In-town pool report #3 - color

The president began speaking at 10:48 when the pool entered. He spoke, mostly about crime, until 11 when he began signing orders (and continued speaking).

He read some details (about people detained in DC, encampments removed) from the paper on the desk.

He signed the first executive order, about ending cashless bail, at 11:02.

President Trump signed the next order, addressing cashless bail policies in DC specifically and holding people in federal facilities pre-trial, at 11:03.

The next order addressed crime and law enforcement in DC, including charging various federal law enforcement agencies with hiring additional personnel to surge officers to DC. The president signed it at 11:05. He said he thought Congress should codify this order, as well as the others.

He spoke about the autopen for a bit before signing the fourth order at 11:10. The order cracks down on flag burning, the president said. It charges the DOJ with investigating and prosecuting instances of flag burning, when the actions violate the First Amendment.

A few quotes:

“In the last 11 days we’ve had no murders. And that’s the first time that’s taken place in years”

“We are at a point where Washington is booming again”

“We’re going to also beautify Washington”

“Congress has said that they’ll give us whatever money is needed”

“Look at that, it’s a solid gold trophy. They know how to get to me” in reference to the World Cup trophy, sitting to his left.

“It’s a disaster, what’s going on in Chicago”

“This [DC] is one of the safest cities in the world right now”

He asked Pam Bondi if she’d like to speak. She’s speaking now about crime in DC. More to come.

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Sophie Hills, staff writer

The Christian Science Monitor