US executive branch text over image of White HouseThis report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

12:30 p.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT receives his intelligence briefing | Oval Office

VPOTUS’ Schedule*

2:30 p.m. EDT – THE VICE PRESIDENT meets with the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations | The Vice President’s West Wing Office   ​

4:00 p.m. EDT – THE VICE PRESIDENT leads a Coronavirus Task Force Meeting | White House Situation Room

*The US President (POTUS) and Vice President’s (VPOTUS) daily schedules are subject to change.

Recap of Thursday, June 18, 2020

Note: All bold hyperlinks spotlight COVID-19 and related re-opening developments.

The White House

  • Remarks by President Trump During a Roundtable with Governors on the Reopening of America’s Small Businesses
  • Remarks by Vice President Pence to Employees at Casadei Steel Inc. on Opening Up America Again | Sterling Heights, MI
  • Readout from First Lady Melania Trump’s Visit to the National Archives of the United States with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson
  • Message to the Senate of the United States on the Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Relating to International Civil Aviation
    • Message to the Senate of the United States on the Protocol Supplementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft
  • Message to the Senate of the United States on the Agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of Croatia
  • Nomination: President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individual to a Key Administration Post (re: SEC)
  • Nominations: Eight Nominations Sent to the Senate

Department of Defense (DOD)

  • Readout of Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper’s Remarks at the NATO Defense Ministerial
  • Article: NATO Defense Ministers Look to Counter Russia, 2nd COVID-19 Wave
  • Statement from Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper on the Resignation of Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Katie Wheelbarger
  • Remarks: Secretary Esper’s Message to the Force on DOD Diversity, Inclusiveness
  • Message from Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper to the Force on DOD Diversity and Inclusiveness
  • Article: Defense Space Strategy Addresses Militarization, Competition
  • Article: Guard Faces Pivotal Time, Nominee Says
  • Article: Hypersonics Testing Accelerates
  • Article: DOD Has Pedal to the Metal on Hypersonics
  • Contracts for June 18, 2020

Department of State

  • Daily Schedule | Friday, June 19
  • June 18: SecState Statement | I Was In The Room Too (re: Bolton’s Book)
  • June 18: Transcript | Briefing with Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell On Readout of Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting With Poliburo Member Yang Jiechi
  • June 18: Sanctions | The United States Targets Network Supporting Corrupt Venezuelan Actors Attempting to Evade Sanctions
  • June 18: Statement | Department of State Offers Rewards for Information to Bring Colombian Drug Traffickers to Justice
  • June 18: Statement | Inauguration of Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye
  • June 18: Statement | Agreement on Elections in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

US Agency for International Development (USAID)

  • Press Release: USAID Provides Humanitarian Assistance for People Affected by Tropical Storm Amanda in El Salvador
  • Statement from USAID Acting Administrator John Barsa on the Awarding of the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom Award to Cuban Activist José Daniel Ferrer

US Mission to the United Nations (UN)

  • Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing by the High Commissioner for Refugees (via VTC)

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI)

  • Statement from DNI Ratcliffe on Filing Declaration in U.S. Government Case against John Bolton

Department of the Treasury

  • Readout from a Treasury Spokesperson of Secretary Mnuchin’s call with the Finance Ministers of the Five Eyes Nations
  • Sanctions: Treasury Targets Sanctions Evasion Network Supporting Corrupt Venezuelan Actors

Department of Justice

  • Daily Press Releases | Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Press Release: Former DIA Analyst Sentenced for Leaking Classified Information to Journalists
  • Press Release: Kentucky Man Sentenced to Prison for Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct While Traveling and Residing in Cambodia

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

  • DHS Statement On Supreme Court Decision on DACA
  • Advisory: Acting Secretary Wolf Traveling to California (June 18, 2020)
  • Press Release: Acting Secretary Wolf Honors FPS PSO Patrick Underwood and the FPS Family
  • Press Release: Otay Mesa Port of Entry to Open 24 Hours a Day Starting June 20 (California)
  • Press Release: Border Patrol Agents Seize Dangerous Drugs (California)
  • Press Release: Port of San Luis CBP Officers Make Large Fentanyl Bust (Arizona)
  • Press Release: CBP Seizures Include 38-Year-Old Smuggling Meth Internally (Texas)
  • Press Release: Astute Agents Halt Smugglers at the Checkpoint in the Rio Grande Valley (Texas)
  • Press Release: Counterfeit Airpods Worth Almost $4,000 Seized by CBP (Illinois)
  • Press Release: Cincinnati CBP Finds Meth in Industrial Equipment from Mexico (Ohio)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

  • Press Release: FEMA Phasing Out Project Airbridge (Washington DC)
  • Press Release: FEMA Grants $35.8 Million to Arizona for PPE
  • Press Release: FEMA Consolidated Resources Center Exceeds Expectations in its First Year (Puerto Rico)
  • Press Release: FEMA Awards $26.8 Million Grant to Relocate West Virginia Elementary School (West Virginia)

Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR)

  • Congressional Testimony: Opening Statement of Ambassador Lighthizer to the House Ways and Means Committee (June 17, 2020)

Department of Commerce

  • Remarks by Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross at the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance Roundtable
  • Op-Ed by Commerce Secretary Ross: Under Donald Trump’s Leadership, the U.S. Economy Will Come Back Strong

US Export-Import Bank (EXIM)

  • Press Release: Chairman Reed Hosts Teleconference with Over 100 Water Treatment and Sanitation Stakeholders

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

  • Press Release: USDA Approves Program to Feed Kids in Nebraska and South Carolina

Department of Energy (DOE)

  • Press Release: DOE Invests $20 Million in Workforce Development in Emerging Fields at University of Tennessee
  • Press Release: DOE Invests $65 Million at National Laboratories and American Universities to Advance Nuclear Technology

Department of Transportation

  • Press Release: S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao Announces $906 Million Investment to Revitalize America’s Infrastructure

Department of Labor

  • Press Release: S. Department of Labor Issues OSHA Guidance As Non-Essential Businesses Reopen and Employees Return to Work
  • Press Release: Florida Manufacturer Pays Back Wages to Employee Denied Paid Sick Leave Required Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act
  • Press Release: Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

  • Press Release: HHS Awards $107.2 Million to Grow and Train the Health Workforce (re: rural and underserved communities)

Department of Education

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

US Government (USG) COVID-19 Webpages

Non-USG COVID Webpages

Johns Hopkins University & Medicine

Synopsis of President Trump’s Tweets

  • June 18: “Great things coming to Arkansas! $40M to be awarded to @myARDOT from @USDOT to reconstruct and improve US 67 in @PulaskiAR and Lonoke Counties. Will reduce congestion and travel time – a huge boost for economic growth!”
  • June 18: “$40M proposed to @AnokaCounty in Minnesota from @USDOT for the Ramsey Gateway Project on US Highway 10/169. Will help congestion and make travel safer and more efficient in the area!”
  • June 18: “Designating $38.1 million to @MaineDOT1 from @USDOT to replace SEVEN bridges and improve FIVE locations in Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, and Somerset Counties. Very important for keeping our bridges safe and people moving in the Great State of Maine!”
  • June 18: “$55.15M will be on its way to @KYTC to widen @mtnparkway from two lanes to four lanes between the KY 191 overpass and the KY 205 interchange. Must keep the people of Kentucky moving efficiently and safely!”
  • June 18: “Big news for @EagleCounty, Colorado! 60.7M proposed to @ColoradoDOT from @USDOT for improvements and enhanced safety to the Vail Pass on I-70, between miles 180-190. HUGE for safe travel through the region!”
  • June 18: “I’m designating $56.8M to @DelawareDOT to construct a redesigned interchange at I-95 and SR 896 in New Castle County. Huge improvement for traffic flow and safety in this important area!”
  • June 18: “Floridians will get $10M grant from @USDOT for @MyFDOT’s I-4 to improve technology to provide travelers with better information and important messages in real time! Will make getting BACK TO WORK easier. Great work @GovRonDeSantis!”
  • June 18: “$71.5M will be headed to @MississippiDOT from @USDOT to finish the Greenville Bypass in Washington County. So important for economic growth in the area and reducing travel times through Western Mississippi on US 82!”
  • June 18: “I’m proposing a $50M award to @nevadadot from @USDOT to reconstruct the Tropicana Avenue/I-15 interchange. So important for improving and reducing traffic in this booming area!”
  • June 18: “$25M coming your way @NCDOT! The great state of North Carolina is set to be awarded @USDOT funding to help complete highway improvements in the US 74 corridor in Cleveland, Columbus, and Robeson Counties. Huge for travel and growth in the area!”
  • June 18: “@RIDOTNews is set to be awarded $65 million from @USDOT to complete multiple safety improvements and repairs to the RI-246 corridor – greatly improving travel through the region!”
  • June 18: “@Port_Houston in Texas is set to receive $79.5M from @USDOT for much-needed restoration and upgrades to the Barbours Cut Container Terminal. This will increase capacity and efficiency of the terminal. GREAT for economic growth in this busy region!”
  • June 18: “Proposing $73.7M to @wsdot for the Puget Sound Gateway Program from @USDOT. Will build “missing links” to the Ports and improve commerce and safety – BIG boost to the economy and JOBS!”
  • June 18: “Port Tampa Bay in Florida will be awarded $19.9 million from @USDOT to improve Hooker’s Point container facility, adding much-needed capacity to keep commerce moving and allowing the region to GROW!”
  • June 18: “@TulsaPort, $6.2M is coming your way from @USDOT to bring major upgrades and improve rail transportation to the port. HUGE for JOBS and the economy in the region!”
  • June 18: “@SCDOTPress will have $34.6M headed its way for a new interchange on I-77 in Rock Hill! This will facilitate access to a 234-acre development site at Exit 81. HUGE innovation and development coming to the area! @RockHillSCCity @YorkCountySC @YorkCountySCGov”
  • June 18: “Great things headed to Tennessee! $11.2M is headed to @myTDOT from @USDOT to install fiber optic communications on I-40 from Memphis to Nashville. This is HUGE for safety info and broadband in a lot of communities that need it!”
  • June 18: “@WVDOT will be awarded $12 million from @USDOT to help finish the Corridor H project between Kerens and Parsons, key to a booming economy in the Great State of West Virginia!”
  • June 18: “I’m proud to propose a $6.8M award to @WisconsinDOT from @USDOT to complete the last phase of the Merrimac Bridge rehabilitation – more efficient and lower cost rail car travel over Lake Wisconsin!”
  • June 18: “Great news for Louisiana! $135M proposed to @La_DOTD from @USDOT to build 8.3 miles of elevated highway from Leeville Bridge to Golden Meadow to protect access to the area against flooding.”
  • June 18: “Proud to propose a $25M award to @MichiganDOT to replace and expand the Blue Water Bridge port of entry in @Port_Huron. CRITCAL for security, operations, and commerce at our country’s third BUSIEST U.S.-Canada border crossing!”
  • June 18: “It was not Ambassador Lighthizer’s fault (yesterday in Committee) in that perhaps I didn’t make myself clear, but the U.S. certainly does maintain a policy option, under various conditions, of a complete decoupling from China. Thank you!”
  • June 18: “First thing the anarchists did upon taking over Seattle was “BUILD A WALL”. See, I was ahead of our times!”
  • June 18: “Extraordinary rescue yesterday by our brave and “Semper Paratus” U.S. Coast Guard. Our rapid response and the vessel’s survival equipment allowed these four mariners to see their loved ones again. Well done @USCG!”
  • June 18: “I will be releasing a new list of Conservative Supreme Court Justice nominees, which may include some, or many of those already on the list, by September 1, 2020. If given the opportunity, I will only choose from this list, as in the past, a Conservative Supreme Court Justice…”
  • June 18: “…Based on decisions being rendered now, this list is more important than ever before (Second Amendment, Right to Life, Religous Liberty, etc.) – VOTE 2020!”
  • June 18: “As President of the United States, I am asking for a legal solution on DACA, not a political one, consistent with the rule of law. The Supreme Court is not willing to give us one, so now we have to start this process all over again.”
  • June 18: “The DACA decision, while a highly political one, and seemingly not based on the law, gives the President of the United States far more power than EVER anticipated. Nevertheless, I will only act in the best interests of the United States of America!”
  • June 18: “The recent Supreme Court decisions, not only on DACA, Sanctuary Cities, Census, and others, tell you only one thing, we need NEW JUSTICES of the Supreme Court. If the Radical Left Democrats assume power, your Second Amendment, Right to Life, Secure Borders, and…”
  • June 18: “…Religious Liberty, among many other things, are OVER and GONE!”
  • June 18: “Do you get the impression that the Supreme Court doesn’t like me?”
  • June 18: “These horrible & politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives. We need more Justices or we will lose our 2nd. Amendment & everything else. Vote Trump 2020!”
  • June 18: “When Wacko John Bolton went on Deface the Nation and so stupidly said that he looked at the “Libyan Model” for North Korea, all hell broke out. Kim Jong Un, who we were getting along with very well, went “ballistic”, just like his missiles – and rightfully so….”
  • June 18: “….He didn’t want Bolton anywhere near him. Bolton’s dumbest of all statements set us back very badly with North Korea, even now. I asked him, “what the hell were you thinking?” He had no answer and just apologized. That was early on, I should have fired him right then & there!”
  • June 18: “Bolton’s book, which is getting terrible reviews, is a compilation of lies and made up stories, all intended to make me look bad. Many of the ridiculous statements he attributes to me were never made, pure fiction. Just trying to get even for firing him like the sick puppy he is!”
  • June 18: “‘It’s a terrible situation, and I blame the leaders of those cities. The President of the United States has fought through a lot of different things since he’s been in office, and to be honest with you, he’s done one hell of a job.’ @HerschelWalker @seanhannity @FoxNews”
  • June 18: “‘Seattle’s CHOP is just the latest example of Liberal (Democrat) cities caving to lawlessness.’ @seanhannity @FoxNews”
  • June 18: “@NBCNews is facing considerable backlash for pushing @Google to remove Conservative sites from its ad platform.”
  • June 18: “‘BLITZ, Trump Will Smash the Left and Win’, by David Horowitz. Amazon #1 Bestseller. Call 800-691-0022  Hot book, great author!”
  • June 18:  “Biden got failing grades and polls on his clueless handling of the Swine Flu H1N1. It was a total disaster, they had no idea what they were doing. Among the worst ever!”