Not wanting today’s border drawdown of US troops to be the lede, Trump goes to Arlington in the rain, having run out of stupid things to say to FoxNews interviewers. No reporter was brave enough to ask about the $200 million cost of the border deployment. So was this visit a healthcare message to remind us or POTUS* of one’s mortality.
Date: December 15, 2018 at 2:18:56 PM EST
Subject: In-town pool report #1 - Arlington
President Trump is making an unscheduled visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where volunteers led by Wreaths Across America are placing wreaths on headstones.
Pool about 1:45 p.m. loaded into vans and motorcade departed South Lawn at 2:09 p.m. Pool did not see POTUS at departure. It is raining, overcast and 53 degrees in Washington.
Motorcade arrived at Arlington cemetery at 2:18 p.m.
Pool was instructed not to file report of president’s movement until he arrived
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2018 2:37 PM
Subject: In-town pool report #2
Trump stepped out of SUV at 2:21 p.m. in dark suit, overcoat and red and white striped tie, holding black umbrella in steady rain.
Ground is muddy and Trump appeared to be wearing brown waterproof boots.
Trump was greeted by two military men in camouflage fatigues and was guided by woman in green raincoat and gray hat. They walked along a row of tombstones with wreaths, chatting out of earshot of pooler.
No remarks other than “They’re doing a great job.” He appeared to spend a lot of time listening to his guide (pool does not have her name).
Trump then talked about expanding Arlington cemetery property and took one question on health care court decision. Quotes to come but pooler had to run to van.
Departing Arlington at 2:35 p.m.
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2018 3:02 PM
Subject: In-town pool report #4
At Arlington National Cemetery, Trump told his guide that he was looking to expand the cemetery by acquiring land in the area.
Asked to comment on the court ruling, Trump said we’ll be able to get great health care.
“We’ll sit down with the Democrats, if the Supreme Court upholds, we’ll be sitting down with the Democrats and we will get great health care for our people, that’s a repeal and replace, handled a little bit differently, but it was a big, big victory by a highly respected judge, highly, highly respected in Texas, and on the assumption that the Supreme Court upholds, we will get great, great health care for our people, we’ll have to sit down with the Democrats to do it, but I’m sure they want to do it also. Thank you very much.”
Dinner lid called until 6:15 p.m.