Pool Reports of June 2, 2022

In Town Pool Report #1 | Schedule & New Briefing Time

Good Morning,

I'm today's pooler on this balmy – and soon to be rainy – day in Washington. Below is today's schedule, copied again for everyone with one update: Press briefing is now at 2:30 p.m.

Send me a note if you have any questions!

10:15 AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the President's Daily Brief
Oval Office
Closed Press

11:15 AM THE PRESIDENT joins a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg National Security Advisory Jake Sullivan to discuss preparations for the NATO Summit in Madrid at the end of June and the strength of our transatlantic Alliance
Roosevelt Room
Closed Press

5:30 PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
South Lawn
Open Press and Pooled for TV

6:30 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Out-of-Town Pool

In Town Pool Report #2 | New Call Time

Now at 2:30 p.m. for the in-town pool, per the WH.

In Town Pool Report #3 | Stoltenberg Will Gaggle

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will gaggle with press at the Stakeout location soon. His meeting with President Biden is running long, per the WH, and there's no definite time. There will be a two-minute warning.

I'm waiting at the pooler desk and will cover.

In Town Pool Report #4 | Stoltenberg Gaggle

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg started the gaggle at 12:47 pm.

He began by commending the US for its leadership and saying Finland and Sweden's decisions to apply for NATO membership are "historic." Then he discussed the upcoming Madrid summit. He took questions on the endgame in Ukraine, Turkey's opposition to the recent NATO applications, the US' role in mediating that process, and other topics. Some quotes below, but check everything against the transcript linked at the bottom.

"Wars are by nature unpredictable and therefore we just have to be prepared for the long haul."

The war is one of "attrition" on Ukraine's part, he said, and that Russia is taking "high casualties."

On unblocking Turkey's opposition to the Sweden and Finland applications he said all three countries are in close contact and will convene in a meeting in coming days: "Turkey is an important ally"

On whether Ukraine can win or will need to concede territory: "It's for us to support them."

On NATO escorting ships seeking to carry grain from Ukraine: a global food crunch"Is caused by Russia's war" so the easiest way to end that is to "end the war."

On whether Pope Francis could help mediate an end to the war: "I won't speculate about that"

He finished speaking at 12:58 p.m. and walked to Pebble Beach. Link to Otter transcript copied below. (Again, I could barely see my phone in the light so please check)

https://otter.ai/u/OUC2dzITjzdmbXhItYgcVYMk6a4

In Town Pool Report #5 | Briefing Delay

Now at 2:45 p.m.

In Town Pool Report #6 | Briefing ends

Finished at 4:00 p.m. flat. Questions, following Dr. Jha's appearance, didn't get past the second row.

In Town Pool Report #7 | Dinner Lid

Called at 4:56 p.m. and will last until 7:15 p.m.

Waiting for a good/bad weather call for the POTUS' travel tonight, which should come in an hour per the WH.

In Town Pool Report #8 | Dinner Lid Shortened to 7:05 pm

[APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.]

In Town Pool Report #9 | Gathering

The pool is waiting at the Palm Room Doors.

In Town Pool Report #10 | Arrived

The pool arrived at Cross Hall at 7:15 p.m. and is now seated ahead of President Biden's address.

In Town Pool Report #11 | POTUS Begins

The president began speaking at 7:31 p.m.

Per the WH there are 56 candles burning in the background, representing the victims of gun violence in all states and territories.

Also a correction on my last note, which I forgot to fix upon arrival: We're in the East Room.

(There has been a good weather call, so we're moving to the South Lawn after this.)

In Town Pool Report #12 | POTUS Ends

The president finished speaking at 7:48 p.m.

Gripping the front of the podium in a navy suit and dark speckled tie, he asked that Congress resume the provisions under the former assault weapons ban, expand background checks, and pass red flag and safe storage laws. Without an assault weapons ban, he called for the minimum purchasing age to be raised to 21. He also called for a repeal to the "liability shield" around firearms manufacturers and requested increased mental health services.

After finishing, he exited quietly and didn't take shouted questions about how to keep guns out of the wrong hands.

In Town Pool Report #14 | New Departure Time

We're now gathering at 8:30 for an 8:40 p.m. departure via Marine 1.

In Town Pool Report #15 | Gathering

The pool has gathered at the Palm Room doors for the POTUS' departure.

(apologies, also, for skipping a number in the reports)

In Town Pool Report #16 | South Lawn

The pool is in position and Marine 1 is in place. Waiting for an 8:40 exit.

In Town Pool Report #17 | Departure

The president walked out carrying a newspaper and a mask at 8:36 p.m.

He didn't take questions but he waved to the pool. Saluting, he climbed aboard the helicopter. His travel party joined soon after.

M1 lifted off at 8:42 p.m.

From the WH:

"Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route Joint Base Andrews.

• Ron Klain, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff
• Stephen Goepfert, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President
• Marc Gustafson, Senior Director for the White House Situation Room"

That's all from me tonight, folks. Have a good one!

Supplemental pool #1 - POTUS departure

POTUS touched down on Marine One at JBA at 8.50pm.

After exiting Marine One he waved at pool but did not stop.

He boarded Air Force One at 8.55pm.

We are wheels up shortly for Delaware.

Supplemental Pool #2 - Arrival at Dover

Air Force One was wheels down at Dover at 9.28pm.

Supplemental Pool #3

POTUS exited AF1 at Dover at 9.38pm.

He did not speak to pool before getting in convoy.

Also seen getting off AF1 - Ron Klain.

Handing over to Travel Pool.

Out Of Town Pool Report #1

Air Force One touched down at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware at 9:27 PM.

President Biden exited at 9:37 PM and entered the motorcade. Travel pool watched from a distance.

At 9:40 PM the motorcade is rolling.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President on Air Force One:

Ron Klain, Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff
Marc Gustafson, Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Stephen Goepfert, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President
Jordan Montoya, Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady

Out of Town Pool Report #2 - Rehoboth arrival

The motorcade arrived at the president's residence in Rehoboth Beach at 10:31 PM.

Pool bus peeled off from the motorcade a few blocks away and did not see him arrive at the house.

At 10:31 PM the White House called a travel/photo lid.