Pool Reports of August 8, 2024

In-Town Pool Report #1

White House

Your pool is on duty, nothing new to report. As everyone knows, the only public event on the schedule is the event with the Texas Rangers this afternoon and then POTUS departs for JBA en route to Delaware.

In-Town Pool Report #2

White House

Lunch lid until 1:15 pm. Preset for the Rangers event in the East Room is at 1:15 pm.

In-Town Pool Report #3

White House

From NSC Spokesman Sean Savett:

This morning, the President held a meeting in the White House Situation Room with staff members from across the U.S. Government to directly thank them for their work to secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara-Murza and an additional 12 people unjustly held in Russian prisons.

The President was joined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Director of the CIA Bill Burns, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to thank the over 100 staff members from the National Security Council, Office of the Vice President, State Department, Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and the Department of Justice involved in this effort.

In-Town Pool Report #4 -- Rangers to the sticks now

White House

Per White House: Second baseman Marcus Semien and pitcher Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers are going to the sticks now.

In Town Pool Report #5

White House

Pool waiting for the gather for the Rangers event in the East Room, which is running late.

In-Town Pool Report #6

White House

From White House Spokesperson Jeremy Edwards:

Today, the President made calls to Hawaii Governor Josh Green and to Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen to express his enduring commitment to the people of Maui as they recover from the devastating wildfires that led to 102 deaths one year ago. They discussed the Biden-Harris Administration's determination to provide sustained support to impacted communities. The Governor and Mayor recognized the extraordinary partnership with the extensive Federal team that is working side by side with State and local partners every day. As President Biden made clear when he and First Lady Jill Biden visited Maui shortly after the fires subsided, the Biden-Harris Administration will be with the people of Maui every step of the way, no matter how long it takes.

To further honor the memories of those lost in Maui one year ago and to embrace all those who survived and continue the hard work of healing, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will join members of the Lahaina community tonight and will read a letter from the President to the people of Maui at a local tribute and remembrance ceremony.

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The President also received an update on the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby as it moves up the East Coast, with heavy rain and possible flooding expected in North Carolina and Virginia. The President was briefed on the related tornado activity in North Carolina, and expresses his condolences for the affected communities, including one person who tragically lost their life. Administration officials remain in close communication with state and local officials in the region.

Earlier this week, the President approved an emergency declaration request from the Governor of North Carolina. The President continues to urge East Coast residents and anyone in the path of this storm to remain vigilant and heed the warnings of local officials.

In-Town Pool Report #7

White House

Pool now gathering for the Rangers event in the East Room. The event is open to everyone who pre-credentialed and will be live-streamed on the White House website.

In-Town Pool Report #8

White House

The event was open and live-streamed but a couple bits of color in case you missed it.

As POTUS entered, a woman called out, "Love you, Joe!"

POTUS greeted the Texas Rangers (still known to some of us as the former Washington Senators): "You're back in the nation's capital as world champions and you deserve it." He added: "You're a hell of a resilient club, man."

The Rangers gave POTUS a Rangers jersey with "Biden 46" on the back as well as a Rangers Champions pair of cowboy boots, also with a 46 on them.

"That'll get me another two inches," POTUS said (or so it sounded like, he was away from the microphone at the time).

As the event ended, POTUS made a beeline for a couple kids sitting in the front row and chatted with them for a couple minutes.

Then he made his way out, ignoring a question about a Trump-Harris debate. As the Rangers exited, an instrumental version of Queen's "We Are the Champions" was played.

Your pool is now holding in the vans for a rainy departure.

From the WH:

Speaking Program

The President
Chris Young, General Manager of the Texas Rangers

Attendees

Rep. Lance Gooden (TX-05)
State Senator Kelly Hancock (TX-09)
State Senator Nathan Johnson (TX-16)
State Representative Victoria Neave Criado (TX-107)
State Representative Yvonne Davis (TX-111)
State Representative Ana Hernandez (TX-143)
State Representative Suleman Lalani (TX-76)
State Representative Tony Tinderholt (TX-94)
State Representative Christopher Turner (TX-101)
Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County, TX
Judge Tim O'Hare, Tarrant County, TX
Mayor Jim Ross, Arlington, TX
Commissioner Roy Brooks, Tarrant County, TX
Commissioner Alisa Simmons, Tarrant County, TX
Council Member Mauricio Galante, Arlington, TX
Council Member Raul H. Gonzalez, Arlington, TX
Council Member Barbara Odom-Wesley, Arlington, TX
Council Member Andrew Piel, Arlington, TX

In-Town Pool Report #9

Motorcade to JBA

Pool did not see POTUS get into the motorcade but we're rolling at 4:58 pm for JBA.

In-Town Pool Report #10

Motorcade to JBA

From the WH:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Sheila Grant, Special Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to the Deputy Chief of Staff

In-Town Pool Report #11

JBA Andrews

Motorcade pulled up to the baby AF1 at 5:24 pm. Turning it over now to the out of town pool.

Out-of-town pool report #1: brief Q&A at JBA, Rolling + greeter

Good afternoon from Joint Base Andrews

The president's motorcade arrived here, and he exited at 5:25pmET.

He ascended the stairs of the plane at 5:26pm after responding to a question about whether he was confident that Vice President Harris would defeat former president Trump.

"Yes," he said, offering a thumbs up. It was difficult to hear the rest of his brief answer.

The president is headed to Wilmington, Delaware, today to greet his campaign staff, the White House said.

We will be rolling shortly.

From the White House:

Greeting the President on arrival to Joint Base Andrews:

Colonel Paul Pawluk, 89th Air Wing, Joint Base Andrews

Out-of-town pool report #2: Arrival at DANG + travelers

Air Force One touched down at Delaware Air National Guard at 6:23pm (after being wheels up from JBA at 5:36pm).

There were no visitors to the back of the plane and the flight was largely uneventful, despite some turbulence and bad weather.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Sheila Grant, Special Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to the Deputy Chief of Staff

Out-of-town pool report #3: motorcade rolling from DANG + greeters

President Biden stepped off AF1 at 6:30pm at DANG, where it is raining. He had put on a blue overcoat but did not use an umbrella.

He entered a black SUV at 6:31pm.

Motorcade is rolling at 6:33pm.

From the White House: Greeting the President on arrival to Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew P. Sides, 166th Operations Group Commander
Chief Chena Williams, 166th Operations Group Command Warrant Officer

Out-of-town pool report #4: Arrival in Wilmington Delaware

President Biden's motorcade arrived in downtown Wilmington at 6:46pm, after a brief and rainy ride through town. The ride was largely uneventful, though there were a few protesters who held a banner that read "No More Genocide" and a man shouting into a bullhorn.

The motorcade came a stop near The Queen Theatre, where Biden's 2020 campaign and transition held several events.

Biden is scheduled to greet campaign staff during an engagement the White House has listed as closed press.

Pool will hold nearby.

Out-of-town travel pool report #5: Background on Wilmington event

Via a campaign official:

President Biden spoke to several hundred members of his Wilmington-based staff at The Queen Theatre, thanking them for their support of his presidential bid.

There were a few tears from some staff members, the official said.

Biden took photos with every person who wanted one.

Pool is still holding until the event concludes.

More TK.

Out-of-town travel pool report #6: Motorcade rolling from downtown Wilmington

President Biden's motorcade departed from downtown Wilmington at 8:29pm, after spending more than an hour and a half at The Queen Theatre.

Out-of-town pool report #7: arrival at DANG, AF1 rolling to Dover

President Biden's motorcade arrived back at DANG at 8:38pm after a brief, uneventful ride through town.

The weather is still rainy and overcast, making helicopter travel unrealistic.

POTUS and FLOTUS boarded Air Force One at 8:42pm and are rolling shortly for Dover Air Force Base.

Out-of-town pool report #8: Arrival at Dover + travelers

Air Force One was wheels down at Dover at 9:0*pm, after an uneventful, 13-minute flight.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Air Force One en route to Dover Air Force Base:

Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary

Out-of-town pool report #9: Dover

POTUS and FLOTUS disembarked from Air Force One at 9:11pm, and chatted briefly with their military greeters before getting into their black SUV, which began rolling shortly after.

From the White House:

Greeting the President and the First Lady on arrival to Dover Air Force Base:

Colonel Justin Longmire, Deputy Commander of the 436 Air Wing

Handing off to the supplemental pool.

Supplemental pool report #1 - Rolling from Dover

Good evening from Dover AFB, where the out of town pool has passed the torch to us. The president's motorcade is now rolling for Rehoboth

Supplemental pool #2 - residence and lid

The motorcade arrived at the Biden residence in Rehoboth at 10.07 pm. Pool did not lay eyes on POTUS. WH called a lid at 10.08pm.

Have a good evening.