Trump Considering Firing Health Secretary Over Private Flights, And Other Trump News From Wednesday
Wednesday, September 27th. Day 251.
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Trump Considering Firing Price Over Private Flights
President Trump would not rule out the possibility of firing HHS secretary Tom Price when asked about the tens of thousands of dollars he's spent on private flights during his tenure. Trump simply said "we'll see… I will look into it…I'm not happy about it," what asked what he would do about the scandal. Aides tell Politico that Trump has privately been fuming about Price's travels.
Trump Caps Refugees At 45,000
The Trump Administration has recommended that refugees be capped at 45,000, and that funding for resettlement be decreased by 25%, according to The New York Times. The cap is the lowest since the modern refugee program has been established in 1980.
White House Preventing Lawmakers From Visiting Puerto Rico
The Washington Post reports that The White House is denying requests from lawmakers to visit devastated Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Aides reportedly say that the blockages are an effort to direct resources exclusively to relief efforts. Trump is set to visit the island Tuesday, saying his travels have been delayed as to not disrupt any relief efforts.
Construction Begins On Wall Prototypes In San Diego
Companies chosen to build border wall prototypes by Customs and Border Protection have started construction in San Diego, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Eight different choices will be built in a highly secured area, where security has prepared for protesters. Companies are supposed to finish construction in 30 days.
Trump Administration Argues Against Autonomous Federal Agency On LGBT Rights
Trump's Justice Department argued Tuesday that federal employment protections do not apply to LGBT people. The federal attorney was awkwardly pitted against another attorney from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an autonomous federal agency that enforces civil rights laws, that was arguing the exact opposite position. The dissonance comes as the Trump Administration reverses course from President Obama's progressive agenda, which included the expansion of LGBT rights.
Trump Deletes Tweets Supporting Losing Alabama Primary Candidate
Tuesday evening, President Trump's chosen candidate in Alabama's Republican Senate primary Luther Strange lost to religious zealot and twice-ousted state supreme court justice Roy Moore. Despite campaigning for Strange, Trump immediately deleted all tweets supporting Strange, and then fired off two congratulating Moore. After another failed attempt to repeal Obamacare, Trump is surely trying to curry favor wherever he can get it.
Trump Administration Refuses To Issue Shipping Waiver For Puerto Rico Relief
Reuters reports that the Trump Administration has denied a request from Puerto Rico to temporarily waive the Jones Act, which say that shipping between US coasts may only be conducted with US vessels. The Department of Homeland Security argued that the US has sufficient vessel capacity, and that the real problem will be the condition of Puerto Rico's ports.
