Pool Reports of August 5, 2024

Travel pool report #1 — POTUS briefed on Hurricane Debby

Passing along…

From a White House official:

This morning, President Biden was briefed on the Administration's ongoing response to Hurricane Debby. On Saturday, President Biden approved Florida's request for an Emergency Declaration, and deployed rescue personnel, meals, and water. Our Administration is in touch with officials from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, and FEMA has deployed staff to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina to assist as needed. We urge residents to remain cautious and listen to State and local officials.

Travel pool report #2 — rolling

Pool linked up with the motorcade outside the Biden home at 12:59pm, and we're rolling to DANG for return flight to DC.

Pool did not put eyes on POTUS…

Tktk

Travel pool report #3 — travelers

Passing along from WH

Traveling with the President and the First Lady via motorcade en route to Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President
Michael Kikukawa, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Communications Advisor for Economic Messaging

Travel pool report #4 — arrival

Motorcade arrived at DANG at 1:08pm.

Pool is moving into position for lift…

Tktk

Travel pool report #5 — wheels up/travellers

POTUS exited his vehicle and boarded M1 at 1:11pm. Pool was too far away to be heard over the rotors.

M1 began rolling down the tarmac at 1:16pm, and is out of sight from poolers position in the osprey

Passing along from WH:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to the White House:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Passing off to intown pool. Have a great Monday, y'all!

In-town pool #1 — gather

Pool and other press are gathering ahead of POTUS arrival at the White House.

in-town pool #2 — arrival at WH - no questions

No questions Marine 2 touched down at 2:09. POTUS and FLOTUS walked out together. FLOTUS headed toward the residence and POTUS headed toward the Oval without taking questions. He is meeting with his national security team about the situation in the Middle East. He ignored shouted questions about the Middle East and the stock market

In-town pool #3 -- lid

The WH declared a travel/photo lid.

In-town pool #4 — storm statement

The following was sent to the pool from the WH press office:

The President and his team continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Debby as it moves across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Today, the President approved an emergency declaration request from the Governor of South Carolina – in addition to having approved the Florida emergency declaration request this weekend. Personnel from the DOD, HHS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Coast Guard have deployed and are prepared to support. The President continues to urge residents to remain vigilant and heed the warnings of State and local officials.

In-town pool #5 - post meeting note

From the White House press office:

Today, President Biden and Vice President Harris were briefed by the national security team on developments in the Middle East. The briefing focused on the threats posed by Iran and its proxies to Israel and to U.S. servicemembers in the region. The President and Vice President were briefed on the attack at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. They discussed the steps we are taking to defend our forces and respond to any attack against our personnel in a manner and place of our choosing. They were updated on U.S. military efforts to support the defense of Israel should it be attacked again. They were also briefed on continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tension and to bring the ceasefire and hostage release deal to a conclusion. The President and Vice President will continue to receive regular updates from their national security team.