Trump administration live updates: Trump supports certain vaccines following Florida's decision to abolish mandates

 

On Friday, President Donald Trump executed executive orders in the Oval Office, one of which will change the name of the Department of Defense to the "Department of War."

At the same time, the repercussions from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s intense Senate hearing persist, during which he confronted senators regarding vaccines and changes at the CDC.

Trump hosted a gathering of supportive U.S. House members and several senators for dinner on Friday night to inaugurate the new Rose Garden patio—an event he described as a "reward" for the lawmakers' loyalty in securing crucial votes for his agenda.

"This is a special group, and it is true, there's not one person in this audience that I had a call to ask for help, that we needed your vote. You're unbelievable people," Trump remarked.

Trump referred to the newly renovated Rose Garden as the "Rose Garden Club," which he stated would serve as a "club for senators, for Congress people and for people in Washington."

The gathering on Friday night marked the inaugural event in the newly updated patio, as Trump's previously scheduled dinner with over two dozen technology and business leaders on Thursday had to be relocated indoors due to inclement weather.

In his speech, Trump indicated that he would be seeking funding from Congress to "beautify" Washington, D.C.

"We're going to fix the roads, we're going to fix the medians, we're going to clean up the place," Trump asserted.

He also celebrated the passage of his significant policy legislation from this summer in front of the attendees.

Since he achieved all his objectives in the bill, Trump stated, "We don’t really need any other votes" for this session.

"The bill is unbelievable," he declared. On Friday, President Trump was also asked to comment on Florida's surgeon general's decision to end vaccine mandates in the state, including for children.

"Well, I think we have to be very careful," Trump responded. "Look, you have some vaccines that are so amazing. The polio vaccine I happen to think is amazing. A lot of people think that COVID is amazing. You know, there are many people that believe strongly in that. But you have some vaccines that are so incredible, and I think you have to be very careful when you say that some people don't have to be vaccinated. It's a very tough position."