Pool Reports of March 2, 2023

In-town pool report #1 -- brunch lid

Good morning, I'll be your print pool reporter for today.

A brunch lid has been called until noon.

You should hear more from me when we're gathering for the president's trip to the Capitol shortly after that.

Schedule for the day is below.

EST

9:30 AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Closed Press

10:30 AM In-Town Pool Call Time

12:40 PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route the Senate Democratic Caucus Lunch
South Grounds
In-Town Travel Pool (Gather 12:20 PM – Palm Room Doors)

1:00 PM THE PRESIDENT attends the Senate Democratic Caucus Lunch
United States Capitol Building, Washington, DC
Closed Press

2:10 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
South Grounds
In-Town Travel Pool

Briefing Schedule

2:30 PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre

Thank you!

In-town pool report #2 -- briefing guest

From the White House press office: NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby will join Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the press briefing today.

In-town pool report #3 -- gather

Pool has gathered for the president's trip to the Capitol for the Senate Democratic Caucus Lunch. We will motorcade to the event, which begins at 1:00 p.m. ET.

In-town pool report #4: Trip, arrival and hold

POTUS exited the Oval Office at 1:04 and entered the Beast at 1:05.

Motorcade began rolling at 1:06 and arrived at 1:12. Tourists cheered and waved along Pennsylvania Avenue, many filming with their phones.

Once inside, we rushed upstairs to see POTUS walking alongside Chuck Schumer.

"Is something going on today?" Biden said as he walked through. He did not respond to shouted questions.

We are now holding.

The event is closed press.

In-town pool report #5: Additional info

More information from the White House below:

The President is speaking with Senate Democrats about their historic investments in America.

Participating in a greet with the President at the United States Capitol:

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY)
Karen Gibson, Senate Sergeant at Arms

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the Senate Democratic Caucus Lunch:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Louisa Terrell, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President & Director of Political Strategy & Outreach
Reema Dodin, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs & Senate Liaison
Christopher Slevin, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs
Ashley Williams, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President & Trip Director
Andrew Bates, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary & Senior Communications Advisor for Strategic Response

In-town pool report #6: POTUS leaves

POTUS exited the Mansfield room along with Schumer at 2:18.

When asked about 2024, the president said he will announce a reelection bid "when I announce it."

Said he's already spoken to the relevant authorities in Ohio when asked if he's visiting the train derailment site .

He did not respond to a shouted question about the DC crime bill.

Check against transcript.

Pool is holding in vans.

In-town pool report #7 -- back to White House

The motorcade began rolling again to cheers from folks outside at 2:34.

We saw more bystanders, phones and waves along an overcast Pennsylvania Ave.

POTUS walked back into the Oval at 2:41.

Next up is the press briefing.

In-town pool report #8 -- 2 minute warning

... to press briefing at 3:04.

In-town pool report #9 -- briefing begins

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre – with NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby -- started the press briefing at 3:06 p.m.

In-town pool report #10 -- briefing ends

The press briefing ended at 4:15.

Kirby took questions from 3:07 to 3:33, Jean-Pierre from 3:33 until briefing's end.

In-town pool report #11 -- lid

A lid was called at 4:41 p.m.

Thank you!