Trump starts vacation

President Trump left Washington on Friday for his first extended vacation in office, starting a 17-day trip to his resort property in New Jersey.

Trump departed the White House shortly before 4 p.m. aboard Marine One, which he flew to Joint Base Andrews outside Washington to board Air Force One.

His departure follows the House and Senate adjourning for the majority of August in a move that leaves Washington largely quiet for the month.

{mosads}

Congress went into recess after the Senate failed last month to pass a repeal and replace of ObamaCare.

Legislators were planning on staying for August recess if the bill passed the Senate, and senators remained in town an extra week, confirming numerous nominations and passing several bills unrelated to healthcare.

Senators banded together on Thursday to block the president from making recess appointments during the August break, a move that required the consent of every member of the upper chamber.

Trump broke with norms by not holding a press conference Friday before leaving, a practice former President Obama typically followed before leaving for vacations in Martha’s Vineyard or Hawaii.

Despite this being Trump’s first full vacation in office, NBC News reports he’s spent 58 of his first 195 days in office at his various properties, including his Bedminster club and his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. 

Updated: 4:04 p.m.