Pool Reports of September 23, 2023

WH in-town pool report #1/ Call time changed to 4.30pm

Hi everyone,

Today's pool call time has changed from 12 noon to 4.30pm.

The weekend guidance says POTUS will deliver remarks at the 2023 Phoenix Awards Dinner at the Washington Convention Center at 9pm.

WH in-town pool report #2/ Pool gathers

Pool has gathered in the Palm Room.

WH in-town pool report #3/ In the vans

Pool is now in the press vans in the White House south grounds amid heavy rain.

WH in-town pool report #4/ Motorcade rolling

POTUS's motorcade is rolling.

WH in-town pool report #5/ POTUS at church

After a wet but uneventful journey, POTUS's motorcade arrived at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown at 5.28pm. One woman stood at her front door apparently filming on her phone as the motorcade went by.

WH in-town pool report #6/ POTUS inside church

POTUS, wearing a dark suit, walked across the wet redbrick sidewalk and entered Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown at 5.30pm. Pool is holding in the vans.

WH in-town pool report #7/ POTUS leaves church without comment

POTUS left church at 6.25pm. A member of the pool shouted: "Should Menendez resign?" POTUS looked around and paused for a second but did not speak, instead proceeding to the presidential limousine. Motorcade is now rolling through heavy rain.

WH in-town pool report #8/ Back at White House

POTUS's motorcade returned to the White House at 6.36pm.

WH in-town pool report #9/ Pool gathers

Pool has gathered in the Palm Room ahead of POTUS's remarks at the Phoenix Awards Dinner.

WH in-town pool report #10/ Motorcade rolling

POTUS's motorcade started rolling from the White House at 8.07pm.

WH in-town pool report #11/ POTUS at Convention Center

POTUS's motorcade arrived at the Walter E Washington Convention Center at 8.13pm.

WH in-town pool report #12/ Travelling with POTUS

From the White House press office:

Traveling with the President by motorcade en route the Walter E. Washington Convention Center:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa
Ashley Williams, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations
Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President & Trip Director
Audra Jackson, Special Assistant to the President & House Legislative Affairs Liaison
Megan Rooney, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Speechwriter'

WH in-town pool report #13/ In attendance and speaking program

From the White House press office:

'In attendance for the President and the Vice President's remarks at the 2023 Congressional Black Caucus Phoenix Awards Dinner:

The Second Gentleman
Secretary Marcia Fudge, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Department of Transportation Administrator
Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Mission to the United Nations
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, industry leaders, community advocates, non-profit leaders, students, and members of the Biden Harris Administration.

Speaking Program
Kofi Siriboe & Janelle James, Emcees
Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
The Vice President
The President'

WH in-town pool report #14/ POTUS begins remarks

There are hundreds of guests in the cavernous convention center for the Phoenix Awards Dinner, hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. The stage has black and gold geometric shapes evocative of a phoenix. Giant TV screens are showing short films and speeches.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, received a Co-Chair's Award. VPOTUS began speaking at 9.17pm and said: "Across America there is a full-on attack on many of the hard fought, hard won freedoms that CDC has achieved."

POTUS, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and dark tie, walked on stage at 9.25pm. The band played 'Hail to the Chief'. There were cheers from the guests and most rose to their feet. Live stream of remarks here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG4bmtrvYk8

WH in-town pool report #15/ POTUS on government shutdown

During his remarks POTUS addressed the prospect of a government shutdown. He said:

"Just a few months ago after a long negotiation between myself and the new Speaker of the House we agreed on spending levels for the government that will fund essential domestic and national security priorities while still cutting the deficit by over $1 trillion over the next decade.

"Now a small group of extreme Republicans don't want to live up to the deal so now everyone in America could be forced to pay the price.

"Let's be clear. If the government shuts down that means members of the U.S. military are going to have to continue to work but not get paid. A government shutdown could impact everything from food safety to cancer research to Head Start programs for children.

"Funding the government is one of the most basic responsibilities of Congress. It's time for Republicans to start doing the job America elected them to do. Let's get this done."

Remarks are ongoing. Live stream here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG4bmtrvYk8

WH in-town pool report #16/ POTUS finishes

POTUS told how the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville prompted him to seek election. "I chose to run because silence is complicity and I would not be silent."

He noted that he is running again. "A lot of people focus on my age. Well, I get it. Believe me, I know better than anyone."

POTUS went on to say he "knew what to do" when the nation was flat on its back: vaccinations, rebuilding Nato and more.

POTUS's voice rose loudly as he said: "Political violence in America is never, never, never acceptable in our democracy." He criticised Donald Trump and Maga by name for seeking power at all costs.

He finished speaking at 9.49pm.

Live stream here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG4bmtrvYk8

WH in-town pool report #17/ Back at White House

POTUS's motorcade returned to the White House at 10.02pm.

WH in-town pool report #18/ Lid

A travel/ photo lid was called at 10.05pm.