Pool Reports of March 27, 2025

In town report #1: Leavitt gaggle

Good morning and happy Opening Day from the White House. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt gaggled with reporters for about three minutes after a Fox News hit.

She said the White House has not yet received a request from Congress about the Signal chat, and would only say "stay tuned" when asked to preview the executive orders the president is scheduled to sign later.

Full quotes below:

On MS13 arrest: "This is a big win for the American public, and the president is very proud of Attorney General Bondi and the FBI Director Kash Patel, and they worked alongside Governor Youngkin in Virginia. So, we applaud the effort of state and local law enforcement. This was a very violent individual who was picked up in a home with five children present. So, our communities are safer this morning, and it's a good day for our country."

Update on internal investigation into Signal chat?
"Not this morning, but we've been incredibly transparent about this entire situation, and we will continue to be."

On auto tariffs and when lumber/pharmaceutical tariffs might be expected:
"Well, I won't get ahead of the president on any additional tariffs. As you know, on April 2, there will be the reciprocal tariff announcement, which is going to focus on countries particularly that have been ripping off the United States. The president said yesterday he thinks that some of these numbers would be more conservative than many people are expecting, but we're going to make sure that American workers are put first, and we're ending the unfair trade practices that have been hollowing out our middle class for decades."

"And I would just like to emphasize these auto tariffs yesterday are a big deal for auto workers in the industry. And you saw the United Auto Workers Union, Shawn Fain, who wasn't the greatest fan of the president on the campaign trail, came out this morning and applauded the president for this move, saying it's a great thing for auto workers who have been sold out by unfair trade practices."

On whether the White House will change its message or hold anyone accountable on the Signal matter:
"Well, we have never denied that this was a mistake, and the national security aviser took responsibility for that. And we have said we are making changes. We are looking into the matter to ensure it can never happen again. But of course, the president has put together a team — look at the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who was voted in by the United States Senate, putting our war fighters first, making the world a safer place for the American people and for all people. And we're going to stay focused on that. and I think the arrest of an MS 13 gang leader this morning speaks volumes about the confidence of the president and his team."

In town report #2: Lunch lid

The White House has called a lunch lid until 1:40 p.m.

In town report #3: Dinner lid

The White House has called a dinner lid until 7 p.m.

The pool has received no further information on the president's executive order signing, which remained closed to the press.

In town report #4: Gathering for Iftar dinner

Pool is now gathering for the White House Iftar Dinner. Color and quotes to come.

In town report #5: Iftar dinner remarks

President Trump entered the State Dining Room at 8:15 p.m. for the White House Iftar Dinner. He spoke for 10 minutes before taking his seat for dinner. Otter link here, but some highlights below.

https://otter.ai/u/7xhtfdntlqB3D15W6CLeKQYfsdc

Your pooler counted eight tables in the room with eight chairs per table. DNI Tulsi Gabbard, Alina Habba, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Chris Landau and Morgan Ortagus were among the officials in the room.

Trump said representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Lebanon and other nations were also in attendance.

Trump touted his 2024 victory, highlighted the Abraham Accords and talked briefly about efforts to bring down the cost of energy and eggs.

"I also want to extend a very special thanks to the hundreds of thousands of Muslim Americans who supported us in record numbers in the 2024 presidential election. It was incredible. We started a little slow with you, but we came along," Trump said.

On Abraham Accords:

"We're keeping our promises to the Muslim community. My administration is engaged in relentless diplomacy to forge lasting peace in the Middle East, building on the historic Abraham Accords, which everybody said would be impossible."

"The Muslim community was there for us in November, and while I'm president, I will be there for you. I'm going to be there for you. And I think you know that."

Pool left the room at 8:26 p.m.

In town report #6: Lid

The White House called a lid at 8:43 p.m. Enjoy the rest of your evening!