Air Force One was wheels down at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport at 9:29 am. President Biden and Jill Biden held hands as they departed the plane at 9:40.
The president then hugged NY Gov Kathy Hochul and spoke to Senator Schumer and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. He then shook hands with law enforcement officers awaiting on the tarmac.
Before stepping into the motorcade, Biden and Schumer had a quick private conversation with the Senate Majority Leader repeatedly patting his own chest. POTUS then tapped Schumer’s shoulder. A bouquet of white flowers was spotted on the seat of the presidential limo.
During the flight, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gave the latest news update
- Press Secretary said the president would deem the shooting in Buffalo an act of “terrorism motivated by hateful and perverse ideology that tears are the soul of our nation” and that he would “call on Congress to take weapons of war off our streets.” She said they would be studying the domestic terrorism prevention legislation.
- Jean-Pierre said that the White House would not call out by name those in politics or media espousing the racist replacement theory saying they don’t want to give them any additional attention. “The people who spread this filth know who they are and should be ashamed of themselves,” she said.
- Jean-Pierre expressed confidence that Finland and Sweden would be admitted to NATO and pointed to the leaders’ visit to the White House this week.
- Jean-Pierre provided no update on student loans and declined to speak on today’s primary elections.