News

The Latest: Trump tells farmers that wall won't hurt them

Posted January 14, 2019 6:00 am

The Associated Press

President Donald Trump arrives on stage to speak at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times local):

2:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump is seeking to assure farmers that they will still be able to get the help they need if he builds a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump has used most of his speech Monday at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th convention in New Orleans to justify his fight with congressional Democrats over the border wall he promised to build. Trump says a wall is needed to stem illegal immigration and crime. Democrats disagree and say a wall would waste money and not solve the problem.

Trump says he understands that farmers need people to help with harvests. He says he'll make it easier for immigrants to enter the country to work on farms.

Says Trump: "It's going to be easier for them to get in."

___

12:30 p.m.

Farmers are gathering in New Orleans to hear from President Donald Trump as their businesses feel the effects of his trade policies and the partial government shutdown.

Richard Musel of Bennington, Nebraska, a corn and soybean farmer, describes business as "marginal" but says he doesn't blame Trump.

Musel says Trump has been good to farmers and had no choice but to get tough with China.

Lemuel and Shelby Ricks grow cotton, soybeans, wheat and peanuts on their farm in Conway, North Carolina. They say they've been hurt by low commodity prices and the shutdown. They can't apply for financial aid the federal government is giving farmers hurt by Trump's trade policies because of the shutdown.

The Rickses say they voted for Trump in 2016 and will again in 2020.

___

11:45 a.m.

President Donald Trump is on his way to Louisiana after a mechanical issue delayed Air Force One's departure from Washington.

Trump is traveling to New Orleans on Monday to address the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th annual convention.

The White House says the Air Force One maintenance crew needed to reset an indicator light on the customized Boeing 747 that was being used for the trip.

Trump remained aboard the aircraft during the delay. Air Force One was airborne after about a half hour.

After he returns to Washington, Trump will welcome the NCAA football champion Clemson Tigers to the White House.

Members of the media walk across the tarmac to board Air Force One ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Monday Jan. 14, 2019, en route to New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) The Associated Press

President Donald Trump talks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before departing for the American Farm Bureau Federation's 100th Annual Convention in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) The Associated Press

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Monday Jan. 14, 2019, en route to New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) The Associated Press

Snow is kicked up by the prop wash as Marine One carrying President Donald Trump departs the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Nation and World News

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.