Trump Triumphant: US GDP Growth Hits 4.1%
I am thrilled to announce that in the second quarter of this year, the U.S. Economy grew at the amazing rate of 4.1%! pic.twitter.com/xeAPwAAOXN
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2018
The U.S. economy grew by 4.1 percent in the second quarter of 2018, marking the fastest economic expansion in nearly four years, according to a highly anticipated estimate released Friday by the Commerce Department.
President Trump touted the “amazing” growth during remarks at the White House shortly after the report’s release, cheering a shrinking trade deficit and claiming the country is on track to hit the highest annual growth rate in over 13 years.
“We’ve accomplished an economic turnaround of historic proportions,” Trump declared. “Once again, we are the economic envy of the entire world.”
The White House pointed to the gross domestic product (GDP) numbers, considered an official economic scorecard, as a strong indication that its tax cuts, commitment to deregulation and tough trade policies have paid off. The GDP broadly reflects the goods and services produced in the country.
We have accomplished an economic turnaround of HISTORIC proportions! pic.twitter.com/vnmMtPv0kk
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2018
Levin: Trump is right to work toward ‘zero’ tariffs with EU
On his nationally syndicated radio show Wednesday evening, Mark Levin lauded President Trump’s announcement that his administration and the European Union president will work toward “zero” tariffs, “zero” subsidies, following trade talks at the White House.
Levin pointed out that if it happens, this will ultimately result in a more prosperous America, unlike seeking protectionist tariffs to shield American industries against global competition, which he criticized on his show the day before. “No tariffs and no subsidies — that’s the Levin position!
Who defends all Americans?
Who supports the free-market?Watch @LevinTV tonight at 9pm ET to see who *TRULY* stands up for American workers:https://t.co/lkcHkMxPrb pic.twitter.com/OkJOypeAgd
— CRTV (@CRTV) June 12, 2018
Queens Native Dan Bongino: Calls to Abolish ICE by Democrats ‘Outrageous’
With more democrats following the lead of socialist congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino said Sunday that it will lead to the end of the Democratic Party.
Hundreds of protests were held across the country against ICE Saturday, calling for the reunification of children and their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Bongino said on “Fox & Friends” that President Donald Trump has a “unique ability” to provoke a political overreaction by Democrats.
“Calls to abolish ICE will lead to the abolishment of the Democrat party,” he said.
READ MORETrump Saves Citgo, Repped by His Ex-Aides, From New Sanctions – The Daily Beast
The White House on Friday announced a new round of sanctions against Venezuela that explicitly exempt the U.S. arm of the country’s state-owned oil company. That company, Citgo, donated six-figure sums to Trump’s inauguration and recently hired former Trump officials to lobby for that exemption.
The purpose of the new sanctions announced by the administration is to target arms of the Venezuelan government that have supported or facilitated President Nicolas Maduro’s ongoing crackdown on domestic political opposition. The carve out for Citgo was included in the White House statement released on Friday.
“To mitigate harm to the American and Venezuelan people, the Treasury Department is issuing general licenses that allow for transactions that would otherwise be prohibited by the Executive Order,” the White House wrote in a statement on the sanctions. “These include provisions allowing for…transactions only involving Citgo,” and no other sanctioned entity.
Citgo is the U.S. arm of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the country’s state-owned oil company. Since 2014, Citgo, a Delaware corporation, has fought to insulate its operations from measures aimed at punishing the Maduro regime’s efforts to consolidate political power.
READ MORETrump to outline new Afghanistan strategy – USA TODAY
President Trump will outline a new Afghanistan strategy Monday that will clear the path to deploy several thousand more U.S. troops to help local forces in the conflict that has stretched on for nearly 16 years.
In a prime-time speech, Trump is also expected demand more assistance from NATO allies and the Afghanistan government itself.
Trump will address the nation at 9 p.m. ET from Fort Myer, Va., a military base just a few miles from the White House. In front of a group of soldiers, Trump will “provide an update on the path forward for America’s engagement in Afghanistan and South Asia,” the White House said in a statement.
READ MORETrump signs legislation greenlighting War on Terrorism memorial for National Mall – Washington Times
President Trump has signed a bill authorizing the construction of a new memorial on the National Mall commemorating U.S. service members who fought in the international war against terrorism.
Mr. Trump announced his signing of the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act through his official Twitter account Friday evening, paving the way for the monument’s sponsors to ramp-up work on erecting one of the nation’s capital’s newest memorials.
The Global War on Terrorism, also known as the GWOT and the War on Terror, refers to the international military campaign initiated by President George W. Bush in reaction to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including ongoing operations against targets including the Taliban, Al Qaeda and Islamic State.
READ MORETrump: North Korea ‘will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen’ if more threats emerge – Fox News
President Donald Trump responded to reports of North Korea’s nuclear threats on Tuesday, saying the regime “will be met with fire, fury and frankly power, the likes of which the world has never seen before.”
Speaking from New Jersey, Trump also said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “has been very threatening beyond a normal state,” adding that the regime “best not make any more threats to the United States.”
The president’s comments follow a report that North Korea has produced a compact nuclear warhead that can be placed inside one of its advanced missiles – which are already believed to be capable of reaching half of the United States. Fox News has confirmed the report, which first appeared in the Washington Post.
The jarring assessment was prepared in July by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The Post was read parts of the DIA analysis and the document was verified by other U.S. officials, the newspaper reported.
Dan Coats, director of national intelligence, made similar comments to Congress in May.
“Kim was also photographed beside a nuclear warhead design and missile airframes to show that North Korea has warheads small enough to fit on a missile,” Coats said at the time.
READ MORETrump Touts New Sanctions on North Korea – Washington Post
President Donald Trump on Saturday touted new sanctions the U.N. Security Council approved for North Korea, saying they will have a “very big financial impact.”
The Security Council unanimously approved the sanctions on North Korea, including banning coal and other exports worth over $1 billion. The U.S.-drafted measure, negotiated with North Korea’s neighbor and ally China, is aimed at increasing economic pressure on Pyongyang to return to negotiations on its nuclear and missile programs.
Trump wrote on Twitter: “The United Nations Security Council just voted 15-0 to sanction North Korea. China and Russia voted with us. Very big financial impact!”
A few hours later, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement that Trump commended the Security Council for its action and appreciated the cooperation of China and Russia in passing the resolution.
READ MORETrump touts Veterans Affairs ‘Tele-Health’ Program with New Appointment Scheduling Application – USA Today
President Trump touted a new program to increase veterans’ electronic access to medical care as part of a broader tele-health push at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The initiative connects veterans with health providers via mobile phones or computers, and is intended to improve medical care especially for those needing mental health and suicide prevention services, Trump said.
“It will make a tremendous difference for the veterans in rural locations in particular,” Trump said in an event at the White House with VA Secretary David Shulkin.
The application allows veterans to schedule appointments via their smart phones.
Shulkin also previewed a regulation allowing VA providers to provide tele-health services to veterans anywhere in the country.
“What we’re announcing today is a big deal for veterans,” said Shulkin. Veterans can find the digital application at the VA app store, he said.
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