Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 11, 2023

VP pool report #1 / JBA departure

Greetings from JBA.

The VP's helicopter landed on the tarmac at 12:03 p.m., more than 90 minutes behind schedule. She waved to the press and boarded AF2 at 12:08 p.m. without taking questions. We should be wheels up to Charleston, S.C., shortly.

The White House passes along the following:

On Background From a White House Official:

Today, Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to Charleston, SC where she will continue her nationwide "Fight for Our Freedoms" College Tour by participating in a moderated conversation with students at the College of Charleston. Today's event is the seventh stop on her more than a month-long college tour.

During a discussion alongside Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones and actress and activist Amelie Zilber, the Vice President will focus on key issues that disproportionately impact young people across America – from reproductive freedom and gun safety to climate action, voting rights, and book bans. She will also urge attendees to register to vote, highlight how the Biden-Harris Administration has delivered for young people, outline the work ahead to protect fundamental freedoms, and take questions directly from students who are organizing on the frontlines of these fights. This 1:30 p.m. ETmoderated conversation will be livestreamed atwww.whitehouse.gov/live [whitehouse.gov].

Today's Event in Charleston:

The College of Charleston is an award-winning public university that was founded in 1770, making it one of the nation's oldest institutions of higher education and the oldest university in South Carolina. Today's event will feature various student groups including the College of Charleston Trippintones Acapella Group, the College of Charleston Dance Team, the College of Charleston National Pan-Hellenic Council, and campus influencers. National Park Service Director Charles Sams, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, the College of Charleston President Andrew Hsu, and student government president Lilli Taylor will also speak during the program.

The "Fight for Our Freedoms" College Tour:

Vice President Harris's "Fight for Our Freedoms" College Tour kicked off in mid-September with stops at Hampton University, North Carolina A&T State University, Reading Area Community College, and IBEW Local 743 in Pennsylvania. She also participated in moderated conversations at Florida International University – one of the largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the country – and Morehouse College where she spoke with students from four HBCUs in Atlanta, GA. This national swing is mobilizing thousands of young people in the ongoing fight for fundamental freedoms and rights. The Vice President is visiting around a dozen campuses including HBCUs, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and additional state schools. Following today's stop, the tour will continue on Thursday at the North Las Vegas campus of the College of Southern Nevada.

VP Harris's work to engage with young Americans:

This college tour is a continuation of Vice President Harris's recent nonstop travel, and comes on the heels of her Summer of Action that included visits to 17 states. She has long been dedicated to energizing, engaging, and partnering with young leaders throughout the country, and has consistently led on issues that are important to young people. The Vice President has already been to 16 college campuses this year after visiting 14 schools in 2022. She also regularly meets with young leaders wherever she goes – from climate leaders in Colorado to gun safety advocates in Virginia.

VP pool report #2 / Charleston arrival

The VP visited reporters in the back cabin just before takeoff for an off-the-record chat. AF2 was wheels up from JBA at approximately 12:17 p.m.

AF2 touched down at Charleston Air Force Base at 1:36 p.m. after a slightly bumpy flight. The VP disembarked at 1:49 p.m. She shook hands and spoke briefly with those greeting her on the tarmac.

The VP then walked over to reporters to make her first public remarks about Israel. Some quotes:

"I'm completely outraged by what is taking place. We are looking at extreme acts of terrorism that must be condemned in no uncertain terms."

"The president and I take very seriously our commitment to Israel and the people of Israel."

"One of our highest priorities, of course, is the safety and well-being of American citizens, and that will continue to be."

She did not take questions. I'll review the audio of her statement again shortly and send any other relevant quotes.

The motorcade is now rolling to the College of Charleston, where the VP is scheduled to participate in a conversation with students moderated by Tennessee state legislator Justin Jones and actress/activist Amelie Zilber.

The White House passes along the following:

On background attributable to a White House official: Upon arrival at Charleston Air Force Base (KCHS), the Vice President was greeted by Captain Andrew Peterson, Deputy Commander of Joint Base Charleston and Commanding Officer of Naval Support Activity Charleston; Colonel David Myrick, Deputy Commander of 437th Airlift Wing of Joint Base Charleston; and Colonel Diane Patton, Commander of 315thOperations Group of Joint Base Charleston.

VP pool report #3 / Extended Israel quotes

The VP's motorcade drove by a few dozen small children lined up outside a school to wave to her. The motorcade arrived at the college at 2:13 p.m.

Extended/more quotes about Israel from the tarmac:

"One of our highest priorities, of course, is the safety and well-being of American citizens, and that will continue to be one of our highest priorities."

"The president and I take very seriously our commitment to Israel and the people of Israel. And to support them and in particular, to give Israel what it needs to defend itself."

"It is also critically important that, as we have been, we stay in constant communication and contact with our allies, with our Israeli partners, with members of Congress, as we have been doing these last few days.

VP pool report #4 / College of Charleston event

The following people spoke at the top of the event: National Park Service Director Charles Sams and College of Charleston student government president Lilli Taylor.

The VP took the stage to a standing ovation at 3:10 p.m. The auditorium appeared to be full of students. The VP left the stage at 3:49 p.m. after another standing ovation.

Some quotes from her:

"Right now, we are at a moment in our country where in many ways, there is an intentional, full-on attack on the freedom and liberties that I believe are what makes us respected as a democracy."

Asked about voting rights: "Right now in South Carolina, we are looking at a situation where state legislators basically passed a law that would dilute the Black vote in the state. ... Let's understand that it is wrong that any elected official would try to choose who can vote for them, when it should be the voter who chooses who represents them."

Asked about LGBTQ rights: "Fundamentally, a lot of this fight for freedoms is about the right that people should have the freedom to just be -- to just be."

Asked about reproductive health, she spoke about learning that her high school friend was being molested and condemned abortion bans that don't make exceptions for rape or incest. "One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do."

Asked about gun violence: "The trauma that the American people are living with on this issue ... We once had an assault weapons ban. It expired. But it does not have to be this way that we do not ban weapons of war from the streets of a civil society."

Asked about climate change: "I think we have finally come to the point where there is some consensus that this is a real issue and an urgent issue. Because the clock is not just ticking on this, it is banging."

Asked for her final advice for young people: "Some would suggest that it's a sign of strength based on who you beat down, rather than what I believe is the true measure of strength, which is who you lift up."

VP pool report #5 / Charleston departure

The VP boarded AF2 at Charleston Air Force Base at 4:42 p.m. after posing for a photo with her advance team. She waved in the direction of reporters but did not take questions.

We should be wheels up to JBA shortly.

VP pool report #6 / JBA arrival

AF2 took off from Charleston at 4:57 p.m.and touched down at JBA at 6:02 p.m. The VP disembarked and immediately boarded Marine Two, which was wheels up at 6:21 p.m.

That's it from me today.