Pool Reports of December 8, 2024

In-Town Pool Report #1: POTUS Meeting With NatSec Team

The White House passes along the following:

The President will meet with his national security team this morning to receive an update on the situation in Syria.

In-Town Pool Report #2: Biden Remarks Begin

President Biden entered the Roosevelt Room at 1:39.

"We are not sure where he is," the president said of Assad.

Remarks are ongoing and are being live-streamed by the White House.

John Kirby, national security spokesman, passed the pool in the hallway earlier and exchanged brief pleasantries with reporters.

In-Town Pool Report #3: Remarks Conclude/Questions Answered

President Biden ended his remarks at 1:49pm. White House

Asked about Assad, the president replied, "Assad should be held accountable."

Asked about Austin Tice, Biden replied, "we believe he is alive. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet.

Asked about a potential rescue operation to retrieve Tice, the president said the US must first "identify where he is."

Check quotes against tape.

In-Town Pool Report #4: Lunch Lid

White House announces lunch lid until 4:00PM.

In-Town Pool Report #5: East Room Remarks

President Biden, dressed in a tuxedo, entered the room at 5:03pm. He said the First Lady may still yet make it to the Kennedy Center later this evening.

Remarks are ongoing.

Vice President Harris had entered the East Room earlier at 5:00pm sharp alongside Second Gentleman Emhoff. She smiled warmly at Biden when he arrived.

Secretary of State Blinken could be seen chatting before the event began with Attorney General Merrick Garland. Education Sec. Miguel Angel Cardona was also seated in the front row. The vibes are festive.

White House passes along the following:

The President is delivering remarks and hosting Kennedy Center Honorees in the East Room.

Attendees
The Vice President
The Second Gentleman
Secretary Antony Blinken, Department of State
Attorney General Merrick Garland, Department of Justice
Secretary Miguel Cardona, Department of Education

Kennedy Center Honorees:
Francis Ford Coppola
Mickey Hart
Bill Kreutzmann
Bobby Weir
Bonnie Raitt
Arturo Sandoval
Michelle Ebanks

In-Town Pool Report #6: Remarks End/POTUS Exit

POTUS remarks ended at 5:16, and Biden exited the East Room promptly.

In-Town Pool Report #7: WH Departure

The motorcade departed the White House at 6:36pm.

White House passes along the following:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady via motorcade en route to John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff to the First Lady
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Carlos Elizondo, Deputy Assistant to the President & Social Secretary
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

In-Town Pool Report #8: Kennedy Center Arrival

Motorcade arrived at the Kennedy Center at 6:41pm.

In-Town Pool Report #9: Biden At Kennedy Center

President Biden received a warm welcome when he arrived in his box and waved to the audience. He was joined by the First Lady.

Vice President Harris entered immediately before him accompanied by the Second Gentleman. She received a similarly warm welcome.

The National Anthem is now being performed, and the event has begun.

In-Town Pool Report #10: Program

White House passes along the following:

The President, the First Lady, the Vice President and the Second Gentleman are attending the 47th Kennedy Center Honors.

Program
The Kennedy Center sizzle reel plays
Queen Latifah delivers opening remarks and an opening performance
The national anthem is performed
Bonnie Raitt is honored
Arturo Sandoval is honored
The Apollo is honored
David Rubenstein delivers remarks
Francis Ford Coppola is honored
The Grateful Dead is honored
Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Sturgill Simpson, and Grahame Lesh perform "Not Fade Away

In-Town Pool Report #11: Return to WH

The motorcade departed the Kennedy Center at 10:49pm and arrived back at the White House at 10:53.

In-Town Pool Report #12: Lid

White House called a lid.