President Donald Trump came to South Florida Tuesday, making his first trip to Palm Beach County since the coronavirus pandemic began in mid-March.
Trump spoke at an afternoon event at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, where he discussed his administration's environmental policies and the Great American Outdoors Act, which provides funding to national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and recreation areas.
Trump announced he was extending and expanding a ban on new offshore drilling sites off the Florida coast as well as Georgia and South Carolina. The existing moratorium covers the Gulf of Mexico, and Trump said the new one would also cover the Atlantic coast — a significant political concern in coastal states like Florida.
“My administration’s proving everyday that we can improve our environment while creating millions of high-paying jobs,” Trump said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wore a face mask to greet Trump, who did not wear a mask, after Air Force One landed at the West Palm Beach airport. Trump arrived in Jupiter by motorcade.
Trump discussed his call for additional funding for Everglades revitalization and addressing algae-causing run-off from Lake Okeechobee that has forced beach closures in the tourism-reliant state.
Trump, though, has rolled back regulations meant to protect the environment, including on power plant emissions, auto fuel standards and clean water. He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord, a global agreement meant to address the emission of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.
Local
The event comes one day after a Labor Day boat parade took place with supporters as well as members of the Trump campaign, including son Donald Jr., that ended at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Trump was scheduled to attend a rally later Tuesday evening in North Carolina.
Trump is seeking re-election and looks to win Florida for a second straight time as he competes against Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden.
