Pool Reports of October 24, 2023

Pool Report #1 - Checking in

Good morning,

I am your print pooler for today checking in from the White House on this sunny, cool Tuesday.

There are two events on the president’s schedule today, including an East Room ceremony this morning awarding the National Medals of Science and Technology and Innovation.

Later in the day, President Biden and First Lady Dr. Biden will welcome Australian PM Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon.

See today’s full schedule below:

EDT

9:00 AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Closed Press

9:00 AM In-Town Pool Call Time

11:30 AM THE PRESIDENT awards the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation
East Room
Pre-Credentialed Media and Pooled for TV (Gather 11:15 AM – Palm Room Doors) [RSVP here by 8:00 AM]

6:00 PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY welcome Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ms. Jodie Haydon of Australia to the White House
South Portico
In-House Pool

Briefing Schedule

1:00 PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre

Pool Report #2 - Gathered for pre-set

Pool is gathered for pre-set for the National Medals event in the East Room.

Pool Report #3 - Briefing update

Per the White House:

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will be joined by NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby at today’s press briefing.

Pool Report #4 - Pool gathered

The pool is gathered at Palm Room doors for the national medal ceremony.

Pool Report #5 - Pool entered East Room

Pool is now inside the East Room. Your pooler asked if there was an updated start time for the National Medals ceremony, which is obviously delayed.

Pool was told that the event will hopefully start soon.

This event is being live streamed:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=bgq-qeIS_DQ

Pool Report #6 - Event begins

Recipients of National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation entered the East Room at 12:24 p.m.

POTUS entered at 12:26 p.m.

Again, this is being live streamed.

Pool Report #7 - Background

Please see background on the National Medals event below:

The President is awarding the National Medals of Science and the National Medals of Technology and Innovation.

Attendees
Secretary Gina Raimondo, Department of Commerce
Director Arati Prabhakar, Office of Science and Technology Policy
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)
Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA-21)
National medal recipients and their families and guests and members of the Biden-Harris Administration

Speaking Program
The President
National Medals of Science presentation
National Medals of Technology and Innovation presentation

Pool Report #8 - Event concludes/Biden question

By your pooler's count, President Biden awarded 9 National Medals of Science and 12 National Medals of Technology and Innovation

Event concluded at 12:59 p.m.

As POTUS walked out of the East Room, a reporter asked the president about aid getting to Gaza, to which the president said, "Not fast enough."

Pool Report #9 - 2 min warning for briefing

2 min warning has been called for briefing.

Pool Report #10 - Briefing begins

WH press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took the podium at 1:31 p.m.

Briefing is being streamed here:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=kIln9xI-_zo

NSC spokesperson John Kirby will brief.

Pool Report #11 - Briefing concludes

Kirby ended his portion of the briefing at 2:06.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took additional questions for another 20 minutes. Briefing concluded at 2:27 pm.

Pool Report #12 - Lunch lid

The pool received a lunch lid until 4:30 pm.

Pool Report #13 - Pool gathering

Pool is gathered at the Palm Room doors for President Biden and First Lady Dr. Biden welcoming of Australian PM Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon.

Pool Report #14 - Bidens greet Australians/Question on Israel

POTUS and First Lady Biden walked out of the White House to the South Lawn at 6:16 and PM Albanese and Haydon's vehicle pulled up shortly after.

They greeted the Australians and the four posed for pictures.

While taking photos, a question was shouted out: "Are you urging Israel to delay its ground invasion?"

POTUS responded, "The Israelis can make their own decisions."

Pool Report #15 - More on Alabanese welcome

Please also see the below from the White House:

Tonight, the President and First Lady are welcoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ms. Jodie Haydon of Australia to the White House for a dinner, guest book signing, and official gift exchange.

Pool Report #16 - Lid

The pool received a lid at 6:30 p.m.

Pool Report #17 - Correction on Biden quote

Correction on POTUS answer in Pool Report #14:

"The Israelis are making their own decisions."

Pool Report #17 - Gifting and dinner w/ Albanese

More from the White House on gift exchange and tonight’s dinner with PM Albanese and Ms. Haydon:

As the official gift, the President and First Lady will present an antique writing desk, designed in 1886 by an American furniture company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The side panel will include an inscription set in gold to commemorate the Official Visit. President Biden will gift Prime Minster Albanese a custom signature turntable from a family-owned American audio manufacturer that includes a special engraved plaque to commemorate the Official Visit. Dr. Biden will gift Ms. Jodie Haydon a green enamel and diamond petite necklace designed and hand-crafted by an American jeweler.

Tonight’s dinner menu:

Cacio e Pepe

Pan Roasted Halibut

Grilled Baby Vegetables, Stewed Marzano Tomatoes

Poached Pear with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream