Trump says some governors ‘have gone too far’ on coronavirus restrictions

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The coronavirus death toll in the US tops 40,000 but President Donald Trump insisted that some governors ‘have gone too far’ on lockdown restrictions.
• Trump expressed support for protesters calling the government to open the US so they can return to work.
• Some states have already eased restrictions aimed to flatten the curve but other governors called Trump’s support for protesters ‘dangerous.’

On Sunday, President Donald Trump said that s some governors have “gone too far” in implementing restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

According to The Hill, the president said he did not have an issue with the protesters who have flouted social distancing guidelines to voice displeasure with the restrictions, which have shuttered businesses and spiked unemployment.

“Some have gone too far. Some governors have gone too far. Some of the things that happened are maybe not so appropriate,” Trump told reporters during Sunday’s White House briefing. “And I think in the end it’s not going to matter because we’re starting to open up our states, and I think they’re going to open up very well.”

Initially, Trump refused to identify any particular governor he thought “had gone too far” but dropped the names of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) later on.

Trump may have targeted Whitmer since her name floated as a possible vice presidential pick for former VP Joe Biden.

Trump has shown sympathy with protesters who rallied by the hundreds in states across the US, disregarding social distancing guidelines the White House has put in place to combat the virus.

On Friday, Trump again voiced out support behind protesters in Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia who held demonstrations against stay-at-home orders and other restrictions aimed to halt the spread of the virus. All three states have Democratic governors.

Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Minnesota, Texas and Florida have seen small protests with more planned for the coming week. Some groups even waved Trump flags or donned clothing bearing Trump’s name.

According to Trump, these protesters are only showing a “love of our country.”

State leaders have expressed concern that Trump’s call for liberation could foment civil unrest and encourage the demonstrations, The HILL reported. A warning was issued by public health experts saying that the large gatherings could further spread the virus, which will eventually extend the need for social distancing. 

Johns Hopkins University reported that the coronavirus has infected more than 755,000 people in the U.S. as of Sunday night, while over 40,000 more were killed.

Trump has been firm about the need to reopen the economy, which has been the main focus of his reelection campaign. On Sunday, the president insisted that lifting restrictions would prioritize safety.

“There are a lot of great things happening, and we’re going to start to open our country,” he said. “It’s like a beautiful puzzle.”

Source: The Hill