President Joe Biden arrived at Los Angeles International Airport Wednesday to begin a roughly two-day visit to the Southland that will include a pair of public appearances and a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser.
Biden arrived at LAX aboard Air Force One from Colorado shortly before 5 p.m.. When he walked down the stairs from the aircraft, he was greeted by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; and mayoral hopeful Rep. Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles.
According to the White House, the president on Thursday will visit a construction site on the extension of the Metro D (Purple) Line to Brentwood to discuss “historic investments in our nation’s infrastructure.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One that Bass will be among those joining Biden at the event.
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we have made historic infrastructure investments in public transit projects like L.A.’s Purple Line, which will create jobs and opportunities, reduce traffic and pollution, and increase opportunities across L.A.,” she said.
Biden will also will attend the DCCC fundraiser later Thursday, then travel to Orange County on Friday to discuss “lowering costs for American families,” according to the White House.
The president will leave the area Friday, bound for Portland, Oregon.
Jean-Pierre said Biden’s appearances in Orange County and Oregon will highlight “his efforts to lower prescription drug costs, protect Medicare and strengthen Social Security, and to fight efforts by congressional Republicans to put Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block and reinstate giveaways to Big Pharma.”
According to Deadline, the Thursday fundraiser will be held in Brentwood and will feature an appearance by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It was unclear who is hosting the event.
Deadline reported that tickets for the event start at $5,000 per person, ranging up to $50,000 for a couple to be labeled as “hosts,” which also includes a photo op and attendance at a reception.
Biden was last in Los Angeles in June, serving as a host of the Summit of the Americas. He also spoke at two Democratic National Committee fundraisers during that visit.
“President Biden visiting California means he knows what Republicans have known for months: Democrats are in trouble,” said Hallie Balch, spokesperson for the Republican National Committee. “From sky-high gas prices to rising crime, California Democrats have hitched their wagons to the wrong agenda. Californians are tired of the Biden agenda and the many consequences it has brought to the Golden State.”
As is typical with presidential visits, motorists should anticipate rolling road and freeway closures as Biden is driven around the area. Biden’s exact travel routes are never released for security reasons.