Pool Reports of January 2, 2025

In-Town Pool Report #1 — Meeting scheduled

Good Morning,

Passing along the following from the press office:

At 12:15pm ET, President Biden will convene members of his homeland security team in the Situation Room to receive an update on the investigation into the terrorist attack in New Orleans.

In-Town Pool Report #2 - POTUS Arrival

Marine One landed on the South Lawn at 12:15p

POTUS and FLOTUS entered the residence at 12:19p without stopping to respond to shouted questions.

Hunter Biden was among the passengers who got off Marine One before POTUS stepped off.

From the Press Office:

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

Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff to the First Lady

In-Town Pool Report #3 -- Lunch lid until 1:45 p.m.

From the Press Office:

Lunch lid until 1:45 PM

In-Town Pool Report 4 -- Statement on Homeland Security Meeting

As the pool and reporters await an updated gather time for POTUS' remarks on judicial appointments, passing this along from the press office....

This afternoon, President Biden convened a meeting with Vice President Harris and his homeland security team to discuss the latest developments in the investigation into the terrorist attack in New Orleans. Law enforcement also provided the President with an update on the investigation into the truck explosion in Las Vegas. The President directed his team to continue to make every resource available to federal, state, and local law enforcement so they can complete their investigations as quickly as possible.

Participants in the briefing included Attorney General Garland, DHS Secretary Mayorkas, DoD Secretary Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Brown, Deputy FBI Director Abbate, DNI Haines, NCTC Acting Director Holmgren, Deputy Director of the CIA Cohen, as well as Chief of Staff Zients, Counselor to the President Ricchetti, National Security Advisor Sullivan and Homeland Security Advisor Sherwood-Randall.

In-Town Pool Report 5 - Event Starts

Greetings from the State Dining Room…

The event, initially scheduled for 2p.m., started at 3:25p

POTUS entered with Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois.

***

From press office

The President is delivering remarks on securing 235 judicial nominations.

Speaking Program
Senator Dick Durbin (IL)
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY)
The President

In-Town Pool Report 6 - Event ends/Updates on attacks

POTUS wrapped up remarks at 3:46pm

***

POTUS started off the event apologizing to audience for being late, said he was meeting with homeland security team re: attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas.

POTUS said as of now no information that anyone else was involved in New Orleans attack.

As of now, they have not found any evidence of any connection between the two attacks.

**Remarks on judicial appointments**

"These judges will be independent, they'll be fair..."

Noted the diversity of the appointees

"We have a bench that looks like and represents all of America."

"I'm proud of the legacy that we leave…and proud of the men and women who stepped forward…"

In-Town Pool Report 7 -- Durbin Gaggle

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) came over to talk to press after the Biden judicial appointees event.

Thanks to AFP's Aurelia End for sharing audio

Some highlights.

Q: Senator, do you think that the President should offer preemptive pardons to people like Liz Cheney?
A: "I've talked to several people who have been mentioned, including Senator Schiff, who don't think it's necessary, and I'm standing by them."

Q: How much are you worried about the resurgence of ISIS and what happened in New Orleans?

A: "Well, I'm very worried about it. Take it seriously. I don't know if this is a one-off situation or something more serious, but as the President said, it's the highest priority for him. "

In-Town Pool Report 8 - Medal ceremony begins

POTUS entered at 5:27pm

From the press office:

The President is delivering remarks at a Presidential Citizens Medal Ceremony.

Medal Recipients
Mary Bonauto
Bill Bradley
Frank Butler
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (WY)
Former Senator Chris Dodd (CT)
Denise Rohan (Receiving on behalf of Diane Carlson Evans)
Dr. Gracie Galloway (Receiving on behalf of Joseph Galloway)
Grace McCarthy (Receiving on behalf of Carolyn McCarthy)
Ted Kaufman
Rupa Redding-Lallinger (Receiving on behalf of Louis Redding)
Bobby Sager
Collins J. Seitz, Jr. (Receiving on behalf of Collins Seitz)
Eleanor Smeal
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02)
Wayne Tsutsumi (Receiving on behalf of Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi)
Thomas J. Vallely
Frances M. Visco
Paula S. Wallace
Evan Wolfson

Attendees
Secretary Deb Haaland, Department of the Interior
Acting Secretary Julie Su, Department of Labor
The Honorable Adrianne Todman, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Senator Ed Markey (MA)
Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC-06)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-04)
Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41)
Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02)
Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02)

Also flagging that POTUS delivered a few remarks before the Sugar Bowl aired. Thanks to Geoff Earle of Daily Mail for sharing a link.

https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/1874925507361558652

In-Town Pool Report #9 — event ends/NOLA question

After giving the recipients their medals, POTUS asked Sen. Sheldon White House to stand up, also asked Rep. James Clyburn to stand up and credited him with being president. Also gave kudos to congress members in attendance and John Kerry also in attendance.

POTUS walked off at 5:45pm. He was asked if he has plans to travel to New Orleans, he said he's going to try.