President Trump makes a major address on U. S.-Cuba relations from Miami
President Trump is making a major announcement Friday from Little Havana in Miami about his plan to roll back Obama-era changes that eased U. S.-Cuba relations.
The changes are intended to squeeze the cash flow to the Cuban military, according to senior administration officials, as well as fulfill a promise Mr. Trump made on the campaign trail to take a hard line against the communist regime.
President Trump praised Cuban dissidents — both those present at the event and in Cuba — for resisting the Cuban regime. He pulled dissidents by name out of the crowd to thank them on stage.
«Very brave people, » Mr. Trump said. «The exiles and dissidents here today have witnessed communism destroy a nation, just as communism has destroyed every single nation where it has ever been tried. But we will not be silent in the face of communist oppression any longer.»
In a somewhat awkward, but entertaining, moment, President Trump said he hopes Florida Gov. Rick Scott will run for U. S. Senate. He even asked Scott if he would, of course, to no response.
«I hope he runs for the Senate. Rick? Are you running?» Mr. Trump said.
President Trump took a moment to recognize the victims in the congressional baseball practice shooting earlier this week, saying House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, «took a bullet for all of us.»
Mr. Trump said Scalise is in tough shape, «far worse than anybody thought.» But because of him, perhaps the U. S. can achieve unity, which is very important, the president said.
«So we all owe Steve a big, big thank you, » Mr. Trump said.
Vice President Mike Pence spoke briefly, mostly lauding the president for his commitment to freedom and advancing freedom around the world. Pence said the president is unapologetic in being the leader of the free world, before introducing Trump.
«We can all go on and on about the abuses of the Castro regime, » Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott said — but there are many who have been «imprisoned, tortured, and publicly shamed» for standing for freedom, Scott said. Scott named a few people in the crowd who have been punished for standing up to the regime, and who haven’t given up their cause.
«President Trump will stand for freedom, » he said.
«America must always stand for freedom, whether it’s popular or not, America must stand for freedom, » Scott continued. «Whether it’s easy or not, America must stand for freedom. Whether it’s profitable or not, America must stand for freedom.»
Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida took the stage to give some opening remarks, and was followed by fellow Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.
Six weeks ago, the president gathered his cabinet to do whatever it takes to make sure Cubans have the freedoms they deserve, «and he has not faltered in the commitment, » Rubio said.
Rubio said this administration’s commitment to the freedom of the Cuban people has no precedent.
President Trump landed and was greeted by dissidents, Rubio said, while a year and a half ago, another president — former President Barack Obama — greeted the regime, he said, to boos. This change empowers the «people» of Cuba, Rubio said, not Cuba’s regime.
«We will not empower their oppressors, » Rubio said, adding that, whether it’s in six months or six years, the «enslaved» island of Cuba «will be free.»
