Joe and Jill Biden were whisked by motorcade to a Rehoboth Beach, Delaware fire house as fighter jets flew overhead, according to reports. The emergency action to protect the Bidens came from an aircraft intrusion into the restricted zone around the Bidens’ beach house where they are spending a long weekend to celebrate Jill’s 71st birthday.
CBS News reporter Bo Erickson posted to Twitter, “REHOBOTH, Delaware- At 12:52p, I saw @POTUS motorcade race into the Rehoboth Fire Station. I saw President Biden through the window of a SUV. Right before the motorcade, I saw 2 military jets flying low over the beach town. The press pool is not with the motorcade…UPDATE – Motorcade just left the fire station at 1:29pm”
UPDATE – Motorcade just left the fire station at 1:29pm
— Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) June 4, 2022
“One woman who lives nearby, Susan Lillard, tells @CBSNews she saw a small white plane flying over the area where Biden’s beach house is in town. That was around 12:45p. Then she saw the two military-style jets scramble minutes later over the town…This is picture of the president’s motorcade pulling into fire station. The SUV with the president went right inside the building and then Secret Service began clearing the area.”
This is picture of the president’s motorcade pulling into fire station. The SUV with the president went right inside the building and then Secret Service began clearing the area. @cbsnews pic.twitter.com/CypdtPvIWR
— Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) June 4, 2022
Bloomberg’s Jordan Fabian reported a statement by a White House official that said the intrusion appears to have been accidental, “A private plane appeared to have mistakenly entered the airspace, prompting a precautionary measure to be taken. The President and the First Lady are safe and there was not an attack. The United States Secret Service will have a statement on this shortly.”
From a WH official:
“A private plane appeared to have mistakenly entered the airspace, prompting a precautionary measure to be taken. The President and the First Lady are safe and there was not an attack. The United States Secret Service will have a statement on this shortly” https://t.co/6Ftdrk2ale
— Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) June 4, 2022
Photos from the scene:
Rehoboth Beach police closed Rehoboth Ave after aircraft incursion reported over @POTUS beach house. pic.twitter.com/LTv8GchRDp
— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) June 4, 2022
More from Bo Erickson, “MORE INFO: Rehoboth Beach Fire Chief Chuck Snyder tells me Secret Service told the station at 12:48 they were bringing POTUS & FLOTUS to station “because of a threat.” Motorcade arrived at 12:52. Secret Service did not share more…Chief Snyder says POTUS & FLOTUS remained in SUV as it sat in this station garage. The two did not get out. The chief says his department has had drills with Secret Service to evacuate POTUS to this location in case of emergency.”
Chief Snyder says POTUS & FLOTUS remained in SUV as it sat in this station garage. The two did not get out.
The chief says his department has had drills with Secret Service to evacuate POTUS to this location in case of emergency. pic.twitter.com/mFU0WPeYKU
— Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) June 4, 2022
UPDATE: Statement by the Secret Service says the pilot was on the wrong radio channel and was not following the NOTAM for the restricted airspace.
Statement on a privately owned aircraft that violated restricted airspace over Delaware and was escorted out earlier today. pic.twitter.com/w9OvNlgjgY
— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) June 4, 2022