Pool Reports of December 30, 2023

Out of town pool report #1 - call time pushed to 1:30 pm

Greetings from St. Croix!

The White House has pushed the call time to 1:30 pm local time, from the original 12 pm. (St. Croix is an hour ahead of eastern time)

Out of town pool report #2 - motorcade rolling

Motorcade departed the RON at 3:52 pm local time (reminder St. Croix is one hour ahead of eastern time). Pool did not see POTUS.

We're rolling to an unannounced location. More tk…

Out of town pool report #3 - church

President Biden is attending mass at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Christiansted.

Motorcade arrived at 4:06 pm local time after an uneventful ride.

Pool did not see POTUS enter the church but can hear organ music playing through the open windows.

Out of town pool report #4 - church departure

POTUS walked out of Holy Cross Catholic Church at 5:10 pm.

He came out carrying his sunglasses and waved to the pool.

If it's unclear he heard shouted questions on his reaction to Donald Trump being removed from Maine's ballot and if he has any New Year's resolutions.

Pool also spotted aides Jacob Spreyer, Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal coming out church with him.

At 5:13 pm motorcade is rolling.

Out of town pool report #5 - arrival RON

Motorcade arrived at the RON at 5:28 pm.

Pool did not see POTUS enter his stay.

Pool is holding.

Out of town pool report #6 - motorcade rolling

Motorcade left the RON at 6:37 pm local time (reminder St. Croix is one hour ahead of East Coast).

Pool did not lay eyes on POTUS.

We are rolling to an unannounced location. Mtk...

Out of town pool report #7 - arrival in Christiansted

Motorcade arrived at 6:52 pm at an unannounced location in Christiansted. Pool did not see POTUS.

Out of town pool report #8 - Ryan Seacrest interview

From the White House:

The President and the First Lady are doing an interview with Ryan Seacrest, which will air on New Year's Eve as part of ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

Out of town pool report #9 - motorcade rolling

The motorcade is rolling as of 7:26 pm.

Pool did not see either POTUS or FLOTUS.

More tk...

Out of town pool report #10 - POTUS and FLOTUS at dinner

Motorcade came to a stop at 7:30 pm.

From the White House:

The President and the First Lady are having dinner at Too.Chez Restaurant and Bar with their granddaughter Natalie.

Out of town pool report #11 - restaurant exit and POTUS talks

At 8:51 pm POTUS exited Too.Chez. FLOTUS had exited earlier at 8:49 pm and waited in the SUV.

POTUS took a few questions.

Asked his New Year's resolution, POTUS said: "To come back next year."

Asked if anything else, he said: "That's the biggest one right there."

"I know you guys hate this assignment down here. I'm sorry to bring you down here," he said of St. Croix.

Asked if he'll speak to Zelensky after the latest attacks in the Ukraine, he said: "I speak to him regularly."

It is unclear if he heard a final question about Donald Trump being taken off the ballot in Maine. It was shouted as he was getting into the SUV.

The pool could hear applause in the restaurant ahead of the Bidens' exit. POTUS stopped to talk to people dining on the porch before he walked to the motorcade.

At 8:55 the motorcade is rolling.

Out of town pool report #12 - POTUS at RON and a lid

Motorcade arrived at the RON at 9:09 pm.

Pool didn't see POTUS and FLOTUS depart motorcade.

A lid was called at 9:13 pm.

Many thanks to co pooler Tolu Olorunnipa of The Washington Post and the wire crew for helping with the POTUS quotes.

Have a great rest of your night!