Gaffe-prone Biden is being kept in a bunker to avoid 9/11 slip-up, says Peggy Grande

In 2001, after the tragic terrorist attacks on 9/11, the mantra “Never Forget” was enshrined.  It is a call to never forget those who lost their lives, to never forget those who gave their lives bravely trying to help and save others, to never forget those who lost loved ones, to never forget those who survived but were forever scarred – emotionally and physically.  It also is a call to remember that freedom is fragile and must be vigilantly cherished and defended.

Annual ceremonies will be held this year in New York City, Northern VA, and Shanksville, PA where names of the fallen will be read and attendees both in person and online will be keeping their vows to “Never Forget”. 

Families and friends will re-live that horrific day together, which provides, at least in part, a measure of comfort. They are not alone in their grief and feelings of loss.  The events of 9/11 affected us all in some way, unifying us as a nation then, and annually, on this solemn day of remembrance.

Part of “Never Forget” requires a national priority to ensure the events of that fateful day aren’t erased from our collective memory.  To focus that spotlight of remembrance each year, the President of the United States has attended a ceremony and participated in a wreath-laying in Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, or from the White House.  Until now.

This year, President Biden will fly in his private jumbo jet, Air Force One, to talk with the General Secretary of Vietnam about climate change, innovation, and the economy.  Hosting a Zoom call would have achieved more to save the planet, without the embarrassing gaffes and incoherence of an in-person visit, which will surely result.

Maybe the President should consider how to advance the U.S. economy instead, amidst record-high inflation, where Americans are working harder for less and are suffering under the weight of his failed economic policies.

Perhaps the President’s handlers know he would mess up this somber occasion, or it would highlight the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan two years ago. 

So, the White House is reverting to the “bunker” strategy – keeping the President away from the media and avoiding interviews and the public as much as possible. Put him on Air Force One. Fly him around the world. The plane can be his new “basement” for them to hide him in.

On his way back to the White House from Vietnam, Biden may stop in Alaska to mark this 22nd anniversary of 9/11 in a memorial ceremony with members of the military and their families.  Then again, we’ve already been warned that he may instead “attend” this event via Zoom. Talk about “phoning it in”!  Pathetic. And insulting. But then Joe can conveniently check that box and go back to his regular schedule. Just like he did in Maui.  

Yes, the White House has dispatched Vice President Harris to New York and prior to testing positive for Covid 19 – again – First Lady Jill Biden was scheduled to lay a wreath at the Pentagon Memorial, but those do not bring the weight and commitment of remembrance that a visit by the President of the United States does.  

If it was important to him, President Biden would have directed his staff to ensure he was present for one of those ceremonies in a location of significance.  So, it either wasn’t a big deal to him, he hasn’t thought about it at all, or his staff calls the shots and tells him what to do – not the other way around.  While the decision-making behind it is unclear – the message is crystal clear – this is not a priority to the President.

The survivors of 9/11 are not alone in feeling forgotten and abandoned by this President.  Ask the residents of East Palestine, Ohio, who since the toxic train derailment more than seven months ago, have been waiting for a Presidential visit. When Biden was asked about it again this week he said, “I haven’t had the occasion to go. 

There’s a lot going on here, and I just haven’t been able to break.  I was thinking I would go this week, but I’ve been reminded I’ve gotta go literally around the world.  I’m going from Washington to India to Vietnam, so it’s gonna be a while.”  If the train had derailed near a Democrat city, he would have visited long ago, but rural Red-State Ohio will have to keep waiting.  And waiting.

Can someone please tell the President of the United States that his job is not about him – it’s about the American people.  And it’s called a job for a reason – it requires work. And showing up.

Yet Biden has spent 40 percent of his time on vacation and many days in the White House have ZERO public events, all while the American people are suffering.  Not just on the anniversary of that fateful day in September of 2001, but they are suffering every day. Much of it he is causing.

Of course, Biden remembered 9/11 for political reasons when he committed to the chaotic and catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan prior to that date in 2021. 

It was symbolic to him then – consequences be damned.  So why was that date so important to him then?  And he can’t be bothered or inconvenienced by it now?  It’s clear “America First” is no longer White House policy.

Everyone knows Joe Biden has trouble with the truth.  Perhaps he also has trouble with definitions.  “Never” means “not ever, on no occasion, at no time”.  We know he lied when he said he “never” spoke to his son about his business dealings and that he “never” was in business with his son. 

That is bad enough.  But to lie about this “never” – “Never Forget” is unforgivable and is something even Joe Biden should remember.

Peggy Grande was executive assistant to Ronald Reagan and is author of “The President Will See You Now.”  She was Chair of World for Brexit and served as a political appointee in the Trump Administration. Peggy serves on the Board of Pepperdine School of Public Policy, and the Board of The Center for American Ideas.