Poland busing in pro-government activists to cheer Trump: report

by Julia Manchester - 07/05/17 2:17 PM ET

The Polish government is planning to bus lawmakers from its conservative ruling party and pro-government activists to Warsaw for President Trump’s speech to the Polish people, according to The Associated Press, which cites Polish media reports.

President Trump will arrive in Warsaw on Wednesday evening and will deliver a speech in Krasinski Square, the site of the Warsaw uprising against the Nazis, on Thursday.

Polish media reports say the government promised the U.S. president that he would receive a warm welcome, complete with cheering crowds, during his visit, according to The Associated Press.

The White House did not respond to the AP’s request for comment on those reports.

According to a CNN reporter, Polish TV is interviewing Trump supporters ahead of his visit.

Polish TV interviewing Trump supporters in Warsaw ahead of his arrival pic.twitter.com/6fsvB8mlIy

— Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) July 5, 2017

Poland’s ruling right-wing Law and Justice Party appears to have embraced Trump.

{mosads}Trump will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda during the visit and discuss issues regarding security, energy and economic cooperation, according to The Associated Press.

Poland is a NATO member that spends at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product on the military, which means Trump — who has been critical of NATO in the past — could praise it as an example of how other NATO members should prioritize spending.

Stephen Miller, who played a central role in constructing Trump’s travel ban and writing his speech blasting NATO members in Brussels last month, will take the lead in writing the president’s Warsaw speech, according to The Weekly Standard.

On the issue of Russia, there may be a break between Poland and Trump, who has struck a mostly friendly tone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Polish government has recently focused on Russian action in Ukraine, saying it poses a threat to all of Europe.

The visit marks a break in tradition for the president, who would normally be expected to meet with major European powers ahead of the G-20 summit.

At the G-20 summit, Trump will have meetings with other leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.