Pool Reports of May 3, 2024

In-Town Pool Report #1 — Lunch Lid!

The White House has declared a lunch lid until 1320, with the exception of a 1300 pre-set in the East Room for this afternoon's Medal of Freedom event.

In-Town Pool Report #2 — briefing delay!

Briefing now 1345 pm, per White House.

In-Town Pool Report #3 — Two Minute Warning

Two minutes to Friday's press briefing

In-Town Pool Report #4 — Briefing Start

KJP entered the briefing room at 1352 with Mark Hammill.

In-Town Pool Report #5 — briefing ends

The press briefing has concluded. Pool did not note the exact time but the briefing was approximately an hour long.

In-town pool report #6 — East Room

Pool was summoned to the Palm Room and has been escorted to the East Room for the Medal of Freedom ceremony. We are currently awaiting POTUS and recipients. 

It has been suggested that it is possible that POTUS is still taking photos with recipients.

In-Town Pool Report #7 — ceremony begins

VPOTUS entered the room at 1713. Medal recipients are entering the East Room at starting at 1713:30 in alphabetical order. 

The proceedings are being live-streamed on the White House YouTube channel.

In-Town Pool Report #9 — correction/background

Please note, the last pool report (POTUS enters) should be labeled #8. 

From the White House:

In attendance for the Medal of Freedom Ceremony:

The Vice President
Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman, Department of Housing and Urban Development
19 Medal of Freedom recipients and their guests, Members of Congress, and members of the administration

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established in 1963 by President Kennedy, is the nation's highest civilian award. It is awarded to individuals who have made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The President has selected the following nineteen recipients to receive the award this year:

Michael R. Bloomberg

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and three-term mayor. He revolutionized the financial information industry and transformed New York City's education, environment, public health, and the arts.

Gregory J. Boyle

Father Greg Boyle is a Jesuit Catholic priest who is the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program. He has helped thousands of Angelenos turn their lives around.

James E. Clyburn

Representative Jim Clyburn is the former Assistant Democratic Leader and Majority Whip in the United States House of Representatives. Through three decades in the House, Representative Clyburn has transformed the lives of millions of Americans and created a freer country.

Elizabeth Dole

Senator Elizabeth Dole has served her country as a trailblazing United States Senator, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor, and President of the American Red Cross. She leads by example through her Foundation's support for military caregivers and their families.

Phil Donahue

Phil Donahue is a journalist and television pioneer who pioneered the daytime issue-oriented television talk show. Donahue was the first daytime talk show to feature audience participation and one of the most influential televisions programs of its time.

Medgar Wiley Evers (posthumous)

Medgar Evers (d. 1963) fought for his country in World War II and returned home to lead the fight against segregation in Mississippi. After he was murdered at his home at age 37, his wife Myrlie continued the fight to seek justice and equality in his name.

Al Gore

Al Gore is a former Vice President, United States Senator, and member of the House of Representatives. After winning the popular vote, he accepted the outcome of a disputed presidential election for the sake of our unity. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for his bold action on climate change.

Clarence B. Jones

Clarence B. Jones is a renowned civil rights activist and lawyer who helped draft Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech. Jones was instrumental in preserving Dr. King's legacy and remains an outspoken force against hate.

John Forbes Kerry

Secretary John Kerry is a former Secretary of State, United States Senator, and the first Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. His bravery in combat during the Vietnam War earned him the Silver Star and Bronze Star, and history will remember his public service career that has spanned seven decades.

Frank R. Lautenberg (posthumous)

Senator Frank Lautenberg (d. 2013) was a five-term United States Senator and New Jersey's longest-serving Senator. He is remembered for his critical work on environmental protection and consumer safety across a number of fields.

Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky

Katie Ledecky is the most decorated female swimmer in history. An athletic prodigy, she has won seven Olympic gold medals and twenty-one world championship gold medals so far. She will continue to compete for the Nation who watches her in awe.

Opal Lee

Opal Lee is an educator and activist known for her efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. More than 150 years after that day in Texas, she joined President Biden to officially make Juneteenth a national holiday in 2021.

Ellen Ochoa

Ellen Ochoa is the first Hispanic woman in space and the second female Director of NASA's renowned Johnson Space Center. Dr. Ochoa has flown in space four times, logged nearly 1,000 hours in orbit, and continues to inspire young generations of scientists.

Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi served as the 52nd Speaker of the House and has represented San Francisco in Congress for more than 36 years. A staunch defender of democracy, she has shaped legislative agendas and Democratic priorities for decades.

Jane Rigby

Jane Rigby, an astronomer who grew up in Delaware, is the chief scientist of the world's most powerful telescope. A prolific researcher, Dr. Rigby embodies the American spirit of adventure and wonder.

Teresa Romero

Teresa Romero is the president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina to become president of a national union in the United States. She has secured key victories to improve the lives of the workers who feed and fuel our Nation.

Judy Shepard

Judy Shepard is the co-founder of the Matthew Shephard Foundation, an organization created in honor of her son who was murdered in one of the nation's most notorious anti-gay hate crimes. Her work has driven tremendous progress in our fight to give hate no safe harbor.

James Francis Thorpe (posthumous)

Jim Thorpe (d. 1953) was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. The country's original multi-sport superstar, he went on to play professional football, baseball, and basketball while breaking down barriers on and off the field.

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh is an actress known for her groundbreaking work in a number of blockbusters over four decades. Recently, she became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Yeoh continues to shatter stereotypes and enrich American culture.

In-Town Pool Report #10 — ceremony ends / waiting for departure

The ceremony wrapped at 1805. POTUS responded to one question from pool about how cease-fire negotiations are going with a OK with fingers crossed gesture as he left the East Room. We are now awaiting POTUS on the South Lawn.

In-town pool report #11 — departure!

POTUS exited the residence at 1815 accompanied by Natalie Quillian. He did not answer shouted questions. 

Marine One was wheels up and Delaware-bound at 1821. 

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Jen Daskal, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor

Out-of-town pool #1 DANG

Hi from Wilmington — Marine One landed at 7:13 pm. Biden emerged at 7:18 pm. He shook hands with the greeters (names below), chatted with them and took a photo before getting in the car.

We are rolling at 7:23 pm. 

Biden was greeted by: 

BG Michael Karwatka, Director of the Joint Staff, DE National Guard 
CDT Nathan Karwatka, University of Delaware ROTC
CDT Travis Karwatka, University of Delaware ROTC

Out-of-town pool #2 residence

Motorcade arrived at the Biden residence at 7:34 pm. 

We drove by a group of protesters with Palestinian flags as we turned into Biden's neighborhood. 

Per WH, traveling with the President via motorcade: 

Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Jen Daskal, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Homeland Security Advisor

Out-of-town pool #3 lid

A lid was called at 7:42 pm. Have a good night!

(Press van drove by the protesters near Biden's residence again, as they were chanting, "from the river to the sea.")

Out-of-town pool #4 week ahead

WH just passed along some week ahead guidance:

WEEK AHEAD 5/6-5/12

On Monday, the President will present the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to the United States Military Academy Army Black Knights at the White House. 

Later, the President and the First Lady will host a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden.

On Tuesday, the President will deliver the keynote address at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's Annual Days of Remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

On Wednesday, the President will depart the White House en route to Racine County, Wisconsin, to deliver remarks on his Investing in America agenda. 

After, the President will participate in a campaign event.

Then, the President will depart Racine County, Wisconsin, en route to Chicago, Illinois. Later, the President will participate in a campaign reception. 

In the evening, the President will return to the White House.

On Thursday, the President, Vice President, and the Second Gentleman will welcome the Las Vegas Aces to the White House to celebrate their record-breaking season and victory in the 2023 WNBA Finals.