Releases statement on immigration executive order
Trump releases a statement regarding his executive order on immigration.
America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border. America has always been the land of the free and home of the brave. We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say. My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. The seven countries named in the Executive Order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror. To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting. This is not about religion – this is about terror and keeping our country safe. There are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order. We will again be issuing visas to all countries once we are sure we have reviewed and implemented the most secure policies over the next 90 days. I have tremendous feeling for the people involved in this horrific humanitarian crisis in Syria. My first priority will always be to protect and serve our country, but as President I will find ways to help all those who are suffering.
Farah criticises Trump’s immigration executive order
Farah releases a statement on Trump’s executive order to curtail immigration from countries including his homeland of Somalia.
On 1st January this year, Her Majesty The Queen made me a Knight of the Realm. On 27th January, President Donald Trump seems to have made me an alien. I am a British citizen who has lived in America for the past six years – working hard, contributing to society, paying my taxes and bringing up our four children in the place they now call home. Now, me and many others like me are being told that we may not be welcome. It’s deeply troubling that I will have to tell my children that Daddy might not be able to come home – to explain why the President has introduced a policy that comes from a place of ignorance and prejudice. I was welcomed into Britain from Somalia at eight years old and given the chance to succeed and realise my dreams. I have been proud to represent my country, win medals for the British people and receive the greatest honour of a knighthood. My story is an example of what can happen when you follow polices of compassion and understanding, not hate and isolation.
Federal court issues stay on immigration order
The federal court for the Eastern District of New York issues a stay after two of 12 refugees held at JFK airport were released, after 14 and 24 hours respectively. The ACLU had filed a petition on their behalf, but the stay is effective nationwide. Under the stay, none of the travelers held at airports across the nation can be sent back. However, the measure doesn’t mean they have to be allowed into the country – leaving them in a legal grey area. A senior Homeland Security official says that roughly 375 travelers affected by the executive order. Out of the 375, 109 were in transit to the US and denied entry. Another 173 people were stopped by airlines from boarding an aircraft to the US. An additional 81 travelers with green cards or special immigrant visas received waivers.
Two of 12 Iraqis detained at JFK are released
Two of twelve immigrants detain at JFK Airport following Trump’s executive order on immigration are released. Hameed Khaled Darweesh, who was an Army interpreter in Iraq says:
I suffered to move here, to get my family here …. I can’t go back. [I will be killed in Iraq].
Hollande: Trump policies ‘challenging’
At a joint press conference with Angela Merkel, President Hollande says Trump’s administration poses “challenges” for Europe.
Let’s speak very frankly, there are challenges, there are the challenges the US administration poses to our trade rules, as well as to our ability to resolve conflicts around the world,” Hollande said in Berlin. So we of course have to talk to Donald Trump since he was chosen by the Americans to be their president.
Signs executive order authorising border wall
President Trump signs an executive order authorising the start of the construction of a border wall with Mexico and boosts border patrol forces and increases the number of immigration enforcement officers from 20,000 to 30,000. The orders also call for stripping sanctuary cities of federal grant funding and announces new criteria that could make many more illegal immigrants priorities for deportation. The executive orders do not cover the cost of the wall.
Beginning today, the United States of America gets back control of its borders.
Trump meets tech leaders
Trump and Pence meet with tech industry leaders at Trump Tower. Trump:
This is a truly amazing group of people. I won’t tell you the hundreds of calls we’ve had asking to come to this meeting. I’m here to help you folks do well. And you’re doing well right now and I’m very honored by the bounce. They’re all talking about the bounce. So right now everybody in this room has to like me — at least a little bit — but we’re going to try and have that bounce continue.
Trump picks Perry to head Energy Dept
Multiple news outlets report that Perry is Trump’s pick to head the Department of Energy.
Trump names Cohn top economic advisor
Trump nominates Goldman Sachs president & COO Cohn as the Director of his National Economic Council. Trump:
As my top economic advisor, Gary Cohn is going to put his talents as a highly successful businessman to work for the American people. He fully understands the economy and will use all of his vast knowledge and experience to make sure the American people start winning again.
Cohn:
I share President-elect Trump’s vision of making sure every American worker has a secure place in a thriving economy, and we will be completely committed to building a nation of strength, growth and prosperity.
Gates compares Trump to JFK
Gates says he recently talked with Trump on the phone about innovation and green energy, He says it was the first time they have spoken although they have mutual friends.
A lot of his message has been about … where he sees things not as good as he’d like. But in the same way President Kennedy talked about the space mission and got the country behind that. I think whether it’s education or stopping epidemics … [or] in this energy space, there can be a very upbeat message that [Trump’s] administration [is] going to organize things, get rid of regulatory barriers, and have American leadership through innovation. Of course, my whole career has been along those lines. And he was interested in listening to that. And I’m sure there will be further conversation.
Trump, West meet
Trump and West meet at Trump Tower in New York City. West makes no comment. Trump:
We’ve been friends for a long time. We discussed life.
"We've been friends for a long time": Kanye West and President-elect Trump appear together at Trump Tower https://t.co/ib5qF99kHR pic.twitter.com/fE1bX0lWph
— CNN International (@cnni) December 13, 2016
Trump selects Tillerson as Secretary of State
Trump’s transition team announces that Tillerson will be the secretary of state. Tillerson had reportedly jumped to the front of the pack of candidates in recent days, despite not being mentioned on shortlists as recently as last week.
This story will be updated as news develops…
Trump denies Apprentice report
Trump denies a CNN report that said he would continue to work on The Apprentice while he is president.
Reports by @CNN that I will be working on The Apprentice during my Presidency, even part time, are ridiculous & untrue – FAKE NEWS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2016
I have NOTHING to do with The Apprentice except for fact that I conceived it with Mark B & have a big stake in it. Will devote ZERO TIME!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2016
Visits OSU victims, families and first responders
Trump visits with victims and families of Ohio State University attack.
This is a great honor for me today. We are in a fantastic state that I love, Ohio. We just saw the victims and the families. These were really brave people, amazing people. The police and first responders were incredible. The job done, in particular by one young gentleman, was incredible. I got to meet him and he’s very brave. The families have done so well to come through this so well, so a lot of respect.
https://www.facebook.com/FoxBusiness/videos/10154836759940238/
‘He was a hero and inspired generations of future explorers’
Trump gives a tribute to Glenn.
Today we lost a great pioneer of air and space in John Glenn. He was a hero and inspired generations of future explorers. He will be missed.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2016
Trump responds to union leader’s criticism
Trump responds to Jones, who had called his visit to Carrier “a dog and pony show” and that he “had lied his ass off”.
Chuck Jones, who is President of United Steelworkers 1999, has done a terrible job representing workers. No wonder companies flee country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2016
Trump also hit back at the Union:
If United Steelworkers 1999 was any good, they would have kept those jobs in Indiana. Spend more time working-less time talking. Reduce dues
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2016
Trump nominates Kelly to lead DHS
Trump nominates Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department. An official announcement is pending.
Trump to nominate Pruitt to head of EPA
Sources report that Trump will nominate Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
Trump nominates McMahon to lead SBA
Trump nominates WWE co-founder McMahon to run the Small Business Administration. Trump said McMahon had helped the WWE grow from a 13-person operation to a publicly traded global enterprise with more than 800 employees worldwide. Trump:
Linda has a tremendous background and is widely recognized as one of the country’s top female executives advising businesses around the globe.
McMahon:
Our small businesses are the largest source of job creation in our country. I am honored to join the incredibly impressive economic team that President-elect Trump has assembled to ensure that we promote our country’s small businesses and help them grow and thrive.
Donald Trump: Time’s ‘Person of the Year’
Trump is Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. In the article, Trump talks about his position as president elect:
What amazes a lot of people is that I’m sitting in an apartment the likes of which nobody’s ever seen. And yet I represent the workers of the world. I’m representing them, and they love me and I love them. And here we sit, in very different circumstances.
He talks about seeing a news story on NBC about the Carrier plant featuring a union representative and a plant worker talking in a bar.
[The man looked at the camera and said] ‘We want you to do what you said you were going to do.’ I said, I never said they weren’t going to move, to myself…He energized me, that man. And I called up the head of United Technologies.
He also talks about young illegal immigrants:
We’re going to work something out that’s going to make people happy and proud. They got brought here at a very young age, they’ve worked here, they’ve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they’re in never-never land because they don’t know what’s going to happen.