SALT LAKE CITY — For his first time while in office, President Joe Biden visited Utah on a short overnight stop.
Biden's agenda was full as he has visited the Veterans Affairs hospital on the one-year anniversary of the PACT Act, as well as a fundraising stop in Park City.
Thursday, August 10
4:38 p.m.
Air Force One was "wheels up" and departed Wright Air National Guard Base, ending President's first trip to Utah while in office.
Watch below as Air Force One departs from Salt Lake City:
3:40 p.m.
The president has departed the fundraiser in Park City and is headed back to Salt Lake City where he will board Air Force One and fly back to Washington.
2:45 p.m.
Hours after helping to introduce President Biden at the VA hospital, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall tweeted photos of the event.
What an incredible opportunity to share how amazing #SLC is with @POTUS & to support our veterans this week!
— Mayor Erin Mendenhall (@slcmayor) August 10, 2023
What Pres. Biden shared at @vasaltlakecity isn't just applicable on the federal level but locally, too: "Nothing is beyond our capacity when we decide to work together." pic.twitter.com/TACmhBPF1D
2:00 p.m.
Biden's entourage arrives in Park City for private fundraiser.
1:00 p.m.
President Biden and his motorcade is on the road again, headed to Park City.
12:33 p.m.
Officials announce both directions of I-80 are closed from Foothill Drive to Park City due to the presidential motorcade.
12:07 p.m.
President Biden finishes his speech and steps off the podium to greet local leaders and Utah veterans.
12:00 p.m.
President Biden continues to talk about the benefits of the PACT Act, saying veterans should not be afraid to reach out for help.
"No one should be homeless in this country, especially those who served," President Biden says.
He calls on Congress to triple rental assistance vouchers for extremely low-income veterans.
11:50 a.m.
Biden moves on to speak about the PACT Act, calling it one of the most significant pieces of legislation.
He speaks about his son, Beau Biden, who was an Iraq War veteran and died in 2015 after battling brain cancer.
"It's personal for my family. It's also personal for so many of you," he says.
Biden explains that more than 2,000 Utah veterans have benefited from the PACT Act.
"This goes beyond financial, we have a moral obligation to respond to this," Biden says of helping veterans with medical care.
11:44 a.m.
President Joe Biden takes the podium, saying veterans are the "heart, soul and the very spine and sinew" of the nation. He thanks Utah leaders for their hospitality during his stay in the Beehive State.
Biden also addresses tragic fires in Maui, saying federal relief has been approved to help the community as they continue to fight the destructive fires that have killed at least 36 lives.
11:10 a.m.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox steps up to speak. He also welcomes President Biden to Utah, saying it would be "insane" to not welcome him, despite a difference in party.
"More than 3,000 Utah veterans have already submitted claims related to the PACT Act," Cox said.
He encourages Utah veterans to look into assistance and filing claims.
11:00 a.m.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall takes the podium at the Veterans Affairs Hospital ahead of President Biden, welcoming him to Utah.
"What an important anniversary we are marking today," she says of the PACT Act.
10:45 a.m.
President Biden and motorcade depart from Hotel Monaco and head to the Veterans Affairs Hospital.
VIDEO: See the entourage begin the day in downtown Salt Lake City
10:33 a.m.
VA employees and others eagerly anticipate the president's arrival at the Veteran's Affairs hospital. They gather on the street awaiting the motorcade's arrival.
10:00 a.m.
FOX 13's Bob Evans was live inside the VA Hospital to preview the president's appearance to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the PACT Act.
9:00 a.m.
Deadline to backdate PACT Act benefits moved to Monday, allowing veterans four more days to apply for maximum benefits.
8:26 a.m.
President Biden's motorcade begins to assemble outside of downtown Salt Lake City hotel.
7:00 a.m.
President Biden is expected to make a scheduled visit to the Veterans Affairs hospital, where he will likely speak about the PACT Act on its one-year anniversary. FOX 13's Scott McKane reports from downtown Salt Lake City, where Biden is waking up Thursday morning.
Wednesday, August 9
4:50 p.m.
Biden's entourage arrives at Hotel Monaco where he will stay Wednesday night.
4:35 p.m.
President Biden departs Air Force One and spends a great deal of time speaking with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and his wife, Abby, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.
4:25 p.m.
Air Force One touched down at Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City.
3:26 p.m.
Security is tight around the Hotel Monaco where President Biden and his staff are believed to be staying while in Salt Lake City.
2:30 p.m.
Salt Lake City police alerted residents and visitors to expect road closures and pedestrian delays through 4:30 p.m.
"Please obey all posted orders and orders by officers. Thank you for your patience," the department posted to social media.
2:29 p.m.
Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base prepares for the president's arrival.
Just set up for the President Joe Biden‘s arrival at the Roland R. Wright Air National Guard base in the corner of Salt Lake international. @fox13 was able to capture this shot of 2 VH-60N White Hawks ready to become Marine 1 when the president arrives. pic.twitter.com/bh1eTGoCCu
— Spencer Joseph (@SpencerJosephTV) August 9, 2023
2:00 p.m.
The Salt Lake City Police Department warns that drivers and pedestrians should expect road closures and traffic delays, "to allow for a dignitary escort," through 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Officials ask that those impacted obey all posted orders and instructions by officers when traveling through the city.
12:30 p.m.
New information shows FBI agents shot and killed a Provo man early Wednesday who had threatened President Biden ahead of his visit to Utah.
10:40 a.m.
While Senators Lee and Romney will not visit with the president during his trip to Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox's office has confirmed he will greet Biden at the airport and will also attend Thursday's VA event.
10:35 a.m.
The Utah Transit Authority is asking riders to be patient as the president's visit is expected to cause impacts on TRAX and FrontRunner service Wednesday and Thursday.
UTA users can CLICK HERE to get service alerts.
10 a.m.
Sen. Mitt Romney or Sen. Mike Lee have both said they will not meet with Biden during the Utah visit. While the move shouldn't be seen as a surprise considering the divide between Democrats and Republicans, the Deseret News reports Lee was on hand to greet former President Barack Obama during a 2015 trip to Utah.
9 a.m.
While Biden will be making his first presidential visit to Utah, the state has welcomed nearly all of the country's Commanders in Chief. Ulysses S. Grant was the first president to visit Utah, while Donald Trump was the most recent.
Only three presidents failed to visit Utah during their presidency.
"It’s history, you know? It’s a good thing! Richard Nixon showed up here on Pioneer Day in 1970. It’s always an exciting thing when a president comes," said historian Ron Fox. "I mean, we’ve had some pretty fun things happen here."
