It’s Friday…
President Biden’s public schedule for 05/03/2024:
| 10:00 AM | In-Town Pool Call TimeIn-Town Pool |
| 12:30 PM | The President and The Vice President receive the President’s Daily Brief Oval Office |
| 1:30 PM Press Briefing | Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-PierreJames S. Brady Press Briefing Room |
| 4:30 PM Remarks | The President presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the country; The Vice President attends |
| 4:45 PM | Out-of-Town Pool Call Time Joint Base Andrews Overhang |
| 6:00 PM | The President departs the White House en route to Wilmington, Delaware South Lawn |
| 6:55 PM | The President arrives in Wilmington, Delaware |
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre @1:30 p.m. D.C., time:
Clean Drinking Water Tweets
From Thursday…
Tune in as I deliver remarks on how my agenda is replacing toxic lead pipes and delivering clean water across America. https://t.co/urinuyzCxA
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 2, 2024
The YouTube is 25 minutes and 26 seconds long. The White House has not posted the transcript of his remarks–they will–they are just slow today…
Safe, clean drinking water is fundamental to our communities, to our economy, and to our basic human rights.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 3, 2024
Today, I’m releasing another $3 billion from the historic $15 billion in my Infrastructure Law to remove lead pipes across America.
From Friday…
There is no safe level of lead exposure.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 3, 2024
And the only way forward is to replace every lead pipe in America.
That’s why Kamala and I are making sure our Administration is the first ever to set out to do it. pic.twitter.com/FbNujDMidJ
From the White House…
05/01/2024:
Protesting is a Right–Violent Protesting is Against the Law Tweets
From Thursday…
I shared the below tweet in Thursday’s Bits–I’m reposting here for added context…
Tune in as I deliver remarks. https://t.co/zN7LMKaBIf
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 2, 2024
The YouTube is 3 minutes and 56 seconds long.
In moments of dissent, there are always those who rush in to score political points.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 2, 2024
But this isn’t a moment for politics. This is a moment for clarity. So, let me be clear:
Peaceful protest is protected in America.
Violent protest is not protected. It’s against the law.
As president, I will always defend free speech.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 3, 2024
And I will also be just as strong in standing up for the rule of law.
That’s not a choice for me as president to make.
That’s my responsibility to you the American people, and my obligation to the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/4ovB9jvRXv
Remarks by President Biden on Recent Events on College Campuses
Before I head to North Carolina, I wanted to speak a few moments about what’s going on on our college campuses here.
We’ve all seen the images. And they put to the test two fundamental American principles.
Excuse me. (Coughs.)
Remarks by President Biden on Recent Events on College Campuses. 05/02/2024.
The first is the right to free speech and for people to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard. The second is the rule of law. Both must be upheld.
We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent. The American people are heard. In fact, peaceful protest is in the best tradition of how Americans respond to consequential issues.
But — but neither are we a lawless country. We are a civil society, and order must prevail.
Throughout our history, we’ve often faced moments like this because we are a big, diverse, free-thinking, and freedom-loving nation.
In moments like this, there are always those who rush in to score political points. But this isn’t a moment for politics. It’s a moment for clarity.
So, let me be clear. Peaceful protest in America — violent protest is not protected; peaceful protest is. It’s against the law when violence occurs.
Destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It’s against the law.
Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations — none of this is a peaceful protest.
Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear in people is not peaceful protest. It’s against the law.
Dissent is essential to democracy. But dissent must never lead to disorder or to denying the rights of others so students can finish the semester and their college education.
Look, it’s basically a matter of fairness. It’s a matter of what’s right. There’s the right to protest but not the right to cause chaos.
People have the right to get an education, the right to get a degree, the right to walk across the campus safely without fear of being attacked.
But let’s be clear about this as well. There should be no place on any campus, no place in America for antisemitism or threats of violence against Jewish students. There is no place for hate speech or violence of any kind, whether it’s antisemitism, Islamophobia, or discrimination against Arab Americans or Palestinian Americans.
It’s simply wrong. There is no place for racism in America. It’s all wrong. It’s un-American.
I understand people have strong feelings and deep convictions. In America, we respect the right and protect the right for them to express that. But it doesn’t mean anything goes. It needs to be done without violence, without destruction, without hate, and within the law.
You know, make no mistake: As President, I will always defend free speech. And I will always be just as strong in standing up for the rule of law.
That’s my responsibility to you, the American people, and my obligation to the Constitution.
Thank you very much.
Q&A:
Q Mr. President, have the protests forced you to reconsider any of the policies with regard to the region?
THE PRESIDENT: No.Thank you.
Remarks by President Biden on Recent Events on College Campuses. 05/02/2024.
Q Mr. President, do you think the National Guard should intervene?
THE PRESIDENT: No.
National Monuments Tweet
From Thursday…
Today, I expanded the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain national monuments.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 3, 2024
That means nearly 120,000 acres of culturally, ecologically, and historically important lands are now protected so future generations can explore and enjoy these irreplaceable sites. pic.twitter.com/MPdk3rnV61
The video clip is 39 seconds long. It’s a group of people in the Oval Office as he signs the Proclamations expanding the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
From the White House…
05/02/2024:
Presidential Medal of Freedom Tweet
From Friday…
Folks, it's my honor to present the nineteen extraordinary Americans who will join me at the White House this afternoon to receive our nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. pic.twitter.com/hkzP3ng5BU
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 3, 2024
The video clip is 1 minute and 16 seconds long. It goes through the 19 people receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom this afternoon at the White House.
From the White House…
05/03/2024:
President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Today, President Biden named nineteen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 05/03/2024.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.
President Biden often says there is nothing beyond our capacity when we act together. These nineteen Americans built teams, coalitions, movements, organizations, and businesses that shaped America for the better. They are the pinnacle of leadership in their fields. They consistently demonstrated over their careers the power of community, hard work, and service.
The awards will be presented at the White House on May 3, 2024. The following individuals will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom:
Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and three-term mayor. He revolutionized the financial information industry and transformed New York City’s education, environment, public health, and the arts.
Gregory J. Boyle
Father Greg Boyle is a Jesuit Catholic priest who is the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program. He has helped thousands of Angelenos turn their lives around.
James E. Clyburn
Representative Jim Clyburn is the former Assistant Democratic Leader and Majority Whip in the United States House of Representatives. Through three decades in the House, Representative Clyburn has transformed the lives of millions of Americans and created a freer country.
Elizabeth Dole
Senator Elizabeth Dole has served her country as a trailblazing United States Senator, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor, and President of the American Red Cross. She leads by example through her Foundation’s support for military caregivers and their families.
Phil Donahue
Phil Donahue is a journalist and television pioneer who pioneered the daytime issue-oriented television talk show. Donahue was the first daytime talk show to feature audience participation and one of the most influential televisions programs of its time.
Medgar Wiley Evers (posthumous)
Medgar Evers (d. 1963) fought for his country in World War II and returned home to lead the fight against segregation in Mississippi. After he was murdered at his home at age 37, his wife Myrlie continued the fight to seek justice and equality in his name.
Al Gore
Al Gore is a former Vice President, United States Senator, and member of the House of Representatives. After winning the popular vote, he accepted the outcome of a disputed presidential election for the sake of our unity. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for his bold action on climate change.
Clarence B. Jones
Clarence B. Jones is a renowned civil rights activist and lawyer who helped draft Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Jones was instrumental in preserving Dr. King’s legacy and remains an outspoken force against hate.
John Forbes Kerry
Secretary John Kerry is a former Secretary of State, United States Senator, and the first Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. His bravery in combat during the Vietnam War earned him the Silver Star and Bronze Star, and history will remember his public service career that has spanned seven decades.
Frank R. Lautenberg (posthumous)
Senator Frank Lautenberg (d. 2013) was a five-term United States Senator and New Jersey’s longest-serving Senator. He is remembered for his critical work on environmental protection and consumer safety across a number of fields.
Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky
Katie Ledecky is the most decorated female swimmer in history. An athletic prodigy, she has won seven Olympic gold medals and twenty-one world championship gold medals so far. She will continue to compete for the Nation who watches her in awe.
Opal Lee
Opal Lee is an educator and activist known for her efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. More than 150 years after that day in Texas, she joined President Biden to officially make Juneteenth a national holiday in 2021.
Ellen Ochoa
Ellen Ochoa is the first Hispanic woman in space and the second female Director of NASA’s renowned Johnson Space Center. Dr. Ochoa has flown in space four times, logged nearly 1,000 hours in orbit, and continues to inspire young generations of scientists.
Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi served as the 52nd Speaker of the House and has represented San Francisco in Congress for more than 36 years. A staunch defender of democracy, she has shaped legislative agendas and Democratic priorities for decades.
Jane Rigby
Jane Rigby, an astronomer who grew up in Delaware, is the chief scientist of the world’s most powerful telescope. A prolific researcher, Dr. Rigby embodies the American spirit of adventure and wonder.
Teresa Romero
Teresa Romero is the president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina to become president of a national union in the United States. She has secured key victories to improve the lives of the workers who feed and fuel our Nation.
Judy Shepard
Judy Shepard is the co-founder of the Matthew Shephard Foundation, an organization created in honor of her son who was murdered in one of the nation’s most notorious anti-gay hate crimes. Her work has driven tremendous progress in our fight to give hate no safe harbor.
James Francis Thorpe (posthumous)
Jim Thorpe (d. 1953) was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. The country’s original multi-sport superstar, he went on to play professional football, baseball, and basketball while breaking down barriers on and off the field.
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh is an actress known for her groundbreaking work in a number of blockbusters over four decades. Recently, she became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Yeoh continues to shatter stereotypes and enrich American culture.
President Biden Presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom @4:30 p.m. D.C., time:
Jobs Report Tweet
From Friday…
With today’s report of 175,000 new jobs, the American comeback continues.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 3, 2024
Congressional Republicans are fighting to cut taxes for billionaires and let special interests rip folks off, I'm focused on job creation and building an economy that works for the families I grew up with.
Statement from President Joe Biden on the April Jobs Report
With today’s report of 175,000 new jobs, the great American comeback continues. When I took office, I inherited an economy on the brink, with the worst economic crisis in a century. I had a plan to turn our country around and build our economy from the middle out and the bottom up. Now we are seeing that plan in action, with well over 15 million jobs created since I took office, working-age women employed at a record high rate, wages rising faster than prices, and unemployment below 4 percent for a record 27 months in a row.
There’s more work to do. I have a plan to lower the cost of rent and homeownership by building 2 million homes; to cut taxes for middle-class families and American workers; and to continue making health care, prescription drugs, inhalers, and insulin more affordable. Congressional Republicans have a different vision. They are fighting to slash taxes on billionaires and let special interests rip off Americans. I will keep fighting for the middle class and hardworking families I grew up with—for Scranton, not Park Avenue.
Statement from President Joe Biden on the April Jobs Report. 05/03/2024.
The BLS said: Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 175,000 in April, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in health care, in social assistance, and in transportation and warehousing.
Ben Casselman brought the charts this jobs report day…
Time for some 📈📷! This was the smallest job gain since October. But 175k isn't bad — it's much closer to what economists would expect at this stage in the cycle. This is consistent with a story of steady job growth, rather than the acceleration we had seen in recent months. https://t.co/gMYEPlwwIy pic.twitter.com/ltL3SACI9J
— Ben Casselman (@bencasselman) May 3, 2024
The Black unemployment rate fell sharply to 5.6%. That's very encouraging, because it had been creeping up, and Black workers have historically been the first to lose their jobs in a recession. (As the late Bill Spriggs often said, they are the "canary in the coal mine" for the… pic.twitter.com/MElLcS6TZr
— Ben Casselman (@bencasselman) May 3, 2024
Show more =’s (As the late Bill Spriggs often said, they are the “canary in the coal mine” for the broader job market.)
The employment gains in April were mostly full-time — part-time employment actually fell. The share of prime-age adults working full-time, which had been falling, rose in April. pic.twitter.com/cqXmi7kQkx
— Ben Casselman (@bencasselman) May 3, 2024
Although on that last point, involuntary part-time work did rise in April, and has been gradually creeping up recently. pic.twitter.com/x2kkisQtSl
— Ben Casselman (@bencasselman) May 3, 2024
It's not quite right to say job gains "narrowed," because the diffusion index actually edged up, and has basically been holding steady. pic.twitter.com/sbz3WL3djS
— Ben Casselman (@bencasselman) May 3, 2024
Even with the slowdown in April, though, the combination of solid job growth and solid wage growth has allowed aggregate earnings to keep rising (and at a faster pace than prices). pic.twitter.com/dXz5cs2hAV
— Ben Casselman (@bencasselman) May 3, 2024
Earlier in the recovery, raises were rising fastest in the lowest-paying industries. That's no longer really true. Still, it's notable that low-wage workers haven't lost the gains they made relative to other groups. pic.twitter.com/nYFs5h1xRF
— Ben Casselman (@bencasselman) May 3, 2024
“New” from the White House…
05/01/2024:
05/02/2024:
- Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan En Route Charlotte, NC; the YouTube is 16 minutes and 56 seconds long.
- White House Releases “Teachers of the Year” State Dinner Guest List; the arrivals YouTube is 1 hour and 5 minutes long
- Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at National Teachers of the Year State Dinner; the YouTube of the event is 31 minutes and 7 seconds long.
05/03/2024:
This is an open thread
