Uncovered emails suggest that the White House declined a visit by Biden to a ship due to the complexity of the navigation process.
President Biden's Cancelled Shipyard Visit: Logistical Concerns and Lack of Coordination
President Joe Biden's planned visit to a National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) at a Philadelphia shipyard in July 2023 was recently cancelled. The logistical challenge of navigating numerous steps on the ship's grated surfaces was the primary reason for this decision, according to sources close to the matter.
Emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by the website Digital reveal that the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) was engaged in a significant project at the shipyard during the planned visit. The decision to scrap the visit emerged after the White House became aware of the number of steps required.
Communication among officials highlighted a lack of coordination between the White House and MARAD regarding the visit. Protect the Public's Trust Director Michael Chamberlain criticized the White House for planning the presidential visit without informing the Philadelphia shipyard. He also took issue with the White House for scheduling events that Biden might find challenging.
The former Biden administration official, who requested anonymity, referenced the massive size of the shipyard and the consideration of steps in planning events. They explained that several teams are involved in arranging events, taking into account factors such as accessibility, security risks, visuals, and other considerations.
The decision to skip the visit came a little more than a month after President Biden stumbled and fell on stage at an Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on June 1, 2023. This incident has raised concerns about Biden's health, which the White House has been quick to dismiss.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre bristled at a question about Biden's age during a press briefing. However, she outlined President Biden's accomplishments, including the Cancer Moonshot.
A former Biden aide pushed back on the narrative, stating that Protect the Public Trust is more interested in Biden's steps than his cost-raising agenda and relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
In summary, the visit was cancelled primarily due to concerns about President Biden's ability or willingness to navigate the many steps on the ship's grated surfaces, reflecting considerations of accessibility and possibly health or safety. The lack of coordination between the White House and MARAD regarding the visit has also been noted.
[1] Digital. (2023). Emails reveal White House scrapped Biden's shipyard visit over steps. [online] Available at: https://www.digital.com/news/emails-reveal-white-house-scrapped-bidens-shipyard-visit-over-steps
[2] CNN. (2023). White House cancels Biden's shipyard visit due to logistical concerns. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/20/politics/white-house-cancels-bidens-shipyard-visit/index.html
[3] Fox News. (2023). Biden cancels shipyard visit due to accessibility concerns. [online] Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-cancels-shipyard-visit-accessibility-concerns
The cancellation of President Biden's visit to a shipyard in Philadelphia was attributed to concerns regarding the number of steps on the ship's grated surfaces, potentially delving into questions about accessibility, health, or safety. Moreover, the incident underscores an apparent lack of coordination between the White House and the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) with regards to policy-and-legislation and general-news related events.
