Pool Reports of September 29, 2022

WH pool report 1

Good morning from the White House on a glorious fall day, where our thoughts are with those struggling to recover from Ian, and those still in its path. The now tropical storm is also on President Biden's mind/schedule.

Call time is at 11:00 for an 11:35 departure to FEMA HQ for an Ian briefing, the first of two scheduled off-campus movements, followed by a 6:40 family photo on the North Portico with leaders from the U.S. - Pacific Island Country Summit. Between, Biden will visit the state department as part of the summit.

Given the busy news cycle, there has been a request for a briefing, but there are no updates, yet, to the schedule below.

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And yes (you know who you are), I'll ask for a wine and dinner menu for tonight's event.

EDT

8:30 AM THE PRESIDENT receives the President's Daily Briefing
Closed Press

11:00 AM In-Town Pool Call Time

11:35 AM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House
South Grounds
In-Town Travel Pool (Gather 11:15 AM – Palm Room Doors)

12:00 PM THE PRESIDENT receives a briefing on impacts from Hurricane Ian and ongoing Federal response efforts
FEMA Headquarters, Washington, DC
In-Town Travel Pool

1:15 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
South Grounds
In-Town Travel Pool

2:40 PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House
South Grounds
In-Town Travel Pool (Gather 2:20 PM – Palm Room Doors)

3:00 PM THE PRESIDENT hosts the U.S.- Pacific Island Country Summit to demonstrate the United States' deep and enduring partnership with Pacific Island countries
The State Department, Washington, DC
In-Town Travel Pool

5:20 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
North Grounds
In-Town Travel Pool

6:40 PM THE PRESIDENT welcomes the Pacific Island Leaders to the White House and the Leaders take a family photo
North Portico
In-House Pool Spray (Gather 6:30 PM – Stakeout Location)

6:45 PM THE PRESIDENT hosts a dinner for the Pacific Island Leaders
State Dining Room
Closed Press

WH pool report 2: Departure

POTUS walked from Oval to Beast at 12:05. We are rolling at 12:07.

WH pool report 3: Arrival

POTUS arrived at FEMA HQ at 12:13

Pool did not see building entrance.

Remarks will be carried live on:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

Traveling with the President by motorcade en route Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters, per a WH official

• Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
• Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President, Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
• Julie Rodriguez, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
• Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
• Olivia Dalton, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Press Secretary
• Herbie Ziskend, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Communications
• Caitlin Durkovich, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Resilience & Response
• Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President and Trip Director

WH pool report 4: greeters and participants

Greeting the President upon arrival at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters, per White House.

• Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security
• Administrator Deanne Criswell, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Participating in the President's briefing on the impact of Hurricane Ian and the ongoing federal government response efforts, per WH

Attendees

• Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security
• Administrator Deanne Criswell, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Director Ken Graham, National Weather Service
• Commandant Linda Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard
• Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Erik Hooks, Deputy Administrator, FEMA
• Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
• Julie Rodriguez, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
• Caitlin Durkovich, Special Assistant to the President & National Security Council Senior Director for Resilience & Response
• Gail McGovern, President of American Red Cross

WH pool report 5: two minute warning

Which is now down to like 90 seconds.

WH pool report 6: News POTUS plans to visit Florida and PR

President announced at end of his remarks and upon questioning from TV pooler Elyse Perlmutter-Gumbeiner said it was his "intention" to visit PR as well. He will meet with DeSantis if the governor is available.

Check precise comments against tape.

WH pool report 7: Biden may "need" more money from Congress for storm relief

"We may," he answered, when asked by a celebrated wire reporter about the need for Congress to provide additional funding, as Biden was walking away from lectern.

He did not answer if he held Russia responsible for the Nordstream pipeline rupture in the Baltic, insisting that it was off topic.

In answer to another question, he said politics would not play a part in his interactions with DeSantis.

WH pool report 8: Rolling at 1:28

Returned to WH at 1:34. From staging, it appears he entered the residence.

WH pool report 9: lunch lid until 2:20

[APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.]

WH pool report 10: Rolling to state department at 3:00

Arrived at 3:04. Pool did not see POTUS exit car or enter building.

WH pool report 11: You are watching Biden live at Pacific Island summit

Traveling with the President by motorcade en route Department of State, per WH.

• Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
• Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
• Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President & Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific
• Olivia Dalton, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Press Secretary
• Carlyn Reichel, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Speechwriting & Strategic Initiatives
• Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President & Trip Director
• Ariana Berengaut, Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisor

WH pool report 12: Pool was ushered out after POTUS's remarks

Per the WH:
The President is hosting the first ever U.S.- Pacific Island Country Summit to demonstrate the United States' deep and enduring partnership with the Pacific Island region. The Summit reflects our broadening and deepening cooperation on key issues such as climate change, pandemic and economic recovery, maritime security, environmental protection, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Participating in the Pacific Island Country Summit with the President:

• H.E. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Fiji
• T.H. Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
• H.E. David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia
• T.H. James Marape, MP, Prime Minster of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
• T.H. Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu
• H.E. David Kabua, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
• H.E. Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau
• T.H. Fiame Naomi Mata'afe, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa
• T.H. Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga
• H.E. Édouard Fritch, President of French Polynesia
• H.E. Louis Mapou, President of New Caledonia
• T.H. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of The Cook Islands
• H.E. Odo Tevi, Ambassador of the Republic of Vanuatu to the United States
• Ms. Josie-Ann Dongobir, Charge d'Affairs/First Secretary to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru

WH pool report 13: The motorcade left state at 5:09

We plodded down C street and then snaked up the WH, up West Executive and arrived at the North lawn driveway at 5:14. Caught a glimpse of POTUS walking into residence.

WH pool report 14: two minute warning to North Portico spray

[APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.]

WH pool report 15: Spray is over. President did not respond to shouted questions on Russia and Nord Stream

President Biden did, however, engage on tonight's repast. Answering a question on what was on the menu, Biden joked that he "worked all day on it."

You had the opportunity to watch the scene live, but if not, I'll try and paint it. POTUS emerged from the North Portico doors slightly after 6:41 and took his place just atop the steps, standing center on a red carpet, with his fellow leaders spread out to the left and right. Fourteen flags, from the represented Pacific Island nations, were arrayed behind the group. Fading evening light, with plenty of artificial tungsten hitting them as well. Easy shot for the stills.

The president clearly heard the shouted questions -- "Can you now say Putin was behind the damage to the Nord Stream pipeline?" .... "What consequences will Russia face?" -- turned his back and walked into the residence.

And we have a travel photo lid. I bid you a good evening.

WH pool report 16: Update: We have a menu!

Participating in the Family Photo with the President, from WH official:

• H.E. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Fiji
• T.H. Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
• H.E. David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia
• T.H. James Marape, MP, Prime Minster of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
• T.H. Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu
• H.E. David Kabua, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
• H.E. Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau
• T.H. Fiame Naomi Mata'afe, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa
• T.H. Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga
• H.E. Édouard Fritch, President of French Polynesia
• H.E. Louis Mapou, President of New Caledonia
• T.H. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of The Cook Islands

The President is hosting a dinner for the Pacific Island leaders in the State Dining Room.

Dinner Menu:

Grilled Little Gem Lettuce
Shaved Tarentaise Cheese
Herbed Sourdough Crisps

Barolo-braised Beef Short Ribs
Red Onion Confit
Pommes Souffle - Sunchokes
Haricots Verts

Golden Delicious Apple Breton Cake
Honey Cinnamon Ice Cream
Autumn Leaf Tuile

Foreign Press Pool Report #1 Pacific Leader Photos

Good afternoon, I am Scott Stewart with the Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun and am serving as your Foreign Press Group pooler today.

For the benefit of those who will be covering the President's participation in the U.S.-Pacific Islands Summit this afternoon, I am attaching photos of several of the Pacific Island leaders who may be in attendance. Unfortunately, a confirmed list was not available from the NSC or State Department. As reported by my colleague yesterday, the leaders of Republic of Nauru and Vanuatu have sent representatives in their stead. Nauru just elected a new president yesterday, Russ Kun.

Foreign Press Pool Report #2 Travelling with POTUS

Traveling with the President by motorcade en route Department of State:

Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President & Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific
Olivia Dalton, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Press Secretary
Carlyn Reichel, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Speechwriting & Strategic Initiatives
Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President & Trip Director
Ariana Berengaut, Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisor

Foreign Pool Report #3 Summit Participants

From the White House:

The President is hosting the first ever U.S.- Pacific Island Country Summit to demonstrate the United States' deep and enduring partnership with the Pacific Island region. The Summit reflects our broadening and deepening cooperation on key issues such as climate change, pandemic and economic recovery, maritime security, environmental protection, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Participating in the Pacific Island Country Summit with the President:

H.E. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Fiji
T.H. Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
H.E. David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia
T.H. James Marape, MP, Prime Minster of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
T.H. Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu
H.E. David Kabua, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
H.E. Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau
T.H. Fiame Naomi Mata'afe, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa
T.H. Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga
H.E. Édouard Fritch, President of French Polynesia
H.E. Louis Mapou, President of New Caledonia
T.H. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of The Cook Islands
H.E. Odo Tevi, Ambassador of the Republic of Vanuatu to the United States
Ms. Josie-Ann Dongobir, Charge d'Affairs/First Secretary to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru

Foreign Pool Report #4 Photo Spray

The President emerged from the North Entrance at 6:40 PM, followed by the 12 Pacific Island heads of government and heads of state, who stood in a line with President Biden in the center, in front of the flags of the 14 nations participating in the summit. The representatives of Nauru and Vanuatu were not present for the "family photo". Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa was wheeled out in a wheelchair, but then stood for the photo.

The President did not answer shouted questions regarding Russia's involvement with the leaks in the Nordstream 2 pipeline and consequences for Russia.

After approximately one minute, the President then lead the guests back into the executive mansion for their dinner.

Foreign Pool Report #5 Family Photo Names, Menu, and Lid

The White House announced a lid at 6:50 PM and then provided the names of the leaders participating in the "family photo" and the menu for the dinner that we were not allowed to taste for journalistic purposes,

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Participating in the Family Photo with the President:

• H.E. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Fiji
• T.H. Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
• H.E. David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia
• T.H. James Marape, MP, Prime Minster of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
• T.H. Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu
• H.E. David Kabua, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
• H.E. Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau
• T.H. Fiame Naomi Mata'afe, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa
• T.H. Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga
• H.E. Édouard Fritch, President of French Polynesia
• H.E. Louis Mapou, President of New Caledonia
• T.H. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of The Cook Islands

The President is hosting a dinner for the Pacific Island leaders in the State Dining Room.

Dinner Menu:

Grilled Little Gem Lettuce
Shaved Tarentaise Cheese
Herbed Sourdough Crisps

Barolo-braised Beef Short Ribs
Red Onion Confit
Pommes Souffle - Sunchokes
Haricots Verts

Golden Delicious Apple Breton Cake
Honey Cinnamon Ice Cream
Autumn Leaf Tuile