Overview

• FOIA-obtained emails from July 2023 show a MARAD official telling the Department of Transportation that the White House canceled Biden’s planned visit to the NSMV due to “how many steps were involved to get on the ship.”
• Correspondence also reveals that MARAD had no direct outreach from White House advance teams before the cancellation, highlighting gaps in interagency event coordination.
• Republican critics and watchdog groups cite the emails as evidence that Biden’s activities were restricted because of his physical capacity.
• Former Biden aides and administration officials argue the email reflects routine logistical, security and accessibility planning rather than a deliberate effort to conceal presidential limitations.
• The shipyard tour had been arranged to showcase offshore wind and clean-energy projects under a MARAD initiative.