Trump surveys devastation, pays respects to tornado victims
BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) — Standing near the slab that's all that is left of one family's garage, President
"We saw things that you wouldn't believe," said Trump, overlooking a debris field strewn with branches and other wreckage in Beauregard, which bore the brunt of Sunday's storm. Mangled metal siding, wood planks, piping and electric wires lay strewn on the ground, along with remnants of everyday life: clothing, a sofa, a bottle of Lysol cleaner and a welcome mat encrusted with dirt.
Trump and the first lady spent the afternoon meeting with survivors, victims' families and volunteers trying to rebuild after the massive tornado carved a path of destruction nearly a mile wide, killing 23 people, including four children and a couple in their 80s, with ten victims belonging to a single extended family.
The trip was a familiar one for Trump, who, now in the third year of his presidency, has traveled to the sites of numerous disasters and tragedies, including hurricanes, shootings and wildfires.
The day began with an aerial survey of the area by helicopter, which flew over swaths of land where trees had been flattened. Trump and his wife, Melania, also visited a church serving as a makeshift disaster relief center for survivors. He later observed a moment of silence before white wooden crosses commemorating each of the victims.
Head bowed, Trump and his wife held hands as they paused in front of each of the markers. Trump shook his head as he stood in front of one, which had been decorated with a tiny pair of children's sneakers.
Trump has, at times, struggled with his role as consoler-in-chief during trips to survey damage and meet with tragedy victims. He memorably tossed paper towels into a crowd as he surveyed damage following hurricanes in
"At least you got a nice boat out of the deal," Trump told the family. He was caught on camera telling a person to whom he had just handed food to "have a good time."
This time, however, Trump appeared to avoid any such distractions aside from some hubbub caused by his decision to sign Bibles, which
Before signing autographs or posing for photos with the volunteers there, Trump thanked law enforcement officials and other first responders, as well as Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who oversees the
"I wanted to come the day it happened," he said, adding that Gov.
Before leaving the church, Trump posed for a photograph with a fifth-grade volunteer and signed the child's Bible, said
The pastor,
"This is a marathon, not a sprint," Sowell said.
Earlier, Trump spent time with three families who lost loved ones, hearing their stories and dispensing hugs. He also met privately with survivors and family members, including a woman mourning the loss of 10 relatives.
"What they've been through is incredible," Trump said after emerging from the meeting.
Before Trump arrived in Beauregard,
Frazier disagreed.
"I want the president here to see what happened to my mom's house," she said. "I want him right here on this land because my mom is about love and unity."
Down the road, where several people died, Trump supporter
Spann said he also hoped Trump realized how much help is needed.
"Houses need to be replaced. You can't help the dead folks, but you can try to help the ones that's still living," said Spann, chewing on a yellowroot twig. The tornado had partially peeled away the roof of Spann's mobile home.
Trump had said before the visit that he'd instructed
In the months after wildfires scorched
He also engaged in a sustained back-and-forth with lawmakers from hurricane-whipped
The administration also considered redirecting disaster aid from those places to pay for Trump's long-promised border wall but ultimately decided to target other funding sources.
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