Trump touts economic success, criticizes sanctuary cities in meeting with governors
President Trump touted the country's economic successes to a group of governors at the White House on Monday, as he continues to bask in his Senate acquittal last week. He heads to New Hampshire for a rally Monday night, ahead of the first primary in the nation.
"We're in the midst of a great American comeback," the president told the group of governors, echoing his State of the Union speech less than one week ago. "We're creating the most prosperous economy and most inclusive society ever to exist, actually."
But the president hit on other topics, too. He lauded the Oscar winners from Sunday evening, claiming to the governors he's been told he has a great ear and aptitude for music. He also said he's heard the coronavirus sweeping the globe will "go away in April" because of "the heat," without offering a scientific explanation to back that claim. Scientists and medical officials remain uncertain how changing seasons might affect the virus.
On Monday, the president also made a point of singling out governors with "sanctuary" jurisdictions, particularly California.
"I know we have different policies, different feelings," Mr. Trump said, but "sanctuary" city policies are causing a "tremendous problem."
The president didn't pass up a chance to hit Senator Mitt Romney, the only Republican to vote for his removal last week. Mr. Trump told Utah's governor the state could have him back.
The president spent part of his weekend blasting Democrats who voted for impeachment, but his schedule Monday makes the point that he's doing the business of governing. The president has insisted his acquittal in the Senate equates to total vindication, even though some Republican senators said they thought the president's behavior was wrong or inappropriate.
Mr. Trump is expected to handily win New Hampshire, with his only challengers on the ballot being former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld and former Congressman Joe Walsh, who has already dropped out of the race.