US President Donald Trump signs an executive order on Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy after signing it in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC, April 28, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)
President Donald J. Trump announced Thursday he will travel to Israel, Saudi Arabia and Rome, specifically the Vatican later this month on his first foreign trip. The trip begins on May 19 ahead of a NATO Summit in Brussels and G7 Summit in Sicily. He will travel to Riyadh and Jerusalem before meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
The President announced his trip during an event to mark the National Day of Prayer in the Rose Garden. He signed an executive order that instructs the Treasury Department not to enforce aspects to the Johnson Amendment, which was enacted into law in 1954.
It is named after then-Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson who was faced with what could be a reelection defeat in Texas at the hands of a conservative faith-based candidate. It bans churches and non-profit organizations from engaging in political activity.
If they do not comply, they lose their tax-exempt status that enables them to organize and operate.
Officials said part of President Trump’s goal is to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and gather support for his fight against Islamic extremism. During his remarks, he called Saudi Arabia “the custodian of the two holiest sites in Islam.”
“We will begin to construct a new foundation of cooperation and support with our Muslim allies to combat” terrorism, Trump said.
The announcement follows Trump’s meeting on Wednesday with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who said, “With you, Mr. President, we have hope” for peace. Trump also met with Catholic cardinals earlier Thursday ahead of his trip to the Vatican.
The White House has also said that President Trump would travel to Belgium and Italy for the G7 summit before Memorial Day.
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