White House 1600 Daily: A milestone this morning in Jerusalem
Earlier this morning
The United States officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem, Israel—a move that fulfills one of President Donald J. Trump’s signature campaign promises. The Administration has also formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Watch the President’s message.
A milestone this morning in Jerusalem
Around 9 a.m. ET, the U.S. opened its new embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. “When I came into office, I promised to look at the world’s challenges with open eyes and very fresh thinking,” President Trump said when announcing the move in December. “We cannot solve our problems by making the same failed assumptions.”
The move honors a bipartisan wish dating more than two decades. Every President since Bill Clinton has expressed support for the idea of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Last year, the Senate unanimously reaffirmed a 1995 law calling for the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv to be relocated to the holy city.
The Administration continues to work toward a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is a necessary condition for such a deal. The President also supports preserving the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites.
President Trump keeps his promise to open the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel.Watch: This morning’s dedication ceremony
The game plan to lower drug prices
Drug prices are being driven up unfairly, taking a toll on the American people. Foreign freeloading and a system rigged to reward list price increases contribute to the United States having the highest per-capital pharmaceutical spending in the developed world. Other countries take advantage of socialized healthcare to command unfairly low prices from U.S. drug makers at a cost to Americans.
President Trump’s blueprint aims to boost competition, address free-riding by other countries, and reform Federal programs. For example, under the President’s watch, the Department of Health and Human Services will take steps to end the gaming of regulatory and patent processes, as well as accelerate the approval process for over-the-counter drugs.
See President Trump’s blueprint to lower drug prices and address freeloading. Watch: Highlights from the President’s remarks at the White House