This column provides a daily update on key presidential actions as well as comments, whether spoken aloud or on Twitter, by President Trump. Like the stock market, the deadline for Trump Today action is 4 p.m. Eastern Time, even as we acknowledge that substantive news can and does occur after hours.
President Donald Trump declared opioid addiction a “public health emergency” on Thursday, touted a House budget vote that sets the stage for tax cuts, and jumped into the Virginia governor’s race with tweets backing the Republican candidate.
‘BAD ACTORS’ IN TRUMP’S SIGHTS AS HE DECLARES EMERGENCY
Trump’s opioid declaration falls short of the “national emergency” he had promised over the summer, and doesn’t immediately provide extra funds for the crisis. Officials said the declaration encourages Trump’s cabinet to prioritize the issue and take steps of their own. In a speech at the White House, Trump also said he’d examine bringing lawsuits against “bad actors,” but did not specify who he meant.
“We will be bringing some very major lawsuits against people and against companies that are hurting our people,” Trump said.
‘BIG NEWS’ ON BUDGET
Trump told his Twitter followers that there was “big news” on passing a budget, in a nod to the House’s adoption of a measure that paves the way for Republicans’ tax plans.
