Despite modest gains, Trump basks in recognition for Washington’s response to the opioid crisis

WASHINGTON — The claps died down for a moment, but quickly came back louder than before: by the end, the assembled lawmakers, Cabinet members, law enforcement officials, and White House staff applauded President Trump and his efforts to address the opioid crisis for nearly 40 seconds.

It was a lengthy victory lap for a year of modest progress combating the opioid crisis, culminating in the president signing a sweeping but largely unambitious bill.

“Together, we are going to end the