Pool Reports of May 14, 2024

in-town pool report #1 - Briefing guest (USTR)

Good morning from the White House, where the pool has been notified of an addition to today's press briefing (which is, as of now, still slated for 12:45 p.m.). From the White House:

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will be joined by United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai for the press briefing today.

in-town pool report #2 — gathering

The in-town pool and other media members have gathered by the Palm Room doors for President Biden's Rose Garden remarks on, according to the White House, "his agenda to promote American investments and jobs." The skies are grey as far as the eye can see, but today's forecasted on-again-off-again showers appear to be holding off — for now, at least.

The event will be live-streamed at the below links:

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqJkwKXuEO4

C-SPAN: https://www.c-span.org/video/?535627-1/president-biden-delivers-remarks-...

In-town pool report #3 - two-minute warning…

…for President Biden's remarks.

in-town pool report #6 - POTUS responds to Trump/quotes/guests

POTUS wrapped his remarks at 12:43 p.m. as rain drops began spotting your pooler's glasses. President Biden moved to a small table with the presidential seal and signed what appeared to be documents related the China tariffs at 12:44 p.m.

Asked about Trump's comments about Russia eating America's lunch, Biden responded, "He's been feeding them a long time."

Biden was back in the Oval with some guests at 12:46 p.m.

He said American workers can be competitive with any other country — as long as things are fair.

"Folks look, I'm determined the future of electric vehicles will be made in America."

During prepared remarks:

He touted new EV charging stations across the United States, saying installing hundreds of new ones would create Union jobs.

"We're never going to allow China to control the market for these cars. Period."

On solar panels and China: "They're flooding the market."

He called today's tariffs smarter and stronger than ones installed during the Trump administration.

"America's rising," he said, adding Trump and Republicans are wrong about the state of the economy.

"For all his talk talk on China, it never occurred to him to do anything."

From the White House:

In attendance for the President's remarks announcing new actions to protect American workers and businesses from China's unfair trade practices:

Business and labor leaders, workers in impacted industries, members of Congress, and members of his Administration

in-town pool report 6a - clarification on quote

President Biden was asked about a Donald Trump comment about China, not Russia. Your pooler was unaware of Mr. Trump's comment, but has since watched it on X, formerly known as Twitter.

in-town pool report #8 - Biden/Yahoo Finance

From the White House:

Today, the President recorded an interview with Yahoo Finance. This interview will air this afternoon.

in-town pool report #9 - lunch lid

The White House has called a lunch lid until 6 p.m. Next up on the day's agenda will be President Biden's remarks at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies' 30th Annual Gala, which will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Those remarks are slated for 7:35 p.m. ET.

More TK.

in-town pool report #10 - Biden radio interviews

From the Biden-Harris campaign:

This afternoon, President Biden taped two Black radio interviews: One with Sherwin Hughes on 101.7 The Truth in Milwaukee, WI and one with Darian "Big Tigger" Morgan on V-103.3 in Atlanta, GA. Both will air tomorrow morning.

in-town pool report #11 - gathered for gala

The in-town pool has gathered at 7:12 p.m. by the Palm Room doors for President Biden's departure to the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies' 30th Annual Gala, which will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. POTUS is scheduled to speak at 7:35 p.m.

Here is a link to the live stream of his remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V843b0uhLH0

in-town pool report #12 - rolling to gala

POTUS boarded The Beast, his limousine, at 7:30 p.m. We are rolling from the South Lawn in the motorcade, led by a Washington Metropolitan Police Department SUV, at 7:32 p.m.

From the White House:

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

Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Stephen Benjamin, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
Richard Ruffner, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Dennis Cheng, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Political Strategy & Outreach
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President
Jim Cho, Special Assistant to the President and House Legislative Affairs Liaison

In-town pool report #13 - gala arrival

Motorcade arrived at the Washington Convention Center at 7:37 p.m. Pool did not see POTUS enter the facility. There were some on-lookers along the way, including a few holding up smart phones in light drizzle.

Here is a link to the live stream of his remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V843b0uhLH0

in-town pool report #14 — POTUS is speaking

President Biden entered the ballroom at 8:02 p.m. to applause and a standing ovation as "Hail to the Chief" played. He stood behind the blue presidential lectern in a black tuxedo and white shirt. Live-streaming info is below. Biden shouted-out House Democratic leaders at the top of his remarks.

He was introduced by Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. She praised Biden's record on issues important to the AAPI community, saying Biden has shown "respect" via business, health care and other policies. "President Biden has been there for us. And President Biden ... sees us," Chu said. She criticized the Trump administration's record on AAPI issues.

Attendees at the black-tie affair chatted and mingled before his arrival, some took pictures

Here is a link to the live stream of his remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V843b0uhLH0

in-town pool report #15 - Biden calls Trump 'loser' / other quotes

Six minutes into his remarks, POTUS referred to former President Trump as "that loser."

"I think he's having trouble," Biden said of Trump, without using the former president's name. There was laughter in the ballroom.

He also criticized Trump on COVID and taxes & spending.

"I wonder if he did it. Might explain some things," Biden said of Trump's COVID-era advice that Americans inject disinfectant into their bodies to fight the virus.

The president said Trump and congressional Republicans "added more to the federal debt than in any other presidential term." He contended "my predecessor wants to cut Social Security and Medicare. ... Not on my watch."

POTUS also criticized Trump for pusing Senate Republicans to nix a package of immigration policy reforms, and criticized Trump for how he often describes migrants.

POTUS wrapped up at 8:15 p.m. to a standing ovation.

There was one failed attempt at a "four more years" chant. It did not catch on and fizzled quickly.

Please check all quotes against video and transcript.

More TK.

in-town pool report #16 - rolling to WH

Motorcade was rolling for the White House at 8:28 p.m. We did not see POTUS exit the Convention Center. The Beast wizzed past the press vans as we joined the tail end of the convoy.

in-town pool report #17 - WH arrival

After a speedy ride over The District's bumpy streets, the president's motorcade entered the White House campus at 8:31. The pool did not see POTUS enter the White House.

From the White House:

Participating in a photoline with the President:

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)
Rep. Katherine Clark (MA-05)
Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33)
Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36)
Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28)
Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03)
Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-07)
Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06)
Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39)
Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06)
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)
Rep. Ed Case (HI-01)
Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03)
Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13)
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13)
Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02)

In-town pool report #18 - lid

The White House called a travel/photo lid at 8:34 p.m. Have a good evening, folks.