Pool Reports of July 2, 2024

In-town pool report #1 — gather

Good morning!

Pool has been summoned to gather for the ride over to the DC Emergency Operations Center as of 1142.

In-town pool report #2 — rolling to EOC

Motorcade is moving as of 1207.

Pool did not see POTUS enter his vehicle.

In-town pool report #3 — DCEOC arrival

Motorcade entered the garage at the DC Emergency Operations Center at 1213.

Pool did not see POTUS enter the building. We are now moving upstairs to the EOC.

In-town pool report #4 — at EOC / travelers

Pool entered the room at 1220, POTUS was seated with Mayor Bowser, Coast Guard Commandant Fagan, Secretary Mayorkas, FEMA administrator Criswell and others.

After introductory remarks from the mayor, POTUS said the extreme heat the country faces this summer would be "significant" and said "significant steps" have been taken in response.

POTUS finished speaking at 1224, pool is now moving to a larger room at the EOC where teleprompters and a lectern have been set up for POTUS.

From White House press office:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the D.C. Emergency Operations Center:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President & National Climate Advisor
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Aviva Feuerstein, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter
Herbie Ziskend, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Communications
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

In-town pool report #5 — briefing participants

From White House press office:

Greeting the President on arrival to the D.C. Emergency Operations Center:

Mayor Muriel Bowser, Washington D.C.

The President is receiving an operational briefing on extreme weather forecasts.

Participants
Acting Secretary Julie Su, Department of Labor
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President & National Climate Advisor
Administrator Deanne Criswell, U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Director Ken Graham, National Weather Service
Chief Randy Moore, U.S. Forest Service
Admiral Linda Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard
Mayor Muriel Bowser, Washington D.C.
Acting Director Clint Osborn, D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency

In-Town pool report #6 — event start

POTUS, DC Mayor Bowser and party entered the room at 1314, joining Sec'y Mayorkas, Admiral Fagan, Administrator Criswell and others who gathered several minutes prior.

The event is being live-streamed on Whitehouse.gov.

In-town pool report #7 — event info

From the White House:

The President is delivering remarks on extreme weather and will announce new actions to protect workers and families from the impacts of extreme weather:

Speaking Program
Mayor Muriel Bowser, Washington D.C.
The President
Acting Director Clint Osborn, D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency

In-town pool report #8 — POTUS done

POTUS finished speaking at 1326. Pool is still holding while the event continues.

In-town pool report #9 — moving, handshakes and a question

Pool was ushered out as of 1330 after POTUS shook hands of a few DCEOC employees and thanked those present.

He did not answer a shouted from pool on whether he concurs with Rep. Doggetts call for him to exit the 2024 race.

Pool is now moving back to vans for the return to the White House.

In-town pool report #10 — rolling

Motorcade moving as of 1342.

Please note previous report should have been labeled as #10.

In-town pool report #11 — back at White House

Motorcade pulled through the White House gates at 1347.

Pool did not see POTUS exit his vehicle.

In-Town Pool Report #12 — 2 minutes to briefing

Two minutes to briefing

In-Town Pool Report #13 — Briefing starts

KJP entered the briefing room at 1444. The briefing is being livestreamed on whitehouse.gov.

In-town pool report #14 — briefing ends

The press briefing wrapped at approximately 1545.

KJP took numerous questions on POTUS' mental state.

In-Town Pool Report #15 — lunch lid!

We have a lunch lid until 1630.

In-Town Pool Report #16 — gather/rolling

Pool was taken outside of the northwest gates to load for a 20-minute drive to the fundraiser site, a private home in McLean, VA.

As such, pool was not in position to see POTUS exit the White House or enter his vehicle and I have asked why we were not permitted to witness his departure.

Motorcade rolling as of 1747.

In-town pool report #17 — arrival at fundraiser / POTUS explains bad performances

Motorcade arrived at fundraiser site at 1800.

Restricted pool was awaiting POTUS in a room with a small lectern (w/ seal) already set up when Rep. Beyer and POTUS entered to applause at 1807.

Beyer said he was honored to introduce POTUS and praised him as "resilient, optimistic, indefatigable, and above all courageous."

POTUS admitted that he did not have a good debate, said he "wasn't very smart" for "traveling around the world a couple times" before the debate.

"I decided to travel around the world a couple of times … shortly before the debate …I didn't listen to my staff … and then I almost fell asleep on stage."

POTUS also apologized by saying he was sorry for the performance but stressed that it was "critical" to win the election.

"It's not an excuse but an explanation," he said.

He spoke for about 6 minutes, then wrapped and pool was escorted out.

Please check quotes against official transcript. Will send more once I review my audio assuming it's clear enough, he spoke very softly despite amplification.

On behalf of the Biden-Harris Campaign:

The President is participating in a campaign reception.

Program
Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08)
The President
Renée Fleming performs "All the Things You Are" by Ella Fitzgerald

In-town pool report #18 — gather for return

Pool was moved back to vans at roughly 1826.

We are now waiting for POTUS to leave but will again not be able to see him or shout any questions in his direction.

In-Town Pool Report #19 — rolling for White House

Motorcade moving as of 1855.

In-town pool report #20 — arrival at White House and LID!

Motorcade pulled into the northwest gate at 1908. Pool did not see POTUS exit his vehicle or enter the residence.

A travel/photo lid was declared by the press office at 1911.

Enjoy your evening, folks.