Pool Reports of February 10, 2025

WH in-town pool report #1 Lunch lid

Good afternoon,

I'm today's print pooler. The White House just called a lunch lid until 3:15 p.m. ET.

WH in-town pool report #2 new EO time

President Trump's EO signing has moved to 5:30 pm ET, per White House. It was previously scheduled for 1 pm. No reason provided for the new time.

WH in-town pool report #3 gathering for EO signing

The in-house pool is gathering for President Trump's EO signing to be held in the Oval Office.

WH in-town pool report #4 Trump signs tariffs and pardons Blogolevich

President Trump signed separate orders imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. 

"This is a big deal — making America rich again," Trump says. 

Earlier in the Oval Office, Trump signed a full and unconditional pardon for former Illinois. Rod Blogolevich.

"It's my honor to do it. I've watched him. He was set up by a lot of bad people." 

Asked whether he's considering appointing Blogolevich to ambassador of Serbia, Trump said: "No, but I would." 

Trump began his by signing a memo appointing 56 sub-Cabinet level positions. 

Trump also signed a document designating Doug Collins to be the acting leader of both the Office of Special Counsel and the Office of Government Ethics.

Trump signed an  executive order related to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. 

"It's going to mean a lot more business for America," Trump says. 

Trump signs executive order for the federal government to go back to plastic straws and away from paper straws. 

"We're going back to plastic straws. These things don't work," Trump says. "I've had them many times, and on occasion, they break, they explode." 

More to come including full quotes. Trump is still talking to reporters

WH in-town pool report #5 ultimatum to Hamas

President Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas that if all Israeli hostages are not released from Gaza by noon on Saturday then "all hell is going to break loose." 

More extensive quotes TK

Trump still talking to reporters.

WH in-town pool report #6 fuller Hamas comments

"As far as I'm concerned, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12 o'clock -- I think it's an appropriate time -- I would say, cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out. I'd say they ought to be returned by 12 o'clock on Saturday. And if they're not returned -- all of them, not in drips and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two – by Saturday at 12 o'clock. And after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out."

"Saturday at 12, we want them all back. I'm speaking for myself. Israel can override it, but from myself, Saturday at 12 o'clock, and if they're not, they're not here, all hell is going to break out."

Trump later said: "Saturday at 12 o'clock, and after that, it's going to be a different ball game."

Asked my me whether he means retaliation from Israel when he says "all hell will break out," Trump said: "You'll find out, and they'll find out to. Hamas will find out what I mean."

Asked whether he can rule out any US involvement after the Saturday deadline, Trump said: "We'll see what happens."

More TK

WH in-town pool report #7 lid called

The WH called a lid a few minutes ago. My next pool report will include a full recap of Trump's EO signings and questions with reporters from the Oval.