Pool Reports by Myah Ward, POLITICO
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| July 10, 2024 10:06 |
In-town pool report #1: Checking in Good morning. I'll be your pooler for today. Here's a reminder of the schedule: EDT 10:00 AM In-Town Pool Call Time 10:00 AM THE PRESIDENT receives the President's Daily Brief 10:45 AM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route to the AFL-CIO Headquarters 11:00 AM THE PRESIDENT drops by a meeting of national union leaders at the AFL-CIO Headquarters 11:45 AM THE PRESIDENT departs the AFL-CIO Headquarters en route to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center 12:15 PM THE PRESIDENT welcomes NATO Allied Leaders to the NATO Summit and participates in a Welcome Handshake and NATO Family Photo 1:00 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in Working Session I of the NATO Summit 4:30 PM THE PRESIDENT departs the Walter E. Washington Convention Center 4:35 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House 5:30 PM THE PRESIDENT hosts a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom 7:40 PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host an official arrival ceremony for NATO Allies and partners 8:00 PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host a dinner with NATO Allies and partners |
| July 10, 2024 10:59 |
In-town pool report #2: Rolling for AFL-CIO The motorcade is rolling at 10:59 am for the AFL-CIO headquarters, where POTUS will stop by a meeting with national union leaders. Pool did not see POTUS enter his vehicle. |
| July 10, 2024 11:02 |
In-town pool report #3: AFL-CIO arrival After an uneventful and quick ride, the motorcade has arrived at the AFL-CIO headquarters at 11:01 am |
| July 10, 2024 11:13 |
In-town pool report #4: AFL-CIO POTUS remarks POTUS is in a room with dozens of union members, who are gathered around a table with signs scattered reading: "Unions for Biden-Harris." Former labor sec Marty Walsh entered the room. Others are seated in chairs in the back, also holding signs. POTUS entered at 11:08 to applause and a standing ovation. He walked around the room briefly shaking hands. The room chanted "four more years." "Welcome Mr President, this is your home," a speaker said introducing POTUS, adding that "we have your back." Biden spoke next: "You're the ones, beyond me...it's all about whether or not we're going to grow the economy and give working people a shot." "The middle class built this country. You built the middle class," POTUS said to applause. "When labor does well, everybody does well." "I said I was going to be the most pro union president in history, well guess what? I am." He's still speaking. Will send more later but as always, please check against the transcript. Also, from the WH, here's who traveled with POTUS to the event: Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the AFL-CIO Headquarters: Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| July 10, 2024 11:20 |
In-town pool report #5: Pool ushered out POTUS wrapped his remarks and is set to take questions from union members. Pool was ushered out at 11:15 before questions were asked. POTUS was not using a teleprompter and did not appear to be using any notes during his remarks. Speaker in last pool report who introduced POTUS was Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO president. |
| July 10, 2024 11:36 |
In-town pool report #6: More POTUS quotes More POTUS quotes from the AFL-CIO's Executive Council meeting. Please check against transcript: "We've done it with your help and your leadership -- we're going to build this country from the bottom up and the middle out and not the top down." "We're the fastest growing economy in the world. That's a fact." "Food prices are still too high because of corporate greed. We're in a situation where rents are too high. We need more housing, and all kinds of things we're going to get done with your help in a second term." "I've never been more optimistic about America's chances, not because of me but because of what we're doing together. I really mean it... we're better positioned than any country in the world to own the remainder of the 21st century because of union labor." |
| July 10, 2024 11:37 |
In-town pool report #7: Rolling Motorcade is now rolling for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 11:35 |
| July 10, 2024 11:42 |
In-town pool report #8: Arrival Motorcade has arrived at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 11:41. Pool did not see POTUS exit his vehicle. Next, Biden will welcome NATO leaders to the Summit and participate in a Welcome Handshake and NATO Family Photo. |
| July 10, 2024 12:30 |
In-town pool report #9: handshake and photos POTUS participated in a welcome handshake and photos with each leader. POTUS and Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg walked on stage, stood in the center and shook hands with NATO leaders — 31 total — individually. They then posed for a photo with each leader, who stood in between POTUS and Stoltenberg. There were no remarks, but POTUS briefly spoke to some of the leaders as he shook their hand. There was music playing in the background, so pool could not hear what he said. POTUS and Stoltenberg exited the stage at 12:30. Participants Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) |
| July 10, 2024 12:39 |
In-town pool report #10: Family photo NATO leaders returned to the stage for a family photo a few minutes later, lining up in three rows. POTUS and Stoltenberg were in the front row, center. The leaders were asked to look into the camera for 8 seconds while their photo was taken. POTUS didn't verbally respond to a shouted question from a reporter about whether Nancy Pelosi is still behind him, though he appeared to shake his fist in solidarity. Next up, POTUS will participate in a working session with NATO leaders. |
| July 10, 2024 12:56 |
In-town pool report #11: livestream Here's a livestream for the upcoming working session. Some leaders have already entered and are talking amongst themselves. |
| July 10, 2024 13:13 |
In-town pool report #12: working session POTUS and Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg entered the room at 1 pm and joined the table of leaders seated in a circular formation. Stoltenberg started the session with a gavel and introduction. He said there is no better place to celebrate the 75th anniversary than "right here in Washington" He thanked POTUS for making NATO stronger, and touted the increase in number of NATO allies spending more than 2% GDP on defense and said the leaders will continue discuss their long term commitment to Ukraine. Biden spoke next, looking down at times as he referenced his prepared remarks. POTUS talked about the threat of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran and said the NATO alliance "cannot fall behind." "Every NATO member is committed to doing its part to keeping the alliance strong," POTUS said. He thanked NATO members for their commitment to the alliance and asked the press to depart. Will send fuller quotes, and please check against transcript. |
| July 10, 2024 13:36 |
In-town pool report #13: more quotes/ participants Here are some fuller quotes from the president's brief remarks. Pool is in a holding room. "For 75 years, our nations have grown and prospered behind the NATO shield. Today, we're stronger than we've ever been. Since I took office, we've doubled the number of battle groups in NATO's eastern flank and the United States has. Finland and Sweden have joined the alliance. And the number of allies spending at least 2 percent on defense has gone from nine to 23. That's not happened by chance, but by choice," POTUS said. "Today we have to ask ourselves, what is next? How can we keep making the shield stronger? One answer must be to strengthen our industrial base. Right now, Russia is on a war time footing with regard to defense production. They're significantly ramping up their production of weapons, munitions, and vehicles, and they're doing it with the help of China, North Korea and Iran." "We cannot, we cannot in my view allow the alliance to fall behind." "We will not be surpassed, cannot be surpassed by anyone, when it comes to our readiness." More from the WH: The President is attending the Meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Heads of State and Government Participants U.S. Delegation |
| July 10, 2024 16:21 |
In-town pool report #14: Rolling for the WH The pool, already loaded in vans, saw POTUS walk and get into his vehicle at 4:18 pm. The motorcade departed the Walter E Washington Convention Center for the White House at 4:19 pm. |
| July 10, 2024 | [APP Note: Report #15 does not exist or was not received by the APP.] |
| July 10, 2024 17:49 |
In-town pool report #16: Gathered for bilat Pool has gathered and moving for the POTUS bilat with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The meeting will take place in the Oval Office. We're roughly 20 minutes behind schedule. |
| July 10, 2024 18:01 |
In-town pool report #17: Oval spray Bilat started at 5:50, kicking off with some soccer talk re England's victory over the Netherlands. POTUS was difficult to hear but welcomed Starmer to the White House and said they have "a lot to discuss." He said he sees the United Kingdom as the "knot tying the transatlantic alliance together." Starmer said "this special relationship is so important" and that it's "stronger than ever now" He also said he watched some of the game with the Netherlands PM. Biden chuckled and asked if they're still talking to one another Pool was then ushered out. Questions were shouted -- trying to get better audio and will follow up with more |
| July 10, 2024 18:24 |
In-town pool report #18: Clooney questions Reporters shouted questions as the pool was exiting the Oval, including questions about actor George Clooney, who called for the president to step down today. The president smiled while journalists shouted and were ushered out of the room. In what appeared to be a response to a Clooney question, POTUS looked toward journalists and said: "AFL-CIO. Go, go go," pumping his fists. Thanks to TV poolers for their help with audio. Will send fuller quotes. As always, check against transcript. |
| July 10, 2024 18:41 |
In-town pool report #19: A few more Oval quotes "It's all because of the Prime Minister," Biden joked, referring to England's win today. "We're the best of allies...we really need to compete and cooperate — and a lot we can talk about," Biden said. "There's a lot going on. We're seeking closer ties in Europe that's good for all of us...we have some great ideas we're going to be working together on." "Thought we had a good meeting today at NATO" POTUS said, and that things are "moving in the right direction." "I'm feeling really optimistic," he said. "I kind of see you guys as the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together, the closer you are with Europe." Check against transcripts. |
| July 10, 2024 18:59 |
Resending In-town pool report #20: bilat participants Resending since I cut off the top of the note in the last report. Thanks all The President is holding a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom. U.S. Delegation U.K. Delegation |
| July 10, 2024 19:40 |
In-town pool report #21: Gathering for arrival ceremony Pool has gathered for the arrival ceremony on the South Lawn. |
| July 10, 2024 19:51 |
In-town pool report #22: Arrival ceremony President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walked out of the White House first and stood in the center. Leaders and spouses then exited the White House and took position on the descending staircases of the South Portico. A row of leaders was also on the balcony, watching as the U.S. military band played for several minutes. It started to thunder and lightly rain FLOTUS walked inside at 7:49, followed by POTUS. The NATO leaders and partners then filed into the White House. |
| July 10, 2024 20:00 |
In-town pool report #23: Welcome ceremony participants From the White House: The President and the First Lady are hosting an official arrival ceremony for NATO Allies and partners. Participants North Atlantic Treaty Organization Partner Countries Heads of Delegation |
| July 10, 2024 20:13 |
In-town pool report #24: Dinner NATO allies and spouses were seated around a long table in the East Room. POTUS and FLOTUS seats were in the middle of the candlelit table. French President Emmanuel Macron was seated across from POTUS, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (seated diagonal across from POTUS) was sitting to Macron's right POTUS gave brief remarks at the beginning of dinner, speaking to the importance of the NATO alliance. He asked leaders and spouses to raise their glasses in a toast. Secretary general Jen's Stoltenberg also gave brief remarks, once thanking POTUS for hosting and touting the strength of the alliance. Guests again raised their glasses for a toast. From the White House: The President and the First Lady are hosting a social dinner with NATO Allies and partners. Attendees North Atlantic Treaty Organization Partner Countries Heads of Delegation |
| July 10, 2024 20:15 |
In-town pool report #25: Lid And we have a lid as of 8:10 pm. Thanks everyone. |
| July 10, 2024 20:23 |
In-town pool report #26: Menu and entertainment More details on tonight's dinner from the White House: NATO SUMMIT DINNER First Lady Jill Biden worked with White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison to develop the menu for the 2024 NATO Summit dinner at the White House. In honor of the 75th Anniversary and in recognition of President Truman's role in the formation of NATO, the dinner will be served on Truman State Service china – the same dinnerware that NATO Allies dined on at the White House 25 years ago for the 50th Anniversary. Menu Grilled Catoctin Mountain Peaches Charcoal-grilled Beef Tenderloin and Alaskan Halibut Lemon Verbena Panna Cotta Wine Evening Entertainment |
| July 10, 2024 20:31 |
In-town pool report #27: Dinner quotes Here are some fuller quotes from POTUS toast. And that's all from me. Goodnight! "This is a big night at the White House, celebrating 75 years of the greatest alliance the world has ever known. Jill and I are honored to have so many close allies and close friends all in the same room." "The allies in this room not only share a common language — don't share a common language — we do not share a common border, but we are neighbors. We're neighbors because we all share common beliefs in dignity, equality, democracy and freedom. And we're all neighbors because we're there for one another." "In the neighborhood that I grew up in, that's what you do. When a neighbor needed help, you pitched in. Bullies threatened to block, you stepped up. When a bad snowstorm hit, you shared supplies and made sure everyone was safe. When a new family moved into the neighborhood, you welcomed them with open arms. And Why did we do this? Because we know we were in it together, that our own house was safer when the entire neighborhood was as well. This simple yet profound idea lies at the heart of our alliance. Over the last 75 years, it has allowed our people to reach for new possibilities. It's allowed our nations to meet any threat with strength and resolves. And above all, it allowed women and men of generations to know the lives of freedom, security and democracy." |
| July 10, 2024 20:34 |
In-town pool report #28: POTUS meeting with Trudeau and Stubb Another note from the White House: Following the conclusion of the North Atlantic Council meeting, President Biden met briefly at the Convention Center with Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada and President Stubb of Finland to discuss strengthening our trilateral cooperation on economic issues and on defense industrial production, as well as national security in the Arctic and Polar regions. |
Pool Reports below by Fraser Jackson, France 24
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| July 10, 2024 16:21 |
Foreign Pool Report #1 - Starmer Backgrounder Good afternoon everyone! Hoping you're surviving this Hunger Games of weeks that the DC weather gods have given us. I am your foreign pooler for the Keir Starmer bilat this afternoon - scheduled to take place at 5.30pm (hopefully the England/Netherlands Euro semi-final doesn't go to penalties!) President Biden will host the Prime Minister at the Oval Office this Wednesday. Starmer will be accompanied by the Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey. It will be POTUS and Starmer's first official meeting, although the pair have spoken on the phone with POTUS congratulating Starmer on his election victory, and seen each other during the opening of the NATO summit. Likely topics of discussion NATO The UK says it will honour the country's military aid commitments to Ukraine given under the previous government, and will even increase its spend on NATO defence from 2% to 2.5% - although no timeline for the increase has been given, and some experts say the spend needs to be closer to 3%. As per Downing Street press release: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has underlined the UK's cast iron commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence to respond to growing threats, ahead of a NATO summit where he will say a step-up in defence spending can safeguard the future of the Alliance. At the summit in Washington DC, the PM will emphasise his determination to face down global threats to Britain and its western allies. He will say that further increases in spending will help the alliance tackle the nature of today's threats. The Prime Minister has also confirmed today that he will launch the Government's Strategic Defence Review next week, with detailed preparatory work already undertaken by Defence Secretary John Healey - who will oversee the review. The review will determine the future defence posture of the UK, the capabilities needed and will set out a roadmap to achieving 2.5% of GDP on defence. He will confirm that the review will put a 'NATO-first' policy at the heart of Britain's defence plans. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "There is no more important duty for the Prime Minister than keeping the people of our country safe. "At a time when we face multiple threats at home and abroad, we must make sure we are ready to defend ourselves. That's why I have immediately ordered a root-and-branch review of our defence capabilities. "Working with our most important partners around the world, our Strategic Defence Review will make sure the UK is sending a clear message to those who seek to undermine peace and democracy – you will not succeed." Trade deal The 'special relationship' with the US will also be something the new government looks to nurture, although progress on a free-trade deal - which was touted by those campaigning for Brexit - is unlikely to improve. In absence of a federal-level trade deal, the UK has taken to signing limited-scope deals with individual states. 8 such deals currently exist, the latest of which was signed with Texas in areas such as 'energy, life sciences and professional services.' General Background on Foreign Policy Many of Labour's campaign messages focused on domestic issues but now they are in power, foreign policy issues also come to the fore. Starmer has vowed to improve the UK's 'botched' trade deal with the EU, with his Foreign Secretary calling for a 'reset' in relations with Europe. Shortly after the NATO Summit, the UK will host a European Political Community meeting where it says the 'new spirit of cooperation will be on show.' Background on the PM Sir Keir Starmer, 61, was educated at Oxford University before practicing law as a barrister specialising in human rights issues. His political career began when he was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions in 2008, where he earned recognition for his reforms and commitment to justice. He stepped down from the role in November 2013 and a year later, was given a knighthood for 'services to law and criminal justice'. Shortly after, in 2015, Starmer was elected as the Labour Party Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras (in central London). He quickly rose through the ranks of the then-opposition government, becoming Shadow Brexit Secretary in 2016. He would become leader of the Labour Party in 2020, eventually becoming Prime Minister in 2024 after a landslide election result for the Labour Party - ending the Conservative party's 14 years in power. Hope this has helped, let me know if you have any questions. |
| July 10, 2024 18:26 |
Foreign pool report #2 - Biden/Starmer bilat Pool entered the Oval slightly late at 5.49pm. The President and the Prime Minister were sat in the chairs in front of the fireplace with a smile upon their faces. As pool entered, PM and POTUS were asked questions about whether football was coming home (a UK chant relating to England winning a (any) football tournament - if you want context, see the song I've posted on my Twitter for reference) he replied 'it looks like it!' Biden then joked 'it's all because of the Prime Minister'. The pair then spoke for a couple of minutes about the importance of the US/UK special relationship. POTUS called the UK and US the 'best of allies'. The PM congratulated POTUS on a successful NATO Summit and said how special it was that Biden had given NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg the Presidential Medal of Freedom. POTUS joked that he talked Stoltenberg into staying in the job at NATO and said he'd done a 'great job'. Starmer said the special relationship was 'so important.' He added that it was 'forged in difficult circumstances, endured for so long and is stronger now than ever'. Biden said he saw the UK as 'the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together.' He added 'the closer you are with Europe, the more engaged… Because we know where you are and we know where we are'. Starmer agreed. The bilat then wrapped. Your pooler shouted questions at the PM about whether he would be raising the topic of the US-UK Free Trade Agreement- he looked directly at your pooler and smiled, but didn't respond. That's it from me! Handing back to Nico for the rest of the evening. Stay cool (literally). |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of July 10, 2024 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/373976