Pool Reports of January 29, 2025

In-town pool report #1a - correction 2p bill signing time

Correction: bill signing time is at 2p.m.

In-town pool report #2 - Leavitt gaggle

At 9:30 a.m., Karoline Leavitt walked toward gaggle of press from a TV interview,. She said she would take two questions from a gaggle, saying she had been "very generous" with her time already this morning. 

Asked about Israel and Gaza, Leavitt said Steve Witkoff is "in the region," that she missed a call from his communications person during her interview and that she would call back and maybe have more news on it later. 

She also said that President Trump tasked Elon Musk with starting up DOGE and that Musk has already brought in incredibly good people. 

She did not answer a stray question about the source of the "condoms for Gaza" number from yesterday's briefing. 

She spoke to press for under a minute. 

Also -- bill signing this afternoon is in the East Room. Apologies for the mistakes, first time pooler here!

In-town pool report #3 - pool gather

Pool is gathering outside at the steps that lead to the North Portico at 1:40p.m. to head to the bill signing.

In-town pool report #4 - moving in

Pool is moving inside at 2:01. There is a jazz combo playing in the hall just outside the East Room. There are about six or so members, all in red military-style jackets. 

Inside the East Room.  

Kristi Noem is in the front row, directly in front of podium. She greeted several people, giving a hug to a young girl. Also spotted Fetterman, Cornyn, Grassley, Ernst, Britt and Jordan.

In-town pool #5: Vance enters

VP entered the room at 2:12 with Laken Riley’s family and greeted several senators, as well as Noem. He took his seat in front of the podium. 

The East Room is full, with standing room only. 

Susie Wiles walked in at 2:11 and is seated in the front row.

In-town pool report #6 - POTUS' opening remarks

POTUS entered the room at 2:18 and immediately started talking about the successes of his administration, beginning with winning all seven swing states and the popular vote. 

"Making extraordinary progress" as an administration.

"Single most effective opening week of any single presidency in history and we want to keep it that way." Evoking applause from the crowd. 

Achieved "record low illegal immigration."

Also: "The water has now begun flowing in California."

For clarification purposes, bc it was misinformed yesterday… Informed federal workforce they must show up to the office on time and on schedule. 

"We don't want them working from home bc as everyone knows, they're not working. They're not very productive."

Said media misinformed about the federal freeze yesterday about Social Security benefits being stilled. They're not. 

He also mentioned "$15 million to buy condoms for Hamas," which drew some chuckles from the audience. "they've used them as a method for making bombs."

Called WHO very corrupt — "has not done its job." Applause.

In-town pool report #7 - POTUS announces migrant facility at Guantanamo Bay

POTUS announces he will be signing executive order to prepare migrant facility at Guantanamo Bay. Has 30k beds. 

"Some of them are so bad"

"This will double up capacity immediately."

"That's a tough place to get out of."

In-town pool report #8: Remarks cont'd plus signing

Otter here.
On Laken Riley / immigration -- 
"Laken Riley act will be very first bill I proudly sign into law as the 47th President." 
Laken was a beautiful 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia. 
"So sad we have to do this at all."
"Her name will now live forever in the laws of our country."
"America will never forget Laken Hope Riley."
Talks about the Venezuelan "illegal alien criminal" who was arrested multiple times. 
"He hunted. That's what he did he was like a hunter. We're gonna show him who the hunter is."
Thinks illegal immigration is the single biggest reason he was elected.  
"To me this was the worst of all" of things that happened under Biden administration — illegal immigration. 
He said he "especially appreciated" the Democratic support for this bill. 
Calls out several lawmakers in the audience, including Britt, Grassley, Jordan. And Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. 
On Kristi Noem —
"It's probably not complimentary because she's a woman, but she is tough."
"Don't let that look fool you. She's tough." 
Says to Riley family: "she is with us now, you know that."  
Thanks other "angel moms" and "angel families" of those who have been killed by "illegal aliens." 
"We love you and we stand in awe of your courage and strength … many of the angel families here today were betrayed by the last administration." 
"The number of illegal border crossers has already fallen by over 100%"
He moves onto Harris, without mentioning her by name. "She was the border czar." 
References Colombia. "You're gonna take it, you're gonna like it too." Drawing laughs, applause, smiles from the audience. 
Colombia apologized within an hour, "based on something I said." 
We might have tough talk from others. 

On Guantanamo Bay--
Also signing executive order to prepare migrant facility at Guantanamo Bay. Has 30k beds. 
Some of them are so bad 
"This will double up capacity immediately."
"That's a tough place to get out of."

Laken Riley's mother, Allyson (pls fact check spelling)
Thank Sen. Katie Britt and Sen. Mike Collins.
"Our family will forever be grateful for the prayers of the ppl across the nation."
want to "thank president Trump for the promises he made to us."
He said he will never forget about Laken and he hasn't. He is a man of his words. 
(Breaks down crying)
Thanks "Lord and savior, Jesus Christ."
Murmur of "amens" throughout the audience. 
Received standing ovation 

Bill signing -- 
Then POTUS went to a desk just beside the podium. 
He signs bill at 2:45p.m with Riley's family standing behind, as well as Britt, Jordan, Barrasso. Britt rubs the back of Riley's mother, who is still holding back tears. 
Trump gives the mother the pen. 
Reporter asks Trump to take a quick question on govt funding. 
"I don't think that's appropriate," Trump says, adding the government is doing very well. 
Audience claps. 
Britt and mother hug. 
The door behind the podium opens and POTUS walks out and down the hall at 2:47 p.m.
POTUS was wearing a navy suit with an electric blue tie. 

In-town pool report #9 - Gaza quote correction

Correction from pool report #6 below: "$50 million being sent to Gaza to buy condoms for Hamas." 

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POTUS entered the room at 2:18 and immediately started talking about the successes of his administration, beginning with winning all seven swing states and the popular vote. 
"Making extraordinary progress" as an administration.
"Single most effective opening week of any single presidency in history and we want to keep it that way." Evoking applause from the crowd. 
Achieved "record low illegal immigration."
Also: "The water has now begun flowing in California."
For clarification purposes, bc it was misinformed yesterday… Informed federal workforce they must show up to the office on time and on schedule. 
"We don't want them working from home bc as everyone knows, they're not working. They're not very productive."
Said media misinformed about the federal freeze yesterday about Social Security benefits being stilled. They're not. 
He also mentioned "$15 million to buy condoms for Hamas," which drew some chuckles from the audience. "they've used them as a method for making bombs."
Called WHO very corrupt — "has not done its job." Applause.

In-town pool report #10 - Noem and Homan gaggle on Guantanamo Bay facility

Sec. of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan met the press gaggle on the North Driveway at 3:50 and answered questions about Trump's announcement about a migrant facility on Guantanamo Bay.

Homan said "What you probably don't know, there's already a migrant center there, it's been there for decades. So we're just going to expand upon that existing migrant center."

He said that ICE would be running it. "ICE has highest detention standards in the industry," he said, whether federal, state or local. "So every facility, including GITMO will have the highest standards."

Noem said this is something the White House is working on, "to use resources that we currently have."

"We're going after these guys," she added.

"We're already doing it," Noem said. "We're building it out."

In answer to a question about civilian oversight, Noem said "civilian oversight would be same as current civilian oversight in federal government today."

"We had an election in November that clearly says the American people don't want these criminal and dangerous individuals on our streets anymore," she said.

"The law applies to everybody" — American citizens, people who come to the country illegally, Noem said. "You will be held accountable for breaking our laws."

Both referred to Guantanamo Bay as being for "the worst of the worst." 

On how much it would cost — Noem said they were working on it with reconciliation and appropriators in Congress.

They spoke for about three minutes. Beforehand, they stopped to talk to each other about halfway up the driveway while others gathered nearby. 

Noem was wearing a long white coat. Homan was wearing a navy suit with a red tie.

In-town pool #11: Trump signed Guantanamo Bay "memorandum" and EOs

ON BACKGROUND: the "GITMO Presidential Memorandum has been signed." Not an executive order. 

Trump also signed 4 executive orders:
-"Ending Racial Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling"
-American 250, establishing a commission to celebrate 250th birthday and create a heroes' garden. 
-School choice
-Combatting anti-semitism

All were signed this afternoon.  Pool was not present.

In-town pool report - lid

And we have a lid for the evening. Good night folks!