Pool Reports of May 3, 2023

In town pool report #1 — breakfast lid

The White House called a breakfast lid until 12:45 pm.

In town pool report #2 -- briefing delayed

The White House says today's briefing will now begin at 1:15 pm

In town pool report #3 -- briefing delayed again

From the White House: The press briefing will begin in 10 minutes.

In town pool report #4 -- two minutes to briefing

Two minutes to the press briefing

In town pool report #5 -- briefing ends

The briefing ended at 2:31 pm

In town pool report #6 -- lunch/dinner lid

Hi there. The White House just called a lunch/dinner lid until 6 p.m.

Per the daily guidance, the president and first lady are hosting a dinner for combatant commanders at 6:30 p.m.

In town pool report #7 -- pool gathering

Pool is now gathering for the combatant commander dinner

In town pool report #8 — dinner and lid

No news

POTUS entered Cross Hall at 7 pm.

He spoke at a lectern. In front of him were a row of round tables packed with dinner guests. Each table was covered in an ivory and gold table cloth, as well as fresh flowers.

POTUS thanked the guests. It was very difficult to hear POTUS because the speakers were muffled.

POTUS pointed to what he called the military's "chain of honor"

"Over the years that chain has grown stronger thanks to generations of military leaders."

"When you think about it, there's never been a question in any of our minds that we have the finest military in the history of the world."

"I will always have your back."

He said the US has a responsibility to care for members of the military when they return from service.

He said Ukraine's people and military has been courageous and "incredibly brave."

He thanked the military for its work helping Americans in Sudan.

POTUS mentioned Gen. Milley, who is retiring, and said he was thankful for his service.

"Each and every day you put us in the strongest strategic position around the world," he told the commanders.

He noted that some of the commanders couldn't be at the dinner because they were working. "They're at their posts."

"Together we face new challenges and complex threats, and you've remained unflinching in your pride, your purpose and your passion."

He also thanked the commanders' spouses and families. "You also serve and you also sacrifice."

The president raised a glass for a toast

The pool was pulled out at 7:09 pm., and a lid was called at 7:10 pm

Earlier, while we were waiting to enter the event, the pool spotted Jake Sullivan, who promptly rerouted when he saw us.

From the White House:

In attendance for a dinner hosted by the President and the First Lady for senior leaders from the Department of Defense, including Service Secretaries, Service Chiefs, and Combatant Commanders:

Secretary Lloyd Austin, Department of Defense
Mrs. Charlene Austin, Spouse of Secretary Lloyd Austin
Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff and Executive Secretary
Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense
Dr. Tom Hicks, Spouse of Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks
Cara Abercrombie, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Defense Policy and Arms Control
Christine Wormouth, Secretary of the Army
Mr. Drew Kuepper, Spouse of the Secretary of the Army Christine Wormouth
Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy
Mrs. Betty Del Toro, Spouse of the Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro
Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force
Mrs. Beth Kendall, Spouse of the Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall
General Mark Milley, USA, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Mrs. Hollyanne Milley, Spouse of General Mark Milley
Admiral Christopher Grady, USN, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Mrs. Christine Grady, Spouse of Admiral Christine Grady
General David Berger, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps
Mrs. Donna Berger, Spouse of General David Berger
General James McConville, USA, Chief of Staff of the Army
Mrs. Maria McConville, Spouse of General James McConville
Admiral Michael Gilday, USN, Chief of Naval Operations
Mrs. Linda Gilday, Spouse of Admiral Michael Gilday
General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., USAF, Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Mrs. Sharene Brown, Spouse of General Sharene Brown
General Chance Saltzman, USSF, Chief of Space Operations
Mrs. Jennifer Saltzman, Spouse of General Chance Saltzman
General Daniel Hokanson, USA, Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Mrs. Kelly Hokanson, Spouse of General Daniel Hokanson
Admiral Linda Fagan, USCG, Commandant of the Coast Guard
General Paul Nakasone, USA, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command
Mrs. Susan Nakasone, Spouse General Paul Nakasone
General Glen VanHerck, USAF, Commander, U.S. Northern Command
Mrs. Marilyn VanHerck, Spouse of General Glen VanHerck
General James Dickinson, USA, Commander, U.S. Space Command
Mrs. Angie Dickinson, Spouse of General James Dickinson
Admiral John Aquilino, USN, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
Mrs. Laura Aquilino, Spouse of Admiral John Aquilino
General Jaqueline Van Ovost, USAF, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command
Mr. Alan Frosch, Spouse of General Jaqueline Van Ovost
General Laura Richardson, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern Command
Lieutenant General (retired) Jim Richardson, USA, Spouse of General Laura Richardson
General M. Erik Kurilla, USA, Commander, U.S. Central Command
General Bryan Fenton, USA, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command
Mrs. Dawn Fenton, Spouse of General Bryan Fenton
Admiral Anthony Cotton, USN, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
Mrs. Marsha Cotton, Spouse of Admiral Anthony Cotton
General Paul LaCamera, USA, Commander, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea, Republic of Korea
Mrs. Theresa LaCamera, Spouse of General Paul LaCamera