Pool Reports of March 5, 2024

Supplemental pool report #1 — Bad weather call

The White House made a bad weather call on POTUS' return to the White House from Camp David.

Instead of flying on Marine One, the President will now be heading to DC on Air Force One via Hagerstown, Maryland.

The supplemental pool is now on it's waty to Camp David.

Supplemental pool report #2 — Camp David departure

Pool bus joined POTUS's motorcade at 11:30 AM AM on a secluded park road, near the entrance to the restricted area.

We are rolling to Hagerstown Regional Airport for a short flight on Air Force One to JBA.

The President will head from JBA to the White House by motorcade.

It is 48 degrees in Catoctin Moiuntain Park, overcast and foggy.

Supplemental pool report #2b - traveling with POTUS

From the White House:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Hagerstown Regional Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
Anita Dunn, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Richard Ruffner, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Olivia Dalton, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Press Secretary
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary

Supplemental pool report #3 — Hagerstown Airport

PTOTUS gaggled before boarding AF1. And answered several questions He said the Israelis are cooperating and it's now up to Hamas to agree to ceasefire. „We'll know in a couple days" - he added. POTUS said also he is not concerned about his poll numbers.

More to come.

The motorcade arrived at Hagerstown Regional Airport at 12:05 P.M., after a 35-minute uneventful ride.

President Biden, wearing dark boarded AF1 at 12:07. without talking to the poo.

Earlier, the motorcade passed through small towns and villages of northern Maryland. There were scarce bystanders who took pictures and filmed the motorcade, or watched from their cars, as police blocked some intersections. In Leitersburg we passed a gas station, with unleaded gas for $3.35 per gallon.

We are on a smaller plane. Wheels up for JBA shortly.

Supplemental pool report #4 - JBA arrival / Hagerstown gaggle

Before boarding AF1 in Hagerstown POTUS answered several questions:

Q: How close are we to the ceasefire?

POTUS: „it's in the hands of HAMAS right now. Israelis have been cooperating. There's been a rational offer. We will know in a couple of days what's gonna happen. We need a ceasefire".

He repeated this answer to another reporter.

Q: is the ceasefire possible by Ramadan?

POTUS: There's got to be a ceasefire . If we get to circumstance that it continues to Ramadan… it's gonna be very dangerous. So, we are trying very, very hard to get ceasefire.

(Your pooler couldn't hear the full answer).

Q: What's your message for democrats who are concerned about your poll numbers ?

POTUS: „The last five polls I'm winning. Five in a row, five".

The President also said that he's working very hard to get more aid into Gaza. „We must get more aid into Gaza" - he said.

Q: „How is your relationship with Netanyahu these days".

POTUS: „Like its always been". (Biden smiled).

Asked about his preparation for the SOTU, he said: „You'll hear me on Thursday".

Please check the official for precise quotes, as it was difficult to hear at times.

AF1 lifted from Hagerstown at 12:22P.M. and landed at JBA at 12:49 P.M.

Supplemental pool report #5 - rolling to the WH

POTUS deplaned at 12:58 PM. He walked down the stairs and chatted with a greeter, before entering SUV. While on the stairs he stopped for moment and saluted. The President was wearing a dark coat.

We are now rolling to the White House at 1:03PM.

Supplemental pool report #6— White House arrival

POTUS's motorcade arrived at the Wite House at 1:23 P.M. after an uneventful, twenty-minute uneventful ride.

Your pooler saw POTUS walking to the Oval Office at 1:24 PM.

The White House shared the greeter's name at JBA: Col Paul Pawluk

That's all from me. Handing over to the in-town pool

WH pool report 1 -- President flying back from JBA, 1305 gather time

Good afternoon,

The president will be flying Marine 1 back to the White House from Joint Base Andrews thanks to a good weather call.

Those interested in covering his arrival (an open press event) should gather at the Palm Room doors at 1305.

WH pool report 2 -- about that last pool report: never mind

The White Press office advises pool that that the previous advisory regarding a 1305 gather time for a Marine 1 arrival was a mistake.

The president will be returning via motorcade from Joint Base Andrews, and it will be covered by the supplemental pool, as originally planned.

WH pool report 3 -- Adm. Kirby at briefing

The WH press office announced that NSC communications adviser John Kirby will be joining press sec Karine Jean-Pierre for the daily briefing.

WH pool report 4 — 2 min warning

The press office gave a two minute warning for the briefing at 1349.

WH pool report 5A -- briefing begins

Press Sec. Karine Jean-Pierre entered the briefing room and took the podium at 1351.

WH pool report 5B -- briefing done

Adm. Kirby took questions for about 25 minutes (Karine Jean-Pierre spent the first five minutes on the podium thanking three press wranglers who are moving to other roles).

The press secretary remained on the podium for another 21 minutes before wrapping up at 1442

WH pool report 6 - 2 min warning

The president is to begin remarks at his competition council in 2 min.

Pool is in the State Dining Room.

WH pool report 7 — Biden enters

The president entered the room accompanied by CFPB director Rohit Chopra at 1451

Chopra talked about reducing "junk fees" to save American consumers billions.

The room is set up with two long tables where members of the council are seated.

The president began speaking at 1453.

WH pool report 8 — remarks at top

The president spoke for a few minutes before taking a seat to listen to the discussion.

He said he wants to get corporations to stop cheating consumers by providing less product for the same price.

He said companies hope consumers don't notice.

"I'll tell you did notice: Cookie Monster."

"The American people are tired for being played for suckers."

Biden announced a new task force to go after companies that are abusing late fees for credit cards, lowering the monthly fee from $32 to $8."

"Fair competition is the key to my economic vision."

President Biden took a seat by the end of one the tables and is asking questions to the presenters, starting with Ag Sec Tom Vilsack.

MORE TO COME

Per WH press office:

In attendance for the President's remarks at a meeting of his Competition Council:

Attendees
Lael Brainard, National Economic Advisor & Chair of the White House Competition Council
Secretary Lloyd Austin, Department of Defense
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Secretary Xavier Becerra, Department of Health and Human Services
Ambassador Katherine Tai, The Office of the United States Trade Representative
Chair Jared Bernstein, Council of Economic Advisers
Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, Department of Transportation
Director Rohit Chopra, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, Department of Justice
Administrator Richard Revesz, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget
Chair Lina Khan, Federal Trade Commission
Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, Federal Communications Commission
Chair Gary Gensler, Securities and Exchange Commission
Chair Daniel Maffei, Federal Maritime Commission
Chair Rostin Behnam, Commodity Future and Trading Commission
Assistant Secretary for Policy Raj Nayak, Department of Labor
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, Antitrust Division, Department of Justice
Chair Martin Oberman, Surface Transportation Board
Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Eric van Nostrand, Department of Treasury
Director Nellie Abernathy, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, Department of Commerce

Speaking Program
Director Rohit Chopra, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The President

WH pool report 9 — pool led out

The pool was led out at 1506.

There were some shouted questions but the president did not respond.

The event was carried on the WH web site, and the video should be available there.

WH pool report 10 -- lid

At 1719, the WH press office announced a travel/photo lid for the night.

Have a good evening.