Pool Reports of November 28, 2024

Travel Pool #1 - Rolling

Happy Thanksgiving from Nantucket! It's a cold, rainy day with temperatures in the upper 40s.

The pool has been swept and the motorcade is now rolling at 10:54 a.m. from the Nantucket compound where President Biden and his family are spending the holiday.

More TK.

Travel Pool #2 - Fire Station - Q&A re Trump tariffs plan

President Biden's motorcade pulled into the Nantucket Fire Department and Rescue station at 11:04 a.m. The president and Dr. Biden emerged from their armored vehicle a carrying pies for a group of firefighters and police officers.

More details on that later - after greeting the officers he took a few questions - it was difficult to hear him at times but here's a quick rundown. Please double-check quotes from the video/transcript.

Biden told reporters he has spoken to all three Americans who were released from China this week. "I'm really happy they are home," Biden said.

Biden, asked about President-elect Trump's plans to impose new tariffs on Canada and Mexico: "I hope he rethinks it. I think it's a counterproductive thing to do," Biden said, adding. "We're surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and two allies, Mexico and Canada. The last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships."

The president was also asked about relations with China: "We have reached a relationship with a status quo regarding China ... we set up a hotline between President Xi and myself, as well as a military - a direct line. One thing I'm confident about Xi is he doesn't want to make a mistake. I mean it sincerely," Biden said.

Motorcade departed at 11:24 a.m. and pulled into the area near the compound at 11:29 a.m.

More TK.

Travel Pool #3 - More on the Q&A - Lid

The White House declared a lid at 11:36 a.m. We are told the president and first lady delivered pumpkin pies to members of the Nantucket Fire and Rescue officers and Nantucket Police officers. There were about 10 firefighters and police officers who stood in a row on either side of a large red fire truck and greeted the Bidens, who were joined by their young grandson, Beau.

At the start of the visit, President Biden was wearing a blue baseball cap with the presidential seal and was greeted by the police chief, who presented Beau with two baseball caps (it looked like one was a Nantucket fire department cap). The president took one from Beau and then handed his presidential ball cap to the fire chief and then put on a dark cap that displayed the American flag. The Bidens then shook hands with the firefighters, with one scooting down to give Beau a high-five. There were similar greetings with the police officers moments later.

Here's another bit from President Biden's Q&A: "I want to make sure this transition goes smoothly. I want to make sure it goes smoothly. All the talk about what (Trump) may do or not do - I think there may be an internal reckoning on his part .. so it remains to be seen."

Biden was also asked at the top of the Q&A what he is thankful for - he responded "my family, the peaceful transition of the presidency, and I'm thankful by the grace of God we were able to make more progress in the Middle East, I'm really thankful for being able to get the first peace done in Lebanon." He said he was "thankful to Americans. ... there is nothing beyond our capacity."

Again, please check the video/transcript because it was difficult to hear him inside the fire station where there was a lot of ambient noise.

Thanks for co-pooler Emily Goodin of the DailyMail and Jeff Mason of Reuters.

Travel Pool #4 - Biden calls with U.S. military service members

From the White House:

This morning, the President and the First Lady called units from each branch of our military, stationed around the world, to thank them and their families for their service to the country.

• U.S. Army: Team Kulepbla, Guam National Guard (Deployed)
• U.S. Marine Corps: Multi-Discipline Engagement Team 1, I MEF (Deployed)
• U.S. Navy: USS JASON DUNHAM (DDG 109) (Red Sea)
• U.S. Air Force: 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron (Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia)
• U.S. Space Force: Space Force Element (RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus)
• U.S. Coast Guard: USCGC CHARLES MOULTHROPE (WPC 1141) (Manama, Bahrain)