Overview
- President Trump visited a local business and delivered remarks at the Horizon Events Center in Clive, Iowa, promoting an affordability agenda and highlighting energy policy.
- The Iowa visit is part of a White House plan for weekly travel to sell economic accomplishments ahead of the midterms and to boost GOP prospects in competitive House districts and open governor and Senate races.
- The trip was overshadowed by questions about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis; Trump called it a “very sad situation,” said he is awaiting the investigation, and rejected deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller’s “assassin” label.
- The administration faces protests and political pressure tied to recent Minneapolis shootings, with Senate Democrats signaling they may withhold DHS funding unless new guardrails on enforcement are adopted.
- Trump touted his tax-and-spending law, tariffs, and support for farmers as part of his affordability pitch, even as polls and economic readings such as a January drop in consumer confidence complicate the sales effort.