To mark Earth Day, President Trump and the First Lady participate in tree planting ceremony at the White House.
POTUS and the first lady walked out of the Oval Office at 12:05 pm and headed for a stage set up on the South Lawn.
“We’re doing something I love to do – plant trees,” POTUS said at “>the start of the ceremony.
POTUS spoke a few minutes about the importance of Earth Day and Arbor Day. He said the tree they are planting is a maple. The location of the tree is just a few yards from the Oval Office. POTUS noted that years from now many people will admire the tree and wonder who planted it.
POTUS also announced that national parks will reopen soon. He also gave a shout-out to Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who was in the audience.
Vice President Mike Pence spoke for a few minutes and called the new South Lawn addition “a tree of hope.”
Afterward, the president and the first lady walked off the stage, picked up two shovels and threw a couple of shovelfuls of dirt around the base of the tree. The Pences followed and also threw dirt around the tree.
Afterward, POTUS and the first lady chatted for several minutes with the Pences and McCarthy. The pool was unable to hear the conversation. The group then walked back toward the White House, where the conversation continued for a few more minutes just outside the Oval Office door. POTUS re-entered the Oval at 12:29 p.m.
More details from White House:
Today, President Donald J. Trump will participate in a tree planting ceremony in recognition of Earth Day and Arbor Day on the South Lawn of the White House.
The following individuals are expected to attend:
The White House
President Donald J. Trump
First Lady Melania Trump
Vice President Mike Pence
Second Lady Karen Pence
Trump Administration
Secretary David Bernhardt, Department of the Interior
Secretary Sonny Perdue, Department of Agriculture
Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Environmental Protection Agency
Member of Congress
Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader