Security is super-tight for President Joe Biden’s visit to Charleston Sunday, his last full day in office. As of noon Saturday, few publishable details were available. It is clear, however, that the visit will snarl traffic from a rainy mid-morning through the chilly late afternoon, particularly on the peninsula along the East Bay Street corridor.
Biden is expected to speak to worshippers at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston on Sunday as well as make remarks at a downtown Charleston event at the International African American Museum, which was a flurry of frenzy Saturday afternoon with the delivery of concrete barriers and what appeared to be panels of bulletproof glass. A stage, seating and screening areas were being readied on the museum’s outdoor ground level under the building.
The official line by the IAAM to inquiries was: “I can provide you with the White House press [office] information.”
Another IAAM source said the museum had not been authorized to release any information as details were closely held by the U.S. Secret Service, which is in charge of protecting the president.
A tribute to South Carolina
Nevertheless, Biden’s swansong visit to Charleston is a tribute to South Carolina’s importance to him, personally and professionally. When he served as vice president to President Barack Obama, Biden and his family often vacationed on Kiawah Island. The trips strengthened ties that formed when he was a member of the U.S. Senate where he was close to two South Carolina icons – Democratic U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings and Republican colleague Strom Thurmond. Biden gave eulogies at funerals of both men.
As president, Biden counts another South Carolinian, longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, as one of his closest advisors. Clyburn, a kingmaker in Democratic politics in the state, endorsed Biden at a critical moment in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries – backing that led to a big Biden win here and the party’s eventual nomination.
“I wouldn’t be here without the Democrats of South Carolina,” Biden told state Democrats last January.
Biden’s most recent visit to the state was Oct. 2 when he landed at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport for an update on the damage caused by Hurricane Helene days prior.
A year ago in Charleston, Biden criticized the stain of white supremacy and the rise of hatred in America in an emotional speech at the historic Emanuel AME Church, site of the racist killing of nine worshippers in 2015 during a Bible study meeting.
“The word of God was pierced by bullets and hate and rage, propelled by not just gunpowder, but by a poison – a poison that for too long has haunted this nation. What is that poison? White supremacy. That’s all it is – a poison.
“Throughout our history, it has ripped this nation apart. This has no place in America. Not today. Not tomorrow or ever.”
Sunday’s weather is forecasted to be chilly and messy through about noon when the chance of precipitation drops dramatically. Afternoon temperatures should be in the mid 50s.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided when available.
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