White House: Trump monitoring security measures on New Year’s Eve

The White House said on Sunday that President Trump would be monitoring security precautions across the country for New Year’s Eve celebrations. 

“The president has been briefed on security measures that are being taken by federal, state and local authorities to help ensure a safe and festive New Years Eve. We will continue to monitor throughout the night,” White House spokeswoman Helen Ferré said in a statement. 

The statement comes as Americans prepare to take part in celebrations across the country to ring in 2018. 

{mosads}New York City and Las Vegas, which have had attacks in recent months, will implement the tightest security they’ve had in years. 

Three hundred National Guard troops and over 1,500 police officers will set out on the Las Vegas Strip, while New York City authorities announced street closures and the use of two-step screenings and snipers in Times Square.

More than a million people are expected to gather in New York’s Times Square and 300,000 will descend upon the Vegas Strip.  

The president will be celebrating the new year at Mar-a-Lago in southern Florida, where he will host a party at his private resort. 

Prices for the party have risen up to $750 since Trump has taken office.