Pool Reports of March 24, 2025

In-town Pool #1 - Habba gaggle

I’m your pooler for today. We just got word that Alina Habba, counsel to the president, will gaggle in a few minutes at the sticks outside West Wing.

In-town Pool #2 - Habba gaggle ends

Habba gaggles for less than one minute. She discussed her recent appointment as interim U.S. Attorney in New Jersey.

Habba confirmed she will be leaving WH soon. She called the new role a "great honor" and called out
NJ Gov. Murphy and Senator Booker for failing to address crimes in the state.

She refused to declined to answer a question from CBS' Ed O'Keefe whether this interim role is a setup for higher office in the state.

Sending Otter shortly.

In-town Pool #3 - Habba audio

Here's the Otter link for anyone who wants it:

https://otter.ai/u/Ra8s13Fje81yt7QMsFwOc3_E4Ks?utm_source=copy_url

In-town Pool #4 - Press gathering

Pool is gathering at press briefing room doors. Likely moving to cabinet meeting.

In-town Pool #5 -

Pool entered Cabinet room at 12:13pm. Spotted Secretaries McMahon, Kennedy, Rubio (seated beside POTUS), AG Bondi (to Trump’s left), Rollins; Duffy, Noem and others.

Musk is wearing red MAGA hat at the end of table to Trump’s right.

In-town Pool #6 - Cabinet ongoing

Trump talked for about 3-4 minutes about tariffs, deals with U.S. automakers, contracts with

Opened floor Interior Secretary Burgum to talk at 12:17. He discussed contracts—that Musk and DOGE has identified as "fraud," in the words of POTUS.

Rollins mentioned canceling contacts related to educated LGBTQ farmers ("I'm not even sure what that means") and studying menstrual in "men." Your pooler heard Howard Lutnick say, "What?"

Musk said SBA was handing out loans to children…

SBA administrator Loeffler said they are continuing to crack down and make sure people are being held accountable.

Trump called out Stacey Abrams and claimed she was getting "$2 billion" ….

In-town Pool #7 - Cabinet continued

EPA Administrator Zeldin called partnership with DOGE has been "incredible" and vowed to get down to every dollar being spent by federal government.

POTUS said it's not "popular" to make cuts but said the American people understand that the administration is trying to make the country better.

"I have no idea how it plays out in the public…but it has to be done."

He said there are no other words but "Make America great again…the country was riddled with fat."

"We've been ripped off by every country in the world."

Trump said the U.S. needs more steel, pharmaceuticals, etc., and would be announcing more…says it will bring in billions and protect jobs.

Energy Secretary Wright said Biden Administration reduce energy production but increased its expenditure. He slammed wind and solar projects and that the Trump administration is treating American dollars like it's "our dollars."

In-town Pool #8

McMahon addressed cuts to DOE and stressed need to scale in educating in AI and tech. She said generations will be "lost" if not.

Trump mentioned SBA taking over student loans and HHS addressing health aspects of children, to which Kennedy said HHS expenditures went up during Biden Administration but health care went down. Said DOGE is helping the agency make America be healthier again.

Noem said she was at the border in Arizona, California, etc., said deportations are down 50%. She said she is heading to El Salvador to meet with the president and to visit the prison where recent deportees from U.S. are being held. Norm thanked Defense and Navy for working with homeland to secure the county. She also said the agency would eliminate FEMA.

Trump said there were "no people" at a border migrant facility as a result of the administration's actions. Trump called deportees "bad people" and dangerous.

AG Bondi vowed to prosecute those committing fraud. She said "the death penalty is back" in America. Trump: "I couldn't have said it better."

In-town Pool #9 - Q&A halted by more remarks

Q&A began at 12:27.

What states can do to implement DOE order…

TRUMP: won't be long before states are running the DOE, and teachers will be taken care of. "Teachers are important to this country."

Trump then moved away from taking questions and returned to remarks with cabinet members.

POTUS then asked Rubio to update on Ukraine-Russia war

RUBIO said America should be "proud" that America has a president "promoting peace." He said the war has to end through peaceful negotiations. He said negotiation teams in Saudi Arabia. He said Trumpnis the only leader in the world who can end the war.

TRUMP: There were no problems in the Middle East when he left office in 2021, and now says there are many challenges.

VANCE echoed Trump's praise the Abraham Accords. The VP said the U.S. is building on the accords and adding other countries to it.

POTUS said he hopes Fed will lower interest rates to bring down costs.

ROLLINS said eggs increased over 200 percent under Biden but no one talked about it. Said trade deficit increased by billions and saw $49B less under Biden. She said Agriculture has implemented "five prongs" to bring down costs—said they are down 53 percent. She said groceries are also generally coming down.

SCOTT said Treasury is re-privatizing the economy and will "re-leverage" the banking system. He said this will help lower interest rates, which will be great for credit card loans and mortgages.

In-town Pool #10

Sending Otter soon!

Trump said tariff programs will be "unbelievable" for the country and that other countries are being treated "very fairly."

POTUS said he was working with Transportation Secretary Duffy to improve air traffic control system. DUFFY said progress has not been made over decades, and said new technology will be implemented.

"Why hasn't it been done?…in government it takes way too long." He said maybe they could match timeline to build Trump Tower — about three years.

Duffy acknowledged "bumps in the road" with DOGE's work and that everybody appreciates the insights and new systems. "Things are rolling" he said. DUFFY said the reporting from media can be off, and said he and Musk had a "great call" after their last meeting.

TRUMP said for 8 weeks on the job, he thinks the country has been doing a great job.

Q: Have you gotten referrals to prosecute waste and fraud cases
Bondi: They have received a number of referrals.

Q: End goal of Greenland actions
TRUMP: Said visits from US officials are not a provocation…he said "it's purely friendship" and that many Greenland officials have asked US to visit.

Q: agree with stagflation projections?
TRUMP: We just got here…takes time to develop…based on numbers he was concerned but there will be numbers "never seen before."

Q: Zelenskyy saying US is being influenced by Russia
TRUMP: Russia wants to see a settlement…said Europe was making loans to Ukraine but U.S. was not…

Q: Russia returning Ukraine children..
TRUMP: talking about liens of demarcation, who will own power plant..

Trump called Musk a patriot and who has "become a friend of mine."

"He's never asked me for a thing..he could have…"

Said ending electric mandate could have affected Musk but that he never said anything about the action. He stressed the need to support Musk (who your pooler believe made a reference to Tesla cars being "blown up")

Trump said those destroying Tesla cars are facing consequences.

Musk thanked DOGE teams who are getting "death threats"

There was also applause for Musk and the work of DOGE.

Bloomberg's Akayla Gardner attempted to ask Musk about how many job cuts to expect. Pool was quickly pushed out.

In-Town Pool #11 - Otter for Cabinet

Otter: https://otter.ai/u/KSAJcZlVe2eiIh9zrvRXqg1nouA?utm_source=copy_url

In-Town Pool - #11b - Pool note confusion

Apologies, it looks like Pool Note #10 was never sent via mobile, so please ignore #10 and #11 being sent out out of order. You should see Otter link in #11 and some notes from end of Cabinet gaggle in #10...

In-town Pool #12 - Pool gathering for Landry meeting

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

In-town Pool #13 - Remarks w/ Louisiana governor

Pool entered Roosevelt Room at 1:53pm. We’re still awaiting POTUS’ entrance. Remarks with Louisiana Gov. Landry is being streamed so your pooler will only send notes if there is Q&A.

Link to live link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/qqgmQUbuGrg?si=JNUx2oJnOe1vwkP0

Apologies in advance for any delayed pool notes, as the service is Roosevelt Room is notoriously bad.

In-town Pool #14 - 2 min warning

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Gov Landry and about 12 others entered the Roosevelt at 2:15 p.m. and stood by lectern. Minutes in, the group began having side conversation as everyone waited for POTUS’ arrival.

We just got a 2 min warning. Again, this is being streamed on the White House’s YT page.

In-town Pool #15 - Q&A

POTUS entered Roosevelt at 2:27 pm. He greeted attendees standing by lectern.

As a general summary, Hyundai announced major investments, a steel plant in Louisiana and another new plant in Georgia.

Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Scalise
expressed excitement about the investments for their state of Louisiana and the country. "Just getting started."

Q: Are tariffs truly reciprocal?
A: It is. Might be "nicer" to some. Will announce additional tariffs. Said EU lowered tariffs but it's up to others.

Q: Atlantic report about aides sending defense actins
A: Don't know anything about it. Slammed Atlantic.

Q: Why investments are important
A: Other companies are coming to the U.S. or increasing investments automakers being a "big one." "All we care about jobs.."

Q to Landry: How did you convince Hyundai to invest in the states
A: That Trump was retuning to office and his leadership.

Q: Tariffs 25 percent extra related to Venezuela
A: Affirmed additional tariffs

Q: Corporate clients find new lawyers?
A: "Law firms have to behave themselves." Firms relaxed they went wrong. Elections are "dishonest" …"we should go to paper ballot…proof of citizenship."

Questions ongoing…

In-town Pool #16 - remarks conclude

At 2:50, Trump concluded Q&A …. Trump didn’t answer shouted question if he’s concerned about national security advisor potentially violating Espionage Act.

Pool was ushered out as Trump and attendees exited Roosevelt.

In-town Pool #17 - Pool enters East Room

Pool entered East Room for Greek Independence event at approximately 3:20 pm. Hundreds are standing at the center of the room.

Unsure if POTUS remarks will be streamed so will send notes unless I find out otherwise.

In-town Pool #18 - POTUS enters

POTUS entered East Room at 3:38pm for Greek Independence event to roaring applause.

C-SPAN is running live:
https://www.c-span.org/event/white-house-event/president-trump-marks-greek-independence-day/431903

In-town Pool #19 - Greek event concludes

President Trump's remarks concluded at at 3:56 p.m. after 18 minutes of remarks from him and others. He then signed a proclamation declaring March 25 (tomorrow) Greek Independence Day.

There was some commotion in the crowd as POTUS began throwing pens that he used to sign the proclamation into the crowd. He appeared to leave the East Room at about 3:57 pm.

Some more light color…

Someone yelled "Amen" when Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Elpidophoros said President Trump will make America "invincible."

There was a lot of enthusiasm from the crowd throughout—particularly when POTUS shouted shouted "Greeks for Trump."

There were a few shouts of "We love you, Kimberly!" when POTUS introduced Kimberly Guilfoyle, his nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Greece.

In-town Pool #20 - Travel lid

The pool received a travel lid (along with some festive music over the intercom) at 6: 11 p.m.

It's been a pleasure serving as your pooler today. Take care, everyone!