Pool Reports of September 20, 2022

In-town pool report #1 — checking in

Good morning from the White House, where it’s a pleasant 77 degrees.

POTUS is set to deliver remarks on the DISCLOSE Act in the Roosevelt Room at 1:45pm. Watch here:

https://youtu.be/bx0b4afCIoM

Later, he will depart for New York City ahead of a DNC fundraiser this evening and tomorrow’s UN General Assembly.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will also brief at 12:00pm. Follow along here:

https://youtu.be/VdLcbiJ9Dt0

As always, feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions.

In-town pool report #2 — schedule change, POTUS speaking at 1:00pm

Passing along from the White House:

The President’s remarks on the DISCLOSE Act will now be at 1:00 PM. Please plan to gather in the briefing room right after the press briefing.

In-town pool report #3 — 2 min warning

… to KJP

In-town pool report #4 — gathering for POTUS remarks

… as of 1:04pm--

In-town pool report #5 — 2 min warning

At 1:22pm

Watch POTUS’ remarks on the DISCLOSE Act here:

https://youtu.be/bx0b4afCIoM

In-town pool report #6 — remarks begin

… at 1:24pm

In-town pool report #7 — Remarks over

… as of 1:28pm. POTUS fielded two questions on immigration ( full quotes to follow)

Q1: why is the situation at the border so dire?

Biden responded by echoing comments made by Jean-Pierre in the briefing

Q2: response to DeSantis sending migrants to DE

^^Biden: We have a beautiful shoreline. He should come visit

Will send full Q/A audio/transcript momentarily

In-town pool report #8 — full Q/A

Otter: https://otter.ai/u/EHzmFffY4CVxiMana1o959wmN5s

On the border, why is the border more overwhelmed under your watch, Mr. President?

BIDEN: Because there are three countries that never — there are fewer and fewer immigrants coming from Central America and from Mexico. It's a totally different circumstance. What's on my watch now is Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, and the ability to send them back to those states is not rational. You could send them back and have them — we're working with Mexico and other countries to see if we can stop the flow. That's the difference.

Question: Ron DeSantis says he's sending migrants to Delaware. Do you have any comment or response to that, sir?

BIDEN: He should come visit. We have a beautiful shoreline

In-town pool report #9 — lunch lid

... called at 2:00pm.

POTUS is still scheduled to depart the White House later this afternoon, but that trip will be covered by the out-of-town pool. Have a great Tuesday, y'all.

Out of town pool report #1: Motorcade rolling

Hello, I'll be your print pooler this afternoon/evening for President Biden's trip to New York City for the United Nations General Assembly. We are motorcading to JBA, as a large tent is being constructed on the South Lawn for the Elton John performance happening there Friday.

POTUS emerged from the north White House entrance at 4:10 p.m. The motorcade pulled out of the north White House driveway at 4:11.

The president is slated to attend a DNC reception this evening in New York. I'll send more details on that as I get them. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Out of town pool report #2: JBA departure, no comments

Motorcade pulled onto the JBA tarmac at 4:33 p.m. after an uneventful drive.

The president did not come over to answer questions or talk to the pool. He waved at the top of the steps, then boarded Air Force One at 4:38 p.m.

We will be wheels up for New York City momentarily.

Out of town pool report #3: List of travelers

Air Force One is taxiing on the tarmac at 4:43 p.m.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President by motorcade en route Joint Base Andrews:

• Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
• Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President & National Security Advisor
• Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
• Kate Bedingfield, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
• Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
• Ryan Montoya, Deputy Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
• Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President and Trip Director
• Ashley Williams, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations
• Carla Frank, Special Assistant to the President & Director of Strategic Planning
• Carlyn Reichel, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Speechwriting & Strategic Initiatives
• Curtis Ried, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs
• John Kirby, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
• Ariana Berengaut, Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisor
• Charlie Fromstein, NSC Director of Visits and Diplomatic Affairs

Out of town pool report #4: NYC landing

Air Force One was wheels down at JFK Airport at 5:25 p.m. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre popped back to the press cabin to say hello during the flight.

POTUS deplaned at 5:33 and then made his way on foot to Marine One, which was parked nearby. Pool is loading into an osprey and will follow along for the quick flight to the landing zone.

Out of town pool report #5: Landing zone

Marine One set down at the Wall Street landing zone at 5:55 p.m., lightly misting reporters in the process as it kicked up water from the East River.

Press was moved to vans before seeing Biden step off and get into the motorcade. We are now headed to tonight's DNC reception at 6:01.

Out of town pool report #6: Fundraiser arrival

Motorcade arrived at the fundraiser location at 6:20 p.m. near the corner of E 59th Street and Madison Avenue after an uneventful drive. Plenty of onlookers lined the blocked off streets, many with phones out taking photos and video. We are now holding outside.

Your pooler has reached out to the DNC for details on tonight's reception, and I will pass along anything I get in response.

Out of town pool report #7: DNC reception begins

Pool was brought into the home of Henry Munoz III for a fundraiser. Biden walked out to applause at 7:10 p.m., looked at the pool and noted we were situated behind a rope line. He then went to the main room filled with guests and got down on one knee to greet a child who said she just turned 6.

Biden was accompanied by New York City mayor Eric Adams and former Rep. Charlie Rangel as he walked out.

Pool also spotted actor Robert De Niro in attendance. De Niro was seen leaving (with a mask on) before POTUS came out to speak.

A DNC official said tonight's fundraiser is being attended by roughly 100 guests and will raise nearly $2 million for the DNC and Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund.

Out of town pool report #8: Biden remarks

Henry Munoz spoke first. POTUS was then introduced by Mayor Adams, who praised Biden as an "everyday guy" and a "plain talking Democrat. Adams said he wanted to deliver the message that "We not only want him to be re-elected, we need him to be re-elected."

Biden began speaking at 7:20. Hit on many of the same themes from his other speeches, talking about the stakes of the coming midterms, how he told G7 leaders "America is back" and was asked "for how long?" and how the country was founded based on an idea.

He touted investments in infrastructure, the Inflation Reduction Act', declining gas prices, the bipartisan gun safety bill. He got loud applause for saying he's going to fight to ban assault weapons.

Some quotes below. Check against official transcript. Video/photo was not allowed in the room.

"There’s so darn much at stake," he said, calling it an inflection point.

"I know I got criticized for the speech I made in Philadelphia," he said later, but argued one can't say they're for democratic values if they "celebrate violence against the government."

On abortion and Roe v. Wade:

He cited Justice Alito's comments in a leaked draft of the Dobbs opinion when the justice said it would allow women the chance to vote to affect the legislative process.

"They ain't seen nothing yet," Biden said.

"But it's about freedom. It's not just about choice... Now mark my words, they're going after gay rights. I guarantee you. Promise you," he said, adding contraception access was also at risk.

"This isn't about 2024, this is about 2022," Biden said in closing, warning that he'd spend all his time using the veto pen.

Biden wrapped at 7:41, pool ushered out quickly and is headed back down to the motorcade.

Out of town pool report #9: Motorcade rolling

The motorcade is rolling from the fundraiser site at 8:10 p.m. Pool was in vans and did not see POTUS leave the building.

One other note from the remarks- Biden made mention of his comments to "60 Minutes" that the pandemic is "over," noting he got criticized for saying it.

"But it basically is not where it was," Biden added, while urging those in attendance to get their booster shots if they haven't already.

Thanks to Emily Goodin and Jennifer Jacobs for their help transcribing some of the remarks.

Out of town pool report #10: RON arrival and lid

Motorcade arrived at the Intercontinental at 8:15 p.m. A lid was called at 8:20. Have a good rest of the night!