The president’s statements this morning encourage illegal and dangerous acts. He is putting millions of people in danger of contracting COVID-19. His unhinged rantings and calls for people to “liberate” states could also lead to violence. We’ve seen it before.
The president is fomenting domestic rebellion and spreading lies - even while his own administration says the virus is real, it is deadly and that we have a long way to go before restrictions can be lifted.
Just yesterday, the president told the nation science would guide his plan for easing restrictions. The White House released a sensible plan laying out many of the guidelines that I agree are essential to follow, as we work to resume economic activity.
Less than 24 hrs later, Trump is off the rails, ignoring his own plan and spewing dangerous, anti-democratic rhetoric.
The president’s actions threaten his own goal of recovery. His words will likely cause a spike in infections where distancing is working.
That will further postpose the 14 days of decline his own guidance says is necessary to ease restrictions.
We appreciate our continued relationship with the vice president, Dr. Birx, Admiral Polowczyk, Admiral Giroir and others in the federal government. But their work is undermined by the president's irresponsible statements.
I hope someday we can look at today’s meltdown as something to be pitied, rather than condemned. But we don’t have that luxury today. There is too much at stake.
I encourage political leaders of all sorts to speak out firmly against the president’s calls for rebellion.
Americans need to work together to protect each other. It’s the only way to slow the spread of this deadly virus and get us on the road to recovery.
― donald failson (sic), Saturday, 18 April 2020 02:49 (four years ago) link