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SECRE I hNOFORN

The Turn to War 11 September 2001: With the President (C)

Michael J. Morell

I slept fitfully, tossing and turn­ (b)( 1) ing, setting and resetting the pil­ lows and blankets. As the time on the hotel alarm clock ticked toward 3:30 a.m., the time I needed to get up, I became even more restless. This was not unusual. I had slept poorly dur­ ing the previous eight months of this assignment because one of the many things I did not As I waited, want to do was to sleep through two young'' men an alarm and rush, unprepared, checked out of the into my 8:00 a.m. briefing of the Comfort Inn in president of the United States. Portland, Maine. (C) After pulling myself out of bed a few minutes before the alarm was to go off, I quickly show­ waite an wmte ; : a.m. ered dressed marin nnfl4=~LU_~ wai~d (b)( 1) came and went; then 4:30. I'm '' not patient by nature, and my to bring me the classi- impatience was getting the bet­ ~-e~m-a--cterials from which I would ter of me. I paced the room, fashion the briefing looked at the clock, paced some for the president. Th"'""' materi­ more, and checked the clock als were to arrive [(b)( 1) I again. I called CIA Headquar­ from CIA Headquarter~ through ters to ask if there was a prob­ the Situation Room at the White lem there. "Nope," I was told, the House and on to the WHCA com­ material had been sent mand post at the Colony Beach C(b)(1 )~as we h_'-a----c-d­ and Tennis Resort near Sara­ agreed, at 3:30 a.m. I phoned the sota, Florida, where the presi­ command post at the resort. dent was spending the night. (C) "Yes," I was reassured, the brief­ ing was just coming over

and the would brin it o'--v-er__ _j (b)( 1)

(b)(3)(c) All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed in this article are those oft he author. Nothing in the article should be construed as asserting or implying US government endorsement of an article's factual statements and interpretations.

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

Twenty-one years into my career, I was a doing a job that fe(b )( 1) would ever have. And I was having the time of my life.

I didn't know it then, but as I serving as the deputy director waited, two young men checked for intelligence, responsible for out of the Comfort Inn in Port­ all of the Agency's intelligence land, Maine, a hotel I had stayed analysis, I considered this the in two months earlier, when the best assignment a CIA analyst president spent a long weekend at could have. Carrying the his father's oceanside summer Agency's best information and home in Kennebunkport. Now, as analysis to a president and help­ It was my job to decide both what I was sitting in Sarasota, 1,500 ing to shape his view ofthe world to show the president and how to miles from Portland, these men is a deep honor and an even brief it so that he took away the took a short drive to the Port­ deeper responsibility. Twenty­ key points. I would usually "tee­ land International Jetport, where one years into my career as an up" each item in the briefing book they boarded a 6:00 a.m. flight to analyst, I was a doing a job that with a few words-for example, Boston. In Boston, they would few would ever have. And I was the last thing we had told him board American Airlines Flight having the time of my life. (C) about the topic, how this new piece 11, bound for Los Angeles. Their advanced the story, and a preview names were Mohamed Atta and I saw the president every morn­ of the key points. The president Abdul Aziz al Omari. (C) ing, Monday through Saturday. I would read the piece, often quite briefed him whether he was work­ carefully. He would then either ask Air Force One had left Andrews ing in the Oval Office or whether me questions about the item's sub­ Air Force Base, just outside he was spending the weekend at stance or, more frequently, ask the Washington, DC, the previous Camp David. I traveled with him senior officials in the room with us morning. The president's sched­ on domestic as well as interna­ questions about the policy implica­ ule called for him to fly to Jack­ tional trips, including on family tions. When that discussion ended, sonville, Florida, to participate in vacations. Indeed, on 10 Septem­ we would move to the next item in a variety of political events to pro­ ber, I was just two weeks removed the binder. Fifteen minutes were mote his recently announced edu­ from having spent most of the usually allotted for the briefing, cation bill. After the events in month of August briefing the but it would frequently run much Jacksonville, he was to fly to president at his ranch in Craw­ longer. (C) Sarasota, arriving early in the ford, Texas. I had logged over evening. On the morning of the 100,000 miles in the air during Other officials in the room usu­ 11th, the president would join my year with the president. Many ally included Vice President children in a classroom at the of those miles came on Air Force Cheney, Chief of Staff Andrew Emma E. Booker Elementary One, but many more were logged Card, National Security Advisor School in Sarasota. From there, on American Airlines flights Condoleezza Rice, and Director of he was to fly back to Washington between Washington and Dallas. Central of Intelligence George and be back in the Oval Office by (C) Tenet. The presence of these early afternoon. As the presi­ people made my job even more dent's intelligence briefer, I was on A briefing would generally challenging because they were­ board Air Force One as it went include seven or eight items, as they should have been­ "wheels-up" on 10 September. each of them placed in a three­ intensely focused on whati was (C) ring blue leather binder, with the presenting to their boss. Occa­ words "President's Daily Brief­ sionally, one of them would At this point, I was eight months ing" embossed on the cover. disagree with points in a piece into what I was told would be a (b)( 1) and would say so in plain, direct one-year assignment. Next to language. (C)

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

On arguably the most important day of President Bush's Because the president was trav­ tenure, his intelligence briefing was uneventful. eling, the briefing on 11 Septem­ ber would include only one of the other usual participants, Chief of Staff Card. The national secu­ show her what I would be On arguably the most important rity advisor or deputy national briefing. Loewer wanted to be day in President Bush's tenure, security advisor often traveled prepared, and I wanted to his intelligence briefing was with the president, but this time accommodate her. She had been uneventful.\ (b)( ) the senior National Security in Kennebunkport, and I found 1 Council official present was Cap­ her both friendly and helpful. (C) tain Deborah Loewer, USN, the '--~~-~J One issue in the brief- director of the White House Situa­ At 7:55a.m., Loewer and I went ing did catch the president's tion Room. (C) up the stairs to the president's attention and caused him to suite, passing through Secret Ser­ pick up the phone to call Dr. Rice As the NSC representative, vice checkpoints on the way. We in Washington. The briefing was over by 8:25 a.m. Only four min­ Loewer would join the briefing. waited in the hallway outside the utes earlier, the transponder on Her job was to obtain answers to president's room. The president American Flight 11 stopped policy-related questions the had just returned from a four transmitting its Identification president might raise and, more and a half mile run around the Friend or Foe beacon. (C) importantly, to communicate golf course at the Colony Resort, things of interest back to Rice and and he was showering and dress­ her deputy, Stephen Hadley. On ing. While we waited and chat­ Captain Loewer and I left the the flight from Jacksonville to ted with the president's personal president's suite and quickly took Sarasota, I had told Loewer that aide, American Airlines Flight the elevator down to take our I would meet her at 7:30a.m., 30 11-a Boeing 767 with 92 passen­ places in the motorcade that would minutes before the scheduled gers and crew members aboard­ take the president to Booker meeting with the president, to took off from Boston's Logan Elementary. Airport. Flight 11 was the first (b)( 1) of the four hijacked flights to take to the air. (C)

A little after 8:00 a.m., Chief of Staff Card opened the door, said "good morning," and motioned us in. We found the president seated at a table with a cup of coffee and a newspaper. He seemed surrounded by plates of fruit and pastries. When he saw us, he asked if we had enjoyed Soon joining me in the van were our night on the beach. I several senior White House reminded him that my schedule officials, including political advisor did not allow for late evenings Karl Rove, Press Secretary Ari out, adding that I heard some Fleischer, and Director of White waves but had not actually seen House Communications Dan any. He said "Michael, you need Bartlett. I had become friendly The book containing the itinerary for to get a new job." He put down with both Rove and Fleischer President Bush's trip to Florida on 10 and 11 September. Each person on the flight the newspaper and said, "Any­ during the previous eight months. received one. (U) (Courtesy of Michael thing of interest this morning?" Fleischer and I would often talk Morell and CIA Museum.) (C) sports, and Rove and I would often

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

"Ari, I sure hope this is an accident and not terrorism." He paused for a second or two-the word "terrorism" hanging in the line. He told me essentially the air-and said, "/ sure hope so too." what Fleischer had told me, with one significant amplification. He said the initial reports indicated that the plane was a large com­ banter about the PDB. Rove My assumption at that point, one mercial jet. My mental image of would say, "You don't have the president later told reporters what happened started to anything in that briefcase that he shared, was that the crash unravel. (C) CNN doesn't have." I would was an accident. The image in respond, "Karl, if you only knew my mind, as I was heading for a As I flipped my phone shut and what I know." (C) classroom that had been set walked into the senior staff room, I aside for the senior staff while looked at my watch. It was 9:00 the president sat with a group of a.m. In just three minutes, Fleischer joined me in the back of second-grade students in an United Airlines Flight 175, a Boe­ the van, sitting in the row in front adjoining classroom, was of a ing 767 with 65 passengers and of me. We exchanged greetings small plane losing its way in a crew members on board, would and dove into newspapers. The storm or fog and hitting the slam into the south side of the president's photographer, Eric World Trade Center. I figured South Tower of the World Trade Draper, jumped in just as the the death toll would include only Center between the 77th and 85th motorcade began to pull out of the two or three people on the plane floor. At impact, United Flight Colony Resort. It was a few min­ and perhaps a few more in 175 was traveling at more 500 utes after 8:30 a.m. Booker Ele­ offices at the point of impact. miles per hour. (U) mentary was 20 minutes away in Still, I planned to make a call to a working-class 'neighborhood of follow up on Fleischer's ques­ All of us in the senior staff area Sarasota. During the drive, at tion. (C) were stunned when we heard the just after 8:45 a.m., American news a few minutes later that a Flight 11 slammed into the north From just outside the staff class­ second plane had hit the World side of the North Tower of the room, I called CIA's Operations Trade Center. There was now no World Trade Center, between the Center. I intended to find out if question: this was not an acci­ 94th and 98th floors. It was trav­ anyone there knew any more dent but a deliberate act of ter­ eling at 490 miles per hour. (C) than what Fleischer had just told rorism. In the classroom next me. It was a good bet they would. door, the White House chief of During my time as the presi­ staff made his way to the presi­ Within minutes of the Flight ll's dent's briefer, I had come to rely dent, who was listening, along. impact, just as we were pulling on the group of hard-working with 16 second graders and a up to the school, Fleischer's cell officers in the center both to set large number of reporters and phone rang. He listened for a few aside for me key pieces of over­ others, to a story about a girl and seconds and flipped his phone night reporting and to answer her pet goat. Card whispered in off. He turned to me and asked, my many questions. I was a fre­ the president's ear: "A second "Michael, do you know anything quent caller. (C) plane has hit the World Trade about a plane hitting the World Center. America is under Trade Center?" I said "no," but I The phone, as usual, was attack." (U) told him I would make some calls. answered by one of the ~----, As the motorcade came to a stop, I operators on duty. (b)(3)(c) The president finished the ses­ said "Ari, I sure hope this is an sion with the students and joined accident and not terrorism." He I was told she was on the senior staff He made a num­ paused for a second or two-the La=-cnc-o=r--ccec:cr.-I:cn=-'e and had several ber of calls on the secure phone word "terrorism" hanging in the additional calls on hold. I then that was always with the presi­ air-and said, "I sure hope so too." asked fm(b)(3)(c) I dent just for such a contingency. (C) and a few seconds later he was on He spoke with, among others,

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

At 9:30a.m., President Bush went back to a classroom to speak Vice President Cheney and to the nation. National Security Advisor Rice. During one of these conversa­ tions, with the president sitting at a school-lunch table, the net­ works showed a tape of the sec­ the Secret Service detail just also thinking that the story about ond plane crashing into the across the room from me, but I the pet goat suddenly seemed so South Tower. A staff member demurred. I figured he did not long ago. (C) called the president's attention need someone telling him how to· to the footage, a moment the do his job. In any event, he already A few minutes after the president president's photographer caught concluded his remarks, American in a photo that can still be found had quite a worried look on his face. (C) Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757 on the White House Web site. (C) with 64 passengers and crew mem­ bers on board, crashed into the I could only stand and watch as At 9:30 a.m., President Bush western side of the Pentagon. A the president spoke on the went back to a classroom to close friend, a teacher in Arlington phone. Still holding my briefcase, speak to the nation. Surrounded County, Virginia, later told me I was growing increasingly con­ by students, teachers, and news that he saw the plane fly over his cerned about his safety as well as reporters, the president said the school, just seconds from impact. the safety of others at the school. country had suffered an apparent One of the Agency's drivers, a After all, I said to myself, it had gentleman with whom I had terrorist attack. He promised to been public information for days become well acquainted during that the president would be at hunt down those who committed my briefing assignment, was wait­ Booker Elementary on 11 Sep­ the crime, adding that "terror­ ing at the Pentagon's River tember. I wondered if a plane ism against our country will not Entrance. The driver said the might come crashing into the stand." While the president was impact of the crash lifted his vehi­ school. I considered saying some­ speaking, I wondered what the cle off the ground. At the time, a thing to the agent in charge of students were thinking. I was colleague on the briefing team was briefing Secretary Rumsfeld. (C)

When the president began speak­ ing to the country, the Secret Ser­ vice told those of us in the staff area to take our places in the motorcade "as quickly as possi­ ble." The president, they said, would be leaving for Air Force One immediately upon conclud­ ing his remarks. They added with some emphasis that once the door to President Bush's lim­ ousine closed, the "motorcade would wait for no one." I climbed back into the senior staff van and in a few minutes we were on our way to the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The air­ The president on the telephone from Booker Elementary School. Standing to the left, port was just three-and-a-half with his brief case, is the author. (U) (Photo: White House Web site) miles away. (C)

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

For seconds no one said a word. Then someone broke the silence by whispering "my God." no one said a word. Then some­ one broke the silence by whisper­ ing "my God." (C)

News of the attack on the Penta­ leaving Sarasota. The aircraft A few minutes later, but gon greeted us at the airport. I accelerated rapidly down the unknown to us at the time, began to wonder how many runway and began a steep United Airlines Flight 93, a more planes had been hijacked, ascent. It was 10 a.m. (C) Boeing 757 with 44 passengers how many more targets there and crew members aboard, might be. I also of my Once we were airborne, I asked t(hb).. (6h)t crashed near Shanksville, Penn­ family. My wif~ =was the president's military aide, who sylvania. Days later, we would probably at home. I wondered if was sitting nearby, if we wc'='er,._.e:'___ learn that the Flight 93 passen­ she even knew yet what had returning to Washington. I h:mn<>n<>d. Mv children~! gers, aware of the hijackers' gen­ (b)( 1) eral intentions from speaking with [(b )(6) I were at Sclioorril Fairfax County, Virginia. I loved ones on cell phones, had prayed they would not be too revolted and had attacked the frightened by what was occur­ hijackers, their actions possibly ring nor overly concerned about saving the lives of thousands of my safety. After all, I was about others. Months later, we would ready to board the most secure learn from a senior al-Qa'ida aircraft in the world. (C) member in US detention that the US Capitol Building was the In fact, when the motorcade pulled intended target of the Flight 93 up to Air Force One, I quickly hijackers. The Capitol was just noticed that security had been The plane was eerily quiet in those 15 minutes flight time from enhanced around the aircraft. A first few moments after the take­ Shanksville. (S) number of Secret Service agents, off. Most of the people on board brandishing assault rifles, ringed were still in shock and were anx­ (b)( 1) Air Force One. Other agents, ious about what still might hap­ along with bomb-sniffing dogs, pen. The president was in his were checking every bag brought office with a small number of close onto the aircraft. A long line aides. From there, he ordered the snaked from the back door of the nation's military to a high state plane, where most of its passen­ of alert. (C) gers embarked and disembarked. Standing in that line, I saw the I was huddled with several oth­ White House Chief of Staff's ers in Air Force One's senior staff briefcase being inspected. My compartment, a small room with briefcase, with top secret mate­ four seats not far from the presi­ rial, and my overnight bag were dent's office. Five or six of us, inspected as well. (C) including the president's doctor and nurse, were watching tele­ Once everyone was aboard, Air vised news reports. There we Force One's engines roared to life. watched people jump to their Normally, the Boeing 7 47's roll deaths from the top floors of the down the runway and its angle of World Trade Center. We also assent at takeoff was leisurely, watched the South Tower col­ L____ _ !Some time later a senior like that of a commercial passen­ lapse and disappear into a plume member of the DFLP denied the ger jet. Not on 11 September, not of smoke and dust. For seconds, initial claim. (S)

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

The White House, he sa1d, had received a call indicating that Air As I turned to leave, the presi­ Force One was a target of the terrorists. dent said: "Michael, one more thing." He asked me to call the DC I. The president had become quite close to Director Tenet over handed the phone to the nearest (b)( 1) the previous eight months. He official, and I found myself talk­ trusted Tenet's judgment, and the ing to Cofer Black, the head of the director had developed a deep Counterterrorist Center and my respect and fondness for the presi­ boss when I had worked in the dent. The president asked me to Center for a short time. (C) I thanked Card for sharing the information, but I was not con­ Black was calm and collecte cerned. (b)( 1) This did not surprise me. H (b)( 1) (b)( 1) U I said I understood and would and was used to finding make the call immediately. (S) 1mself in difficult situations. He told me what the Agency knew at The military aide had told me a I returned to my assigned seat in that-point, which was little few minutes earlier that Air the staff section of the plane and beyond what the rest of the Force One was flying with fighter picked up one of the phones that world knew. I passed on the pres­ protection and with an AWACs sit beside almost every seat on the ident's message and asked that plane overhead. I felt quite safe. aircraft. The phone rang twice, and he share it with the director. As I (C) one of the Air Force officers work­ hung up, I was not confident the ing on the upper deck of the 74 7 DCI would get the word, given the The military aide also told me that said "Yes, sir. What can I do for evacuation and given everything a decision had been made to land you?" I asked to be connected to that would be asked of Black over for a short time at Barksdale Air the DCI's office in Washington, the next few hours. (S) Force Base in Louisiana. He and I gave him the number. The said that this would allow the officer said, "Sir, we have been After signing off, I walked president to make another pub­ ordered to keep all the phone lines toward the president's office, lic statement and would allow open for the president and the without a clue about what my additional food and water to be military aide." I told him the role should be at that point, but I brought aboard, since we did not president personally had asked wanted to see if I could be helpful know how long we would be fly­ me to make the call. The officer in any other way. When Chief of ing. He added that landing said, "I'll put you right through." Staff Card saw me, he took me would also mean that a number Within seconds, the phone in the into the president's private quar­ of passengers-those not critical director's office was ringing. (S) ters. There, next to his office, the to national security-would be president would entertain senior asked to deplane at Barksdale. He The DCI's suite was in a crisis guests or relax and sleep. I had said this included the large num­ mode. Tenet had just made the looked into the room several ber of White House domestic pol­ decision to evacuate all personnel times before on earlier flights, but icy staff and two congressmen from the CIA Headquarters com­ I had never been in the private from Florida, Adam Putnam and pound, and he and his staff were quarters before. (C) Dan Miller, who had accompanied in the process ofleavinr. h;., nffi,.p the president on his visit to suite when I called. C(b)(3)(C)J (b)( 1) Booker Elementary. I wondered ~ne of the director's secre- what was in store for me. (C) 1an.is with whom I had worked closely when I was the director's As we approached Barksdale, a executive assistant, told me the local news channel playing on Air DCI was not available. She Force One's many video screens

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

ceremony-a large group of smile at, the many local dignitar­ soldiers and family members ies who were given tours of Air cheering and waving flags, Force One. Apart from the tour­ welcoming remarks by the base ists, however, I was usually commander, and a morale­ alone. (C) boosting speech by the commander-in-chief. That was Not on 11 September 2001. Sit­ not the scene on 11 September. ting with me in the conference On that day, only a few officers room, watching news reports, met the president, and soldiers were the two US congressmen. in full battle gear ringed his While we were watching the plane. The president shook hands day's latest updates on televi­ with the officers, climbed into a sion, one of the congressmen, vehicle and sped off. (U) aware that I worked for CIA and provided the president with his As I watched the president's daily intelligence briefing, asked arrival from one of the windows me who I thought was behind the President with the commander of along the main hallway of Air attacks. I told him I would bet Barksdale Air Force Base. (U) (Photo: ©Reuters/CORBIS) Force One, two of the military every dollar I had that U sama stewards came through the plane Bin Laden's al-Qa'ida organiza­ was reporting a possible terrorist to announce in a very pleasant tion was responsible. (C) incident at the base. Reporters in way that for "security reasons" no the area had noticed a signifi­ one would be permitted to make The next day, after returning to cant enhancement in security at cell phone calls or to give out the CIA Headquarters, I found on my the base and had assumed the president's location. My heart. desk a press report quoting the worst. They were unaware that sank. I had planned to cal{(b{(~) Florida congressman telling the enhanced security was due to c=J I wanted to let her kriow reporters that a "senior national the imminent arrival of the pres­ was okay and that I did not have security official traveling with ident. On our final approach to any idea when I would be getting the president" had told him just the airfield, I glanced over at the home. I hoped she was not wor­ hours after the attack that Bin military aide and saw that he had ried. (U) Ladin was the culprit. A hand­ the list of passengers who would written note on the piece, from one be staying with the president and I was accustomed to remaining of my briefer colleagues, asked, of those who would remain in on Air Force One while the presi­ '~e you the senior official?" I Shreveport. I asked him what dent was off the plane at an wondered as well. (C) the plan was for me. He said event. I preferred staying on the "Andy Card says you are to stay plane if the stop was to last only At 1:45 p.m., the president a few hours. I felt it was better with us." It was 11:40 a.m. (C) returned to Air Force One, and than tagging along with the pres­ we left Barksdale. On the ground, ident and his party, when, with the president had made a series of A few minutes after we came to a everyone working but me, I felt phone calls and had spoken to the standstill on the Barksdale like a fifth wheel. Instead, I nation-this time with a short tarmac, the president walked would read on the plane or relax delay as the media pool that trav­ down the steps of the jet ramp. · with a movie. The only downside els with the president fed the Typically, presidential visits to of that was the need to regularly tape to the networks. In his military bases are full of pomp and shake hands with, or at least statement, the president said,

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

The president asked me "when will we know [who was "The United States will hunt down responsible for the attacks}?" and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts." He added, "The resolve of our great nation is being tested. But make no responsibility, so what I'm going to the near-simultaneous bombings mistake, we will show the world say is simply my personal view." of the US embassies in Kenya that we will pass this test." (U) The president told me he under­ and Tanzania, and the attack on stood. I said two terrorist states the USS Cole in Yemen. I told the When Air Force One left Barks­ were capable of cor..:~ .. ~ .. ~~g such a president that we may know soon ~ex operation(b )( 1 )~ dale, it had considerably fewer and then again it may take quite L__ji pointed ou(b)(3)(n)·, passengers than when it arrived, some time. When I was done, I but large pallets of water and that neither had much to gain was surprised that I had commit­ food had been brought on board. and both had plenty to lose from The military aide explained to attacking the United States. ted to memory the history of the me that the Secret Service had Rather, I said the culprit was aftermath of the previous decided that it was still not safe almost certainly a nonstate actor, attacks. (S) for the president to return to adding that I had no doubt that Washington and that we would the trail would lead to the door­ At this point, Ari Fleischer fly to Offutt Air Force Base in step of Bin Laden and al-Qa'ida. interrupted our discussion. (S) Omaha, Nebraska, where the pres­ Escorting a news photographer, ident would conduct a meeting of Fleischer wanted to give him the his National Security Council over The president asked me, "When opportunity to take photographs the secure video link at the Strate­ will we know?" I said "I can't say gic Air Command bunker. (C) for sure" and went on to review for of the president in a crisis, the him, with some specificity, how commander-in-chief at war. While About 15 minutes from Barks­ long it took CIA to have any cer­ the president and Fleischer dale, Andy Card walked into the tainty of responsibility for past chatted, the photographer, staff section of the plane, where I attacks-the bombing ofthe moving about the small room, was seated, and said "Michael, the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, snapped dozens of pictures. (C) president wants to see you." As I rose from my seat, I asked Card what the president needed, and he said, "He just wants to talk a bit." When I reached the presi­ dent's office, he was on the phone with New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. I heard nresid,""-1."--"""-"l ______--1 (b )( 1)

L______jThe president was focused and determined, a percep­ tion of him that I would have a number times over the ensuing months. (C)

The president asked me who was responsible for the attacks. I said "Sir, I haven't seen any intelligence that would point to Air Force One lifting off from Barksdale AFB. (U) (Photo: ©Reuters/CORBIS)

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

During my discussion with the president and Andy Card, I had [(b)(~) no way of knowing that analysts at CIA Headquarters had overhead. She later told already tied ai-Qa'ida to the attacks. c=Jhat she wondered if I was on board. It was a little after 3:00 p.m. eastern time. (C)

Mter the photographer left, Federal Aviation Administra­ I did not know how long we would President Bush said nothing. He, tion and run the names against be at Offutt, but rumors were cir­ Andy Card, and I just sat. One CIA databases of known terror­ culating that we might spend the minute elapsed, then two, then ists. Hits came up on American night there, so I decided to deplane three. I was beginning to feel Airlines Flight 77. Three passen­ with the president and his staff. uncomfortable. After five min­ gers had known, and definite, The president was whisked away utes, I asked the president if he links to al-Qa'ida. I would soon · in what looked like the base com­ needed anything else. The presi­ discover that I would fail to mander's official car. The staff, dent said "No, Michael, thanks ensure that the president would including me, boarded buses that very much." I rose, left the room, be the first to learn that. (C) took us to the entrance of the and returned to my seat in an underground bunker of the empty staff section of the aircraft. News reports, which were still Strategic Air Command. (C) For the first time that day, I felt being shown continuously on Air very tired. I closed my eyes, hop­ Force One's video screens, were 1r ing I could sleep for a few min­ now reporting the president's utes. But sleep never came. (C) imminent arrival at Offutt Air (b)( 1) Force Base. I did not know it at During my discussion with the the time but a close friend of my \As we president and Andy Card, I wife's, who lives with her hus­ ~----~~=-~~approached the bunker's com- had no way of knowing that band and three children in mand center, it was clear from the analysts at CIA Headquarters Omaha, was in her car on her deployment of Secret Service had already tied al-Qa'ida to the way to pick up her children at agents that the president was attacks. Agency analysts had school. While stopped at a traffic already there, about to begin a acquired the passenger mani­ light, she watched Air Force One, video teleconference with his fests of the four flights from the on final approach to Offutt, pass National Security Council. As I stood outside the door with other White House aides, Captain Loewer, who was with the president in the meeting, poked her head outside and motioned me in, saying "I think you ought to hear this." (S)

As I entered, I saw President Bush, Andy Card, and the SAC commander at a table in front of a large screen. On the screen, transmitting from three or four different locations, were senior officials from Washington. George Tenet was speaking. He was walking the president and everyone present through the information that tied three of The president on a phone in Air Force One. (U) (Photo: ©CO RBIS SYGMA) the hijackers to al-Qa'ida. When

32 SECRET//NOFORN Studies in Intelligence Vol. 50, No. 3

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

"Embargoed from the president?" i asked. After a period of silence at the other end of the line, I said "Just send it."

he finished, the president turned and looked me straight in the eye. He didn't say a word, but A few minutes after takeoff, with his look told me he had been let Air Force One on the way to down. I hoped my expression Washington, a steward brought The president t e me, an would tell him I had no idea what me a six-page fax from the EA. returned to my seat after a quick happened. (S) Written on the cover sheet was a detour to the upper deck to shred short note. It said, "Michael, the documents. (S) I rose from my seat in the back of sorry. Here's everything we the command center and headed have.'j I was not aware of it at the time, for the door. As I was walking out, but as I briefed the president, the National Security Council was (b)( 1) Building 7 of the World Trade discussing whether the president Center complex collapsed. The should return to the White House occupants of the 4 7-story build(b )( 1) or whether he should spend the ing (b)(3)(c) night in Omaha. The director of ad be(b )(3)(n) the Secret Service, speaking from '-:cev=a=-c=-u--:caTte::-::.-e=-=a=-=rri-=-=er=-=trr:-=acrt~ay. Just Washington, recommended across the street from the twin against returning. He said there towers, WTC 7 was fatally weak­ were too many unknowns to be ened by their collapse that morn'­ able to guarantee the president's As I began to read the documents, ing. It was the last of the safety. The president responded Andy Card walked up to me. I told destruction resulting from the firmly, simply saying "I'm coming him I had the key pieces of intelli­ attacks nine hours earlier. (S) backj gence. He said, "Good, I think the (b)( 1) president will want to go through It was early evening as we it in a little bit." Card left, and I approached Andrews Air Force quickly set myself to study the Base. Everyone on board was package. I read through it several tired. It has been a very long day. times, making sure that I under­ The lights inside Air Force One I went into a nearby office and stood the key points. I highlighted had been turned off. Some of those phoned the CIA Operations Cen­ several passages in the talking in the staff section had their eyes ter and asked to speak with the points and a handful of sentences closed; others were flipping, seem­ DCI's Executive Assistant, a job in the two reports. I set the mate­ ingly mindlessly, through newspa­ filled that day by an officer filling rial aside and waited. About 30 pers or magazines. The in for the actual EA, who was on minutes later, Card again entered president's military aide was leave. After expressing my frus­ the staff cabin and told me the standing in the aisle, looking out tration over not having been able president was ready. (C) the window. He saw me looking at to meet the president's expecta­ him, and he motioned me over. He tions, I asked that the informa­ I walked with Card toward the pointed out the window and told tion the DCI had briefed to the president's cabin, but we stopped me to look. (C) president be sent immediately to short, instead entering the confer­ Air Force Onel ence room. The president was The view from the window was sitting at the head of the confer­ surreal. One hundred yards off ence table. I walked him through the tip of Air Force One's wing the documents, letting him read as was an F-15. The military aide (b)( 1) much as he wanted. I whispered, "There is one off the (b)( 1) other wing as well; they're from (b)(3)(n) the DC Air National Guard." The fighter was so close we could see

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SECRET//NOFORN With the President

I thought of the thousands of children who would never see their parents again. too much to talk about in only one night and that I needed to sleep. On the way to our bed­ room, I went into each of my the pilot's facial features. He drive home. I told her I'd be three children's rooms. They seemed to be looking at us as well. home in an hour. She seemed were asleep, surrounded by In the distance below we could see relieved. (C) stuffed animals. They looked as the Pentagon, smoke rising from they did any other night, peace­ the northeastern section of the The drive to McLean took us ful and content. I thought of the building and lights of emergency through Southeast Washington thousands of children who would and past the Pentagon. I eventu­ vehicles flashing. The scene never see their parents again. I refreshed memories of everything ally saw the smoke and emer­ kissed my three on their fore­ that had happened that day. It gency lights from another now seemed so long ago. Tears perspective. I didn't get a good heads and said I loved them. (U) welled up in my eyes. (C) view, but the destruction I saw was sobering. Neither the driver Afterword The arrival at Andrews-at just nor I said anything during the rest In the weeks following 9 I 11, the after 6:30 p.m.-was as unevent­ of the trip. At Headquarters, the ful as our departure 36 hours driver took me to my car. I before. Little was said as we thanked him, and he drove off. I deplaned. The president, his clos­ got in my car and slowly pulled (b)( 1) est aides, and several Secret Ser­ out. As I passed the main gate and (b)(3)(n) vice agents boarded Marine One left the grounds, I began to cry. (C) and took off for the White House.

The vast majority of the staff I pulled into our driveway in L______jiThe work load boarded vans that would take northern Virginia, with the radio for the PDB briefing staff would them to the White House as well. on and the president about to increase enormo'usly as the As for me, I walked alone across speak. I sat and listened for a few growth in the amount of material the tarmac, through the VIP minutes before oing into the each briefer was required to sift departure lounge, and out to the house. I found (b)(6) n the through each morning forced even parking area. I was expecting the sofa in our family room watching earlier waking hours on each Agency vehicle and driver I had the president. We sat together member of the staff For me that earlier requested from the Opera­ and listened to the president talk tions Center. I found no car and to his grieving nation. He asked meant arriving at work three no driver. (C) for prayers for the families of the hours earlier than I usually did victims, said America would over­ before 9 I 11. That increased I called the CIA Operations Cen­ come the terrible tragedy, and workload was a reflection of the ter again and was told that the promised that it would emerge intensity of everyone's effort, at driver was on the way. I went even stronger. And, in a major home and abroad, after 9 I 11. My back to the VIP lounge and change .in policy that would come sacrifices and those of the other watched the news for several to be known as the Bush Doc­ briefers would pale in comparison minutes, but I could not concen­ trine, the president said the US to those of our intelligence officers trate. Instead, for the first time "would make no distinction and military personnel in that day, I called Mary Beth. Her between terrorists and the Afghanistan and other places nations that harbor them." (U) voice was reassuring. I told her overseas in the weeks and months we had landed at Andrews and after 9111. (C) that I was waiting for a car to After the president finished[ ( b ~ (6? take me back to the Agency, ~nd I talked about the even s where I would get my car and ofthe day. I told her there was

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