President Biden Tells Kentucky Families He’s ‘In It For The Long Haul’

President Joe Biden reportedly gave out a lot of hugs while he surveyed the damage in Kentucky.

Biden visited the towns of Mayfield, Princeton, and Dawson Springs, surveying the damage and providing comfort and reassurance to the devastated citizens and families who lost their homes and businesses in last weekend’s unprecedented tornado strike.

Air Force One landed at Fort Campbell just before noon on Wednesday, December 15. Biden was greeted by Kentucky Governor AndyBeshear, First Lady Britainy Beshear, and former Governor Steve Beshear. Biden traveled with Congressman James Comer, who represents the state’s First District, which was among one of the hardest hit.

“I was asked, ‘What is the most impressive thing you’ve seen?’ I started off thinking in damage. Then, I said, ‘The way you all come together,’” Biden said earlier this morning.

“Don’t hesitate to ask for anything,” he added. “If we can’t do it, we’ll tell you we can’t, and we’ll tell you from experience how you can maybe get it done… if you can’t get it done through the federal way.”

Biden described the shock of flying into Kentucky and passing over acres and acres of areas devastated by the storm in new remarks he made after landing.

"I think the vast majority of Americans know what you've been through just (by) looking on television. It has been incredible. Your colleagues talk about it - they've seen it, they say, 'Holy gosh, what's going on?'" he said.

However, he applauded the way the community has come together to help one another during this time.

“People just come out of nowhere to help as a community, and that's what it's supposed to be,” he continued. That's what America's supposed to be. There's no red tornadoes or blue tornadoes. There's no red states or blue states when this stuff starts to happen. And I think, at least in my experience, it either brings people together or really knocks them apart.”

Biden also took a moment to comment on the “mental and emotional” injuries that people have experienced as a result of this devastating storm, comparing it to the post-traumatic stress that soldiers face when they are returning from war.

“FEMA has opened mobile disaster recovery centers in Mayfield and Dawson Springs,” he continued. “It has disaster survivor assistance teams on the ground here in Kentucky to help people register for assistance. As I said when I talked to the Governor, not only that we’re going to get what you need, we’re going to make sure you know everything’s available.”

He continued, “I promise you. You’re going to heal. We’re going to recover. We’re going to rebuild. You’re going to be stronger than you were before. We’re going to build back better than it was.”

“And when I come back, I got one beautiful lady and her husband promised me a meal. She’s apparently a h--- of a cook, so I’m coming back for the meal,” Biden joked.

He concluded, “To all the families, keep the faith. We’re going to get this done. I promise you. Your Governor’s not walking away, your county judge is not walking away, your Congressman is not walking away. No one’s walking away. We’re in this for the long haul.”