Remarks By President Trump Before Marine One Departure
Trump suggests the hurricane recovery “should have been done months ago” and implies neglect, but the search results show that:
- Hurricane Helene only struck on September 27, 2024
- The state has been actively working on recovery, with Governor Stein securing $1.65 billion in federal aid
- Recovery efforts have been ongoing but complicated by winter weather and extensive damage
Trump’s statement about Los Angeles fires that “could have been put out if they let the water flow” is demonstrably false:
- The water issues were due to infrastructure limitations and unprecedented demand, not intentional withholding
- Experts confirm no water system in the world could have handled the scale of these fires
- The empty Santa Ynez Reservoir was under necessary maintenance repairs, not intentionally kept empty
Trump’s broader criticisms of FEMA during his North Carolina visit included misleading claims:
- He falsely suggested FEMA allocated billions for housing undocumented immigrants
- He incorrectly claimed Democratic leaders were neglecting Republican areas, when Republican governors had actually praised the federal response
While Trump did pardon 23 anti-abortion activists, his characterization of their cases as “persecution” omits that:
- Some of the pardoned individuals were convicted of using force and intimidation
- The lead defendant, Lauren Handy, received her sentence after a nurse was injured during their blockade
- The convictions were based on violations of the 1994 FACE Act, a longstanding bipartisan law
Remarks By President Trump Before Marine One Departure
9:10 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
So, we’re going to North Carolina. It’s been a horrible thing the way that’s been allowed to fester, and we’re going to get it fixed up — it should have been done months ago — from the hurricane that took place almost four months ago.
North Carolina has been treated very badly, so we’re stopping there.
And we’re going to then go to Los Angeles and take a look at a fire that could have been put out if they let the water flow, but they didn’t let the water flow. And they still haven’t for whatever reason.
So, I think we’re going to have a very interesting time. I think many of you are going with us. If you’d like to have a ride on the plane, we’d love to give it to you.
Q Mr. President, why did you invite Adam Schiff on your trip given you called him “scum” earlier this week?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t know. Is he — is he going? Is he going?
Q No.
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t know. I mean, I really don’t. You know, because if he’s going to be there, it would be cheaper, but I didn’t invite him. Somebody did.
(Cross-talk.)
Q Pete Hegseth — Pete Hegseth lost two Republican votes yesterday. Are you at all concerned about his prospects?
THE PRESIDENT: Look, whatever it is, it is. He’s a good man. I don’t know what’s going to happen; you never know in those things. But Pete is a very, very good man. I hope he makes it. I hope he makes it.
I was very surprised that Collins and Murkowski would do that. And, of course, Mitch is always a “no” vote, I guess. Is Mitch a “no” vote? How about Mitch?
Q He hasn’t said yet.
THE PRESIDENT: Huh? He what?
Q He hasn’t said yet.
THE PRESIDENT: Let’s see what happens.
(Cross-talk.)
Q The March for Life is today. Sir, the March for Life. Mr. President, the March for Life, sir. Mr. President, the March for Life. The March for Life is today.
THE PRESIDENT: I did a big clip for the March for Life, and we look forward to seeing it. I’m going to be watching it. And JD Vance, our vice president, is there, and he’s going to be representing us very well. Taking place in a little while, and other than being a little bit cold, it’s a beautiful day.
(Cross-talk.)
Q How will your — Mr. President, how will your administration — how will your administration protect —
Q Mr. President, will you give Italy a break of tariffs?
Q — sir, how will your administration protect pro-life of Americans going forward?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, we’re all — we’re all for it. In fact, as you know, I just signed a pardon, and in the pardon, we released 23 people that were unjustly put in having to do with pro-life. And they will be released, and they’ll be out very shortly. It was disgraceful what happened to them. That was a persecution.
(Cross-talk.)
Q Mr. President, will you give — will you give Italy a break on tax — on tariffs, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I like her very much. Let’s see what happens.
Have a good time. (Inaudible.)
END 9:12 A.M. EST