Pool Reports of May 27, 2024

WH in town pool report #1 - Memorial Day breakfast

From the White House:

The President is hosting a breakfast in honor of Memorial Day. In attendance are administration officials, military leadership, veterans, and Gold Star family members.

Per the daily guidance this breakfast is taking place in the East Room and is closed press.

WH in town pool #2 - motorcade rolling

The motorcade is rolling from the White House at 10:31 am.

POTUS was sitting in the Beast as the pool walked by on the South grounds. He waved at the pool.

POTUS is headed to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and make remarks in honor of Memorial Day.

The American flag atop the White House is flying at half staff in honor of Memorial Day.

WH in town pool #3 - Arlington arrival

The motorcade arrived at Arlington National Cemetery at 10:39 am.

A lot of on lookers lined Constitution Ave, Memorial Bridge and the driveway into the cemetery to take photos and video of the motorcade. No visible protestors.

Motorcade passed VP Harris and SGOTUS Emhoff in order to circle around to the entrance of Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

POTUS was out of the Beast by the time pool got to entrance.

Army soldiers with bayonets lined the drive to the tomb.

Flags lie in front of the white tombstones. The day is cloudy and overcast. A light rain is falling.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President en route to Arlington National Cemetery:

Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Jamie Citron, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Terri Tanielian, Special Assistant to the President for Veterans Affairs
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Greeting the President and the upon arrival at Arlington National Cemetery:

The Vice President
The Second Gentleman
Secretary Lloyd Austin, Department of Defense
General Charles Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Mrs. Sharene Brown, Spouse of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Major General Trevor Bredenkamp, U.S. Army, Commanding General, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the U.S. Military District of Washington
Lieutenant General Michele Bredenkamp, Director's Advisor for Military Affairs, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and Spouse of Commanding General Trevor Bredenkamp
Karen Durham-Aguilera, Executive Director, Army National Military Cemeteries and the Office of Army Cemeteries

WH pool report #4 - wreath laying

POTUS entered the tomb proper at 10:53 am. He was with VP Harris, Sec/Def Austin and General Brown.

A flag honor guard followed them.

The rain continued to sprinkle as the four lined up before the tomb and the Star Spangled Banner played.

POTUS had his hand over his heart as it played.

A member of the Old Guard brought the wreath to POTUS. The two of them laid it on the stand before the tomb. POTUS then put his hand on his heart and bowed his head, standing before the tomb in silence for a few moments.

After he lined up with the other three, Taps was played on the trumpet.

When the song concluded, POTUS, VP Harris, Sec/Def Austin and General Brown all bowed their heads.

SGOTUS Emhoff has come in earlier with other guests to take a spot on the stairs.

The four then walked up to the theater area. POTUS remarks are airing on WH live.

From the White House:

The President, the Vice President, and the Second Gentleman are participating in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

WH in town pool #6 - POTUS remarks starting shortly

[APP Note: This likely should have been numbered as Report #5.]

POTUS remarks are starting shortly. He entered the amphitheater at 11:05 am to hail to the chief. Sec/Def Austin and General Brown with him.

Remarks are airing on WH live:

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

WH pool report #6 - POTUS remarks

POTUS began by noting that 160 years ago the first soldier was buried at Arlington.

"Everyone has lost and loved someone in the service of our country."

"I know how hard it can be. It can reopen that black wound in your chest. … I know. … This week marks nine years since I lost my son Beau."

He noted his loss wasn't the same those who lost someone in combat as Beau died of cancer. He repeated his belief the cancer was from burn pits in Iraq.

As always please double check quotes against transcript.

POTUS was introduced by Defense Secretary Austin.

POTUS watched the ceremony and spoke from a marble podium above the amphitheater. Two large American flags hung in the backdrop.

The coast guard band and choir performed American Anthem.

The rain sprinkled on and off during the remarks.

VP Harris and SGOTUS Emhoff are seated on an upper tier to POTUS' left. Note: POTUS, in his remarks, said "Jill" among those he greeted as here. But the First Lady is not present.

Pool was pulled during God Bless America.

WH in town pool #7 - Arlington departure

Motorcade is rolling back to the White House at 11:49 am.

Pool did not see POTUS get in the beast.

WH in town pool report #8 - WH arrival and lid

Motorcade arrived at the White House at 11:59 am.

Pool caught a brief glimpse of POTUS as he exited the Beast and went into the residence.

At noon we have a travel photo lid.

And for those who need, from the White House about the ceremony at Arlington:

The President is delivering the Memorial Day Address at the 156th National Memorial Day Observance at Memorial Amphitheater. In attendance are approximately 3,000 attendees, including Cabinet Secretaries, senior administration officials, military leadership, veterans and their families.

Speaking Program
Chaplain (Colonel) Timothy Maracle, offers the Invocation
General Charles Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Secretary Lloyd Austin, Department of Defense
The President
Chaplain (Colonel) Timothy Maracle, offers the Benediction

WH in town pool report #9 - POTUS calls to governors

From the White House:

The President spoke by phone with Governors Stitt, Huckabee Sanders, and Abbott following devastating tornadoes across the Southern Plains. He expressed his condolences for the lives lost in each state. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is on the ground conducting damage assessments with state and local counterparts. The President reiterated that he has directed his administration to provide federal support as needed.