1600 Daily The White House • May 5, 2020 WATCH: President Trump Visits Repurposed Factory in Arizona

The White House • May 5, 2020 WATCH: President Trump visits repurposed factory in Arizona American manufacturing is at the heart of our battle against the Coronavirus. Companies across the country have heeded President Trump’s call and repurposed entire factories to make personal protective equipment and other needed supplies. Honeywell is one such business with an incredible story to tell. Today, President Trump saw firsthand how the company transformed an aerospace facility in Arizona—one that designed and manufactured aircraft propulsion engines and auxiliary power units—into a nimble face-mask production line. As a result, Honeywell is expected to produce more than 20 million N95 masks per month. This expanded operation has allowed the firm to begin hiring 500 additional workers at its Phoenix facility, creating jobs during a tough time for many Americans.  President Trump: “You make America proud!” America’s private sector, the best on Earth, is too valuable to leave on the sidelines during this global pandemic. Rather than rely on government alone, President Trump has led the largest mobilization of both public and private sectors since World War II, using every resource available to stop this invisible enemy. That mobilization includes leveraging the Defense Production Act to secure massive amounts of needed supplies. In one agreement alone, 3M agreed to produce 166.5 million masks in just 3 months. The Administration is also procuring 100,000 ventilators in 100 days—three times more than the country normally makes in a year. “The people of our country are warriors,” President Trump said. Watch: Honeywell did a 9-month job in less than 5 weeks! Historic support for our Native American communities President Trump’s first stop in Arizona was a roundtable discussion on support for Native Americans during this difficult time. Meeting with local and tribal leaders, the President said that no community will be left behind as we unite against this virus.  President Trump: We will do everything possible to support Native Americans! The CARES Act, signed by President Trump in March, authorizes $8 billion to support tribal governments with response and recovery needs. Today, the Trump Administration announced that it is disbursing the first $4.8 billion batch of those funds, which make for the largest investment in a single program for Indian Country in our history. President Trump is uniquely committed to supporting the wellbeing of our American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Last year, he signed the first-ever presidential proclamation recognizing the grave issue of missing and murdered Native Americans. How President Trump is protecting Native Americans as we fight Coronavirus Photo of the Day President Trump disembarks Air Force One in Phoenix, Arizona | May 5, 2020

Proclamation on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day, 2020

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020 MISSING AND MURDERED AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES AWARENESS DAY, 2020 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION        The American Indian and Alaska Native people have endured generations of injustice.  They experience domestic violence, homicide, sexual assault, and abuse far more frequently than other groups.  These horrific acts, committed predominantly against women and girls, are egregious and unconscionable.  During Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ending the disturbing violence against these Americans and to honoring those whose lives have been shattered and lost.      Resiliency, collaboration, and resourcefulness are all necessary to eradicate the heartbreaking incidents of missing persons and fatal violence experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native communities across our country.  My Administration stands squarely behind the tribal governments that are leading the efforts to address this pattern of violence so that their people can live in peace and thrive.  The Yakama Nation in southern Washington is using the State's major violent crime database to track the disappearance of tribal members.  On the Navajo Reservation, the Missing and Murdered Diné Relatives Work Group is working to end sex trafficking, child abductions, and other challenges within the largest tribal jurisdiction in the Nation.  In Montana, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are engaged with State officials to prioritize cases of missing and murdered tribal citizens.  Beyond these and other efforts, tribal communities are leveraging rich cultural traditions of healing ceremonies and spiritual practices to offer refuge, compassion, and comfort to individuals and families in crisis.      Under my Administration, tribal governments are not alone in fighting the epidemic of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native people.  In October of 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) awarded more than $270 million in grants to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women, and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  The DOJ's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative is placing coordinators in 11 United States Attorneys' offices to develop comprehensive law enforcement responses to missing persons cases.  These responses also include the use of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's advanced capabilities, enhanced data collection, and analysis to support local efforts when required.      The Department of the Interior (DOI) is also taking action to address the critical concerns of American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  DOI's Bureau of Indian Affairs has launched a series of "Reclaiming Our Native Communities" roundtables focused on domestic violence prevention of missing or murdered American Indian and Alaska Native women, children, and men.  The Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) is equipping officers to handle long-standing cold cases and child abduction investigations, including positioning Special Agents on cold‑case task forces in strategic locations throughout the country.  BIA-OJS has partnered with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System to aid in identifying missing persons cases involving Native Americans.      Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has made the health and safety of American Indian and Alaska Native communities a priority.  HHS is developing a comprehensive, whole-person approach for strengthening these vulnerable populations through prevention, health, and education activities.  The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) partners with tribes and tribal organizations to strengthen responses to Native American victims of domestic violence.  ACF will soon disburse $22 million to increase the public health response and expand shelter and supportive services to victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating abuse in tribal communities.      To help bolster these efforts to address this terrible crisis, last November, I was proud to sign an Executive Order establishing Operation Lady Justice.  This interagency task force is developing an aggressive government-wide strategy for ending the cycle of violence and providing grants to improve public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  The task force is consulting with tribal leaders to develop and strengthen investigative protocols to resolve new and unsolved cases, improve information and data sharing, establish best practices for communicating with families throughout an investigation, and raise public awareness through outreach to affected communities.      Tragically, violence is prevalent in tribal communities, but we are determined to reverse this unacceptable trend.  Through partnerships across Federal, State, and tribal governments, we are aggressively working to ensure that members of tribal communities can live lives free from fear of violence.  We will not waver in our mission to bring healing, justice, hope, and restoration to our American Indian and Alaska Native communities.      NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 5, 2020, as Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day.  I call upon all Americans and all Federal, State, tribal, and local governments to increase awareness of the crisis of missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives through appropriate programs and activities.      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.                                 DONALD J. TRUMP

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS PROTECTING THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY AS WE COMBAT THE CORONAVIRUS

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020 PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS PROTECTING THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY AS WE COMBAT THE CORONAVIRUS “We will leverage every resource we have to bring safety to our tribal communities, and we will not waver in this mission.” – President Donald J. Trump COMBATING CORONAVIRUS IN NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES: President Donald J. Trump is supporting Native American communities impacted by the coronavirus. President Trump is working to make sure Native American communities have the support they need to combat the coronavirus. The President signed the CARES Act into law, providing $8 billion to address coronavirus preparedness, response, and recovery for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The initial allocation of this funding, totaling nearly $5 billion, will be one of the largest programmatic investments in Indian Country in our Nation’s history. The Administration has also allocated over $1 billion through the Indian Health Service (IHS), to support tribes, tribal organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations in their coronavirus response efforts. In early March, the Trump Administration established a multi-agency coordinating group tasked with ensuring effective Federal coordination on tribal issues. The President has also acted to expand telehealth capacity and availability across IHS regions, allowing patients to get the care they need, while staying at home. DELIVERING VITAL SUPPLIES: The Trump Administration has rapidly delivered critical medical supplies to Native Americans communities in need. Unprecedented supplies of critically needed medical equipment have been delivered by the Trump Administration to Native American communities. The Federal Government delivered 250 Abbott testing systems to IHS and they have been distributed to IHS and tribal healthcare facilities throughout Indian Country. These systems allow for rapid testing at the time and place of patient care and expands testing capacity, especially important for harder to reach and vulnerable populations. The Administration sent 100 ventilators to Arizona to support Indian Country. The Trump Administration has worked closely to provide relief—including the delivery of 50 ventilators—to the Navajo Nation, which has seen significant impacts from the coronavirus. The Federal Government has also deployed two Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and constructed three 50-bed Federal Medical Stations for the Navajo Nation. SUPPORTING TRIBAL COMMUNITIES: President Trump remains committed to supporting the wellbeing of our American Indians and Alaska Natives. President Trump signed the first-ever presidential proclamation officially recognizing the grave issue of missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The President issued the first ever Executive Order establishing a task force on missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives whose work is underway. To examine systemic problems at IHS, the President launched his Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native American Children served by the IHS. President Trump has also worked to enhance coordination between the Federal Government and tribal leaders on promoting economic growth and improving standards of living. President Trump re-activated the White House Council on Native American Affairs to promote economic development and rural prosperity in Indian Country.

Readout from First Lady Melania Trump's calls with Teachers in Honor of National Teacher Day

Office of the First Lady FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020 Readout from First Lady Melania Trump's calls with Teachers in Honor of National Teacher Day    In recognition of National Teacher Day and Teacher Appreciation Week, First Lady Melania Trump held a series of telephone calls with teachers and educators from across America. Mrs. Trump spoke with elementary, middle and high school educators, both public and private. During the calls, the First Lady expressed her heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for all that educators are doing for students during these unprecedented times. As schools across the country are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the First Lady and the educators touched on a variety of topics including distance learning methods, resources schools have made available for low-income families, parent-teacher relationships, and the biggest challenges they have faced with distance learning.  Additionally, the First Lady was happy to hear the many ways school faculty, families, and local governments have been coming together to provide innovative solutions to the new challenges the education community has been facing. For example, at a school in Florida, bus drivers and the IT department have come up with a laptop delivery and technical support program, and a teacher in Michigan shared a lesson plan pick-up and drop-off plan for her students who do not have access to a computer or printer.  “The determination that educators everywhere are showing in order to support their students during these challenging times is truly remarkable and continues to inspire me,” said First Lady Melania Trump. “The coronavirus pandemic has shown the importance for all of us to come together to try new and innovative ways to provide the world’s best education for each and every one of our great students. Thank you to our amazing teachers and Happy National Teacher Day.”

Statement from the Office of the First Lady

Office of the First Lady FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020

Statement from the Office of the First Lady   "Today, First Lady Melania Trump donated 150 boxed lunches to the patients and staff of Children’s Inn at the National Institute of Health. Supporting those impacted by the effects of COVID19 is something the First Lady cares deeply about, and as we navigate these unique times she will continue to reach out to people in a variety of ways. In accordance with social distancing guidelines, and in order to protect everyone’s safety at the medical facility, the food was sent securely with a contact-free delivery."-Stephanie Grisham, Spokesperson

Statement from the Office of the First Lady

Office of the First Lady FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020

Statement from the Office of the First Lady   "Today, First Lady Melania Trump donated 150 boxed lunches to the patients and staff of Children’s Inn at the National Institute of Health. Supporting those impacted by the effects of COVID19 is something the First Lady cares deeply about, and as we navigate these unique times she will continue to reach out to people in a variety of ways. In accordance with social distancing guidelines, and in order to protect everyone’s safety at the medical facility, the food was sent securely with a contact-free delivery."-Stephanie Grisham, Spokesperson

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE AIR FORCE ONE DEPARTURE Joint Base Andrews, Maryland

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE AIR FORCE ONE DEPARTURE Joint Base Andrews, Maryland 10:49 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very much.  I’m going to Arizona.  We’re going to see Honeywell.  They’ve done a fantastic job on many different fronts on the pandemic, and we’re going to pay our respects and also see the great people of Arizona. Okay.  Go ahead. Q    Mr. President, with these new projections, a lot of people do want the country to reopen quickly.  Are you willing to accept these new projections that show that many more people will die and -- with interaction? THE PRESIDENT:  Those projections are without mitigation.  We’re doing a lot of mitigation.  And we have to keep our country -- we have to -- our country wants to open.  The governors -- it’s in their hands, but our country wants to open.  And you see what’s going on.  They have to open.  And the people of our country should think of themselves as warriors.  Our country has to open. Those projections are with no mitigation.  We are doing mitigation.  But I will say this -- Q    (Inaudible.) THE PRESIDENT:  -- we have the greatest country in the world.  Two months ago, I created, with a lot of good people -- I created the greatest economy in history -- the greatest employment numbers, the greatest success in history.  And then one day, we had to close it down.  We’re going to beat those numbers, and I’m going to beat them soon. Go ahead. Q    Mr. President, why Arizona today?  Are you going there also because it’s a state that is important for you politically? THE PRESIDENT:  I’m going there for two reasons.  I love Arizona.  I have a lot of friends in Arizona.  I’ve great -- I’ve had great success over the years in Arizona.  And I’m going to pay my respects to Honeywell, one of our great companies that has done a fantastic job for us.  So I look forward to it. Q    And just to clarify, earlier: Have you decided that you’re going to wear a mask at the -- at the Honeywell plant? THE PRESIDENT:  No, I haven't decided because I don’t know is it a -- if it’s a mask environment, I would certainly do that.  I’ll know when I get there.  But I would wear it.  If it’s a mask environment, I would have no problem. Q    Is it important for you -- THE PRESIDENT:  No, if -- I’m supposed to make a speech.  You’ll tell me: Should I leave the mask on when I’m speaking?  I don’t know.  I just -- it doesn’t sound right.  But if it’s a mask environment, I would certainly wear a mask. Q    Mr. President, do you want to make any comment about this Lincoln Project ad that aired?  You tweeted about it overnight -- THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, no, I saw it. Q    -- talking about “Mourning in America.” THE PRESIDENT:  Yeah, I saw a project -- a thing called the Lincoln Project.  And I would have them change the name to the “Losers Project.”  Because if you take a look, it’s Schmidt; it’s George Conway.  The guy is -- he -- Kellyanne must have done a big number on him.  But it’s George Conway and some other people -- Weaver.  Every one of them, I either defeated or they lost by themselves.  But it’s a group of major losers.  They’re Republican losers. And if they would really think about it, I have 252 beautiful, brand new, conservative, wonderful judges.  Two Supreme Court judges that are great.  We produced the greatest economy in history until a month and a half ago, where we got hit by the virus and we had to close it down.  And we’ll do it again. We’ve rebuilt our military.  We’ve done things that nobody has been able to do.  I’ve gotten the greatest tax cuts in history -- in the history of our country, the biggest tax cuts.  The Democrats want to raise your taxes.  I got regulation cuts -- the biggest in the history of our country, no matter how long a President served. With all of that, I guess they don’t like me.  But let me just tell you, these are losers, from day one.  Guys like Bill Kristol.  He 0 and 32.  George Conway -- you take a look at him.  Just take a look at that guy.  The man is a stone-cold loser. So they should not call it the Lincoln Project.  It’s not fair to Abraham Lincoln, a great President.  They should call it the “Losers Project.” Okay.  Thanks.                          END                 10:53 A.M. EDT

Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE MARINE ONE DEPARTURE   South Lawn **See correction marked by an asterisk below** 10:21 A.M. EDT      THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  So, I’m leaving for Arizona.  We’re going to be at the Honeywell plant, which is doing great work for us.  And it’ll be, I think, a great day.  I love Arizona.      Go ahead, please.      Q    What happened in Venezuela, sir?  Apparently a couple of Americans were detained.      THE PRESIDENT:  I just got information.  Nothing to do with our government, but I just got information on that.      Q    What happened?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we’ll find out.  We just heard about it.  But whatever it is, we’ll let you know.  But it has nothing to do with our government.      Q    Okay.      Q    Why would* won’t you let Fauci testify in the House?  Dr. Fauci.      THE PRESIDENT:  Because the House is a setup.  The House is a bunch of Trump haters.  They put every Trump hater on the committee.  The same old stuff.  They, frankly, want our situation to be unsuccessful, which means death.  Which means death.  And our situation is going to be very successful.  The House has put on a committee, an oversight committee, of Maxine Waters and Maloney and the same people.  And it’s just a setup.      But Dr. Fauci will be testifying in front of the Senate, and he looks forward to doing that.      Q    But they do control appropriations.  Don’t they have leverage?      THE PRESIDENT:  But the House -- I will tell you, the House, they should be ashamed of themselves.  And, frankly, the Democrats should be ashamed because they don’t want us to succeed.  They want us to fail so they can win an election, which they’re not going to win.      But they want us -- think of it: They do everything they can to make things as bad as possible.  And, right now, the stock market is way up.  Everybody is excited.  They’re going back to work safely, but they’re going back to work.  We’re opening up our country again.  And this is what we’re doing.  And I’ll tell you, the whole world is excited watching us because we’re leading the world.      And what happened should never, ever have happened.  China should have informed us that they had a problem.      Q    Have you spoken to Xi Jinping at all?      THE PRESIDENT:  Say it?      Q    Have you spoken to President Xi about your frustrations with China?      THE PRESIDENT:  I have not spoken to him.  No, I have not spoken to him.      Q    Do you plan on talking to him?      THE PRESIDENT:  I might.  But I haven’t spoken to President Xi.  I have not.      Yes, Jennifer.      Q    Mr. President, if the New York Times numbers about the virus increasing are wrong, what are you current (inaudible)?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, it’s a report.  And that’s a report with no mitigation.  So based on no mitigation, but we’re doing a lot of mitigation.  And, frankly, when the people report back, they’re going to be social distancing and they’re going to be washing their hands, and they’re going to be doing the things that you’re supposed to do.  We won’t be going into stadiums full bore yet, you know, for events and soccer and football and all of the different events -- baseball.  I hope baseball can get going.      But they won’t be going in full bore yet.  At some point, hopefully in the not-too-distant future.  But that report is a no-mitigation report, and we are mitigating.      Q    Have you heard a definitive answer as to where the virus came from?  Have you heard a definitive answer?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we’re -- yeah, I think we do.  But I’m going to -- we’ll be reporting on it over the next period of time, Steve.  We’ll be reporting.  There’ll be plenty of people ask me that question, and we will be reporting very definitively over a period of time.      Q    Sir, do you have any concerns about all the people who are going to be traveling with you today and their potential to be exposed to the virus as they go back and forth?      THE PRESIDENT:  No, I don’t have any.  Everybody traveling has been tested.  We have great testing.  And literally, they’ve been tested over the last hour.  And the test result comes back in five minutes, and we have great testing.  Or they wouldn’t be allowed to travel with me.  I mean, would -- it’s not my choice; it’s a very strong group of people that want to make sure they are tested, including Secret Service.      So they’re all tested, everybody traveling on the plane.  The only question I can’t answer: Has the press been tested?  And I suspect, maybe -- has the press been tested?      Q    Yes.      THE PRESIDENT:  Steve, have you been tested?      Q    Not today, but the group --      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I trust you.      Q    -- the group traveling with you --      THE PRESIDENT:  I trust you.      Q    Are planning to wear a mask, sir?      THE PRESIDENT:  Say it?      Q    Are you planning to wear a mask, sir?      THE PRESIDENT:  It’s a -- I think it’s a mask facility, right?      Q    Are you going to wear a mask?      THE PRESIDENT:  If it’s a mask facility, I will.  Yeah.  I don’t know if it’s a mask facility.  But Honey- -- we’re going to see Honeywell.  They have done an incredible job on many fronts.  And so I’m going to pay my respects to a great company and a great state: the state of Arizona.      Q    They do make N95 masks.      THE PRESIDENT:  They make N95.  And they do -- and they make them good.  They don’t make the ones that don’t work, like we got sent from certain other countries.  No, no -- like other people got sent from other countries.      We’re making massive numbers of masks.  We’re making our ventilators.  We have the best testing anywhere in the world -- not even close.  The antibody test, you see what’s going on with that.  That’s going to be something that I don’t even -- look, we have so much testing.  I don’t think you need that kind of testing or that much testing, but some people disagree with me and some people agree with me.  But we have the greatest testing in the world and we have the most testing in the world.      Q    Mr. President, many of the states that are beginning to reopen, they’re not following your criteria in terms of having two weeks of reduced cases.      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, the governors have --      Q    Why do you think that is?      THE PRESIDENT:  It’s a fair question.  The governors have -- I have given them great discretion.  I respect the governors.  And I’ve given them great discretion.  If, however, I see somebody doing something that’s egregious or wrong, I will stop it in two seconds.  Many of the governors have called me up and asked my opinion.  But -- and, really, a lot of them have.  And the relationship is very good.      But, you know, the governors are given -- like on a story like that, where they’re going down and they’re going down rapidly, but maybe it’s short of the 14 days -- they’re given a certain amount of discretion.  If I see something wrong though, we will stop it.      Q    Mr. President, on the IHME model, which is now showing 134,000 deaths by August, doubling its previous prediction, are you concerned that that’s happening because some of these states are relaxing guidelines too early?      THE PRESIDENT:  No.  No, I’m not, because that -- that assumes no mitigation.          Q    Assumes less?      THE PRESIDENT:  And we’re going to have mitigation.  No, we’re letting people out.  But the fact that we’re letting people go and go to their jobs -- they have to do it.      You know, if they held people any longer with the shutdowns, you’re going to lose people that way too.  And you already have, I’m sure.  But between drug abuse and -- I mean, they say suicide, a lot of different things.      There’s no win -- just so you know, there’s no great win one way or the other, but I’ll tell you where there is a win: We’re going to build a country -- I did it once.  Two months ago, we had the greatest economy in the history of the world, the best employment numbers we’ve ever had in history, all right?  I mean everybody agrees.  Even CNN agrees with that one.      But I will say this: We’re going to do it again.  And that’s what we’re starting.  And I view these last couple of days as the beginning.  We’re going to build the greatest economy in the world again, and it’s going to happen pretty fast.      Q    Do you believe the death toll numbers?  Do you believe them?      Q    If the model is correct, sir, is it acceptable to have several tens of thousands --      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, that’s with no mitigation.  We’re doing mitigation.  We have a lot of mitigation.  The fact that they’re out -- they’re mitigating.  They’re social distancing.  They all know that.  They’re washing their hands a lot.  But we have to get our country open.  We have to open our country.      So you have all reports -- look, models that have been very inaccurate.  I’ve seen models that are very inaccurate.  But, you know, one model that’s very important is that if we did this a different way, we would have lost more -- much more than 2 million people.  And we did it the right way.  We did everything right.  But now it’s time to go back to work.      So I’m going to Arizona.  I will see you there.  Thank you.  Thank you.      Q    So one question, sir?      THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.      Q    So what do you want China to do now?  What is your expectations from China now?      THE PRESIDENT:  We want them to be transparent.  We want to find out what happened so it never happens again.  Okay?                                             END             10:29 A.M. EDT

West Wing Reads China's Coronavirus Lies Pile Up

China's Coronavirus Lies Pile Up “A Department of Homeland Security analysis has concluded that China hid the early spread of the coronavirus so it could hoard medical equipment, keeping it from other countries that would have bought it if they had known of the danger that was coming their way from Wuhan,” the Washington Examiner editorial board writes. “Specifically, DHS found, with 95% statistical confidence, that changes to China's personal protective equipment import and export behavior were highly abnormal and not random.” Click here to read more. “Vice President Mike Pence’s close personal relationship with governors of both parties has been a key to the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.” Drawing on his experience as a governor, the Vice President hosts regular calls with state leaders to discuss everything from testing to ventilators, Matthew Boyle writes for Breitbart. “A steady stream of unflattering revelations, beginning with a report by the Justice Department's inspector general into egregious FISA abuses last December, has relentlessly pounded the reputation of my former agency. Now, further irrefutable proof emerges that a small cabal of FBI headquarters decision-makers was hellbent on undoing a presidency,” former FBI official James Gagliano writes in the Washington Examiner. The U.S. bulk-power system “is increasingly a target of foreign adversaries seeking to commit malicious acts, including malicious cyber activities.” President Trump’s latest executive order allows the Department of Energy to swiftly take action to defend our critical power system against these foreign attacks, White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro writes for Fox News.

Presidential Message on Cinco de Mayo, 2020

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020 Presidential Message on Cinco de Mayo, 2020   I send my warmest greetings to all who are celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Today’s celebration is usually filled with joyous gatherings of families and friends rejoicing in a unique part of Mexico’s rich history.  Although this year’s celebration may not include the usual festivities and parades, the holiday’s underlying story of perseverance and resilience is as relevant as ever.  On this day 158 years ago, the Mexican army mounted a monumental defense of freedom, defeating imperialist French forces in the Battle of Puebla.  The battle reminds us that great challenges and hardships can be overcome by unwavering resolve and a determined spirit. Melania joins me in recognizing the Mexican American community for its numerous exceptional contributions to our country, particularly today with so many Americans of Mexican descent serving on the frontlines in our fight against the coronavirus. ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Presidential Message on National Teacher Day, 2020

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2020 Presidential Message on National Teacher Day, 2020 On National Teacher Day, we recognize the countless men and women who dedicate their lives to instilling character, integrity, and knowledge in the hearts and minds of our Nation’s students. The classroom is a unique place for each student, providing them a sanctuary to learn and grow.  The past months, however, have tested our traditional educational models, as the coronavirus outbreak has required our Nation’s teachers to adapt and provide instruction to their students through increasingly innovative means.  America’s teachers have risen to the challenge by developing and implementing imaginative, creative, and resourceful strategies to bring their classrooms and lesson plans into the homes of their students.  These adaptations to implement distance education are a reminder of the phenomenal work educators perform every day to ensure that our Nation’s young people have ample access to valuable learning opportunities.  During this challenging time, parents and caregivers have also taken on new educational roles by facilitating remote learning.  Together, teachers, parents, and caregivers have refused to allow the coronavirus to stand in the way of preparing America’s future leaders for a life filled with meaning, purpose, and success. My Administration is working to ensure that America’s teachers always have the resources they need to deliver high-quality education to their students.  In March, I signed the CARES Act into law.  This historic and critical legislation includes more than $13 billion to help our K-12 teachers continue to provide quality education to our students, particularly through remote learning.  Throughout my Administration, we have invested in educators so that they can continue to equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need for meaningful and successful lives. Teachers help shape the minds of children during their most impressionable years, strengthen and support their communities, and develop the leaders of tomorrow.  Today, we pay tribute to these extraordinary and thoughtful men and women and thank them for their compassionate service to their communities and country.

Thirty Nominations and One Withdrawal Sent to the Senate

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4, 2020

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:      John M. Barger, of California, to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for a term expiring October 11, 2022, vice David Avren Jones, term expired.      Erik Paul Bethel, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Panama.      Marshall Billingslea, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, vice Andrea L. Thompson, resigned.      Christopher Bancroft Burnham, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for a term expiring September 25, 2024, vice Ronald David McCray, term expired.      Joyce Louise Connery, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for a term expiring October 18, 2024.  (Reappointment)      Frank Dunlevy, of California, to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for a term expiring September 25, 2022, vice Michael D. Kennedy, term expired.      Julie D. Fisher, of Tennessee, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Belarus.      Scott Hutchins, of Indiana, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, vice Catherine E. Woteki.      Kristi Haskins Johnson, of Mississippi, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi, vice Keith Starrett, retired.      Saritha Komatireddy, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, vice Joseph Frank Bianco, elevated.      Iris Lan, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, vice Katherine B. Forrest, resigned.      Leora Rosenberg Levy, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Chile.      Shon J. Manasco, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of the Air Force, vice Matthew P. Donovan, resigned.      Christopher C. Miller, of Virginia, to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, vice Joseph Maguire.      Michael N. Nemelka, of Utah, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Investment, Services, Labor, Environment, Africa, China, and the Western Hemisphere), with the rank of Ambassador, vice C. J. Mahoney.      Michele A. Pearce, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army, vice James E. McPherson, resigned.      Ashok Michael Pinto, of Illinois, to be United States Alternate Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a term of two years, vice Erik Bethel, resigned.      Jennifer H. Rearden, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, vice Richard Sullivan, elevated.      Manisha Singh, of Florida, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the rank of Ambassador.      Katharine T. Sullivan, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Karol Virginia Mason.      Thomas A. Summers, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for a term expiring October 18, 2025.  (Reappointment)      Joel Szabat, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, vice Derek Kan.      Gregory Scott Tabor, of Arkansas, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas for the term of four years, vice Harold Michael Oglesby, term expired.      Mary A. Toman, of California, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs, vice Karen Dunn Kelley.      Thomas Laszlo Vajda, of Arizona, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of Burma.      Russell Vought, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget, vice Mick Mulvaney.      Justin Reed Walker, of Kentucky, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, vice Thomas B. Griffith, retiring.      Michael J. Walsh, Jr., of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Commerce, vice Peter B. Davidson.      John E. Whitley, of Virginia, to be Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Department of Defense, vice Robert Daigle, resigned.      Cory T. Wilson, of Mississippi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, vice E. Grady Jolly, retired. WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:      Cory T. Wilson, of Mississippi, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi, vice Louis Guirola, Jr., retired, which was sent to the Senate on January 6, 2020.