Trump bids adieu to Texas: 'We've got a lot of hard-working people'

President Donald Trump prepares to serve meals to evacuees while visiting the shelter at NRG Center in Houston in the wake of Tropical Storm Harvey Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. President Donald Trump prepares to serve meals to evacuees while visiting the shelter at NRG Center in Houston in the wake of Tropical Storm Harvey Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 143 Caption Close Trump bids adieu to Texas: 'We've got a lot of hard-working people' 1 / 143 Back to Gallery

President Donald Trump and the First Lady are making their second trip to the Gulf Coast Saturday to take another look at the flooding and devastation from Hurricane Harvey. The following is a running account provided by the press pool accompanying the president from Washington. It will be updated throughout the day so Chronicle readers can stay up on the latest.

Departure from Houston

Trump posed for many photos with the military personnel at Ellington Field. He gave extra attention to the Coast Guard. "I hear the Coast Guard saved ...almost 11,000 people by going into winds the media would not go into. Unless it's a really good story," he said as cameras snapped.

He and Mrs. Trump then walked back to the plane a couple of hundred feet away.

He spoke with McCaul and Cruz and Olson and put his right arm around McCaul. Olsen seem to have a list of requests and Trump engaged with him. Jackson Lee stood with Governor Abbott, a somewhat pained look on her face. The sun was very hot. Al Green was chatting with the First Lady and standing on Abbott's left, the last congressman Trump would encounter on his way up the steps.

Trump spoke with all of them before boarding. He shook Green's hand several times. Doubtful they talked impeachment based solely on the earnest expressions visible on their faces.

At the top of the steps Trump turned and waved and pumped his fist a few times.

Air Force One engines are starting to rev at 3:17pm CT. Next stop Lake Charles, La.



Return to Ellington Field -

Back at Ellington Field the president met at the steps of Air Force One with several federal lawmakers from Texas, including two of his biggest critics in Congress. Rep Al Green, who has called for Trump's impeachment, and Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, who has come close to calling for impeachment, and has called him incompetent.

Trump seemed to speak in a very friendly way with Green, and they shook hands several times. At one point Green put his hand on the president's elbow as they spoke. It all seemed very friendly. Trump also met with Texas U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul, Pete Olson, and Randy Weber. And Sen. Ted Cruz.

He chatted with McCaul, who has been under consideration for Homeland Security secretary and at one point put his left hand on McCaul's right shoulder.

Trump then walked over to several hundred people waiting, most of them in uniform, including Coast Guard, Texas National Guard and others.

The Texas lawmakers remained at the foot of Air Force One as the president shook hands. Governor Abbott was with them and could be seen chatting at length with Al Green in particular.



On the road back to Ellington -

Trump stopped in a neighborhood of Houston just outside Pearland. Intersection of Sagelink Dr. and Sagelink Ct. Mattresses, drywall land other debris, and trash bags, piled high at the curb of many of these homes, ranch style middle class.

Pool vans got stuck two blocks away and caught only the tail end. Trump was probably there for over five minutes.. Abbott and Cruz were there. Trump, holding hands with the first lady, was in a cul-de-sac and spoke. "These are people that have done a fantastic job holding it together," he said.

A man in a red "Trump is my president" T-shirt moved in and Trump invited him over for a photo. "You're going to be famous now," he said encouraging the man to take off his sunglasses, which revealed a pierced left eyebrow.

Motorcade rolled about 2:25 pm.CT. Next stop, we think, is Ellington Field for meeting with members of the Texas delegation in Congress.



Pearland exit -

Trump addressed hundreds of volunteers filling care packages with hygiene items food, and cleaning supplies. Diapers, sunscreen, bleach, cereal boxes etc. (remarks separately in pool #7 from Phil Rucker)

The hall inside First Church of Pearland was filled with tables piled high with supplies. Trump took the stage with Governor Abbott, the cabinet members traveling with him, and Senator Ted Cruz.

"They say 2 years, 3 years. I think because this is Texas you'll do it in six months, Trump said.

Lots of people were wearing "I (heart) my church" T-shirts as they worked. Chats before Trump spoke:

"It's amazing. It really highlights all the good efforts that so many people are making. I'm glad to see him," said Shanna Norris, 37, a consultant from Houston who attends this church. "It just really showcases the efforts of the United States and the community."

She doesn't think much of criticism Trump received for an official-oriented visit on Tuesday. "It's such a wide area. There's just a lot of devastation."

Kenny Mercado, senior VP at CenterPoint Energy, an electricity provider, was among the volunteers.

"It's wonderful to see. It's a tough time. It [Trump's visit] brings spirit, brings hope. This is a city that got a long long long journey ahead. There's still a lot of work to be done."

After Trump's remarks on stage, he and Mrs. Trump went outside, where a line of cars was waiting to collect supplies. They loaded about a half-dozen cars and trucks.

"Hey can you handle this?" Trump said to the first recipient, a man in a pickup truck who parked waiting for several minutes, as the president handed him a plastic American Red Cross bucket. "There's a lot of stuff in here," Trump said. "You're all set," he said after loading a few boxes in the flatbed and slapping the truck a couple of times.

"It's good exercise," Trump said as the man drove off.

The first lady handed him "Feed the Children" boxes to load into the back of a dented SUV whose driver kept a cell phone up and running through most of the process.

To the third driver, Trump said "Thank you. Take care of yourself."

Fourth car was another pickup. Trump closed the hatch himself after the loading was done and said "Use it well."

Fifth car was a woman in a black minivan. Trump leaned over to speak with her and she placed a hand on his forearm. The spoke at some length and the first lady loaded and then he loaded some boxes.

Motorcade left just after 2pm.

Remarks in Pearland -

President Trump delivered about five minutes of remarks inside First Church of Pearland in the Houston suburb of Pearland.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott introduced Trump, who spoke extemporaneously to volunteers and storm victims who had gathered at the church.

Trump began by praising Abbott: "I want to congratulate the governor. I want to congratulate everybody that's worked so hard. It's been an incredible five days, six days. It seems like it's been much longer than that, but actually it's going so well that it's going fast, in a certain sense."

Trump highlighted National Day of Prayer tomorrow. He said, "So many of you are faith based and I want to just tell you that tomorrow we have national prayer day." Trump added, "Tomorrow's a very big day, so go to your church and pray and enjoy the day."

Trump then went through praising dignitaries on stage with him, starting with Sen. Ted Cruz. Trump thanked Cruz "for working so hard."

Trump said, in reference to Cruz, "We have to push that stuff through, but we will. We signed some very big authorizations last night, and we'll get it through."

Then Trump motioned for his FEMA director: "Brock, come here a minute, Brock. What a job you've done!"

Trump commented, "The water's disappearing. We knew we have a long way to go, but the water's disappearing. And you look at the neighborhoods and you see it's – we just saw it through there. Two days ago, even yesterday, they had water. Today it's all swept up and cleaned up. We've got a lot of hard-working people, I'll tell you that."

Trump praised Secretary Ben Carson and then Secretary DeVos, noting that she just had "a full-page story today in the Wall Street Journal."

Trump again commended Abbott as well as his wife, the first lady and, Trump said, "The real boss of the family."

Trump said, "They have worked so hard and the coordination between the federal and the state and the local has been terrific, and we're going to keep it going that way. If anything, I don't know if it gets better, but we're going to try to make it better."

He added, "The cameras are blazing and I have to say it, you have a great, great governor."

Trump spoke at length about the reforms at the VA under Secretary Shulkin before returning to the subject of Harvey and again congratulating Abbott.

Trump closed by talking about the recovery: "It's a long term. We're talking about, they say 2 years, 3 years, but I think that because this is Texas you'll prob do it in 6 months!" At that, the people in the church burst into loud cheers.

Inside First Church of Pearland, a pool reporter interviewed Elaine Ybarra, 41, who was holding her 10-year-old son, Chris, as they waited to see President Trump walk into the room.

Ybarra said, "It's quite humbling to have somebody of his stature come to this church."

She added, "Him being here and bringing global attention to everything that's going on here, he brings up prayers from around the world."

Ybarra said there was bad flooding on her street in her Pearland neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, but she said her home was not damaged. She was at the church to volunteer to help storm victims.

After Pearland arrival -

From the White House at 1:55 pm - President Donald Trump Amends Texas Disaster Declaration:

"Today, President Donald J. Trump made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Texas by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures as a result of Hurricane Harvey."



Trump in Pearland -

Arrived 130pm CT at First Church in suburban Pearland.

Motorcade passed a car dealership where most of the inventory had open doors, presumably to dry out. Neighborhoods here flooded, per local poolers from the Houston Chronicle.

Near the destination we crossed several culverts. The water was maybe five to seven feet below the high water line.

Gas station with $2.25 per gallon. Cheaper than pooler paid in DC two days ago by 50 cents.

Small clusters of people on the sidewalks waved and took pix. One group of 8 or so waved small American flags.

Thank you Trump and We love Trump hand drawn signs as we arrived in Pearland. Passes a fire station where a military high water vehicle was parked.

Trump comments at NRG Center -





At the NRG Center in Houston, President Trump stopped by a lunch line where volunteers were distributing hot dogs, chips and apple sauce for lunch.

Trump saw a few uniformed military men and walked over to shake their hands.

One of the military men told Trump, "We voted for you"

Trump said, playfully: "You better. Who didn't in your world? Who didn't?"

Then Trump spotted a familiar reporter standing behind the military guys and said, "Look who we have! Come here. Everything good?"

Thus began an impromptu gaggle with the president.

Asked what his message was for the people of Texas, Trump said: "The message is that things are working out well. Really, I think people appreciate what's been done. It's been done very efficiently, very well, and that's what we want. We're very happy with the way everything is going. A lot of love. There's a lot of love."

Asked what families told him earlier, when he visited with kids and their parents in a play area, Trump said: "They were just happy. We saw a lot of happiness. It's been really nice. It's been a wonderful thing. As tough as this was, it's been a wonderful thing, I think even for the country to watch it and for the world to watch. It's been beautiful."

Trump tried to excuse himself, saying, "I'm going to be doing a little help over here."

But reporters had more questions. One reporter asked what people have said to him so far. The president said: "They're really happy with what's going on. It's something that's been very well received, even by you guys it's been very well received."

Asked whether he looked out the window of Air Force One and saw any flooding, Trump said: "The flooding? Oh, yeah, yeah, there's a lot of water, but it's leaving pretty quickly. But there's a lot of water, a lot of water, but it's moving out. But I think most importantly, the governor, the relationship with the governor, the mayor and everybody, it's been fantastic. And with the federal government. We're signing a lot of documents now to get money into your state. $7.9 billion. We signed it and now it's going through a very quick process."

NRG Center greetings -

The Trumps and their group spent almost 45 minutes at the NRG Center. There were many hugs and handshakes and many photos and selfies.

The first stop was the "kid zone," where kids, mostly young, were bouncing balls, playing board games, doing puzzles and making jewelry. One kid walked on plastic sand pails with rope, like short stilts.Some colored with crayons.

A woman shouted "Donald Trump!" as soon as he came into view. The press was in a pen, and dozens of amateur photographers joined us, trying to catch glimpses of the Trumps. They jostled for position with their cell phones. One shouted to no one in particular "It's Trump! There's Trump." Several Texas national guardsmen uniform were taking pictures, too, and they mostly shouted pro-Trump messages like "Thank you for coming Mr. President!" and "You rock!"

Trump began shaking hands and was quickly waylaid by a request for a selfie. Flotus, in an olive green "Texas" ballcap, worked the area separately for a while. She chatted with a young woman in a white T-shirt

Abbott had a very young girl on his lap.

Trump got into a scrum with three young boys, one with a plastic sword. One ran away, looking pleased but a bit shy, right after getting a hug from Trump, who had stooped down to give it. Trump briefly hoisted a little girl with tightly braided hair and gave her a quick embrace.

At one point the First Lady knelt on the floor, books in hand, in a group of several children but didn't seem to read to them.

Trump sat down at a round table piled high with Clue and Pictionary and other games. A young man was seated there, and three young girls. Abbott came over. HUD secretary Carson took the young man's phone and snapped some photos of him with the president.

Trump got up and spoke with Abbott and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and then shot two thumbs up, then one right thumb up, to the pool.

Some commentary in the press pen:

"This is the first time I ever been in this situation. Houston has been very organized," said Kevin Jason Hipolito, 37, an unemployed Houston resident whose first floor apartment near the Galleria was flooded. He was rescued from the roof of his Acura. He has been at the shelter for two days and is impatient for a housing voucher to go somewhere better. He shouted at Carson "Can you do something about that 72-hour rule?!" He was pleased that Trump showed up. "I'm a Democrat. It raises the morale. When he went to Corpus I was like man he just forgot about us. This shows a lot of support. It perks up morale."

Devon Harris, 37, a construction worker, was skeptical about the impact of a presidential visit. "Is he going to help? Can he help? I lost my home. My job is gone. My tools are gone. My car is gone. My life is gone. What is Trump going to do?"

On the far end of the NRG Center. a cavernous convention hall, the Trumps served lunch.

Robert Hendricks, 48, an electrical engineer standing on line, was dubious. "What's he going to do, use us as props to serve us lunch?" Still he said "it's good that he's showing his face."

Lunch is hot dogs, potato chips and Apple sauce.



Trump tweets - (Around noon) 'TEXAS: We are with you today, we are with you tomorrow, and we will be with you EVERY SINGLE DAY AFTER, to restore, recover, and REBUILD!'

NRG Center -

Motorcade arrived at NRG Center at 12:04 after 34 minute drive. One guy had a sign that said Not Our President as we pulled into the parking area.

The drive north on I-45 and then I-610 west passed no visible signs of flooding or storm damage. Businesses open. Traffic.

Signs near stadium said "No More Donations Accepted."

Just outside the airport, motorcade passed a church. People gathered. Signs read "We love Trump" and "Texans love stilettos."

Rolling on the ground -

The Trumps stopped and waved from the steps before greeting Gov. Greg Abbott, the state's first lady Cecilia Abbott, Mayor Sylvester Turner and others.

Trump still wearing black rain jacket, although the sun is beating down under partly cloudy skies and it's hot, and far more humid than in DC. First Lady is now in green khaki pants and a demin colored shirt, and walking shoes. The most notable footwear is FEMA director Brock Long's: neon blue sneakers.

Motorcade rolling at 11:30am CT.

Trump shared a smile and vigorous handshake with Turner after hugging Mrs. Abbott .Ben Carson and Turner were chatting as pool was hustled to vans.

Ellington Field -

Air Force One touched down at Ellington Field in Houston at 11:16 am CT. Taxiing.

Some bumps 5 miles out.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expected at the airport and will be with the president during his visit.

On board:

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos

HUD Secretary Ben Carson

VA Secretary David Shulkin

Elaine Duke, acting Homeland Security secretary

Also

Tom Bossert, Joe Hagin, Hope Hicks, John Kelly, Rob Porter.

Andrews Air Force Base, outside D.C. –

Rain fell steadily at JBA ahead of departure but had dropped to a drizzle by the time Marine One landed at 9:35 am eastern on a wet tarmac. Cold and dreary. The president, in dark pants and rain slicker, took an umbrella from an aide and walked under it with the first lady to the stairs, where he handed it off. He waved at the pool. Mrs. Trump, in tan/brown dress and high heels, walked up first. He stopped at the top, turned and waved.

Taxiing at 9:44 eastern, behind schedule, on way to Ellington field in Houston.

White House –

Trump and the first lady emerged from the White House at 9:21 a.m. eastern. With a torrential downpour -- the remnants of Hurricane Harvey -- pelting Washington, Trump carried a big black umbrella to shelter himself and the first lady from the rain. Trump wore a black rain jacket, black slacks and brown shoes, while the first lady wore sunglasses, a tan rain coat and high-heel shoes. The president and first lady paused briefly before the press gathered in the rain, then turned toward Marine One.

The president ignored a shouted question about his plans for DACA before entering the chopper. Marine One was wheels up for Andrews Air Force Base at 9:23 a.m. Accompanying the president and first lady were Chief of Staff John Kelly, Trump's personal aide John D. McEntee II and Lindsay Reynolds, the First Lady's chief of staff.