Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer spent Thursday, the 13th anniversary of 9/11, live-tweeting about where he was during the terror attacks.
His postings provide incredible insight into what the day was like for President George W. Bush and his inner circle, including the shock and anger they felt upon learning of the attacks.
Fleischer said he took detailed notes that day, and many of his postings include direct quotes from the president.
“We’re at war, Dick, and we’re going to find out who did this and we’re going to kick their ass,” Bush, who was in Florida, told Vice President Dick Cheney in one of their first phone calls after the attack.
Along with specific conversations, Fleischer revealed other details about the day including that officials were apparently afraid high-level members of the U.S. government could have been involved in the attacks.
According to Fleischer, an anonymous caller to the White House switchboard warned “Angel is next.” Angel was the code word for Air Force One, which Fleischer said made those on board worry there was “an inside attack.” Fleischer said the plane’s pilot received warnings the president’s plane may have been targeted by snipers or another plane as it left Florida.
“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
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
Fleischer’s tweets included a photo of notes he took that day. Based on the notes, about 10 minutes after the second World Trade Center tower collapsed, Bush was told his daughters were removed to a “safe house.” Bush responded by asking about his dog, Barney. Fleischer quoted former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card responding by saying the dog was “nipping at the heels — For more information read the original article here.
