The White House • July 17, 2018
The Day Ahead
President Donald J. Trump will meet with members of Congress to discuss options for further tax reform to help working Americans.
Bold American diplomacy in Finland
When President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday, he continued a proud American tradition on the world stage. “From the earliest days of our republic, American leaders have understood that diplomacy and engagement is preferable to conflict and hostility,” the President said.
America has no illusions when it comes to Russia. President Trump directly addressed the issue of Russian interference in U.S. elections with President Putin, and the Trump Administration has implemented a range of tough sanctions on Russian individuals and entities. “The disagreements between our two countries are well known,” President Trump said. “But if we're going to solve many of the problems facing our world, then we're going to have to find ways to cooperate.”
The bottom line: Americans want peace, not conflict. “Nothing would be easier politically than to refuse to meet, to refuse to engage, but that would not accomplish anything. As president, I cannot make decisions on foreign policy in a futile effort to appease partisan critics,” President Trump said.
“As the world’s two largest nuclear powers, we must get along!” President Trump tweeted.
Watch President Trump’s press conference with President Putin.
Sen. Rand Paul: President Trump was right. America needs fewer enemies.
The First Lady’s trip to Europe
First Lady Melania Trump accompanied President Trump to Europe last week, helping the President to build lasting relationships with America’s allies.
In Belgium, the First Lady took part in the official spousal program of the NATO summit. “It was an opportunity for us to come together in an exchange of ideas, and appreciate the unique cultural traits of Belgium,” she said.
In the United Kingdom, the First Lady visited the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where she joined Philip May—husband of British Prime Minister Theresa May—and local schoolchildren in making symbols of remembrance for fallen soldiers. “It is always an honor to meet with soldiers who have dedicated a life of service to their country,” the First Lady said.
Read more about the First Lady’s trips to Belgium and England.
In photos: See more from the President and First Lady’s trip to Europe.
Photo of the Day
Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks
President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation | July 16, 2018
The White House • July 16, 2018
The Day Ahead
President Donald J. Trump is holding a joint press conference with President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Helsinki, Finland. Watch live.
American leadership takes center stage
As President Trump meets with Russian President Putin today, he does so with America’s role as a tough world leader more secure than it has been in years.
At last week’s NATO summit, President Trump made clear that our allies must honor their financial obligations—a move that will both strengthen the transatlantic Alliance and look out for American taxpayers at home. “I am pleased to report that we have received substantial commitments from members to increase their defense spending and to do so in a much more timely manner,” the President said after the summit. Ahead of his meeting with President Putin this morning, President Trump tweeted that “NATO is now strong & rich!”
The special bond between America and Great Britain was on full display during President Trump’s trip to the United Kingdom. “The United Kingdom and the United States are bound together by a common historic heritage, language, and heroes,” President Trump said, standing alongside British Prime Minister Theresa May. “The traditions of freedom, sovereignty, and the true rule of law were our shared gift to the world.”
Watch President Trump’s press conference with President Putin.
Watch: The President and First Lady visit the United Kingdom.
Broad support for Judge Kavanaugh pours in
Last week, President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court. The diverse and widespread support that has poured in for Judge Kavanaugh since shows that President Trump made the right choice.
Eighteen of Judge Kavanaugh’s female law clerks, 26 state Attorneys General, and more than 160 members of the Yale University community have signed letters praising his unsurpassed qualifications for a seat on the Court. “In our view, the Judge has been one of the strongest advocates in the federal judiciary for women lawyers,” his former clerks wrote. “I look for the best,” Judge Kavanaugh said at the White House last week. “We are proud that so many of those hires have been talented women.”
The letter from a majority of our Nation’s state Attorneys General sums up the case for Judge Kavanaugh clearly and concisely: “Throughout his career, Judge Kavanaugh has demonstrated an abiding commitment to the principles and freedoms on which our country was founded, and an unshakable respect for the proper role of the courts within our constitutional structure.”
In their words: Support for Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination pours in.
More: Get to know President Trump’s nominee for the High Court
Photo of the Day
Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump with President Sauli Niinistö and Jenni Haukio of the Republic of Finland | July 16, 2018
