Former Press Secretary to Bush Tweets Minute by Minute Account of 9/11
On this 13th anniversary of the horrific attack on America, a former Press Secretary to Bush is tweeting a minute by minute account of the events of the day as he witnessed them.
From Ari Fleischer:
8:40am, 9-11, 2001: I was in the motorcade 4 the drive from the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort in Sarasota, FL 2the Emma Booker Elem. School.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
8:46 Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower. The motorcade was a few minutes away from arriving at the school.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Approx 8:50: I got a page on my pager (we didn't have blackberries then and the iPhone hadn't been invented) telling me a plane hit the WTC.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
As soon as I got the page, I hussled out of my car 2tell the Pres. He was shaking hands with school officials – none of whom knew the news.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
After the President finished shaking hands, Karl Rove informed him of what we thought had to be an "accident."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
9:00 POTUS goes into a holding room and calls Condi. He instructs her 2make resources avail to help NY, still thinking it was an accident.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
After the call, POTUS goes into the classroom and starts reading a book to the kids. The press is in the back of the room.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
I suspect by now most people are watching TV, watching events unfold. I was in the classroom with the President watching the reading event.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
9:03 United Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
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
The Pres. was going to address the press re the "accident". Given the news re the 2nd tower, I didn't think he should address the press yet.
— 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
The President continued the reading event for several more minutes. Years later, Michael Moore criticized Bush for not leaving immediately.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Bush said later he stayed 2collect his thoughts and send a signal of calm. He said he didn't want 2bolt from his chair and alarm the nation.
— 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
9:30 Bush addressed a group in the gym that expected 2hear remarks on education. Few people there knew of the attack. No twitter back then.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Here's what Bush said: Today, we've had a national tragedy.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country. I have spoken to the vice president,
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Notice that Bush had no problem with calling this act terrorism just minutes after hearing about it.
to the governor of New York, to the director of the FBI, and I've ordered that the full resources of the federal government go to help…
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
…the victims and their families and to conduct a full-scale investigation to hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Terrorism against our nation will not stand. And now, if you'd join me in a moment of silence.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Many commentators and TV anchors criticized him for referring to the terrorists as "folks."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Ironically, a decade later Obama is criticized for saying, “we tortured some folks.”
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
9:37 American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon.
— 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
Colonel Tillman also told the media years later that the control tower told him that an unidentified plane was descending toward AFOne.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
in the President's cabin, I was busy taking notes. He was mostly on the phone with the VP, SecDef Rumsfeld, Gov Pataki and Mayor Giuliani.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Maddeningly, the phone connecting the Pres. to the bunker under the WH (PEOC – Presidential Emergency Operations Center) kept cutting out.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
9:59 The South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
The TVs aboard AFOne could only pick up signals as we flew over land areas with good signals. The transmissions kept coming in and out.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
After 9/11, we recognized that the technology needed a major upgrade. In terms of communications, AFOne today is unlike how it was on 9/11.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
(1/2) Bush to VP: "We're at war…We're going to take care of this. When we find out who did this, they're not going 2like me as President."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
(2/2) Bush to VP (cont): "Sombody's going to pay."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
10:07 United Flight 93 crashes in a field in Pennsylvania.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
The first report we got on AFOne was that Flight 93 crashed "near Camp David." The locations are some 100 miles apart.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
After the 3rd plane hit the Pentagon, we were told there were 3 aircraft "missing". After Flight 93, we thought 2 more attacks coming.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
The military drills 4 everything. They kicked in old Cold War training for how 2 protect POTUS. We flew at 45,000 feet in a random pattern.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
The Secret Service did not want us to return to DC. They thought Andrew Air Force Base and the White House could be targets.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Around 10:20: Bush authorized military to go to Def Con 3, the highest level of military alert since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
At 10:32, the Pres. reported an amazing phone call. POTUS was talking to the military aide while he (Bush) was on the phone with the VP.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
"A call came into the switchboard saying 'Angel is next,'" Bush said. 'Angel' was the codeword for Air Force One.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Col. Tillman, upon hearing the news, posted an armed Air Force Security Officer at the base of the steps leading up to the cockpit of AFOne.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Think about that. Aboard one of the most secure spots on earth, with nothing but trusted aides/Secret Service, the fear was an inside attack
— 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
UPDATE: Ari continued…
My notes show I wrote that a commercial popped up on the TV for a hair removal product. Seemed a little out of place…
— 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
The military chose Barksdale Air Force base in Louisiana as a good place to land until we could figure out where we were going.
— 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
12:05 We landed at Barksdale. We had no motorcade. Very few Secret Service. Everything was improvised.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
The base commander hosted Bush in his office while the staff worked on setting up a room for POTUS to address the nation.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
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
(2/3) "…because the TV shows our nation has been blasted and bombed. Government is not chaotic. It's functioning smoothly."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
(3/3) "We're going to get the bastards."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Bush closed his call with Cheney saying, "It's the new war. It's the faceless coward that attacks."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
(1/2) I'm not sure who Bush said this to, but my notes show Bush said, "I can't wait to find out who did it…"
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
(2/2) "…It's going to take a while and we're not going to have a little slap on the wrist crap."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
12:55 Bush called NY Senator Chuck Schumer. "It's a sad day 4 America. Condolences go to everyone in NY…We'll come together. God Bless."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
(1/2) Bush calls Rumsfeld: "It's a day of national tragedy and we'll clean up the mess and then the ball will be in your court…"
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
(2/2) "and [Gen.] Dick Myers court to respond." Myers was the incoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Before we left Barksdale, Bush gave a speech to the nation. He seemed a bit nervous. Here's what he said:
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
"Freedom, itself, was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended. I want to reassure the American people…
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
…that the full resources of the Federal Government r working 2assist local authorities 2save lives and 2help the victims of these attacks.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Make no mistake: The United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts. I've been in regular contact…
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
with the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the national security team, and my Cabinet. We have taken all appropriate security…
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
…precautions 2protect the American people. Our military at home & around the world is on high-alert status, & we have taken the necessary
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
…security precautions to continue the functions of your Government. We have been in touch with the leaders of Congress and with world…
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
…leaders to assure them that we will do whatever is necessary to protect America and Americans. I ask the American people to join me…
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
…in saying a thanks for all the folks who have been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens and to join me in saying a prayer for…
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
the victims and their families. The resolve of our great Nation is being tested. But make no mistake:
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
We will show the world that we will pass this test. God bless.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Much of the press criticized Bush's speech. The rap was that he seemed unsteady and not ready for the challenge ahead.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Just before leaving Barksdale, Andy Card decided we needed to reduce the number of people traveling on AFOne. He wanted core staff only.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
We left behind Members of Congress, White House staffers, & many reporters. Typically, 13 reporters are on board AFOne. Andy said make it 3.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Ann Compton of ABC News asked me if five reporters cld stay, that way a cameraman & photographer could be present. I asked Andy. He said ok.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Sonya Ross of AP., Ann Compton of ABC, Doug Mills a NYT photographer, a cameraman and soundman stayed on board.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Jay Carney, then with Time Magazine, was left behind at Barksdale. He was VERY displeased.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
We left Barksdale enroute Offut Air Force Base in NE, a secure location where Bush could convene a meeting of the National Security Council.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Bush started to receive heavy criticism for not returning to DC. Peter Jennings of ABC & Brian Williams, then on MSNBC, led the charge.
— 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 peole are saying it's too unsteady still." Bush: "Cheney says not safe yet as well."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Andy: "The right thing to do is to let the dust settle."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Bush also called Giuliani to praise his response. He warned of a possible second wave – an issue that drove many of Bush's later decisions.
— 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
We didn't know if we would overnight at Offut, or return to DC. We were told to be prepared to stay the night.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
@AriFleischer Here's a better shot of it. I took it on a pres support mission I flew a few years ago. pic.twitter.com/J8cLGWjK15
— Dean Neistat (@DeanNeistat) 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
At Offut, we got reports of 2 flights from abroad heading 4 US, despite US airspace being closed. We wondered if another attack was coming.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Both reports "resolved themselves". Either the planes turned around or it was a false report. There were many false reports that day.
— 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
He also called Ted Olson, the Solicitor General, whose wife was killed on Flight 77. I stepped out of his cabin so he could have privacy.
— 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
We landed at Andrews Air Force Base & as Marine One flew back 2the White House, Bush looked out his window and saw the smoldering pentagon.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
"The mightiest building in the world is on fire," Bush said. "That's the 21st century war you just witnessed."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
Here's the scene in the President's private dining room off the Oval Office after we arrived. pic.twitter.com/5fET4K15Y8
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
The President addressed the nation from the Oval Office. Before he spoke, I briefed the press in my office. pic.twitter.com/Yhkqp3QCFt
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
I don't remember what time I got home that night. It was a long day – and its ramifications, as world events today show, still haven't ended
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
That's what I did September 11, 2001. Thanks for listening. God Bless America.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2014
