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President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House, on March 10.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the U.S. is grounding Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 planes effective immediately, following other nations after a deadly crash last weekend in Ethiopia.
BOEING DECISION
Trump made the announcement on Boeing BA, -1.26% planes at a briefing on drug trafficking, saying the accident was “tragic.” Boeing shares turned lower after Trump’s announcement.
Trump said he discussed the grounding with Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and acting Federal Aviation Administration administrator Daniel Elwell. “They are all in agreement with the action,” Trump said. “The safety of the American people and all people is our paramount concern.”
He called Boeing an “incredible company” that is working hard to come up with an answer.
The president has gotten flack from the left and right over the government’s decision not to ground the planes earlier, with at least one senator — Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren — saying Congress should investigate the relationship between the Trump administration and the company.
RESPONSE TO PELOSI
Before receiving the briefing on drug trafficking and meeting with Republican senators on trade, the president responded to comments House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made to the Washington Post.
“I greatly appreciate Nancy Pelosi’s statement against impeachment, but everyone must remember the minor fact that I never did anything wrong,” Trump said, also citing the economy and military as “successes.”
Trump has made similar arguments in the past. His latest defense comes after Pelosi told the Post that “unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country.”
Now read: Pelosi says without ‘compelling’ evidence, she opposes Trump impeachment.
Trump’s response to Pelosi came as he and lawmakers are awaiting a report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who has investigated whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in the run-up to the 2016 campaign.
Trump’s drug-trafficking briefing came a day ahead of an expected Senate vote on terminating his emergency declaration to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump has said a wall is needed to stop drugs and criminals from entering the U.S. and tweeted that Republican senators are “overthinking” the vote. “It is very simply Border Security/No Crime - Should not be thought of any other way.” Just four Republican defections would be enough to send the resolution to Trump, who would be certain to veto it.
Also see: Trump’s border wall prototypes demolished in San Diego.
LATE-NIGHT TV AND CALIFORNIA DEATH PENALTY
Also on Twitter, Trump called out late-night TV comedians for what he said was “one-sided hatred,” citing comments from former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno. Leno told NBC’s “Today” show that “everyone has to know your politics,” and that he’d like to see “a little bit of civility” come back.
“Actually, the one-sided hatred on these shows is incredible and for me, unwatchable. But remember, WE are number one — President!” Trump wrote.
Trump also decried an ongoing internet theory that first lady Melania Trump sometimes uses a body double, a subject that was discussed on “The View” on Monday. He didn’t refer to the ABC show but said “Fake News” is “only getting more deranged with time.”
The president separately criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to order a moratorium on executions, saying in another tweet, “Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I!” The tweet was Trump’s latest clash with California, which he has criticized over its sanctuary-cities policies, and what he calls “gross mismanagement” of its forests.
See: Gov. Gavin Newsom to stop executions in California.
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