US President Donald Trump on Friday openly encouraged protests against stringent stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders in several states. Focusing on three states led by Democratic governors, Trump put out a series of tweets declaring “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” and “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” He also took a jab at Virginia, where governor Ralph Northam signed off on new gun control laws last week, saying, “LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!”
The move was in stark contrast to the more measured tone he took on Thursday, when the White House unveiled guidelines that governors could use to decide when to ease social distancing restrictions. At the time, he emphasized that “we are not opening all at once, but one careful step at a time.”
However, this composure did not last too long as Trump went back to riling up his political base on Friday, criticizing Democratic governors, and expressing sympathy for protesters who are having to bear restrictions that are “too tough”. He also dismissed concerns that protesters crowding together could spread COVID-19, stating that they were “responsible people” who have “been treated a little bit rough.”
With the unemployment rate in the United States approaching 17%, the highest it has been since the Great Depression, the pressure to reopen the economy is mounting. Trump has been very vocal in wanting to reopen the economy, first aiming for Easter, and now May 1. Experts and government leaders have called these deadlines highly ambitious and potentially dangerous. However, Trump’s approach is focused on mobilizing his core supporters, while simultaneously ensuring that he is not held responsible for keeping the restrictions in place or for any deaths that occur after states reopen, either prematurely or otherwise.
Governors from both sides of the aisle have expressed their concerns about Trump’s tweets. Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington said that the tweets could encourage “illegal and dangerous acts” and said that the President was “putting millions of people in danger of contracting COVID-19”. GOP Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland also questioned Trump’s actions stating that the government is “sending completely conflicting messages out to the governors and to the people, as if we should ignore federal policy and federal recommendations”.
Image Source: The New York Times
Trump Backs Protests Against Stay-At-Home Orders
Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed concern over Trump’s approach to COVID-19.
April 20, 2020
