Biden’s medical emergency on campaign trip left cops scrambling to secure hospital, reveal LVMP recordings

LVMP released recordings highlighting officers' efforts to secure roads during Joe Biden's health crisis in July
PUBLISHED AUG 11, 2024
Joe Biden faced a medical emergency on July 17, 2024, and he abruptly canceled his appearance at the UnidosUS event (Getty Images)
Joe Biden faced a medical emergency on July 17, 2024, and he abruptly canceled his appearance at the UnidosUS event (Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMP) released audio recordings of radio transmissions broadcasted on July 17, when President Joe Biden suffered a medical emergency during his campaign trip in Las Vegas, Nevada, reported The Daily Beast on Saturday, August 10.

The incumbent had abruptly canceled his appearance at the UnidosUS event where he was set to address Hispanic voters on the day. The University Medical Center hospital was alerted late in the afternoon of an unspecified emergency with Biden, with the LMVP quickly mobilizing and securing a perimeter around the facility.

While the exact nature of Biden's medical emergency has not yet been made public, he announced suspending his reelection campaign four days later on July 21 and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in his stead.

Excerpts from radio transmission clips released by LVMP

“Meet at the Valley Hospital ER parking lot. We’re going to meet behind the ER entrances, where the ambulances go,” an officer is heard saying in one of the transmissions obtained by the Daily Beast.

“Again, any available units, come down here to Valley Hospital right now,” he repeats. When informed that four units were en route, he responded with, “I need more.”

LMVP released radio transmission recordings that show how they secured the area during Joe Biden's medical emergency in Vegas on July 17, 2024 (lvmpd.com)
LMVP released radio transmission recordings that show how they secured the area during Joe Biden's medical emergency in Vegas on July 17, 2024 (lvmpd.com)

“I need to get all the major interactions shut down... lights shut down from Desert Inn all the way down to Russell… start with the big ones,” says another officer, citing the movement of "the POTUS" and instructing all law enforcement personnel to be “decked out in readily identifiable police gear."

A third officer warns on the radio, “We gotta take this one slow ’cause we don’t have a lot of resources to make it work.”

“Everybody just keep in mind safety, safety, safety. If it doesn’t look good, don’t do it… no one gets hurt.”

Aftermath of Joe Biden's medical emergency

President Joe Biden was never admitted to the hospital on July 17. He was taken directly to the Las Vegas airport instead, where he left for Delaware on board Air Force One.

The LVMP released a statement a week after the incident, sharing that they were informed of the president being sick, without further details. They had then proactively started clearing roads to the hospital.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: U.S Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks alongside U.S. Presiden
Joe Biden reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 in Vegas, following which he dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Kamala Harris (Getty Images)

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the incumbent has tested positive for Covid while explaining the reason for his sudden departure from Vegas.

“Earlier today following his first event in Las Vegas, President Biden tested positive for Covid-19. He is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms. He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time,” she stated.

Biden then proceeded to withdraw himself from the 2024 presidential race at the end of that week.

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