Late Tuesday at 5:49 pm ET the White House sent out an update to President Joe Biden's daily schedule. In it was an unplanned and unexplained flight to and from Delaware.
"In the evening, the President and the First Lady will travel to Wilmington, Delaware. The departure from the White House and the departure from Joint Base Andrews will be covered by the out-of-town pool. The arrival in Wilmington, Delaware will be covered by the out-of-town pool," the White House released. "After, the President and the First Lady will return to the White House from Wilmington, Delaware. The departure fromWilmington, Delaware and the arrival at Joint Base Andrews will be covered by the out-of-town pool. The arrival at the White House will be covered by the out-of-town pool."
Maybe Biden is going to vote? pic.twitter.com/qRWEoT7aWk
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) September 13, 2022
When asked before departure why he was making the quick, round-trip flight, Biden confirmed it was to vote.
Biden tells reporters he's flying to Delaware and back tonight to vote.
— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) September 13, 2022
Asked by @karentravers why he didn't just vote by absentee in the state's primary, Biden smiled and turned to climb aboard Air Force One. https://t.co/VYuxkj7ZhA
The move, which came after a severe stock market crash and grim inflation report, was heavily criticized.
Biden forgot to vote absentee…so after he held a party at the White House to celebrate inflation and in the wake of American 401k plans/other retirement investments getting wiped out today, he decided to make a quick, emission filled, $177k+ trip to Delaware and back tonight.
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) September 13, 2022
Biden is flying home last-minute to Delaware to vote in the primary today, despite recently eased rules in the state for early vote by mail. According to a sample ballot for his address, the only election he can vote in is for Auditor of Accounts pic.twitter.com/1IZimBDbaS
— Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) September 13, 2022
Biden employed two motorcades, local police protection and the Boeing 757 version of Air Force One to fly from DC to Delaware vote in an election with no high-profile races on the ballot, @Jordanfabian and @jendeben reporthttps://t.co/OwotM5qFZW https://t.co/BqN0QBF6Sn
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 13, 2022
BIDEN’s unexpected trip to Delaware to vote — which required 2 motorcades, local police & AF1 — was a departure from other presidents, who voted absentee in midterm elections.
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) September 14, 2022
He also could have voted in-person on Saturday, when he was home in Wilmington. https://t.co/sL2gj365uZ