In-town pool report #8: POTUS gaggle/departure from South Lawn

POTUS emerged from the Oval Office onto South Lawn at 5:10, walked down the sidewalk tothe driveway and toward the assembled press. He stopped and greeted us, then walked to other end of the giant scrum of media to take questions.

Hard to hear and get exact quotes, but he spoke glowingly of the new fighter jet unveiled this morning in Oval Office; described gang member deportees as bad guys, skewered the judge for fighting the deportations to El Salvador. In answer to a question about his negotiations with Putin over Ukraine, he said Putin didn't reject a ceasefire and said Russians already have a lot of sanctions. "They have more sanctions than anybody." Also said he had a "couple of good conversations today on Russia and Ukraine."

He's on his way to JBA, and ultimately his estate in Bedminster. Will go to Philly tomorrow to watch NCAA wrestling. Said he's a big wrestling fan. Also said he might go to the "southern White House" - ie, Mar a Lago. Talked about how it's "cold up there" (NJ).

Gaggle ended at 5:16, and he walked to Marine One. Helo lifted off at 5:21 pm.

From JBA he flies AF1 to Morristown Municipal Airport in Morris County NJ, and the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

Handing off to travel pool.

-

Linda Feldmann

Washington Bureau Chief

The Christian Science Monitor

XXX-XXX-XXXX

[EMAIL ADDRESS] (mailto:[EMAIL ADDRESS])

Twitter: @linda_feldmann