Coronavirus: Donald Trump says it’s his decision, not governors’, to reopen US
- But law suggests US president has less power than he thinks
- Trump’s declaration also contradicts his previous messaging for state and local authorities to take lead on pandemic response
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Quint Forgey and Josh Gerstein on politico.com on April 13, 2020.
US President Donald Trump insisted Monday that he alone could declare the United States reopen for business, continuing a contradictory line of messaging toward the nation's governors as they have taken on greater responsibilities to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
“For the purpose of creating conflict and confusion, some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors decision to open up the states, not that of the President of the United States & the Federal Government. Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect,” Trump wrote on Twitter.
“It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons. With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the Governors, and this will continue,” he added in another tweet, previewing that a “decision by me, in conjunction with the Governors and input from others, will be made shortly!”
The president's social media post contrasted markedly with a directive he issued to governors Sunday via Twitter, ordering them to “get your states testing programs & apparatus perfected. Be ready, big things are happening. No excuses! The Federal Government is there to help. We are testing more than any country in the World. Also, gear up with Face Masks!”