Hurricane Harvey's multibillion-dollar damage is already setting Donald Trump's plans for his border wall adrift, a political outcome that could help him save face even if it angers his anti-immigration base. On Friday Trump sent lawmakers a $7.9 billion request for an initial down payment for Harvey relief and recovery efforts. U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a briefing on Harvey relief efforts on Tuesday in Corpus Christi. If Congress prioritizes billions for a relief package, giving Trump cover to suspend demands for a border wall, 'then the storm would have saved his presidency,' says historian Scott Knowles. Trump pledges $1 million of his own moneyAt a time when Trump wants to fund a border wall, Trenberth says cuts to weather-research budgets amount to a "penny wise, pound foolish" approach.

Source: CBC News September 02, 2017 09:12 UTC