Sean Spicer - RADICAL NATION: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s Dangerous Plan for America

RADICAL NATION

JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRISS
DANGEROUS PLAN FOR AMERICA

SEAN SPICER

Humanix Books

RADICAL NATION

Copyright 2021 by Sean Spicer

All rights reserved

Humanix Books, P.O. Box 20989, West Palm Beach, FL 33416, USA

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ISBN: 9-781-63006-171-5 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 9-781-63006-172-2 (E-book)

Printed in the United States of America

10987654321

To my family and friends

Contents

Transfer of Power

M Y ALARM SOUNDED AT 5:30 a.m., almost an hour earlier than normal, the morning of January 20, 2021. It was the final day of Donald Trumps presidency, and I wanted to go to Joint Base Andrews and see him off for the last time. There had been a lot of media speculation about how many people would show up and who would be there. Some prominent Trump administration figures and Republican lawmakers had indicated that they wouldnt attend, but I wanted to be there. For one thing, I wanted to be a part of that chapter of history, to be a witness to the final moments of the administration I had played a role in. For another, I knew it would be an exciting event to discuss for our daily Newsmax TV show Spicer & Co.

Katie Armstrong, who manages my business affairs, speaking engagements, and media opportunities, picked me up, and we drove to Joint Base Andrews (JBA) in Prince Georges County, Maryland. I knew the place well. I had visited JBA many times during my 22 years in the Navy, I had attended an air show there, and I had departed and arrived at JBA many times aboard Air Force One during my time at the White House.

Its normally a 25-minute drive from my home to the base. But as we got within a quarter mile of the gate, it was obvious that this would be no ordinary day getting into JBA. Traffic was already backed up because the normal flow of arriving military personnel was joined by a crowd of Trump well-wishers and former administration appointees, slowing the procession through the main gate. My invitation said to arrive no later than 7:30 a.m., so by 7:25, I was getting nervous. I had my military ID ready to flash, but we were still so far back in the line of cars that I feared wed be turned back at the gate.

I told Katie, I cant believe we got up this early, and we still might miss the cut-off.

We finally cleared the gate and drove about a quarter mile to an overflow parking lot. After parking, we boarded a government bus that took us to an airplane hangar. There the hundreds of attendees passed through metal detectors and were cleared. We waited until a little after 8 oclock, when an Air Force officer made the announcement that they would open the hangar doors and escort folks out to the flight line to await the presidents arrival.

The crowd of Trump fans and well-wishers moved out to the flight line in front of the VIP passenger terminal. There we were greeted with the majestic sight of the blue and white Boeing VC-25the military version of the Boeing 747 airlinerdesignated Air Force One whenever the president is aboard.

How large was the crowd? For days, the media had been speculating about whether people would show up or not. I couldnt tell you how many were there. I got out of the crowd-estimating business a long time ago. But it was smaller than any Trump rally Ive attended. Some in the media claimed that the White House had tried to build a big crowd by permitting up to five guests per invitation. Maybe Im not as cynical as the media, but I didnt think the White House was trying to inflate the crowd. Instead, I thought it was a kind gesture, as if to say, Your family members are welcome to come and be a part of history.

There was a stage with a presidential podium set up. Beside the stage, members of the Trump family waited: Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Don Jr. and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle, Eric and Lara Trump, and Tiffany and her fianc, along with a number of President Trumps grandchildren. The weather was bitterly cold and windy as we all waited, looking to the sky for the approach of the presidents helicopter, Marine One.

As a campaign strategist, White House press secretary, and commentator, I had invested a great deal of energy in this president and his policies. Now it was about to end. He was going to fly off to Florida, and all the folks I had known from the campaign and the administration were going to go their separate ways. A new team from the opposing party was coming to town.

I Told You So

At around 8:30 a.m., the crowd heard the distant thrum of helicopter rotors pounding the air. Low over the horizon, three helicopters appearedMarine One, carrying the president, and two identical decoy helicopters. A buzz of conversation rippled through the crowd as people speculated as to which helicopter bore the president. One of the White House advance men saw me and said, Hes on the second one. Itll pull up close to the platform. I nodded and thanked him.

Moments later, the helicopter landed and pulled up in front of Air Force One, greeted by a wave of cheers and applause. At that point, we had been standing on the flight line for more than 20 minutes in the wind and cold. Once Marine One touched down, I didnt notice the cold anymore. I dont think anyone did.

As President Trump and the first lady emerged from the helicopter, the Air Force band played Hail to the Chief while a line of field artillery fired a 21-gun salute. Chants of We love you! exploded from the crowd as the first couple climbed the steps to the platform. Trump approached the microphone with a broad smile. Thank you, he said, and we love you, and I can tell you that from the bottom of my heart.

Speaking without notes, he thanked his family, friends, and staff and talked about the accomplishments of the past four years. He praised his wife Melania as a woman of great grace and beauty and dignity. He asked Melania to speak, and she thanked the supporters and wished Gods blessing on them all and on this beautiful nation.

President Trump then listed some of the great accomplishments of the preceding four yearsrebuilding the military, founding the Space Force, reforming the Veterans Administration, cutting taxes, slashing regulations, unleashing the economy, growing the number of jobs by leaps and bounds, and on and on. In a wry aside, he added that he hoped the Democrats wouldnt raise taxes againbut if they do, I told you so.

President Trump acknowledged that his White House was not a regular administration, but his family and his team had worked hard for the American people. Weve left it all on the field, he said. We had a lot of obstacles, and we went through the obstacles.

He urged his followers to be wary of the virus that had originated in Communist Chinaa horrible, horrible thing. And he took a moment to remember all who had suffered, died, or lost family members because of the virus.

You are amazing people, he said. This is a great, great country. It is my greatest honor and privilege to have been your president. At this, the crowd erupted in cheers of USA! USA! and Thank you, Trump! Thank you, Trump!