In-town pool report #3

The pool was ushered into the Oval at about 1:42 p.m., a bit later than scheduled, for questions of both leaders. We left at 2:16 p.m. The blue curtains on the historic print of the Declaration of Independence were open. Lots of pushing among the binational press corps. On the couch on American side were VP, Bessent and Hegseth.

Check the tape. Some highlights:

—The president repeatedly pressured the Fed Chair to lower interest rates, but did not directly answer whether he would fire him before his term

—The president commented on recent report that he had waved off an Israeli strike on Iran, saying it was not his first choice, but he appeared to leave open the possibility of a strike if negotiations did not go well.

—The president did not answer questions about the recent judicial rulings on his Alien Enemies Act deportations and the Maryland man deported to El Salvador, saying reporters should talk to his lawyers.

—He continued to praise Meloni.

—An Italian reporter asked, as a second question, if the president notices when he steps on ants. The president may not have heard and did not answer the question.

—He commented on being briefed on the FSU shooting.

—He commented on Ukraine saying both that he was not happy with Zelensky (or others involved) and that he did not hold Zelensky responsible for the war.

Otter here: https://otter.ai/u/AU2A75-ASbMxx-Qz1zBd3arjj0s?utm_source=copy_url

Pool expects one more chance to see him later today for an EO signing.

Michael Scherer

The Atlantic

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