Reporters on Air Force One are told that President Bush is being evacuated, but they currently have no idea where the plane is heading. [Salon, 9/12/2001; BBC, 9/1/2002; Politico Magazine, 9/9/2016] Thirteen reporters are gathered in a small cabin at the back of the president’s plane. [CBS News, 8/19/2002; Fleischer, 2005, pp. 145] White House press secretary Ari Fleischer comes in and tells them, “This is off the record, but the president is being evacuated.” He says Bush is being evacuated “for his safety and the safety of the country.” Ann Compton of ABC Radio responds: “You can’t put that off the record. That’s a historic and chilling fact. That has to be on the record.” [ABC News, 9/11/2002; Politico Magazine, 9/9/2016] “I’ve covered the White House for more than 25 years,” she will later reflect, adding, “I have never heard of a president being evacuated.” [BBC, 9/1/2002] Fleischer’s statement “sent chills down my spine,” she will say. [Politico Magazine, 9/9/2016] Air Force One is currently heading for Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana (see (10:20 a.m.) September 11, 2001). [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 325] But the reporters on board are unaware of the plane’s destination. When they have inquired where they were going, the people they asked said they didn’t know. [USA Today, 9/11/2001; Salon, 9/12/2001; Rochester Review, 9/2004]
International Center for 9/11 Justice
Stay Informed
Sign up to receive updates and hear about ways to make a difference.
Your information will remain confidential and will not be shared with any third parties. Privacy Policy
International Center for 9/11 Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.