‘A moment of history’: Local residents react to Biden’s weekend visit to Seattle
The president was attending a fundraiser at the home of a former Microsoft executive with other prominent Washington politicians on Saturday in Medina, NBC reports.
SEATTLE — People couldn’t get too close to President Joe Biden Saturday, with his secret service and several officers protecting him. But Biden made his presence known, causing major road and highway closures, as people tried to get a glimpse of the commander in chief.
“To have him come to your little home part of Washington state is really special,” said Rebecca Andrew, who was one of a handful of people in Medina Saturday eagerly waiting to see President Biden. “You see this guy on the TV all the time and then he’s five feet, six feet away from you.”
This weekend is the first time President Biden is back in Washington since his visit in 2022 for Earth Day. Like last time, many roads and parts of I-5 were closed as he made his way throughout the Seattle area creating traffic woes for many. But for some, they didn’t mind.
“He doesn’t come here very often,” said Andrew. “[Last time] he didn’t come to the eastside.”
On this trip, he made time for the eastside. The president and a large motorcade went to Medina, just north of Bellevue Saturday morning.
NBC reports the president was attending a fundraiser at the home of a former Microsoft executive, with other prominent Washington politicians, including Gov. Inslee in attendance. According to NBC, President Biden addressed the situation in Israel very briefly.
NBC reports President Biden said, “There would be a cease-fire tomorrow if Hamas would release the hostages.” He didn’t comment further regarding the Israel-Hamas war.
KING 5 was not allowed inside, just like the handful of onlookers trying to get a peek.
“He’s probably one of the most well-known, well recognized people in the entire world,” said Andrew. “So, to be able to come here and stand here on the corner of Medina, to watch him speed by, but to be able to watch him was really, really special.”
“It’s a moment of history, it’s something, I’ll tell my children about and my grandchildren about and yeah, very, very exciting,” said Andrew.
President Biden departed Seattle on Saturday afternoon. His next stop is Delaware.
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