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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will visit Baton Rouge Tuesday to view the devastation caused by the extensive flooding in the state, the White House announced Friday.

The trip was announced on the same day Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, visited the state.

The president "wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts," the White House announced. "He is also eager to get a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods, hear from more officials about the response, including how the federal government can assist and tell the people of Louisiana that the American people will be with them as they rebuild their community and come back stronger than ever."

In a statement, the White House said Obama has been receiving updates on the Louisiana flooding during his vacation with his family at Martha's Vineyard.

Some Republicans had criticized the president for playing golf instead of interrupting his vacation to go to Louisiana.

Mary Landrieu, former Democratic Louisiana senator, told CNN Friday she welcomed Trump's visit because it helped call attention to the devastation in the state. And she urged Obama and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, to visit. She also noted that Obama sent his 'A' team - Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Craig Fugate, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,earlier in the week to assess damage and talk to local officials.

"Disasters don't have political boundaries," Landrieu said.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has said he preferred that Obama delay visiting the state so his visit wouldn't divert law enforcement resources from recovery efforts. He said he welcomed Trump's visit as long as it wasn't intended as a "photo-op" for political gain.

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