WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he’ll visit hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico next Tuesday.
READ MORE: Donald Trump has harsh words for Puerto Rico as it loses power and its hospitals crumble
Trump announced the visit after the administration came under criticism for its response to the damage on the island that is home to more than 3 million U.S. citizens. The island has been coping with shortages of food, drinking water, electricity and various forms of communication after Hurricane Maria struck earlier this month.
Trump said Tuesday is the earliest he can visit without disrupting recovery operations.
READ MORE: Puerto Rican hospitals in critical condition after Hurricane Maria
He says he may also visit the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Trump says Puerto Rico is important to him. He says Puerto Ricans are “great people and we need to help them.”