Pool Reports by Hans Nichols, Axios
| Sent: | Reports: |
| December 20, 2023 09:59 |
WH In-town pool report #1 Marine One up and away The president departed the residence at 9:48 and walked directly to the helicopter. He evinced no interest in talking to the press. Anita Dunn, Stephen Benjamin, Bruce Reed and Annie Tomasini followed. Helo lifted at 9:53 into a bright solstice sky. |
| December 20, 2023 10:00 |
WH In-town pool report #2 WH sends along titles of Marine One travelers. Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| December 20, 2023 10:38 |
WH In-town pool report #3: AF1 gaggle in process |
Pool Reports below by Sophia Cai, Axios
| Sent: | Reports: |
| December 20, 2023 16:37 |
In-town pool report #4: Biden running early The White House advises that POTUS is landing earlier than scheduled. Gather for chopper return is now shortly after 5pm ET. |
| December 20, 2023 17:31 |
In-town pool report #5: WH return Marine One landed at 5:22pm. Biden answered a question about why he's negotiating with Venezuela. He said we needed to return people held illegally. He cut off a follow up question and walked into the residence. Exact exchange coming shortly. |
| December 20, 2023 17:43 |
In-town pool report #6: Biden answer on Venezuela Q: Why is it okay for the US to negotiate with the Maduro government? Biden: because we're freeing Americans, people who are held illegally, and we made a deal with Venezuela that they'll hold free elections, and so far they've maintained their requirements and that's it. Q: Do you worry that by giving back — Biden: "NO" |
| December 20, 2023 17:59 |
In-town pool report #7: Lid [APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.] |
Pool Reports below by Michael A. Wilner, McClatchy
| Sent: | Reports: |
| December 20, 2023 10:05 EST |
Out-of-town pool report #1 — JBA Good morning from Joint Base Andrews. The president is traveling to Milwaukee to address the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce. POTUS arrived on Marine One at 10:00 am ET. He promptly boarded Air Force One without taking questions from your pool. Wheels up shortly for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. |
| December 20, 2023 10:49 CST |
Out-of-town pool report #2 — Arrival in Milwaukee AF1 lifted off from JBA at 10:14 am ET and touched down in Milwaukee at 10:47 am CST after an uneventful flight. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre and NSC's John Kirby gaggled aboard for roughly 30 minutes, which was streamed lived on whitehouse.gov. Thanks to the in-town pooler for flagging the start of it. Before reaching the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, POTUS will visit Hero Plumbing and meet with its CEO, Rashawn Spivey, before headed together to the main event, per the White House. The White House passed along the following: Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| December 20, 2023 11:06 CST |
Out-of-town pool report #3 — Questions + Motorcade rolling POTUS deplaned AF1 at 10:56 am CST. He said hello to greeters. He then took several questions from your pool, but with the noise of AF1 running above, I am not sending verbatim quotes at this time. POTUS said he would not comment on a court case, asked about the Colorado Supreme Court decision. He would not comment yet on a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, but said that, thus far, Maduro was following through on his commitments to democratic reform. Your pool is working hard to get these quotes to you as fast as we can. Motorcade rolling. Per White House: Greeting the President upon arrival to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport: Governor Tony Evers (WI) |
| December 20, 2023 11:18 CST |
Out-of-town pool report #4 — Quotes on Colorado, Gaza, and Venezuela Motorcade began rolling at 11:07 am CST. Below are quotes from POTUS from our gaggle under the wing of AF1. Sincere thanks to fellow poolers for help with the audio. On CO court case: "Not gonna comment on it. The court case [Inaudible.]" "It's self-evident. You saw it all. Now whether the 14th Amendment applies, I'll let the court make that decision. But he certainly supported an insurrection. No question about it. None. Zero. And he seems to be doubling down on about everything. Anyway." Asked whether he is expecting a hostage deal anytime soon, he said, "Yes. Wait, where?" Asked further about Israel and Gaza, he said, "there's no expectation at this point, but we are pushing." Asked about reports of a deal with Venezuela, he said, "can I do that after this event?" "It looks like Maduro, so far, is keeping his commitment on a free election. But it ain't done yet. We've got a long way to go. But it's good so far." Lastly, asked about the milestone expected today of 20,000 Palestinians killed in Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza, he said, "it's tragic." |
| December 20, 2023 11:30 CST |
Out-of-town pool report #5 — Arrival at Hero Plumbing Motorcade pulled up at Hero Plumbing at 11:29 am CST. Your pool is being escorted into the business. |
| December 20, 2023 11:53 CST |
Out-of-town pool report #6 — Departure from Hero Plumbing POTUS greeted the CEO privately before your pool was ushered in. The team at Hero Plumbing explained to the president how they replace lead pipes. "We're gonna replace every lead pipe in America," POTUS said. Spivey told the president about how his neighborhood has evolved over the years. "We appreciate your service to the country," Spivey said. At 11:51 am CST, POTUS emerged from the business with Spivey, and they together entered the beast. Pool is back in motorcade as of 11:53 am CST. We're rolling. Per White House: The President is stopping by Hero Plumbing to meet the CEO, Rashawn Spivey, and his team. Attendees Speaking Program |
| December 20, 2023 12:16 CST |
Out-of-town pool report #7 — Arrival at Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce Motorcade arrived at 12:10 pm CST and has been ushered into the venue. Your pool is holding. Per White House: Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce Rashawn Spivey, CEO of Hero Plumbing, LLC |
| December 20, 2023 13:05 CST |
Out-of-town pool report #8 — POTUS remarks conclude The president concluded speaking at 1:02 pm CST. His remarks were streamed at whitehouse.gov. In attendance for the President's remarks on how Bidenomics and his Investing in America agenda are leading to a small business boom, lowering costs for hardworking families, and building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up: Rashawn Spivey, CEO of Hero Plumbing, LLC Pre-Program Speaking Program |
| December 20, 2023 13:54 CST |
Out-of-town pool report #9 — Protest outside venue As your pool boarded the motorcade, a somewhat substantial group of protesters were chanting "From the River to the Sea," "Shame on You" and "Ceasefire Now" waving Palestinian flags and signs marked "#AbandonBiden." They are being blocked from the venue by law enforcement. It's difficult for your pool to say exactly how large the protest is from this vantage point. Apologies that, with poor service in the venue, your pooler was unable to get out the pool report marking the time POTUS began his remarks. His speech began at 12:44 pm CST. Motorcade is rolling as of 1:54 pm CST. |
| December 20, 2023 14:23 |
Out-of-town pool report #10 — Departure from Milwaukee Motorcade arrived back at the airport at 2:12 pm CST. POTUS spoke for two minutes to your pool, reiterating his statement welcoming the release of all Americans detained in Venezuela and stating that Maduro thus far has committed to a roadmap for democratic elections. He told your pooler he has not spoken directly with Maduro. He also said the United States is discussing the next phase of the war in Gaza with its partners. Boarding as of 2:22 pm CST. Exact quotes to come once we land. |
| December 20, 2023 14:32 CST |
Out-of-town pool report #11 — Gaggle quotes On Venezuela: "They're in an aircraft on their way home to the United States. And we secured the release of every American being held in Venezuela, on their way home. We have no higher priority than the release of the 10 [inaudible]. In addition to that, they're keeping their commitment to democratic elections. Not over yet. They've made detailed commitments. We'll see if they hold them. And we're going to hold them accountable." I have not spoken to Maduro. We've laid down specific requirements for democratic elections. He's agreed to all of them." On Gaza: "Look — we're negotiating right now at the UN the contours of a resolution [inaudible]." |
| December 20, 2023 16:55 EST |
Out-of-town pool report #12 — Return to Washington Air Force One landed at 4:52 pm ET. During the flight, POTUS came back to wish your pool a happy holidays with Karine Jean Pierre and Anita Dunn, and distributed some cookies packaged with the presidential seal. |
| December 20, 2023 17:11 EST |
Out-of-town pool report #13 — Marine One Liftoff POTUS deplaned AF1 at 5:04 pm EST and promptly boarded Marine One, which lifted off at 5:10 pm EST. He's headed back to the White House. Handing over to the in-town pool. Have a good evening. Per White House: Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff Greeting the President upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews: Colonel Angela Ochoa, 89th Air Wing, Joint Base Andrews Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of December 20, 2023 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/368830