Trump locks in future of Michigan air base with new fighter jet announcement
HARRISON TOWNSHIP Mich AP Republican President Donald Trump landed in Michigan on Tuesday and shared a hug with a longtime antagonist Democratic Gov Gretchen Whitmer as they appeared together to announce a new fighter jet mission being placed at an Air National Guard base outside Detroit and ease fears that the installation could close Trump delivered the news at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County shortly after arriving in Michigan for an evening rally marking his th day in office He was joined by Whitmer who has softened her stance toward Trump in hopes of finding common ground with securing a new mission for the base a top priority For decades Trump disclosed the base has stood as a crucial pillar of North American air defense In modern years various in Michigan have feared for the future of the base They ve been calling everybody but the only one that mattered is Trump he announced Currently I have come in person to lay to rest any doubt about Selfridge s future After Trump and Whitmer hugged upon the president disembarking Air Force One she climbed in his motorcade to ride to the base During his remarks Trump stated the governor has been very effective in advocating for the base State representatives had been pushing for years to replace the base s aging fleet of A- aircraft which are set to be retired to help ensure Selfridge remains in operation Trump had suggested that new fighter jets could secure Selfridge s future including the likes of F- s or F- s Located miles north of Detroit the base generates an estimated million in statewide economic impact and supports about military and civilian personnel according to the office of Sen Gary Peters D-Mich For years Whitmer has pressed multiple administrations including Trump s first term and former Democratic President Joe Biden s to secure a new mission for the base calling it a key defense hub and economic anchor The Air Force revealed in that Selfridge had lost out on a bid for F- A Lightning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled separately from the president to Selfrdige for the announcement But military implications aside Trump s announcement handed Whitmer a achievement though it remains to be seen what political price she may have paid to secure it The governor has been frequently mentioned as a expected presidential candidate As she works to raise her profile nationally Whitmer has vowed to find common ground with Trump where she can But specific Democrats view the president and his administration as so harmful that they d rather see the party oppose Trump and his gang whenever achievable Earlier this month Whitmer traveled to Washington to meet with Trump to discuss Selfridge and other issues affecting Michigan including the steep tariffs Trump has imposed on Canada and other U S trading partners The governor mentioned she was unexpectedly ushered into the Oval Office where she stood awkwardly as the Republican president signed executive orders and assailed his political opponents during a photo opportunity At one point a photo captured Whitmer trying to hide her face from the cameras by holding up a folder Trump had informed Whitmer during her visit that he hoped to keep the base open strong thriving It s a great piece of property It s a great location and it s a great state Trump stated So I think we re going to come back with a very good answer He followed through on that Tuesday at a time when Michigan has seen its unemployment rate rise for three consecutive months including a jump in March reaching according to state evidence That fare exceeds the national average Weissert released from Warren Michigan Source
