Pool Reports of February 19, 2024

Out of town pool report #1 - M1 takeoff

Good morning and Happy Presidents Day,

At Gordons Pond, the pool watched Biden and FLOTUS board M1 at 9:22 a.m. He was wearing a navy suit, and she was dressed in a black coat and carrying a black tote bag that appeared to have binders and papers in it. She waved to the pool, and he saluted the Marine stationed at the stairs. We were positioned too far away to shout questions. They took off at 9:28 a.m.

These were the travelers per WH:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady via motorcade:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady

______

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to the South Lawn:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady

Thank you to our lovely WHCA pooler Aurelia End for her help this long weekend.

In-town pool report #1 — arrival

M1 touched down at 10:23am ET

POTUS, wearing a navy suit, and FLOTUS hopped off the heli and briefly fielded questions from the press on Navalany and Ukraine aid before walking into the residence

He said he would be "happy" to meet with Speaker Johnson on security aid… suggested not passing package would be going back on commitment to Ukraine and that Republicans are making a "big mistake"

Full quotes Tktk

In-town pool report #2 — full quotes

Will you meet with Speaker Johnson: "Sure I'd be happy to meet with him if he has anything to say"

Is "blood on the hands" of Republicans if they don't pass aid: "I wouldn't use that term, but they're making a big mistake by not responding. They way they're walking away from the threat of Russia, they way they're walking away from NATO. They way they're walking away from meeting our obligations. It's just shocking [inaudible]. I've never seen anything like it."

Will Navalny's death make a difference on Republicans re: aid package: "I hope so, but I'm not sure [inaudible]."

Will he put additional sanctions on Russia over Navalny's death: "We already have sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions, yes."

In-town pool report #3 — lunch lid until noon

... called at 11:06am

In-town pool report #4 — travel/photo lid

... called at 12:11pm ET

Have a great Monday everyone, and happy Presidents' Day!