usatoday--2020-02-04--Milwaukee's 2020 Democratic Host Committee accused of a toxic work culture

MILWAUKEE – The two top officials overseeing Milwaukee 's host committee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention were sidelined Monday amid allegations of a toxic work culture .
In a letter to staff obtained by the Journal Sentinel , part of the USA TODAY Network , the board said it had retained an attorney to investigate `` concerns about the work environment '' for the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee .
During the investigation , Liz Gilbert , president of the host committee , will not be in the office and `` will not have direct contact with staff , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff for the group , has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry .
Both will be paid as the investigation moves forward .
The letter gives no timeline when Carmen N. Decot , a partner with Foley & Lardner , will finish her inquiry .
The abrupt move comes less than six months before the start of the Democratic National Convention .
The host committee – the civic , nonpartisan arm of the convention – is responsible for raising $ 70 million to stage the July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15,000 volunteers .
`` We are committed to an inclusive , non-discriminatory , and supportive environment at the host committee and we will work to ensure that all employees live up to these ideals , '' the board said in its letter .
Joe Solmonese , chief executive of the Democratic National Convention Committee , issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations .
His group , which runs the convention , is separate from the host committee .
`` The Democratic Party is firm in our belief that every person deserves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place of work , and we will always take seriously claims of bullying and workplace harassment , '' he said .
He said the claims made by employees of the host committee `` present an unacceptable and upsetting environment . ''
Solmonese added that the host committee board of directors `` is moving forward with a plan to restore an office culture that aligns with the values and expectations of our party . ''
Alonso said he was proud of the team he created at the host committee and would cooperate with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Journal Sentinel contacted the host committee over concerns about the organization 's work environment .
In addition , the host committee recently received a letter from multiple staffers raising similar complaints .
In interviews with the Journal Sentinel over the weekend , two experienced political hands who have worked with the host committee described it as having a toxic culture rife with power struggles , backbiting and mismanagement .
They accused the top two officials , Gilbert and Alonso , of giving contracts to their friends in New Jersey , calling meetings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and being more focused on accumulating power than promoting Milwaukee .
A New Jersey firm with strong ties to the New Jersey Democratic Party , for instance , developed the website for the host committee and manages its email platform .
Both Gilbert and Alonso are top-ranking Democratic operatives in that state .
These assertions come at the same time that Alonso is being accused in his home state of New Jersey of shaking down campaign contributors for his personal consulting business .
`` It 's one of the worst – if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the first official said of the host committee .
The second official said staffers would become sick to their stomachs when working with the host committee , the first time they experienced a toxic work environment , despite working on numerous campaigns .
`` You know it when you see it , when you feel it , '' the second official said .
Both added that they had high hopes for the host committee .
But they said the culture at the committee reflects none of that enthusiasm .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city might be lost , '' said the second official .
The two sources no longer work with the host committee , which is officially nonpartisan so it can raise money as a tax-deductible , nonprofit organization .
They asked that their names not be used because they feared retribution and work in a specialized field .
Word of the alleged problems with the committee reached Mayor Tom Barrett over the weekend .
Barrett and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore are co-chairs of the host committee .
`` The mayor supports a process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been brought forward , '' said Paul Vornholt , chief of staff to Barrett .
Moore said in a statement : `` I support the board 's immediate remedial actions and believe they are establishing a process that will result in a fair , impartial outcome .
I would expect or tolerate nothing less . ''
The five-member host committee board moved quickly on Monday to look into the matter .
Its letter was signed by four board members : Rebecca López , who works at the law firm Godfrey & Kahn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Joan Prince of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ; and Michael O'Neil , general counsel at The Dohmen Co. Gilbert is also part of the five-member board .
The concerns raised about the host committee come less than a week after Alonso found himself in the middle of another controversy in his home state of New Jersey .
Julie Roginsky , a former strategist for New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy , said Murphy 's gubernatorial campaign operation was “ toxic ” and that she experienced “ rank misogyny.
” Furthermore , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign that Alonso and the campaign manager were pressing the lobbyists for private business .
Alonso owns a consulting firm called the Cratos Group .
Alonso denies the claims .
`` That allegation is false , '' he said via email .
`` Gov .
Murphy required all campaign staffers to disclose any and all relevant business relationships in New Jersey .
I disclosed my political-business relationships , they were reviewed by campaign counsel , and they complied with campaign policies . ''
Alonso declined to say whether particular firms worked for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as deputy chief of staff for the governor .
He said Cratos does not disclose its list of clients .
He also rejected any suggestion that he played a role in creating a toxic work environment on the gubernatorial campaign .
`` To be clear , Julie has not alleged that I engaged in any such behavior , '' he said .
`` Regarding her allegations against a colleague of ours , those were investigated by campaign counsel , and our colleague apologized . ''
Even as he works for the host committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey Democratic Party for work he 's doing there .
Recent federal filings show he was paid $ 15,000 in November , bringing his total take from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee to $ 80,000 since he came to Milwaukee to work on the host committee in May .
He said he turned in his December invoice late , so that payment will not be reported until late February .
Late Monday , Tolulope Kevin Olasanoye , executive director of the New Jersey Democratic Party , said Alonso no longer works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention when she sued Fox News in 2017 , alleging she was denied a position co-hosting a midafternoon show after refusing to have a sexual relationship with CEO Roger Ailes .
The two sides settled for an undisclosed sum later in the year .
She became a Democratic contributor on Fox News beginning in 2005 .
Last year , Roginsky and fellow Fox News alum Gretchen Carlson formed a group called Lift Our Voices .
The organization is focused on trying to discourage companies and political leaders from using the secret agreements that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual harassment and discrimination .

Milwaukee's 2020 Democratic Host Committee accused of a toxic work culture
Show Caption Hide Caption Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
MILWAUKEE – The two top officials overseeing Milwaukee's host committee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention were sidelined Monday amid allegations of a toxic work culture.
In a letter to staff obtained by the Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network, the board said it had retained an attorney to investigate "concerns about the work environment" for the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee.
During the investigation, Liz Gilbert, president of the host committee, will not be in the office and "will not have direct contact with staff," the letter says. Adam Alonso, chief of staff for the group, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Both will be paid as the investigation moves forward. The letter gives no timeline when Carmen N. Decot, a partner with Foley & Lardner, will finish her inquiry.
The abrupt move comes less than six months before the start of the Democratic National Convention. The host committee – the civic, nonpartisan arm of the convention – is responsible for raising $70 million to stage the July event at Fiserv Forum and recruit about 15,000 volunteers.
"We are committed to an inclusive, non-discriminatory, and supportive environment at the host committee and we will work to ensure that all employees live up to these ideals," the board said in its letter.
Joe Solmonese, chief executive of the Democratic National Convention Committee, issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations. His group, which runs the convention, is separate from the host committee.
"The Democratic Party is firm in our belief that every person deserves to feel safe and respected at their place of work, and we will always take seriously claims of bullying and workplace harassment," he said.
He said the claims made by employees of the host committee "present an unacceptable and upsetting environment."
Solmonese added that the host committee board of directors "is moving forward with a plan to restore an office culture that aligns with the values and expectations of our party."
Alonso said he was proud of the team he created at the host committee and would cooperate with the investigation.
The stunning shakeup came as the Journal Sentinel contacted the host committee over concerns about the organization's work environment. In addition, the host committee recently received a letter from multiple staffers raising similar complaints.
In interviews with the Journal Sentinel over the weekend, two experienced political hands who have worked with the host committee described it as having a toxic culture rife with power struggles, backbiting and mismanagement.
They accused the top two officials, Gilbert and Alonso, of giving contracts to their friends in New Jersey, calling meetings and then failing to attend them, and being more focused on accumulating power than promoting Milwaukee.
A New Jersey firm with strong ties to the New Jersey Democratic Party, for instance, developed the website for the host committee and manages its email platform. Both Gilbert and Alonso are top-ranking Democratic operatives in that state.
Related: Bice: Top 2020 DNC Host Committee execs double-dipping with New Jersey political work
These assertions come at the same time that Alonso is being accused in his home state of New Jersey of shaking down campaign contributors for his personal consulting business.
"It's one of the worst – if not the worst – I have worked on," the first official said of the host committee.
The second official said staffers would become sick to their stomachs when working with the host committee, the first time they experienced a toxic work environment, despite working on numerous campaigns.
"You know it when you see it, when you feel it," the second official said.
Both added that they had high hopes for the host committee. But they said the culture at the committee reflects none of that enthusiasm.
"The spirit of what it could be for the city might be lost," said the second official.
The two sources no longer work with the host committee, which is officially nonpartisan so it can raise money as a tax-deductible, nonprofit organization. They asked that their names not be used because they feared retribution and work in a specialized field.
Word of the alleged problems with the committee reached Mayor Tom Barrett over the weekend. Barrett and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore are co-chairs of the host committee.
"The mayor supports a process to fully investigate the serious concerns that have been brought forward," said Paul Vornholt, chief of staff to Barrett.
Moore said in a statement: "I support the board's immediate remedial actions and believe they are establishing a process that will result in a fair, impartial outcome. I would expect or tolerate nothing less."
The five-member host committee board moved quickly on Monday to look into the matter. Its letter was signed by four board members: Rebecca López, who works at the law firm Godfrey & Kahn; John W. Miller of Arenberg Holdings; Joan Prince of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Michael O'Neil, general counsel at The Dohmen Co.
Gilbert is also part of the five-member board.
The concerns raised about the host committee come less than a week after Alonso found himself in the middle of another controversy in his home state of New Jersey.
Julie Roginsky, a former strategist for New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, said Murphy's gubernatorial campaign operation was “toxic” and that she experienced “rank misogyny.”
Furthermore, she said lobbyists told her during the 2018 campaign that Alonso and the campaign manager were pressing the lobbyists for private business. Alonso owns a consulting firm called the Cratos Group.
Alonso denies the claims. "That allegation is false," he said via email. "Gov. Murphy required all campaign staffers to disclose any and all relevant business relationships in New Jersey. I disclosed my political-business relationships, they were reviewed by campaign counsel, and they complied with campaign policies."
Alonso declined to say whether particular firms worked for him while he worked on the campaign or as deputy chief of staff for the governor. He said Cratos does not disclose its list of clients.
He also rejected any suggestion that he played a role in creating a toxic work environment on the gubernatorial campaign.
"To be clear, Julie has not alleged that I engaged in any such behavior," he said. "Regarding her allegations against a colleague of ours, those were investigated by campaign counsel, and our colleague apologized."
Even as he works for the host committee, Alonso was paid well by the New Jersey Democratic Party for work he's doing there.
Recent federal filings show he was paid $15,000 in November, bringing his total take from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee to $80,000 since he came to Milwaukee to work on the host committee in May. He said he turned in his December invoice late, so that payment will not be reported until late February.
Late Monday, Tolulope Kevin Olasanoye, executive director of the New Jersey Democratic Party, said Alonso no longer works for the party.
Roginsky gained national attention when she sued Fox News in 2017, alleging she was denied a position co-hosting a midafternoon show after refusing to have a sexual relationship with CEO Roger Ailes.
The two sides settled for an undisclosed sum later in the year. She became a Democratic contributor on Fox News beginning in 2005.
Last year, Roginsky and fellow Fox News alum Gretchen Carlson formed a group called Lift Our Voices. The organization is focused on trying to discourage companies and political leaders from using the secret agreements that can end up protecting those accused of sexual harassment and discrimination.
Contributing: Bill Glauber, the Journal Sentinel
Follow Daniel Bice on Twitter: @DanielBice.


usatoday--2020-02-04--Why is Iowa first? A brief history of the state's caucuses

Iowa 's position as the first state to weigh in on the country 's presidential nominees was under scrutiny again Tuesday , after chaos and confusion around reporting the vote count in the previous night 's caucuses forced the state 's Democratic Party to delay the release of the official results .
Some other states do n't have their primaries until June , a month before the national convention .
So why does Iowa start so early ?
More importantly , out of all the states , why is Iowa first ?
The answer to those questions involves a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of political conflict , and , these days , a strong desire to stick to tradition .
More : The Democratic Party is planning to reject Iowa 's virtual caucus plan .
Here 's how we got here .
Iowa has almost always held caucuses for presidential selection rather than the primary system used in other states like New Hampshire , which is the second state to vote on presidential picks .
But it was n't always first in the nation .
After the tumultuous 1968 Democratic convention , the DNC decided it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lessen the power of party leaders and involve more grassroots activists .
That paved the way for the shake-up that led to Iowa moving to first on the calendar .
In the late 1960s and early 1970s , Democrats in Iowa said they were frustrated with the state 's caucus system , which they felt was run by party bosses and did n't respond to grassroots voices and desires .
Changes to address this problem involved holding separate district and state conventions , which meant that the whole caucus process needed to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's opinion editor , speaking for a video about Iowa 's caucus history , says that `` the old story is that they figured out how long it would take to print all the paperwork on their elderly mimeograph machine . ''
So Iowa was first .
When did the caucuses become powerful ?
The question remained : who cared ?
In 1972 , Gary Hart cared .
Obradovich recounts the story : `` In the 1972 presidential race , Sen. George McGovern ’ s campaign was managed by a young political whiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Iowa was going to be first in the nation and decided to make a bid here as a way to get ( McGovern ) a media boost before the New Hampshire primary .
It worked . ''
In 1976 , Jimmy Carter replicated McGovern 's success .
The media paid attention paid to his performance in Iowa and it illustrated the caucuses as an important metric of a candidate 's strength .
Carter went on to become president .
But Iowa had to fight for its right to be first However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stone .
Prompted by Carter 's re-election loss in 1980 , the national Democratic Party theorized that the drawn-out nomination process was more of a hindrance than a help to their party 's nominee .
They rolled out new rules that would restrict how early any state 's nomination processes could be held , but still allowed Iowa to caucus first .
At that point , it seemed like everyone was happy .
Then , Vermont moved up the date of its straw poll .
In response , New Hampshire made its primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party , Iowa chose to move the caucuses earlier than its nationally assigned date to maintain the buffer between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary .
In November of 1983 , with the caucuses ( whatever their date was to be ) soon approaching , state party officials gathered to resolve the disagreement and vote on the official date .
Those in favor of the earlier date wanted to preserve both Iowa and New Hampshire 's unique roles in the nomination process .
Those in favor of the later date wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventual nominee .
The party leaders voted 20-10 for the earlier date .
Iowa 's status as first in the nation was , at least for the moment , secured .
`` Today , '' Obradovich said , `` Iowa caucuses are first-in-the-nation mainly because the state insists on remaining first . ''
because of the outsized media attention on Iowa , many candidates build their strategy around it , seeing it as a way to give them a catapult of momentum through the primaries .
Barack Obama credits the Iowa caucuses for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to the White House .
As long as the state is first , it 's seen as the first serious litmus test of a candidate .
And as Iowa indicates or influences later success , candidates will keep coming , journalists will keep reporting , and in February , the eyes of the nation will stay on Iowa .
Clare Ulmer is a politics reporter for the Register .
Reach her at culmer @ registermedia.com or at 515-284-8724 .
Your subscription makes work like this possible .
Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal .

Why is Iowa first? A brief history of the state's caucuses
Show Caption Hide Caption Iowa caucus: Just how much influence does it have on the primary? The Iowa caucus is sure to be competitive this year. But what makes caucuses different from primaries? Just the FAQs
Iowa's position as the first state to weigh in on the country's presidential nominees was under scrutiny again Tuesday, after chaos and confusion around reporting the vote count in the previous night's caucuses forced the state's Democratic Party to delay the release of the official results.
Some other states don't have their primaries until June, a month before the national convention. So why does Iowa start so early? More importantly, out of all the states, why is Iowa first?
The answer to those questions involves a little bit of pragmatism, a little bit of political conflict, and, these days, a strong desire to stick to tradition.
More: The Democratic Party is planning to reject Iowa's virtual caucus plan. Here's how we got here.
Iowa has almost always held caucuses for presidential selection rather than the primary system used in other states like New Hampshire, which is the second state to vote on presidential picks. But it wasn't always first in the nation.
Roots in the 1960s
After the tumultuous 1968 Democratic convention, the DNC decided it needed to open up its process to lessen the power of party leaders and involve more grassroots activists. That paved the way for the shake-up that led to Iowa moving to first on the calendar.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Democrats in Iowa said they were frustrated with the state's caucus system, which they felt was run by party bosses and didn't respond to grassroots voices and desires.
Changes to address this problem involved holding separate district and state conventions, which meant that the whole caucus process needed to start earlier.
Kathie Obradovich, the Register's opinion editor, speaking for a video about Iowa's caucus history, says that "the old story is that they figured out how long it would take to print all the paperwork on their elderly mimeograph machine."
So Iowa was first.
When did the caucuses become powerful?
The question remained: who cared? In 1972, Gary Hart cared. Obradovich recounts the story: "In the 1972 presidential race, Sen. George McGovern’s campaign was managed by a young political whiz kid named Gary Hart. Hart noticed that Iowa was going to be first in the nation and decided to make a bid here as a way to get (McGovern) a media boost before the New Hampshire primary. It worked."
In 1976, Jimmy Carter replicated McGovern's success. The media paid attention paid to his performance in Iowa and it illustrated the caucuses as an important metric of a candidate's strength. Carter went on to become president.
Iowa caucuses: A look back at the history of the Iowa caucuses The Iowa caucuses are not first because they're important; they're important because they're first. former Des Moines Register opinion editor Kathie Obradovich explains. Kelsey Kremer, Des Moines Register
But Iowa had to fight for its right to be first
However, this first-in-the-nation status wasn't set in stone.
Prompted by Carter's re-election loss in 1980, the national Democratic Party theorized that the drawn-out nomination process was more of a hindrance than a help to their party's nominee. They rolled out new rules that would restrict how early any state's nomination processes could be held, but still allowed Iowa to caucus first. At that point, it seemed like everyone was happy.
Then, Vermont moved up the date of its straw poll. In response, New Hampshire made its primary earlier. In defiance of the national party, Iowa chose to move the caucuses earlier than its nationally assigned date to maintain the buffer between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.
In November of 1983, with the caucuses (whatever their date was to be) soon approaching, state party officials gathered to resolve the disagreement and vote on the official date. Those in favor of the earlier date wanted to preserve both Iowa and New Hampshire's unique roles in the nomination process. Those in favor of the later date wanted the whole process shortened to help the eventual nominee.
The party leaders voted 20-10 for the earlier date. Iowa's status as first in the nation was, at least for the moment, secured.
"Today," Obradovich said, "Iowa caucuses are first-in-the-nation mainly because the state insists on remaining first."
because of the outsized media attention on Iowa, many candidates build their strategy around it, seeing it as a way to give them a catapult of momentum through the primaries. Barack Obama credits the Iowa caucuses for giving him the initial momentum that propelled him to the White House.
As long as the state is first, it's seen as the first serious litmus test of a candidate. And as Iowa indicates or influences later success, candidates will keep coming, journalists will keep reporting, and in February, the eyes of the nation will stay on Iowa.
Clare Ulmer is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at culmer@registermedia.com or at 515-284-8724.
Your subscription makes work like this possible. Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal.


usatoday--2020-02-04--Trump: Iowa's Democratic caucuses an 'unmitigated disaster'

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and his aides gleefully mocked the Democrats over the delayed results in Iowa 's first-in-the-nation presidential nominating contest , calling it an `` unmitigated disaster '' and the `` sloppiest train wreck in history . ''
`` The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump , ' '' the president tweeted early Tuesday .
Describing the delayed reporting of Iowa results as `` an unmitigated disaster , '' Trump said : `` Nothing works , just like they ran the Country . ''
But Trump in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blame on the `` Do Nothing Democrats . ''
He also said he would keep Iowa as the nation 's first delegate selection contest : `` As long as I am President , Iowa will stay where it is .
Important tradition ! ''
Earlier , the Trump campaign dubbed the Iowa count as a sloppy train wreck , and said , `` Democrats are stewing in a caucus mess '' that they created .
`` It would be natural for people to doubt the fairness of the process , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emailed statement .
`` And these are the people who want to run our entire health care system ? ''
Parscale also touted the president 's easy victory earlier Monday night in Iowa 's Republican caucuses , where he faced no significant challenge .
`` Tonight President Trump posted a record performance in the well-run GOP Iowa caucuses with record turnout for an incumbent , '' Parscale added .
Iowa Democratic Party officials were holding a phone call with campaign aides amid long delays in reporting results in Iowa 's caucuses .
Communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday night that the delay was in part due to the party reporting three sets of data for the first time .
`` We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results .
In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results , we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report , '' she said in a statement .
`` This is simply a reporting issue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is not a hack or an intrusion .
The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results , '' McClure said .
Meanwhile , Iowa 's GOP chair Jeff Kaufmann said he supported the IDP 's decision to ensure the results are `` correct rather than quick . ''
In the days leading up to the Iowa caucuses , the Trump campaign sought to project a massive GOP show of force in the Midwest state , deploying 80 presidential surrogates , including much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family .
The president also held a campaign rally in Des Moines on Thursday that brought out more than 7,000 supporters to the city 's Drake University .

Courtney Subramanian and David Jackson, USA TODAY

Trump: Iowa's Democratic caucuses an 'unmitigated disaster'
Show Caption Hide Caption See the Iowa caucuses in action and watch as candidates try to rally support Watch video of how the Iowa caucuses work as Iowans and candidates try to rally their support for their preferred candidates. The Register and USA TODAY, Des Moines Register
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and his aides gleefully mocked the Democrats over the delayed results in Iowa's first-in-the-nation presidential nominating contest, calling it an "unmitigated disaster" and the "sloppiest train wreck in history."
"The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump,'" the president tweeted early Tuesday.
Describing the delayed reporting of Iowa results as "an unmitigated disaster," Trump said: "Nothing works, just like they ran the Country."
But Trump in a subsequent tweet defended the state and placed the blame on the "Do Nothing Democrats." He also said he would keep Iowa as the nation's first delegate selection contest: "As long as I am President, Iowa will stay where it is. Important tradition!"
Earlier, the Trump campaign dubbed the Iowa count as a sloppy train wreck, and said, "Democrats are stewing in a caucus mess" that they created.
"It would be natural for people to doubt the fairness of the process," Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in an emailed statement. "And these are the people who want to run our entire health care system?"
The Democrat Caucus is an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is “Trump”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020
It is not the fault of Iowa, it is the Do Nothing Democrats fault. As long as I am President, Iowa will stay where it is. Important tradition! https://t.co/bX3FLvua1C — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020
It is not the fault of Iowa, it is the Do Nothing Democrats fault. As long as I am President, Iowa will stay where it is. Important tradition! https://t.co/bX3FLvua1C — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020
Parscale also touted the president's easy victory earlier Monday night in Iowa's Republican caucuses, where he faced no significant challenge.
"Tonight President Trump posted a record performance in the well-run GOP Iowa caucuses with record turnout for an incumbent," Parscale added.
Iowa Democratic Party officials were holding a phone call with campaign aides amid long delays in reporting results in Iowa's caucuses. Communications director Mandy McClure said in a statement Monday night that the delay was in part due to the party reporting three sets of data for the first time.
It is not the fault of Iowa, it is the Do Nothing Democrats fault. As long as I am President, Iowa will stay where it is. Important tradition! https://t.co/bX3FLvua1C — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020
"We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results. In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results, we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report," she said in a statement.
Live updates: Biden campaign slams Iowa Democratic Party for ‘acute failures'
"This is simply a reporting issue, the app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion. The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results," McClure said.
Iowa caucus: Just how much influence does it have on the primary? The Iowa caucus is sure to be competitive this year. But what makes caucuses different from primaries? Just the FAQs
Meanwhile, Iowa's GOP chair Jeff Kaufmann said he supported the IDP's decision to ensure the results are "correct rather than quick."
"Accuracy doesn't run on deadlines," he tweeted.
I stand with IDP in ensuring #IACaucus results are correct rather than quick. Accuracy doesn't run on deadlines. #IACaucus #FITN https://t.co/cuNpTT2e8D — Jeff Kaufmann (@kaufmannGOP) February 4, 2020
In the days leading up to the Iowa caucuses, the Trump campaign sought to project a massive GOP show of force in the Midwest state, deploying 80 presidential surrogates, including much of Trump's Cabinet and members of his family. The president also held a campaign rally in Des Moines on Thursday that brought out more than 7,000 supporters to the city's Drake University.


usatoday--2020-03-30--'We're not playing around': Md. Gov. Hogan says arrest for coronavirus offense sends 'great message'

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
– Gov .
Larry Hogan said Monday that he hoped the arrest last week of a man who violated his order against gatherings of 10 or more people would make it clear that he intends to enforce the measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
`` Most people are abiding by them , but a few people are refusing to , '' Hogan said of the measures during an interview with Fox News .
`` In this particular case , this man refused to cooperate and was arrested . ''
Hogan has responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first cases appeared .
Maryland was one of the first states to declare an emergency and to close its schools .
And on Monday , Hogan announced he issuing a `` stay at home '' directive for the state , which makes it a misdemeanor for residents to leave their homes except to get food , medicine or medical treatment as of 8 p.m. EDT .
Earlier this month , Hogan issued an executive order making it a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail , a fine of up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to hold large gatherings .
On March 27 , officers arrested Shawn Marshall Myers , 41 , after he hosted about 60 people at his home for a bonfire .
It was the second time Myers held a large gathering in a week after agreeing to break up another party at his house on March 22 .
Hogan said the arrest `` sends a great message out there to folks that we 're not playing around . ''
`` When you do something like this you 're not only endangering your life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens , and we 're not going to tolerate it . ''
Despite the aggressive actions designed to curb the spread , Hogan predicted that the Washington , D.C. , and the area surrounding the capital city would soon be as hard hit by the outbreak as New York , which now leads the nation in the number of confirmed cases .
`` We ’ ve doubled over the past just two days , and we look a lot like where New York was just a couple weeks ago , '' Hogan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
he said the experts `` concur that we are just on the next wave of hot spots . ''
There are now more than 1,400 confirmed cases in Maryland and at least 15 people have died from the illness , according to the Maryland Department of Health .
Steve Mnuchin : $ 2 trillion rescue bill should get US through 8-12 weeks of coronavirus outbreak Hogan said the spreading contagion in the region threatens hundreds of thousands of federal employees , many of whom are responsible for national security or are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Maryland Republican has been a sharp critic of President Donald Trump and considered mounting a primary challenge against him .
As the chairman of the National Governor 's Association , he said he has pressured Trump to do more to address the `` tremendous shortage '' of equipment facing the states and health care workers .
`` The president has made the effort to communicate , but we 're still pressing because there 's still issues that all the states and the federal government , quite frankly , are having , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Mike Pence , whom Trump appointed to coordinate the administration 's coronavirus response , `` has been terrific . ''
`` We 're going to keep pushing , but we really are trying to work together as best we can , because we 're all in this together , '' Hogan said .
On Sunday , Trump announced he was extending the federal guidelines that call for aggressive social distancing measure until April 30 .
He had previously floated the idea of lifting the restrictions is some areas as soon as Easter @

'We're not playing around': Md. Gov. Hogan says arrest for coronavirus offense sends 'great message'
Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump extends social distancing guidelines to slow coronavirus spread President Donald Trump is extending the voluntary national shutdown for a month as sickness and death from the coronavirus pandemic rises in the U.S. Associated Press, Wochit
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Gov. Larry Hogan said Monday that he hoped the arrest last week of a man who violated his order against gatherings of 10 or more people would make it clear that he intends to enforce the measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
"Most people are abiding by them, but a few people are refusing to," Hogan said of the measures during an interview with Fox News. "In this particular case, this man refused to cooperate and was arrested."
Hogan has responded aggressively to the COVID-19 outbreak since the first cases appeared. Maryland was one of the first states to declare an emergency and to close its schools. And on Monday, Hogan announced he issuing a "stay at home" directive for the state, which makes it a misdemeanor for residents to leave their homes except to get food, medicine or medical treatment as of 8 p.m. EDT.
Earlier this month, Hogan issued an executive order making it a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both, for people to hold large gatherings.
On March 27, officers arrested Shawn Marshall Myers, 41, after he hosted about 60 people at his home for a bonfire. It was the second time Myers had held a large gathering in a week after agreeing to break up another party at his home March 22.
Hogan said the arrest " sends a great message out there to folks that we're not playing around.
"When you do something like this you're not only endangering your life, but the lives of our fellow citizens, and we're not going to tolerate it."
Despite the aggressive actions designed to curb the spread, Hogan predicted that the Washington, D.C., and the area surrounding the capital city would soon be as hard hit by the outbreak as New York, which now leads the nation in the number of confirmed cases.
"We’ve doubled over the past just two days, and we look a lot like where New York was just a couple weeks ago," Hogan said of the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. He said experts "concur that we are just on the next wave of hot spots."
There are now more than 1,400 confirmed cases in Maryland and at least 15 people have died of the illness, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
Steve Mnuchin: $2 trillion rescue bill should get US through 8-12 weeks of coronavirus outbreak
Hogan said the spreading contagion in the region threatens hundreds of thousands of federal employees, many of whom are responsible for national security or are leading the federal response to the outbreak.
Hogan, a Republican, has been a sharp critic of President Donald Trump and considered mounting a primary challenge against him. As the chairman of the National Governor's Association, he said he has pressured Trump to do more to address the "tremendous shortage" of equipment facing the states and health care workers.
"The president has made the effort to communicate, but we're still pressing because there's still issues that all the states and the federal government, quite frankly, are having," Hogan said, adding that Vice President Mike Pence, whom Trump appointed to coordinate the administration's coronavirus response, "has been terrific."
"We're going to keep pushing, but we really are trying to work together as best we can, because we're all in this together," Hogan said.
Want to talk more about politics?: Join our Facebook group: ‘Across the Aisle, Across the Nation.’
On Sunday, Trump announced that he was extending the federal guidelines that call for aggressive social distancing measure until April 30. He had previously floated the idea of lifting the restrictions is some areas as soon as Easter.


usatoday--2020-03-30--'We've sent them a lot of stuff.' Trump says federal help to NY partly why Gov. Cuomo has high poll

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Monday that New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo is getting high approval ratings in part because of the help the federal government has given his state to fight the coronavirus outbreak .
`` We 've sent them a lot of stuff , '' Trump said in a phone interview on Fox & Friends .
Amid the coronavirus crisis , the Republican president has sometimes sparred with Cuomo , a Democrat , but at other times has said they have a good working relationship .
`` One of the reasons why he 's successful is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump said .
`` He 's gotten good marks , but I 've gotten great marks . ''
One flashpoint between Trump and Cuomo has been over ventilators that the governor has said are needed to prevent deaths in New York , the epicenter of the crisis in the U.S. Cuomo has said New York was facing such a dire equipment shortage that care givers were converting some anesthesia machines into ventilators and adding second tubes to some ventilators in a process known as `` splitting . ''
Cuomo , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government for help in obtaining ventilators , has said he needs 30,000 ventilators `` at a minimum '' to meet the peak of the outbreak .
In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News last week , Trump questioned whether that many ventilators were needed for New York .
`` I don ’ t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators , '' the president said .
`` You know , you go into major hospitals , sometimes , they ’ ll have two ventilators .
And now all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we order 30,000 ventilators ? '
'' Overall , 87 % of New Yorkers approved of Cuomo 's response to COVID-19 , according to a poll from Siena College that was released Monday , while 11 % disapproved .
By comparison , 41 % of New Yorkers approved of President Donald Trump 's handling of the crisis and 56 % disapproved .
But Trump 's job approval has jumped in most national polls since the outbreak began , hitting its highest level in the RealClearPoltics polling average since he took office .
Want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Join our Facebook group : ‘ Across the Aisle , Across the Nation .
According to an ABC News/Washington Post released Friday , 49 % of voters nationwide approved of the job Trump was doing and 47 % disapproved .
That was the first an ABC/Post poll found his approval rating higher that his disapproval rating since Trump took office .
New York has been the state hardest hit by the virus , with about 60,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 1,000 deaths , most of them in New York City .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government has sent thousands of ventilators to New York and predicted the state will have enough to meet its needs .
`` New York should be fine , '' Trump said .
`` Based on the numbers that we see , they should have more than enough . ''

David Jackson and William Cummings, USA TODAY

'We've sent them a lot of stuff.' Trump says federal help to NY partly why Gov. Cuomo has high poll numbers
Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump extends social distancing guidelines to slow coronavirus spread President Donald Trump is extending the voluntary national shutdown for a month as sickness and death from the coronavirus pandemic rises in the U.S. Associated Press, Wochit
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Monday that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is getting high approval ratings in part because of the help the federal government has given his state to fight the coronavirus outbreak.
"We've sent them a lot of stuff," Trump said in a phone interview on Fox & Friends.
Amid the coronavirus crisis, the Republican president has sometimes sparred with Cuomo, a Democrat, but at other times has said they have a good working relationship.
"One of the reasons why he's successful is because we've helped make him successful," Trump said. "He's gotten good marks, but I've gotten great marks."
One flashpoint between Trump and Cuomo has been over ventilators that the governor has said are needed to prevent deaths in New York, the epicenter of the crisis in the U.S.
Cuomo has said New York was facing such a dire equipment shortage that care givers were converting some anesthesia machines into ventilators and adding second tubes to some ventilators in a process known as "splitting."
Cuomo, one of several governors who has been pressing the federal government for help in obtaining ventilators, has said he needs 30,000 ventilators "at a minimum" to meet the peak of the outbreak.
In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News last week, Trump questioned whether that many ventilators were needed for New York.
"I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators," the president said. "You know, you go into major hospitals, sometimes, they’ll have two ventilators. And now all of a sudden they're saying, 'Can we order 30,000 ventilators?'"
Coronavirus: How much families can expect from the stimulus package? Families across the U.S. will get a portion of money from the federal government's sweeping $2 trillion stimulus package. But how much? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Overall, 87% of New Yorkers approved of Cuomo's response to COVID-19, according to a poll from Siena College that was released Monday, while 11% disapproved.
By comparison, 41% of New Yorkers approved of President Donald Trump's handling of the crisis and 56% disapproved. But Trump's job approval has jumped in most national polls since the outbreak began, hitting its highest level in the RealClearPoltics polling average since he took office.
Want to talk more about politics?: Join our Facebook group: ‘Across the Aisle, Across the Nation.
According to an ABC News/Washington Post released Friday, 49% of voters nationwide approved of the job Trump was doing and 47% disapproved. That was the first an ABC/Post poll found his approval rating higher that his disapproval rating since Trump took office.
New York has been the state hardest hit by the virus, with about 60,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 1,000 deaths, most of them in New York City.
In Monday's Fox interview, Trump said the federal government has sent thousands of ventilators to New York and predicted the state will have enough to meet its needs.
"New York should be fine," Trump said. "Based on the numbers that we see, they should have more than enough."
– David Jackson and William Cummings


usatoday--2020-03-30--Q&A: How could the historic $2 trillion coronavirus economic recovery package benefit you?

President Trump has signed the $ 2 trillion economic recovery package into law , triggering help for Americans suffering as the coronavirus sweeps across the country .
While his signature on the largest stimulus in U.S. history ended the legislative effort on Capitol Hill , it marked a beginning to the government ’ s work managing the crisis .
Now the Trump administration must rapidly pump hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy .
The stimulus will provide $ 1,200 checks to many Americans – and more for families – while making available hundreds of billions of dollars for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It significantly expands the nation ’ s unemployment safety net and it directs a huge infusion of cash to hospitals and other medical facilities on the front line of fighting the pandemic .
Here are some answers to how the relief package might benefit you .
The law provides for direct payments of up to $ 1,200 for most individuals and $ 2,400 for most married couples filing jointly with an extra $ 500 for each qualifying child under age 17 .
When will my check arrive ?
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks , though that timeline could evolve during the appropriations process in Congress .
Where will my check come ?
If you have a direct deposit account with the IRS ( think : How do you receive your tax refund ? )
, look for your `` check '' there .
That electronic method could also mean a faster turnaround .
If you do n't have direct deposit , keep an eye on the mailbox .
How much money can I expect ?
It depends on your income .
If you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income of $ 75,000 or less , you will be eligible for up to $ 1,200 .
If you 're married and filing jointly with an adjusted gross income of less than $ 150,000 , you 're eligible for $ 2,400 Payments start to phase out above those income levels .
Stimulus check : Calculate how much money you could get Do I have to earn a minimum amount to get the full stimulus check ?
All low-income individuals are eligible for the full $ 1,200 ( $ 2,400 for joint returns ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To qualify , you must have filed tax returns in either 2018 or 2019 or receive Social Security or veterans ’ benefits so the Internal Revenue Service can calculate their rebate , said Garrett Watson of the Tax Foundation , a Washington-based think tank .
“ People are desperate for relief right now , ” said David Certner , legislative policy director for the AARP .
“ This is a crisis that is really hitting people across the board.
” I 've lost my job because of the economic slowdown .
Now what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the outbreak , you will seek your weekly state insurance benefits – which average about $ 400 – increased by $ 600 for four months .
And if you are still unemployed after state benefits end , you could get an additional 13 weeks of help .
But my job was n't with a traditional workplace , and I was part time .
Does that matter ?
No .
The expanded unemployment benefits are available to workers who are part-time , self-employed or part of the gig economy .
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help for me ?
The package gives small businesses access to a nearly $ 350 billion loan program to cover monthly expenses like payroll , rent and utilities .
The loans would not have to be repaid if businesses maintained their workforce .
I 'm worried about my student loans .
Is there any help for me ?
If you have a federal loan , you can suspend payments until October .
The federal government also is no longer withholding portions of tax returns and Social Security payments for those who are behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a student receiving a Pell grant who has to drop out because of coronavirus , you wo n't be penalized .
Do I have to take money out of my 401 ( k ) when it 's lost value ?
Minimum distributions from retirement plans such as your 401 ( k ) wo n't be mandatory amid all the economic uncertainty that is battering stocks and shrinking their value .
Those who are diagnosed with the virus , who have a spouse or child who ’ s been infected , or who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 can also take out up to $ 100,000 from their retirement plan without incurring a penalty .
If I donate to charity to help victims of the virus , do I get a write off ?
Yes .
Up to a point .
Those who want to help those struggling because of the pandemic can deduct up to $ 300 in donations .
But the write off is for those who don ’ t itemize their deductions and must be made to a qualified organization .
Will my credit report take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
People who were impacted by COVID-19 and take advantage of payment modifications like student loan suspension shouldn ’ t face penalties for doing so , according to the bill .
Lenders are to mark your accounts as “ current ” during pandemic starting on Jan. 31 .
After the crisis is over , you ’ ll have 120 days to make good on any delinquencies present on your credit report , otherwise , those black marks will remain active .
I 'm falling behind on my mortgage payments because of COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Homeowners with federally-backed mortgages are protected from foreclosures for as long as 180 days .
But what if I ’ m a renter ?
The stimulus package does n't include relief designated solely for renters , many of whom may have a hard time paying bills starting April 1 .
Still , the $ 1,200 check to many taxpaying adults can be used to pay landlords as lodging is the highest monthly expense for most families .
Also , many states including California and New York have temporarily halted evictions for 30 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure off of renters .

Q&A: How could the historic $2 trillion coronavirus economic recovery package benefit you?
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: How much families can expect from the stimulus package? Families across the U.S. will get a portion of money from the federal government's sweeping $2 trillion stimulus package. But how much? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
President Trump has signed the $2 trillion economic recovery package into law, triggering help for Americans suffering as the coronavirus sweeps across the country.
While his signature on the largest stimulus in U.S. history ended the legislative effort on Capitol Hill, it marked a beginning to the government’s work managing the crisis. Now the Trump administration must rapidly pump hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy.
The stimulus will provide $1,200 checks to many Americans – and more for families – while making available hundreds of billions of dollars for companies to maintain payroll through the crisis. It significantly expands the nation’s unemployment safety net and it directs a huge infusion of cash to hospitals and other medical facilities on the front line of fighting the pandemic.
Here are some answers to how the relief package might benefit you.
Will I get a stimulus check?
The law provides for direct payments of up to $1,200 for most individuals and $2,400 for most married couples filing jointly with an extra $500 for each qualifying child under age 17.
When will my check arrive?
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said it could be as soon as three weeks, though that timeline could evolve during the appropriations process in Congress.
Coronavirus relief act signed by President Trump worth $2.2 trillion President Trump signs the CARES Act, providing $2.2 trillion in economic relief during the coronavirus pandemic. Associated Press, USA TODAY
Where will my check come?
If you have a direct deposit account with the IRS (think: How do you receive your tax refund?), look for your "check" there. That electronic method could also mean a faster turnaround.
If you don't have direct deposit, keep an eye on the mailbox.
How much money can I expect?
It depends on your income.
If you are a single adult with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, you will be eligible for up to $1,200. If you're married and filing jointly with an adjusted gross income of less than $150,000, you're eligible for $2,400
Payments start to phase out above those income levels.
Stimulus check: Calculate how much money you could get
Do I have to earn a minimum amount to get the full stimulus check?
All low-income individuals are eligible for the full $1,200 ($2,400 for joint returns).
But there is a catch.
To qualify, you must have filed tax returns in either 2018 or 2019 or receive Social Security or veterans’ benefits so the Internal Revenue Service can calculate their rebate, said Garrett Watson of the Tax Foundation, a Washington-based think tank.
“People are desperate for relief right now,” said David Certner, legislative policy director for the AARP. “This is a crisis that is really hitting people across the board.”
I've lost my job because of the economic slowdown. Now what?
The relief package expands unemployment insurance benefits.
If you've lost your job because of the outbreak, you will seek your weekly state insurance benefits – which average about $400 – increased by $600 for four months.
And if you are still unemployed after state benefits end, you could get an additional 13 weeks of help.
Economic hit: Unemployment claims surge to record 3.3M as coronavirus takes toll
But my job wasn't with a traditional workplace, and I was part time. Does that matter?
No. The expanded unemployment benefits are available to workers who are part-time, self-employed or part of the gig economy.
I am a small business owner. Is there help for me?
The package gives small businesses access to a nearly $350 billion loan program to cover monthly expenses like payroll, rent and utilities.
The loans would not have to be repaid if businesses maintained their workforce.
I'm worried about my student loans. Is there any help for me?
Maybe.
If you have a federal loan, you can suspend payments until October.
The federal government also is no longer withholding portions of tax returns and Social Security payments for those who are behind on payments.
And if you are a student receiving a Pell grant who has to drop out because of coronavirus, you won't be penalized.
Do I have to take money out of my 401(k) when it's lost value?
Not this year.
Minimum distributions from retirement plans such as your 401(k) won't be mandatory amid all the economic uncertainty that is battering stocks and shrinking their value.
Those who are diagnosed with the virus, who have a spouse or child who’s been infected, or who have lost a job or work hours because of COVID-19 can also take out up to $100,000 from their retirement plan without incurring a penalty.
If I donate to charity to help victims of the virus, do I get a write off?
Yes. Up to a point.
Those who want to help those struggling because of the pandemic can deduct up to $300 in donations. But the write off is for those who don’t itemize their deductions and must be made to a qualified organization.
Will my credit report take a negative hit if I accept help?
It shouldn’t.
People who were impacted by COVID-19 and take advantage of payment modifications like student loan suspension shouldn’t face penalties for doing so, according to the bill.
Lenders are to mark your accounts as “current” during pandemic starting on Jan. 31. After the crisis is over, you’ll have 120 days to make good on any delinquencies present on your credit report, otherwise, those black marks will remain active.
I'm falling behind on my mortgage payments because of COVID-19. Will this aid package help me?
It could.
Homeowners with federally-backed mortgages are protected from foreclosures for as long as 180 days.
But what if I’m a renter?
The stimulus package doesn't include relief designated solely for renters, many of whom may have a hard time paying bills starting April 1.
Still, the $1,200 check to many taxpaying adults can be used to pay landlords as lodging is the highest monthly expense for most families. Also, many states including California and New York have temporarily halted evictions for 30 to 90 days to take some of the pressure off of renters.
Fact check: What's true and what's false about coronavirus?
More: Congress' $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, visualized
Contributing: Charisse Jones, Dalvin Brown, Kristen DelGuzzi, Maureen Groppe, Ledyard King, Paul Davidson, Chris Quintana


usatoday--2020-03-30--Analysis: Trump's approval rating is rising amid the coronavirus crisis. What could it mean for Nove

The coronavirus pandemic was bound to hurt President Donald Trump 's reelection chances , right ?
As thousands of Americans got sick , loved ones died and the economy cratered , many assumed the grim forecast – and the president initially downplaying it – would mean a much tougher road for Trump to stay in the White House come November .
But early reviews of Trump 's handling of the crisis suggest that 's not necessarily the case .
A new Gallup poll found Trump 's approval rating has shot up to 49 % – matching the best of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak started .
What 's more , 60 % of Americans in the Gallup poll approved of Trump 's response to the outbreak .
Trump 's 47.3 % approval rating in Real Clear Politics ' average of polls is his highest since taking office : He 's up 5 points to 49 % in a new ABC/Washington Post poll , up 1 point to 48 % in a Fox News poll and up 1 point to 45 % in a Reuters/Ipsos poll .
Each showed mixed reviews on his handling of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More : Trump objects to oversight provisions of coronavirus law , setting stage for new front with Democrats The polls come well before the full economic toll of the pandemic has sunk in .
And Trump , who has banked much of his reelection on a booming economy and stock market , could struggle to keep those approval numbers if already-skyrocketing job losses soar higher .
The health crisis is just at its early stages , experts say .
The number of Americans hospitalized will increase .
So will the number of dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wreaking havoc in the fall ?
But the initial boost for Trump – whose base has remained loyal throughout his presidency – might indicate he 's not as vulnerable as some first thought and raises the possibility that Trump could capitalize by leading the country during and through a major crisis .
`` There 's evidence of a rally effect — a kind of rally around the flag , '' said Jeffrey Jones , senior editor for the Gallup Poll , `` which is a pretty reliable historical pattern that we 've seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's gains related to his approval rating , a new Fox News poll on a head-to-head matchup with Democratic front-runner Joe Biden found the former vice president leading Trump 49 % -40 % – outside the margin of error and virtually unchanged from February .
`` A key takeaway from the Fox News poll : improvements in Trump 's approval rating are having no real impact on voting intentions in trial heats with Biden , and have n't dented Biden 's lead , '' Geoff Garin , president of the Democratic polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Biden leads Trump by nine points in latest Fox News poll During a virtual news conference Wednesday , Biden initially responded to a question about Trump 's approval rating by saying it had n't changed .
A reporter corrected him .
`` Well , I hope that he 's so strong that he 's up way above that because we need the help now , '' Biden said from his home in Delaware .
`` We need help now . ''
Democrats , Biden and other critics have hammered Trump as slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread from Wuhan , China .
They 've blasted his lack of a national plan , mixed messaging and for leaving action up to governors and mayors , who have begged for more medical equipment .
Health experts have called Trump 's pitch to get the nation back to business in a matter of weeks dangerous .
A new online ad from the Biden campaign uses Trump 's own words in a news conference downplaying the crisis as `` one person coming in from China , '' claiming it 's `` going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracker with the number of coronavirus cases ticking upward as Trump is shown saying he does not take responsibility for the lack of early testing , grading his response a `` 10 '' on a 10-point scale , and telling a journalist he 's a `` terrible reporter '' when asked about Americans who are scared .
`` Real crises demand real leadership , '' the ad concludes .
`` Not lies .
Not excuses .
Not scapegoats . ''
Trump , in turn , has touted his decision to ban travel from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Wuhan and praised the rise in testing in the U.S. after a slow start that was roundly criticized .
“ Anybody who attempts to politicize and weaponize a public health crisis is revealed to be petty and peevish , ” presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway told The Washington Post .
“ To criticize Trump now is to criticize public health officials , FEMA , first responders , private-sector businesses that are all coming forward to help.
” More : 'We should get on with this ' : Joe Biden says he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic exploded , some observers proclaimed Trump 's run in the White House virtually over .
Peter Wehner , senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center , wrote , `` Donald Trump is shrinking before our eyes '' in an Atlantic column titled `` The Trump Presidency is over . ''
Foreseeing a country of `` Trump Towns , '' Princeton University history professor Meg Jacobs compared Trump 's response to the coronavirus to Herbert Hoover 's inaction before the Great Depression in a Washington Post column titled `` Covid-19 may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Soon they are likely to look for a politician who will do more , '' she said of American voters .
But Trump 's 49 % approval rating in the Gallup poll is a point higher than the 48 % President George W. Bush had in 2004 when he defeated Democrat John Kerry .
Bush 's 48 % stands as the lowest rated presidential incumbent by Gallup to ever win reelection .
And yet Trump 's bounce is much smaller than past `` rally around the flag '' moments .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % for President Barack Obama that Gallup found after Osama bin Laden was killed , the 12-point bounce for Franklin D. Roosevelt to 84 % after the bombing at Pearl Harbor , and the massive 35-point jump for Bush after the 9/11 attacks to 86 % .
That 's because , according to Jones , bounces are `` more muted '' today ; partisanship means people 's opinions of the president are tied more deeply to party.Voters have strong opinions about Trump , in particular .
Still , even among Democrats , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jumped 6 points from earlier this month , to 13 % , and 8 points among independents , to 43 % .
`` Typically , the initial surge is the biggest and then it would taper off , but it could certainly sustain itself for a while , '' Jones said .
`` In this case , I definitely think it could stay up there for a while .
Obviously , it 's going to be tied to events and how things go . ''
But because Biden has maintained a head-to-head lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , downplayed the significance of Trump 's improved approval ratings .
`` This seems important and suggests that a lot of Trump 's approval bounce comes from Dems and indies who are trying to express sympathy at a time of national crisis but have no intention of voting for him , '' Silver wrote on Twitter .
Strict health care guidance vs. propping up the economy As several states enforce strict shelter-at-home orders and advisories , Trump pushed this week to restore normal behavior and reopen the economy in a matter of weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter , '' he said .
With Americans eager to know the latest developments in the crisis , Trump has enjoyed enormous television ratings for his news briefings , on par with `` Monday Night Football , '' The New York Times reported .
`` If it were up to the doctors , they may say let ’ s shut down the entire world , '' Trump said .
`` We ca n't do that . ''
He warned against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems than the virus itself : `` We can ’ t have the cure be worse than the problem.
” Health experts have said stay-at-home and social-distancing measures are needed to `` flatten the curve , '' the term used to describe a slow and steady rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 rather than a sharp spike that could overwhelm the nation 's health care system .
Easing off restrictions could cause a spike , they 've warned .
But Trump 's position could allow him to rally his base regardless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He 's definitely trying to create a narrative , and it could go either way , '' Jones said .
`` If things are back to normal by then , then he could say , 'Look I was right all the time . '
And if things are n't , then he can say , 'Well it could have been , but these people were standing in my way . '
`` Either way , he 's trying to have it come off positive for him .
Certainly , his supporters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , the media , if things are n't back to normal by ( April 12 . )
So the key is going to really be independents . ''
Biden has made Trump 's response to the coronavirus outbreak the center of his case against the president .
He pushed back at Trump for choosing a random date to end social-distancing practices .
`` Look , we all want to get back to normal as quickly as possible , but we have a lot to do to make that possible , '' Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in a smart way to not meet some arbitrary or symbolic timeline .
It would be a catastrophic thing to do for our people and for our economy if we went people back to work just as we saw the impact of social distancing take hold , only to unleash a second spike in infections . ''
Election history shows why Trump is eager to get the economy rebooted seven months before the November election .
When Obama won reelection in 2012 with 7.9 % unemployment coming out of the Great Recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a president to win a second term since Roosevelt in 1936 .
It was in double digits during the Great Depression .
The nation 's unemployment rate was 3.5 % , a 50-year low , in February .
But on Thursday , the number of Americans filing initial applications for unemployment benefits jumped nearly twelvefold to a record 3.3 million last week , according to the Labor Department , offering the most vivid evidence yet of the coronavirus ' widespread damage to the economy .
What that means for the March unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , but estimates are that it could exceed 10 % in the coming months .
One area Jones said he 'll be watching is whether voters give Trump an initial pass for the rising unemployment because of the difficult situation .
But if it stretches through the summer , he said , it will be harder for him to avoid a hit .
`` The longer it stretches on , the more vulnerable he becomes . ''

Analysis: Trump's approval rating is rising amid the coronavirus crisis. What could it mean for November?
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus relief act signed by President Trump worth $2.2 trillion President Trump signs the CARES Act, providing $2.2 trillion in economic relief during the coronavirus pandemic. Associated Press, USA TODAY
The coronavirus pandemic was bound to hurt President Donald Trump's reelection chances, right?
As thousands of Americans got sick, loved ones died and the economy cratered, many assumed the grim forecast – and the president initially downplaying it – would mean a much tougher road for Trump to stay in the White House come November.
But early reviews of Trump's handling of the crisis suggest that's not necessarily the case. A new Gallup poll found Trump's approval rating has shot up to 49% – matching the best of his presidency and a 5-point boost since the outbreak started. What's more, 60% of Americans in the Gallup poll approved of Trump's response to the outbreak.
Trump's 47.3% approval rating in Real Clear Politics' average of polls is his highest since taking office: He's up 5 points to 49% in a new ABC/Washington Post poll, up 1 point to 48% in a Fox News poll and up 1 point to 45% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Each showed mixed reviews on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, in contrast to Gallup.
More: Trump objects to oversight provisions of coronavirus law, setting stage for new front with Democrats
The polls come well before the full economic toll of the pandemic has sunk in. And Trump, who has banked much of his reelection on a booming economy and stock market, could struggle to keep those approval numbers if already-skyrocketing job losses soar higher. The health crisis is just at its early stages, experts say. The number of Americans hospitalized will increase. So will the number of dead. What if the virus is still wreaking havoc in the fall?
But the initial boost for Trump – whose base has remained loyal throughout his presidency – might indicate he's not as vulnerable as some first thought and raises the possibility that Trump could capitalize by leading the country during and through a major crisis.
"There's evidence of a rally effect — a kind of rally around the flag," said Jeffrey Jones, senior editor for the Gallup Poll, "which is a pretty reliable historical pattern that we've seen in presidential approval historically."
More: Unemployment claims smash record; death toll rises in NY
Biden still leads head-to-head race, poll finds
Despite Trump's gains related to his approval rating, a new Fox News poll on a head-to-head matchup with Democratic front-runner Joe Biden found the former vice president leading Trump 49%-40% – outside the margin of error and virtually unchanged from February.
"A key takeaway from the Fox News poll: improvements in Trump's approval rating are having no real impact on voting intentions in trial heats with Biden, and haven't dented Biden's lead," Geoff Garin, president of the Democratic polling firm Hart Research, tweeted.
More: Biden leads Trump by nine points in latest Fox News poll
During a virtual news conference Wednesday, Biden initially responded to a question about Trump's approval rating by saying it hadn't changed. A reporter corrected him.
"Well, I hope that he's so strong that he's up way above that because we need the help now," Biden said from his home in Delaware. "We need help now."
Democrats, Biden and other critics have hammered Trump as slow and unprepared to respond as the coronavirus spread from Wuhan, China. They've blasted his lack of a national plan, mixed messaging and for leaving action up to governors and mayors, who have begged for more medical equipment. Health experts have called Trump's pitch to get the nation back to business in a matter of weeks dangerous.
A new online ad from the Biden campaign uses Trump's own words in a news conference downplaying the crisis as "one person coming in from China," claiming it's "going to disappear."
The ad displays a tracker with the number of coronavirus cases ticking upward as Trump is shown saying he does not take responsibility for the lack of early testing, grading his response a "10" on a 10-point scale, and telling a journalist he's a "terrible reporter" when asked about Americans who are scared.
"Real crises demand real leadership," the ad concludes. "Not lies. Not excuses. Not scapegoats."
Trump, in turn, has touted his decision to ban travel from China after the virus accelerated in the city of Wuhan and praised the rise in testing in the U.S. after a slow start that was roundly criticized.
“Anybody who attempts to politicize and weaponize a public health crisis is revealed to be petty and peevish,” presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway told The Washington Post. “To criticize Trump now is to criticize public health officials, FEMA, first responders, private-sector businesses that are all coming forward to help.”
More: 'We should get on with this': Joe Biden says he's debated enough with Bernie Sanders
Coronavirus: What to expect in a recession, depression The coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting the global economy and raising fears of a recession. What causes a recession and what are the signs? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
A weaker 'rally effect' than other presidents
As the pandemic exploded, some observers proclaimed Trump's run in the White House virtually over.
Peter Wehner, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, wrote, "Donald Trump is shrinking before our eyes" in an Atlantic column titled "The Trump Presidency is over." Foreseeing a country of "Trump Towns," Princeton University history professor Meg Jacobs compared Trump's response to the coronavirus to Herbert Hoover's inaction before the Great Depression in a Washington Post column titled "Covid-19 may destroy Donald Trump’s presidency."
"Soon they are likely to look for a politician who will do more," she said of American voters.
But Trump's 49% approval rating in the Gallup poll is a point higher than the 48% President George W. Bush had in 2004 when he defeated Democrat John Kerry. Bush's 48% stands as the lowest rated presidential incumbent by Gallup to ever win reelection.
And yet Trump's bounce is much smaller than past "rally around the flag" moments. They include a 7-point approval spike to 51% for President Barack Obama that Gallup found after Osama bin Laden was killed, the 12-point bounce for Franklin D. Roosevelt to 84% after the bombing at Pearl Harbor, and the massive 35-point jump for Bush after the 9/11 attacks to 86%.
More: Americans divided on Trump coronavirus response as president's approval rating climbs, polls find
That's because, according to Jones, bounces are "more muted" today; partisanship means people's opinions of the president are tied more deeply to party. Voters have strong opinions about Trump, in particular. Still, even among Democrats, Trump's approval rating in the Gallup poll jumped 6 points from earlier this month, to 13%, and 8 points among independents, to 43%.
"Typically, the initial surge is the biggest and then it would taper off, but it could certainly sustain itself for a while," Jones said. "In this case, I definitely think it could stay up there for a while. Obviously, it's going to be tied to events and how things go."
But because Biden has maintained a head-to-head lead, Nate Silver, editor-in-chief of FiveThirtyEight, downplayed the significance of Trump's improved approval ratings.
"This seems important and suggests that a lot of Trump's approval bounce comes from Dems and indies who are trying to express sympathy at a time of national crisis but have no intention of voting for him," Silver wrote on Twitter.
Strict health care guidance vs. propping up the economy
As several states enforce strict shelter-at-home orders and advisories, Trump pushed this week to restore normal behavior and reopen the economy in a matter of weeks, not months. "I would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter," he said.
With Americans eager to know the latest developments in the crisis, Trump has enjoyed enormous television ratings for his news briefings, on par with "Monday Night Football," The New York Times reported.
"If it were up to the doctors, they may say let’s shut down the entire world," Trump said. "We can't do that." He warned against the slowdown of the economy creating bigger problems than the virus itself: "We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem.”
Health experts have said stay-at-home and social-distancing measures are needed to "flatten the curve," the term used to describe a slow and steady rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 rather than a sharp spike that could overwhelm the nation's health care system. Easing off restrictions could cause a spike, they've warned.
But Trump's position could allow him to rally his base regardless of the economic and health outlook.
"He's definitely trying to create a narrative, and it could go either way," Jones said. "If things are back to normal by then, then he could say, 'Look I was right all the time.' And if things aren't, then he can say, 'Well it could have been, but these people were standing in my way.'
"Either way, he's trying to have it come off positive for him. Certainly, his supporters are going to blame the doctors, the Democrats, the media, if things aren't back to normal by (April 12.) So the key is going to really be independents."
History shows unemployment rate looms large over reelection
Biden has made Trump's response to the coronavirus outbreak the center of his case against the president. He pushed back at Trump for choosing a random date to end social-distancing practices.
"Look, we all want to get back to normal as quickly as possible, but we have a lot to do to make that possible," Biden said. "We have to do it in a smart way to not meet some arbitrary or symbolic timeline. It would be a catastrophic thing to do for our people and for our economy if we went people back to work just as we saw the impact of social distancing take hold, only to unleash a second spike in infections."
Election history shows why Trump is eager to get the economy rebooted seven months before the November election.
When Obama won reelection in 2012 with 7.9% unemployment coming out of the Great Recession, it was the highest unemployment rate for a president to win a second term since Roosevelt in 1936. It was in double digits during the Great Depression.
The nation's unemployment rate was 3.5%, a 50-year low, in February. But on Thursday, the number of Americans filing initial applications for unemployment benefits jumped nearly twelvefold to a record 3.3 million last week, according to the Labor Department, offering the most vivid evidence yet of the coronavirus' widespread damage to the economy.
What that means for the March unemployment rate won't be released until April 3, but estimates are that it could exceed 10% in the coming months.
One area Jones said he'll be watching is whether voters give Trump an initial pass for the rising unemployment because of the difficult situation. But if it stretches through the summer, he said, it will be harder for him to avoid a hit.
"The longer it stretches on, the more vulnerable he becomes."
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.


usatoday--2020-03-29--Coronavirus claims first federal prisoner; 49-year-old drug offender dies in Louisiana

Federal prison officials reported their first coronavirus-related death Saturday , saying a 49-year-old drug offender succumbed at a Louisiana hospital .
Patrick Jones , who had been serving a 27-year term at the Oakdale Federal Correctional Institution , was first evaluated March 19 after complaining of a persistent cough and was transported to a hospital where he tested positive for the virus .
The following day , officials said , Jones ' condition worsened and he was placed on a ventilator .
Jones , who authorities said had `` long-term , pre-existing medical conditions '' placing him at greater risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
The inmate had been housed at the low-security Oakdale facility since April 2017 .
His death comes just days after Attorney General William Barr directed federal prison authorities to begin identifying more elderly and medically compromised inmates for home confinement to avoid a larger outbreak of the coronavirus inside the agency 's 122 institutions .
Officials reported Sunday that 14 inmates and 13 staffers have tested positive for the virus .
Lawmakers and civil rights advocates have urged the Justice Department in recent days to reduce the number of vulnerable prisoners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection inside the nation 's largest detention system .
Barr acknowledged that there were rising `` concerns '' for the plight of the 170,000 federal prisoners and the 36,000 staffers who are in regular and close contact with the inmates everyday .
While the attorney expressed confidence in the agency 's capacity shield prisoners from disease , he said `` there are some at-risk inmates who are non-violent and pose minimal likelihood of recidivism and who might be safer serving their sentences in home confinement rather than in BOP facilities . ''
Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increasing number of state and local officials who have released hundreds of prisoners from jails to guard against larger outbreaks in their facilities .
Jones , who was convicted in 2007 of the crack offense , had argued as recently as this month for a sentence reduction under the First Step Act .
The law was passed in late 2018 in an effort to reduce the federal prison population , in part by reconciling sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine offenders .
In court documents filed March 9 , Jones signaled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejecting his pleas for a reduced sentence .
`` Jones is a career offender with multiple prior offenses and a history of ( re-offending ) each time he is placed on parole , '' U.S. District Judge Alan Albright wrote in the Feb. 20 decision , noting Jones ' prior convictions for nine burglaries and three other drug offenses .
`` At age 36 , Jones committed the offense at issue here , again while on parole for previous offenses , '' the judge wrote .
`` The sentence ... also reflects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the law and provides just punishment for the offense , and affords adequate deterrence to criminal conduct . ''

Coronavirus claims first federal prisoner; 49-year-old drug offender dies in Louisiana
Show Caption Hide Caption Federal government releases 2,200 prisoners as First Step Act kicks in The Federal government released 2,200 people from prison as the First Step Act kicked in allowing more days to be shaved off for good behavior. USA TODAY
Federal prison officials reported their first coronavirus-related death Saturday, saying a 49-year-old drug offender succumbed at a Louisiana hospital.
Patrick Jones, who had been serving a 27-year term at the Oakdale Federal Correctional Institution, was first evaluated March 19 after complaining of a persistent cough and was transported to a hospital where he tested positive for the virus.
The following day, officials said, Jones' condition worsened and he was placed on a ventilator.
Jones, who authorities said had "long-term, pre-existing medical conditions" placing him at greater risk, was pronounced dead by hospital officials Saturday.
The inmate had been housed at the low-security Oakdale facility since April 2017.
His death comes just days after Attorney General William Barr directed federal prison authorities to begin identifying more elderly and medically compromised inmates for home confinement to avoid a larger outbreak of the coronavirus inside the agency's 122 institutions.
Officials reported Sunday that 14 inmates and 13 staffers have tested positive for the virus.
Lawmakers and civil rights advocates have urged the Justice Department in recent days to reduce the number of vulnerable prisoners who would be most at risk of infection inside the nation's largest detention system.
Barr acknowledged that there were rising "concerns" for the plight of the 170,000 federal prisoners and the 36,000 staffers who are in regular and close contact with the inmates everyday.
While the attorney expressed confidence in the agency's capacity shield prisoners from disease, he said "there are some at-risk inmates who are non-violent and pose minimal likelihood of recidivism and who might be safer serving their sentences in home confinement rather than in BOP facilities."
Barr's directive also follows the actions of an increasing number of state and local officials who have released hundreds of prisoners from jails to guard against larger outbreaks in their facilities.
Jones, who was convicted in 2007 of the crack offense, had argued as recently as this month for a sentence reduction under the First Step Act. The law was passed in late 2018 in an effort to reduce the federal prison population, in part by reconciling sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine offenders.
In court documents filed March 9, Jones signaled his intention to appeal a February decision rejecting his pleas for a reduced sentence.
"Jones is a career offender with multiple prior offenses and a history of (re-offending) each time he is placed on parole," U.S. District Judge Alan Albright wrote in the Feb. 20 decision, noting Jones' prior convictions for nine burglaries and three other drug offenses.
"At age 36, Jones committed the offense at issue here, again while on parole for previous offenses," the judge wrote. "The sentence... also reflects the seriousness of the offense, promotes respect for the law and provides just punishment for the offense, and affords adequate deterrence to criminal conduct."


usatoday--2020-03-29--Cuomo rips idea of banning New Yorkers from traveling to other states

New York 's governor on Saturday ripped suggestions by President Donald Trump that he might institute a ban on New Yorkers ' travel to other states amid the coronavirus outbreak , and Cuomo threatened to sue Rhode Island if it continues to seek out New Yorkers entering its borders .
`` I do n't believe that any federal administration could be serious about physical lockdowns on parts of states across this country , '' Cuomo said on CNN .
`` I do n't believe it 's legal .
It would be economic chaos . ''
Late Saturday , Trump apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has decided against imposing a quarantine on New York and the surrounding area .
“ On the recommendation of the White House CoronaVirus Task Force , and upon consultation with the Governor ’ s of New York , New Jersey and Connecticut , I have asked the @ CDCgov to issue a strong Travel Advisory , to be administered by the Governors , in consultation with the Federal Government , ” Trump announced late Saturday on Twitter .
“ A quarantine will not be necessary .
Full details will be released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soon after , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance urging residents of New York , New Jersey and Connecticut `` to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately . ''
The CDC said the governors of the tri-state area `` will have full discretion to implement this Domestic Travel Advisory . ''
Trump had said earlier Saturday that he is considering imposing an `` enforceable '' quarantine on New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut , areas hard-hit by the new coronavirus .
`` Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantined because it 's a hot spot , '' Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn as he departed for Norfolk , Virginia .
`` I 'm thinking about that right now .
We might not have to do it , but there 's a possibility that sometime today we 'll do a quarantine . ''
Coronavirus : Trump says he 's considering 2-week quarantines on New York , parts of New Jersey and Connecticut Cuomo said he talked to Trump on Saturday morning just before his comments at the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't mention the idea .
Nonetheless , Cuomo tore into the suggestion , saying it would be something not seen since the Civil War to restrict movement across states .
`` It would be a federal declaration of war on states , '' Cuomo said , adding he doubted Trump , a native New Yorker , would take the drastic steps .
Still , governors have started to take action to limit New Yorkers ' travel into other states , fearing they might bring the virus with them .
New York had about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by far the most in the nation , along with 528 deaths .
Governors in Texas , Florida , Maryland and South Carolina this week ordered people arriving from the New York area – including New Jersey and Connecticut – and other virus hot spots to self-quarantine for at least 14 days upon arrival .
Rhode Island State Police on Friday began pulling over vehicles with New York plates so that National Guard officials can collect contact information and inform them of a mandatory , 14-day quarantine .
The Providence Journal reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in summer communities looking for New York license plates and telling people to quarantine for 14 days .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island contended the order violated the Constitution 's Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful search , and Cuomo also doubted the legality of the state 's move , saying New York might have to sue .
`` We ’ re talking to Rhode Island , '' Cuomo said .
`` If they don ’ t roll back that policy , I ’ m going to sue Rhode Island .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation can be resolved without any lawsuits , saying he could simply turn around and ban people from other states from New York , which would lead to chaos among states .
`` I think it was reactionary .
I think it was illegal , '' he said .
`` We ’ ll work it out amicably I ’ m sure . ''
The fight over New Yorkers ' traveling away from their homes is playing out intrastate , as well .
Some upstate counties do not want downstate New Yorkers visiting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking to get out of New York City , where the majority of the state 's cases are .
Cuomo has said he has no plans to restrict travel within the state .
He has already ordered most businesses shuttered and closed all schools for another two weeks .

Cuomo rips idea of banning New Yorkers from traveling to other states
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump rips 'unappreciative' governors, tells Pence not to call them President Trump told reporters that certain governors are not appreciative enough of his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Associated Press, USA TODAY
ALBANY, N.Y. – This isn't a civil war, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
New York's governor on Saturday ripped suggestions by President Donald Trump that he might institute a ban on New Yorkers' travel to other states amid the coronavirus outbreak, and Cuomo threatened to sue Rhode Island if it continues to seek out New Yorkers entering its borders.
"I don't believe that any federal administration could be serious about physical lockdowns on parts of states across this country," Cuomo said on CNN. "I don't believe it's legal. It would be economic chaos."
Late Saturday, Trump apparently backed off the idea, tweeting that he has decided against imposing a quarantine on New York and the surrounding area.
“On the recommendation of the White House CoronaVirus Task Force, and upon consultation with the Governor’s of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, I have asked the @CDCgov to issue a strong Travel Advisory, to be administered by the Governors, in consultation with the Federal Government,” Trump announced late Saturday on Twitter. “A quarantine will not be necessary. Full details will be released by CDC tonight. Thank you!"
Soon after, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance urging residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut "to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately."
The CDC said the governors of the tri-state area "will have full discretion to implement this Domestic Travel Advisory."
Trump had said earlier Saturday that he is considering imposing an "enforceable" quarantine on New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, areas hard-hit by the new coronavirus.
"Some people would like to see New York quarantined because it's a hot spot," Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn as he departed for Norfolk, Virginia.
"I'm thinking about that right now. We might not have to do it, but there's a possibility that sometime today we'll do a quarantine."
Coronavirus: Trump says he's considering 2-week quarantines on New York, parts of New Jersey and Connecticut
Cuomo said he talked to Trump on Saturday morning just before his comments at the White House, saying the Republican president didn't mention the idea.
Nonetheless, Cuomo tore into the suggestion, saying it would be something not seen since the Civil War to restrict movement across states.
"It would be a federal declaration of war on states," Cuomo said, adding he doubted Trump, a native New Yorker, would take the drastic steps.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo to New Yorkers: "We will overcome" Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, vowed that New York would win the fight against coronavirus. Joseph Spector, Albany Bureau Chief
Still, governors have started to take action to limit New Yorkers' travel into other states, fearing they might bring the virus with them. New York had about 52,000 positive cases of coronavirus on Saturday, by far the most in the nation, along with 528 deaths.
Governors in Texas, Florida, Maryland and South Carolina this week ordered people arriving from the New York area – including New Jersey and Connecticut – and other virus hot spots to self-quarantine for at least 14 days upon arrival.
Rhode Island State Police on Friday began pulling over vehicles with New York plates so that National Guard officials can collect contact information and inform them of a mandatory, 14-day quarantine.
The Providence Journal reported authorities were already going door to door in summer communities looking for New York license plates and telling people to quarantine for 14 days.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island contended the order violated the Constitution's Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful search, and Cuomo also doubted the legality of the state's move, saying New York might have to sue.
"We’re talking to Rhode Island," Cuomo said. "If they don’t roll back that policy, I’m going to sue Rhode Island."
But Cuomo said he hopes the situation can be resolved without any lawsuits, saying he could simply turn around and ban people from other states from New York, which would lead to chaos among states.
"I think it was reactionary. I think it was illegal," he said. "We’ll work it out amicably I’m sure."
The fight over New Yorkers' traveling away from their homes is playing out intrastate, as well.
Some upstate counties do not want downstate New Yorkers visiting their weekend homes or renting houses to those looking to get out of New York City, where the majority of the state's cases are.
Cuomo has said he has no plans to restrict travel within the state. He has already ordered most businesses shuttered and closed all schools for another two weeks.
Contributing: USA TODAY. Follow Joseph Spector on Twitter: @GannettAlbany


usatoday--2020-03-28--Trump considers increasing quarantine restrictions on New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

Trump eyes New York , New Jersey and Connecticut quarantine restriction President Trump confirms , while sending off USNS Comfort @ @ @ @ @ that he is considering more quarantine restrictions on these states .

Trump eyes New York, New Jersey and Connecticut quarantine restriction
President Trump confirms, while sending off USNS Comfort to New York City, that he is considering more quarantine restrictions on these states.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-03-28--Trump rips 'unappreciative' governors as Michigan governor gives plea for more supplies

Trump rips 'unappreciative ' governors , tells Pence not to call them President Trump told reporters that certain governors are @ @ @ @ @ administration 's response to the coronavirus pandemic .

Trump rips 'unappreciative' governors, tells Pence not to call them
President Trump told reporters that certain governors are not appreciative enough of his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Associated Press, USA TODAY