Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Got a call this AM from Lou Dobbs who told me that President Trump will be calling me. Lou spoke with the POTUS andf told him that I was the “smartest person” around and he should speak with me. Amazing day today! Bob Kadlec, Bob Redfield, Karin King (State), Ken Cuccinelli (DHS), Jonathan Fritz (State) briefed the House members led by Nancy Pelosi who was her usual self with me (big hug, kiss and telling everyone how great I am - little embarrassing. Diane DeGette did the same thing. At the Deputies Meeting in the Situation Room (4:00 to 5:15 PM) – big surprise. Mick Mulvaney led the meeting and after about 1 hour the President came in and the first thing he said as he looked at me was: “Anthony, you are really a famous guy. My good friend Lou Dobbs (see above) told me that you were the one of the smartest, knowledgeable and outstanding persons he knows. He then stayed for 20 minutes and asked most of his questions of me. I was surprised and very pleased and the Deputies were clearly stunned and impressed. When Trump finally left, he said: “Anthony, are we OK?” I said: “We are good”. He smiled and as he walked out of the room, he said “Thanks, again, Anthony. We are counting on you”. The arrival of the US passengers at March base was a total success. They arrived on a Kalitta Air Boeing 747.(NPR) The passenegers were extatic to be home. The real issue now is how do we get out the 200,000 US citizens who are in China if they want to leave. It will be a logistical challenge. Cases 7700 with 170 deaths Clips of HHS press conference showing on different TV networks; NPR “On Point”;