usatoday--2020-04-16--Democrats might need 'creative' alternatives to a convention in August, former DNC chair says

MILWAUKEE – The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee suggested Wednesday that party officials explore `` creative '' alternatives to holding a national convention in Milwaukee this August .
Former Virginia Gov .
Terry McAuliffe , who led the 2000 Democratic National Convention , said in an online forum at the Meridian International Center that he believes it is `` very unlikely '' there will be a Milwaukee convention this year .
McAuliffe stressed that this was just his opinion .
He said it was a `` very , very difficult environment '' for Democrats to raise the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Sure , it 's possible we have a convention , '' said McAuliffe , who led the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005 .
`` I personally think it probably most unlikely that we have one . ''
He urged Democrats to look at contingency plans for a national convention .
`` The TV networks are going to give you the equal time that you would have at the convention , so come up with something clever around the country to do it to get the same media exposure , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` You can build , obviously , a stage anywhere you want , but there are a lot of creative that you need to do . ''
He added later that he had talked with DNC Chairman Tom Perez about the need for contingency plans .
He provided no further details .
Perez was not immediately available for comment .
Earlier this month , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said the 2020 national convention might need to be done virtually because of coronavirus concerns .
Officials had already moved the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we 're going to have to do a convention — may have to do a virtual convention , '' Biden said .
`` I think we should be thinking about that right now . ''
The massive event was supposed to be staged July 13-16 and attract up to 50,000 people to Milwaukee .
Convention organizers announced recently that the convention was being pushed back from July to the week of Aug. 17 to give them more time to cope with the coronavirus pandemic .
But much remains unknown , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedule .
A virtual convention could still be held in Milwaukee but would likely involve a dramatically smaller number of people .
Responding to McAuliffe 's comments , Joe Solmonese , the chief executive officer of the 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee , emphasized the need to hold the event .
`` I ’ m confident our team will find a way to deliver a convention in Milwaukee this summer that places our Democratic nominee on the path to victory in November , '' Solmonese said .
`` As we continue to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will always remain our top priority . ''
In the Wednesday interview , McAuliffe , a longtime friend of former President Bill and Hillary Clinton , said it 's also good to bring together Democratic activists and big donors at a presidential convention .
But he said officials need to be aware that a `` lot of mischief '' can occur at these events , especially in the crafting of the party platform .
In addition , he said , concerns about spreading coronavirus make it difficult to raise the tens of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the massive event .
`` You got to have contingency plans out there , '' McAuliffe said .
`` You got to raise $ 70 , $ 80 million dollars for these things .
Can you imagine trying to raise money right now to go to Milwaukee in the summer — how difficult that would be ? ''
Contact Daniel Bice at ( 414 ) 224-2135 or dbice @ jrn.com .
Follow him on Twitter @ DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice .

Democrats might need 'creative' alternatives to a convention in August, former DNC chair says
Show Caption Hide Caption How the DNC changed its rules since Sanders, Clinton in 2016 The primaries are here! How does one get elected in the first place and what is in store for the Democratic National Convention in 2020? We explain. Just the FAQs
MILWAUKEE – The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee suggested Wednesday that party officials explore "creative" alternatives to holding a national convention in Milwaukee this August.
Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who led the 2000 Democratic National Convention, said in an online forum at the Meridian International Center that he believes it is "very unlikely" there will be a Milwaukee convention this year.
McAuliffe stressed that this was just his opinion. He said it was a "very, very difficult environment" for Democrats to raise the money they need to hold the event.
"Sure, it's possible we have a convention," said McAuliffe, who led the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005. "I personally think it probably most unlikely that we have one."
He urged Democrats to look at contingency plans for a national convention.
"The TV networks are going to give you the equal time that you would have at the convention, so come up with something clever around the country to do it to get the same media exposure," McAuliffe told Susan Page of USA TODAY. "You can build, obviously, a stage anywhere you want, but there are a lot of creative that you need to do."
He added later that he had talked with DNC Chairman Tom Perez about the need for contingency plans. He provided no further details. Perez was not immediately available for comment.
Earlier this month, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said the 2020 national convention might need to be done virtually because of coronavirus concerns. Officials had already moved the event from July to August.
"Well, we're going to have to do a convention — may have to do a virtual convention," Biden said. "I think we should be thinking about that right now."
The massive event was supposed to be staged July 13-16 and attract up to 50,000 people to Milwaukee.
Convention organizers announced recently that the convention was being pushed back from July to the week of Aug. 17 to give them more time to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
But much remains unknown, including the convention's format, crowd size and schedule.
A virtual convention could still be held in Milwaukee but would likely involve a dramatically smaller number of people.
Responding to McAuliffe's comments, Joe Solmonese, the chief executive officer of the 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee, emphasized the need to hold the event.
"I’m confident our team will find a way to deliver a convention in Milwaukee this summer that places our Democratic nominee on the path to victory in November," Solmonese said. "As we continue to put plans in place, ensuring public safety will always remain our top priority."
In the Wednesday interview, McAuliffe, a longtime friend of former President Bill and Hillary Clinton, said it's also good to bring together Democratic activists and big donors at a presidential convention.
But he said officials need to be aware that a "lot of mischief" can occur at these events, especially in the crafting of the party platform.
In addition, he said, concerns about spreading coronavirus make it difficult to raise the tens of millions of dollars that are needed to put on the massive event.
"You got to have contingency plans out there," McAuliffe said. "You got to raise $70, $80 million dollars for these things. Can you imagine trying to raise money right now to go to Milwaukee in the summer — how difficult that would be?"
Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.


usatoday--2020-04-15--Stimulus checks are going out to people who have died, what that means for relatives

WASHINGTON – As many Americans receive $ 1,200 payments from the federal government to help offset the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic , some have been surprised to discover that their dead loved ones also were sent the funds .
`` Ok this is insane , but just the tip of the iceberg , '' tweeted Rep. Thomas Massie , R-Ky. , who shared an image of a text from a friend that read , `` Dad got his stimulus check of $ 1,200 .
He died in 2018 .
Does he have time to spend it online ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceased spouse of one of his acquaintances also received the money .
`` Is the government that desperate for people to spend money ? ''
Salaske wondered .
More : Where 's my stimulus check ?
IRS 'Get My Payment ' coronavirus stimulus check portal hit by early glitches Another Twitter user , Karrie Higgins , said her mother received a $ 2,400 deposit and assumed that was because her father died .
`` Does anyone know how this will be handled ? ''
Higgins asked .
`` Seems like they will want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' mother can actually keep the check , according to Nina Olson , the founder of the Center for Taxpayer Rights and former taxpayer advocate for the IRS .
Olson told USA TODAY that because the payments are based on taxpayers ' 2019 returns , or 2018 if they have not filed yet , people whose spouses died in those years would be eligible for a payment .
And Olson said that under the CARES Act – the massive $ 2.2-trillion stimulus plan that authorized the payments – a person who gets more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have their credit reduced `` below zero '' when they file their 2020 return .
In other words , they would not have to repay the $ 1,200 when they filed in 2020 .
More : Trump 's name to be printed on $ 1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks going out to Americans More : Will my stimulus check be affected if I owe taxes or child support ?
Your coronavirus money questions , answered Similarly , because a person is eligible to file jointly the year their spouse died they would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That was really consciously written into the law , '' Olson said .
`` It 's rough justice .
They 're using the data that 's available to get money into the system .
They know in advance that some payments will go out that should n't go out . ''
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley 's office said it is looking into the matter .
`` The American government paying money out to dead people , or to dead patients , or dead welfare beneficiaries is years and years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2010 to serve on a panel to oversee the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and help detect fraud and waste .
Sparrow , now a professor of public management at Harvard ’ s John F. Kennedy School of Government , explained that the payments may happen in part because of out-of-date government data on who is deceased .
If those records are n't up to date , the government ca n't filter out the people who should not be getting a payment with complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explanation is a lot more worrying : that other people are exploiting the identities of the dead to file false claims , '' he said .
He said such fraud is common in the health care arena , because , “ When you create a system where you can submit a claim electronically and it gets paid electronically , you open up the door for massive computerized fraud.
” More : Trump 's name to be printed on $ 1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks going out to Americans This is not the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceased .
In 2009 , as part of a $ 13 billion economic stimulus package , the Obama administration sent 52 million $ 250 one-time payments to citizens as an `` Economic Recovery Payment , '' or ERPs .
A report from the Office of the Inspector General found that over 70,000 recipients were deceased before the payment certification date .
More than half of those checks were returned , according to an article by the Wall Street Journal at the time .
According to the 2010 audit , some of those ERP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency `` was unaware of beneficiary deaths '' before it certified the payments .
It `` relied on questionable data in its payment records , '' and failed to review all available records , the report said .
However , it is not immediately clear what will happen with those who are receiving checks for deceased relatives and loved ones during the COVID-19 crisis .
As of Wednesday afternoon , the IRS did not have guidelines on its website for payments sent in error to the deceased .
The IRS did not immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
More : Trump taps US companies to advise on reopening economy amid coronavirus pandemic 'Lesser of these two evils ' : GOP congressman argues for sending Americans back to work during pandemic

William Cummings and Savannah Behrmann, USA TODAY

Stimulus checks are going out to people who have died, what that means for relatives
Show Caption Hide Caption CARES Act stimulus check: How much could you receive When you get your stimulus check and how much you get depend on several factors. Alexis Arnold, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – As many Americans receive $1,200 payments from the federal government to help offset the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, some have been surprised to discover that their dead loved ones also were sent the funds.
"Ok this is insane, but just the tip of the iceberg," tweeted Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who shared an image of a text from a friend that read, "Dad got his stimulus check of $1,200. He died in 2018. Does he have time to spend it online?"
Financial adviser Scott Salaske tweeted that the deceased spouse of one of his acquaintances also received the money.
"Is the government that desperate for people to spend money?" Salaske wondered.
More: Where's my stimulus check? IRS 'Get My Payment' coronavirus stimulus check portal hit by early glitches
Another Twitter user, Karrie Higgins, said her mother received a $2,400 deposit and assumed that was because her father died.
"Does anyone know how this will be handled?" Higgins asked. "Seems like they will want $1200 back."
But Higgins' mother can actually keep the check, according to Nina Olson, the founder of the Center for Taxpayer Rights and former taxpayer advocate for the IRS.
Olson told USA TODAY that because the payments are based on taxpayers' 2019 returns, or 2018 if they have not filed yet, people whose spouses died in those years would be eligible for a payment. And Olson said that under the CARES Act – the massive $2.2-trillion stimulus plan that authorized the payments – a person who gets more than they have been entitled to cannot have their credit reduced "below zero" when they file their 2020 return. In other words, they would not have to repay the $1,200 when they filed in 2020.
More: Trump's name to be printed on $1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks going out to Americans
More: Will my stimulus check be affected if I owe taxes or child support? Your coronavirus money questions, answered
Ok this is insane, but just the tip of the iceberg. This is a direct text to me from a friend. I called to confirm this actually just happened. pic.twitter.com/GBRPcmYMXW — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 15, 2020
Similarly, because a person is eligible to file jointly the year their spouse died they would also receive a payment for their dead spouse.
"That was really consciously written into the law," Olson said. "It's rough justice. They're using the data that's available to get money into the system. They know in advance that some payments will go out that shouldn't go out."
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley's office said it is looking into the matter.
"The American government paying money out to dead people, or to dead patients, or dead welfare beneficiaries is years and years old," said Malcolm Sparrow, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2010 to serve on a panel to oversee the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and help detect fraud and waste.
Sparrow, now a professor of public management at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, explained that the payments may happen in part because of out-of-date government data on who is deceased. If those records aren't up to date, the government can't filter out the people who should not be getting a payment with complete accuracy.
"So that's one potential explanation: that it's just out of date or inaccurate death records being transferred from one agency to another," he continued. "The other potential explanation is a lot more worrying: that other people are exploiting the identities of the dead to file false claims," he said.
He said such fraud is common in the health care arena, because, "When you create a system where you can submit a claim electronically and it gets paid electronically, you open up the door for massive computerized fraud."
More: Trump's name to be printed on $1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks going out to Americans
This is not the first time stimulus checks have been sent to the deceased.
In 2009, as part of a $13 billion economic stimulus package, the Obama administration sent 52 million $250 one-time payments to citizens as an "Economic Recovery Payment," or ERPs.
A report from the Office of the Inspector General found that over 70,000 recipients were deceased before the payment certification date. More than half of those checks were returned, according to an article by the Wall Street Journal at the time.
According to the 2010 audit, some of those ERP's were sent as the Social Security Agency "was unaware of beneficiary deaths" before it certified the payments. It "relied on questionable data in its payment records," and failed to review all available records, the report said.
However, it is not immediately clear what will happen with those who are receiving checks for deceased relatives and loved ones during the COVID-19 crisis.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the IRS did not have guidelines on its website for payments sent in error to the deceased. The IRS did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
More: Trump taps US companies to advise on reopening economy amid coronavirus pandemic
'Lesser of these two evils': GOP congressman argues for sending Americans back to work during pandemic
Deceased people are receiving stimulus checks today.
My grandmother passed away in 2018 — and $1,200 was deposited in her bank account today. pic.twitter.com/XkhyiGxBgj — Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 15, 2020


usatoday--2020-04-15--Navy secretary sought OK for $243,000 flight to COVID-stricken ship after returning from Guam

WASHINGTON – Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly took his $ 243,000 trip to the COVID-19 ravaged USS Theodore Roosevelt before formally asking for approval to use extra pilots to accommodate his schedule , according to documents and a Navy official .
Once in Guam , Modly made a brief appearance on the ship , gave a 15-minute speech excoriating the captain he had fired for beseeching the Navy for help for his crew , and potentially exposed himself to coronavirus .
Modly and two staff members are in quarantine , according to a Navy official who was not authorized to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed to potential infection , the official said .
A 2018 policy instituted under then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis prompted Modly 's office to file the request for a waiver , a copy of which was obtained by USA TODAY .
The directive seeks to limit senior officials to one air crew per trip to curb the cost of travel by military aircraft .
Waivers have been issued to senior officials visiting troops in combat zones .
Modly 's office had informed the Pentagon orally before the trip that he intended to use more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Acting Navy Secretary Modly has resigned : Here 's what we know .
The 35-hour , $ 243,000 trip cost Modly his job and has roiled the Navy as it seeks to care for the 589 sailors from the Roosevelt who have tested positive for COVID-19 .
One sailor has died from the disease , and another is in intensive care , the Navy announced Tuesday .
On April 4 , Modly flew with members of his staff and an additional air crew from Washington to Hawaii aboard a C-37B , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military use .
In Hawaii , Modly and his staff joined another party that included the new commanding officer of the Roosevelt .
They then flew to Guam , leaving behind an air crew , according to his request for the waiver .
Modly returned on April 6 to Hawaii , where the extra air crew was waiting to provide his `` timely return '' to Washington .
The waiver request is stamped April 7 , the day Modly resigned amid criticism for calling Capt .
Brett Cozier , the former commander of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in charge .
Modly 's exposure to the virus forced him to tender his resignation offer remotely .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper accepted and named James McPherson to fill Modly 's post .
President Donald Trump has waded into the controversy , criticizing Crozier for writing the letter but suggesting his career not be ruined for having a `` bad day . ''
A Navy investigation into events surrounding Crozier 's letter is expected to be released this week .
Farewell : Capt .
Crozier , fired for letter about coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to fly to Guam and back without allowing time to rest crews was made so quickly that his chief of staff filed the the request after his return .
The letter sought an exception to the June 2018 policy memo written by Mattis ' Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan .
Using an extra crew can divert it from other missions and waste limited resources , according to a Pentagon official who has been involved in travel planning but is not authorized to speak about it .
Use of an extra crew can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The letter was sent to the Pentagon 's Executive Secretary , an organization inside the Defense secretary 's office that approves military air travel for senior Pentagon and cabinet officials .
`` Rapidly changing events in Guam with ( the Roosevelt ) response necessitated a short-notice decision to travel on a Saturday , resulting in our office not seeking an advance exception to policy , '' wrote Robert Love , Modly 's chief of staff .
Rep. Jackie Speier , D-Calif. , and a member of the Armed Services Committee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modly 's trip .
“ Modly fired Capt .
Crozier for not adhering to the chain of command , yet he flies to Guam costing taxpayers a quarter of a million dollars – endangers the lives of two flight crews – and does this all without getting approval from the secretary of Defense , '' Speier said .
`` This warrants an investigation , not just a quick resignation with yet another Trump appointee slinking off .
We must demand accountability . ''
On Tuesday , Esper said approval of the waiver was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by senior leaders is `` invaluable '' for their understanding of military operations .
He noted that travels extensively as Defense secretary and did so as Army secretary , his previous post .
Esper himself needed a waiver as Army secretary to lead a delegation to the Invictus Games for wounded warriors in Sydney .
Modly 's predecessor , Richard Spencer , avoided the need for a waiver in 2018 by flying home on a commercial airliner from the Middle East , records show .

Navy secretary sought OK for $243,000 flight to COVID-stricken ship after returning from Guam
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Navy's Modly is out after comments about Captain Crozier Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly is out after a profanity-laced speech about Capt. Brett Crozier, who was fired for pleading for help for his crew. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly took his $243,000 trip to the COVID-19 ravaged USS Theodore Roosevelt before formally asking for approval to use extra pilots to accommodate his schedule, according to documents and a Navy official.
Once in Guam, Modly made a brief appearance on the ship, gave a 15-minute speech excoriating the captain he had fired for beseeching the Navy for help for his crew, and potentially exposed himself to coronavirus. Modly and two staff members are in quarantine, according to a Navy official who was not authorized to comment publicly. The pilots were not exposed to potential infection, the official said.
A 2018 policy instituted under then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis prompted Modly's office to file the request for a waiver, a copy of which was obtained by USA TODAY. The directive seeks to limit senior officials to one air crew per trip to curb the cost of travel by military aircraft. Waivers have been issued to senior officials visiting troops in combat zones.
Modly's office had informed the Pentagon orally before the trip that he intended to use more than one crew, the Navy official said.
Acting Navy Secretary Modly has resigned: Here's what we know.
The 35-hour, $243,000 trip cost Modly his job and has roiled the Navy as it seeks to care for the 589 sailors from the Roosevelt who have tested positive for COVID-19. One sailor has died from the disease, and another is in intensive care, the Navy announced Tuesday.
On April 4, Modly flew with members of his staff and an additional air crew from Washington to Hawaii aboard a C-37B, a Gulfstream 550 business jet modified for military use. In Hawaii, Modly and his staff joined another party that included the new commanding officer of the Roosevelt. They then flew to Guam, leaving behind an air crew, according to his request for the waiver. Modly returned on April 6 to Hawaii, where the extra air crew was waiting to provide his "timely return" to Washington.
The waiver request is stamped April 7, the day Modly resigned amid criticism for calling Capt. Brett Cozier, the former commander of the Roosevelt, too naive and stupid to be in charge. Modly's exposure to the virus forced him to tender his resignation offer remotely. Defense Secretary Mark Esper accepted and named James McPherson to fill Modly's post.
President Donald Trump has waded into the controversy, criticizing Crozier for writing the letter but suggesting his career not be ruined for having a "bad day." A Navy investigation into events surrounding Crozier's letter is expected to be released this week.
Farewell: Capt. Crozier, fired for letter about coronavirus, gets send-off from sailors
Modly's decision to fly to Guam and back without allowing time to rest crews was made so quickly that his chief of staff filed the the request after his return. The letter sought an exception to the June 2018 policy memo written by Mattis' Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan.
Using an extra crew can divert it from other missions and waste limited resources, according to a Pentagon official who has been involved in travel planning but is not authorized to speak about it. Use of an extra crew can indicate poor trip planning, the official said.
The letter was sent to the Pentagon's Executive Secretary, an organization inside the Defense secretary's office that approves military air travel for senior Pentagon and cabinet officials.
"Rapidly changing events in Guam with (the Roosevelt) response necessitated a short-notice decision to travel on a Saturday, resulting in our office not seeking an advance exception to policy," wrote Robert Love, Modly's chief of staff.
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., and a member of the Armed Services Committee, called Tuesday for an an investigation into Modly's trip.
“Modly fired Capt. Crozier for not adhering to the chain of command, yet he flies to Guam costing taxpayers a quarter of a million dollars – endangers the lives of two flight crews – and does this all without getting approval from the secretary of Defense," Speier said. "This warrants an investigation, not just a quick resignation with yet another Trump appointee slinking off. We must demand accountability."
On Tuesday, Esper said approval of the waiver was not his responsibility but added that travel by senior leaders is "invaluable" for their understanding of military operations. He noted that travels extensively as Defense secretary and did so as Army secretary, his previous post. Esper himself needed a waiver as Army secretary to lead a delegation to the Invictus Games for wounded warriors in Sydney.
Modly's predecessor, Richard Spencer, avoided the need for a waiver in 2018 by flying home on a commercial airliner from the Middle East, records show.
Fact check: What's true and what's false about coronavirus?


usatoday--2020-04-15--Fact check: Trump's campaign-style video touts coronavirus response, omits details

President Trump played the video at a White House briefing , slamming what he sees as unfair media coverage of @ @ @ @ @ .

President Donald Trump's campaign-style video omits details, context
President Trump played the video at a White House briefing, slamming what he sees as unfair media coverage of his administration's pandemic response.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-04-15--Trump announces 'halt' in US funding to World Health Organization amid coronavirus pandemic

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Tuesday his administration will `` halt '' U.S. funding to the World Health Organization as it conducts a review of the global organization 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We have deep concerns about whether America 's generosity has been put to the best use possible , ” the president said in a Rose Garden press conference .
“ The reality is that the WHO failed to adequately obtain , vet and share information in a timely and transparent fashion . ''
Trump has accused the organization of not moving quickly enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being too China friendly .
He has attacked the agency for advising the U.S. against banning travel from China to other parts of the world amid the outbreak .
`` And the World – WHO – World Health got it wrong , '' the president told reporters at the White House last week .
`` I mean , they got it very wrong .
In many ways , they were wrong .
They also minimized the threat very strongly and – not good . ''
Trump has previously said he was considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he accused the organization of `` severely mismanaging and covering up '' the spread of the coronavirus after the initial outbreak in Wuhan , China .
Poll : In four devastating weeks , Americans ' fears of the coronavirus have exploded The U.S. paid $ 893 million to the WHO during its two-year budget window , according to the organization 's website .
That money represents about 15 % of the WHO 's budget .
Established in 1948 , the WHO is an autonomous organization that works with the United Nations and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During Tuesday 's briefing , the president asked whether it was appropriate to freeze WHO 's funding in the middle of a pandemic that has claimed more than 125,000 lives worldwide with over 2 million cases confirmed , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
`` This is an evaluation period , but in the meantime , we 're putting a hold on all funds going to World Health , '' Trump said .
Trump said the review would last between 60 and 90 days .
He said the administration would `` channel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat the coronavirus outbreak , but declined to provide any specifics .
The American Medical Association was quick to criticize the president 's move and urged him to reconsider his decision .
`` During the worst public health crisis in a century , halting funding to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) is a dangerous step in the wrong direction that will not make defeating COVID-19 easier , '' AMA President Patrice A. Harris said in a statement .
`` Cutting funding to the WHO - rather than focusing on solutions - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment for the world , '' she said .
Leslie Dach , chair of the pro-Obamacare group Protect Our Care and the former global Ebola coordinator for the Department of Health and Human Services , called the decision an attempt to shift blame for the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. '' This is nothing more than a transparent attempt by President Trump to distract from his history downplaying the severity of the coronavirus crisis and his administration ’ s failure to prepare our nation , '' she said .
`` To be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without fault but it is beyond irresponsible to cut its funding at the height of a global pandemic .
This move will undoubtedly make Americans less safe . ''

John Fritze and Courtney Subramanian, USA TODAY

Trump announces 'halt' in US funding to World Health Organization amid coronavirus pandemic
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump halts US payments to WHO President Donald Trump says he has directed a halt to U.S. payments to the World Health Organization pending a review of its warnings about the coronavirus and China. (April 14) AP
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Tuesday his administration will "halt" U.S. funding to the World Health Organization as it conducts a review of the global organization's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have deep concerns about whether America's generosity has been put to the best use possible,” the president said in a Rose Garden press conference. “The reality is that the WHO failed to adequately obtain, vet and share information in a timely and transparent fashion."
Trump has accused the organization of not moving quickly enough to sound the alarm over COVID-19 and of being too China friendly. He has attacked the agency for advising the U.S. against banning travel from China to other parts of the world amid the outbreak.
"And the World – WHO – World Health got it wrong," the president told reporters at the White House last week. "I mean, they got it very wrong. In many ways, they were wrong. They also minimized the threat very strongly and – not good."
Trump has previously said he was considering cutting WHO funding, but on Tuesday he accused the organization of "severely mismanaging and covering up" the spread of the coronavirus after the initial outbreak in Wuhan,China.
Coronavirus symptoms versus flu symptoms We answer the often searched question: "What are the symptoms of coronavirus versus the flu?" USA TODAY
Fact check: President Donald Trump vs. the World Health Organization
Poll: In four devastating weeks, Americans' fears of the coronavirus have exploded
The U.S. paid $893 million to the WHO during its two-year budget window, according to the organization's website. That money represents about 15% of the WHO's budget.
Established in 1948, the WHO is an autonomous organization that works with the United Nations and is considered part of the U.N. system.
During Tuesday's briefing, the president asked whether it was appropriate to freeze WHO's funding in the middle of a pandemic that has claimed more than 125,000 lives worldwide with over 2 million cases confirmed, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
"This is an evaluation period, but in the meantime, we're putting a hold on all funds going to World Health," Trump said.
Trump said the review would last between 60 and 90 days. He said the administration would "channel" the money into other areas to combat the coronavirus outbreak, but declined to provide any specifics.
The American Medical Association was quick to criticize the president's move and urged him to reconsider his decision.
"During the worst public health crisis in a century, halting funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) is a dangerous step in the wrong direction that will not make defeating COVID-19 easier," AMA President Patrice A. Harris said in a statement.
Harris added that battling a pandemic requires international cooperation and data.
"Cutting funding to the WHO - rather than focusing on solutions - is a dangerous move at a precarious moment for the world," she said.
Leslie Dach, chair of the pro-Obamacare group Protect Our Care and the former global Ebola coordinator for the Department of Health and Human Services, called the decision an attempt to shift blame for the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.
"This is nothing more than a transparent attempt by President Trump to distract from his history downplaying the severity of the coronavirus crisis and his administration’s failure to prepare our nation," she said. "To be sure, the World Health Organization is not without fault but it is beyond irresponsible to cut its funding at the height of a global pandemic. This move will undoubtedly make Americans less safe."
Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard


usatoday--2020-04-15--Fact check: Trump's campaign-style video touting coronavirus response omits key details, context

WASHINGTON – Pushing back on reporting that has questioned the scope of his administration 's response to the coronavirus pandemic , President Donald Trump played an unusual three-minute-plus video at the White House this week touting his efforts .
As the president stood off stage and smiled , occasionally pointing to the two screens set up in the briefing room , the video ran through laudatory sound bytes from Democratic and Republican governors , an abbreviated timeline of his actions and a number of experts downplaying the potential impact of the virus in the United States in its early weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House staff , was meant as a retort to recent reports that the administration lost time in its early efforts .
One of those reports , published by USA TODAY , found the president `` squandered '' a critical week in March .
Another , in the New York Times , found the president was slow to respond to warnings in February .
While the video quotes the governors , journalists and media personalities involved , it omits key context – for instance presenting only the positive responses from governors while ignoring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address a central question raised by the coverage : Whether the administration moved too slowly in February .
A video timeline that highlights the president ’ s words begins March 2 .
By then , the virus had already killed more than 3,000 people , most in China , according to the World Health Organization .
Here 's a look at some of the claims posed by the video , and the context .
The claim : Media `` minimized '' the risk of coronavirus `` from the start . ''
The video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television in January to suggest the media downplayed the risk of the virus .
In one , Jennifer Ashton , chief medical correspondent for ABC News , said on Jan. 25 that `` people should be more concerned right now with the flu in this country . ''
In another , David Agus , a CBS News contributor , predicted Feb. 8 that `` coronavirus is not going to cause a major issue in the United States . ''
Responding to the White House video , Agus tweeted on April 13 that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the U.S. has `` the best epidemiology teams '' in the world .
`` I was wrong to accept this as fact , '' he added , `` and have learned to question not trust . ''
As in much of the video , the selected clips are accurate but leave out other sound bytes in which experts on the same networks stressed the danger .
On the same day of Ashton 's interview , ABC News described the coronavirus as a `` growing medical nightmare '' and a `` dangerous new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same day Agus delivered his prognosis , CBS ran a story about the first U.S. citizen dying of the virus .
The implicit message in the video is that the media did not take the threat seriously while Trump did .
But the president was using nearly identical language at the time to describe the virus .
On Feb. 28 , a month after the ABC News clip , Trump used a campaign rally in South Carolina to slam media `` hysteria '' and describe criticism of his response as a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential impact of the virus to the seasonal flu .
Trump mentioned that `` 35,000 people on average die each year from the flu .
Did anyone know that ? ''
He continued : `` So far , we have lost nobody to coronavirus in the United States .
Nobody .
And it does n't mean we wo n't , and we are totally prepared .
It does n't mean we wo n't , but think of it , you hear 35,000 and 40,000 people and we have lost nobody , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hysteria mode . ''
Trump 's video featured a clip from Fox News personality Sean Hannity interviewing Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
In the Jan. 27 interview , Hannity asks Fauci if `` this a moment where maybe countries put politics aside '' and help contain the spread of the virus .
The implication in the clip seems to be that Hannity , a close ally of the president , was taking the virus seriously while other media personalities were not .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus in China and whether officials such as Fauci should get involved to help overseas , not a prescient remark on the impact in the United States .
`` Let 's assume for a second that you 're right and I 've watched you for so long and I know this is what you do , so my question is , what if it is worse ? ''
Hannity asked .
`` Is this a moment where maybe countries put politics aside , a little bit of pride aside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should U.S. professional such as yourself get involved and help them out to try to contain this ? ''
Fauci said he would like U.S. officials to `` get there and look at the data firsthand . ''
Hannity 's critics have pointed to another clip , from March 9 – more than a month later – in which he described the reaction to the virus as a `` hoax '' and compared it to a cold .
Hannity called the virus a `` serious disease , '' but then said the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon . ''
`` Now , should you and your family be concerned ?
Of course .
You should be concerned about the flu .
You should be concerned about a cold , '' Hannity said .
`` You should be concerned about any health risk .
I mean , scaring the living hell out of people and I see it again .
It 's like oh , let 's let bludgeon Trump with this new hoax . ''
The claim : 'Unleashed the full power of the federal government' Trump has claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full power '' of the federal government at least a half dozen times since mid-March .
In the video , a clip of the president repeating that phrase is included from his Rose Garden press conference in which he announced he was declaring a national emergency .
`` To unleash the full power of the federal government in this effort , today I am officially declaring a national emergency , '' Trump said at the time .
Trump declared a national emergency on March 13 under the Stafford Act – the 1988 law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after deadly weather events , for instance – and the separate National Emergencies Act .
Even Democratic critics in Congress acknowledged the significance of both moves .
Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vt. , described the decision at the time as a “ responsible step.
” Trump is also using the Korean War-era Defense Production Act to speed the manufacture of ventilators , criminalize the hoarding of medical gear and crack down on the export of masks and other essential products .
The Trump administration announced the travel restrictions on Jan. 31 and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president took many significant actions , there were other powers he did not use – a point he has acknowledged .
In some cases , Trump has said the states were more effective at addressing the problem at hand than the federal government .
For instance , federal law gives the president the power to impose interstate quarantines , a step Trump never took as states had imposed their own lock downs .
Instead of attempting nationwide action , Trump rolled out a series of social distancing guidelines .
`` So we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the other day .
A group came to me and they wanted to do the quarantine .
And I said , 'Let ’ s think about it , ' '' Trump said on March 30 .
`` And by the time the evening came , it just was something that was very unwieldy , very tough to enforce , and something we didn ’ t want to do . ''
Trump imposed restrictions on overseas travel to China and Europe , but he declined to place similar restrictions on domestic flights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ground planes and Trump said in early April he was “ looking at ” that possibility for coronavirus hot spots .
So far , though , he has not taken that step .
The claim : Trump administration immediately sped up supply of masks Trump 's video shows Defense Secretary Mark Esper at a March 17 news conference saying that “ the first 1 million masks will be developed immediately.
” He was referring to 5 million N95 respirator masks the Pentagon made available as the Trump administration ramped up the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million masks might sound like a lot , but medical experts have said the U.S. needs 3.5 billion masks for an outbreak .
At that point in mid-March , some hospitals had already started to experience severe mask shortages to provide protection for doctors and nurses in the front lines of the pandemic .
Some medical professionals early on had to reuse masks designed for one-time use .
But the video left out the scale of the shortage .
The video also did not mention that governors of states themselves have had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other supplies needed at hospitals .
“ I ’ ll contract with a company for 1,000 masks , ” New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , said in a press briefing five days after Esper ’ s comment .
“ They ’ ll call back 20 minutes later and say , ‘ The price just went up , ’ because they had a better offer.
” California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , recently secured a $ 1.4 billion deal for the state to receive 200 million masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billionaire owner of the New England Patriots , ordered the team ’ s plane to China to bring back 1 million masks for Massachusetts .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a strategic reserve of N95 masks from which it distributed to states especially in need .
As of last month , there were also some 12 million N95 respirators and 30 million surgical masks in a National Strategic Stockpile – but the Trump administration has said this allotment is for the federal government to supplant states ’ shortfalls .
The video highlights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter Maggie Haberman , a regular media target of the president , from her March 25 appearance on “ The Daily ” podcast .
Haberman said , “ As there were more cases and it was clear that it was spreading out of China , where it originated , the president took this move that he was widely criticized for by Democrats , and even some Republicans at the time , which was he halted a number of flights from China into the U.S .
The idea was to halt the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum .
He was accused of xenophobia .
He was accused of making a racist move .
At the end of the day , it was probably effective because it did actually take a pretty aggressive measure against the spread of the virus.
” Haberman is correctly quoted , but she called the use of the audio “ misleading ” because she went on to say in the same podcast that Trump treated the travel limitation as a “ 'Mission Accomplished ' moment , ” referring to President George W. Bush ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The video cuts off Haberman ’ s remarks before she went on to say , `` The problem is it was one of the last things that he did for several weeks .
`` In the same way that George W. Bush was criticized for his ‘ Mission Accomplished ’ banner for Iraq , the president treated that moment as if it was his ‘ Mission Accomplished ’ moment .
He did not do anything after that in terms of alerting the public or telling people to be safe or telling people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squandered several weeks in the U.S. ” The New York Times reported last weekend that Trump ’ s top public health advisers were sounding the alarm to begin social distancing measures in February , but Trump was focused instead on the messaging of the outbreak .
Questions were also raised about the effectiveness of the travel restrictions from China after a new study has suggested that New York ’ s coronavirus first cases came from travelers from Europe , not China .
The Claim : Governors widely praised Trump 's response , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The video singles out quotes from several governors praising the federal government : Cuomo : “ His team is on it .
They 've been responsive late at night , early in the morning , and they 've thus far been doing everything that they can do and I want to say thank you and I want to say that I appreciate it .
Newsom : “ He returns calls , he reaches out , he 's been proactive .
We got that Mercy ship down here in Los Angeles .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two thousand medical units came to the state of California .
These FMS , these – these field medical stations – and that 's been very , very helpful.
” Republican Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis : `` The president has been outstanding through all this .
The vice president 's been outstanding .
Members of the coronavirus task force , very responsive.
” Each governor is quoted accurately , but Trump has also faced criticism from governors for the federal government ’ s response – particularly as they had to compete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of that criticism has come from the same governors the White House highlights in the video .
Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , a Democrat , called the struggle to obtain personal protective equipment , or PPE , a `` Wild West '' that 's forcing his state to overpay for the gear its able to secure .
Cuomo said `` we 're savaging other states '' as they fight for equipment .
Cuomo and other governors also pushed for a “ federalized response '' to the coronavirus outbreak rather than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Before social distancing measures became widespread nationally , some states like New York had closed bars and restaurants but other states next-door had not .
“ We ’ ve been behind on it from Day 1 , and I ’ m not giving up , '' Cuomo said on March 16 .
`` There are things we need the federal government to do.
” By and large , governors have been wary of criticizing Trump 's response .
Trump told Vice President Mike Pence , who leads the White House 's coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have not been `` appreciative '' of his administration 's efforts .
The praise from DeSantis , a Trump loyalist , is not a surprise .
But DeSantis has also garnered his own scrutiny for being slow to close the state 's many beaches .
The White House video also leaves out spats he ’ s had with Democratic Gov .
Jay Inslee of Washington and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan .
Both governors have criticized Trump for leaving the handling of the crisis to states .
Whitmer last month said the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough , '' and that `` to hear the leader of the federal government tell us to work around the federal government because it ’ s too slow is kind of mind-boggling . ''
Trump in response tweeted : “ Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive . ''
Trump called Inslee a `` snake '' on March 6 in response to Inslee saying that Trump needs to stick to the science as the president downplayed the outbreak .
Appearing on `` Meet the Press '' this month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the pandemic , arguing there should have been a national stay-at-home order , among other criticisms .
“ This is ludicrous that we do not have a national effort in this , ” Inslee said .
“ I mean , the surgeon general alluded to Pearl Harbor .
Can you imagine if Franklin Delano Roosevelt said , ‘ I ’ ll be right behind you , Connecticut .
Good luck building those battleships . '
”

John Fritze and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

Fact check: Trump's campaign-style video touting coronavirus response omits key details, context
Show Caption Hide Caption President Donald Trump's campaign-style video omits details, context President Trump played the video at a White House briefing, slamming what he sees as unfair media coverage of his administration's pandemic response. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Pushing back on reporting that has questioned the scope of his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump played an unusual three-minute-plus video at the White House this week touting his efforts.
As the president stood off stage and smiled, occasionally pointing to the two screens set up in the briefing room, the video ran through laudatory sound bytes from Democratic and Republican governors, an abbreviated timeline of his actions and a number of experts downplaying the potential impact of the virus in the United States in its early weeks.
The video, created by White House staff, was meant as a retort to recent reports that the administration lost time in its early efforts. One of those reports, published by USA TODAY, found the president "squandered" a critical week in March. Another, in the New York Times, found the president was slow to respond to warnings in February.
While the video quotes the governors, journalists and media personalities involved, it omits key context – for instance presenting only the positive responses from governors while ignoring the criticism.
The video did little to address a central question raised by the coverage: Whether the administration moved too slowly in February. A video timeline that highlights the president’s words begins March 2. By then, the virus had already killed more than 3,000 people, most in China, according to the World Health Organization.
Here's a look at some of the claims posed by the video, and the context.
The claim: Media "minimized" the risk of coronavirus "from the start."
The video includes clips from experts interviewed on national television in January to suggest the media downplayed the risk of the virus.
In one, Jennifer Ashton, chief medical correspondent for ABC News, said on Jan. 25 that "people should be more concerned right now with the flu in this country." In another, David Agus, a CBS News contributor, predicted Feb. 8 that "coronavirus is not going to cause a major issue in the United States."
Responding to the White House video, Agus tweeted on April 13 that he based his assessment partly on his understanding that the U.S. has "the best epidemiology teams" in the world. "I was wrong to accept this as fact," he added, "and have learned to question not trust."
As in much of the video, the selected clips are accurate but leave out other sound bytes in which experts on the same networks stressed the danger. On the same day of Ashton's interview, ABC News described the coronavirus as a "growing medical nightmare" and a " dangerous new disease," transcripts show. On the same day Agus delivered his prognosis, CBS ran a story about the first U.S. citizen dying of the virus.
The implicit message in the video is that the media did not take the threat seriously while Trump did. But the president was using nearly identical language at the time to describe the virus. On Feb. 28, a month after the ABC News clip, Trump used a campaign rally in South Carolina to slam media "hysteria" and describe criticism of his response as a "hoax."
He also compared the potential impact of the virus to the seasonal flu.
Trump mentioned that "35,000 people on average die each year from the flu. Did anyone know that?" He continued: "So far, we have lost nobody to coronavirus in the United States. Nobody. And it doesn't mean we won't, and we are totally prepared. It doesn't mean we won't, but think of it, you hear 35,000 and 40,000 people and we have lost nobody, and you wonder (why) the press is in hysteria mode."
The claim: Fox sounded an alarm.
Trump's video featured a clip from Fox News personality Sean Hannity interviewing Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In the Jan. 27 interview, Hannity asks Fauci if "this a moment where maybe countries put politics aside" and help contain the spread of the virus.
The implication in the clip seems to be that Hannity, a close ally of the president, was taking the virus seriously while other media personalities were not.
But Hannity's question was focused on the spread of the virus in China and whether officials such as Fauci should get involved to help overseas, not a prescient remark on the impact in the United States.
"Let's assume for a second that you're right and I've watched you for so long and I know this is what you do, so my question is, what if it is worse?" Hannity asked. "Is this a moment where maybe countries put politics aside, a little bit of pride aside, and do we have U.S. officials, should U.S. professional such as yourself get involved and help them out to try to contain this?"
Fauci said he would like U.S. officials to "get there and look at the data firsthand."
Hannity's critics have pointed to another clip, from March 9 – more than a month later – in which he described the reaction to the virus as a "hoax" and compared it to a cold. Hannity called the virus a "serious disease," but then said the media was using it as a "political weapon."
"Now, should you and your family be concerned? Of course. You should be concerned about the flu. You should be concerned about a cold," Hannity said. "You should be concerned about any health risk. I mean, scaring the living hell out of people and I see it again. It's like oh, let's let bludgeon Trump with this new hoax."
The claim: 'Unleashed the full power of the federal government'
Trump has claimed he is unleashing or marshaling the "full power" of the federal government at least a half dozen times since mid-March. In the video, a clip of the president repeating that phrase is included from his Rose Garden press conference in which he announced he was declaring a national emergency.
"To unleash the full power of the federal government in this effort, today I am officially declaring a national emergency," Trump said at the time.
Trump declared a national emergency on March 13 under the Stafford Act – the 1988 law that allows him to declare major disasters after deadly weather events, for instance – and the separate National Emergencies Act. Even Democratic critics in Congress acknowledged the significance of both moves. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., described the decision at the time as a “responsible step.” Trump is also using the Korean War-era Defense Production Act to speed the manufacture of ventilators, criminalize the hoarding of medical gear and crack down on the export of masks and other essential products.
The Trump administration announced the travel restrictions on Jan. 31 and they went into effect Feb. 2.
While the president took many significant actions, there were other powers he did not use – a point he has acknowledged. In some cases, Trump has said the states were more effective at addressing the problem at hand than the federal government.
For instance, federal law gives the president the power to impose interstate quarantines, a step Trump never took as states had imposed their own lock downs. Instead of attempting nationwide action, Trump rolled out a series of social distancing guidelines.
"So we talked about quarantine, as you know, the other day. A group came to me and they wanted to do the quarantine. And I said, 'Let’s think about it,'" Trump said on March 30. "And by the time the evening came, it just was something that was very unwieldy, very tough to enforce, and something we didn’t want to do."
Trump imposed restrictions on overseas travel to China and Europe, but he declined to place similar restrictions on domestic flights. The Federal Aviation Administration has the power to ground planes and Trump said in early April he was “looking at” that possibility for coronavirus hot spots.
So far, though, he has not taken that step.
The claim :Trump administration immediately sped up supply of masks
Trump's video shows Defense Secretary Mark Esper at a March 17 news conference saying that “the first 1 million masks will be developed immediately.” He was referring to 5 million N95 respirator masks the Pentagon made available as the Trump administration ramped up the military response to the coronavirus outbreak.
One million masks might sound like a lot, but medical experts have said the U.S. needs 3.5 billion masks for an outbreak. At that point in mid-March, some hospitals had already started to experience severe mask shortages to provide protection for doctors and nurses in the front lines of the pandemic. Some medical professionals early on had to reuse masks designed for one-time use.
But the video left out the scale of the shortage. The video also did not mention that governors of states themselves have had to bid against each other for masks and other supplies needed at hospitals.
“I’ll contract with a company for 1,000 masks,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, said in a press briefing five days after Esper’s comment. “They’ll call back 20 minutes later and say, ‘The price just went up,’ because they had a better offer.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, recently secured a $1.4 billion deal for the state to receive 200 million masks a month. Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, ordered the team’s plane to China to bring back 1 million masks for Massachusetts.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a strategic reserve of N95 masks from which it distributed to states especially in need. As of last month, there were also some 12 million N95 respirators and 30 million surgical masks in a National Strategic Stockpile – but the Trump administration has said this allotment is for the federal government to supplant states’ shortfalls.
The Claim: Times reporter praised Trump for 'aggressive' action
The video highlights remarks from New York Times White House reporter Maggie Haberman, a regular media target of the president, from her March 25 appearance on “The Daily” podcast.
Haberman said, “As there were more cases and it was clear that it was spreading out of China, where it originated, the president took this move that he was widely criticized for by Democrats, and even some Republicans at the time, which was he halted a number of flights from China into the U.S. The idea was to halt the spread of the disease, keep transmissions to a minimum. He was accused of xenophobia. He was accused of making a racist move. At the end of the day, it was probably effective because it did actually take a pretty aggressive measure against the spread of the virus.”
Haberman is correctly quoted, but she called the use of the audio “misleading” because she went on to say in the same podcast that Trump treated the travel limitation as a “'Mission Accomplished' moment,” referring to President George W. Bush’s infamous banner during the war in Iraq.
The president is using audio of me on The Daily to bash my reporting in the paper (though I’m so glad they listen to the Daily). Their use of the audio is misleading - I went on to say I said he treated that travel limitation as a Mission Accomplished moment. — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) April 13, 2020
The video cuts off Haberman’s remarks before she went on to say, "The problem is it was one of the last things that he did for several weeks.
"In the same way that George W. Bush was criticized for his ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner for Iraq, the president treated that moment as if it was his ‘Mission Accomplished’ moment. He did not do anything after that in terms of alerting the public or telling people to be safe or telling people to take precautions, and it basically squandered several weeks in the U.S.”
The New York Times reported last weekend that Trump’s top public health advisers were sounding the alarm to begin social distancing measures in February, but Trump was focused instead on the messaging of the outbreak.
Questions were also raised about the effectiveness of the travel restrictions from China after a new study has suggested that New York’s coronavirus first cases came from travelers from Europe, not China.
The Claim: Governors widely praised Trump's response, especially in hard hit states like New York
The video singles out quotes from several governors praising the federal government:
Cuomo: “His team is on it. They've been responsive late at night, early in the morning, and they've thus far been doing everything that they can do and I want to say thank you and I want to say that I appreciate it.
Newsom: “He returns calls, he reaches out, he's been proactive. We got that Mercy ship down here in Los Angeles. That was directly because he sent it down here. Two thousand medical units came to the state of California. These FMS, these – these field medical stations – and that's been very, very helpful.”
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: "The president has been outstanding through all this. The vice president's been outstanding. Members of the coronavirus task force, very responsive.”
Each governor is quoted accurately, but Trump has also faced criticism from governors for the federal government’s response – particularly as they had to compete with FEMA for crucial medical supplies. Some of that criticism has come from the same governors the White House highlights in the video.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, called the struggle to obtain personal protective equipment, or PPE, a "Wild West" that's forcing his state to overpay for the gear its able to secure. Cuomo said "we're savaging other states" as they fight for equipment.
Cuomo and other governors also pushed for a “federalized response" to the coronavirus outbreak rather than a patchwork of rules that differed by state. Before social distancing measures became widespread nationally, some states like New York had closed bars and restaurants but other states next-door had not.
“We’ve been behind on it from Day 1, and I’m not giving up," Cuomo said on March 16. "There are things we need the federal government to do.”
By and large, governors have been wary of criticizing Trump's response. Trump told Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the White House's coronavirus task force, to not call governors who have not been "appreciative" of his administration's efforts.
The praise from DeSantis, a Trump loyalist, is not a surprise. But DeSantis has also garnered his own scrutiny for being slow to close the state's many beaches.
The White House video also leaves out spats he’s had with Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. Both governors have criticized Trump for leaving the handling of the crisis to states.
Whitmer last month said the federal government "did not take this seriously enough," and that "to hear the leader of the federal government tell us to work around the federal government because it’s too slow is kind of mind-boggling." Trump in response tweeted: “Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive."
Trump called Inslee a "snake" on March 6 in response to Inslee saying that Trump needs to stick to the science as the president downplayed the outbreak.
Appearing on "Meet the Press" this month, Inslee blasted the federal government's leadership on the pandemic, arguing there should have been a national stay-at-home order, among other criticisms.
“This is ludicrous that we do not have a national effort in this,” Inslee said. “I mean, the surgeon general alluded to Pearl Harbor. Can you imagine if Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, ‘I’ll be right behind you, Connecticut. Good luck building those battleships.'”
Contributing: Courtney Subramanian


usatoday--2020-04-15--Former President Obama endorses Joe Biden's character and experience for presidential run

Former President Barack Obama , who has remained neutral for the entirety of the 2020 Democratic primary , endorsed his @ @ @ @ @ Biden .

Barack Obama officially endorses Joe Biden in presidential race
Former President Barack Obama, who has remained neutral for the entirety of the 2020 Democratic primary, endorsed his former vice president, Joe Biden.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-04-14--Florida county, home to Trump's Mar-a-Lago, asks voters to consider voting by mail

The next round of elections are still months away in Florida , but in the era of coronavirus it apparently is never too soon to plan .
The Palm Beach ( Fla. ) County elections department has asked voters to consider voting by mail for the Aug. 18 primary and the Nov. 3 general election .
Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link said eligible voters can already request a ballot .
“ As the coronavirus concerns continue to grow , voting by mail is the safest and most convenient way that a voter can cast their vote , ” Link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palm Beach County , 41 % of the votes cast in March were by Vote-by-Mail ballots , and I anticipate that number will increase for the August and November elections.
” The statement Tuesday comes amid a sharp , partisan debate over mail-in voting across the United States that was ignited by last week ’ s Wisconsin primary .
Americans saw images of people standing in line to vote , many standing close to one another despite COVID-19 social distancing requirements .
That has sparked widespread support for mail-in voting in 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the qualities we need in a president right now' President Donald Trump , who voted by mail in Florida ’ s March 17 presidential primary , has opposed efforts to broaden or encourage voting by mail , saying it facilitates fraud though he has not pointed to specific instances .
Democrats say it would be safer and would promote voter turnout .
Trump 's Mar-a-Lago estate is in Palm Beach , Florida .
The president 's polling location is roughly 3 miles north of the estate .
In Palm Beach County , presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of poll workers , in fear of contracting the coronavirus , called in to say they would not man voting locations .
In the wake of the presidential primary experience , Florida Democratic Party officials have said they want to encourage 1 million mail-in votes .
Link said the advantages of voting by mail include having more time to read the ballot and make selections from home , plus having the option of returning the ballot in a “ pre-paid return envelope or drop it off in a secure drop box.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their registration status and register to vote online .
Applications can be downloaded , and voters can make changes to addresses and party affiliation at pbcelections.org .

Florida county, home to Trump's Mar-a-Lago, asks voters to consider voting by mail
Show Caption Hide Caption President Donald Trump claims authority over states When asked about states' rights to decide when to reopen schools and businesses, Trump said, "The president of the United States calls the shots." USA TODAY
The next round of elections are still months away in Florida, but in the era of coronavirus it apparently is never too soon to plan.
The Palm Beach (Fla.) County elections department has asked voters to consider voting by mail for the Aug. 18 primary and the Nov. 3 general election.
Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link said eligible voters can already request a ballot.
“As the coronavirus concerns continue to grow, voting by mail is the safest and most convenient way that a voter can cast their vote,” Link said in a statement. “In Palm Beach County, 41% of the votes cast in March were by Vote-by-Mail ballots, and I anticipate that number will increase for the August and November elections.”
The statement Tuesday comes amid a sharp, partisan debate over mail-in voting across the United States that was ignited by last week’s Wisconsin primary.
Americans saw images of people standing in line to vote, many standing close to one another despite COVID-19 social distancing requirements. That has sparked widespread support for mail-in voting in 2020.
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
Obama endorses Biden: 'Joe has all the qualities we need in a president right now'
President Donald Trump, who voted by mail in Florida’s March 17 presidential primary, has opposed efforts to broaden or encourage voting by mail, saying it facilitates fraud though he has not pointed to specific instances. Democrats say it would be safer and would promote voter turnout. Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate is in Palm Beach, Florida. The president's polling location is roughly 3 miles north of the estate.
In Palm Beach County, presidential primary same-day voting was disrupted when hundreds of poll workers, in fear of contracting the coronavirus, called in to say they would not man voting locations.
In the wake of the presidential primary experience, Florida Democratic Party officials have said they want to encourage 1 million mail-in votes.
Link said the advantages of voting by mail include having more time to read the ballot and make selections from home, plus having the option of returning the ballot in a “pre-paid return envelope or drop it off in a secure drop box.”
The elections department also said voters can check on their registration status and register to vote online. Applications can be downloaded, and voters can make changes to addresses and party affiliation at pbcelections.org.


usatoday--2020-04-14--President Donald Trump says 'states can't do anything' without presidential approval

When asked about states ' rights to decide when to reopen schools and businesses , Trump said , `` The @ @ @ @ @ calls the shots . ''

President Donald Trump claims authority over states
When asked about states' rights to decide when to reopen schools and businesses, Trump said, "The president of the United States calls the shots."
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-04-16--Protests draw thousands over state stay-at-home orders during coronavirus pandemic

WASHINGTON – Multiple states have seen protests as stay-a-home orders meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus continue .
Many protesters were angry about the economic ramifications the restrictions are causing .
Economists surveyed by Bloomberg estimate the Labor Department will report Thursday that 5.5 million Americans filed initial applications for unemployment insurance last week .
The protests are occurring as President Donald Trump and governors debate over when states should loosen the restrictions put in place to ensure people practice social distancing .
While discussing whether he or the nation 's governors have the power to lift restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , `` When somebody ’ s president of the United States , the authority is total . ''
The president 's unprecedented claim of total power met with immediate pushback from Democrats and Republicans , many of them arguing the U.S. Constitution explicitly refutes his claim to absolute authority .
More : Here 's what the Constitution 's 10th Amendment says about Trump 's claim to have total authority over states More : Stimulus checks are going out to people who have died , what that means for relatives However , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force press conference , said recommendations about opening the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic would be released Thursday after a conference call with all 50 governors .
Here are some states that have seen protests thus far : Demonstrators drove thousands of vehicles – many draped with protest signs – to Michigan 's state Capitol on Wednesday , loudly protesting Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's stay-at-home order .
The demonstration was dubbed `` Operation Gridlock '' because organizers said they wanted to gain attention by tying up traffic .
With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for more than a mile around the Capitol in several directions , according to Lt. Darren Green of the Michigan State Police .
More : Gov .
Whitmer says Capitol protesters put others at risk , may have worsened pandemic State infection numbers in Michigan appeared to flatten somewhat going into last weekend , but both infection and death numbers were up again on Monday .
Health officials have recently expressed cautious optimism but have added that it is too soon to say that the infection has reached its peak in Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest , saying it does not violate the stay-at-home order , but she said many of the protesters put themselves and others at risk of contracting COVID-19 .
More : Trump threatens to invoke constitutional power to adjourn Congress because of hold-up over nominees Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Michigan on March 10 and announced a `` stay-at-home '' order March 23 that directed residents to stay inside , except for essential purposes , and told businesses deemed nonessential to stop calling employees in to work .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while imposing tougher restrictions on nonessential travel and some retail outlets .
Michigan has the third-highest number of coronavirus deaths in the nation .
About 100 protesters demanded Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear reopen Kentucky and disrupted his televised Wednesday afternoon pandemic update by chanting , blowing horns and shouting into a megaphone outside the window of the briefing room , nearly drowning out his comments to Kentuckians .
Protesters , some of whom appeared to be standing less than 6 feet apart from one another , chanted `` we want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
About halfway through his briefing , Beshear acknowledged the protesters , saying `` there 's some noise in the background . ''
`` We do have some folks up in here in Kentucky today – and everybody should be able to express their opinion – that believe we should reopen Kentucky immediately , right now , '' Beshear said .
`` Folks , that would kill people .
That would absolutely kill people . ''
More : Stimulus program for small business nearly depleted as Congress still negotiating a deal The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to order the closure of myriad businesses across the commonwealth — a move he made to slow the spread of COVID-19 , which has killed 122 Kentuckians and infected 2,291 so far .
Around 100 protesters gathered outside the Statehouse during GOP Gov .
Mike Dewine ’ s appearance on Monday , at least one wearing a Donald Trump hat while many carried signs expressing displeasure at the stay-at-home order or waved American flags .
Additionally , a growing chorus of Ohio ’ s Republican lawmakers want DeWine to set a date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , schools and public places .
Earlier , the first-term Republican governor made it clear during an interview with MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe ” that any loosening of the stay-at-home order would be contingent on coronavirus testing results and other health data .
“ Whenever we open up , however we do it , if people aren ’ t confident , if they don ’ t think they ’ re safe , they ’ re not going to go to restaurants , they ’ re not going to go to bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really get back into society , ” DeWine said .
One protester questioned whether DeWine was truly a Republican , asking , `` Do n't he believe in less government ?
Small government ? ''
Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued the stay-at-home order March 22 , but schools have been closed since March 12 .
That order expires May 1 , but it ’ s increasingly likely that students and teachers won ’ t return to their classrooms this academic year .
Hundreds of Utah residents gathered Wednesday to protest the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the coronavirus .
St. George resident Larry Meyers organized the event in an effort to `` assert our God-given , Constitutionally-protected rights , including freedom of speech , freedom of assembly , religious freedom , the right to contract , and the right to use our property as we see fit so long as we do not harm others '' according to a Facebook post .
There was a large turnout in front of the Washington County administration building as people marched around the block holding signs urging Gov .
Gary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palmer , a St. George resident who owns a small business , says that her concern for her family 's job security is what brought her out to the march .
`` My daughter is out of work , my husband 's work has slowed down and I 'm out of work because of this , '' Palmer said .
`` I hope our representatives and our governing officials get to see that there is a great number of us who do not support the government mandate and restrictions taking away our rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday arrested a protester after more than 100 people gathered in downtown Raleigh to protest Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper ’ s stay-at-home order .
The arrest was made by the State Capitol Police , according to the Raleigh Police Department .
RPD released a statement on social media regarding the protest and said “ protesting is not listed as an essential function ” under stay-at-home orders issued by Cooper and Wake County , where Raleigh is located .
More : China didn ’ t warn public of likely pandemic for a pivotal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s order was originally announced March 29 and is set to be in effect until at least April 29 .
Wake County ’ s order went into effect March 27 and is set to be lifted Thursday , though the Raleigh News & Observer reported the county is expected to extend the order two weeks .
The News & Observer reported there were more than 100 people at the protest .
There is a protest planned Thursday in Richmond , Virginia by group of people upset with the stay-at-home order into place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to ABC-affiliated television station WHSV , `` Groups known as ReOpen Virginia , End The Lockdown VA and Virginians Against Excessive Quarantine say they will have `` thousands of concerned citizens '' gathering at Virginia 's Capitol Square on April 16 at 11:30 a.m. '' More : Sen. Susan Collins says Trump 's public statements on the coronavirus outbreak have been 'very uneven' On Wednesday , Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam announced that he was extending Virgina 's business closures by two weeks .
It was set to expire on April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least May 8 .
The stay-at-home order for Virginians remains in effect until June 10 , as it was originally set .
“ Government mandating sick people to stay home is called quarantine .
However , the government mandating healthy citizens to stay home , forcing businesses and churches to close is called tyranny , ” said ReOpen Virginia in a press release Contributing : Paul Egan , Kara Berg , Detroit Free Press ; Jordan Culver , USA TODAY ; Anna Staver and Cole Behrens , The Columbus Dispatch ; Morgan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Louisville Courier Journal ; Terell Wilkins , The ( St. George , Utah ) Spectrum

Protests draw thousands over state stay-at-home orders during coronavirus pandemic
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Thousands across the country protest stay-at-home order Multiple states across the country have seen protests as stay-at-home orders meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus continue. USA TODAY, Wochit
WASHINGTON – Multiple states have seen protests as stay-a-home orders meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus continue.
Many protesters are angry about the economic ramifications the restrictions are causing. The Labor Department reported more than 5 million new unemployment claims Thursday.
A series of conservative groups have emerged to organize and participate in a series of national demonstrations to pressure their governors.
More: Sen. Kennedy says economic activity must resume even though that means coronavirus will 'spread faster'
The protests are occurring as President Donald Trump and governors debate over when states should loosen the restrictions put in place to ensure people practice social distancing.
The White House introduced guidelines Thursday for governors to follow to reopen their respective states.
These follow a week of turbulent communication between the White House and states about whether it was up to the president or the governors to decide when, and how, to reopen their economies.
Less than 24 hours after issuing these guidelines, Trump called on supporters Friday to "liberate" some states that have experienced such protests over lockdowns.
More: Here's what the Constitution's 10th Amendment says about Trump's claim to have total authority over states
More: Stimulus checks are going out to people who have died, what that means for relatives
Here are some states that have seen protests thus far:
California
More than 100 protesters gathered on Friday at Huntington Beach to participate in a demonstration against California’s stay-at-home guidelines, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Coronavirus: Newsom announces economic task force with four former California governors
Protesters could be seen holding American flags and donning Trump campaign paraphernalia. Some could be seen hugging and not following CDC guidelines on social distancing, according to videos.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a six-point plan in which those conditions must be met before modifying the stay-home order, which is in place until further notice.
Newsom and the governors of Washington and Oregon also announced a pact to coordinate loosening of restrictions.
A record 3.1 million people have filed for unemployment insurance since March 12, Newsom said, breaking California’s streak of 119 consecutive months of job growth
More: Protester arrested outside Governor's Mansion after trapping himself in concrete-filled barrels
Minnesota
Hundreds of protesters gathered Friday in front of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz's residence to show their disdain over the state's stay-at-home order.
On Facebook, the group planning the protest named "Liberate Minnesota" said, "Thousands of lives are being destroyed right now. It is not the governor's place to restrict free movement of Minnesota citizens! Gov. Walz you work for the citizens of this state! Minnesota's economy must be reopened for business or destroying the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Minnesota citizens and their families may result if we don't act quickly!"
Protest grows amid Minnesota 'stay-at-home' order President Donald Trump has tweeted his support for a protest by conservatives Friday outside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's official residence in St Paul. (April 17) AP
More: Trump calls to 'liberate' states where protesters have demanded easing coronavirus lockdowns
President Donald Trump on Friday tweeted, "LIBERATE MINNESOTA!" after announcing the day prior he'd allow state's governors to decide when to re-open. He posted similar tweets about Michigan and Virginia.
Minnesota's count of confirmed coronavirus cases climbed above 2,000 Friday, with 17 new fatalities raising the state’s death toll to 111, according to local commercial radio station KNSI.
Walz announced on Wednesday he would extend Minnesota's stay-at-home order, as well as bar and restaurant closures, to May 4. The order, which began on March 27, was originally supposed to end April 10.
Virginia
A protest took place in Richmond, Virginia, on Thursday by a group upset with the stay-at-home order put into place to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
According to television station WHSV, a group known as "ReOpen Virginia, End The Lockdown VA and Virginians Against Excessive Quarantine" had planned a gathering at at Virginia's Capitol Square on Thursday.
More: DNC Milwaukee Host Committee reduces staff by more than half through layoffs and transfers
According WHSV, the group of protesters who showed up was smaller than expected.
However, Capitol Police still had to shut down Richmond's Capitol Square, outside the General Assembly, because the number of people who attended violated a state executive order prohibiting 10 or more people from gathering who don't practice socially distancing.
Capitol police are asking people at the Reopen Virginia rally to spread out. They said they’ll ask three times before they start writing people up pic.twitter.com/xcCCPAAHRU — Jackie DeFusco 8News (@Jackie8News) April 16, 2020
On Wednesday, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced he was extending the end-date of Virgina's business closures by two weeks. It was set to expire on April 23, but now will continue until at least May 8. The stay-at-home order for Virginians remains in effect until June 10, as it was originally set.
“Government mandating sick people to stay home is called quarantine. However, the government mandating healthy citizens to stay home, forcing businesses and churches to close is called tyranny,” said ReOpen Virginia in a press release
Michigan
Demonstrators drove thousands of vehicles – many draped with protest signs – to Michigan's state Capitol on Wednesday, loudly protesting Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home order.
The demonstration was dubbed "Operation Gridlock" because organizers said they wanted to gain attention by tying up traffic. With the thousands of vehicles, traffic was backed up for more than a mile around the Capitol in several directions, according to Lt. Darren Green of the Michigan State Police.
More: Gov. Whitmer says Capitol protesters put others at risk, may have worsened pandemic
State infection numbers in Michigan appeared to flatten somewhat going into last weekend, but both infection and death numbers were up again on Monday. Health officials have recently expressed cautious optimism but have added that it is too soon to say that the infection has reached its peak in Michigan.
Governor: Michigan can't yet get back to work Michigan's governor acknowledges the state's stay-at-home order to fight the coronavirus has angered some residents but she won't allow the economy to reopen until medical experts say it's safe (April 13) AP
Whitmer said she respects the right to protest, saying it does not violate the stay-at-home order, but she said many of the protesters put themselves and others at risk of contracting COVID-19.
More: Trump threatens to invoke constitutional power to adjourn Congress because of hold-up over nominees
Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Michigan on March 10 and announced a "stay-at-home" order March 23 that directed residents to stay inside, except for essential purposes, and told businesses deemed nonessential to stop calling employees in to work. Last week, she extended that order until May 1, while imposing tougher restrictions on nonessential travel and some retail outlets.
Michigan has the third-highest number of coronavirus deaths in the nation.
Kentucky
About 100 protesters demanded that Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear reopen Kentucky, and disrupted his televised Wednesday afternoon pandemic update by chanting, blowing horns and shouting into a megaphone outside the window of the briefing room, nearly drowning out his comments to Kentuckians.
Protesters, some of whom appeared to be standing less than 6 feet apart from one another, chanted "we want to work" and "facts over fear."
Protesters who oppose Gov. Andy Beshear’s decision to close businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus have gathered en masse outside the room where he is doing his daily #COVID19 press conference, crying out “We want to work!” and now “Facts over fear!” pic.twitter.com/49812u8G4R — Morgan Watkins (@morganwatkins26) April 15, 2020
About halfway through his briefing, Beshear acknowledged the protesters, saying "there's some noise in the background."
"We do have some folks up in here in Kentucky today – and everybody should be able to express their opinion – that believe we should reopen Kentucky immediately, right now," Beshear said. "Folks, that would kill people. That would absolutely kill people."
More: Stimulus program for small business nearly depleted as Congress still negotiating a deal
The protesters particularly disagreed with Beshear’s decision to order the closure of myriad businesses across the commonwealth — a move he made to slow the spread of COVID-19, which has killed 122 Kentuckians and infected 2,291 so far.
Ohio
Around 100 protesters gathered outside the Statehouse during GOP Gov. Mike Dewine’s appearance on Monday, at least one wearing a Donald Trump hat while many carried signs expressing displeasure at the stay-at-home order or waved American flags.
Additionally, a growing chorus of Ohio’s Republican lawmakers want DeWine to set a date for the first phase of re-opening businesses, schools and public places.
Earlier, the first-term Republican governor made it clear during an interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that any loosening of the stay-at-home order would be contingent on coronavirus testing results and other health data.
“Whenever we open up, however we do it, if people aren’t confident, if they don’t think they’re safe, they’re not going to go to restaurants, they’re not going to go to bars, they’re not going to really get back into society,” DeWine said.
More: California expands aid to undocumented workers, bolsters unemployment benefits help center
One protester questioned whether DeWine was truly a Republican, asking, "Don't he believe in less government? Small government?"
Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued the stay-at-home order March 22, but schools have been closed since March 12. That order expires May 1, but it’s increasingly likely that students and teachers won’t return to their classrooms this academic year.
Utah
Hundreds of Utah residents gathered Wednesday to protest the state's closures of businesses and facilities due to the coronavirus.
St. George resident Larry Meyers organized the event in an effort to "assert our God-given, Constitutionally-protected rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, religious freedom, the right to contract, and the right to use our property as we see fit so long as we do not harm others" according to a Facebook post.
More: White House defends Ivanka Trump's trip to New Jersey despite advice against travel to stop coronavirus' spread
There was a large turnout in front of the Washington County administration building as people marched around the block holding signs urging Gov. Gary Herbert to re-open non-essential businesses.
Deborah Palmer, a St. George resident who owns a small business, says that her concern for her family's job security is what brought her out to the march.
"My daughter is out of work, my husband's work has slowed down and I'm out of work because of this," Palmer said. "I hope our representatives and our governing officials get to see that there is a great number of us who do not support the government mandate and restrictions taking away our rights."
North Carolina
Police in North Carolina on Tuesday arrested a protester after more than 100 people gathered in downtown Raleigh to protest Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order.
The arrest was made by the State Capitol Police, according to the Raleigh Police Department. RPD released a statement on social media regarding the protest and said “protesting is not listed as an essential function” under stay-at-home orders issued by Cooper and Wake County, where Raleigh is located.
More: China didn’t warn public of likely pandemic for a pivotal 6 days, AP report shows
The protestors are in violation of the Governor’s Executive Order and have been asked to leave. #ReopenNC pic.twitter.com/AIEetS42NE — Raleigh Police (@raleighpolice) April 14, 2020
Cooper’s order was originally announced March 29 and is set to be in effect until at least April 29. Wake County’s order went into effect March 27 and is set to be lifted Thursday, though the Raleigh News & Observer reported the county is expected to extend the order two weeks. The News & Observer reported there were more than 100 people at the protest.
Pennsylvania
Protests are planned for Monday in front of the state Capitol in Harrisburg, according to The York Daily Record.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced a stay-at-home order will be in place until April 30. The groups protesting are against lockdown restrictions being extended beyond May 1.
In an almost identical statement from other state's organizers, groups ReOpen PA, End The Lockdown PA and Pennsylvanians Against Excessive Quarantine argue that forcing healthy people to stay home is "tyranny."
More: Vice President Pence shows alliance with governors, despite Trump's attacks
The protest "would be unfortunate, if they actually go through with that," the governor said.
"That's going to be their choice. I'm sorry that that's happening, if that in fact happens, because to the extent they're banding together and violating the social distancing guidelines, they're actually hurting themselves," Wolf said
Rally organizers are asking anyone attending to practice social distancing and wear appropriate protective equipment. For those worried about standing near the crowd, feel free to honk in support from a car, Bellis said.
Contributing: Paul Egan, Kara Berg, Detroit Free Press; Jordan Culver, USA TODAY; Anna Staver and Cole Behrens, The Columbus Dispatch; Morgan Watkins, Joe Sonka and Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal; Terell Wilkins, The (St. George, Utah) Spectrum; Kim Strong, The York Daily Record.