President Trump hailed Camp David as a “very special” place as he held a televised Cabinet meeting at the presidential retreat in rural Maryland to discuss policy and tout his performance before the midterm elections.
Mr. Trump, sitting in front of wood-paneled walls adorned with historic photographs, said Friday the Cabinet and press were lucky to be there.
“I don’t believe the press has come anywhere near it,” he said. “We believe in transparency. I think it’s good for you to see certain aspects of Camp David. It’s a very special place.”
While it’s not unheard of for presidents to host Cabinet members at Camp David, inviting the press and cameras into the session is a hallmark of the Trump era.
The session marks Mr. Trump’s third visit to Camp David during his second term.
The president hailed his work on tariffs and foreign investment, efforts to reduce drug prices and moves to tighten border security.
He bemoaned scenes of throngs of migrants landing on the shores of Spain, saying it proved that liberal policies don’t work.
“It looks like an invasion of a country,” Mr. Trump said. “Hundreds of thousands of people, and the same thing is going to happen to us if the Republicans don’t get elected, except worse.”
He also said Iran was probably not to blame for a recent cyberattack on wastewater systems in Minnesota.
“I would blame it on Minnesota and the governor,” Mr. Trump said, referring to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. “Iran should be so lucky. Iran’s got bigger problems than worrying about Minnesota.”
Mr. Trump hailed members of his Cabinet and looked around the room to make sure they were all up to grade.
“A couple of stiffs, but that’s OK,” the president said to laughter.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio focused on the Cabinet’s mode of transportation to the secretive hideout.
“I got the chance to drive for the first time in a year and a half,” Mr. Rubio said, adding to laughter that it was just a golf cart, but “it was great.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of the late U.S. Sen. and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, professed a special fondness for Camp David.
“I haven’t been here for 62 years,” he said. “My father loved this place, my uncle loved this place.”
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