ITEM 18: The Washington Times reported, "President Trump began the holiday break by hosting an Amish delegation in the Oval Office, the first time members of the reclusive community have received that honor.
"They might be an odd pairing — the brash and extravagant billionaire president and the humble Amish — but they enjoy a kinship in their Christian faith and work ethic, the Amish visitors told The Washington Times.
"'He is a common man just like me and everybody else — very common, very friendly. He called us friends when we walked in there,' said Levi Miller, 56, an Amish farmer from Ohio. 'It gets people excited that we have somebody in there who is not afraid to talk about Jesus Christ.'
"Mr. Miller was among four Amish businessmen from Ohio who sat down for an exclusive interview with The Times following their Oval Office visit Friday, where they also met Vice President Mike Pence, acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and other top White House officials.
"The Amish men described themselves as strong supporters of Mr. Trump and each denounced the House Democrats’ impeachment of the president as a waste of taxpayer money.
"'We read the newspaper and it is just impeachment this and impeachment that. It’s a lot of hogwash,” said Ben Hostetler, 51, a woodworker. 'What they are blaming Trump for is what they did themselves.'
"The Amish businessmen credit Mr. Trump with fostering a robust economy, protecting religious freedom and adhering to conservative values.
"Mr. Miller said the Amish experience the good economic times that Mr. Trump has ushered in, and many will back him in 2020."
79,200 Amish in Pennsylvania.
22,020 in Wisconsin.
16,410 in Michigan.
Their birth rate is triple the U.S. average. |
