Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity

On May 11, 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. Vice President Mike Pence chairs the Commission, and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach serves as the vice chair.

Any member of the public wishing to submit written comments for the Commission’s consideration may do so via email at ElectionIntegrityStaff@ovp.eop.gov. Please note that the Commission may post such written comments publicly on our website, including names and contact information that are submitted.

Please check back regularly for further updates regarding the Commission and its future meetings and agendas.

Statements & Releases

May 2017

• President Announces Formation of Bipartisan Presidential Commission on Election Integrity (5/11/2017)

June 2017

• Readout of the Vice President’s Call with the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity (6/28/2017)

July 2017

• Statement from Kris Kobach, Kansas Secretary of State and Vice Chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity (7/05/2017)

Commission Members

• Vice President Mike Pence, Chair
• Kris Kobach, Secretary of State of Kansas, Vice-Chair
• Connie Lawson, Secretary of State of Indiana
• Bill Gardner, Secretary of State of New Hampshire
• Matthew Dunlap, Secretary of State of Maine
• Ken Blackwell, Former Secretary of State of Ohio
• Christy McCormick, Commissioner, Election Assistance Commission
• David Dunn, Former Arkansas State Representative
• Mark Rhodes, Clerk of Wood County, West Virginia
• Hans von Spakovsky, Senior Legal Fellow and Manager of Election Law Reform Initiative, Edwin Meese Center for Legal & Judicial Studies, The Heritage Foundation
• J. Christian Adams, President and General Counsel, Public Interest Legal Foundation
• Alan King, Probate Judge, Jefferson County, Alabama

Meetings

July 19, 2017 - First Meeting of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity

The first meeting of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. The meeting will be held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Room 350, located at 1650 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20502. It will be open to the public through livestreaming on https://www.whitehouse.gov/live.

This meeting will consist of a ceremonial swearing in of Commission members, introductions and statements from members, a discussion of the Commission's charge and objectives, possible comments or presentations from invited experts, and a discussion of next steps and related matters.

Meeting Documents

• Federal Register Notice – Meeting Announcement
• Meeting Agenda
• Meeting Materials

Any member of the public wishing to submit written comments for the Commission’s consideration may do so via email at ElectionIntegrityStaff@ovp.eop.gov. Please note that the Commission may post such written comments publicly on our website, including names and contact information that are submitted.

Please check back soon for further updates regarding the Commission and its future meetings and agendas.

Mission

Pursuant to Executive Order 13799, the Commission shall, consistent with applicable law, study the registration and voting processes used in Federal elections. The Commission shall be solely advisory and shall submit a report to the President that identifies the following:

(a) those laws, rules, policies, activities, strategies, and practices that enhance the American people's confidence in the integrity of the voting processes used in Federal elections;

(b) those laws, rules, policies, activities, strategies, and practices that undermine the American people's confidence in the integrity of the voting processes used in Federal elections; and

(c) those vulnerabilities in voting systems and practices used for Federal elections that could lead to improper voter registrations and improper voting, including fraudulent voter registrations and fraudulent voting.

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The G20 Summit: Day One

On Friday morning, President Donald J. Trump arrived at Hamburg Messe and joined world leaders for the first day of the G20 Summit. The participating leaders started the day by attending a G20 Summit Retreat and Working Lunch.

President Trump met privately with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico. The two leaders discussed regional challenges, including drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and the crisis in Venezuela. President Trump thanked President Peña Nieto for Mexico’s partnership on the Central America Conference last month, and emphasized the importance of renegotiating NAFTA to benefit workers in both the United States and Mexico.

Later in the day, President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and exchanged views on the current and future nature of US-Russia relations. They discussed a range of topics, including Syria, where they reached a de-escalation agreement that will help defeat ISIS and stabilize the current situation.

In addition to his meetings with President Putin and President Peña Nieto, President Trump participated in two highly productive working sessions, one on trade, and another on the environment and economy.

After a productive day, President Trump joined the rest of the leaders in attending the G20 Summit Concert and Social Dinner.

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President Trump’s Nominations Face Needless Obstruction

Senate Democrats have decided to obstruct President Donald J. Trump’s Administration, and the American people, by refusing to confirm qualified nominations. In an effort to prevent the President from following through on the policies for which the American people voted, Senate Democrats are putting his nominations through time-consuming parliamentary procedures not seen by the previous Administration.

Unprecedented obstruction by Senate Democrats: https://t.co/lYbExDNaOx pic.twitter.com/Uhbwv8lUhb

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 10, 2017

In a pursuit to obstruct the will of the American people and the President’s agenda, Senate Democrats have delayed crucial appointments made by President Trump. The blatant obstruction of President Trump’s nominations threatens key aspects of the Government, including national security, by leaving positions vacant.

Less than a month away from the August recess, the Senate has confirmed only 23% of @POTUS' 216 nominations: https://t.co/3iMl6nQDsB pic.twitter.com/1Y16q9UAjS

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 10, 2017

Senate Democrats have shown they are willing to break irresponsibly with tradition that allows a President to choose his own appointees in a timely fashion. President Trump has nominated qualified individuals to key positions, but their confirmations have been delayed by obstructionism in the Senate.

 

.@POTUS' Nominations Face Needless Obstruction: https://t.co/yODsyYuDzs pic.twitter.com/Mfyu13gNVl

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 10, 2017

This attempt by Senate Democrats to hamstring President Trump’s agenda is most negatively affecting the American people. It is time to shift the focus back to the public, and allow the President’s vision for a better America to stand without hindrance from obstructionists.

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President Trump in Poland

On Wednesday, President Donald J. Trump began his second trip abroad by traveling to Warsaw, Poland for bilateral meetings and to deliver an address to the people of Poland. President Trump also spoke about energy security with European leaders attending the Three Seas Initiative Summit.

President Trump met first with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. The two affirmed the enduring friendship and alliance between Poland and the United States, as demonstrated by the close partnership and cooperation between our two countries in many different spheres, particularly within NATO on security issues.

President Trump and President Duda then held a joint press conference in the Royal Castle Courtyard. President Trump thanked the Polish people and President Duda for the warm welcome he received in Warsaw. The President praised the vital military relationship between the United States and Poland and applauded Poland for meeting NATO spending benchmarks. President Trump also congratulated President Duda for Poland's recent election to the U.N. Security Council beginning in January and highlighted the importance of healthy economic relations between the two countries.

"Our strong alliance with Poland and NATO remains critical to deterring conflict and ensuring that war between great powers never again ravages Europe, and that the world will be a safer and better place. America is committed to maintaining peace and security in Central and Eastern Europe," President Trump emphasized.

The President then joined European Heads of State attending the Three Seas Initiative Summit, where he expressed the United States' support of the Three Seas Business Council, an effort to boost the initiative's ability to better connect and thereby transform the region. He expressed hope that the summit would open a new energy frontier, improving countless lives across the region and throughout the world

"With the expanded trade and new infrastructure, we will unleash incredible energy innovation that is safe, responsible, and environmentally friendly. The United States supports a commonsense approach to protecting natural resources -- one that responsibly balances economic growth, job creation, and energy security," President Trump said.

The President also emphasized the importance of diversifying energy sources, supplies, and routes to ensuring Europe’s energy security. Noting that the United States can contribute to this diversification, President Trump noted that the United States will never use its energy to coerce and will work to keep others from doing so as well.

President Trump also met with President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic of Croatia to discuss issues of mutual interest and ways to deepen already strong United States-Croatia relations. President Trump welcomed Croatia's efforts to promote energy security and diversification, and expressed support for timely completion of the Krk Island liquefied natural gas facility.

After his meeting with the President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, President Trump gave remarks to the people of Poland in Krasiński Square. He welcomed stronger ties of trade and commerce with the growing Polish economy, hailed the rich people-to-people ties between our Nations, reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Article 5, and called for a strong and united Europe, which, together with the United States, forms the greatest "community of nations" the world has ever known.

"Our two countries share a special bond forged by unique histories and national characters. It's a fellowship that exists only among people who have fought and bled and died for freedom."

President Trump then departed Poland for Hamburg, Germany, where he will attend the G20 summit.

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President Trump Hosts Chibok Schoolgirls at the White House

On the night of April 14, 2014, Boko Haram terrorists attacked the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Nigeria. They broke in disguised as guards, and forced the girls to leave the school and come with them. According to several reports, the terrorists kidnapped between 200 and 300 girls. Tragically, it is widely believed that Boko Haram sold many of the girls into human trafficking rings across Africa.

But approximately 50 of the girls have escaped, including Joy Bishara and Lydia Pogu, who visited President Donald J. Trump, and his daughter, Ivanka Trump, at the White House last Tuesday. The girls are recent graduates of Canyonville Christian Academy in Oregon, and they were accompanied by the school President, Doug Wead.

The President and Ivanka were both deeply moved by the girls’ visit.

Combatting human trafficking is one of the Trump Administration’s top priorities.

This week, the U.S. State Department released its annual Trafficking in Persons Report, the government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. It is also the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts and reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue.

This year’s report estimates that there are a stunning 20 million victims of human trafficking around the world.

“As we mark the release of this year’s report, let us remember the victims saved from the unimaginable horrors of human trafficking,” Ivanka Trump said during recent remarks at the State Department. “Let us recommit ourselves to finding those still in the shadows of exploitation, and let us celebrate the heroes who continue to shine a light on the darkness of human trafficking.”

In the wake of the report, the two Chibok schoolgirls’ visit to the White House was a reminder that the survivors of the scourge of human trafficking are heroes whose courage can inspire us all.

During their visit, Joy and Lyida read the President a letter about their experience. An excerpt of the letter is below.

“Mr. President, we urge you to keep America safe and strong.

We know that some people are trying to discourage you.

Do not be discouraged. You are right to keep American safe and strong.

Not only for America. But for the world.

If American is not safe and strong, where can people like us look for hope, when there is danger?

Finally, we urge you to keep making America prosperous.”

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President Trump Issues Executive Order to Reinstate the National Space Council

On Friday, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order to reinstate the National Space Council.

President George H.W. Bush created the National Space Council in 1989, but it was disbanded in 1993. The Executive Order will reinvigorate America’s role as a leader in space, strengthen America’s economy, and advance the security of the American people.

Vice President Mike Pence introduced the President before the signing of the Executive Order. As the Chairman of the National Space Council, the Vice President will play an indispensable role in crafting America’s space policy.

The Vice President said that he was honored and enthusiastic to act as Chairman of the Council. He stated that the Administration’s commitment to space exploration will “strengthen the American spirit” and inspire the American people to “blaze new trails into the unknown”.

Watch President Trump and Vice President Pence’s remarks below.

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President Trump Welcomes President Moon to the White House

This week, President Donald J. Trump hosted President Moon of South Korea at the White House.

At their dinner on Thursday evening, President Trump congratulated President Moon on his electoral victory and thanked him for coming to the White House. Early Friday morning, Vice President Pence and President Moon laid a wreath at the Korean War Memorial to commemorate the American and Korean Veterans who lost their lives to preserve freedom in the Korean Peninsula. Later that morning, President Trump and President Moon met privately in the Oval Office. Afterwards, President Trump led an expanded bilateral meeting in the Cabinet room.

President Trump and President Moon issued joint statements after the meetings, reaffirming the strong ties between America and South Korea.

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