President Trump and the First Lady Welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla for State Visit Honoring 250 Years of Shared Heritage

Source: United States White House

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla at the White House this week for the first state visit by a British monarch in nearly two decades.

The state visit featured a historic arrival ceremony, substantive bilateral discussions, and a grand state dinner that highlighted the enduring cultural, historical, and strategic partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom.

In remarks at the arrival ceremony, President Trump reflected on the deep bonds uniting the two nations as America approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding:

  • “Honoring the British King might seem an ironic beginning to our celebration of 250 years of American independence — but in fact, no tribute could be more appropriate. Long before Americans had a nation or Constitution, we first had a culture, a character, and a creed. Before we ever proclaimed our independence, Americans carried within us the rarest of gifts — moral courage — and it came from a small but mighty kingdom from across the sea.” (Watch)
  • “For nearly two centuries before the Revolution, this land was settled and forged by men and women who bore in their souls the blood and noble spirit of the British. Here, on a wild and untamed continent, they set loose the ancient English love of liberty and Great Britain’s distinctive sense of glory, destiny, and pride… The American Patriots who pledged their lives to independence in 1776 were the heirs to this majestic inheritance. Their veins ran with Anglo-Saxon courage. Their hearts beat with an English faith in standing firm for what is right, good, and true.” (Watch)
  • “In recent years we have often heard it said that America is merely ‘an idea’ — but the cause of freedom did not simply appear as an intellectual invention of 1776. The American founding was the culmination of hundreds of years of thought, struggle, sweat, blood, and sacrifice on both sides of the Atlantic. Fate drew a long arc from the meadow at Runnymede to the streets of Philadelphia that ran through the lives of people born and bred on the British code that ‘no man should be denied either justice or right.’ American Patriots today can sing ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty’ only because our colonial ancestors first sang ‘God Save the King.’” (Watch)
  • “In the centuries since we’ve won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British. We share that same root, we speak the same language, we hold the same values, and together, our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilization under twin banners of red, white, and blue.” (Watch)
  • “Throughout His Majesty’s life, the world has witnessed that same thoughtfulness which first struck Britain’s greatest prime minister. His Majesty’s intellect, passion, and devotion have been a long — really, long a blessing… Not only to his own country, but to the cherished bond between the United States and the United Kingdom.” (Watch)
  • “If they could see us today, our ancestors would surely be filled with awe and pride that the Anglo-American revolution in human freedom was never, ever extinguished, but carried forward across centuries, across oceans, and across history until it became a fire that lit the entire world.” (Watch)

At the state dinner, President Trump toasted the unbreakable friendship between the two nations:

  • “We’re preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence… It’s only natural that Americans begin this commemoration by paying tribute to the transcendent bond we share with the nation that Thomas Jefferson himself called our ‘mother country.’” (Watch)
  • “The first Americans saw themselves as free men, carrying forward the ancestral liberties and ancient rights of the Anglo-Saxons into this new and beautiful world. In the eyes of America’s founders, our war for Independence was fought not to reject this heritage, but to reclaim it and perfect it. As the Founding Father George Mason wrote, ‘We claim nothing but the liberty and privileges of Englishmen in the same degree as if we had still continued among our brethren [in] Great Britain.’” (Watch)
  • “Today, most of Britain’s former colonies have no idea what they truly owe to this towering legacy of law, liberty, and British custom that they were given… Tonight, on the eve of our 250th year of cherished independence, we turn to the sovereign embodiment of our British heritage and say sincerely: thank you to our friends, the United Kingdom, for the richest inheritance that any nation has ever given to another. May our two countries stand together forever — for liberty, for justice, and for the glory of God.” (Watch)

During the dinner, His Majesty King Charles III presented President Trump with a personal gift:

  • “There was one particular AUKUS predecessor launched from a UK shipyard in 1944 that served for the majority of her life attached to the 4th Submarine Squadron in Australia playing a critical role during the war in the Pacific. Her name? HMS Trump. So tonight, Mr. President, I am delighted to present to you, as a personal gift, the original bell which hung on the conning tower of your valiant namesake. May it stand as a testimony to our nation’s shared history and shining future.” (Watch)

First Lady Melania Trump Releases Details on the State Dinner with His Majesty King Charles the III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her Majesty Queen Camilla

Source: United States White House

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will welcome Their Majesties King Charles the III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her Majesty Queen Camilla for a State Dinner this evening, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The First Lady led the preparations for the dinner, which will honor the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom as the American people mark 250 years of independence.

MENU

First Course
Garden Vegetable Velouté
Hearts of PalmToasted Shallots
Micro Mint

The first course offers delicate garden herb velouté, silken and aromatic, complemented by a refreshing hearts of palm salad. Finished with crisp toasted shallots and a whisper of micro mint for brightness and contrast.

Second Course
Spring Herbed Ravioli
Ricotta CheeseMorels
Parmesan Emulsion

The second course is made of a handcrafted spring herb ravioli, featuring herbs from the White House Kitchen Garden, generously filled with creamy ricotta, earthy morels, gently dressed in a light parmesan emulsion, which enhances the essence of the dish.

Third Course
Dover Sole Meunière
Potato PavéSpring Ramps
Snow Peas
Parsley Oil

The third course is made of a classic dover sole meunière, expertly prepared and bathed in a nutty brown butter. The fish is accompanied by tender spring ramps, sweet snow peas, layered potatoes pavé, and a vibrant parsley oil for a refined, seasonal finish.

Dessert
White House Honey & Vanilla Bean Crémeux
Flourless Chocolate GâteauAlmond Joconde
Crème Fraîche Ice Cream For dessert, guests will be served a sweet beehive shaped chocolate gâteau with a smooth vanilla bean crémeux custard, delicately set inside with an almond joconde. The refined, feather-light sponge joconde will provide the dessert a nutty taste, balanced with a brown butter crumble. The beehive will be complimented with crème fraîche ice cream and White House honey.

WINES

The following wines were selected to complement the menu while honoring the shared heritage and enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and celebrating the strength of American winemaking today.

  • Hopkins Riesling “Heritage” 2024, Hopkins Vineyards
  • The Penner-Ash Pinot Noir “Willamette Valley” 2022, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars
  • The Newton Chardonnay “Unfiltered” 2022, Newton Vineyard

ENTERTAINMENT

The evening’s entertainment will feature performances by the United States military musicians from the Marines, Army, and Air Force, including “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, The United States Army Chorus, The United States Army Strings, The United States Army Herald Trumpets, The United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, The United States Air Force Strings.

FLORAL & DÉCOR

The décor for the evening reflects a shared appreciation for gardens. Cherry blossoms greet guests upon entering the Grand Foyer. Inspired by the beauty of English gardens, towering trees and blossoming garden boxes of lilac enhance the splendor of the room. Tables, dressed in green pleated linens, are adorned with seasonal blooms of lilac, butterfly ranunculus, phlox, and lily of the valley, underscoring the beauty of spring. Lush garden greens are complemented by accents of gold and white. The tables are set with more than 250 pieces of vermeil from the White House collection, alongside hand-crafted ceramics by distinguished American artisans, including Ben Wolff. The Clinton Anniversary Service is presented alongside hand-painted menus, with courses served on both the Clinton and Bush china services. Rooted in traditions cherished on both sides of the Atlantic, these details reflect the long and enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom.

President Trump on 60 Minutes: “There Was Tremendous Camaraderie”

Source: United States White House

After a gunman stormed the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday evening, President Trump sat down for a powerful interview with 60 Minutes to praise the men and women of law enforcement, commend the unity that followed the attack, and refute the lies and hateful rhetoric that fuel political violence in the United States.

Here the top moments you may have missed:

  • On unity: “There was tremendous camaraderie… There was spirit in that room. I mean, it was like the whole country was together. It was pretty amazing. It made a big impression. It was very nice to see.”
  • On the ballroom: “I’m building a safe ballroom, and one of the reasons I’m building it is exactly what happened last night… and that ballroom’s being built on the safest piece of property in this country—probably one of the safest pieces of land in the world.”
  • On political violence: “It’s always been there… I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats, much more so, is very dangerous. I really think it’s very dangerous for the country.”
  • On the media peddling depraved lies: “I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would—because you’re horrible people… You read that crap from some sick person?… You should be ashamed of yourself, reading that — because I’m not any of those things.”
  • On the gunman: “I read a manifesto. He’s radicalized. He was a Christian—a believer—and then he became an anti-Christian, and he had a lot of change. He’s been going through a lot, based on what he wrote. His brother complained about him, and I think reported him to the police… he was probably a pretty sick guy.”
  • On law enforcement: “He was fast. When you look at it on tape, it’s almost like a blur—but it was amazing because as soon as they saw that, you could see them draw their guns. They were so professional.”
  • On the officer struck by gunfire: “I spoke to him. He had a bulletproof vest on… he’s 100%. He didn’t want to go to the hospital, he really didn’t.”
  • On consequential leadership: “When you’re a consequential president or if you have a consequential administration, things happen that wouldn’t happen if you’re Sleepy Joe Biden.”
  • On groups financing extremism: “Southern [Poverty Law Center] is financing the KKK and lots of other radical, terrible groups… Charlottesville was all funded by the Southern Law—that was a Southern Law deal, too, and it was done to make me look bad—and it turned out to be a total fake.”
  • On the importance of rescheduling the dinner: “I hope we’re going to do it again. Norah, tell them to get it going… it’s not that I want to go—I’m very busy, I don’t need that. I think it’s very important that they do it again.”

Click here to watch the full interview

Democrats’ Unhinged Rhetoric Incites Third Assassination Attempt on President Trump

Source: United States White House

This past weekend, another Radical Left lunatic attempted to assassinate President Donald J. Trump — the third such attack on President Trump in under two years.

The attack was not random; it was the predictable result of years of reckless, inflammatory, and escalating rhetoric from Democrats. By relentlessly smearing President Trump, his Administration, and tens of millions of Americans as “fascists,” “Nazis,” and “threats,” these sick Democrats have created a toxic environment that incites their supporters to violence again and again.

As Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, the manifesto of the would-be assassin reads like Democrat talking points — “indistinguishable from the words we hear daily from their party.”

The rhetoric has only escalated throughout President Trump’s second term:

  • Days before the latest assassination attempt, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declared Democrats “are in an era of maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time” against Republicans.
  • Sen. Chuck Schumer called on his supporters to “be forcefully rising up against” President Trump.
  • Gov. Josh Shapiro said “heads do need to roll” inside the Trump Administration.
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom urged supporters to “punch these sons of bitches in the mouth.”
  • Gov. Tim Walz declared his state is “at war with our federal government.”
  • Gov. JB Pritzker proclaimed that “Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,” urging his lunatic supporters to deploy “mobilization” and “disruption” against officials they don’t like.
  • Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman called to “eliminate the President of the United States from the office right now, and the rest of the sycophants in his Administration.”
  • Rep. Jasmine Crockett threatened Republicans: “We are gonna be in your face; we are gonna be on your asses.”
  • Sen. Chris Van Hollen demanded Democrats “fight this in the streets.”
  • Rep. Dan Goldman claimed President Trump was attempting to “take over this country as a fascist dictator.”
  • Rep. Delia Ramirez labeled the Trump Administration as a “fascist regime.”
  • Rep. Ayanna Pressley called President Trump “a fascist.”
  • Rep. John Larson accused the Trump Administration of deploying “the SS” and “the Gestapo” across America.
  • Sen. Alex Padilla claimed people were “dying because of fear and terror” caused by the Trump Administration.
  • Sen. Elizabeth Warren stated President Trump was turning the country into a “fascist state.”
  • Sen. Jeff Merkley likened President Trump to a dictator.
  • Sen. Adam Schiff accused President Trump of using a “dictator playbook.”
  • Sen. Ed Markey called President Trump a “dictator” and “authoritarianism on steroids.”

That’s only a fraction of the sick rhetoric from Democrats in recent months.

For over a decade, Democrats have mainstreamed the language of violence and insurrection — then feign shock when their unhinged supporters act on it.

Enough is enough. As President Trump said, Americans must “recommit with their hearts in resolving our differences peacefully.”

CEQ Opens Permitting Innovators Call for Solutions to Industry Partners

Source: United States White House

class=”has-text-align-center”>Innovators will provide solutions to modernize Federal permitting.

The Council on Environmental Quality, in collaboration with NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, today opened its Permitting Innovators Call for Solutions—inviting technology companies, startups, researchers, and non-profits to help modernize federal permitting for the 21st century. The Call for Solutions is now open through June 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET.

“America’s innovators have solutions to improve how Federal agencies manage environmental reviews and permitting — and this program gives them a direct path to put those solutions to work,” said Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Katherine Scarlett. “The Trump Administration is about results: faster reviews, smarter systems, and a government that works as well as the technology available to it. We are proud to launch the Permitting Innovators program and look forward to seeing what industry delivers.”

Strengthening the systems that shape economic growth and national security

Federal permitting affects every American — from the construction of roads and bridges to energy infrastructure, data centers, and national security installations. The Trump Administration has taken decisive action to reform and expedite federal permitting, eliminating unnecessary delays that stall economic growth and national security projects across the Nation.

While agencies already use technology for environmental review and permitting, many systems remain fragmented, outdated, and highly manual.

Modernizing these processes can accelerate critical projects and help agencies focus environmental analyses on the issues of greatest importance. Existing technology solutions will help agencies work more efficiently and better serve the American people.

Connecting federal decision-makers with high-potential solutions

The Council on Environmental Quality invites innovators to share tech solutions that will accelerate and modernize federal environmental review and permitting. Priority areas for innovation include business process modernization, workflow automation, digital-first documents, and tools that support timeline predictability.

A panel of experts will evaluate submissions using the program’s evaluation criteria. Up to 50 solutions with the highest scores will be invited to the Permitting Innovators Expo in July 2026 in Washington, D.C. There, participants will demonstrate their solutions to federal agency leaders and lay the groundwork for potential partnerships with key agencies.

Qualified solutions will also be featured in the Permitting Innovators Solutions Catalog, a curated resource to help agencies assess vetted solutions as they implement the Permitting Technology Action Plan.

Join the May 14 informational webinar

CEQ’s Permitting Innovation Center, in partnership with Luminary Labs, will host an informational webinar on May 14, 2026, covering the program timeline, submission process, and Expo details.

Visit permittinginnovators.com to register for the webinar and learn more about the program.

Presidential Message: Birthday of President Ulysses S. Grant

Source: United States White House

Today, our Nation marks the birthday of President Ulysses S. Grant—the fearless general who carried the Union to victory in the Civil War.  As our 18th President, he lifted a wounded Republic out of the shadow of conflict and called its people to unity once more.

Born on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio, Ulysses S. Grant was the son of a hardworking leather tanner and a devoted mother, raised in a Christian family.  At 17, he entered the United States Military Academy, where, as a cadet, he distinguished himself as the finest horseman in his class before earning his commission in the United States Army.

During the Mexican-American War, Lieutenant Grant fought with the 4th Infantry Regiment in nearly every major engagement of the campaign.  He later returned to service at the outbreak of the Civil War, securing decisive victories from Fort Donelson to Vicksburg, before President Abraham Lincoln elevated him to lieutenant general in command of all the armies of the United States.  At Appomattox Court House in April 1865, the tenacity that earned him the name “Unconditional Surrender Grant” brought the conflict to its end, as he accepted the surrender of General Robert E. Lee and brought four terrible years of civil war to a close.  It was Grant’s relentless resolve that secured the Union’s triumph—an unyielding commander who overcame every obstacle through sheer force of will and inspired unwavering loyalty in his army.

Elected President in a landslide victory in 1868, Grant devoted two historic terms to healing the Nation’s wounds and rebuilding the American Republic from the ashes of war.  He championed ratification of the 15th Amendment, established the Department of Justice to enforce the rule of law, made Yellowstone our first national park, guided the great westward expansion of our people by adding Colorado to the Union, and worked tirelessly to restore the strength of our economy and the unity of our citizens after years of bitter strife.

The story of Ulysses S. Grant is the story of America itself—forged in fire, built with grit, and destined for greatness.  Through every triumph and tribulation, nothing could stop Grant or the promise of our Republic.  As President during our Nation’s Centennial, Grant led a country that, in just 100 years, had built, innovated, and destroyed itself, only to reemerge as the rising force in the world.  Today, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of our Republic and stand as the greatest Nation in the world, we carry forward the principles to which Grant gave his life’s work.  My Administration is restoring order in our streets, defending the rule of law in our national institutions, strengthening our military, and uniting our great country once more beneath the banner of strength, faith, and freedom that Grant himself bore so bravely throughout his life.

On what would have been his 204th birthday, we honor the life of President Ulysses S. Grant, whose courage and leadership forged a stronger Union and whose tremendous legacy still lights the way for a strong, free, and fearless America.

Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate

Source: United States White House

class=”has-text-align-left”>NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

David Brat, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of Australia.

Hal Duncan, of Texas, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Sean Kaufman, of Georgia, to be Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services.

Jeffrey Ledbetter, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development.

George McMaster, of South Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

Richard O’Malley, of Wisconsin, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs).

Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring September 20, 2026.

Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring September 20, 2032.  (Reappointment)

Abby Warren, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

Benjamin M. Flowers, of Ohio, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.

Matthew A. Schwartz, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.

WITHDRAWALS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Daniel Bonham, of Oregon, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor, which was sent to the Senate on January 13, 2026.

Carter Crow, of Texas, to be General Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term of four years, which was sent to the Senate on January 13, 2026.

Sean Plankey, of Pennsylvania, to be Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, which was sent to the Senate on January 13, 2026.

Scott Socha, of New York, to be Director of the National Park Service, which was sent to the Senate on February 11, 2026.

Presidential Message on National Apprenticeship Week

Source: United States White House

Our Nation’s strength depends on the talent and determination of our skilled workers who build, create, and innovate each and every day.  This National Apprenticeship Week, my Administration recommits to advancing apprenticeship opportunities that empower young Americans in skilled trades, unleash the full might and potential of America’s workforce, and contribute to our enduring prosperity.

Apprentices represent the next generation of our unstoppable workforce, and my Administration remains committed to strengthening our economy and driving policies that put them first.  To shield American manufacturing from unfair foreign competition and bring jobs back to our shores, we are imposing robust tariffs that are leveling the playing field for America’s workers, securing trade deals that are bringing hundreds of billions of dollars into our country, cutting taxes to let workers and businesses thrive, and slashing costs and regulations so American industry can grow faster than ever before. 

Last year, I was proud to sign an Executive Order to modernize our workforce programs, including expanding apprenticeships to new industries while creating a plan to exceed more than one million new active Registered Apprenticeships.  I am also committed to ensuring that apprenticeship opportunities reflect advancements in technology.  For this reason, I ordered the Department of Labor to increase participation in artificial intelligence and nuclear energy Registered Apprenticeship programs—keeping our Nation at the forefront of innovation and ingenuity.

By bolstering apprenticeship opportunities, we are preparing American workers with the skills they need to succeed in industries vital to our economic success, including in construction, manufacturing, energy, and emerging technological fields.  We are increasing access to stable, high-paying jobs, boosting wages, and providing Americans with alternate pathways to pursue successful careers beyond a traditional college degree.  In the last year alone, 300,000 Americans started apprenticeships, building a stronger workforce that is ready to meet the tremendous surge of industry and innovation ahead.

This National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate the value of apprenticeships and the hardworking Americans—not illegal immigrants—who are building the future of this country with their own hands.  My Administration remains steadfast in our resolve to build a future defined by opportunity, innovation, and strength—where every citizen has the tools to succeed and our workforce remains the strongest and brightest in the world.  

Presidential Message on Arbor Day

Source: United States White House

Arbor Day is a celebration dedicated to the planting of trees.  It was first observed on April 10, 1872, when Nebraskan settlers planted an estimated one million trees to populate the barren plains and provide shade, fuel, and building materials for the pioneers.  The founder of Arbor Day, J. Sterling Morton, proclaimed, “Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”  On this day, we reaffirm that trees are indispensable to life on Earth and essential to the stewardship and preservation of our planet.

From coast to coast and sea to shining sea, our land is blessed with an abundant variety of forests, parks, wilderness, and woodlands, which are vital to our economy and environment.  Trees sustain our ecosystem with clean air and water and provide lumber for construction, energy, and manufacturing.  They provide shelter and shade, places for recreation, and a habitat for wildlife.  Trees are one of our greatest natural resources, and my Administration will continue to prioritize our plentiful timber resources and invest in responsible land management to preserve the industries fundamental to our economy as well as the blessings and beauty of God’s creation. 

Today, on the 154th commemoration of Arbor Day, my Administration proudly planted two American chestnut trees in front of the White House.  Melania joins me in encouraging Americans of all ages to do the same and plant a tree in their own neighborhood or community. This simple act is an opportunity to give an enduring gift of hope and optimism to our planet.  Just as our glorious Nation continues to thrive in strength, beauty, affluence, and purpose, the saplings planted today will grow, prosper, and contribute to our way of life for generations to come.   

Presidential Message on Armenian Remembrance Day

Source: United States White House

Today, we pay tribute to the countless Armenians who were exiled and brutally massacred during the Meds Yeghern.  We stand in steadfast solidarity with every Armenian American and Armenians around the world during this day of remembrance for the devastating events that occurred over 100 years ago, which continue to live in the collective memories of these communities today.

This solemn chapter in human history will forever stand as a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the Armenian people and the hope at the center of Christianity.  We honor the profound strength and resolve displayed by the Armenians in overcoming the tremendous tragedies of the past and forging a greater future that is defined by enduring prosperity, security, and peace.  We commit to standing with them.

Together, the United States and Armenia will continue our work toward building a more secure and prosperous world.  My Administration is strengthening our strategic partnership by delivering significant opportunities for the Armenian people and promoting lasting stability across the South Caucasus region.  And now, Americans and Armenians stand side by side on the historic Board of Peace, united in our purpose to usher in a new era of peace through strength.

This Armenian Remembrance Day, as we mourn the innocent souls who perished during the tragedy of the Meds Yeghern, we renew our sacred calling to protect the innocent, advance the cause for peace among all people, and cultivate a deep reverence for Almighty God, who sustains us through every trial and triumph.