Developing: Bridge Collapses Near Seattle…Unknown Injuries…See the Photos

Doc Thompson’s 24-hour radio marathon, ‘#24forok,’ continues until 9 am ET — Listen Live!

Business

White House Cancels All Public Tours and Blames Sequester

Mar. 5, 2013 3:33pm Becket Adams

Screen grab

Well, it looks like it has happened. It has finally really happened: Sequestration is taking its toll on the country.

The automatic spending cuts signed into law by President Barack Obama last week has forced the White House to cancel all public tours, the White House announced Tuesday.

Here are some details from the Washington Times:

The White House announced Tuesday that it was canceling all public tours of the president’s home because of the sequester spending cuts.

“Due to staffing reductions resulting from sequestration, we regret to inform you that White House Tours will be canceled effective Saturday, March 9, 2013 until further notice. Unfortunately, we will not be able to reschedule affected tours,” the White House said in an email.

The notice comes as both the White House and Congress try to find cuts to their own budgets as part of $85 billion in cuts to the entire government.

At the Capitol, staffers who use the building’s West Front entrance that looks out on the National Mall were told Tuesday that door would be closed as of next week in order to save money.

So, if we understand this correctly, the White House is revoking public access to a public building because of budget cuts? Well, okay then.

Also, it’s worth noting that, according to the White House website, self-guided tours are definitely a thing:

Citing Recent Automatic Budget Cuts, White House Cancels All Public Tours

Screen grab

We’re not entirely sure how sequester-related staff reductions have anything to do with self-guided tours, but we’re certain there’s a good reason.

When TheBlaze called the White House Visitors Office Information Line for comment, our call was immediately directed to a recording stating sequestration was to blame for the cancellations. The recording also suggested that we call back at a later time for more updates.

WH tours cancelled due to sequestration. No word on the OFA quarterly meetings for $500K donors.

— Nick Confessore (@nickconfessore) March 5, 2013

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

Featured image Getty Images. This post has been updated.

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (178)

theBru
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:51pm
What’s with the pic from “the Planet of the Apes”? I wonder how many LESS vacations bhoLE and the gals take over the next 4 years…

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- banjarmon
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:13pm
  CUT and STOP all WH spending…make BHO and ms APEy pay their own way!!
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:24pm
  Planet of the Apes:
  
  George Taylor: “….We finally really did it”.
  [screaming]
  George Taylor: You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God d@mn you all to hell”.
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:25pm
  Well it is a great segue into all the Zira jokes about Moochelle.
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:29pm
  Take the keys to Air Force One………………………..
  They have the Technology, use Video Conferencing..
  Pull the PLUG on this TURKEY… and DHS..F’N Joke !!!!
  
  Report this comment
- redfish52
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:33pm
  So “The Peoples House” is closed…..how poetic.
  
  Report this comment
- Bullitt2008
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:34pm
  AVENGERK, I think I would have used a picture of Taylor getting hosed in the cage. “It’s a madhouse, a MADHOUSE!
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:37pm
  BULLIT..I like that one too.
  I may have gone with “you did this….you bloody baboon”.
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:42pm
  @redfish52
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:33pm
  So “The Peoples House” is closed…..how poetic.
  
  Not our House any more..Bama and MOO’s crib, Bro !!!
  Lost ALL respect for these CRAPWEASELS………..
  They WILL make us SUFFER..
  
  Report this comment
- Maji
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:44pm
  So this means AFOne is grounded??
  Marine One too?
  I think the Congress and Senate should all drive their own cars
  and pay for their own gas too!
  
  Report this comment
- MLeo
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 5:07pm
  It’s Obama’s house now.
  
  Not ours.
  
  Report this comment
- ambrosia
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 5:19pm
  We’ve got “Chicken Little Obama” screaming,
  the sky is falling, the sky is falling-
  Friday came & went & there’s still miles & miles of sky
  as far as our naked eyes can see.
  
  Oblameo had to eat a big helpin’ of Sequestration Crow-
  pass the Bully King his favorite dijon mustard
  & let the libs wipe the the fool’s drool off his elevated chin.
  
  The people who want to visit the White House have already been there-
  who the hell wants to visit
  when the residing NUT & GNAT still roam the grounds.
  
  Go to the beautiful Mt. Vernon instead
  and indulge yourself in the patriotism & grace
  of a real leader.
  
  Now, Ma Michelle wants to lecture us on how to nurture our dogs.
  Hey, NUTURE this…ya’ big flappin’, flippin’, ungracious gnat
  cut the $100,000 plus job of your official dog walker
  and go walk him yourself !
  
  Report this comment
- Female
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 8:32pm
  At first, I thought it said “all White House tours” would be stopped meaning…he would keep his **** there. As in no more traveling for wh personnel. Damn, too good to be true!!
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 8:39pm
  @Maji
  ALL these Congressional BOZO’s should live as we do !!
  MOST get FILTHY RICH while serving the People…….
  How does this happen ?? Insider Trading, They pass laws
  and Regulations that help their friends but cripple the
  American People with more Taxes and Higher Prices for
  everything.. We need TERM LIMITS.. example The wicked
  witch of the West has been lining her pockets for 0ver
  forty years…with NO OVERSITE !!!! and too much POWER..
  Don’t think our Founding Fathers would approve of this BITC*.
  
  Report this comment
- dublinthewagons
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 4:26am
  White house tours are given by volunteers. Barry: volunteers are NOT PAID. How do you cut expenses by not paying the free help? Barry is now Captain Stupid.
  
  Report this comment
- Livia
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 1:38pm
  I doubt if this will stop their “vacations” though.
  
  Report this comment
- dmerwin
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:45pm
  No further Whitehouse entertaining.
  No further government travel or conferences.
  Senators and Congressmen clock in and put in 2080 hours a year.
  All government spending is rolled back to 2008 until there is a budget.
  Eliminate all pensions for congress and allow them to contribute to federal blue cross like all other federal employees for health care.
  Reduce congressional staff to 4 people for a congress man and 6 for a senator who are paid at the GS-11 level.
  Eliminate all staff for the first lady except for 2 secretaries.
  Eliminate the whitehouse chef position and cater in the private economy for state dinners.
  Allow volunteers to give whitehouse tours.
  Eliminate taxpayer paid vacations for the first family.
  Cut the senate and congressional pay by half each year they do not pass a budget.
  Allow the Joint Chiefs to decide which programs to procure and eliminate.
  
  Report this comment
- dmerwin
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:46pm
  Close the White House and house the first family at their own expense at a motel 6 “We’ll leave the lights on”.
  
  Report this comment
- 2Amend
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 8:33pm
  Yes wagon.. the tour guides are volunteers, so there is NO reason to stop these tours, other than his being vindictive! This sequester is only 2cents on the dollar, and it is Obama who decides what to cut., so what does he do? Whatever HURTS AMERICANS, Dem OR Rep, because he was told ‘no’ and man does he hate that.
  Again, say ‘no’ to this President and he will do his best to punish the people, so he will be OBEYED the next time!
  And now even Bill Cosby is calling people who challange Obama, equal to those who opposed desegragation?? As you can see Obama is dividing this country better than Farrakan ever dreamed!
  
  Report this comment
ThePostman
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:51pm
Besides, if you want to see the president “working”, just go to the local golf course, or ask the drone flying overhead.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- GO-FOR-LIBERTY
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 6:55am
  I smell a vacation. What say you Vee Jay?
  
  Report this comment
SilentReader
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:50pm
Darn. I’m devastated! (dripping with sarcasm here ~ just in case you’re one of those Progressives, progressing us toward tyranny and death by government, that is, and don’t quite understand sarcasm}

Marching forward and hoping that they’ll move on to cancelling the Federal government altogether! I can dream, can’t I?

They should put a “STOP” sign in front of every Federal office.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:36pm
  O’Blamer and Team WILL find ways to make us suffer
  in order to make others look bad……………………………..
  
  Report this comment
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:50pm
Boo Hoo. When I was in DC, I NEVER wanted to tour the WH with a gay communist in it.
I can’t imagine the tours were all that crowded since 2009, anyway.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- moonlight on the bay
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:09pm
  I had no intention of going to DC during Obama’s last term. I HOPED I would be able to go this year, but things didn’t turn out like I’d wanted. I’ll wait until sometime in 2017. I’m in no hurry. It would be nice to hear that tourism was up in 2017 with the current occupant’s departure from office. .
  
  Report this comment
- RIGHTHOOK
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 5:54pm
  In 09 it went from being the respected WH to “The Obama’s Crib”. They have likely ghetto artifacts peppered throughout the place we pay for anyway. No thanks, no interest in seeing it when these disrespectful crooks reside in it.
  
  Report this comment
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:50pm
Kerry has promised The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt $250 million and Syria $^0 million. The Federal Government is hiring 400 more employees. Somebody is lying,and I bet a hat it is the ¬iberals.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Amma K
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 6:34pm
  Plus: TSA is spending $50 million on new uniforms, Obama spend $400K on oil paintings of his staff.
  
  Report this comment
- geeman
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 7:07am
  ahhhhhh,let me ahhhhhhh,be ahhhhh perfectly clear,l will not,ahhhhhhhhh,cut spending by one thin dime.
  
  Report this comment
woodyee
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:49pm
But seriously folks, do you want to tour that place before it’s disinfected by a Conservative?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Chromo200
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:03pm
  Not me .. It probably stinks of cooked dog meat.
  
  By the way it is our house .. he just lives there as a crappy tenant. “public tours of the president’s home”.
  
  And will all those big donors going to get tours, or is that cancelled?
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:14pm
  I bet Will and Jada still get in.
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:35pm
  Don’t forget, Jay Z, Beyonce and Common…oh and anyone Organizing for America accepts donations of $250K or more from.
  
  Report this comment
- ambrosia
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 5:32pm
  Yeah, yeah…
  if anyone truly wants to get into the White House,
  just FOLLOW Jay Z, Beyonce & Bertha Lewis-
  they ALL have keys.
  
  Add Eva LaGonorrhea & George Lopez to the list.
  
  Report this comment
VRW Conspirator
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:49pm
WHAT!!
I first read this and thought it meant no vacations for the family or that guy….or that he wasn’t going to jump around the country to give teleprompter speeches with lies and misquotes and bad math all on the public dime of $150,000 per hour for Air Force 1 to travel….
but it actually means the WH is closed to public tours… WHAT!!! it is OUR HOUSE!! WE OWN IT!! If I want to walk through it…screw you…open the door…

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- spirited
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:29pm
  That is how it seemed.
  
  Seems especially odd that his flying around and talk, talk, talking won’t stop
  but tours will.
  
  As well,
  How will those 500,000.oo donations
  for a meet with the man in the White House take place
  if there are all those pescky guided tours?
  
  Report this comment
momrules
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:48pm
That they try to pass this off as a budget cut makes my blood boil. That is OUR house and Obama and his crew need to remember that.

Every single day Obama or that woman insults Americans and our country.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- summersmom
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:07pm
  Preaching to the choir!
  
  Report this comment
riseandshine
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:48pm
The Boy Who Cried Sequestration: http://www.corbettreport.com/interview-617-radio-liberty-the-boy-who-cried-sequestration/

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Cabo King
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:48pm
Poor nancy Pelosi, her Jet get taken away? lol

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Cabo King
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:47pm
AH hahahhhhahhhhhhhhhahahahahahahaha who cares!!!!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
tonypro
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:46pm
Now if this POS would cancel all his public appearances, and skip his golf outing, and his once a month vacation, but we all know that’s not happening. Just think this alone would save, oh I don’t know, $250m a month of OUR money.

Somebody please call a waaaaambulance for the communist in charge so he can stop all his whining.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- AINT_SKEERT
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 8:24pm
  Now wait a minute, the golf outings are the only thing that’s helping. How about a thousand day golf outing instead?
  
  Report this comment
Uechi
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:46pm
DHS just bought 50 million dollars worth of new uniforms. The sequestration is a joke. It is not cut in spending it is a cut in the increase in spending. They are still spending more money then last year.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
DKR526
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:45pm
Too bad White House tours take second fiddle to a $1 Million round of golf with Tiger Woods & the king.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Sargeking
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:45pm
Is that a pix of Charleton Heston screaming at the “Planet of the Apes” movie that knocked over the Statue of Liberty?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
civilwarcometh
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:43pm
http://weaselzippers.us/2013/03/05/email-obama-regime-to-make-sequester-as-painful-as-promised/

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- civilwarcometh
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:49pm
  Remember if you give 500k to OFA you can still visit 4 times a year..
  
  Report this comment
- dublinthewagons
  Posted on March 6, 2013 at 4:29am
  If you take a shower with him. Ya get to sleep in the Lincoln bedroom. With him or moosshell
  
  Report this comment
LakeHartwellSailor
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:42pm
If I can’t have my way, you can’t come over to my house!

-BHO

Just another childish reaction by the Child-In-Chief. I bet this move will save…..not a single dime.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Cavallo
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:49pm
  Ha! Awesome.
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:53pm
  I think the country should take his cue and start blaming everything on sequestration. Heck, I blame the headache I have right now on sequestration.
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:17pm
  OBie is petulant isn’t he. Canceling all those self-guided tours.
  
  Report this comment
- WillG
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:49pm
  The Fresh Prince of Indonesia has grabbed his ball and went home. He don’t want to play anymore.
  
  Report this comment
- Female
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 8:38pm
  Willg,
  
  He grabbed our money and home…..really the ultimate “House” invader.
  
  Report this comment
woodyee
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:40pm
“So, if we understand this correctly, the White House is revoking public access to a public building because of budget cuts?”

Now there’s an understatement. So is saying that the gay Lord of the Flies is stupid.

“Also, um, it’s probably worth noting that White House tours are self-guided” Seriously, folks – what were they thinking?!?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Sargeking
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:40pm
When will Sequester cuts hit the foreign aid we throw away in places like Egypt? Just asking…..?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- tonypro
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:47pm
  Now there’s a proper concept!!!
  
  Report this comment
AvengerK
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:40pm
Ok Blaze….whoever came up with the still of Charleton Heston and Linda Harrison from Planet of the Apes during the famous “d@mn you all to hell” sequence deserves a bonus. That’s hysterical and so perfect for the article.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- woodyee
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:47pm
  It’s what I was thinking, but I didn’t post it for the sake if discretion…
  
  Report this comment
team1blazer
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:39pm
Never mind, I don’t want to be that close to communists anyhow.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
huey6367
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:38pm
Let’s cancel Obama. That would save this country trillions.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Cavallo
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:46pm
  Probably just in his wife’s vacation plans alone!
  
  Report this comment
team1blazer
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:38pm
The sequestration that was originally dreamed up by the imposter in chief?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
woodyee
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:38pm
Becket – it’s “sequestration”, not “equestrian”…

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:41pm
  Perhaps it’s an allusion to the horse in the still used for the article WOODYEE?
  
  Report this comment
- woodyee
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:41pm
  I get it!
  
  I get it!!!
  
  Lol with Becket!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- woodyee
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:44pm
  No, Avengerk! I can’t post what I think it means, but I know what it is, and it’s FUNNY!!!
  
  Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:37pm
That’s gonna save a bunch of money !!! (end sarcasm)

Or…. “How to lock up the WH so no tourist can see the party you’re throwing”

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Cavallo
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:43pm
  I demand that Time Bomb explain!
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 5, 2013 at 4:27pm
  CAVALLO, He does on the next page.
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.