In-Town Pool Reports of February 19, 2021

WH In-Town Pool report #1 -- no changes

Good morning,

Hello from the White House, where it is currently snowing lightly with a dusting of snow on the ground and icy conditions throughout Washington, D.C.

I have inquired and was told so far there are no changes to the president's schedule to report due to weather.

Per guidance from last night, POTUS earlier today was scheduled to receive his daily brief and participated in a G7 virtual meeting, both of which were closed press. The guidance for the rest of the day is copied below. Feel free to reach out to me at any time with questions.

11:15 AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the virtual Munich Security Conference
East Room
In-Town Pool Coverage (Final Gather 10:55 AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

11:55 AM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Joint Base Andrews
South Lawn
In-Town Pool Coverage (Final Gather 11:35 AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

12:15 PM THE PRESIDENT departs Joint Base Andrews en route Kalamazoo, Michigan
Joint Base Andrews
Out-of-Town Travel Pool Coverage (Call Time 10:15 AM – Brady Press Briefing Room)

1:45 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport
Out-of-Town Travel Pool Coverage

2:25 PM THE PRESIDENT tours Pfizer manufacturing site and meets with workers who are producing the COVID-19 vaccine
Pfizer Kalamazoo Manufacturing Site, Kalamazoo, MI
Out-of-Town Travel Pool Coverage

3:10 PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at Pfizer manufacturing site
Pfizer Kalamazoo Manufacturing Site, Kalamazoo, MI
Out-of-Town Travel Pool Coverage

3:50 PM THE PRESIDENT departs Kalamazoo, Michigan en route Washington, DC
Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport
Out-of-Town Travel Pool Coverage

5:20 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at Joint Base Andrews
Joint Base Andrews
Out-of-Town Travel Pool Coverage

5:40 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
South Lawn
In-Town Pool Coverage (Final Gather 5:20 PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

Briefing Schedule

11:45 AM Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and public health officials

Press Secretary Jen Psaki will gaggle aboard Air Force One en route Kalamazoo, MI

WH In-Town Pool Report #2 — pool gathering for Munich speech

The pool is now gathering for the Munich Security Conference remarks.

The remarks will be live-streamed at whitehouse.gov/live

WH In-Town pool report #3– initial bad weather call, possible motoring to JBA

There is an initial bad weather call and POTUS will motorcade from the White House to JBA if bad weather continues.

WH In-Town Pool Report #4– Contacts with mayors in TX

Received from the White House:

Throughout the week, the White House has been in touch with Mayors and County Officials throughout Texas to understand the dire situation on the ground and ensure they were connected to FEMA for any immediate needs, including water, and to other resources within the Federal Government.

• Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston
• Mayor Ron Nirenburg, San Antonio
• Mayor Jeff Williams, Arlington
• Mayor Jim Darling, McAllen
• Mayor Steve Adler, Austin
• Mayor Richard Molina, Edinburg
• Mayor Chris Boswell, Harlingen
• Mayor David Suarez, Weslaco
• Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Pharr
• Mayor Mario Garza, San Juan
• Mayor Oscar Montoya, Mercedes
• Mayor Diana Martinez, Alamo
• Mayor Rick Morales, Donna
• Mayor Salvador Vela, Alton
• Mayor Gilbert Gonzales, Raymondville
• Mayor Craig Brown, Galveston
• Mayor Mendez, Brownsville
• Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County
• Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County
• Judge Eddie Treviño, Cameron County
• Judge Richard Cortez, Hidalgo County
• Judge Andy Brown, Travis County

WH In-Town Pool report #5– pool in East Room, no POTUS yet

The pool is assembled in the East Room. POTUS is not here yet

WH In-Town Press Report #6- 2 min warning

2 min warning until POTUS arrives in East Room for speech

WH In-Town Pool Report #7— POTUS arrives in East Room

POTUS arrived and walked to podium at 11:14. He is standing silently ready to speak.

WH In-Town Pool Report #8– Biden starts speech

Biden started his remarks at 11:17 AM.

He made no remarks to press before his speech.

WH In-Town Pool report #9 — staff in the East room with Biden

From the White House:

Staff in the room:
Jake Sullivan, NSA
Mike Donilon, Senior Advisor
Anita Dunn, Senior Advisor
Annie Tomasini, Director of Oval Office Operations
Ashley Williams, Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations
Meghan Hays, Director of Message Planning
Rebecca Neff, NSC Director of European Affairs
Ryan Harper, Deputy Chief of Staff for NSC

WH In-Town Pool report #10– Biden on TX

After speech, Biden said he will sign a major disaster declaration for Texas possibly as soon as this afternoon. Spoke with Abbott last night about FEMA relief

Biden said he wants to visit Texas and was thinking of doing so next week but he does not want his visit to be a burden. "I plan on going" he said but the exact timing sounded unclear.

More soon....

WH in-town pool report #11– pool loaded in vans for motorcade

At 11:43 AM, the pool was loaded in vans for motorcading.

Pool was ushered out of East Room after 2 questions on Texas, one about additional relief and one on visiting the state.

More soon...

WH IN-Town pool report #12 — motorcade is rolling at 11:58 AM

The motorcade started rolling at 11:58 AM.

More complete comments from Biden on TX in the East Room:

"FEMA is already there and providing support"

He Directed HhS, HUD, AG, DOD to identify other resources to help people in TX.

"I'm going to be a president for all Americans."

On major disaster declaration for TX:
"I'm going to sign that declaration once it's in front of me."

He said he would make a decision on when to go to Texas at the start of next week.

Biden was asked: Do you have any plans to visit Texas?

"The answer is yes. The question is I had planned on visiting Texas in the middle of next week but I don't want to be a burden. When the president lands in a city in America it has a long tail."

He said he has concluded he will go when he won't be a burden to people on the ground

Check quotes against transcript.

I messed up the numbering of the last 2 reports. This report is correctly labeled as #12. Apologies

WH In-Town pool report #13– motorcade arrives at JBA

The motorcade drove into JBA at 12:19 AM.

The journey was uneventful.

It does not appear to be snowing here at the moment. There is an inch of waterlogged snow covering the tarmac on much of the base but not near the plane.

Biden spoke to someone for two minutes or so before going up the steps leading onto the plane. It seemed like he turned and waved to the motorcade before going in but the view was partially obstructed by the wing.

Handing you off to the out of town pool now for Biden's trip to Michigan.

Motorcade rolling again at 12:25 PM.

WH In-Town Pool report #14 — Zients boarded plane

Your poolers spotted Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus coordinator, getting on Air Force One as well.

WH In-Town Pool report #15– Jen O'Malley Dillon

Your poolers spotted Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus coordinator, getting on Air Force One as well.

WH In-Town Pool report UPDATED #15– Jen O'Malley Dillon

Jen O'Malley Dillon was in the East Room this morning chatting with other staff and I also saw her board Air Force One. She is the White House deputy chief of staff.

I saw her earlier, followed up and just got confirmation from the White House she was also in the East Room although she was not on the earlier list of staff in the room sent by the White House.

WH In-Town Pool report #16– lunch lid

Here at the White House, we have a lunch lid until 5 pm.

WH IN-town pool report #17 — pool gathering for Biden arrival

The pool is gathering for Biden's arrival via Marine One.

WH In-Town Pool Report #18– Biden arrives at WH

President Biden landed on the South Lawn in Marine One at 5:56 PM.

He waved to the pool and walked into the residence without stopping. He did not answer any questions.

WH In-Town Pool report #19 -- travel/photo lid

A lid was called at 6:13 PM.

Have a wonderful weekend!