REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN A VISIT TO A DISASTER RELIEF CENTER Providence Baptist Church Annex Building Opelika, Alabama

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN A VISIT TO A DISASTER RELIEF CENTER Providence Baptist Church Annex Building Opelika, Alabama     12:58 P.M. CST      THE PRESIDENT:  I just want to thank everybody.  It's been an incredible ordeal, what you've gone through.  The first responders have been -- so many first responders right here, and you've been incredible.  Law enforcement has been incredible.  And, frankly, you didn't need law enforcement, but they've done it so great.  They all just chipped in and helped everybody.  It's love.  It's great love.      Your governor is here with us, your senators are here right now with us, and Secretary Nielsen -- and we've just said the A-plus job.  We're going to take care of -- FEMA is here and doing an incredible job.  I think you know that.  And we said we're going to just lay it out.  These are incredible people.      We just met some of the survivors and family members, and what they've been through is incredible.  One woman lost 10 people in her family, and -- an incredible woman.  And she -- I said, "How -- how did it go?"  She said, "I lost 10.  Ten people."  And a couple of others lost two and three.  I've never seen anything like it.      I just want to thank you.  On behalf of the First Lady and myself, I want to thank you for the job you do.  You're incredible people.  We couldn't get here fast enough.  I wanted to come the day it happened, but I spoke with the Governor, and she said, "Just give us a little more time.  We need a little more time."      And already, the job is really great -- the job you've done.  So thank you very much.  FEMA is laying it out.  They're all here.  They're all heart.  A lot of folks coming in.  A lot of folks coming in.  And so, Secretary, I want to thank you for a great job, and thank all of the folks at FEMA.  And tell them to stay as long as they have to stay, whatever it is.      Also a lot of the folks get aid, and we're providing all of the aid.  So you'll see the FEMA people; let them know as soon as you can so they know that, because a lot of people don't know that.  And they really need aid, in this case.         And, again, we love you all.  We thank you all.  We love the state of Alabama.  Georgia got hit a little bit, and we're going to be talking about that later.  We met the Governor; we met with Brian a little while ago.  He's very engaged, I can tell you that.      Thank you very much everybody on behalf of the country and on behalf of the United States.  We want to thank you very much.  (Applause.)                                 END                 1:00 P.M. CST

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019  Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil   President Donald J. Trump will welcome President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil to the White House on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.  President Trump and President Bolsonaro will discuss how to build a more prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere.  The leaders of the Hemisphere’s two largest economies will also discuss opportunities for defense cooperation, pro-growth trade policies, combatting transnational crime, and restoring democracy in Venezuela.  Finally, they will talk about the major role that the United States and Brazil are playing in the effort to provide humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.  ###

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019 President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts   Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key positions in his Administration: Jennifer D. Nordquist of Virginia, to be the Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of two years. Ms. Nordquist currently serves as Chief of Staff at the Council of Economic Advisers in the Executive Office of the President, a position she has held since June 2017.  Previously, she was Chief of Staff for the Economic Studies program at the Brookings Institution.  She has also served as Assistant Secretary (delegated authority) at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Senior Advisor in the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Education.  Ms. Nordquist holds a B.A. from Stanford University and M.S.J. from Northwestern University. John Linder of Georgia, to be the Representative of the United States of America to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Representative Linder was a nine-term United States Representative from Georgia, serving in Congress from 1993 to 2011.  He spent eight years on the Rules Committee and was a member of the Ways and Means Committee, serving as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Income and Family Security.  He also was a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, where he chaired the Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack.  As a small business owner, he led Linder Financial Corporation from 1977 to 1995.  Earlier, Representative Linder served in the United States Air Force as a dental officer before opening a private dental practice in Atlanta.  He received a B.S. from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. John McLeod Barger of California, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, for the remainder of a seven-year term expiring December 8, 2021. David Bernhardt of Virginia, to be Secretary of the Interior. Mr. Bernhardt currently serves as Acting Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Interior.  He has served at the Department of the Interior for nearly a decade in various leadership roles.  The Senate has previously confirmed Mr. Bernhardt twice to serve at the Interior – in 2017 as Deputy Secretary and in 2006 as Solicitor.  Mr. Bernhardt also served as United States Commissioner for the International Boundary Commission between the United States and Canada.  Early in his career, Mr. Bernhardt worked in the Office of Congressman Scott McInnis from Colorado.  He is an avid sportsman who served as a board member for the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries.  ###

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND THE CHAIRMEN OF THE SENATE COMMITTEES ON APPROPRIATIONS AND FOREIGN RELATIONS

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019 TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND THE CHAIRMEN OF THE SENATE COMMITTEES ON APPROPRIATIONS AND FOREIGN RELATIONS March 8, 2019   Dear Mr. Chairman:  (Dear Madam Chairwoman:) In accordance with section 1462 of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 (Division F, Public Law 115-254) (the "Act"), I submit the enclosed Reorganization Plan for the United States International Development Finance Corporation (the "Plan").  The Plan provides information concerning the elements identified in section 1462(b) of the Act, which may be modified consistent with section 1462(d) of the Act.                                Sincerely,                              DONALD J. TRUMP

President Donald J. Trump Announces Judicial Nominees

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019

President Donald J. Trump Announces Judicial Nominees   Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate judicial nominees as follows:   Michael S. Bogren of Michigan, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.  Michael Bogren is Chairman of Plunkett Cooney P.C.’s Board of Directors and the Managing Partner in the firm’s Kalamazoo, Michigan, office.  His practice focuses on representing municipalities in both Federal and State courts, including First Amendment, zoning, and employment matters.  He also serves as village attorney for the Village of Hopkins, Michigan.  Mr. Bogren received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Detroit School of Law and his B.A., cum laude, from Western Michigan University. Jeffrey Vincent Brown of Texas, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  Jeffrey Brown is a Justice on the Supreme Court of Texas, where he has served since 2013.  Before joining the Supreme Court of Texas, he served as a justice on Texas’ Fourteenth Court of Appeals and as a judge on the State’s 55th District Court.  Previously, Justice Brown was an attorney in private practice.  After graduating from law school, Justice Brown clerked for Justices Jack Tower and Greg Abbott of the Supreme Court of Texas.  Justice Brown received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center, where he was an Editor on the Houston Law Review.  He received his B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. Stephanie Dawkins Davis of Michigan, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.  Stephanie Dawkins is a Magistrate Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.  Before being selected as a Magistrate Judge in 2016, Judge Dawkins served 18 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan, including as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney and in the Controlled Substances Unit.  Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Judge Davis was an attorney in private practice.  Judge Dawkins received her J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and her B.S. from Wichita State University. Brantley Starr of Texas, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.  Brantley Starr is the Deputy First Assistant Attorney General of Texas.  In that capacity, he oversees nearly two dozen divisions of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.  He previously served in a variety of positions in Texas State government, including as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel, Assistant Solicitor General, Assistant Attorney General, and Staff Attorney to Supreme Court of Texas Justice Eva Guzman.  Early in his legal career, Mr. Starr clerked for Justice Don Willett of the Supreme Court of Texas.  Mr. Starr received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and his B.A, summa cum laude, from Abilene Christian University.

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE MARINE ONE DEPARTURE

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE MARINE ONE DEPARTURE South Lawn   9:37 A.M. EST      Q    (Inaudible) February jobs numbers? THE PRESIDENT:  Well, the economy is doing very well.  We're seeing wages rise more than they have at any time for a long, long time.  Wages are going up first time for many years -- I talked about it during the campaign -- for over 20 years.  So, I'm happy about that.      The economy is very, very strong.  If you look at the stock market over the last few months, it's been great.  And certainly since my election, it's up -- getting close to 50 percent -- the stock market.  So, we're obviously very happy with that. We will -- I think as soon as these trade deals are done, if they get done -- and we're working with China; we'll see what happens -- but I think you're going to see a very big spike.  A lot of people are waiting to see what happens with the China deal.  Mexico, Canada is done.  We'll be submitting to Congress very shortly.  And that's a great deal for the United States, so we're very happy about that. And I am now, as you know, going to Alabama.  Some of you are joining me.  But I look forward to it.  I'll be meeting with Governor Ivey.  The people of Alabama, they got hit very hard by the tornadoes.  We're stopping there, then we're going to Florida.  And we're going to do a lot of work.  We'll be working very hard. Q    Your reaction to Manafort's sentencing? THE PRESIDENT:  I feel very badly for Paul Manafort.  I think it's been a very, very tough time for him.  But if you notice, both his lawyer -- a highly respected man and a very highly respected judge -- the judge said there was no collusion with Russia.  It's had nothing to do with collusion.  There was no collusion.  It's a collusion hoax.  It's a collusion witch-hoax.  I don’t collude with Russia. So I just want to tell you that his lawyer went out of his way, actually, to make a statement last night.  No collusion with Russia.  There was absolutely none.  The judge, I mean, for whatever reason -- I was very honored by it -- also made the statement that this had nothing do with collusion with Russia. So, you know, keep it going.  Let's go.  Keep the hoax going.  Just a hoax.  Senator Burr said there's no collusion.  If you look at Devin Nunes and the House Intelligence Commission -- Committee -- they said there's no collusion.  And guess what?  There is none. Q    Is 20,000 new jobs good enough, sir? THE PRESIDENT:  What? Q    Is 20,000 new jobs good enough for you, sir? THE PRESIDENT:  Well, it's a step.  I think you'll probably find out it averages out.  The unemployment rate just went lower.  We're down now to 3.8 percent, so we had very good news on that. I think the big news, really, was that wages went up.  And that's great for the American worker.  That’s something people -- I don’t know if they ever expected to see it. Yeah? Q    Mr. President, we're hearing rumblings from China that they're not really positive about a trade deal and that perhaps (inaudible) may not happen.  Where is that? THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I haven’t heard that.  I think they're doing well.  But if it happened that way, we'll do even better.  We’ll do very well either way, with or without a deal.  But you're telling me something that I have not heard. Q    Do you feel confident that you can get a trade deal with China? THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  Sure.  I'm confident.  But if we don’t make a very good deal for our country, I wouldn’t make a deal.  If this isn’t a great deal, I won't make a deal. Q    Are you ruling out a pardon for Manafort? THE PRESIDENT:  Say it? Q    Are you ruling out a pardon for Manafort? THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t even discuss it.  I have -- the only one discussing it is you.  I haven’t discussed it. I know that, in watching and seeing you folks at night, that Michael Cohen lied about the pardon.  It was a stone-cold lie.  And he's lied about a lot of things, but when he lied about the pardon, that was really a lie.  And he knew all about pardons.  His lawyers said that they went to my lawyers and asked for pardons.  And I can go a step above that, but I won't go do it now. Q    Why do you think Cohen is suing the Trump organization? THE PRESIDENT:  Why what? Q    Why do you think Cohen is suing the Trump organization? THE PRESIDENT:  It's the most ridiculous suit I've ever seen.  Bad lawyer.  I had a bad lawyer. Go ahead.  That happens. Q    Your administration is being sued by Planned Parenthood over Title 10 funding.  What's your reaction to that?      THE PRESIDENT:  We'll make a comment on it later.      Q    (Inaudible.) THE PRESIDENT:  Talk.  Talk.  Up.  You're competing with a helicopter, John.      Q    On immigration and what's going on in Congress now, are you certain that they will not be able to override your veto?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I think that it's going very well.  The border -- we're doing a great job.  We're apprehending record numbers of people -- 75,000 over the last short period of time.  That's a lot of work.  And with a wall, we wouldn't have to do it.      No, I think we're doing fine in Congress.  They understand it's an emergency.      Q    Michael Cohen's decision to testify (inaudible) your decision to walk (inaudible) with North Korea?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, time will tell, but I have a feeling that our relationship with North Korea -- Kim Jong Un and myself -- Chairman Kim -- I think it's a very good one.  I think it remains good.  I would be surprised, in a negative way, if he did anything that was not per our understanding.  But we'll see what happens.      Look, when I came in -- under the Obama administration, North Korea was a disaster.  You were going to war, folks, whether you know it or not.  You were going to war.  There was no talking.  There was testing.  We didn't have our people back.  We didn't have our great hostages back.  Now we're getting the remains, we're doing a lot of things now.  This was a disaster.  I inherited a mess. In many ways, I inherited -- the Middle East, I inherited a mess, and it's straightening out a lot.  We're doing very well there.  I inherited a mess. Q    (Inaudible.)      THE PRESIDENT:  I inherited -- wait.  Wait.  I inherited a mess with North Korea.  And right now, you have no testing.  You have no nothing.  Let's see what happens.  But I would be very disappointed if I saw testing.      Q    What do you make of the vote yesterday in the House of Representatives on the anti-Semitism resolution?      THE PRESIDENT:  I thought yesterday's vote by the House was disgraceful because it's become -- the Democrats have become an anti-Israel party.  They've become an anti-Jewish party.  And I thought that vote was a disgrace and so does everybody else, if you get an honest answer.  If you get an honest answer from politicians, they thought it was a disgrace.  The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party.  They've become an anti-Jewish party, and that's too bad.      I'm going to Alabama.                               END                9:45 A.M. EST

Communications Director, Bill Shine offered his resignation to the President

Statement from Sarah Sanders, Press Secretary, March 8, 20129

Assistant to the President and Communications Director, Bill Shine offered his resignation to the President yesterday evening, and the President accepted.  Bill continues to support President Trump and his agenda and will serve as Senior Advisor to the 2020 re-election campaign.
“Serving President Trump and this country has been the most rewarding experience of my entire life. To be a small part of all this President has done for the American people has truly been an honor. I’m looking forward to working on President Trump’s reelection campaign and spending more time with my family.” Bill Shine

“Bill Shine has done an outstanding job working for me and the Administration. We will miss him in the White House, but look forward to working together on the 2020 Presidential Campaign, where he will be totally involved. Thank you to Bill and his wonderful family!” President Donald J. Trump

“Bill has been an asset of invaluable importance to this West Wing. I have enjoyed working with him and witnessing firsthand his unmatched talent, expertise and, and skills. I am grateful that he will continue to be an important member of team trump. I look forward to all of his future contributions.” Mick Mulvaney

“Bill Shine has been a great leader on our team and someone we have all loved working with every day. He has brought a tremendous amount of talent and expertise to the Administration. Bill has become a real friend and his generosity and his passion for our country will be sorely missed. It is a big loss for the White House, but a huge gain for the President’s reelection campaign.”

- Sarah Sanders

West Wing Reads: A Hot US Job Market is Coaxing People in from the Sidelines

A Hot US Job Market is Coaxing People in from the Sidelines “A surprisingly strong burst of job growth over the past year has led many economists to wonder: Where are all the workers coming from?” Christopher Rugaber writes in The Associated Press. “The pace of hiring in 2018 was the most robust in three years, and for a surprising reason: Many more people have decided to look for work than experts had expected. The influx of those job seekers, if sustained, could help extend an economic expansion that is already the second-longest on record.” Click here to read more. Breaking this morning: Wage growth is the fastest since 2009 In The Wall Street Journal, James Freeman writes that the American jobs machine is roaring as “U.S. small businesses in February went on an historic hiring binge.” According to the latest employment report from the National Federation of Independent Business, small business job creation broke a 45-year record last month. “President Donald Trump’s 2020 budget proposal will include $100 million for a global women’s fund spearheaded by his daughter Ivanka Trump,” Catherine Lucey reports for The Associated Press. “The White House said the budget, expected to be released Monday, will include the funding for the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative. The administration last month launched the government-wide project, which she leads.” “One hundred eleven miles of new or replacement wall is either being built or is in progress on the southern border after Trump’s first two years in office,” Saagar Enjeti reports in The Daily Caller. “All told, the administration has secured funding for approximately 445 miles of the total 722 miles desired by the Trump administration, a Caller analysis finds.” First Lady Melania Trump “made her third official visit as first lady to the State Department on Thursday, passing out the International Women of Courage Awards,” Kate Bennett reports for CNN. “Courage is what divides those who only talk about change from those who actually act to change. Courage takes sacrifice, bravery and humility -- it is the ability to put others first,” the First Lady said. In the Miami Herald, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Nadia Schadlow writes that the Trump Administration’s W-GDP initiative will empower women across the globe. “As we observe International Women’s Day, Americans should make a bipartisan commitment to supporting W-GDP, which represents an enormous opportunity to spur growth and create stability by empowering women to use their untapped entrepreneurial talent and invest in their families, communities, and their countries.”

President signed into law: S. 483, the "Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2018,"

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019 On Friday, March 8, 2019, the President signed into law: S. 483, the "Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2018," which reauthorizes and updates the fee collection provisions and authorities available under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and addresses worker protection matters.

The White House Announces Presidential Delegation to Attend the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019  The White House Announces Presidential Delegation to Attend  the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games in  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates   Today, President Donald J. Trump announced the Presidential Delegation to the United Arab Emirates to attend the Opening Ceremony and other events of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, beginning Thursday, March 14, 2019.  7,500 athletes and 2,500 coaches will represent a record 192 countries in 24 sports at these games. Mrs. Karen Pence, Second Lady of the United States, will lead the delegation. Members of the Presidential Delegation: The Honorable Linda McMahon, Administrator of the Small Business Administration Mr. Steven Bondy, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, United States Embassy Abu Dhabi Vice Admiral Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H., Surgeon General of the United States Mr. Mariano Rivera, Co-Chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, Former Pitcher for the New York Yankees, and 2019 inductee to the Baseball Hall of Fame ###

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individual to a Key Administration Post

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individual to a Key Administration Post Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key position in his Administration: Kelley E. Currie of Georgia, to be Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues and to be the Representative of the United States of America on the Commission on the Status of Women on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (PA).

International Women’s Day, 2019

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019 International Women’s Day, 2019   On International Women’s Day, we honor women worldwide for their vital role in shaping and strengthening our communities, families, governments, and businesses.  We celebrate their vision, leadership, and courage, and we reaffirm our commitment to promoting equal opportunity for women everywhere. Through the efforts of remarkable women trailblazers in the United States and around the world, we have made tremendous progress in the fight for equality and justice for all.  My Administration has championed initiatives to promote women’s global economic empowerment through business, technology, and increased access to capital.  These initiatives include the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative, Canada–United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders, Overseas Private Investment Corporation’s 2X Women’s Initiative, and United States Agency for International Development’s WomenConnect Challenge. This year, I signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum to launch the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative.  The W-GDP Initiative is structured to help at least 50 million women in developing countries fully and freely participate in their local economies by 2025.  This historic initiative is the Federal Government’s first integrated approach to global women’s economic empowerment and a tremendous step in supporting women.  The W-GDP Initiative is coordinating its efforts with individuals in the private sector, civil society, diplomatic community, and Congress to promote workforce development and skills training, improve access to capital, and implement reforms that enable greater economic participation.  Women’s participation in the workforce, free of discrimination and injustice, results in safer, stronger, and freer nations. As my Administration continues to support women around the globe, it is also fighting for women in the United States.  Through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, my Administration is providing tax relief to parents by doubling the child tax credit and preserving the child and dependent care credit.  Thanks to our economic policies, women’s unemployment in the United States has reached the lowest level in 65 years and more than 2 million more women are working today than in November 2016. As we recognize International Women’s Day, we acknowledge that when women are economically empowered they are able to invest more in their families and communities, producing a multiplier effect that spurs economic growth and contributes to global stability.  We remain vigilant in our pursuit of equality and opportunity so that all women may blaze new trails, pursue their dreams, and reach their full potential.   ###

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2019 Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland   President Donald J. Trump will welcome Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland to the White House on March 14, 2019, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.  The President and the Taoiseach will discuss how to further strengthen relations between the United States and Ireland, including enhancing economic and people-to-people ties, and maintaining the progress achieved by the Good Friday Agreement.  The President also looks forward to hosting the Taoiseach at the annual Shamrock Bowl presentation.

1600 Daily The White House • March 7, 2019 Top 5 border falsehoods pushed by Congressional Democrats and the media

The White House • March 7, 2019 Top 5 border falsehoods pushed by Congressional Democrats and the media Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen testified before Congress yesterday about the National Emergency on our southern border. In reporting the latest statistics from U.S. border officials, she confronted the Democrats’ no. 1 immigration myth head-on. “We face a crisis—a real, serious, and sustained crisis at our borders,” she said. The reason Democrats defend the status quo is not because they or anyone else believe that America’s broken immigration system is working. Indeed, the problem has only gotten worse since former President Obama himself called it a “humanitarian crisis” nearly five years ago. But acknowledging such a crisis exists today would make Democrats accountable for working with President Trump to help solve it. Their leaders have already gone on the record to say they will not. Instead, they hope to keep a lid on the ugly, painful truths behind the emergency unfolding along our southern border. It is time to set the record straight: Myth: There is no crisis at the border. Fact: More than 76,000 people attempted to cross our border illegally last month alone—the most of any February during the past 12 years.   Myth: The problem at the border used to be much worse. Fact: Today, we face an unprecedented number of illegal immigrants that loopholes prevent from being returned quickly to their home countries. Criminal smugglers exploit these rulings and use children as leverage to gain entry.   Myth: A wall wouldn’t help stop the flow of drugs. Fact: Not only do we not know the amount of drugs smuggled between ports of entry, but building the wall will help law enforcement personnel carry out their missions more safely and effectively in remote areas of the border. Top 5 Border Falsehoods Pushed by Congressional Democrats and the Media Watch: The President has a duty to fix this crisis, Press Secretary Sanders says 30 years ago, the Czech Republic fought off Communism This year, America and the Czech Republic celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the inspiring Velvet Revolution, when the people of Czechoslovakia took back their freedom and ended decades of Communist oppression. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and Mrs. Monika Babisova to the White House today. Upon their arrival, the President congratulated Prime Minister Babis on this historic anniversary. He also noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic joining NATO. “We share the view that peace, security, and prosperity depend on the cooperation of sovereign nations,” President Trump and the Prime Minister said in a joint statement today. “Strength at home is a necessary foundation for peace and security abroad.” Read the full statement from President Trump and Prime Minister Babis. Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour President Donald J. Trump escorts the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis along the Colonnade of the White House | March 7, 2019