Today In History: Trump Touts 'America First' Policy; Obama 'Furious' Over Air Force One Flyover

April 27, 2017, is the 117th day of the year, with 248 days remaining. The moon is in a waxing crescent phase at 1 percent illumination.

Donald Trump pitches “America first” policy to voters

One Wednesday in 2016, Donald Trump spoke on his intended foreign policy at the Mayflower hotel in Washington, D.C., proposing a redirection of America’s global role.

“‘America first’ will be the overriding theme of my administration,” said Trump.

“Under a Trump administration, no American citizen will ever again feel that their needs come second to the citizens of foreign countries. My foreign policy will always put the interests of the American people and American security first.”

Trump did not, however, explain in detail how his ideas would be implemented. He also did not touch upon the probable response from American allies — and enemies — to the proposed reorientation of U.S. global principles.

He outlined a vision that he said would replace “randomness with purpose, ideology with strategy and chaos with peace.”

Obama reportedly “furious” over Air Force One flyover

What was supposed to be a photo opportunity showcasing Air Force One against the New York City skyline instead roused dormant fears of a terrorist attack as a low-flying Boeing 747, trailed by two fighter jets, sped past skyscrapers in Lower Manhattan as well as parts of Staten Island and Jersey City, New Jersey.

White House officials relayed that President Obama was “furious” to learn of the event. Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office, had approved the flyover, taking full responsibility and consequently issuing a letter of apology. He later resigned. In his letter, Caldera said the snafu had “become a distraction to the important work [Obama was] doing as president.”

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Photo credit: U.S. Department of Defense Archives