Trump’s running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence (R), asked Republicans in Congress in 2005 to cut spending before sending disaster relief funds to Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
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Neither President Obama nor Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton have visited the state since historic rains flooded rivers and creeks, killing 13, wrecking 40,000 homes and affecting more than 100,000 residents. Obama’s visit requires a large security detail that will include local and state law enforcement officials, which the White House noted the president is mindful of and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who toured the area on Thursday, said the “president can’t be everywhere” but said the federal government is playing an active role in relief efforts. A ruined couch, chair and bedroom furniture were piled on their lawn, and Jimmy Gordan told Trump he spent his 79th birthday on the roof of his house.
BATON ROUGE, LA – AUGUST 15: Richard Schafer navigates a boat past a flooded home on August 15, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
While in Louisiana Friday, Trump – in a blazer, khakis and a white Make America Great Again hat – was videotaped passing out supplies from a truck.
Perkins also chastised Obama for being “too busy on vacation” to visit Louisiana.
“We welcome him to (Louisiana), but not for a photo op”, the governor’s office said in a statement, urging Trump to volunteer or make “a sizable donation”.
“Disasters don’t have political boundaries”, Landrieu said.
Edwards said he was not given advance notice of Trump’s trip Friday.
“We’re talking about an very bad lot of people, which is why we are trying to turn on the assistance as soon as possible”, Edwards said at a news conference on Friday afternoon, offering details on temporary housing. “It’s really incredible, so I’m just here to help”.
Trump said this week he’s overhauling his campaign operation, bringing in a new chief executive and appointing a new campaign manager. “Though words can not express the sadness one feels at times like this, I hope everyone in Louisiana knows that our country is praying for them and standing with them to help them in these hard hours”. He urged them to abandon Democrats, who he said only take advantage of African-American voters. The Red Cross has said recovery efforts will cost at least $30 million. The inaugural accuses Clinton of rigging the election and hammers her on her position on immigration. Hillary Clinton, Trump’s Democratic rival in the November 8 election, said on social media that she had spoken with the governor by phone on Friday, and the flooding was worse than expected.
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Obama planned to visit Baton Rouge, the state’s capital city, where many neighborhoods were hard hit by the flooding.
