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Puerto Rico: Trump praises 'great job we've done' in visit to stricken island Puerto Rico: Trump praises 'great job we've done' in visit to stricken island
(35 minutes later)
Donald Trump has made his first visit to Puerto Rico since the US territory was pummeled by a category 4 hurricane nearly two weeks ago, amid continuing criticism that his government has failed to adequately respond to the crisis.Donald Trump has made his first visit to Puerto Rico since the US territory was pummeled by a category 4 hurricane nearly two weeks ago, amid continuing criticism that his government has failed to adequately respond to the crisis.
Shortly after landing in San Juan, Trump heaped praise on his administration’s response to Hurricane Maria, said the island’s leaders should be “very proud” of the low official death toll – and appeared to complain at the cost of the recovery effort.Shortly after landing in San Juan, Trump heaped praise on his administration’s response to Hurricane Maria, said the island’s leaders should be “very proud” of the low official death toll – and appeared to complain at the cost of the recovery effort.
The island’s 3.4 million residents – particularly those in the more isolated parts of the island – are still largely without electricity, communications and access to clean drinking water and food. The island’s 3.4 million residents – particularly those in the more isolated parts – are still largely without electricity, communications and access to clean drinking water and food.
But Trump told reporters: “It’s now acknowledged what a great job we’ve done.”But Trump told reporters: “It’s now acknowledged what a great job we’ve done.”
Speaking at a briefing shortly after his arrival, Trump told local officials: “I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you’ve thrown our budget a little out of whack.Speaking at a briefing shortly after his arrival, Trump told local officials: “I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you’ve thrown our budget a little out of whack.
“But that’s fine because we’ve saved a lot of lives,” he continued. “But that’s fine because we’ve saved a lot of lives.”
The president contrasted Puerto Rico’s relatively low official death toll with that caused by Hurricane Katrina, which he described as a “real catastrophe”.The president contrasted Puerto Rico’s relatively low official death toll with that caused by Hurricane Katrina, which he described as a “real catastrophe”.
The official death count is at 16, but Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, said earlier on Tuesday that the toll is likely to rise.The official death count is at 16, but Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, said earlier on Tuesday that the toll is likely to rise.
The Centro de Periodismo Investigativo, a local investigative journalism project, last week calculated that the real total was likely to be dozens or hundreds higher.The Centro de Periodismo Investigativo, a local investigative journalism project, last week calculated that the real total was likely to be dozens or hundreds higher.
At the briefing with cabinet members, local politicians and other emergency responders, Trump singled out Rosselló for “giving us the highest praise”.At the briefing with cabinet members, local politicians and other emergency responders, Trump singled out Rosselló for “giving us the highest praise”.
But the US president also faced his most prominent local critic, San Juan’s mayor, Carmen Yulín Cruz.But the US president also faced his most prominent local critic, San Juan’s mayor, Carmen Yulín Cruz.
On Sunday, Trump dismissed critics like Cruz as “politically motivated ingrates” but the two politicians shook hands and exchanged pleasantries at the airport hangar before the briefing.On Sunday, Trump dismissed critics like Cruz as “politically motivated ingrates” but the two politicians shook hands and exchanged pleasantries at the airport hangar before the briefing.
Ahead of the meeting Cruz released a statement explaining that she would meet Trump on behalf of the people of San Juan and out of respect to her fellow Americans. “I will use this opportunity to reiterate the primary message: this is about saving lives, not about politics; this is also about giving the people of Puerto Rico the respect we deserve; and recognizing the moral imperative to do both,” she said in a statement. Before the meeting, Cruz released a statement explaining that she would meet Trump on behalf of the people of San Juan and out of respect to her fellow Americans. “I will use this opportunity to reiterate the primary message: this is about saving lives, not about politics; this is also about giving the people of Puerto Rico the respect we deserve; and recognizing the moral imperative to do both,” she said in a statement.
After the briefing, Trump and his wife Melania drove to the town of Guaynabo to meet survivors of the hurricane. On the way, their motorcade passed trees stripped of their leaves, streets still strewn with debris – and at least one protester: a woman standing by the road, holding a hand-lettered sign reading: “You are a bad hombre.”After the briefing, Trump and his wife Melania drove to the town of Guaynabo to meet survivors of the hurricane. On the way, their motorcade passed trees stripped of their leaves, streets still strewn with debris – and at least one protester: a woman standing by the road, holding a hand-lettered sign reading: “You are a bad hombre.”
Basic necessities such as food and water remain scarce, and Rosselló warned that without an effective recovery plan, the disaster could cause millions of Puerto Ricans to move to the US mainland.Basic necessities such as food and water remain scarce, and Rosselló warned that without an effective recovery plan, the disaster could cause millions of Puerto Ricans to move to the US mainland.
Such an exodus would create “a devastating demographic shift for the island. Such an exodus would create “a devastating demographic shift” for the island, he said.
San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín airport has been overwhelmed by passengers trying to leave the island, mostly bound for Florida and New York.San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín airport has been overwhelmed by passengers trying to leave the island, mostly bound for Florida and New York.
Those who stay face potentially months without electricity, as well as food, fuel, water and gas shortages. As of Tuesday morning, 55% of the island was without running water, and 26% of gas stations were still closed, according to Puerto Rico’s government. There is no clear indication of when full cellphone service will be restored to the entire island.Those who stay face potentially months without electricity, as well as food, fuel, water and gas shortages. As of Tuesday morning, 55% of the island was without running water, and 26% of gas stations were still closed, according to Puerto Rico’s government. There is no clear indication of when full cellphone service will be restored to the entire island.
Before jetting to the island on Air Force One, Trump told reporters he thought the White House had done “just as good” in Puerto Rico as in Texas and Florida, where federal emergency workers were dispatched to respond to hurricanes Harvey and Irma.Before jetting to the island on Air Force One, Trump told reporters he thought the White House had done “just as good” in Puerto Rico as in Texas and Florida, where federal emergency workers were dispatched to respond to hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
He also said that at “a local level, they have to give us more help” – a striking claim given the overwhelming community response to the disaster. Since the storm struck Puerto Ricans have shared generators and food with neighbors, cleaned debris from their streets and volunteered to help the most vulnerable.He also said that at “a local level, they have to give us more help” – a striking claim given the overwhelming community response to the disaster. Since the storm struck Puerto Ricans have shared generators and food with neighbors, cleaned debris from their streets and volunteered to help the most vulnerable.
Trump also appeared to make reference to an unfounded rumor that truck drivers intentionally stopped working on the island as part of a union strike. “We need their truck drivers to start driving trucks,” he said.
Various conservative blogs have used out-of context quotes to support claims of a work stoppage, but aid workers on the ground have said the real problem is lack of fuel. Since Maria hit, residents have faced hours-long lines at gasoline stations, where they purchase fuel for cars and generators – the only source of electricity on the island until late last week.
Oxfam America criticized the Trump administration’s response to the crisis on Tuesday, a rare move for the global anti-poverty non-profit.Oxfam America criticized the Trump administration’s response to the crisis on Tuesday, a rare move for the global anti-poverty non-profit.
“We’re hearing excuses and criticism from the administration instead of a cohesive and compassionate response,” said Oxfam America’s president, Abby Maxman, in a statement. “The US has more than enough resources to mobilize an emergency response but has failed to do so in a swift and robust manner.”“We’re hearing excuses and criticism from the administration instead of a cohesive and compassionate response,” said Oxfam America’s president, Abby Maxman, in a statement. “The US has more than enough resources to mobilize an emergency response but has failed to do so in a swift and robust manner.”