we re going to have safety. we need safety for our country. the president vowing to stay the course. no wall, no deal to fund the government. a new jersey school district standing up for a varsity wrestling forced to chop his dre dreadlocks. welcome back to early start. i m joe johns. i m christine romans. it is 31 minutes past the hour. the president and first lady just landed at joint basen andrews. they paid a holiday visit to u.s. service members in iraq. we came to al asad to share our eternal gratitude for everything you do to keep america safe, strong and free. the president making good on a promise to visit troops fighting a war he scorned as a costly mistake. the trip to al asad air base