In Cincinnati Trump calls on Democrats to help rebuild U.S. infrastructure
In a week when attention is focused on former FBI Director James Comey's testimony before Congress, President Trump called on Democratic "obstructionists" to help restore and rebuild American infrastructure.
"The promise of safe reliable and modern infrastructure hasn't been kept, but we're going to keep it. I'm calling on all Democrats, who have really been obstructionists, we're coming out to do good, not bad, they're just obstructionists, every single thing is obstruction," Mr. Trump told supporters in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday.
He added, "If I was in that party, I wouldn't be doing it that way, that's why they lost the House, the Senate and the White House. People want to see us all come together but I just don't see them coming together. I'm calling on all Democrats and Republicans to come together, if that's even possible, in the great rebuilding in America."
In his second event highlighting the need for infrastructure modernization in what the administration has dubbed "Infrastructure Week", Mr. Trump said the time was now for "recapturing our legacy as a nation of builders" and putting the focus back on American workers.
"We spend trillions in dollars outside of our nations but we can't rebuild a tunnel or bridge in our own nation," said Mr. Trump. "It is time to rebuild our country, to bring back our jobs, to restore our dreams, and yes, it's time finally to put America first."
He added, "No longer will we sacrifice american jobs factory and wealth, theft of american prosperity has come to a screeching halt. A new era of American greatness is beginning."
Despite the substantial lack of details in the plan, the president's infrastructure program calls for a $200 billion direct investment from the federal government in hopes of attracting $1 trillion in total investment.
"Our infrastructure program will be based on forging new partnerships and demanding new accountability for every federal taxpayer dollar. Under this vision, the federal government will drastically reduce burdensome regulations and massively streamline approvals and permitting," said Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump says he'll work directly with state and local government in the hopes of giving them "freedom and flexibility" needed to revitalize the nation's infrastructure. He is expected to meet with mayors from across the country on Thursday, the same day his former FBI Director, James Comey, is slated to testify before lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
"We will ensure that these new federal funds are matched by significant additional dollars for maximum efficiency and accountability."
The Ohio stop followed Mr. Trump's Monday announcement in which he introduced plans to privatize the nation's air traffic control system.
