President Joe Biden, along with son Hunter, visited the New York state center on Saturday to pay his respects to his late brother-in-law, Michael Hunter, who passed away last week.
The White House confirmed how the Delaware president traveled to Syracuse and then to a private home in Camillus, Onondaga County.
It saw law enforcement from various departments, including the Camillus Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police cordon off several streets in the neighborhood for the president’s visit.
Police secured several streets in the residential area of West Genesee Street where the President’s niece, Marren Felter, lives.
President Joe Biden and his son Hunter arrive at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York on Saturday
Biden traveled to Central New York on Saturday to spend time with his family following the death of his brother-in-law, Michael Hunter
President Biden speaks with son Hunter Biden Saturday upon arrival at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York with Chief Master Sergeant Sonja Williams
President Joe Biden answers a reporter’s question after departing Air Force One Saturday
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, walks towards a motorcade vehicle after disembarking from Air Force One behind his father, the President
The Bidens were in Syracuse to visit family members following the death of Michael Hunter, brother of the President’s first wife Neilia Hunter Biden
A helicopter also patrolled the area and the roads from the airport to the home were cleared for the President’s motorcade.
Michael Hunter was the son of Robert and Louise Hunter, who owned the Hunter Dinerant in Auburn, and the brother of Neilia Hunter Biden, the President’s first wife.
Neilia Hunter Biden and her daughter Naomi tragically died in a car accident in 1972. Biden’s late son Beau and Hunter survived the accident.
Michael Hunter is survived by his daughter Marren, two grandchildren and brother John, with President Biden listed in his obituary among surviving family members.
The obituary tells how Michael enjoyed skiing and spending time with his grandchildren and is remembered by his family as a beloved father, grandfather and brother. No occupation was given, but he studied philosophy at SUNY Potsdam.
Joseph Biden is pictured with his first wife, Neilia Biden, 30, as he discusses his future goals as Delaware Senator in November 1972. She was killed in a car accident the following month
Joseph Biden, wearing a gray suit and pale yellow shirt with tie, and Neilia Biden, wearing a purple and mauve shirt dress with matching sunglasses, pose for portraits in November 1972
Senator-elect Joseph Biden and his wife Nelia cut his 30th birthday cake at a party in Wilmington in November 1972. His sons Hunter and Beau are waiting for the first piece
People watch as President Joe Biden’s motorcade departs after visiting a private home in Syracuse on Saturday
Vehicles from President Joe Biden’s motorcade wait outside a private home in Syracuse. The Bidens were visiting family members following the death of Michael Hunter, Biden’s brother-in-law
Children watch President Joe Biden’s motorcade from a home in Syracuse
The President and his son visited the Hunter family for about an hour and 45 minutes before returning to the airport.
Biden has a long-standing relationship with the Hunter family, having attended his niece’s wedding in Auburn in 2014 and frequented the Hunter Dinerant, an Auburn restaurant.
During a 2021 CNN town hall meeting, the president mentioned how his father-in-law had offered him the Auburn Diner, but he declined and instead went on to have a successful career in politics.
After his visit to central New York, Biden was scheduled to travel to Camp David, Maryland, to prepare for Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.
President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse
President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden board Air Force One after paying their respects
Biden salutes as he boards Air Force One before flying to Camp David Presidential Retreat in Maryland
During his time in Syracuse, Biden vowed to deal with a suspected Chinese spy balloon that was flying over the country in an incident that further strained ties with Beijing.
Asked by reporters to comment on relations with China and the balloon, Biden told reporters Saturday, “We will take care of it.”
Hours later, the balloon was shot down after a warplane was sent to intercept the object.
“When I was briefed about the balloon, I ordered the Pentagon to shoot it down as soon as possible. They decided the best time was when it came afloat. You have successfully mined it. I want to compliment our Airmen who did it, we’ll have more shortly,” Biden said.
President Joe Biden speaks with reporters after disembarking from Air Force One at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland, Saturday en route to Camp David
President Joe Biden walks over to speak with members of the press upon arrival in Maryland
Biden spoke to reporters about the Chinese spy balloon that had flown over the country
Biden on Saturday congratulated fighter pilots on shooting down a Chinese spy balloon off the east coast after it flew over the United States for several days. “They successfully mined it. And I want to compliment our Airmen who did it,” Biden told reporters in Maryland