New York’s Staten Island — Monday is the first presidential visit to Staten Island in twelve years.
First Lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden are on their way to Staten Island from Washington, D.C., stopping at JFK Airport to change from Air Force One to the chopper that will take them to Miller Field in New Dorp.
At 5:30 p.m., the aircraft is anticipated to touch down on Staten Island.
Following their arrival on the borough, the first couple and their entourage will be driven to Fort Wadsworth, where they will hold a Friendsgiving ceremony at U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York to express gratitude to military members and their families. For approximately four hours, the Father Capodanno Boulevard route will be off-limits to motorists.
Throughout the visit, live updates will be available below from Advance/SILive.com.
In order to see updates, refresh this page.
The Biden Motorcade is heading into Fort Worth at 5:35 p.m.
The presidential convoy started to head toward Fort Wadsworth, and a few families were out in the chilly evening air at Miller Field.
As his car passed, some people who were flying American flags were able to see President Joe Biden waving.
At 5:30 p.m., Gridlock and the President arrive.
In the direction of the Staten Island Expressway, police are preventing vehicles from turning off Hylan Boulevard onto Fingerboard Road. Drivers are being signaled to proceed approaching a dangerous chokepoint close to Olga Place along Hylan Boulevard.
Meanwhile, between Hylan Boulevard and Fingerboard Road, traffic on Narrows Road South is currently jam-packed and at a complete standstill. Near the Hylan Dartmouth Apartments, a few cars were observed traveling along the one-way section of Hylan Boulevard.
However, the majority of Hylan Boulevard seems to be running smoothly if cars stay away from the most problematic areas.
LIVE FEED: BIDENS LAND IN MILLER FIELD AT 5:22 P.M.
As the first couple arrives on Staten Island, Shane DiMaio of The Advance/SILive.com is broadcasting live on Facebook from Miller Field.
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BIDEN’S HELICOPTER IS COMING, 5:16 P.M.
The Bidens landed at JFK at around 5 p.m. and then got into a helicopter that was taking them to Miller Field.
Police helicopters were heard as far south as Great Kills on Staten Island, and some of them circled Miller Field before the arrival of the president and first lady.
Service members and Representative Nicole Malliotakis waited for the president at Fort Wadsworth.
While waiting for the Bidens to arrive at Fort Wadsworth, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis takes a group photo with Coast Guard personnel.Jason Paderon/Advance of Staten Island
FATHER CAPODANNO CLOSURES START AT 4:45 P.M.
At Seaview Avenue, Father Capodanno Boulevard is now blocked by two DSNY trucks.
If at all possible, drivers should steer clear of the area or take other routes.
In anticipation of the motorcade led by President Joe Biden, Father Capodanno was sealed off.Staten Island Advance/Mike Matteo
At 4:38 p.m., people start to congregate along the new Dorp Lane.
About an hour before the Bidens are expected to land at Miller Field, at 4:30 p.m., a small crowd of spectators started to assemble along New Dorp Lane in hopes of catching a glimpse of the first couple.
Before President Joe Biden and Jill Biden arrive at Miller Field, spectators congregate on New Dorp Lane.Reiter, Owen
Even though several police cars were heading toward Miller Field, there weren’t many people in line along Father Capodanno Boulevard, and traffic was still moving around 4:30 p.m.
One of the few early arrivals along the trip was Theresa Reed from Silver Lake.
“I’m really excited to see him pass by because I’ve never seen an active president in person before,” she remarked.
4:11 PM — GOING OUT OF D.C.
The Bidens were photographed flying on Air Force One out of Washington, D.C.
The Bidens leave D.C. and make their way to New York.The Associated Press
They are traveling in a group that includes press, aides, and personal helpers.
DISSENT, BUT RESPECT, 3:53 P.M.
The old Island Shores senior home, which is now a refuge for migrants, is located along Biden’s motorcade route to Fort Wadsworth. This is one of numerous shelters that opened on Staten Island as the city dealt with an influx of over 200,000 people who had crossed the border.
With ongoing protests throughout the past year, the shelter has been a hot spot on Staten Island. Two Staten Islanders set up shop in front of the shelter in the hours before Biden’s arrival, holding banners that said, “Turk America First/Biden America Last” and “Stop Biden’s Border Bloodbath.”
Wearing a bright red Trump cap, Kieran Brown of Annadale stated, “We are very excited to voice our dissent with Joe Biden’s policies, especially right here at 1111 Father Capodanno Boulevard.”
However, he added, regardless of political allegiance, it is crucial that we keep our dignity and provide our island’s hospitality. We are decent folks who care about the future of our nation.
Getting ready for the president at 3:42 p.m.
Over the weekend and Monday, preparations for the Bidens’ visit continued.
Gateway National Recreation Area announced that Miller Field would be closed on Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. for an aviation training exercise.
Along Father Capodanno Boulevard, where the convoy would travel to Fort Wadsworth, metal NYPD barricades were also erected starting on Saturday.
Borough President Vito Fossella announced that the local park and ride lot would be shuttered over the weekend, and he cautioned Staten Islanders to be ready for closure along Father Capodanno Boulevard from around 4 to 8 p.m.
Staten Islanders’ opinions on the presidential visit were, predictably, divided after a tense election. While some were excited about the spectacle, others were incensed that the president was traveling to a borough where Donald Trump, the president-elect, had won three consecutive presidential contests with a majority of the vote.
According to Donna Curatol, an Advance/SILive.com reporter on Sunday, “I never thought I’d see a presidential motorcade driving past my house.” It’s still the president, regardless of your opinion, and it’s not something you see every day.
On Father Capodanno Boulevard, just past Midland Avenue, a big F*** Biden sign was suspended from a house.
In preparation for the Bidens’ arrival in the evening, there was a significant police presence in the neighborhood by Monday morning.
TURKEYS PARDONED IN DC AT 3:16 P.M.
Biden performed the yearly pre-Thanksgiving presidential pardon of two fortunate turkeys at an event in Washington, D.C., just hours before departing for Staten Island.
At a ceremony on the White House’s South Lawn in Washington, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, President Joe Biden is seen with National Turkey Federation chair John Zimmerman, from left, and Zimmerman’s son Grant following the pardoning of the national Thanksgiving turkey, Peach. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo) APAP
Following a half-century in Washington power circles, the 82-year-old president greeted 2,500 visitors to the South Lawn under sunny skies while making jokes about Peach and Blossom’s fates and sounding nostalgic about the final weeks of his presidency.
It has been my greatest honor. “I will always be grateful,” Biden stated, referring to his departure on January 20, 2025.
Biden presented Peach as a bird that embodies the maxim, “Remain composed and keep eating.” “No fowl play” is Blossom’s alternative motto, the president stated. Nice, just like Minnesota.
***
Erik Bascome, Jessica Jones-Gorman, Paul Liotta, Mike Matteo, Jason Paderon, and Jan Somma-Hammel provided local reporting.
This report used content from the Associated Press.
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