The Pour Over Today - White House Press Pool Explained: Who Gets In

Starting point is 00:00:00 So the press pool briefing room is built on top of the White House pool. So there used to be an indoor pool. Yeah. And then they needed a place to pull all these reporters because they used to just meet and jab at the Oval Office or wherever it felt right. And then they decided they didn't need a pool anymore. And so a pool that had been installed during FDR's year. Yeah, 1933.

Starting point is 00:00:23 They covered it up. Yeah, and it's still tiled underneath the briefing room. Like you could rip the floors up in the pool. either. I'm just picturing them like pulling up the floorboard to like hide their snacks and it's like eight foot drawn. Oh, I'll never get my twinkies back. Hey, it's Kathleen. And this is Catherine Ann. And welcome to TPO Explains, where we provide news context for mostly normal people. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, the poor over summarizes the day's biggest headlines. But as we're doing that, always will come across something that we need to learn more about. And so on Saturdays we pick one of those topics.

Starting point is 00:00:58 We learn about it. We take you along with us. So I'm here with KAA in person. We came to Iowa City. to hang out. They do some work. Yes. Yeah. So yeah, it's exciting. We get to be in the office together. Okay.

Starting point is 00:01:12 So today, you know what we're talking about? We're talking about the White House press pool because they have been in the headlines a lot. Yeah. I don't know. I mean, we'll get into this, but I don't know that I've really ever thought much about these people. No one else to them. Yeah. We love you guys.

Starting point is 00:01:29 Yeah, the group of people. Right. The individuals. Think about the individuals all the time. I'm so glad I mean there was yeah I've heard about the journalists

Starting point is 00:01:41 following the president but I've never considered it to be that we'll get into it yeah um KAA writes are explainers I learned so much from what she writes so she's going to read today's newsletter feel free to follow along as she reads

Starting point is 00:01:56 you can go along with your eyes on the screen or just listen along with your ears so let's start with what is the White House press pool So it is a small group of journalists who follow the president around. The Oval Office, Air Force One, vacation, the golf course. If the president's there, so's the press pool. Notepads in hand and cameras at the ready. Kind of like when your kids follow you to the bathroom to ask what's for dinner, but more professional.

Starting point is 00:02:22 Afterward, the pool of roughly 13 correspondents shares their audio, video, and notes with any outlet that wants them. So why don't outlets just send their own people? because that's not really practical. It's hard enough with three kids following you to the bathroom. Imagine several hundred. The Oval Office can get cramped fast. It's easier, cheaper, and more secure to have a handful of journalists rotate as everyone else's eyes and ears. And the system dates back to FDR.

Starting point is 00:02:49 Wait, I did see, so the informal, this idea of we don't need everybody following the president. Let's just like, you guys go, I'm going to have lunch and we'll share our notes. Yeah. But then they did have to like formalize the system. Was it with Eisenhower? Like 10 years later? Yeah. So yeah, I wonder what happened.

Starting point is 00:03:09 Like if I think it was to solve the question. Like I think the informal system existed. But it's like when you have an informal system with your kids about who gets to ride in the front seat. But then they fight over it. So you have to put some rules in place. Well, first of all, nobody because car seat safety. But we did. That's such a good point.

Starting point is 00:03:25 We have a star of the week system. And so whoever gets to pick the podcast we listen to in the car. is it has to be the star of the week. And so it changes every Sunday. So this is, I get it. I get it now. So how does it work? Reporters from select outlets rotate on standby with separate pools for wire, print,

Starting point is 00:03:45 slash online, radio, photography, and TV. Until last year, the White House Correspondents Association, which is an independent group of accredited reporters, picked the outlets. The intent was that a third party would choose a range of organizations, not just the ones who are friendly or opposed to the president. In 2025, President Trump moved that power to select non-TV journalists to the White House. TV outlets still run their own daily rotation with CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox taking turns sending crews into the pool. And this is the pool that's making headlines.

Starting point is 00:04:21 Right. Okay. When I sell my business, I want the best tax and investment advice. I want to help my kids, and I want to give back to the community. Ooh, then it's the vacation of a lifetime. I wonder if my out of office has a forever setting. An IG Private Wealth Advisor creates the clarity you need with plans that harmonize your business, your family, and your dreams. Get financial advice that puts you at the center.

Starting point is 00:04:47 Find your advisor at IGPrivatewealth.com. So three were kicked out? Yeah, so CNN was the only one from the TV pool band from the White House. But it was CNN, MS Now, and Politico that were banned from the White House last weekend. And then they immediately were like, you can't do that first amendment stuff. But then the reason the TV pool has been on our minds is because CNN and we'll get into this, right? The daily, so we said that, the daily rotation. So the TV pool takes turn each day.

Starting point is 00:05:23 Five and five days of the week. Do they not work on the weekend? Oh, they totally do. But I take turns each day of the week. And that's whose crew, so CNN on Monday, that's whose crew would go into the pool. And since CNN was banned, I loved a gap. But then the other outlets, CBS, ABC, NBC Fox, in solidarity with CNN, we're like, well, we're not going to send our crew.

Starting point is 00:05:49 It's on our turn. And we don't feel like you should have sent CNN away. So that's why the press pool and, specifically the TV pressable has been in headlines. If you want to catch up, we'll put a link in the show notes. So at the point of this pool, it's checks and balances. Independent reporters keep the public informed so the White House isn't the only one reporting on the White House's going on. The pool has also been there for history's biggest moments.

Starting point is 00:06:15 It was in President Kennedy's Motorcade when he was assassinated in 1963. It was also with President Bush on 9-11. Both times it gave the public quick, accurate, first-hand accounts of important breaking news. So you might be thinking, the president never gets a break? No, he can. The press pool only covers the president's public movements. They're not entitled to private meetings or while he's doing something like cooking breakfast. So what happens if there's no coverage? You may have to do some bad lip reading. So this is what happened Monday. Trump bans CNN, MS now, and Politico from the White House and gets CNN from its scheduled pool shift. So in

Starting point is 00:06:54 Solidarity, the other TV networks refused to replace CNN in the pool coverage, resulting in a White House ribbon cutting that had no audio. Interesting. Okay. So I, like I said, I haven't really thought about this as a formal system. Would you have guessed that this was a thing before we cover? No, I didn't know that it was a thing, actually, which is not often. Like, normally I know that things are things. I didn't know this was a thing at all until I started writing our stories. And then that's when I messaged you. It was like, this might be a good thing to cover because, like, yeah, I didn't even. I mean, no, it was like a real thing. You mean a group that consistently follows him? Like, you thought people just show up and they're like, yeah, I guess I thought like, journalists are just like, the president's going to be welcoming the Chinese president today. Maybe we should be there.

Starting point is 00:07:37 I didn't think about the fact that, like, maybe there's a system because there are too many journalists to fit in one place. You know, it's interesting because I feel like I have seen random, like, videos of journalists standing outside of the White House and doing reviews and stuff. and they'll have the title of White House Corresponded it. I guess I assume the same thing. Maybe that was just the name tag they drew that day or something. Yeah. So yeah.

Starting point is 00:08:05 Okay, what about did you learn something that you didn't already know? Yeah. So, well, I didn't know as a thing, so I learned lots of new things. But I did not, I thought it was really interesting that the press pool has been there for things like Kennedy's assassination or like they're win the president. Yeah. Like, they're there. And how important that is to have independent reporting when something like that happens, which is why they go golfing with him because you never know when something might happen. Oh, interesting. I wonder. Like, oh, well, let's look at the presidential schedule. He's going to go golfing. Yeah, I guess I'll, I'll take the shift. I'll take the shift. I'll take the shift.

Starting point is 00:08:40 You go to the golf first. Do you remember there was a story we covered where President Trump was coming back from the Middle East and he like swapped plane? Yes. And then, but he didn't tell press. Now I know. It must have been at present. Right. Because there was a plane of journalist on Air Force One. Right. Okay. And he, and they were upset.

Starting point is 00:09:00 They're like, you didn't tell us. And of course, when we're writing the story, we're like, okay. So he didn't know he that he traded planes for national safety. But now it makes sense because like their job is to fall around. And so you didn't tell them. Yeah. Intrtle. I know those dots connected a little for me.

Starting point is 00:09:17 Okay. Me too now. Let's go. Christian perspective. So people, presidents, and press alike can use their words to hurt or bless others. Whatever conversations you're having today, remember to use every resource at your disposal to honor God, love others, and share the truth of the gospel. And I think we can look to Mark chapter 12 verses 29 through 31. And they say,

Starting point is 00:09:38 Jesus answered, the most important commandment is listen Israel. The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these. Such a good reminder that our words have power, hurt or bless others. Thanks, K.A. Before we go, let's pray together. Let's take a moment to pray an excerpt from When Reports Alleged Journalistic Bites. And it's from DPO's new book coming out next spring, praying the news. God of light, guide us by the lamp of your word. Give reporters and editors boldly. to ask tough questions, shrewdness to uncover the truth, wisdom to understand fact from opinion,

Starting point is 00:10:26 and humility to admit when they get it wrong. Extinguish any selfish ambition, love of money, or fear of man, and illuminate truth, fairness, and justice. Spirit of truth, snuff out any bias in my own heart. Fan the flames of your word in the furnace of my soul that I may see this truth clearly. You show no partiality, and nor should I. Help me to look around with discerning eyes so that I may see the light of truth and cling to you in the dark. Amen. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like and subscribe. You can find all of our past explainers as well as our Monday, Wednesday, Friday podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Until next time, bye. Bye. Bye.

Starting point is 00:11:26 stays stocked with element. I drink it, my husband drinks it, my kids guzzle it. Basically, we run on element around here. No sugar, no crashes, just the science-backed ratio of electrolytes need to stay sharp. Plus, it makes drinking water a lot more enjoyable and delicious. If you haven't tried it yet, you're missing out. As a listener of the pourover, you'll get a free eight-pack of elements most popular drink-mix flavors with any drink-mix. purchase. Just use the element link in the show notes.

The Pour Over Today - White House Press Pool Explained: Who Gets In

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