Pool Reports of February 16, 2024

In-town pool report #1: gather for POTUS remarks

Pool is gathering for POTUS remarks, as advised on the updated daily guidance.

In-Town Pool Report #2: scheduling update

From the White House:

The President will deliver remarks on the reported death of Aleksey Navalny at 12:30 PM.

In-Town Pool Report #3: 2 minutes

Two minutes to POTUS remarks on Navalny. Event is being livestreamed. Will send updates and color from inside the room as warranted.

In-Town pool report #4: POTUS remarks

President Biden entered the Roosevelt Room at 12:37 pm and exited roughly ten minutes later at 12:47 pm.

He addressed Navalny's death and brought up Trump's comments about NATO last weekend in prepared remarks.

He then took a series of questions on Navalny, Ukraine aid, Russian anti-satellite capability, Israel and the FBI informant. Remarks were livestreamed. He will be departing for JBA shortly.

In-Town Pool Report #5: gathered for departure

Press is gathered for POTUS departure on the South Lawn.

If anyone would like a photo of POTUS addressing pool reporters in the Roosevelt Room, please let me know.

In-Town pool report #6: departure, no news

The president and first lady Jill Biden exited the White House through the residence at 1:14 pm.

POTUS stopped several yards away from press and listened as reporters shouted questions. He made partly audible comments about how he had just taken questions. Reporters begged for one more. He paused and considered what was being shouted, including about Joe Manchin's am announcement, but he decided to keep walking and did not respond.

Marine One was wheels up at 1:19 pm and headed to JBA.

Below the White House shares the following. That should be all from us. Have a good weekend, everyone.

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Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations

Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady

Out-of-town pool report #1 - M1 touch down at JBA

M1 touched down at JBA at 1:25 p.m.

POTUS stepped off M1 and onto the tarmac at 1:29 p.m., helping FLOTUS down the stairs. He then walked her over to her car, kissing her goodbye.

POTUS boarded AF1 using the shorter stairs at 1:32 p.m.

AF1 will be wheels up at JBA for PIT shortly, which is a roughly 1 hour 10 minute flight.

From the WH:

Greeting the President and the First Lady upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews:

Colonel Paul Pawluk, 89th Airlift Vice Wing Commander
Technical Sergeant Michael Warren, 89th Airlift Vice Wing Flight Line Protocol

Out-of-town pool report #2 - Wheels down at PIT

AF1 was wheels up at JBA at 1:41 p.m. and wheels down at PIT at 2:22 p.m.

KJP and EPA Administrator Michael Regan gaggled from 2:06 p.m. to 2:23 p.m., with KJP gaggling through the landing. Here is an Otter to augment the livestream:

https://otter.ai/u/HeN-toeVKzMYHd5Vnw17d48CVs4

Questions to KJP include follow-ups to POTUS's remarks about Navalny and special counsel Robert Hur.

POTUS deplaned AF1 2:42 p.m. with Regan before shaking hands and speaking with his greeters. He appears to have exchanged his blue suit jacket for a warmer blue puffer jacket and more comfortable shoes.

POTUS stepped into the Beast at 2:45 p.m

The motorcade will be rolling to the East Palestine shortly for POTUS's operational briefing and remarks. It is roughly a 40-minute drive.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Pittsburgh International Airport:

Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17)
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Dennis Cheng, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Political Strategy and Outreach

Greeting the President upon arrival at Pittsburgh International Airport:

Ed Gainey, Mayor of Pittsburgh
Sara Innamorato, County Executive, Allegheny County
Colonel Raymond L. Hyland Jr., Commander, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburgh Air National Guard Base

Out-of-town pool report #3a- Arrival in Darlington, PA before East Palestine

Resending because of formatting.

The motorcade departed PIT at 2:52 p.m. and arrived in Darlington, PA, near East Palestine at 3:21 p.m. Here POTUS will meet some East Palestine first responders at the Darlington Municipal Complex.

Along the way, there were clusters of pro-Palestinian/Gaza demonstrators with handwritten "ceasefire now" signs, in addition to Trump supporters - some with Trump-Pence banners.

Pool is holding for POTUS.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17)
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Dennis Cheng, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Political Strategy and Outreach

Out-of-town pool report #4 - Darlington, PA

POTUS walked into the complex at 3:25 p.m. and worked his way along the greeter line, complimenting the work of first responders and repeating his line about God making firefighters. He also greeted the press.

From the WH:

The President is stopping by the Darlington Municipal Complex.

Introducing the President to attendees:

Chairman Mike Carreon, Darlington Township Supervisor

Attendees
State Senator Elder Vogel (PA-47)
State Representative Jim Marshall (PA-14)
Brian Speer, Darlington Police Chief
Bill Douthitt, Darlington Fire Department Chief
Jason Wade, Darlington Fire Department Captain
Eric Brewer, EMS Director, Beaver County
Kevin Whipple, Deputy Director, Beaver County EMS
Tom Blinkiewicz, Supervisor, Darlington Township
Daniel Camp III, Chairman, Beaver County Commissioners
Jack Manning, Vice Chairman, Beaver County Commissioner
Tony Amadio, Secretary, Beaver County Commissioners
George Garrow, CEO, FQHC, Primary Health
Cliff Wallace, President, Beaver County Farm Bureau
Mark Critz, former Congressman and Western Director of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Out-of-town pool report #5 - Darlington color

Pool was ushered out at 3:31 p.m.

POTUS was difficult to hear as he addressed the first responders with his back to reporters at this unannounced stop.

From what pool could hear, he told them, among other things, they were the "heart and soul of the community," in addition to boasting about Delaware's first responders.

The complex housed fire equipment including a full engine and a smaller truck, as well as racks with protective gear.

Pool is holding for POTUS.

Out-of-town pool report #6 - Rolling to East Palestine

The motorcade started rolling at 3:56 p.m.

Pool did not see POTUS step into the Beast.

Pool did see signs that "Trump won" and "Biden is not my president" on a house around the corner from the complex.

Out-of-town pool report #7 - Arrival in East Palestine

The motorcade arrived in East Palestine at 4:17 p.m.

More signs said "Go home, sleepy Joe!" and "F— Biden," in addition to more than one protester who was giving the middle finger and more giving the thumbs down.

There was a Biden-Harris sign and another handwritten pro-Biden banner, as well as one saying "Declare the emergency," "We need healthcare," and "We need aid."

Pool is getting into position for the briefing.

Out-of-town pool report #8 - POTUS briefing

POTUS is being briefed near the train crash site (near Brave Industries) as light snow flakes start to fall.

The briefing will not be live steamed by the WH, and includes a walk and talk.

Walking with POTUS is Regan and East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway.

From the WH:

The President is receiving a briefing from officials on the continuing response and recovery efforts.

Attendees

Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
Mayor Trent Conaway, East Palestine
Jim McPherson, Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, FEMA
Keith Drabick, East Palestine Fire Chief
Peggy Clark, Director of Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency
Debra Shore, Region 5 EPA Administrator
Tom Sivak, Region 5 FEMA Administrator

Out-of-town pool report #9 - Remarks begin

Pool was moved at 4:33 p.m. for POTUS's remarks was his briefing was ongoing. He started speaking at 4:39 p.m.

POTUS's briefing was hard to hear, but at one point he put his arm around one of the female briefers and different locations of the crash and recovery effort were pointed out to him.

The remarks will be live-streamed here:

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

Out-of-town pool report #10 - Remarks end

POTUS concluded at 4:45 p.m.

Highlights of his six-minute remarks include:

Acknowledged East Palestine does not want to be defined by the train derailment

Said there are "acts of God," but this was an act of "greed"

Announced NIH grants

Reiterated support for the bipartisan rail safety legislation introduced in the Senate

Said his administration will be here "as long as it takes"

POTUS then turned the microphone over to Regan.

Regan praised Conaway, who originally criticised Biden for travelling to Ukraine and not to East Palestine.

Highlights:

Regan said it's been a yearlong effort, underscoring the air testing.

Conaway then spoke.

POTUS was then shown maps of the crash site and data about the water quality, etc.

Pool was then started to be escorted out at 4:54 p.m.

POTUS's briefing was ongoing.

He did not responded to shouted questions about why it took a year for him to visit.

Pool was finally escorted out at 4:56 p.m.

Out-of-town pool report #11 - Rolling to PTI

The motorcade started rolling to PTI at 5:17 p.m.

Pool did not see POTUS step into the Beast.

Out-of-town pool report #12 - East Palestine local business stop

The motorcade stopped at 5:22 p.m. for another unannounced stop: a candle shop called 1820 Candle Co.

POTUS is meeting with the owners and the mayor's family.

From the WH:

The President is giving remarks on how the Administration is continuing to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for the train derailment and is working with state and local officials to support the community as it moves forward.

Attendees

Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
Mayor Trent Conaway, East Palestine
Jim McPherson, Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, FEMA
Keith Drabick, East Palestine Fire Chief
Debra Shore, Region 5 EPA Administrator
Tom Sivak, Region 5 FEMA Administrator
Peggy Clark, Director of Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency

Speaking Program
The President
Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
Mayor Trent Conaway, East Palestine

Out-of-town pool report #13 - Color from 1820 Candle Co

POTUS entered a candle-making workshop area at 5:31 p.m. with the owners and at least four ladies, who were sitting at a table when pool arrived.

Pool was told the mayor rode in the Beast with POTUS to the shop and that the owners would be giving POTUS a floral-scented candle for FLOTUS.

POTUS walked around the table introducing himself.

One woman introduced herself as Bonnet. POTUS responded: "I had a good friend named Bonnet."

POTUS accepted a cup of coffee and took a sip. He also had a glass of water beside him when he sat down at the table, but pool did not see him drink it. Pool was told the coffee was brewed with tap water though.

"Watch out there are pool mics," POTUS told the crowd.

POTUS asked how everyone was doing.

"We're not leaving until it's all done," POTUS said, adding the response was about two-thirds complete, but that the federal government would continue supporting the community for decades.

Pool was ushered out at 5:38 p.m.

I recorded this Otter:

https://otter.ai/u/yFMIYcZiUA1xco_TfEKTxeRoVWQ

From the WH:

Today, President Biden announced that the National Institutes of Health, through its Time Sensitive Research Program, has awarded six new grants to leading research teams to conduct research and community engagement activities in East Palestine. This research, which will be conducted in partnership with the community, will help identify any potential health impacts and support long-term monitoring of health and wellness, which residents have stated is a priority for long-term recovery. These grants were awarded to teams at Texas A&M University, University of California- San Diego, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Kentucky, and Case Western Reserve University.

The President is continuing to receive a briefing from officials on the continuing response and recovery efforts.

Attendees
Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
Mayor Trent Conaway, East Palestine
Debra Shore, Region 5 EPA Administrator
Alfred Saucedo, Region 5 EPA Chief of Staff
Ralph Dollhopf, Region 5 EPA On-Scene Coordinator and Incident Commander
Andrew Maguire, Region 5 EPA On-Scene Coordinator and Deputy Incident Commander
Philip Gurley, Region 5 EPA Public Affairs Specialist and Community Involvement Coordinator

Out-of-town pool report #14 - Rolling to PIT

The motorcade started rolling to PIT at 6:03 p.m.

Pool can confirm he drank from the water glass.

Pool was heckled by anti-Biden protesters as pool entered 1820 Candle Co, but pool also saw a "Welcome Biden" sign.

An earlier pool report referred to PTI. Pool regrets the error.

Out-of-town pool report #15 - Arrival at PIT

The motorcade arrived at PIT at 6:48 p.m.

POTUS walked up the short steps of AF1 at 6:50 p.m.

What was light snow had turned into light rain and mist before turning into snow again.

AF1 will be wheels up at PIT for DOV

shortly, which is roughly 1 hour 10 minute flight.

Supplemental pool report #1- arrival and lid

Good evening from frigid Rehoboth Beach. M1 landed in Gordon's Pond at 8:28 p.m. Your pooler saw Biden wearing a blue jacket and a baseball cap. He was carrying a brown shopping bag that did not appear to have any markings on the side facing us. The pool didn't see FLOTUS, and we were positioned too far away to shout questions. The motorcade rolled out at 8:34 p.m. and we had a lid at 8:38 p.m. Have a lovely Friday night!