For most of Friday, the Rehoboth Beach area was anticipating a visit from President Joe Biden. However, in the early evening the plans began to change. Just after 7 :00 p.m. word came from the White House that the President and First Lady Jill Biden were no longer traveling to Rehoboth Beach Friday evening. The announcement comes as the Democrat controlled House of Representatives attempts to vote on Biden's massive "Build Back Better" spending bill. It was earlier in the evening that the White House announced that Biden would have dinner in Washington, D.C. and there would no activity until at least 6 p.m.
The President was originally scheduled to depart Washington around 2:30 p.m. and arrive in Rehoboth this evening. Gordons Park is closed starting at 3:45, and a temporary flight restriction was put in place Friday afternoon until Monday.
If he opts to travel on Saturday, it will be his third visit to Rehoboth Beach as Commander In Chief, and it comes right around the one year anniversary of his election.
Now word yet on his agenda for the remainder of the weekend.
The Bidens own a vacation home in the North Shores neighborhood, where they went often before taking office. They would often wander around downtown and stop in to their favorite businesses before they were the First Couple.
Biden's first visit as President was in June to celebrate his wife's birthday, and the second was in September. He also visited last November, right after being elected. That was his last time out and about.
His more recent visits have been much more low-key. Over the summer, the Bidens were seen riding their bikes on the trail, where they were greeted by a crowd of onlookers. Otherwise, they usually stay home, with the exception of going to mass at Saint Edmond's Church last time.
Sometimes Biden flies directly from the White House to Gordons Pond, right by his house. Another time, he stopped at Dover Air Force Base before landing at Gordons Pond by helicopter. We don't know what today's route will be.
Biden has been flying a lot recently. He just got back from a long trip in Europe, where he attended the COP26 Climate Summit earlier this week.
Keep in mind that any Presidential travel in Rehoboth could affect traffic. We will provide more information as it comes.