President Barack Obama will travel next week to Louisiana where unprecedented flooding has left at least 13 people dead and thousands displaced.
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The White House said that in his visit next week, Mr Obama will get “a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods. and tell the people of Louisiana that the American people will be with them”.
Although Louisiana’s governor – a Democrat – had reportedly dismissed Donald Trump’s visit Friday to the flood-stricken Pelican State as a “photo op”, he’s singing a different tune now. But the White House usually steers clear of sending the president during the height of the response because of the disruption he and his security requirements cause. Mike Pence, landed in Louisiana Friday, and and spent their morning meeting with local officials, volunteers and the National Guard and touring the flood damage. “My heart breaks for Louisiana, and right now, the relief effort can’t afford any distractions”, she wrote.
Exactly two years ago, President Obama was subject to much criticism after immediately returning to a Martha’s Vineyard golf course after delivering brief remarks about the ISIS beheading of journalist James Foley. “In coming here, the President can decisively demonstrate that Louisiana’s recovery is a priority for his administration – and the United States of America”.
“The president says he doesn’t want to come, he is trying to get out of a golf game”, Trump said, according to ABC News.
“I’m not complaining in any way about our federal partnership”, Edwards said in a news conference Thursday.
The Advocate in Louisiana on Thursday called on Obama to visit.
Louisiana officials say an estimated 60,000 homes have been damaged by massive flooding that swept through the southern part of the state.
“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”. Obama’s Martha’s Vineyard vacation is scheduled to end Sunday.
Obama resisted pressure from Louisianans and others to interrupt his vacation to tour the ruins and meet with officials and flood victims.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards’ office had said Trump had not called to discuss plans for his visit, but said the NY businessman was welcome to volunteer or make a sizable donation toward helping victims.
“He wanted to know percentages of homes damaged in the area, around about how many would have flood insurance”, Phinney said, adding that the candidate appeared to be “educating himself” about the disaster.
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A total of 20 parishes in the state have been declared declared a major disaster by the federal government.
