This story has been updated throughout as plans for and reactions to the president's visit are announced.
President Donald Trump plans to visit Springfield next Wednesday to deliver a speech on tax policy reform.
The story was first reported by Bloomberg, citing an administration official familiar with the plans. Other outlets have since cited sources within the White House and state Republican officials in confirming the report’s accuracy.
Lisa Cox, spokesperson with the Springfield Police Department, said in an email to KSMU it "has been contacted about President Trump visiting Springfield sometime on Wednesday, Aug. 30." No other details were immediately available.
56 percent of Missouri voted for Trump, a Republican, in last November’s general election. It’s the home to Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, who faces a tough 2018 re-election bid.
In a statement, Sen. McCaskill noted optimism in working with Trump on reforming and simplifying the tax code.
“I’ve talked in a lot of my town halls about my support for simplifying the tax code by cleaning out loopholes and goodies for special interests, and lowering the corporate tax rate—as long as we’re doing it all through the lens of strengthening Missouri’s working families. So I welcome President Trump to Missouri, and I’m looking forward to working with him to make bipartisan tax reform a reality.”
Missouri's Republican senator, Roy Blunt, stated he's glad "President Trump will be in my hometown of Springfield to highlight the economic benefits that tax reductions and other pro-growth policies will have for Missouri families, farmers, and small businesses. The president and the Senate have taken important steps to roll back burdensome regulations and create a stronger foundation for economic growth. I look forward to continuing that effort by pursuing changes in our tax code that will increase U.S. competitiveness, boost wages, and expand opportunity for Americans.”
Trump’s visit would come less than two weeks after State Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a Democrat from University City, commented on Facebook how she hoped President Trump would be assassinated. She later apologized, and has so far refused bipartisan calls for her resignation. Some officials are exploring options to have her removed from the Senate, which would require a two-thirds vote of the chamber.
Todd Graves, Missouri Republican Party chairman, said in a statement the party is pleased to welcome President Trump to Springfield.
“Missourians know that the President is deeply committed to our success — that’s why we elected him by a more than 19 point margin. With unemployment at a 16-year low, record stock market highs and economic enthusiasm on the rise, we know the President is keeping his promises," said Graves. "This visit shows that the President is just as engaged as ever and is a direct message of continued dedication to the heartland. Our party is committed to the President, and we look forward to his continued progress in Missouri and across the nation.”
Meanwhile, a statement from Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber read, "Trump's staff may have finally gotten him away from his luxury golf resorts under the guise of talking taxes, but anything less than a pledge to not cut Medicaid and social security or a full condemnation of neo-Nazis will do nothing to reverse his disastrous Presidency."
Earlier this week, Trump held a rally in Phoenix. There, he defended his comments after the violence in Charlottesville, spoke of terminating NAFTA, and again asked Senate Republicans to end the filibuster rule that requires 60 affirmative votes on most measures.
Trump’s visit brought out supporters and sparked large protests outside the Phoenix Convention Center. At one point, police deployed gas, flash-bang grenades and pepper spray to disperse the crowds.
