Trump becomes first president since 2002 not to visit troops at Christmastime

Trump becomes first president since 2002 not to visit troops at Christmastime

Though he called military personnel on Tuesday, Trump did not visit a hospital or a military base.

Dec. 25, 2018 / 4:13 PM EST
By Elyse Perlmutter-Gumbiner

On Christmas Day, President Donald Trump took part in a long-running practice of presidents who called troops stationed around the country and the world.

But he broke from a recent tradition of actually visiting troops and wounded warriors. He did so in 2017, when he visited wounded troops at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 21 (and invited Coast Guard service members to play golf at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida).

By staying home on Tuesday, Trump became the first president since 2002 who didn't visit military personnel around Christmastime.

Based on a check of White House news releases, President Barack Obama visited troops at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, in Kaneohe Bay, every Christmas he was in office, from 2009 to 2016.

Before him, President George W. Bush visited wounded warriors at Walter Reed from 2003 to 2008. He did not visit troops at Christmas in 2002, in the run-up to the Iraq War, or in 2001.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...astime-n951846

Trump did much more for them than a PR visit to a hospital. Trump pushed and got funding to upgrade their equipment, got them a big raise, first one in 10 years, and is working on another one. Trump fixed the VA and passed VA Choice. Trump ordered troops home from Syria and will be ordering many more home in the future. Trump worked with many countries towards peace that will protect the lives of our servicemen and Americans for many many years when these agreements and diplomatic efforts are finalized. Trump fixed the US economy so when you leave the military you can find a good job that will support yourself and your family. Trump doesn't want to see our troops overseas or injured and sick in the hospital. Trump wants to see them at home, vibrant, healthy with good jobs and lifestyles .... at a Trump Rally.