The widow of a fire chief — who was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks 23 years ago — blasted President Joe Biden for a callous and “flippant remark” about his plans to mark the anniversary on Wednesday at Ground Zero.
Joanne Barbara — widow of Gerard Barbara, an assistant chief in the New York Fire Department who died inside the World Trade Center on 9/11 — participated in Wednesday’s services but took a moment to call Biden out directly.
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“The elected officials here today show their respect and reverence to the families on September 11, or in our president’s words, ‘do 9/11.’ Quite a flippant remark. But please remember the September 11 families live it every day, not just on the anniversary,” she said.
Biden was widely criticized for his phrasing after he spoke with reporters on the White House lawn on Tuesday, first detailing his plans to watch the ABC debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, and then adding an aside about attending the 9/11 memorial in New York.
“I’m going up to my granddaughter’s birthday in New York. Then we’re going to watch the debate. Tomorrow, I’m doing 9/11,” he said.
Biden and Harris both made an appearance at the Ground Zero memorial ceremonies — standing alongside former President Donald Trump and his vice presidential nominee, Senator JD Vance (R-OH) — but had apparently ducked out by the time Barbara made her comments. When she called him out directly, the cameras panned to where Biden and Harris had been standing — but only Trump and Vance were still standing where they had been.
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