Bush Press Secretary Ari Fleischer Tweets Fascinating 9/11 Timeline
Former President Bush’s Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer took to Twitter to recount a riveting timeline of the 9/11 events. As one of the few people who almost never left the President’s side on that fateful day, Fleischer has very intimate details on what was happening as the world was glued to their televisions watching the tragedy unfold in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
On September 11, 2001, President Bush was visiting the Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, when news of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center broke. We have all seen the moment when White House Chief of Staff “Andy” Card whispers the terrible news to the President.
Now thanks to Ari Fleischer, who served as Bush’s Press Secretary from January 20, 2001 to July 15, 2003, we have an inside look at what it was like for the President of the United States the day the country was attacked by terrorists.
Here is how Fleischer recounts some of the events of 9/11/2001. We pick up the tweets when Card informed the President of the second plane crashing into the Towers.
9:05 WH Chief of Staff Andy Card interrupts the Pres to whisper in his hear – the second tower has been hit. “America is under attack.”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Just before Andy walked in, I got a 2nd page saying the 2nd tower had been hit. I knew instantly it had to be terrorism.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
I wrote on back of a legal pad “DON’T SAY ANYTHING YET”. I wanted him 2b briefed b4 talking. I put my back to the press & held up the sign.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
POTUS left the event and went into the holding room 2get briefed/ work the phones. Here is a picture of the scene. pic.twitter.com/ZztLy2plSl
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
I started 2take notes of what Bush was saying and doing. I have some 6 pages of notes on a legal pad. The originals are in a bank vault now.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Someone wheeled a TV into the holding room. Here’s the scene: pic.twitter.com/x9A3RTQykd
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Fleischer recounts President Bush’s impromptu speech at the school, acknowledging the attacks and promising that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Many commentators and TV anchors criticized him for referring to the terrorists as “folks.”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
We boarded the motorcade and drove [fast] to Air Force One, planning for a return to Washington, D.C.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
POTUS is told of attack on the Pentagon by either the Secret Service in the front of the limo, or by Condi on the phone. I don’t remember.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
9:45 We boarded Air Force One. I was in my seat for the takeoff and then spent most of the rest of the day in the President’s cabin.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
FOne Capt. Mark Tillman told me 10 yrs later that we took off at unusually steep ascent bcause he had a report of a sniper at end of runway.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Bush also told VP – and I quote – “We’re at war Dick and we’re going to find out who did this and we’re going to kick their ass.”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Here is a copy of one page from my notes while all this was going on: pic.twitter.com/xpqWXWLMAQ
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Bush wanted to get back 2DC, but given Secret Service opposition, we waited. We needed 2top off AFOne’s tank & POTUS wanted 2address nation.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Here is a scene aboard AFOne in POTUS’s cabin, enroute Barksdale. pic.twitter.com/ayAgN7Efuv
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Fleischer tweets that Air Force One landed in Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana to refuel and decide which steps to follow. When the entourage landed, there was no motorcade and very few Secret Service agents. The base commander hosted Bush in his office, while the White House staff worked on converting a room so the President could address the nation.
12:25 (1/3) Bush calls Cheney in the PEOC: “I think it’s important for the people to see the government is functioning…”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
(3/3) “We’re going to get the bastards.”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Before leaving Barksdale, Bush addressed the nation. Fleischer observes that he appeared nervous, which resulted in the press criticizing him for it. Before departing the base, Card decided that the staff and only three reporters (there’s usually more about 15) should continue on Air Force One.
Jay Carney, then with Time Magazine, was left behind at Barksdale. He was VERY displeased.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Bush spoke with Andy Card and Eddie, the head of his Secret Service detail, in the hallway, just outside his cabin on AFOne
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Bush: “I want to go back home ASAP.” Eddie: “Our people are saying it’s too unsteady still.” Bush: “Cheney says not safe yet as well.”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
3:10 We landed at Offut Air Force Base & parked next to a Doomsday plane. They used to be in the sky 24/7 to order nuke strikes if needed.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Here’s what a Doomsday plane looks like. It was eerie just to see it, especially that day. pic.twitter.com/OkDsNqxi8b
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Here is the scene as we entered a small non-nondescript building that led all the way down to a command bunker. pic.twitter.com/i66H0jzPgh
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Here is the building. The press was not allowed in, but they could film the “building.” pic.twitter.com/0jw7Id6t1n
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
The President convened a meeting of the NSC. Here’s a photo taken at the time. that I later found on the web. pic.twitter.com/01wq8EhgB7
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
4:30 Pres. Bush called Mrs. Bush. “I’m coming home…see you at the White House.”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
He also told the First Lady, “If I’m in the WH and there’s a plane coming my way, all I can say is I hope I read my Bible that day.”
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
5:15 As we flew back, Bush called his father.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
We had a fighter escort as we returned to DC. This is the scene aboard AFOne as we looked out the windows: pic.twitter.com/BgogjMZMmh
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Here’s a video of the fighter escort. I hope you can watch this: http://t.co/QviSAN03XS
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Bush, Ari Fleischer and the rest of the staff eventually made it back to Washington, D.C. that tragic night, and the President addressed the nation from the Oval Office in the White House. With the rubble in New York City and the Pentagon still smoldering, the Commander in Chief reassured the American people that justice would be done. View the complete account at Ari Fleischer’s Twitter account.
[Image via Reuters]
