Pool Reports of February 20, 2024

In-town pool report #1 - checking in

Good morning from your in-town pooler. All we're tracking this morning so far is the president's departure for the west coast at 12:40 pm. Will let you know if anything changes.

In-town pool report #2 - still waiting to gather

An update that we have not yet been called to gather for the president's departure.

In-town pool report #3 - gather

We are now gathering for POTUS departure

In-town pool report #4 - departure

President Biden walked over to reporters and reiterated the White House's announcement earlier today that he would be announcing a sanctions package against Russia on Friday. He took a couple questions from reporters. Will send those shortly in a follow-up email.

M1 took off at 1:14 pm. Handling over to the out-of-town pool.

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting

In-town pool report #5 - gaggle

The president took a few questions from reporters. These are not exact quotes so please check against the transcript.

When reporters started shouting questions he responded: "Woah, woah, woah. What I came to tell you was we'd be announcing sanctions on Russia. We'll have a major package announced on Friday." He said he'd be happy to take more questions about it then.

Q: Someone asked if the president's trip to California was about having a "plan B" and whether Gavin Newsom needs to be ready.

A: Biden joked with a reporter and said: "Are you ready? I'm looking at you."

Q: Someone asked whether Biden would rather run against Trump or Haley in November.

A: "Oh, I don't care."

A reporter also asked whether the president had heard from Netanyahu about an evacuation plan for Rafah. The president looked at the reporter but ignored the question.

In-town pool report #6 - press briefing at 3:45 pm EST

The White House says the press gaggle on AF1 will start at 3:45 pm EST.

In-town pool report # 7 - 2-minute warning

Two minute warning to the press briefing aboard AF1

Out of Town Pool Report #1 — Checking in

Greetings from JBA where I will be your Out of Town print pooler for POTUS trip to California, kicking off with Los Angeles.

The pool has been swept and cleared. We are now hanging around in the terminal awaiting POTUS arrival.

No schedule changes have been announced.

A friendly reminder press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will hold an AF1 gaggle. You can listen here.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

Out of Town Pool Report #2 — POTUS arrival/Travelers

POTUS arrived at JBA at 1:24 with M1 touching down. He walked off M1 at 1:28.

He boarded AF1 at 1:29 using the short stairs to board.

POTUS didn't take any questions, but did wave to press.

Greeters and Travelers below.

Greeting the President upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews:

Colonel Paul Pawluk, Vice Commander, 89th Airlift Wing

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Los Angeles International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement

Out of Town Pool Report #3

AF1 Wheels up at 1:37

Headed to California. Next stop LAX.

Out-of-Town Pool Report #4 — Wheels down

AF1 Wheels Down at 6:33 at a rainy LAX

Out of Town Pool Report #5

POTUS stepped off AF1 at 3:45 PST and entered the limo at 3:48. He spoke for a bit and shared a laugh with Mayor Bass and Rep. Waters.

The pool was positioned to far to shout questions.

Per White House

Greeting the President upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport:

Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43)
Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles, CA

Out of Town Pool Report #6 — Rolling

The motorcade is rolling at 3:51

Pool is headed to RON for brief hold ahead of tonight's campaign event.

Out of Town Pool Report #7 Arrival/Travelers

Pool arrived at RON at 4:15 we are here for a brief hold ahead of tonight's event

Ride was uneventful. Lots of people filming but no one really expressing an opinion either way.

Your pooler did not lay eyes on POTUS at RON

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement

Out of Town Pool Report 8 — leaving RON

The motorcade is departing the RON at 5:25. We are rolling to an undisclosed location.

Your pooler did lay eyes on POTUS.

Out of Town Pool Report #9 — Arrival

Motorcade arrived at undisclosed location for a campaign event at 5:52.

Ride was uneventful. Lots of highway driving so no bystanders much past the RON.

Your pooler did not lay eyes on POTUS.

Out of Town Pool Report 10 — Event

The campaign fundraiser is at the home of Haim Saban. It was supposed to be hosted by Haim Saban and Casey Wasserman (sports agent) but they tested positive for COVID and are not attending.

Spotted in the crowd, Jane Fonda and comedian Greg Proops. Proops was chatting with Karine Jean Pierre ahead of the event.

The President is attending a campaign reception in Los Angeles, California.

Speaking Program
Leslie Gilbert-Lurie
The President

Out of Town Pool Report 11 - Comments at event

POTUS comments largely tracked what he's said at previous campaign events. He started at 7:16 and finished at 7:33.

Joked that he's "40 times 2"

POTUS talked about reducing cost of insulin, saying it saved federal govt $260B.

Talked about protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act and Medicare, said Trump and Republicans are trying dismantle it.

Repeated his call for billionaires to be at 28%, which he said would generate $400B in govt revenue.

Vowed to pass John Lewis voting act and make Roe v. Wade the "law of the land,"

Said if Republicans pass a national abortion ban, "I will veto it,"

"Time and again Republicans show they are a party of chaos and disunity. They shout about problems but offer nothing. They have no platform."

"Are they here to solve problems or just weaponize them for political attacks. I'm here to serve the people."

Talked about Nalvany's death and blamed Putin.

"Trump fails to even condemn him. It's outrageous.

Said "Trump is dragging us back to the past and not leading us to the future."

"We stand with the truth and we are going to defeat him and his lies."

Out of Town Pool Report #12 -/Rolling

The motorcade is rolling back to RON at 7:42.

Leaving the camping event some pro-Palestinian protesters were shouting at the motorcade with megaphones but it was too hard to hear what they were saying.

Out of Town Pool Report 13 — Arrival at RON

The motorcade arrived at RON at 8:06.

Your pooler did not see POTUS exit the motorcade or enter the RON.

Out of Town Pool Report 14 — lid

Lid called at 8:09.

It was a pleasure being your pooler. We will do it all again tomorrow.