President Donald Trump on Monday assured residents of the Lone Star State that he would help speed needed federal assistance and resources to help deal with recovery efforts there, as he praised the work of first responders, federal disaster officials and regular Americans to overcome problems with the storm.
"Every asset at my command is at the disposal of local officials," the President said, who lauded the scenes of average citizens pitching in to help people deal with high waters and other storm damage
"We see neighbor helping, friend helping friend, and stranger helping stranger," Mr. Trump said, in his first extended comments on the damage done to the state of Texas by Harvey, which made landfall late Friday as a Category 4 hurricane, and still remains a tropical storm three days later.
"It has been absolutely incredible to watch, the spirit, the cooperation and the love," the President added, talking about watching rescue efforts on television from the Houston area.
Asked about getting aid through the Congress to deal with Harvey, Mr. Trump told reporters in the East Room of the White House that he did not anticipate any problems in getting those resources approved.
"You will get what you need," he told a reporter for a Texas newspaper.
Mr. Trump also took time at the same news conference to defend his pardon of ex-Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, saying it was the right decision.
"I stand by my pardon of Sheriff Joe, and I think the people of Arizona who really know him best would agree with me," the President added, explaining that he released the news while the nation was paying close attention to Hurricane Harvey's trek to the Texas Gulf Coast.
"In the middle of a hurricane - even though it was a Friday evening - I assumed the ratings would be far higher than they would be normally," Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump will go to Texas on Tuesday to check on damage from Harvey. He told reporters he will make another visit on Saturday.
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