Trump prepares to travel to Texas as state copes with Harvey
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday prepared to visit Texas to view the federal government’s response to Harvey’s devastating flooding as his administration vowed to help the millions of residents dealing with the catastrophic storm.
Harvey represented the first major natural disaster of Trump’s presidency and a significant test for a White House that is often chaotic and rife with infighting. Attention on Harvey from officials, the public and the news media also allowed Trump to refocus after a turbulent stretch that included his widely criticized response to the white nationalist protests in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Vice-President Mike Pence said in a series of radio interviews on Monday that the Trump administration would “be there for the long haul to help rebuild Texas and all the affected areas from Hurricane Harvey.” He estimated 500,000 Americans could be eligible for disaster assistance.
“The president has been continuously engaged in this. We’ve all been deeply concerned by the impact of this storm,” Pence told KTRH radio in Houston. “We’re saddened by the loss of life and the president is anxious to come to the region.”