Pool Reports by Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner
| Sent: | Reports: |
| June 18, 2024 12:33 |
In-town pool report #1 — lunch lid ... called until 1:20pm. Today's briefing is currently scheduled for 1:30pm, and President Biden will hold a ceremony commemorating DACA this afternoon at 2:45pm. Later this evening, he'll travel to VA for a campaign fundraiser before departing DC for DE. |
| June 18, 2024 13:49 |
In-town pool report #2 — 2 min warning... ... called at 1:48pm |
| June 18, 2024 13:53 |
In-town pool report #3 — Briefing begins ... at 1:52pm. Follow along here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQXQ6lcRdyc |
| June 18, 2024 14:13 |
In-town pool report #4 — briefing paused Someone attending the briefing today passed out in the back of the room. KJP has left the podium and assisting other WH staff administer to the person TKTKTK |
| June 18, 2024 14:14 |
In-town pool report #5 — briefing resumes as of 2:13pm... the individual impacted by the heat is now receiving aid from WH medical staff in the working spaces east of the briefing room |
| June 18, 2024 14:45 |
In-town pool report #6 — briefing concludes ... at 2.44pm |
| June 18, 2024 14:48 |
In-town pool report #7 — gathering for DACA event As of 2:47pm Tktk |
| June 18, 2024 15:02 |
In-town pool report #7 — photo line Passing along from WH: Participating in a photoline with the President: Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security |
| June 18, 2024 15:13 |
In-town pool report #8 — 2 min Called at 3:12pm |
| June 18, 2024 15:15 |
In-town pool report #9 — event begins POTUS and FLOTUS entered the East Room at 3:14pm to thunderous applause. KJP estimated there are more than 200 guests in attendance for today's event. You can watch the event in full here: |
| June 18, 2024 15:19 |
In-town pool report #10 — run of show/attendees Passing along from WH: The President and the First Lady are delivering remarks at the White House to mark the 12th Anniversary of DACA. Speaking Program The First Lady Stage Participants Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security Notable Attendees Secretary Xavier Becerra, Department of Health and Human Services |
| June 18, 2024 15:39 |
In-town pool report #11 — POTUS concludes POTUS finished his remarks at 3:35pm… one attendee shouted out "¡si se puede!" after the president wrapped, earning more applause. POTUS and FLOTUS exited at 3:38pm after visiting with some attendees, but because of the number of guests and layout of the room, pool was not positioned close enough tot he president to ask questions. Tktktk |
| June 18, 2024 15:54 |
In-town pool report #12 — MOC stakeout Some members of Congress in attendance this afternoon will "shortly" gaggle at the stakeout, per WH Pool will send otter once they wrap |
| June 18, 2024 16:24 |
In-town pool report #13 — stakeout list Passing along from wh… pool will send audio once available. Stakeholders now gaggling Representative Suozzi — SOLO GOING OUT AS A GROUP Senator Alex Padilla |
| June 18, 2024 16:41 |
In-town pool report #14 — stakeout audio Apologies on the delay. Your poolers phone was overheating and couldn't send emails while recording. Thanks for nothin, heatwave! Number 1: Suozzi solo: https://otter.ai/u/lj0Wbsu8qX_I_MIaLu57eWNbCfo?utm_source=copy_url Number 2: https://otter.ai/u/bHmJ6TqwbF2mL1ytLOPIfKAigqI?utm_source=copy_url Number 3: DACA stakeholders: https://otter.ai/u/3wzMJDPSZ-dRfNKhN5WRkJmVens?utm_source=copy_url 1)Maria Teresa Kumar, President and CEO, Voto Latino *** these should all be public but let me know if you can't access |
| June 18, 2024 17:33 |
In-town pool report #15 — gathering for departure As of 5:32pm Tktk |
| June 18, 2024 18:06 |
In-town pool report #16 — rolling Pool did not put eyes on POTUS but spotted FLOTUS hop in a USSS SUV at 6:03pm. Motorcade is rolling for the VA fundraiser as of 6:04pm … anticipating a 20-25 minute drive per WH Tktktk |
| June 18, 2024 18:07 |
In-town pool report #17 — travelers Passing along from WH Traveling with the President and the First Lady via motorcade en route to McLean, Virginia: Jeff Zients, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff |
| June 18, 2024 18:25 |
In-town pool report #18 — fundraiser arrival Motorcade arrived at the home of former VA Gov. Terry McCauliffe, who is hosting the fundraiser, at 6:24pm. The ride to McClain was uneventful. Pool did not spot anything noteworthy beyond a smattering of onlookers filming the motorcade as it departed the White House and approached our stop. A group of supporters holding Biden-Harris signs was gathered across from the driveway. Pool is now moving into position for POTUS' remarks… expect color and (as) full (as possible) quotes from the event Tktktk |
| June 18, 2024 18:41 |
In-town pool report #19 — event color/start POTUS' remarks were delivered in a temporary outdoor structure constructed next to the main house. Biden team advises that tonight's event, claimed to be the highest grossing backyard fundraiser in the history of the Democratic Party, is bringing in $8 million from 450 attendees. There's a large stage in the middle of the room featuring blue drapes behind American and Virginian state flags. The run of show is expected to start off with McCauliffe, followed by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FLOTUS, McCauliffe again, former President Bill Clinton, and then POTUS. Remarks beginning now Tktktk |
| June 18, 2024 18:43 |
In-town pool report #20 — photoline/bg Passing along Participating in a photoline with the President, the First Lady, President Clinton, and Secretary Clinton: Former Governor Terry McAuliffe (VA) The President and the First Lady are delivering remarks at a campaign reception. Speaking Program |
| June 18, 2024 20:07 |
In-town pool report #21 — POTUS remarks (highlights) POTUS' remarks began at 7:30pm on the dot. He opened by thanking McCauliffe for supporting him in 2020, when "a lot of people believed that we couldn't win," and again in 2024. Biden additionally extended thanks to the Clintons, "who we all know as Bill and Hillary," calling them "dear friends" and "great Americans." POTUS recycled lines from his fundraiser over the weekend in LA regarding SCOTUS appointments, warning that if Trump wins he would have an opportunity to appoint 5 justices in total to the court... "We can't let that happen." The bulk of POTUS' speech featured repeated attacks on Trump, ranging from infrastructure projects and tax reform to his predecessor's "all out assault" on the justice system and obsession with the 2020 election. On inflation, Biden cautioned voters that "Trump's going to make it a hell of a lot worse," citing Trump's proposed 10% tariffs on all imports and replacement of the income tax with and all tariff-based system that Biden claimed would disproportionately raise taxes on lower income Americans. The president closed on the military, claiming that Virginia is a "proud" military state, before turning his focus to the recent commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Biden geared up to, again, hit Trump for past comments about the military and became visibly emotional when recounting his late son, Beau's, own service. The president stated that American soldiers did their part on D-Day before claiming that "now we've got to do ours." Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" played the president offstage. In total, Biden spoke for just under 13 minutes. Full quotes to follow. Make sure to check against the official transcript when available. Pool is holding at a neighbor's house while the Bidens remain at the fundraiser. TKTKTK |
| June 18, 2024 20:08 |
In-town pool report #22 — another photoline Passing along: Participating in a photoline with the President, the First Lady, President Clinton, and Secretary Clinton: Speaker Don Scott, Virginia House of Delegates (VA-80) Mayor Levar Stoney, Richmond, Virginia |
| June 18, 2024 20:50 |
In-town pool report #23 — full(ish) POTUS quotes Reminder to check against the transcript when available BIDEN: Right. So, first of all, I want to thank Terry's neighbors. Where are his neighbors? ... [inaudible] I apologize. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Terry, thanks for hosting us and thanks for your friendship. I remember being here back in 2020. A lot of people believed that we couldn't win. But Terry and his family believed we could then and now. Most of all, thanks to President and Secretary Clinton, who we all know as Bill and Hillary. They're dear friends, great Americans, and I'm grateful — I'm truly grateful for their support. You know, Bill holds the record for the most jobs created. And I'm hoping in another four years I can get close. Hillary, you're not only a great Senator and Secretary of State, you're a hell of a producer. Did you see that? Hillary you got a Tony Award [inaudible[. Folks, back in 2016 Hillary including how the Supreme Court was at stake [inaudible], and she was right. Over the weekend in Los Angeles, Barack and I made the point, the next president could have possibly two or more Supreme Court justices in the next four years. That would mean if Trump wins, there will be five or more [inaudible] Supreme Court Justices that can determine the future in decades to come. We can't let that happen. I said in 2020, we were fighting for the soul of America, and here we are in 2024. What we're fighting for is clear. It's freedom, in the literal sense. Freedom, democracy in America. Because all of you in this room, all of you in this camp, our supporters around the country, look at how far we've come. You came through a pandemic, as was mentioned. We have the strongest economy in the world right now. 15 million new jobs, a record in three and a half years. Historic unemployment. Historic Black and Hispanic unemployment. [Inaudible] We started economic growth where wages continue to rise. The most significant investment in climate ever, ever in history in the history of the world. A record of rebuilding America's roads, bridges, high speed rail, ports, airports, clean water, affordable high speed internet, the list goes on. Remember, Trump had it — every year he had — every month, you know, a month was devoted to this issue. Well, we got 10 years worth and we just started. Folks, a second term is going to mean much more than good paying jobs. We can make housing more affordable, lower inflation, which is down significantly by taking on corporate greed. We can fundamentally clear and change the economy and grow from the middle out. That was what we talked about. I remember talking about it way back when I was in the Senate. The trickle down economic system didn't work a whole lot. My dad used to say not a whole lot trickled down to his kitchen table. I'm serious. My dad was a well read man with a heart of gold and we used to talk about — what we decided to do was build from the bottom up and the middle out. That way the wealthy still do very well and the poor have a chance and the middle class continues to grow. [Inaudible] All I'm gonna say is Trump has made it clear, if he wins, he's going to undo everything we've done, Folks, for the first time in American history, a former president is a convicted felon and is now seeking the office of the presidency. But as disturbing as that is, what's more damaging is the all out assault. Donald Trump is making on our system of justice, Literally, all out of assault, and he's being supported by the Republican Party. Not because he was convicted but because of the way he's tried to undermine the system. Folks, it's clear every day. The threat Trump poses will be greater in a second term than it was in his first term. You know, he snapped when we lost. I mean this sincerely. He can't accept he lost. It's literally driving him crazy. That's why when January 6 happened — and now he's running again. He's not only obsessed with losing in 2020 he's currently a little bit unhinged right now. I'm being serious. Just listen to him. He says he wants to — he wants to quote be a dictator on day one. He says he wants to, and these are his words, terminate the Constitution. He calls convicted insurrectionists who are in prison patriots. He says if he were elected he would pardon every one of them. Trump says if he loses again in November, these are his words, there will be a bloodbath. His phrase. There will be a bloodbath. Throughout his campaign, Trump has made it clear he's running to exact revenge. And now after his criminal conviction, he's clear he's worried about preserving his freedom. [inaudible]. Trump brags about he's the reason Roe v. Wade was overturned. Well guess what: Kamala and I are gonna be the reason why Roe v Wade is restored. More children are killed by guns. More children are killed by guns than any other cause, but Trump's got no problem taking away the freedom of children who just want to go to school. [Inaudible] He told the NRA, he was proud, in his words, he did quote nothing on guns when I was president. [Inaudible]. We finally beat Big Pharma, giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, just like the VA does. Guess what? Now seniors with diabetes are paying $35 a month instead of $400 a month for insulin. Starting next year, we're going to cap seniors no matter how many prescription drugs and including whether the cost of those cancer drugs —which can be 12,14, 15,000 bucks a year, their cap is $2,000. That's all they'll have to pay Folks, [inaudible] this saves the American taxpayer $160 billion Trump wants to undo that law and give power back to big Pharma [Inaudible]. In my second term we're going to make it available to all Americans. [Inaudible] And of course, he still wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act that provides millions of Americans with pre existing conditions who have no other alternative to get health care — the ability to get it. Trump wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act but I'm not only going to protect it, I'm expanding it. [Inaudible] He's desperate. He's out selling Bibles and gold sneakers. What's more troubling, he's selling out his presidency to the highest bidder down at Mar-a-Lago. [Inaudible]. He increased the national debt by $8 trillion. [Inaudible] He's the only president other than Herbert Hoover who lost more jobs by the time he left office than when he entered. [Inaudible] If you're worried about inflation, Trump's gonna make it a hell of a lot worse. He would. Everything that Trump is proposing, from new taxes — for the super wealthy, the two biggest tax cuts US corporations have ever seen. [Inaudible]A huge new consumer tax along with giant, 10% tariffs on every product. That's what he says he wants to do. [Inaudible] It was reported that he said behind closed doors, according to the press, he wants the income tax system eliminated and make it all tariffs. The study came out today that shows his plan when increase taxes on the average middle class family by $8,300 a year. Folks, I have a different plan. [Inaudible] Let me close with this. Virginia is a proud military state. Earlier this month I was in Normandy, France visiting the site of the D-Day invasion. One of the most important moments in history and the defense of freedom and democracy. I also visited an American cemetery and Trump refused to visit when he was there. He thought that veterans are suckers and losers. My God. I got to tell you I'm glad I wasn't there. My son died, and the idea of this sucker calling (lengthy pause). Look, those soldiers died for us [inaudible]. I want to say this as clearly as I can. Democracy is on the ballot this year. The future of democracy in this nation is at stake. These brave soldiers who gave their lives on the beaches of Normandy and other places in defense of the nation did their part. Now we've got to do ours. I've never been more optimistic about our future. [Inaudible]. We just have to remember who the hell we are. We're the United States of America. There's nothing beyond our capacity. Nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together. God bless you all. |
| June 18, 2024 21:15 |
In-town pool report #23a — "snapped" typo Correcting a critical typo from POTUS' remarks about Trump snapping… corrected in bold below You know, he snapped when HE lost. I mean this sincerely. He can't accept he lost. It's literally driving him crazy. That's why when January 6 happened — and now he's running again. He's not only obsessed with losing in 2020 he's currently a little bit unhinged right now. I'm being serious. Just listen to him. |
| June 18, 2024 21:29 |
In-town pool report #24 — rolling Pool did not see POTUS exit the fundraiser but motorcade is rolling back to DC as of 9:29pm. Pool did spot the Clintons exiting roughly 10 minutes before motorcade departed. Tktk |
| June 18, 2024 22:00 |
In-town pool report #25 — arrival, Ft. McNair Motorcade arrived at the Ft. McNair LZ at 10:00pm. Again, onlookers and stopped motorists observed POTUS drive through Navy Yard but no visible signs of protesters/supporters. Pool is moving into position for departure Tktktk |
| June 18, 2024 22:09 |
In-town pool report #26 — wheels up and travelers POTUS and FLOTUS exited their SUV at 10:03pm and sauntered up the stairs of Marine One at 10:04pm. POTUS poked his head into the cockpit and saluted the pilot before taking his seat. Wheels up as of 10:09 pm. Handing off to out-of-town pool. Have a great night, y'all Passing along from WH: Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to Gordon's Pond Landing Zone: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President |
Pool Reports below by Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner
| Sent: | Reports: |
| June 18, 2024 23:12 |
Out-of-town pool report #1 - M1 touch down M1 touched down at Gordon Pond Landing Zone at 11:03 p.m. POTUS stepped off the aircraft at 11:04 p.m and walked down the stairs before turning around and helping FLOTUS. The motorcade started rolling at 11:10 p.m. |
| June 18, 2024 23:25 |
Out-of-town pool report #2 - Lid A lid was called at 11:24 p.m. |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of June 18, 2024 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/373140