While we catch the most important stories coming from the White House as they happen, some minor stories and small details fall through the cracks on busy news days. When they do, we pick them up … on the flip side.
note: this post is updated throughout the day as events warrant
See all of the daily White House Flip Side Chronicles HERE.
Presidential Itinerary – the details
The president’s summarized daily schedules can be found HERE.
President Trump will host the World Champion Astros and have lunch with Energy Secretary Rick Perry.
Houston Astros Event [Video + Transcript]
At 12:31, the Houston Astros entered the East Room of the White House to rousing cheers.
“What a team…our yankees were as tough as anybody but you guys were just a little tougher,” the president said.
He called Game 7 of the world series one of the most memorable ever and said manager AJ Hinch did a great job of “skippering.”
He warned the team against “complacency” in 2018 and singled out World Series MVP George Springer, AL MVP Jose Altuve.
“Helluva team,” Trump said. Potus also singled out pitchers Charlie Morton, Dallas Keuchel, Justin Verlander and Brad Peacock. He called Verlander a friend, says they have golfed together and that he has a monster drive.
“We had one of the best economic days in our history on Friday, the numbers were announced were back on track and were not letting the world take advantage of us anymore.” He shook Verlander’s hand as he left.”
Astros owner Jim Crane called it “a great honor” for the team to be here. “We are committed to try to do it again.” Motto for 2018 is “never settle.”
Manager AJ Hinch thanked the president and pledged to represent baseball and the country well.
The president then thanked some of the citizens that helped out during Hurricane Harvey.
“With what you went through with Harvey, it was really a tribute, a show of spirit and Houston Strong. I also want to thank some of the heroes of Hurricane Harvey who join us today, including members of the incredible Cajun Navy….I want to thank every member of the Astros team who spent time with those displaced in shelters, you brought food and supplies to all over Texas and beyond and gave millions of dollars of your salaries, I know you’re doing pretty damn well but you’re doing better now.”
Trump also pledged to stand by Puerto Rico and the Gulf states that were ravaged by hurricanes.
“When Maria ravaged Puerto Rico weeks later, the Houston Astros redoubled their assistance and many went there and helped,” he said. “Our administration will continue to stand by the people of Texas, and Florida and Puerto Rico and Louisiana, even Alabama, so many places were affected and were standing by all of them. Texas was incredible the way they recovered. You had a devastating hurricane, Ive never seen anything like it. It went in, they thought it was gone, it came back and they got more water, in out in out three times, there’s never been anything like it that weve seen. From the standpoint of water, not even close, theres never been anything so bad and yet you recovered so incredibly well.”
See the full transcript of Trump’s comments at the event HERE.
Executive Actions
Regarding the proposed takeover of Qualcomm incorporated by Broadcom ltd.
The president issued an executive order prohibiting the takeover of Qualcomm by Broadcom. The full text is HERE.
Extension of the declaration of national emergency with respect to Iran
The president extended the national emergency with respect to Iran for one year and sent a letter to Congress informing them of his action.
Actions and policies of the Government of Iran, including its development of ballistic missiles, support for international terrorism, and human rights abuses continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.
For this reason, the national emergency declared on March15, 1995, must continue in effect beyond March 15, 2018. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1year the national emergency with respect to Iran declared in Executive Order 12957. The emergency declared by Executive Order 12957 constitutes an emergency separate from that declared on November 14, 1979, by Executive Order 12170, in connection with the hostage crisis. This renewal, therefore, is distinct from the emergency renewal of November 2017.
Official Statements
On the Visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia
President Donald J. Trump will welcome Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia to the White House on March 20, 2018. The President looks forward to discussing ways to strengthen ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia and to advance our common security and economic priorities.
On Global Health Security
Today, the White House is releasing a report, “Implementing the Global Health Security Agenda: Progress and Impact from U.S. Government Investments,” that clearly shows how the investments made by taxpayers to improve global health security are paying dividends.
Over the past year, the Trump Administration has strongly championed the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), which helps build health security capacity around the world to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate.
As President Trump has said, “We cannot have prosperity if we are not healthy.” The report details how GHSA support enabled countries to respond to and contain outbreaks of high-threat diseases, including dengue fever in Burkina Faso and the Marburg virus in Uganda.
The United States Government remains a strong supporter of GHSA and continues to demonstrate leadership through our engagement in multilateral efforts and bilateral capacity building programs. The Fiscal Year 2019 President’s Budget proposes additional resources for GHSA, and emphasizes the importance of strengthening countries’ ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.
On Human Rights
The White House published “Promoting Human Rights is Essential to an ‘America First’ Vision” Monday morning on its website.
Trump’s Tweets
THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE HAS, AFTER A 14 MONTH LONG IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION, FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF COLLUSION OR COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND RUSSIA TO INFLUENCE THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2018
It was my great honor to welcome the 2017 World Series Champion Houston @Astros to the @WhiteHouse! #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/IO6B42jixA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette just endorsed Rick Saccone for Congress. He will be much better for steel and business. Very strong on experience and what our Country needs. Lamb will always vote for Pelosi and Dems….Will raise taxes, weak on Crime and Border.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018
If schools are mandated to be gun free zones, violence and danger are given an open invitation to enter. Almost all school shootings are in gun free zones. Cowards will only go where there is no deterrent!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018
Very strong improvement and strengthening of background checks will be fully backed by White House. Legislation moving forward. Bump Stocks will soon be out. Highly trained expert teachers will be allowed to conceal carry, subject to State Law. Armed guards OK, deterrent!…….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018
….On 18 to 21 Age Limits, watching court cases and rulings before acting. States are making this decision. Things are moving rapidly on this, but not much political support (to put it mildly).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross will be speaking with representatives of the European Union about eliminating the large Tariffs and Barriers they use against the U.S.A. Not fair to our farmers and manufacturers.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018
Executive Branch Nominations
- Kimberly Breier, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs)
- Dallas L. Carlson, of North Dakota, to be United States Marshal for the District of North Dakota for the term of four years
- Sonya K. Chavez, of New Mexico, to be United States Marshal for the District of New Mexico for the term of four years
- Gregory Allyn Forest, of North Carolina, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of North Carolina for the term of four years
- Brendan O. Heffner, of Illinois, to be United States Marshal for the Central District of Illinois for the term of four years
- Dennis Dean Kirk, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board for the term of seven years expiring March 1, 2023
- Dennis Dean Kirk, of Virginia, to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board
- Andrew F. Maunz, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board for the term of seven years expiring March 1, 2025
- Bradley A. Maxwell, of Illinois, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois for the term of four years
- Theodor G. Short, of Maine, to be United States Marshal for the District of Maine for the term of four years
Communications with Heads of State (readouts often come the day after the conversation)
Call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada regarding the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum that the President announced last week. President Trump emphasized the importance of quickly concluding the ongoing NAFTA negotiations to ensure the vitality of United States and North American manufacturing industries and to protect the economic and national security of the United States.
