Washington news in brief
2 of state’s sheriffs visit White House
WASHINGTON — Boone County Sheriff Mike Moore and Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson were at the White House on Wednesday, standing behind President Donald Trump as he was presented with a plaque.
They were two of the 44 lawmen on hand for the event, the White House said.
“There’s a new Sheriff in town,” the award stated. It featured a badge and thanked Trump for supporting sheriffs’ efforts to uphold the law.
It was an interesting time to stop by Pennsylvania Avenue.
The New York Times had just published an editorial piece describing the president’s leadership style as “impetuous, adversarial, petty and ineffective.”
The anonymous author, the paper said, is a “senior official in the Trump administration.”
During the photo opportunity, Trump denounced the Times for publishing what he called a “gutless editorial.”
The original purpose of the trip to Washington was to lobby for passage of immigration legislation, Moore said.
But the White House invitation arrived and the sheriffs were glad to go.
“It was my first time in the White House and very interesting and kind of an honor to be there,” Moore said.
The sheriffs also went to Capitol Hill where they met with lawmakers.
“For years now, we’ve been asking for Congress to take some action to secure our border. And for years now there’s not been a lot done. There’s been some done, but the chasm between the two parties has really limited a lot of progress on securing our border,” he said.
Moore says whatever proposal is adopted shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all.
There’s a difference between drug traffickers, people crossing the border in search of work and refugees who are fleeing violence, he noted.
“Although they’re all illegal, I think … a transnational drug organization should be responded to in one way and a mother and two or three children who are seeking safety should probably be treated another way,” he added.
Arkansan on Trump team is promoted
An Arkansan on the White House staff is getting a promotion.
Judson P. “Judd” Deere, who had served as White House director of state communications, is now special assistant to the president and director of media affairs.
Deere, a Benton native, is a graduate of Lyon College in Batesville.
Before joining the administration of President Donald Trump, he worked as a field director for the Republican Party of Arkansas during the 2010 elections and was a staff member for U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.
As deputy campaign manager and communications director, he helped Tim Griffin win his 2014 race for lieutenant governor. He also served three years as spokesman for Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.
In his new post, Deere will handle regional communications, helping to spread the president’s message.
In an email, Deere said he was “humbled” to get the nod.
“Serving the President and the American people is a true honor. President Trump is doing incredible work, and it’s a privilege for me to help communicate these things at the regional, state, and local level where I believe the majority of Americans get their news,” he said.
In his previous job, Deere worked primarily with state and local elected officials.
In a text, Griffin praised Deere’s “hard work and dedication to service.”
“President Trump and the nation will continue to benefit from Judd’s commitment to excellence and his experience, especially in this new position of greater responsibility,” he added.
Rutledge also welcomed the news.
“Judd has been an exceptional resource for the White House and the entire administration over the last year,” she said in a written statement. “Arkansans like Judd have helped elevate the State to a level of national recognition through hard work and bringing an understanding of why Americans outside the beltway, particularly those in rural America, support President Trump. I could not be more proud of Judd and look forward to continue working with him in this new capacity.”
Hill recalls McCain as ‘a good friend’
U.S. Rep. French Hill paid tribute to the late U.S. Sen. John McCain on Thursday evening on the floor of the House of Representatives.
The Republican from Little Rock called McCain “a good friend” and “a loyal member of the House of Representatives and the Senate.”
The Republican from Arizona, who died Aug. 25 at age 81, served two terms in the House before his election to the Senate in 1986.
Years ago, Hill served as a legislative assistant to then-U.S. Sen. John Tower, R-Texas, who campaigned for McCain in Arizona and who was defended by McCain as his nomination for secretary of defense foundered.
“You couldn’t work for John Tower and not be a friend of John McCain,” Hill noted.
During his speech, Hill praised McCain’s “service to this country and his undenied patriot leadership and strength.” Planning to visit the nation’s capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Please contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or flockwood@arkansasonline.com. Want the latest from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Washington bureau? It’s available on Twitter, @LockwoodFrank.