During his second year in office, US President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, ushered Brett Kavanaugh through a bitter, divisive Supreme Court nomination process, and continued his fight for a wall along the southern US border.

White House press photographers often have a front-row seat to history, covering the President's every move. Their images help shape our memory and understanding of what happened.

"Covering politics has always felt to me like photographing a live theater production -- the actors and stage are usually set in a familiar way," Reuters photographer Jonathan Ernst told CNN. "But even if you've seen a specific play many times, there is always the possibility that there will be something exciting or new."

Despite the well-orchestrated performances, the unexpected and surprising can always reveal itself. As Associated Press photographer Jacquelyn Martin said, "Formerly ho-hum departures and arrivals have turned into full-out press conferences, and the demand for imagery is intense."

Trump attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House during the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/22/politics/gallery/government-shutdown-december-2018/index.html" target="_blank">partial government shutdown</a> on January 2. Parts of the federal government shut down December 22 after Congress and the White House failed to reach a spending deal the night before. On January 12 it became the longest government shutdown in US history. "It has been a tense atmosphere at the White House as the Republicans and the Democrats battle through the budget and the border wall issue," said photographer Jim Young, "and I think this image gives a sense of the pressures of being the president."
Trump attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House during the partial government shutdown on January 2. Parts of the federal government shut down December 22 after Congress and the White House failed to reach a spending deal the night before. On January 12 it became the longest government shutdown in US history. "It has been a tense atmosphere at the White House as the Republicans and the Democrats battle through the budget and the border wall issue," said photographer Jim Young, "and I think this image gives a sense of the pressures of being the president."
Jim Young/Reuters
Trump arrives in the San Diego neighborhood of Otay Mesa to view <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/13/politics/trump-border-wall-prototypes-visit/" target="_blank">border wall prototypes</a> on March 13.
Trump arrives in the San Diego neighborhood of Otay Mesa to view border wall prototypes on March 13.
Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump prepare to sign a document at the end of <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/06/politics/trump-kim-summit-cnnphotos/index.html" target="_blank">their summit in Singapore</a> on June 12. It was the first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. In the document, the two sides agreed "to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." In exchange, Trump agreed to "provide security guarantees" to North Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump prepare to sign a document at the end of their summit in Singapore on June 12. It was the first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. In the document, the two sides agreed "to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." In exchange, Trump agreed to "provide security guarantees" to North Korea.
Kevin Lim/The Strait Times/Getty Images
The President and first lady Melania Trump take selfies with military personnel in a dining hall at the Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Anbar province on December 26. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/26/politics/donald-trump-iraq-visit/index.html" target="_blank">The surprise trip,</a> which came in the midst of the government shutdown, was Trump's first visit to troops stationed abroad in a combat zone. "President Trump made an effort to shake hands and include every soldier present," said photographer Al Drago.
The President and first lady Melania Trump take selfies with military personnel in a dining hall at the Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Anbar province on December 26. The surprise trip, which came in the midst of the government shutdown, was Trump's first visit to troops stationed abroad in a combat zone. "President Trump made an effort to shake hands and include every soldier present," said photographer Al Drago.
Al Drago/The New York Times/Redux
Trump casts a shadow at a news conference in Brussels, Belgium, during the NATO summit July 12. A day after tweeting "what good is NATO," Trump <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/12/politics/trump-nato-summit-2018/index.html" target="_blank">praised the alliance</a> at the end of the two-day summit. "I believe in NATO, I think NATO is a very important — probably the greatest ever done," he said.
Trump casts a shadow at a news conference in Brussels, Belgium, during the NATO summit July 12. A day after tweeting "what good is NATO," Trump praised the alliance at the end of the two-day summit. "I believe in NATO, I think NATO is a very important — probably the greatest ever done," he said.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Trump announces on July 9 that <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/09/politics/gallery/brett-kavanaugh-scotus/index.html" target="_blank">Brett Kavanaugh</a>, foreground, is his choice to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kavanaugh, a 53-year-old who once clerked for Kennedy, was on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. He served in the George W. Bush administration and also worked for Kenneth Starr during the investigation that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.
Trump announces on July 9 that Brett Kavanaugh, foreground, is his choice to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kavanaugh, a 53-year-old who once clerked for Kennedy, was on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. He served in the George W. Bush administration and also worked for Kenneth Starr during the investigation that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.
Michael Reynolds/EPA-EFE
Reporters are seen reflected in an exit sign as President Trump <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/first-white-house-press-briefing-2019/h_545927a35316e9fadf3ad07999ea8904" target="_blank">speaks for the first time at a White House press briefing</a> on January 3. The President introduced three Border Patrol Council members who spoke about the need for a border wall.
Reporters are seen reflected in an exit sign as President Trump speaks for the first time at a White House press briefing on January 3. The President introduced three Border Patrol Council members who spoke about the need for a border wall.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Rapper Kanye West hugs President Trump in the Oval Office on October 11. West and football legend Jim Brown <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/11/politics/kanye-west-donald-trump-white-house-chicago/index.html" target="_blank">were invited for a working lunch</a> to discuss topics such as urban revitalization, workforce training programs and how best to address crime in Chicago. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/11/politics/kanye-west-donald-trump/index.html" target="_blank">Analysis: 17 surreal things that happened during the Trump-West summit</a>
Rapper Kanye West hugs President Trump in the Oval Office on October 11. West and football legend Jim Brown were invited for a working lunch to discuss topics such as urban revitalization, workforce training programs and how best to address crime in Chicago. Analysis: 17 surreal things that happened during the Trump-West summit
Oliver Contreras/Pool/Getty Images
Trump has a contentious exchange with CNN's Jim Acosta at a White House news conference November 7. Later that day, in a stunning break with protocol, the White House said that it was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/media/trump-cnn-press-conference/index.html" target="_blank">suspending Acosta's press pass</a> "until further notice." A federal judge later ordered the White House to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/16/media/cnn-trump-lawsuit-hearing/index.html" target="_blank">return Acosta's press pass.</a>
Trump has a contentious exchange with CNN's Jim Acosta at a White House news conference November 7. Later that day, in a stunning break with protocol, the White House said that it was suspending Acosta's press pass "until further notice." A federal judge later ordered the White House to return Acosta's press pass.
Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux
In this photo provided by the German Government Press Office, German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks with Trump as they are surrounded by other leaders at the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Quebec, on June 9. According to two senior diplomatic sources, the photo was taken when there was a difficult conversation taking place regarding the G7's communique and several issues the United States had leading up to it. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/11/politics/g7-photo/index.html" target="_blank">Analysis: The iconic G7 photo is a Trump Rorschach test</a>
In this photo provided by the German Government Press Office, German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks with Trump as they are surrounded by other leaders at the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Quebec, on June 9. According to two senior diplomatic sources, the photo was taken when there was a difficult conversation taking place regarding the G7's communique and several issues the United States had leading up to it. Analysis: The iconic G7 photo is a Trump Rorschach test
Jesco Denzel/Bundesregierung/Getty Images
President Trump holds his notes while hosting <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/21/politics/trump-listening-sessions-parkland-students/index.html" target="_blank">a listening session</a> on February 21 with student survivors of mass shootings and their parents and teachers. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/21/politics/trump-parkland-notecard/index.html" target="_blank">The visible points</a> included prompts such as "1. What would you most want me to know about your experience?" "2. What can we do to help you feel safe?" and "5. I hear you." Photographer Carolyn Kaster said, "The big picture can be in the small details. My job is to gather visual information to tell the story. We photograph everything we see. It can be so interesting what you see when you are paying attention beyond what is presented."
President Trump holds his notes while hosting a listening session on February 21 with student survivors of mass shootings and their parents and teachers. The visible points included prompts such as "1. What would you most want me to know about your experience?" "2. What can we do to help you feel safe?" and "5. I hear you." Photographer Carolyn Kaster said, "The big picture can be in the small details. My job is to gather visual information to tell the story. We photograph everything we see. It can be so interesting what you see when you are paying attention beyond what is presented."
Carolyn Kaster/AP
Trump speaks to supporters at a fundraiser for congressional candidates Mark Harris and US Rep. Ted Budd in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 31.
Trump speaks to supporters at a fundraiser for congressional candidates Mark Harris and US Rep. Ted Budd in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 31.
T.J. Kirkpatrick/Redux
Trump calls troops from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 22.
Trump calls troops from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 22.
Eric Thayer/Reuters
Trump colors with a group of children during a visit to the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, on August 24.
Trump colors with a group of children during a visit to the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, on August 24.
Evan Vucci/AP
Trump, second from left, is joined by US Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz as <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/10/politics/trump-southern-border-visit/index.html" target="_blank">he visits the US-Mexico border</a> near Mission, Texas, on January 10.
Trump, second from left, is joined by US Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz as he visits the US-Mexico border near Mission, Texas, on January 10.
Evan Vucci/AP
The President gestures during <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/01/politics/state-of-the-union-cnnphotos/index.html" target="_blank">his first State of the Union address</a> on January 30. Trump, a year into his presidency, declared that the "state of our union is strong because our people are strong. Together, we are building a safe, strong and proud America."
The President gestures during