President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Alabama and Georgia on Friday to witness the damage caused by the tornados in the area.
The president visited nearly a dozen family members in a community church who lost loved ones in Alabama; 23 people were killed in the storms on Sunday.
He also signed bibles and hats for volunteers and survivors of the storm, according to a volunteer speaking to reporters.
One family lost ten relatives in the storms.
“We couldn’t get here fast enough,” Trump said. “I wanted to come the day it happened.”
Trump thanked first responders and FEMA for doing an “A plus job” caring for the victims and promised to keep them in place as long as was needed.
Pres Trump touring tornado-hit Beauregard AL pic.twitter.com/mgltrmraLv
— Steve Holland (@steveholland1) March 8, 2019
“We love you all. We love the state of Alabama,” he said.
The president also spent time outside the church, where 23 crosses were set up to remember the people who died in the storm.
Pres Trump and Melania in Opelika AL pausing at a cross for each tornado victim pic.twitter.com/mdvUedHclE
— Steve Holland (@steveholland1) March 8, 2019
.@flotus & @potus paying their respects at memorial crosses of the victims of last weekend’s tornadoes here in #Alabama. pic.twitter.com/Z6LcgWGxHx
— Stephanie Grisham (@StephGrisham45) March 8, 2019
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey met with Trump in Beauregard, Alabama where they surveyed some of the damage. Alabama members of Congress also joined the president — Sen. Richard Shelby and Sen. Doug Jones, and Rep. Mike Rogers.
Dozens of people lined the roads to witness Trump passing by in his motorcade.
Dozens of people line the streets of Beauregard as President Trump’s motorcade passed by. Some in “Make America Great” again hats cheered — gasping “oh my gosh, he’s here.” pic.twitter.com/9D7lkiTKdH
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) March 8, 2019
One group sang “God Bless America!” as the motorcade passed by.
Trump supporters sing “God Bless America” as he passes by — cheering “thank you, Trump.” pic.twitter.com/jQ1s7xsbe3
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) March 8, 2019
Signs thanking the president were spotted by reporters together with Trump Make America Great Again flags.
Spotted near the tornado devastation in AL — “Thank You Trump” signs & “Make America Great Again” flags.
President Trump is in Alabama today to survey the destruction of two deadly tornadoes that ravaged this community. pic.twitter.com/cGPDm2INhu
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) March 8, 2019
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