Members of President Donald Trump’s administration have spoken with the family of a terminally ill British infant whose parents are seeking medical care in the U.S.
A European court has ruled that the hospital may remove the child, Charlie Gard, from life support, against the wishes of his parents, who want to try an experimental treatment plan.
Trump tweeted Monday morning that he “would be delighted” to help Gard.
If we can help little #CharlieGard, as per our friends in the U.K. and the Pope, we would be delighted to do so.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 3, 2017
White House spokeswoman Helen Ferre said later Monday that “although the President himself has not spoken to the family, he does not want to pressure them in any way, members of the administration have spoken to the family in calls facilitated by the British government.”
“The President is just trying to be helpful if at all possible,” Ferre said. (RELATED: Trump Offers To Help Child Sentenced To Die In UK)
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S. June 21, 2017. REUTERS/Scott Morgan – RTS184M3
Gard suffers from mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome.
On Sunday, the Vatican said that Pope Francis is praying the Gard family.
“For this he prays that their wish to accompany and treat their child until the end isn’t neglected,” the Vatican explained.