The Latest on President Donald Trump and Harvey (all times local) :
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Latest on President Donald Trump and Harvey (all times local) :
3: 40 p.m.
President Donald Trump has made a quick pit stop near a church in suburban Houston to speak with residents affected by Harvey and its flooding.
Trump chatted with people who told him that the now-dry streets had recently been covered with water.
The president said: „These are people that have done a fantastic job of getting things together.“
He then pulled a man wearing a red „Trump“ T-shirt in front of photographers, telling him, „Look at this guy. You just became famous.“
One man joked that he thought he’d see Noah’s ark coming down his once-flooded streets.
As Trump prepared to depart he said: „Good luck everybody“ and „Good stuff.“
___
3: 10 p.m.
The president and first lady are loading up cars and trucks with Harvey relief supplies at a church in suburban Houston.
President Donald Trump told drivers outside the First Church in Pearland, „Take care of yourself.“ Drivers, in turn, thanked Trump and said they are praying for him.
Melania Trump is joining him in loading supplies provided by Feed the Children and Red Cross, including pallets of water bottles.
Trump remarked to a volunteer coordinator, „I like doing this, “ and noted to his wife, „This is good exercise.“
He also praised a person in a Red Cross vest saying, „fantastic job, great group.“
___
3 p.m.
President Donald Trump is marveling at the disappearing water in Houston and congratulating the Texas governor on the response to Harvey.
Trump is speaking at First Church in Pearland, where volunteers are handing out relief supplies such as food and hygiene products.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and four Cabinet secretaries joined Trump on stage as the president made a few remarks.
Trump said: „You got a lot of hard working people, I’ll tell you that.“ He called the coordination between federal, state and local officials „terrific.“
He went on to say: „I don’t know if it gets better, but we’re going to try to make it better.“
He also repeatedly praised Abbott as „great, “ noting that he was doing so well while „cameras are blazing.“
___
1: 50 p.m.
President Donald Trump is helping serve lunch at a Houston shelter for people displaced by Harvey.
Wearing plastic gloves and a wide smile, Trump is standing next to first lady Melania Trump and handing out hot dogs in white containers with the Red Cross logo.
As he briefly served lunches, Trump shook hands and posed for photos. He was heard asking one man about his military service.
The Trumps are on their second visit to Texas to survey damage from the hurricane. They’re also due to visit Lake Charles later Saturday.
___
1: 45 p.m.
President Donald Trump says he is seeing „a lot of love“ and „a lot of happiness“ as he visits Harvey victims.
He spoke briefly with reporters before serving food at NRG Center, one of Houston’s designated emergency refuge areas. The American Red Cross said this week that more than 17,000 people have sought refuge in Texas shelters.
Trump also visited with children at the center and says „They’re doing great.“
Trump noted „fantastic“ cooperation between federal, state and local officials responding to the storm and flooding that caused widespread displacement and destruction. He said of the damage, „There’s a lot of water, but it’s moving out.“
___
1: 30 p.m.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are meeting with Harvey survivors who are living in a shelter.
The Trumps walked through NRG Center in Houston, spending time in an area of the shelter designated for children. They are posing for photographs and shaking hands as they listen to people’s stories.
Trump at one point leaned down and cupped a little boy’s face while they spoke and then gave him a high five. He lifted a girl up and gave her a kiss.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott accompanied them. Abbott and Trump stopped at a table piled high with toys and books to speak with a family.
National Guard troops at the center shouted to Trump, „we’re proud of you“ and „you’re doing a fantastic job.“
___
1: 05 p.m.
Melania Trump will not be shamed into sneakers.
On her second visit to storm-ravaged Texas, the first lady again boarded Air Force One in Washington wearing high heels and only changed to more casual attire on the plane.
Trump’s decision came after her fashion choices caused a stir earlier this week. On her visit to Texas on Tuesday, she donned stilettos as she left the White House. Some commentators criticized the choice as off-key for a trip designed to show support for people who’ve lost everything in the devastating storm.
In both cases, Trump changed into more practical clothing on the plane.
On Saturday, she emerged from the plane wearing green jeans and sneakers, and sporting a baseball cap reading „Texas.“ Earlier in the week, her hat read „Flotus, “ or First Lady of the United States.
___
12: 25 p.m.
President Donald Trump has arrived in Houston on his second trip to storm-ravaged Texas in the past week.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump are being greeted at Ellington Field, a military reserve base in the southeast part of the city, by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Four Cabinet members including Education Secretary Betsy DeVos are joining the president on this trip.
The president will soon meet with Harvey victims at the air field before heading to a relief center.
Trump did not interact with victims on his trip Tuesday to Corpus Christi and Austin. Later Saturday, the president heads to Louisiana.
___
11 a.m.
President Donald Trump is heading to Texas and Louisiana to a second trip to the storm-ravaged region in the past week.
He left aboard Air Force One from a military base in Maryland along with first lady Melania Trump and he tweeted: „We will see you soon. America is with you!“
___
8: 20 a.m.
President Donald Trump says Harvey „has profoundly affected our entire nation“ and he’s praising what he calls „heroic efforts“ in the wake of the devastating storm.
