PRIORITIES

Trump Heading to Mar-a-Lago Gala as Government Shutdown Looms

Marking first year in office with pricey celebration as lawmakers try to keep gov’t going.

President Trump is scheduled to depart the White House amid a looming government shutdown on Friday for a lavish gala marking his first year in office at his Mar-a-Lago resort. The White House released an itinerary late Thursday showing Trump and wife Melania would leave Washington, D.C., at about 4 p.m. Friday—just hours before government funding runs out if the Senate doesn’t pass a stopgap funding bill that’s already facing opposition. While lawmakers rush to beat the clock, the president will be preparing for his gala Saturday, where tickets starting at $100,000 a pair will buy guests dinner and a photograph with him, Bloomberg News reports. Democratic lawmakers were quick to slam Trump for leaving town amid a crisis. “Trump going to Mar-a-Lago while government shutdown looms is most irresponsible, self-absorbed, dereliction of duty ever by a President,” Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) tweeted. Matt House, the communications director for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), questioned why Trump is leaving town when lawmakers are waiting on him “to articulate what he’s for” so they can finalize a bipartisan deal.