President Donald Trump will head to Texas for a firsthand look on the devastation caused by catastrophic flooding that has killed at the least 120 folks, which the administration has characterised as a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Whereas the administration isn’t backing away from its pledges to shutter the Federal Emergency Administration Company and return catastrophe response to the states as a part of Trump’s push to slash federal providers, it has lessened its concentrate on the subject for the reason that July 4 catastrophe, underscoring how tragedy can complicate political calculations.
The president is predicted to do an aerial tour of among the hard-hit areas, a comparatively frequent observe that enables presidents to go to catastrophe websites and hopefully ease logistical burdens for authorities on the bottom. The White Home additionally says he’ll go to the state emergency operations heart to fulfill with first responders and family members of flood victims. Trump can even get a briefing from officers.
Here is the most recent:
Trump’s schedule, in keeping with the White Home
Trump and first girl Melania Trump are scheduled to go to elements of Texas devastated by flooding earlier than retiring to the Trump Golf Membership in Bedminster, New Jersey.
9:30 a.m. — Trump and the primary girl will depart Washington for Kerrville, Texas
2:10 p.m. — Following their midday arrival, they may meet with first responders and native authorities
3:15 p.m. — The president and first girl will depart for Bedminster, New Jersey
Trump to host the Philippine president this month to debate commerce and safety in Asia
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s will go to the USA from July 20 to 22 however Philippine officers have been nonetheless finalizing particulars of his assembly with Trump with the U.S. State Division, the Philippine authorities stated. The allies have boosted mutual protection engagements, together with large-scale combat exercises within the Philippines, to strengthen deterrence in opposition to China’s more and more aggressive actions within the area.
Among the many proposed matters for dialogue is strengthening “peace by means of deterrence,” Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez instructed The Related Press by phone.
That echoed Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth ’s remarks concerning the U.S. army’s plan to ratchet up deterrence in opposition to China’s more and more assertive actions within the disputed South China Sea by intensifying safety engagements with the Philippines and allied nations within the area.
▶ Learn extra about the Philippine president’s planned visit
The State Division is firing greater than 1,300 workers
The firings Friday are consistent with a dramatic reorganization plan unveiled by the Trump administration earlier this 12 months.
The division is sending layoff notices to 1,107 civil servants and 246 overseas service officers with home assignments in the USA, stated a senior State Division official, who spoke on the situation of anonymity to debate personnel issues forward of particular person notices being emailed to affected workers.
International service officers affected will probably be positioned instantly on administrative depart for 120 days, after which they’ll formally lose their jobs, in keeping with an inner discover obtained by The Related Press. For many affected civil servants, the separation interval is 60 days, it stated.
President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and their Republican allies have lauded the transfer as overdue and essential to make the division leaner and extra environment friendly.
However the cuts have been roundly criticized by present and former diplomats who say they’ll weaken U.S. affect and its capability to counter present and rising threats overseas.
— Matthew Lee
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