Obama makes first trip to Flint since water crisis began

Showing support for the beleaguered residents of Flint, Mich., Pres. Barack Obama drank filtered city water on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, to show that it is again safe following a lead-contamination crisis.

After officials briefed Obama on the federal government’s response to the contamination, a reporter asked if he would drink the water in a glass on the table. The president said he usually avoids publicity stunts. But he took a drink, saying he wanted to show the water must be safe if he’s drinking it.

“This used a filter,” Obama said of the water. “The water around this table was Flint water and it just confirms what we know scientifically, which is, if you’re using a filter, if you’re installing it, then Flint water at this point is drinkable.”

Obama declared a state of emergency in Flint in mid-January and ordered federal aid to supplement the state and local response. At that point, however, the crisis was in full bloom. (AP)

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