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| Trump Blames Democrats and ‘Some Republicans’ for Stalled Agenda | Trump Blames Democrats and ‘Some Republicans’ for Stalled Agenda |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| WASHINGTON — President Trump convened his cabinet on Monday in the hopes of kick-starting his stalled domestic policy agenda and complained that Democrats in Congress are obstructing his efforts on tax reform, health care and the confirmation of judicial nominees. | WASHINGTON — President Trump convened his cabinet on Monday in the hopes of kick-starting his stalled domestic policy agenda and complained that Democrats in Congress are obstructing his efforts on tax reform, health care and the confirmation of judicial nominees. |
| “The Democrats have terrible policy,” Mr. Trump told reporters, flanked by Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson and Jim Mattis, the secretary of defense. “They are very good at, really, obstruction.” | |
| He also lashed out — without naming them — at “some Republicans” in the Senate, members he accused of refusing to go along with their party. He appeared to be talking about failed votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act. | He also lashed out — without naming them — at “some Republicans” in the Senate, members he accused of refusing to go along with their party. He appeared to be talking about failed votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act. |
| “There are some Republicans, frankly, that should be ashamed of themselves,” Mr. Trump said, adding that most of the senators are “really, really great people” but saying that “you had a few people that really disappointed us.” | |
| Mr. Trump offered support to Stephen K. Bannon, his former White House adviser, who has declared political war against members of the Republican establishment, including several senators like Mitch McConnell, the majority leader. Mr. Trump was scheduled to have lunch with Mr. McConnell at the White House on Monday. | Mr. Trump offered support to Stephen K. Bannon, his former White House adviser, who has declared political war against members of the Republican establishment, including several senators like Mitch McConnell, the majority leader. Mr. Trump was scheduled to have lunch with Mr. McConnell at the White House on Monday. |
| “Steve is very committed,” Mr. Trump said. “He’s a friend of mine and he’s very committed to getting things passed.” The president said he understood Mr. Bannon’s criticism of Republican senators who have stood in the way of the Trump agenda. | “Steve is very committed,” Mr. Trump said. “He’s a friend of mine and he’s very committed to getting things passed.” The president said he understood Mr. Bannon’s criticism of Republican senators who have stood in the way of the Trump agenda. |
| “We are not getting the job done and I’m not going to blame myself, I’ll be honest. They are not getting the job done,” he said, adding later: “I can understand where Steve Bannon is coming from.” | |
| The president bragged that he is receiving “tremendous accolades” for his effort to cut taxes, and he expressed sadness at the loss of life in the Las Vegas shooting and in forest fires raging in California. | The president bragged that he is receiving “tremendous accolades” for his effort to cut taxes, and he expressed sadness at the loss of life in the Las Vegas shooting and in forest fires raging in California. |
| “It’s a very sad thing to watch,” Mr. Trump said of the fires. | “It’s a very sad thing to watch,” Mr. Trump said of the fires. |
| For the first time since becoming president, Mr. Trump raised the prospect of widespread abuse of welfare payments and hinted that his administration would be making changes to the nation’s welfare system. | For the first time since becoming president, Mr. Trump raised the prospect of widespread abuse of welfare payments and hinted that his administration would be making changes to the nation’s welfare system. |
| “People are taking advantage of the system and then other people aren’t receiving what they really need to live,” Mr. Trump said. “We are going to be looking very, very strongly, therefore, there for welfare reform.” | |
| “You’ll be hearing about them very shortly,” the president added. He did not say, specifically, what changes in the welfare system he would seek. | “You’ll be hearing about them very shortly,” the president added. He did not say, specifically, what changes in the welfare system he would seek. |
| Mr. Trump predicted that Democrats and Republicans would soon work together on a temporary fix for health care issues, and took credit for any cooperation because he ended taxpayer subsidies to insurance companies that lower co-payments. | Mr. Trump predicted that Democrats and Republicans would soon work together on a temporary fix for health care issues, and took credit for any cooperation because he ended taxpayer subsidies to insurance companies that lower co-payments. |
| He also suggested that Congress should take on the issue of prescription drug prices, saying that companies often charge less in other countries for the same drugs. | He also suggested that Congress should take on the issue of prescription drug prices, saying that companies often charge less in other countries for the same drugs. |
| “Drug companies, frankly, are getting away with murder,” Mr. Trump said. |