Janice R. Andrews
Last month, there was a dramatic turn of events when President Joe Biden had a health crisis while on a campaign tour, prompting the immediate despatch of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers to secure a hospital. The event happened on July 17. Police radio despatches that the Daily Beast was able to get have been made public. The recordings highlight the seriousness of the issue and the need for quick action by exposing the tremendous efforts made by law enforcement to get ready in case the president had a medical emergency.
The Emergence Takes Place
President Biden started the day with a campaign swing in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was supposed to speak to Latino voters at the UnidosUS gathering. But the president unexpectedly called off his speech, which started a series of events that resulted in the widespread mobilisation of emergency services and law enforcement. The University Medical Centre (UMC) in Las Vegas received a notification of an unidentified medical emergency affecting the president at around 2:15 p.m. local time.
The radio broadcasts stated that as soon as the president was supposed to arrive, police officers were dispatched to guard the parking area of Valley Hospital ER. “Meet at the parking lot of Valley Hospital’s emergency room. An cop is heard saying, “We’re going to meet behind the ER entrances, where the ambulances go,” on one of the tapes. The officer’s voice had a certain urgency that belied the seriousness of the issue.
A Severe Police Reaction
The president’s status was still unknown, but the LVMPD moved swiftly to protect everyone in the vicinity. Major crossroads were to be closed, and traffic on the routes leading to the hospital were to be cleared by officers. One of the officers gave the order, “I need to get all the major intersections shut down, but lights shut down from Desert Inn all the way down to Russell… start with the big ones,” highlighting the need of keeping a safe path in case the president arrives.
The police reaction was thorough and fast. As officers got ready for the president’s arrival, they were instructed to be “decked out in readily identifiable police gear.” Staff members at UMC were on standby to attend to any potential medical requirements in the interim. The CEO of UMC, Mason Van Houweling, attested to the fact that the hospital had prepared an incident command centre for the president’s visit. Van Houweling clarified, emphasising the hospital’s readiness for a medical emergency: “We knew we were dealing with more of a medical issue—definitely trauma and any accidents were off the table.”
As police resources are stretched, tensions increase
The cops were obviously concerned about whether there would be enough resources to handle the crisis, even with all of the preparations. A police officer is heard cautioning, “We gotta take this one slow ’cause we don’t have a lot of resources to make it work,” in one clip. Additionally, the officer stressed the value of safety and urged coworkers to use caution, saying, “Just remember safety, safety, safety.” Don’t do anything if it doesn’t seem good—no one gets harmed.
Officers were working to secure the area, and although it was tense, their efforts were successful. In the end, the president was refused hospital admission. Rather, he was driven straight to the airport, where he boarded Air Force One and flew from Delaware to Las Vegas.
A Closer Examining of the Event
The collaboration between the Secret Service and local law enforcement throughout the event may also be seen through the police radio broadcasts. The extreme degree of security in place was demonstrated when an officer questioned whether the Secret Service had drones hovering over the stratosphere while Biden was being taken to the airport.
An officer thanked the participating units for their prompt and efficient reaction as the motorcade pulled up to Air Force One. “I simply want to inform everyone.” Fantastic job being done there. We assembled that on the spot, as you know, and we’re grateful for all the materials you provided. Great work everyone! You guys performed an amazing job that looked like we had planned it for weeks,” the officer remarked, praising the operation’s accomplishment.
The Repercussions and White House Reaction
The LVMPD issued a statement in the days that followed the event, stating that they had been made aware of the president’s condition but that they had not received any more information. As a precaution, they had already begun proactively clearing the roads leading to the hospital. On July 17, the White House also declared that President Biden had received a COVID-19 diagnosis. The public was reassured by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre that the president had received a vaccination and booster shot and was only exhibiting minor symptoms. In order to continue serving as president and live in seclusion, Biden went back to Delaware.
Biden’s Prospects in Politics
Concerns over Biden’s health and cognitive ability were already present before the health scare. Biden declared a few days after the event that he would not run for reelection in 2024, citing his desire to concentrate on carrying out his existing responsibilities. Biden then backed Vice President Kamala Harris as his favoured successor, and Harris has since won the Democratic nomination for president.
On September 10, Harris will face the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, in their first debate in front of the entire country. The debate’s conclusion may have a big impact on the 2024 presidential contest, making it a high-stakes contest.
This episode serves as a reminder of the tremendous pressure and accountability that accompany safeguarding the president, as well as the need for prompt and well-coordinated action in the event of a medical emergency. The nation is still on high alert as the 2024 election draws near, with the public’s focus mostly on the president’s health and political destiny.
