Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer recounted the events of 9/11 as they happened 13 years ago throughout the morning on his Twitter page.
Fleischer, who spent almost two-and-a-half years in the role, accompanied President Bush to Emma Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Fl. for an education event that morning, and was with him throughout the day:
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
"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