White House Staffers on Trump Win

Thanks to White House pooler Jen Bendery of the Huffington Post for providing this report on the mood of White House staffers after President Obama delivered remarks on president-elect Trump's win.

Bendery wrote:

"Obama gave remarks in the Rose Garden about Donald Trump winning last night's presidential race.

The event was open press, but here's a little color.

Obama talked for about 10 minutes about the need to unify the country now that the election is over. Biden stood alongside him."



Quoting from President Obama's remarks, Bendery writes, "A lot of Americans are exalted today. A lot of Americans are less so," he said with a slight chuckle. "Don't get cynical. Don't ever think you can't make a difference."

At least 150 WH staffers came out to hear Obama speak. They lined up in the garden behind the press, listening intently. When he was done, they applauded for a solid minute, at least. Your pooler saw three staffers crying, and many others with closed eyes or staring up at the sky.

Bendery further writes: "The mood here is somber and quiet. Your pooler asked one aide in tears what was going through her mind; she said "I'm just sad," before walking away.

When it was suggested to another aide that today was bittersweet, the aide replied, "I don't know about sweet."

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