Pool Reports of May 15, 2022

Travel pool report 1 - Motorcade rolling

Good morning from Wilmington. Pool joined the president's motorcade near his residence at 10:07am, headed to DANG.

Today's schedule is below. The president is headed back to Washington and will speak at the Capitol this afternoon.

EDT

8:30 AM Out-of-Town Pool Call Time

10:15 AM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart New Castle, Delaware en route Joint Base Andrews
Delaware Air National Guard Base
Out-of-Town Pool

10:50 AM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Joint Base Andrews
Joint Base Andrews
Out-of-Town Pool

12:00 PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY honor the law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2021 at the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service; THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks
West Front of the United States Capitol
Open to Pre-Credentialed Media; Out-of-Town Pool Accompanies

Travel pool report 2 - DANG

The president's motorcade arrived on the tarmac at 10:16am. He and Jill boarded Air Force One moments later, Jill waved to press. Biden stopped to say he could not hear shouted questions. "We're headed out now."

We are wheels up shortly to JBA.

Travel pool report 2A - more Q&A

Asked on his way up the stairs if he would head to Buffalo, he said he didn't know if he would make it there before Asia. He's trying to figure out the schedule.

Travel pool report 3 - JBA & staff on AF1

Air Force One was wheels up at 10:27am, touched down at JBA 27 mins later. We had a bit of wait before the Bidens deplaned at 11:16. They shook hands with their greeters.

Asked if he had spoken to the grieving families in Buffalo, POTUS said, "Not yet."

Per WH:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady on Air Force One to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Joshua Geltzer, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor
Stephen Goepfert, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

The motorcade departed JBA at 11:19, we are rolling to the Capitol.

Travel pool report 4 - Capitol West Front

The motorcade pulled in to the Capitol grounds at 11:38am. Pool did not see POTUS arrive. A small crowd had gathered on the outskirts of the grounds to watch the motorcade.

Pool is now in place. We spot Attorney General Merrick Garland on stage talking with others. Memorial service is set to begin as 12pm.

Per WH:

In attendance for the President's remarks at the Capitol for the 41st Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service:

Approximately 20,000 attendees; 5000 family members

Run of Show:
Advancement of the Colors by U.S. Capitol Police Host Agency
National Anthem, performed by Sergeant Sanford Swanson, West Lafayette
Police Department
Rick Snyder, Chaplain, National Fraternal Order of Police
Patrick Yoes, President, National Fraternal Order of Police
Glenda Lehmann, President, Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary
Musical tribute by Adam Doleac, Country Recording Artist
The President

WH says two minute warning is when the musical interlude ends.

Watch live: whitehouse.gov/live

Travel pool report 5 - POTUS walks out, begins to speak

The president and First Lady emerged at 11:59am, winding their way to the stage flanked by columns of law enforcement.

An advancement of the colors opened the service. Following the national anthem and an invocation by Rick Snyder, the chaplain of the national fraternal order of police., Patrick Yoes, the president of the National Fraternal Order of Police delivered introductory remarks.

Sound cut out at 12:16 in the middle of a performance by performing artist Adam Doleac. He paused. The sun came out in full force second later, prompting the crowd to begin fanning themselves with their programs. Sound was restored minutes later, music resumed.

Yoes introduced POTUS, who is speaking now.

Senate sergeant at arms Karen Gibson, Senator Patrick Leahy, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, the architect of the US Capitol Brett Blanton are also seated on the dais.

Travel pool report 6 - POTUS remarks

POTUS finished speaking at 12:46pm, after about 20 mins.

"Fund the police" line drew brief applause from the crowd.

Pool was escorted to the vans after POTUS finished but we were told he was going to lay a wreath on the memorial.

Motorcade is rolling to WH as of 12:53.

Travel pool report 7 - Lid

The president's motorcade pulled into the WH at 12:58pm, passing a graduation on the mall. The Bidens entered the residence minutes later.

And as of 1:03, we have a lid. Have a great afternoon!

Travel pool report 8 - Biden spoke w/Hochul

From a White House official:

President Biden spoke with New York Governor Kathy Hochul today to offer his condolences and support during this difficult time. President Biden also reached out to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.