9/11: Inside the President's War Room

The morning of September 11, 2001, was like any other at the White House, filled with anticipation and preparation for the day's events. President George W. Bush, in his third week in office, was attending a reading event at the Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, as part of a carefully planned schedule. The day started well for the President, with a morning of reading and interacting with the students. However, it took a drastic turn when the first aircraft hit the World Trade Center's North Tower at 8:46 a.m. News of the incident began to filter through, and the initial assumption was that it was an accident or a plane crash. President Bush, keenly aware of the gravity of the situation, immediately ordered the Secret Service to investigate further. Despite the growing sense of unease, President Bush remained at the school and continued the reading event for another hour. He was accompanied by his entourage, including Laura Bush, the First Lady, and Secret Service agents. Vice President Dick Cheney, who had been in a secure location at the White House, remained in contact with the President, keeping him informed about the unfolding events. Meanwhile, at the White House, the situation was quickly spiraling out of control. The President's Chief of Staff, Andrew Card, had been in contact with the White House Situation Room, where the National Security Council (NSC) staff was gathering information and developing a response. The first indication of a second crash came at 9:03 a.m. when United Airlines Flight 175 hit the World Trade Center's South Tower. News began to spread rapidly, and by 9:10 a.m., the President had been informed of the second crash. The initial assumption that it could be an accident was being replaced by fears of a catastrophic attack. President Bush's motorcade had just departed the school when he heard the news. He was on his way to a planned appearance at an auto worker rally at the Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. However, due to the escalating crisis, he decided to return to Washington, D.C. and head to Air Force One. On board Air Force One, the President found himself in an unfamiliar situation. With communication links down, it became a mobile command center, as the President, his advisors, and the NSC staff huddled to discuss the unfolding events. The atmosphere on board was tense, with a sense of panic beginning to creep in. President Bush was faced with the daunting task of making critical decisions, largely based on incomplete information. The President's National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, provided him with updates and information from the Situation Room, while other advisors weighed in with their opinions and recommendations. One key decision made by the President was to establish a no-fly zone over the country. This was done to prevent further attacks and to allow fighter jets to intercept the hijacked aircraft. The President's decision was supported by the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Throughout the crisis, President Bush received updates from his advisors, including information from the intelligence agencies and the FBI. The picture that emerged was one of coordinated attacks, with hijacked aircraft targeted at key symbols of American power. As the world watched in horror, the World Trade Center's South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m., followed by the North Tower at 10:28 a.m. The nation, like the President, was reeling from the magnitude of the attacks. At 9:42 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, causing massive destruction. The incident marked a turning point in the crisis, with the nation's capital now also under attack. Despite the unprecedented nature of the events, President Bush remained steady and focused. He was supported by his advisors and the NSC staff, who worked tirelessly to develop a response to the attacks. In the aftermath of the collapse of the World Trade Center, the nation was plunged into a state of shock and confusion. The President, however, continued to make key decisions, with the support of his advisors and the military. In the days and weeks that followed, the nation would face an unprecedented challenge, as the President and his advisors worked to coordinate a response to the attacks and to identify and bring to justice those responsible.