President Trump declared on Monday that when it comes to the coronavirus and re-starting the economy, he can tell state governors what to do. He promised to decide about it “shortly.”
It’s an abrupt turnabout in Trump’s views.
“Throughout the administration’s management of the public health crisis, Trump has repeatedly declined to activate a sweeping federal response,” notes Politico, “instead suggesting state and local authorities should take the lead in securing much needed medical equipment and imposing enforceable orders restricting Americans’ movements.”
Naturally, this declaration of Trumpian power came via Twitter. And he blamed the media for causing “conflict and confusion.”
“A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to questions on whether Trump intends to override governors — some of whom have voiced skepticism about moving as quickly as the president to ease social distancing restrictions — and how we might do that,” says the Washington Post.
“The debate on reopening is heating up after the US passed 22,000 Covid-19-related deaths and at least half a million known cases,” reports CNN, adding that “when it comes to the raw numbers, the US is currently the worst afflicted country in the world.”
Some governors, from both parties, rejected Trump’s claims.
“All these [virus-related] executive orders are state executive orders, and so therefore it would be up to the state and the governor to undo a lot of that,” New Hampshire’s Republican Gov. Chris Sununu told CNN after the president’s tweet.
“Trump has toggled between sparring with several of the Democratic governors at the epicenters of the outbreak and assuring the public that they are getting along smoothly,” Politico says.
“But the president’s tweets Monday appeared to represent an attempt to reassert his authority as the White House weighs whether to extend stringent social-distancing guidelines beyond April 30.”
Trump’s concern, as ever, was more with the faltering U.S. economy than with the prospect of re-igniting the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, putting countless American lives on the line.
The Trump administration has floated the notion of relaxing federal recommendations for social distancing, closing restaurants and other businesses, self-quarantine and eliminating non-essential travel beginning in May in places less affected by the pandemic.
“But while Trump has the clear authority to rescind or change federal health guidelines, state and local officials do not need to follow the federal government’s orders, legal experts say,” reports The Hill.
“As a result, state and local jurisdictions could continue to recommend more stringent restrictions even if the president seeks to loosen them.”
