16. Pool still in the van.

From White House Spokeswoman Emilie Simons:

This afternoon, President Biden is visiting the University of Pennsylvania campus with his grandson, Hunter Biden.

Also from the WH:

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
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
Emilie Simons, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Deputy Press Secretary
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #5 - POTUS on campus

Philadelphia

Pool moved to the corner of Walnut and 36th St. across from the campus bookstore, which POTUS had already entered by the time we were out of the van. A few dozen people waited behind barricades across the street for a glimpse.

At 5:31 p.m. POTUS emerged, following his grandson Hunter out of the store. They got back into SUVs out of sight of the pool.

Motorcade is rolling again at 5:33.

Out of town pool report #6 - still on campus

Pool is holding in vans a few blocks up the street from the bookstore, where POTUS' SUV pulled into a white tent set up outside what the map says is the university meeting and guest house.

Guidance is that this stop will be a bit longer than the bookstore drop-by.

Out of town pool report #7 - rolling

Philadelphia

Motorcade was rolling away from UPenn campus at 6:49, headed back to the airport.

Out of town pool report #8 - PHL departure

Philadelphia

Motorcade sped past a number of onlookers on the airport frontage road and was back at PHL at 7 p.m. sharp.

POTUS, wearing in a navy UPenn ball cap from the bookstore, did not stop to talk to the pool and headed up the main stairs, boarding AF1 at 7:02.

We will be wheels up for Hagerstown shortly.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Hagerstown Regional Airport:

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
Emilie Simons, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Deputy Press Secretary
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #9 - POTUS comments on tarmac

Hagerstown, MD

AF1 was wheels down at HGR at 7:40 after an uneventful flight. POTUS, no longer in the ball cap, stepped off at 7:49, descended via the main stairs and came over to chat briefly with the pool.

He said "as of an hour ago" the ceasefire deal is "still in play" and that he's more become optimistic than he has been about a deal getting done. Asked why, he said "If I told you that I'd give it away." Asked when a ceasefire might begin, he responded that "that remains to be seen."

POTUS also said he'd be working on his DNC speech this weekend. Asked what his message to Democrats would be, he replied: "Win."

He grinned and then turned and walked over to Marine One about 150 feet across the tarmac.

Marine One taxiing at 7:56 for Camp David.

Please check all quotes against transcript.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Camp David:

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #10 - fuller POTUS quotes on ceasefire talks

Pool is about to depart HGR for JBA on a plane that can no longer be called Air Force One. Here is a better transcription of the very short POTUS gaggle:

On the ceasefire talks:

"As of an hour ago, it's still in play. I'm optimistic. Not — it's far from over. Just a couple more issues. I think we've got a shot."

Why more optimistic?

"If I told you that, I'd give away what's going on."

When would a ceasefire start?

"That remains to be seen."

Out of town pool report #11 - POTUS at Camp David

From the WH:

The President arrived at Camp David at 8:10 PM.

Have a good night, all.