The White House Daily Chronicle, May 25, 2018

The news behind the news on the president, administration and everything that happens in the White House is always in …  The White House Daily Chronicles.

note: this post is updated throughout the day as events warrant

See all of the daily White House Daily Chronicles HERE.

Presidential Itinerary – the details

Overview

President Donald Trump will travel to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland to participate in Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony.

In the afternoon, the president will meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the Oval Office.

Details

The president boarded Marine one Thursday morning while the press pool loaded up on V-22 Ospreys for the trip to the Naval Academy.

About 30,000 people were in attendance at the event that started with a Blue Angels flyover and the National Anthem. The president stood with his hand over his heart during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

See the entire speech HERE.

The president was motorcaded to Marine One for the return trip. The press pool took V-22 Ospreys back. Marine One lifted off at 1:17 p.m. EDT.

Upon landing on the South Lawn of the White House a Navy officer in full white uniform walked to the press holding area and summoned what appeared to be a family to follow him. They ducked under the chains and headed to a spot a little more than midway between the holding area and helicopter.

The family was that of Major Adam Horne who had just made his last flight with HMX-1 (Marine Helicopter Squadron 1) which is responsible for transporting the president aboard Marine One. The family took a photo with the president. Major Horne was joined by John and Lisa, his mom and dad and his children, Gunner and Riley.

See all of the president’s daily schedules HERE.

Trump’s Tweets (newest to oldest)

Trump tweeted then deleted a tweet that said: “I will be making the Commencment Address today at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Look forward to being with some of the greatest people on earth!” The deletion is likely due to the misspelled word “Commencment.”

Official Statements

On the Houthi Missile Strike on a Turkish Wheat Ship

The United States is alarmed by the Houthi missile strike against a Turkish cargo ship 70 miles off the coast of Yemen that was attempting to deliver 50,000 metric tons of wheat to Yemen’s Saleef port near Hudaydah.  This proves yet again that missile proliferation in Yemen is a real threat to all countries and underscores the need to fully enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216.  Additionally, reporting indicates that the Houthis have attempted another attack against an oil tanker in the Red Sea.  By risking the spill of millions of barrels of oil, which could further disrupt commerce and destroy fisheries upon which many Yemenis depend for their food and livelihoods, this action further reflects the Houthis’ disregard for the Yemeni people.  We deplore the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ diversion of the Iranian people’s wealth to exacerbate conflicts in other countries and threaten international commerce.  Areas under the Houthi control are suffering.  The Houthis should engage meaningfully with the United Nations Special Envoy in order to provide a better future for all Yemenis.

Executive Actions

• Signed Executive Order 13658 on Exemption from Executive Order 13658 for Recreational Services on Federal Lands [full text]
• Signed Executive Order Developing Efficient, Effective, and Cost-Reducing Approaches to Federal Sector Collective Bargaining [full text]
• Signed Executive Order Ensuring Transparency, Accountability, and Efficiency in Taxpayer-Funded Union Time Use [Full Text]
• Executive Order Promoting Accountability and Streamlining Removal Procedures Consistent with Merit System Principles [Full Text]
• Proclaimed Memorial Day, May 28, 2018, as a Day of Prayer for Permanent Peace [Full Text]
• Signed S.35, Black Hills National Cemetary Boundary Expansion, into law

Executive Branch Nominations/Designations

• Ronald Mortensen of Utah, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration
• Alaina B. Teplitz of Colorado, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Maldives
• Donald Lu of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kyrgyz Republic
• Denise Natali of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operation

Communications with Heads of State and State Officials (readouts often come the day after the conversation)

Call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada

President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada about the North American Free Trade Agreement and other trade and economic issues.