Photos of Cheney, Bush from 9/11 released for first time | CNN Politics

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Politics

Photos of Cheney, Bush from 9/11 released for first time

By Phil Gast and Daniella Diaz, CNN
Updated 9:30 AM EDT, Mon July 27, 2015
Link Copied!
Vice President Dick Cheney (right) talks with his chief of staff,  I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, on September 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attacks. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F07%2F25%2Fpolitics%2Fnational-archives-new-photos-bush-911%2Findex.html">More than 350 images of Cheney and other Bush administration officials taken that day were released</a> Friday, July 24, by the National Archives following a Freedom of Information Act request.
Vice President Dick Cheney (right) talks with his chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, on September 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attacks. More than 350 images of Cheney and other Bush administration officials taken that day were released Friday, July 24, by the National Archives following a Freedom of Information Act request.
U.S. National Archives
Cheney was in his West Wing office when he received word that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. The released photos were requested by the coordinating producer for a group that has produced Bush administration films for PBS' "Frontline."
Cheney was in his West Wing office when he received word that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. The released photos were requested by the coordinating producer for a group that has produced Bush administration films for PBS' "Frontline."
U.S. National Archives
The photos capture the grim scenario facing the White House as commandeered airliners crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. President George W. Bush, Cheney and staff gather at the President's Emergency Operations Center later in the day.
The photos capture the grim scenario facing the White House as commandeered airliners crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. President George W. Bush, Cheney and staff gather at the President's Emergency Operations Center later in the day.
U.S. National Archives
Colette Neirouz Hanna, who works with the Kirk Documentary Group, told the Boston Globe, "From the first moments after the attacks on the World Trade Center, Vice President Cheney has been at the center of much of the government's response. Now, 14 years later, we finally have those photographs and the American people can see for themselves what took place in those first 24 hours."
Colette Neirouz Hanna, who works with the Kirk Documentary Group, told the Boston Globe, "From the first moments after the attacks on the World Trade Center, Vice President Cheney has been at the center of much of the government's response. Now, 14 years later, we finally have those photographs and the American people can see for themselves what took place in those first 24 hours."
U.S. National Archives
"Frontline," in an online posting on July 25, said the images were taken by Cheney's staff photographer. Cheney told CNN's John King in 2002 what happened when it was clear there was an ongoing terrorist operation. After he called President Bush in Florida and spoke with top aides his door burst open. "My [Secret Service] agent all of a sudden materialized right beside me and said, 'Sir, we have to leave now.' He grabbed me and propelled me out of my office, down the hall, and into the underground shelter in the White House," Cheney said. <br />
"Frontline," in an online posting on July 25, said the images were taken by Cheney's staff photographer. Cheney told CNN's John King in 2002 what happened when it was clear there was an ongoing terrorist operation. After he called President Bush in Florida and spoke with top aides his door burst open. "My [Secret Service] agent all of a sudden materialized right beside me and said, 'Sir, we have to leave now.' He grabbed me and propelled me out of my office, down the hall, and into the underground shelter in the White House," Cheney said.
U.S. National Archives
Cheney with members of the White House staff, including National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. "Frontline" said Friday's release of photos was the second set requested by Hanna. That first set shows other behind-the-scenes photos of Bush and Cheney.
Cheney with members of the White House staff, including National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. "Frontline" said Friday's release of photos was the second set requested by Hanna. That first set shows other behind-the-scenes photos of Bush and Cheney.
U.S. National Archives
Lynne Cheney discusses the ongoing crisis with her husband, the vice president. According to a 2002 CNN article on the attack anniversary, Dick Cheney helped direct the U.S. government's response from an emergency bunker while the President was in Florida and flying to Nebraska for security reasons. Bush issued orders while in transit.<br />
Lynne Cheney discusses the ongoing crisis with her husband, the vice president. According to a 2002 CNN article on the attack anniversary, Dick Cheney helped direct the U.S. government's response from an emergency bunker while the President was in Florida and flying to Nebraska for security reasons. Bush issued orders while in transit.
U.S. National Archives
According to <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.historycommons.org%2Ftimeline.jsp%3Ftimeline%3Dcomplete_911_timeline%26day_of_9%2F11%3Dbush%26startpos%3D100" target="_blank" target="_blank">historycommons.org</a>, Bush arrived at the White House shortly before 7 p.m. on September 11. A few minutes later, he entered the Emergency Operations Center.
According to historycommons.org, Bush arrived at the White House shortly before 7 p.m. on September 11. A few minutes later, he entered the Emergency Operations Center.
U.S. National Archives
Cheney with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice in the President's Emergency Operations Center.
Cheney with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice in the President's Emergency Operations Center.
U.S. National Archives
A relic of the Cold War, the deep underground bunker became the vice president's base of operations on the first day of a new war.
A relic of the Cold War, the deep underground bunker became the vice president's base of operations on the first day of a new war.
U.S. National Archives
Rice and Secretary of State Colin Powell confer during the crisis.
Rice and Secretary of State Colin Powell confer during the crisis.
U.S. National Archives
Mary Matalin, then a counselor to Cheney, said this of the Presidential Emergency Operations Center: "I didn't know that it existed until I was actually down there, and I'm not sure I could find my way back there to this day."
Mary Matalin, then a counselor to Cheney, said this of the Presidential Emergency Operations Center: "I didn't know that it existed until I was actually down there, and I'm not sure I could find my way back there to this day."
U.S. National Archives
Cheney with Laura Bush and Lynne Cheney. The latter was a constant presence. She leaned in at one point to tell the vice president that their daughters were fine.
Cheney with Laura Bush and Lynne Cheney. The latter was a constant presence. She leaned in at one point to tell the vice president that their daughters were fine.
U.S. National Archives
Secretary of State Colin Powell looks over a report. All of the released photos are available in a National Archives <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fusnationalarchives%2Fsets%2F72157656213196901" target="_blank" target="_blank">Flickr album</a>.
Secretary of State Colin Powell looks over a report. All of the released photos are available in a National Archives Flickr album.
U.S. National Archives
After their reunion, the President and the first lady "talked with the Cheneys a bit," Laura Bush was to recall. President Bush then went upstairs to prepare for a nationally televised address.
After their reunion, the President and the first lady "talked with the Cheneys a bit," Laura Bush was to recall. President Bush then went upstairs to prepare for a nationally televised address.
U.S. National Archives
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2002%2FALLPOLITICS%2F09%2F11%2Far911.king.cheney%2F">President Bush speaks</a> with Vice President Cheney and members of his senior staff. The vice president had a few words with the president just before the latter's address to the nation. CIA Director George Tenet watched from the bunker, waiting for Bush to convene a late-night meeting of the National Security Council.
President Bush speaks with Vice President Cheney and members of his senior staff. The vice president had a few words with the president just before the latter's address to the nation. CIA Director George Tenet watched from the bunker, waiting for Bush to convene a late-night meeting of the National Security Council.
U.S. National Archives
Mary Matalin talks with Karen Hughes, counselor to the President, near Lynne Cheney in the President's Emergency Operations Center.
Mary Matalin talks with Karen Hughes, counselor to the President, near Lynne Cheney in the President's Emergency Operations Center.
U.S. National Archives
Cheney talks with Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta.
Cheney talks with Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta.
U.S. National Archives
CIA Director George Tenet listens to President Bush's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2001%2FUS%2F09%2F11%2Fbush.speech.text%2F">televised address. </a>The President said, "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."
CIA Director George Tenet listens to President Bush's televised address. The President said, "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."
U.S. National Archives
It was the bunker's first test in an actual emergency, a day of crisis with some hitches. Cheney wanted to track TV reports of the devastation and listen in on communications with the Pentagon. "You can have sound on one or the other and he found that technically imperfect," Matalin recalled.
It was the bunker's first test in an actual emergency, a day of crisis with some hitches. Cheney wanted to track TV reports of the devastation and listen in on communications with the Pentagon. "You can have sound on one or the other and he found that technically imperfect," Matalin recalled.
U.S. National Archives
The Cheneys depart the White House and prepare to board Marine Two. He later took a nighttime ride past the heavily damaged Pentagon. "I recall watching the vice president, who was staring out the window at the Pentagon, and wondering what he may be thinking about, the responsibilities he would have in the future. A pretty sobering moment," said Libby, his chief of staff.
The Cheneys depart the White House and prepare to board Marine Two. He later took a nighttime ride past the heavily damaged Pentagon. "I recall watching the vice president, who was staring out the window at the Pentagon, and wondering what he may be thinking about, the responsibilities he would have in the future. A pretty sobering moment," said Libby, his chief of staff.
U.S. National Archives
Vice President Cheney, Lynne Cheney and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby aboard Marine Two.
Vice President Cheney, Lynne Cheney and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby aboard Marine Two.
U.S. National Archives
Cheney and Lynne Cheney arrive at Camp David. This was the first in a series of "undisclosed locations" where the vice president camped out in the weeks after the attacks, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fwgbh%2Fpages%2Ffrontline%2Fgovernment-elections-politics%2Fnew-photos-show-bush-administration-reaction-to-911-attacks%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">PBS said</a>.
Cheney and Lynne Cheney arrive at Camp David. This was the first in a series of "undisclosed locations" where the vice president camped out in the weeks after the attacks, PBS said.
U.S. National Archives
Cheney, shown here at Camp David on September 11, 2001. A year later, he recalled to CNN's John King:  "As we lifted off and headed up the Potomac [River], you could look out and see the Pentagon, see that black hole where it'd been hit. A lot of lights on the building, smoke rising from the Pentagon. And you know, it really helped to bring home the impact of what had happened, that we had in fact been attacked."
Cheney, shown here at Camp David on September 11, 2001. A year later, he recalled to CNN's John King: "As we lifted off and headed up the Potomac [River], you could look out and see the Pentagon, see that black hole where it'd been hit. A lot of lights on the building, smoke rising from the Pentagon. And you know, it really helped to bring home the impact of what had happened, that we had in fact been attacked."
U.S. National Archives

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