Earlier today President Trump delivered remarks to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the 1983 Beirut marine barracks bombing.  For many CTH readers the images of the attack that killed 241 U.S. servicemen are forever seared into our memory.  The bombing was one of the most horrific events during the terms of President Ronald Reagan.
Joining the President today to commemorate the anniversary were families of the fallen and those who survived the October 23rd, attack by Iranian backed Hezbollah terrorists.
President Trump was also joined in remarks by Secretary of Defense James Mattis who was the casualty notification officer for Rhode Island victims in the aftermath of the explosion.  The prayer toward the end of the formal remarks is quite touching.

[Transcript] – East Room – 6:26 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you very much. (Applause.) That’s fantastic. Thank you. Please be seated. Thank you very much. A lot of spirit in this room. (Laughter.) A lot of spirit. For good reason.
We’re gathered together on this solemn occasion to fulfill our most reverent and sacred duty. Thirty-five years ago, 241 American service members were murdered in the terrorist attack on our Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. It was a very sad period of time. These are great, great people.
(more…)

Promises made – Promises Kept.  During a visit to the Florida panhandle today Vice-President Mike Pence and Second-Lady Karen Pence delivered a message and promise from the President to rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base.
Tyndall is located in Bay County where the eye of Hurricane Michael came ashore.  The base, including all base housing, was totally destroyed.  There are great similarities between Homestead AFB after Hurricane Andrew and Tyndall AFB after Hurricane Michael; both bases suffered catastrophic damage.
There were many concerns Tyndall might fall to the same fate as Homestead and be closed due to the cost of rebuilding.  Thankfully, President Trump and VP Pence have committed to rebuilding the base.   This decision is incredibly important to the people in/around Bay county.  Many prayers are answered today.

.
[Transcript] Tyndall Air Force Base – Bay County, Florida – 12:18 P.M. EDT
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all very much. Let me say, Karen and I traveled to the region a week ago to see the impact of Hurricane Michael, but this is our first trip to the Panhandle and to see the extraordinary devastation.
(more…)

Tonight President Trump dined with military leaders in the Cabinet Room. The president answered a few questions from the media at the beginning of the briefing.
Defense Secretary James Mattis is seated to President Trump’s right, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford seated to his left.  President Trump delivers remarks then answers more questions about: Jamal Khashoggi; the Central American migrant caravan; and Space Force.  WATCH:

Attendees include:
(more…)

This evening President Trump will participate in a roundtable on national defense at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.  The anticipated start time is 8:15pm EST.  [Note, they changed the time from 7:15 to 8:15] Following this event, the president will speak at a campaign rally in Mesa, Arizona (9:30pm EST).
UPDATE: Video Added

(more…)

Earlier today President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major John L. Canley, United States Marine Corps (Retired), for conspicuous gallantry.

.

Sergeant Major John L. Canley received the Medal of Honor for his actions From January 31 to February 6, 1968, while assigned to Company A, First Battalion, First Marines in the Republic of Vietnam. While serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant, he fought off multiple enemy attacks as his company moved along a highway toward Hue City to relieve friendly forces who were surrounded.

(more…)

Hammer it home Pete, keep hammering it home.  “U.S. Economic Security is U.S. National Security”; and by extension global security. Those words were first spoken by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to an international audience at Davos in 2017.
In the almost two years since first proclaimed, President Trump and the economic team have been executing economic policy to hit on this key message.  Trade deals, internal regulatory policy, tax policy, monetary policy, education policy and modern workforce initiatives are all inherently tied together to ensure U.S. National Security.
In the big picture President Trump is earnestly focused on rebuilding the American middle-class because the blue-collar and white-collar middle-class jobs are the heart of the American economic security.  All of these policies are connected to the middle class because it is the middle class that strengthens America.
This is an important conversation.  Learn it, teach it. Spread the importance of it:

Part-Two of the interview below:
(more…)

We switch from domestic to foreign affairs starting with an interview with National Security Adviser John Bolton who discusses the upcoming speech by President Donald Trump to the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA).

.
Part two of the interview below.
(more…)

Earlier this morning President Donald Trump delivered remarks prior to signing HR 5895 The 2019 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.

[Transcript] – North Las Vegas, Nevada – 11:11 A.M. PDT – THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. Please. It’s great to be with you. And thank you to Secretary Wilkie, who is doing an incredible job, I have to say. And also to the great leadership of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some of those great leaders are with us today.
(more…)

Several communities and towns within North Carolina have been completely cut-off by rising flood waters as a result of Hurricane Florence and the unprecedented amount of rain.  The cities of Wilmington and Jacksonville, NC, are surrounded by flooding.
Pay attention to all local officials, and heed all notices to evacuate based on the advice from local and state officials.  The threat is increasing in multiple regions throughout the state of North Carolina.  Evacuations are ongoing with all resources deployed to assist stranded residents.  FEMA, the national guard, the coast guard, and all state and federal resources are currently deployed for ongoing rescue efforts.

.
Florence has weakened to a tropical depression but forecasters warn the next few days could bring the most destructive round of flooding in North Carolina history. The National Hurricane Center says the effect is expected to be “catastrophic.”

NORTH CAROLINA – The city of Wilmington, North Carolina, has been completely cut off by floodwaters, and officials are asking for additional help from state law enforcement and the National Guard.
Woody White, chairman of the board of commissioners of New Hanover County, said Sunday that additional rainfall Saturday night made roads into the city impassable.
(more…)

President Trump delivers remarks at a celebration to honor a reception for Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. In addition to remarks for the audience, President Trump also mentions the preparation and concern for those in the path of Hurricane Florence.

.
[Transcript] East Room – 5:59 P.M. EDT – THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everybody. Please, please. A lot of very brave people in this room. I have to start off by saying that. And I’m truly thrilled to welcome back all of you folks to the White House. Thirty-three recipients — our nations highest military award: the Congressional Medal of Honor.
(more…)