usatoday--2020-04-28--Trump, DeSantis discus reopening Florida at White House meeting

President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discussed the re-opening of Florida 's businesses during a White House meeting @

President Trump and Florida Gov. DeSantis discus reopening the state
President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discussed the re-opening of Florida's businesses during a White House meeting.
Associated Press, Wochit


usatoday--2020-04-28--Mike Pence appears to violate Mayo Clinic mask-wearing policy during visit

WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence visited the Mayo Clinic on Tuesday to tour facilities supporting research about the coronavirus , but he appeared to violate the hospital 's policy during his tour by not wearing a mask .
Video of his tour shows Pence walking through the Rochester , Minnesota , medical center to meet with staff and patients , but without wearing a mask .
Mayo Clinic policy requires `` all patients , visitors and staff to wear a face covering or mask while at Mayo Clinic to guard against transmission of COVID-19 . ''
The Mayo Clinic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's visit , tweeting that they had `` informed @ VP of the masking policy prior to his arrival today . ''
The tweet has since been deleted .
Speaking to reporters following his visit , Pence said he did not wear a mask because he did not have the coronavirus and was following CDC guidelines about wearing masks to prevent the spread of the virus by those who are infected with it but might not have symptoms .
`` As Vice President of the United States I 'm tested for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is around me is tested for the coronavirus , ” Pence said .
`` And since I do n't have the coronavirus , I thought it 'd be a good opportunity for me to be here , to be able to speak to these researchers , these incredible healthcare personnel , and look them in the eye and say thank you . ''
Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the wearing of a mask in public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be doing it , '' he said when the Trump administration rolled out its guidance on masks .
First lady Melania Trump , however , has urged Americans to wear masks and shared posts on her social media accounts of herself wearing a face mask .

Mike Pence appears to violate Mayo Clinic mask-wearing policy during visit
Show Caption Hide Caption Pence tours hospital without a face mask Vice President Mike Pence praised innovations to combat the coronavirus pandemic at the Mayo Clinic Tuesday, while failing to comply with the hospital’s mandatory masking policy. (April 28) AP
WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence visited the Mayo Clinic on Tuesday to tour facilities supporting research about the coronavirus, but he appeared to violate the hospital's policy during his tour by not wearing a mask.
Video of his tour shows Pence walking through the Rochester, Minnesota, medical center to meet with staff and patients, but without wearing a mask.
Mayo Clinic policy requires "all patients, visitors and staff to wear a face covering or mask while at Mayo Clinic to guard against transmission of COVID-19."
The Mayo Clinic's Twitter account later responded to Pence's visit, tweeting that they had "informed @VP of the masking policy prior to his arrival today." The tweet has since been deleted.
The Mayo Clinic tweeted later in the afternoon to say it was "grateful" for the visit from Pence and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and looked "forward to continued collaboration to develop essential testing and treatment for our patients and communities."
Speaking to reporters following his visit, Pence said he did not wear a mask because he did not have the coronavirus and was following CDC guidelines about wearing masks to prevent the spread of the virus by those who are infected with it but might not have symptoms.
"As Vice President of the United States I'm tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” Pence said.
"And since I don't have the coronavirus, I thought it'd be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible healthcare personnel, and look them in the eye and say thank you."
Mayo Clinic had informed @VP of the masking policy prior to his arrival today. — Mayo Clinic (@MayoClinic) April 28, 2020
Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the wearing of a mask in public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
President Donald Trump has declined to wear a mask.
"I don't think I'm going to be doing it," he said when the Trump administration rolled out its guidance on masks.
First lady Melania Trump, however, has urged Americans to wear masks and shared posts on her social media accounts of herself wearing a face mask.


usatoday--2020-04-28--Former Sen. Jeff Flake won't vote for Trump, says GOP better off if he loses reelection

PHOENIX – Former Sen. Jeff Flake said he wo n't be voting for President Donald Trump this year , and he thinks the Republican Party would be better off if Trump loses his reelection bid .
In an interview with the Washington Post , Flake , R-Ariz. , picked up a theme that marked the end of his six-year term in the Senate : He is struck by the ideological surrender of his GOP colleagues to Trump 's brash , slashing politics .
Unsurprisingly , Flake said he wo n't be backing his party 's nominee in November .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time I ’ ve voted for a Democrat – though not for president ( before ) , '' Flake said in the interview .
`` Last time I voted for a third-party candidate .
But I will not vote for Donald Trump . ''
It is the kind of candor that has left Flake effectively excommunicated from his party and a pariah to most Democrats , especially after his key support for confirming now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
Trump , at least for now , did n't respond to a man whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked whether Republicans would be better served by a second Trump administration or a lopsided loss .
`` Oh , a sound defeat , no doubt , '' Flake said .
`` Long term for the Republican Party , you bet .
And for conservatism as well . ''
Flake , who left the Senate in 2019 , maintained there is still a silent resentment among Republicans for Trump , whose popularity among GOP voters remains stratospheric .
`` I don ’ t know anyone who thinks that this is the future of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cul-de-sac we ’ re in , if nothing else , '' Flake said .
`` Anger and resentment only go so far ; you have to have a governing philosophy .
I don ’ t know of any of my colleagues who really believe this is it . ''
Flake also alluded to his dismay at Trump 's February campaign rally in Phoenix .
That event , among the last held before the coronavirus forced the nation into lockdown , featured an array of Arizona Republicans on stage with the president , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McSally to all four of the state 's GOP House members .
`` The other night it was painful to watch the rally in Arizona : the president onstage with virtually all of my Republican colleagues from Arizona – the governor on down , some of whom had been reluctant previously to be on a campaign stage with the president .
But who have just completely and utterly thrown in .
Total capitulation of the party to Trumpism , '' Flake said .

Former Sen. Jeff Flake won't vote for Trump, says GOP better off if he loses reelection
PHOENIX – Former Sen. Jeff Flake said he won't be voting for President Donald Trump this year, and he thinks the Republican Party would be better off if Trump loses his reelection bid.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Flake, R-Ariz., picked up a theme that marked the end of his six-year term in the Senate: He is struck by the ideological surrender of his GOP colleagues to Trump's brash, slashing politics.
Unsurprisingly, Flake said he won't be backing his party's nominee in November.
"This won’t be the first time I’ve voted for a Democrat – though not for president (before)," Flake said in the interview. "Last time I voted for a third-party candidate. But I will not vote for Donald Trump."
It is the kind of candor that has left Flake effectively excommunicated from his party and a pariah to most Democrats, especially after his key support for confirming now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Polls: Biden leads Trump in Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
Trump, at least for now, didn't respond to a man whose political career he derailed.
Flake was asked whether Republicans would be better served by a second Trump administration or a lopsided loss.
"Oh, a sound defeat, no doubt," Flake said. "Long term for the Republican Party, you bet. And for conservatism as well."
Flake, who left the Senate in 2019, maintained there is still a silent resentment among Republicans for Trump, whose popularity among GOP voters remains stratospheric.
"I don’t know anyone who thinks that this is the future of the party. This is a demographic cul-de-sac we’re in, if nothing else," Flake said. "Anger and resentment only go so far; you have to have a governing philosophy. I don’t know of any of my colleagues who really believe this is it."
Flake also alluded to his dismay at Trump's February campaign rally in Phoenix. That event, among the last held before the coronavirus forced the nation into lockdown, featured an array of Arizona Republicans on stage with the president, from Gov. Doug Ducey and Sen. Martha McSally to all four of the state's GOP House members.
"The other night it was painful to watch the rally in Arizona: the president onstage with virtually all of my Republican colleagues from Arizona – the governor on down, some of whom had been reluctant previously to be on a campaign stage with the president. But who have just completely and utterly thrown in. Total capitulation of the party to Trumpism," Flake said.
Follow Ronald J. Hansen on Twitter @ronaldjhansen.


usatoday--2020-04-29--Study: Americans trust Fauci more than Trump or their own governors

WASHINGTON – Dr. Anthony Fauci is cited most often as the official Americans rely on for information regarding the coronavirus pandemic , according to a new study .
The study released Wednesday found Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , was cited most often by those surveyed at 45 % , while participants ' `` own state 's governor '' was cited by 35 % , and 20 % said they relied on President Donald Trump .
The study was conducted by the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advertising Bureau .
More : Trump plans to order meat processing plants to stay open during coronavirus Fauci , a key member of the White House 's Coronavirus Task Force , has a long government career that spans back to the Lyndon Johnson administration .
The 79-year-old doctor has been one of the most high-profile members of Trump 's response to the coronavirus , earning praise and widespread recognition .
Jeffrey Cole , director of the Center for the Digital Future in the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well come from this experience , as well as his `` clear manner . ''
`` If ever there was a crisis where we look to an expert , it is this one where literally our lives can be saved or lost by the need for good information , '' Cole said .
`` This is a situation where we need a medical expert , particularly one who has been a leader in infectious diseases for 40 years . ''
More : Trump calls for national parks to reopen .
Advocates say it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state governments were rated higher at 54 % than the federal response , which 39 % of respondents rated as poor .
The White House has been criticized for it 's slow response to the pandemic , as well as a shortage in personal protective gear , and tests .
Moreover , the administration and governors have often had a confrontational tone regarding the response to COVID-19 .
Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican , has implored the federal government to help states increase their capacity to test for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they lack the kits and equipment needed to conduct the tests .
He also announced Maryland had purchased 500,000 coronavirus tests from South Korea .
Govs .
Andrew Cuomo of New York and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan , both Democrats , have seen high approval ratings as their states have been particularly hard hit by the disease .
More : Former Sen. Jeff Flake wo n't vote for Trump , says GOP better off if he loses reelection Under a blueprint unveiled Monday designed to help states expand testing and rapid response programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Trump administration said they it would send each state enough tests to screen at least 2 % of their residents , a number that critics said is too low .
A new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll similarly found that Americans by double-digit margins say the federal government is doing too little to deal with the health and economic repercussions of coronavirus .
Additionally , Trump 's frequent briefingshave often overshadowed the administration 's daily coronavirus message .
There have also been reports that the White House is looking to scale back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear to everyone , including leaders of the Republican Party , that after the first week or so , the President 's press conferences have been counter productive to his approval , '' said Cole , adding that what Americans `` wanted was an engaged president demonstrating decisive leadership on the Coronavirus .
After a week or so , people saw that was not coming out of the briefings .
`` Historians will look at the briefings with huge interest and a public stuck at home and hungry for information , as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of the Presidency , '' Cole continued .
Those who identified politically as `` very conservative '' depended on Trump the most , by 53 % , while less than a majority of those who identified as different political affiliations relied on the president .
Cole described how Trump could gain the trust of more American citizens , including allowing medical experts more camera time at the White House briefings , putting aside partisan rhetoric , and looking at the tone as some of his predecessors during crises , such as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` What is different with regard to the pandemic is the low number for trust for the president .
In times of crisis , we have historically looked to the President , any President , as the leader to guide us through .
Trump 's number 's are remarkably low , '' Cole continued .
The findings from this study are based on an online survey conducted during the week of April 6 , using a sample of 1,000 respondents ages 18 and above from all 50 states and the District of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points .

Study: Americans trust Fauci more than Trump or their own governors
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: President Trump and Dr. Fauci disagree on second wave President Trump said coronavirus won't be coming back in the fall, but Dr. Fauci believes otherwise, contradicting the president's statements. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Dr. Anthony Fauci is cited most often as the official Americans rely on for information regarding the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study.
The study released Wednesday found Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was chosen by 45% of those surveyed, while participants' "own state's governor" was cited by 35%, and President Donald Trump by 20%.
The study was conducted by the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the Interactive Advertising Bureau.
'They're playing Russian roulette': As states reopen amid coronavirus, experts warn of risks
More: Trump plans to order meat processing plants to stay open during coronavirus
Fauci, a member of the White House's Coronavirus Task Force, has a long government career that spans back to the Lyndon Johnson administration. The 79-year-old doctor has been one of the most high-profile members of Trump's response to the coronavirus, earning praise and widespread recognition.
Jeffrey Cole, director of the Center for the Digital Future, said Americans trust in Fauci may very well come from this experience, as well as his "clear manner."
"If ever there was a crisis where we look to an expert, it is this one where literally our lives can be saved or lost by the need for good information," Cole said. "This is a situation where we need a medical expert, particularly one who has been a leader in infectious diseases for 40 years."
More: Trump calls for national parks to reopen. Advocates say it's too soon
The actions by local and state governments were rated higher at 54% than the federal response, which 39% of respondents rated as poor.
The White House has been criticized for its slow response to the pandemic, shortages in personal protective gear, and lack of widespread testing. The administration and governors have often clashed over the response to COVID-19.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, has implored the federal government to help states increase their capacity to test for the virus. His fellow governors have insisted they lack the kits and equipment needed to conduct the tests. He also announced Maryland had purchased 500,000 coronavirus tests from South Korea.
Govs. Andrew Cuomo of New York and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, both Democrats, have seen high approval ratings as their states have been particularly hard hit by the disease.
More: Former Sen. Jeff Flake won't vote for Trump, says GOP better off if he loses reelection
Under a blueprint unveiled Monday designed to help states expand testing and rapid response programs as governors weigh gradually lifting stay-at-home orders, the Trump administration said it would send each state enough tests to screen at least 2% of their residents. Critics say that is too low.
A new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll similarly found that Americans by double-digit margins said the federal government is doing too little to deal with the health and economic repercussions of coronavirus.
Additionally, Trump's frequent briefings have often overshadowed the administration's daily coronavirus message. There have also been reports that the White House is looking to scale back the news conferences.
"It is clear to everyone, including leaders of the Republican Party, that after the first week or so, the president's press conferences have been counterproductive to his approval," said Cole, adding that what Americans "wanted was an engaged president demonstrating decisive leadership on the coronavirus. After a week or so, people saw that was not coming out of the briefings."
"Historians will look at the briefings with huge interest and a public stuck at home and hungry for information, as one of the greatest lost opportunities in the history of the Presidency," Cole continued.
More: Mike Pence appears to violate Mayo Clinic mask-wearing policy during visit
Poll respondents who identified politically as "very conservative" depended on Trump the most, by 53%, while less than a majority of those who identified as different political affiliations relied on the president.
Cole described how Trump could gain the trust of more American citizens, including allowing medical experts more camera time at the White House briefings, putting aside partisan rhetoric, and looking at the tone as some of his predecessors during crises, such as "Ronald Reagan after the Challenger crash."
"What is different with regard to the pandemic is the low number for trust for the president. In times of crisis, we have historically looked to the President, any President, as the leader to guide us through. Trump's number's are remarkably low," Cole continued.
The findings from this study are based on an online survey conducted during the week of April 6, using a sample of 1,000 respondents ages 18 and older from all 50 states and the District of Colombia from an online panel. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Contributing: Michael Collins, Courtney Subramanian, David Jackson


usatoday--2020-04-29--What the fight between Biden and Trump over China means for the 2020 election

With more than 1 million Americans known to have coronavirus , and polling showing a negative shift in Americans ' attitudes toward China , the presidential candidates have ramped up attacks on each others ' records related to the global superpower .
For President Donald Trump , the focus on former Vice President Joe Biden 's record on China comes as he fights off criticism of his administration 's response to the growing coronavirus pandemic .
He has also ramped up his criticism of China ’ s handling of the initial coronavirus outbreak .
On the other side , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about China as part of the argument that he is better qualified to lead the country through the pandemic and the recovery .
By pinning blame for coronavirus on China , Trump is looking to find traction as public opinion of his handling of the crisis has dipped .
Biden has sought to exploit those openings , while touting his own dealings with the nation as vice president .
And as the rhetoric escalates , advocates are also urging caution about the focus on China , given the rise in discrimination directed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Six months out , Biden jumps to lead over Trump amid coronavirus concerns Experts said the response from Biden signals a willingness to take a page out of Trump 's playbook to get in front of the president 's attacks .
`` When someone punches you , you punch them back harder – that 's kind of 101 out of the Trump campaign from the primary and the general in 2016 , '' said John Della Volpe , director of polling at Harvard University 's Institute of Politics .
`` To me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Biden .
But you also have the relevant information of record over the last 90 days . ''
And the presidential campaign is n't the only race being touched by the escalation in China-related rhetoric .
A 57-page strategy memo for Senate Republicans ' campaign arm , first reported on by Politico , advised candidates when asked about Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic , “ Don ’ t defend Trump , other than the China Travel Ban — attack China . ''
The elevation of China as a campaign issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump campaign took aim first , slamming in tweets and ads Biden 's initial criticism of Trump 's ban on travel from China .
Trump allies have referred to the former vice president as `` Beijing Biden '' while the president has increasingly accused China of concealing the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic before it spread globally .
`` We are not happy with China , '' Trump said at a Monday coronavirus task force news conference , adding that his administration would be pursuing investigations into China 's handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camp has attacked Trump 's praise of China early in the coronavirus pandemic as Americans were beginning to getting sick .
`` Trump praised the Chinese government instead of taking action to combat the coronavirus , '' read a Monday email from the Biden campaign that extensively quoted from a Politico article titled `` 15 times Trump praised China as coronavirus was spreading across the globe . ''
The Trump campaign 's first volley launched earlier this month : an online ad called `` Biden stands up for China . ''
It highlights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for Donald Trump 's record of hysterical xenophobia '' after Trump limited air travel from China in January , though Biden later clarified his position in support of the travel restrictions .
The ad then pivots to the business dealings of Joe Biden 's son , Hunter , in China .
`` It is in our best self-interest for China to be able to prosper , '' the elder Biden is shown saying in a clip from a 2011 speech at Sichuan University in Chengdu , China , as ominous music plays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
Just Biden 's interest . ''
But the Biden campaign quickly pushed back , using Trump 's words , tweets and policy decisions to portray a president who had a blind eye to China .
A little over a week later , the Biden campaign released its own ad and videos on social media to present their side of the story .
The Biden campaign accused Trump of trying to hide that he `` failed to act , '' providing several rebuttals in its own ad released on April 18 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in USA TODAY , before the outbreak spread in the U.S. , where he wrote Trump 's actions `` left us unprepared '' for a pandemic ; remarks from a debate where Biden demanded American health authorities be allowed into China in a call for transparency ; and reporting of 15 instances where Trump praised China , including a Jan. 24 tweet praising China 's `` efforts and transparency . ''
`` Trump rolled over for the Chinese , '' a voice over in the the ad says .
`` Look around , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of people out of work and tens of thousands killed by COVID-19 .
`` Donald Trump left this country unprepared and unprotected for the worst public health and economic crisis in our lifetime . ''
In a campaign memo distributed to Democratic officeholders earlier in April , Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield unveiled four key talking points to frame Trump 's response to the coronavirus .
Atop the list : `` The Chinese government . ''
`` He praised its leader and did not fight anywhere near hard enough to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In response , Trump campaign deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews said Trump has `` always been resolute in taking early action , '' again pointing to Trump 's travel restrictions on China .
`` In contrast , before and during the coronavirus crisis , Joe Biden stood up for China , dismissed them as an economic threat , and initially opposed President Trump ’ s China travel restrictions , '' she said in a statement .
More : 'Chinatown is not part of China ' : Trump 's tweet at Pelosi is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , however , seems to have occurred simultaneously with a shift in public opinion on China and Chinese people .
A poll released last week by Pew Research Center showed about two-thirds of Americans have an `` unfavorable '' opinion of China , the highest ever proportion since Pew started asking the question in 2005 .
And a poll published Tuesday by the Center for Public Integrity and Ipsos showed about 3 in 10 Americans in the poll sample blaming China or Chinese people for the pandemic .
University of California-San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA TODAY the criticism of China follows a broader negative trend towards China in American politics .
`` Things already were trending in a negative direction , even before the coronavirus , '' Shih said , noting the ongoing trade war between the United States and China , but the ongoing `` China-bashing '' was `` doing real harm to the status of Asian Americans overall but especially Americans of Chinese descent . ''
Pew Research Associate Kat Devlin told USA TODAY it was `` just within the last two years '' that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its data , lining up with the ratcheting up of rhetoric about the trade war between the two countries .
Devlin noted that a partisan shift had happened in their data , too .
In the past , Republicans had expressed more negative views of China , but `` in the last two years we 're now seeing majorities of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic also holding these unfavorable views . ''
Criticism over the ads on both sides The attacks from both the Trump and Biden campaigns have not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes an image of former Washington Governor Gary Locke , who is Chinese American , prompting criticism of the Trump campaign .
Locke accused the Trump campaign of `` fanning hatred , '' and the Biden campaign called for the ad to be taken down .
Biden 's ad received positive reviews from some on the left , who praised Biden for punching back .
But others , particularly from the progressive left and some Asian American groups , disagreed with the Biden campaign 's messaging and the focus on China from both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Biden ad on Twitter , saying Biden was trying to `` out-Trump Trump . ''
Christine Chen , Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote , called the Biden ad a `` misstep '' and the Trump ad `` irresponsible '' for including Locke .
`` I understand the instinct for a campaign to respond directly to an opposing campaign 's ad , '' Chen said , `` and while I do not believe the Biden campaign meant to be xenophobic , the ad was still a misstep .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus , told USA TODAY there was space for a conversation criticizing the Chinese Communist Party , but `` making China as a whole a centerpiece of a political campaign , and doing so in a way that blames China for our problems , is only going to encourage more anger and xenophobia at a time when both are dangerously high . ''
`` I encourage all parties to refrain from anti-China broadsides that put Asian Americans in harm ’ s way , '' she @ @

Joey Garrison and Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY

What the fight between Biden and Trump over China means for the 2020 election
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
With more than 1 million Americans known to have coronavirus, and polling showing a negative shift in Americans' attitudes toward China, the presidential candidates have ramped up attacks on each others' records related to the global superpower.
For President Donald Trump, the focus on former Vice President Joe Biden's record on China comes as he fights off criticism of his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic. He has also ramped up his criticism of China’s handling of the initial coronavirus outbreak.
On the other side, Biden is using Trump's previously complimentary remarks about China as part of the argument that he is better qualified to lead the country through the pandemic and the recovery.
By pinning blame for coronavirus on China, Trump is looking to find traction as public opinion of his handling of the crisis has dipped. Biden has sought to exploit those openings, while touting his own dealings with the nation as vice president. And as the rhetoric escalates, advocates are also urging caution about the focus on China, given a rise in reports of discrimination directed at Asian Americans.
USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll: Six months out, Biden jumps to lead over Trump amid coronavirus concerns
Experts said the response from Biden signals a willingness to take a page out of Trump's playbook to get in front of the president's attacks.
"When someone punches you, you punch them back harder – that's kind of 101 out of the Trump campaign from the primary and the general in 2016," said John Della Volpe, director of polling at Harvard University's Institute of Politics. "To me, that was an element of that strategy from Biden. But you also have the relevant information of record over the last 90 days."
And the presidential campaign isn't the only race being touched by the escalation in China-related rhetoric.
A 57-page strategy memo for Senate Republicans' campaign arm, first reported on by Politico, advised candidates when asked about Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, “Don’t defend Trump, other than the China Travel Ban – attack China."
Dueling ads, campaign memos
The elevation of China as a campaign issue escalated over the month of April.
The Trump campaign took aim first, slamming in tweets and ads Biden's initial criticism of Trump's ban on travel from China. Trump allies have referred to the former vice president as "Beijing Biden" while the president has increasingly accused China of concealing the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic before it spread globally.
"We are not happy with China," Trump said at a Monday coronavirus task force news conference, adding that his administration would be pursuing investigations into China's handling of the pandemic.
Fauci: Reopening will no doubt see new virus cases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci says there is 'no doubt' we will see new coronavirus cases as the country reopens. (April 28) AP
In turn, the Biden camp has attacked Trump's praise of China early in the coronavirus pandemic as Americans were beginning to getting sick.
"Trump praised the Chinese government instead of taking action to combat the coronavirus," read a Monday email from the Biden campaign that extensively quoted from a Politico article titled "15 times Trump praised China as coronavirus was spreading across the globe."
Coronavirus: President Trump and Dr. Fauci disagree on second wave President Trump said coronavirus won't be coming back in the fall, but Dr. Fauci believes otherwise, contradicting the president's statements. USA TODAY
The Trump campaign's first volley launched this month: an online ad called "Biden stands up for China."
It highlights Biden saying, "This is no time for Donald Trump's record of hysterical xenophobia" after Trump limited air travel from China in January, though Biden later clarified his position in support of the travel restrictions. The ad then pivots to the business dealings of Joe Biden's son, Hunter, in China.
"It is in our best self-interest for China to be able to prosper," the elder Biden is shown saying in a clip from a 2011 speech at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, as ominous music plays. A caption then appears: "No. Just Biden's interest."
Want to talk more about politics?: Join our Facebook group: ‘Across the Aisle, Across the Nation.’
But the Biden campaign quickly pushed back, using Trump's words, tweets and policy decisions to portray a president who had a blind eye to China. A little over a week later, the Biden campaign released its own ad and videos on social media to present its side of the story.
The Biden campaign accused Trump of trying to hide that he "failed to act," providing several rebuttals in its own ad released on April 18. It includes Biden's Jan. 27 op-ed in USA TODAY, before the outbreak spread in the U.S., where he wrote Trump's actions "left us unprepared" for a pandemic; remarks from a debate where Biden demanded American health authorities be allowed into China in a call for transparency; and reporting of 15 instances where Trump praised China, including a Jan. 24 tweet praising China's "efforts and transparency."
Wuhan, coronavirus: How central China's biggest city affects the world With coronavirus sweeping across the world, it's easy to forget the epicenter of the disease, Wuhan. Wuhan can be compared to Pittsburgh or Chicago. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
"Trump rolled over for the Chinese," a voice over in the the ad says.
"Look around," it continues later, noting the millions of people out of work and tens of thousands killed by COVID-19. "Donald Trump left this country unprepared and unprotected for the worst public health and economic crisis in our lifetime."
In a campaign memo distributed to Democratic officeholders earlier in April, Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield unveiled four key talking points to frame Trump's response to the coronavirus. Atop the list: "The Chinese government."
"He praised its leader and did not fight anywhere near hard enough to get the facts," the memo reads.
In response, Trump campaign deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews said Trump has "always been resolute in taking early action," again pointing to Trump's travel restrictions on China.
"In contrast, before and during the coronavirus crisis, Joe Biden stood up for China, dismissed them as an economic threat, and initially opposed President Trump’s China travel restrictions," she said in a statement.
More: 'Chinatown is not part of China': Trump's tweet at Pelosi is met with criticism online
Number of Americans who view China unfavorably grows
The focus on China, however, seems to have occurred simultaneously with a shift in public opinion on China and Chinese people.
A poll released last week by Pew Research Center showed about two-thirds of Americans have an "unfavorable" opinion of China, the highest ever proportion since Pew started asking the question in 2005. And a poll published Tuesday by the Center for Public Integrity and Ipsos showed about 3 in 10 Americans in the poll sample blaming China or Chinese people for the pandemic.
University of California, San Diego professor of political economy Victor Shih told USA TODAY the criticism of China follows a broader negative trend towards China in American politics.
"Things already were trending in a negative direction, even before the coronavirus," Shih said, noting the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, but the ongoing "China-bashing" was "doing real harm to the status of Asian Americans overall but especially Americans of Chinese descent."
Pew Research Associate Kat Devlin told USA TODAY it was "just within the last two years" that Pew had witnessed such a negative change in its data, lining up with the ratcheting up of rhetoric about the trade war between the two countries.
Devlin noted that a partisan shift had happened in their data, too.
In the past, Republicans had expressed more negative views of China, but "in the last two years we're now seeing majorities of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic also holding these unfavorable views."
Coronavirus fuels attacks against Asian Americans The coronavirus pandemic, which originated in China, is fueling attacks against Asian Americans, with more than 1,000 reports of hate incidents ranging from racial slurs to spitting to physical assaults over the past two weeks, advocates say. (April 1) AP
Criticism over the ads on both sides
The attacks from both the Trump and Biden campaigns have not been without some criticism.
Trump's ad includes an image of former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, who is Chinese American, prompting criticism of the Trump campaign. Locke accused the Trump campaign of "fanning hatred," and the Biden campaign called for the ad to be taken down.
Biden's ad received positive reviews from some on the left, who praised Biden for punching back.
But others, particularly from the progressive left and some Asian American groups, disagreed with the Biden campaign's messaging and the focus on China from both campaigns.
ACLU lawyer Cecillia Wang responded to the Biden ad on Twitter, saying Biden was trying to "out-Trump Trump."
Christine Chen, executive director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, called the Biden ad a "misstep" and the Trump ad "irresponsible" for including Locke.
"I understand the instinct for a campaign to respond directly to an opposing campaign's ad," Chen said, "and while I do not believe the Biden campaign meant to be xenophobic, the ad was still a misstep."
Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, told USA TODAY there was space for a conversation criticizing the Chinese Communist Party, but "making China as a whole a centerpiece of a political campaign, and doing so in a way that blames China for our problems, is only going to encourage more anger and xenophobia at a time when both are dangerously high."
"I encourage all parties to refrain from anti-China broadsides that put Asian Americans in harm’s way," she said.
Reach Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) and Nicholas Wu (@nicholaswu12) on Twitter.


usatoday--2020-04-29--Rep. Justin Amash exploring 2020 run for Libertarian nomination

WASHINGTON – Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan took another step toward running for president on Tuesday , saying he has formed an exploratory committee to look into his chances of winning the Libertarian Party 's nomination .
Amash , an independent from Cascade Township outside Grand Rapids , announced his intentions on Twitter about 8:30 p.m .
In a series of posts , he said , `` Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people . ''
A former Republican who left the party last summer as he called for President Donald Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago he was considering running for president and would make an announcement soon .
He has become a frequent foil of Trump 's , most recently chiding him for comments in which the president suggested his power over the states was `` absolute '' in reacting to the spread of the coronavirus .
Amash , a constitutional lawyer , has long been a renegade even as a Republican , bolting from his party when he did not feel it was sufficiently committed to principles of the free market and constitutional limitations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together , '' he said in another post Tuesday night .
`` I ’ m excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president . ''
By announcing his exploratory committee , which he 's calling Amash for America , Amash is n't necessarily committing to a run .
The committee allows him to test the waters , doing polling , making calls and taking other steps short of declaring as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also allows him the possibility of jumping back into running for reelection in the west Michigan district he has represented for five two-year terms , though he faces a tough test there as well , running as an independent in a Republican-leaning district .
Running as a Libertarian candidate gives him a better chance of appearing on ballots in November than running as a true independent , even though his candidacy , at best , could be described as a vast long shot .
No third party candidate has ever been elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grips of the coronavirus pandemic , however , it 's unclear what the process of becoming the Libertarian nominee may look like .
As recently as Sunday , the Libertarian Party said on its website that the site of its planned May 20-26 convention in Austin , Texas , had , without notice , canceled all reservations for the event .
Amash enters the race with a certain name recognition , given that he has frequently been cited as a critic of both Trump and of Republicans and Democrats whom he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power than following the Constitution .
But there are other candidates running for the nomination who have more of a history with the party , including former California Superior Court Judge Jim Gray , who ran as the party 's vice presidential nominee in 2012 , and lawyer Jacob Hornberger , who founded the Future of Freedom Foundation , a group that advocates for smaller government and free markets .
USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll : Six months out , Biden jumps to lead over Trump amid coronavirus concerns While Amash is often in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who he thought should have been impeached for obstructing justice in special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election , he is far from a liberal member of Congress .
Amash has repeatedly called for reductions in government spending and limits on government involvement in the market , including health care .
And while he voted in favor of Articles of Impeachment against Trump related to his asking the Ukrainian president to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , Amash has also taken heat for votes such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of four members of the House to vote against an anti-lynching law .
Amash , who explains his votes on Twitter , said he did so because the law bans an activity which is already illegal under federal law and , at the same time , intrudes on state police powers .

Rep. Justin Amash exploring 2020 run for Libertarian nomination
WASHINGTON – Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan took another step toward running for president on Tuesday, saying he has formed an exploratory committee to look into his chances of winning the Libertarian Party's nomination.
Amash, an independent from Cascade Township outside Grand Rapids, announced his intentions on Twitter around 8:30 p.m. In a series of posts, he said, "Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people."
A former Republican who left the party last summer as he called for President Donald Trump's impeachment, Amash said a couple of weeks ago that he was considering running for president and would make an announcement soon.
He has become a frequent foil of Trump's, most recently chiding him for comments in which the president suggested his power over the states was "absolute" in reacting to the spread of the coronavirus. Amash, a constitutional lawyer, has long been a renegade even as a Republican, bolting from his party when he did not feel it was sufficiently committed to principles of the free market and constitutional limitations and balances.
"We’re ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together," he said in another post Tuesday night. "I’m excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president."
By announcing his exploratory committee, which he's calling Amash for America, Amash isn't necessarily committing to a run. The committee allows him to test the waters, doing polling, making calls and taking other steps short of declaring as a candidate with the Federal Election Commission.
It also allows him the possibility of jumping back into running for reelection in the western Michigan district he has represented for five two-year terms, though he faces a tough test there as well, running as an independent in a Republican-leaning district.
Today, I launched an exploratory committee to seek the @LPNational’s nomination for president of the United States. Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) April 29, 2020
Running as a Libertarian candidate gives him a better chance of appearing on ballots in November than running as a true independent, even though his candidacy, at best, could be described as a vast long shot. No third party candidate has ever been elected president.
With the U.S still in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic, however, it's unclear what the process of becoming the Libertarian nominee may look like. As recently as Sunday, the Libertarian Party said on its website that the site of its planned May 20-26 convention in Austin, Texas, had, without notice, canceled all reservations for the event.
Trump suggested a third-party challenge from Amash may help his re-election chances.
"No, I think Amash would make a wonderful candidate, especially since he is way behind in his district and has no chance of maintaining his Congressional seat," Trump tweeted. "He almost always votes for the Do Nothing Dems anyway."
Amash enters the race with a certain name recognition, given that he has frequently been cited as a critic of both Trump and of Republicans and Democrats whom he has cited as more worried about wielding political power than following the Constitution.
But there are other candidates running for the nomination who have more of a history with the party, including former California Superior Court Judge Jim Gray, who ran as the party's vice presidential nominee in 2012, and lawyer Jacob Hornberger, who founded the Future of Freedom Foundation, a group that advocates for smaller government and free markets.
USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll: Six months out, Biden jumps to lead over Trump amid coronavirus concerns
While Amash is often in the news for his criticism of Trump, who he thought should have been impeached for obstructing justice in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election, he is far from a liberal member of Congress.
Amash has repeatedly called for reductions in government spending and limits on government involvement in the market, including health care. And while he voted in favor of articles of impeachment against Trump related to his asking the Ukrainian president to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, Amash has also taken heat for votes such as one this year where he was one of four members of the House to vote against an anti-lynching law.
Amash, who explains his votes on Twitter, said he did so because the law bans an activity which is already illegal under federal law and, at the same time, intrudes on state police powers.
Follow Todd Spangler on Twitter @tsspangler.


usatoday--2020-04-30--Feinstein urges McConnell not to reconvene Senate: 'No way to do this without increased risk'

WASHINGTON – Sen. Diane Feinstein , D-Calif. , wrote a letter to Senate leadership Wednesday , urging them to to cancel reconvening the Senate in Washington on Monday and instead allow members to work remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I ask the majority leader to reconsider his plan to reconvene the Senate , '' Feinstein said in a statement .
`` He would bring 100 senators and many more staff members and reporters into close proximity while Washington itself remains under a stay-at-home order .
There is no way to do this without increased risk .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' More : Spike in US deaths and cases flagged as pneumonia suggest even greater COVID-19 impact Feinstein said the House of Representatives did the `` right thing '' by reversing their decision and deciding not to return to the nations capital next week .
In announcing the extension , House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, cited increasing coronavirus case numbers in the Washington , D.C. , area and the continued work needed to draft the next stimulus package .
Feinstein , 86 , the oldest sitting U.S. senator , wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , as well as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , that since Congress recessed in March , `` at least eight Capitol Police officers and 11 workers with the Architect of the Capitol have tested positive '' for the virus .
More : Kushner calls the coronavirus response in US ' a great success story' '' Clearly the coronavirus is present at the Capitol , '' she penned , reiterating that coming back `` sends the wrong message to the American people , most of whom are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home . ''
When McConnell announced the Senate would be returning on May 4 , he said , “ We will modify routines in ways that are smart and safe , but we will honor our constitutional duty to the American people and conduct critical business in person . ''
Feinstein wrote , `` The only things that have been shown to reduce the rate of infection are sheltering in place and social distancing , neither of which is possible if we return to the Capitol .
This is not the time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease is not yet in check . ''
More : Pelosi names seven Democratic lawmakers to committee tasked with overseeing coronavirus stimulus money The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people older than 60 to avoid large crowds and to stay home as much as possible .
The average age in the Senate is 63 .
A March 18 report from the CDC noted that 31 % of cases , 45 % of hospitalizations , 53 % of ICU admissions and 80 % of deaths associated with COVID-19 involve seniors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring the Senate back , saying in a radio interview Wednesday that the Senate would not `` sit on the sidelines . ''
So far , Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , has been the only senator diagnosed with COVID-19 .
Many others have self-quarantined or isolated since the beginning of the pandemic .
'You ’ re not supposed to keep that payment ' : Mnuchin wants stimulus money given to dead taxpayers returned On Wednesday , the United States passed two grim milestones – 1 million cases and 60,000 deaths from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in a few months from the virus than were killed during the Vietnam War , from 1955 to 1975 .

Feinstein urges McConnell not to reconvene Senate: 'No way to do this without increased risk'
Show Caption Hide Caption Seniors show resiliency in face of coronavirus Social distancing rules are affecting U.S. seniors in nuanced ways. Many are resilient and say the coronavirus crisis reminds them of World War II rationing and past disease epidemics. Others are isolated and lonely in senior homes. (March 27) AP
WASHINGTON – Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., wrote a letter to Senate leadership Wednesday, urging them to to cancel reconvening the Senate in Washington on Monday and instead allow members to work remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I ask the majority leader to reconsider his plan to reconvene the Senate," Feinstein said in a statement. "He would bring 100 senators and many more staff members and reporters into close proximity while Washington itself remains under a stay-at-home order. There is no way to do this without increased risk. This is the wrong example for the country."
More: Spike in US deaths and cases flagged as pneumonia suggest even greater COVID-19 impact
Feinstein said the House of Representatives did the "right thing" by reversing their decision and deciding not to return to the nations capital next week.
In announcing the extension, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., cited increasing coronavirus case numbers in the Washington, D.C., area and the continued work needed to draft the next stimulus package.
Feinstein, 86, the oldest sitting U.S. senator, wrote in the letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as well as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., that since Congress recessed in March, "at least eight Capitol Police officers and 11 workers with the Architect of the Capitol have tested positive" for the virus.
More: Kushner calls the coronavirus response in US 'a great success story'
"Clearly the coronavirus is present at the Capitol," she penned, reiterating that coming back "sends the wrong message to the American people, most of whom are being asked or directed to stay at home."
When McConnell announced the Senate would be returning on May 4, he said, “We will modify routines in ways that are smart and safe, but we will honor our constitutional duty to the American people and conduct critical business in person."
Feinstein wrote, "The only things that have been shown to reduce the rate of infection are sheltering in place and social distancing, neither of which is possible if we return to the Capitol. This is not the time to back off of protective measures when the disease is not yet in check."
More: Pelosi names seven Democratic lawmakers to committee tasked with overseeing coronavirus stimulus money
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people older than 60 to avoid large crowds and to stay home as much as possible. The average age in the Senate is 63. A March 18 report from the CDC noted that 31% of cases, 45% of hospitalizations, 53% of ICU admissions and 80% of deaths associated with COVID-19 involve seniors.
McConnell held strong to the plan to bring the Senate back, saying in a radio interview Wednesday that the Senate would not "sit on the sidelines."
So far, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has been the only senator diagnosed with COVID-19. Many others have self-quarantined or isolated since the beginning of the pandemic.
'You’re not supposed to keep that payment': Mnuchin wants stimulus money given to dead taxpayers returned
On Wednesday, the United States passed two grim milestones – 1 million cases and 60,000 deaths from COVID-19.
Feinstein noted that more Americans have died in a few months from the virus than were killed during the Vietnam War, from 1955 to 1975.


usatoday--2020-04-29--Nearly 1 in 4 Bernie Sanders backers not supporting Biden

A new poll from USA TODAY and Suffolk University shows that nearly a quarter of Bernie Sanders supporters have n't @ @ @ @ @ Biden .

Bernie Sanders supporters not backing Joe Biden
A new poll from USA TODAY and Suffolk University shows that nearly a quarter of Bernie Sanders supporters haven't turned over to support Joe Biden.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-04-29--Kushner calls the coronavirus response in US 'a great success story'

WASHINGTON – White House senior adviser Jared Kushner called the federal government 's response to the coronavirus outbreak `` a great success story ” on Wednesday as cases topped 1 million and the death toll passed 60,000 in the United States .
Kushner , the president 's son-in-law who has been serving on the White House coronavirus task force , does n't often make public appearances .
During an interview on Fox News on Wednesday morning , Kushner said , `` I think that we 've achieved all the different milestones that are needed .
So the government , federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a great success story .
I think that 's really what needs to be told . ''
He also claimed that by June `` a lot of the country should be back to normal , '' and that by July , `` the country 's really rocking again '' Dozens of states have decided to reopen businesses amid the pandemic , and although they 've also established a number of conditions for restarting , public health experts question their ability to monitor and handle any increase in cases that will follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some may have to reimpose the social distancing restrictions that devastated their economies .
Kushner denounced `` the eternal lockdown crowd '' for making `` jokes on late-night television '' about the administration 's efforts , saying that the `` reality is that the data is on our side '' regarding testing and reopening the country .
Researchers at Harvard University recently concluded the U.S. would need to conduct 500,000 to 700,000 coronavirus tests a day to begin reopening safely .
Last week the country averaged 210,000 daily tests , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans trust Fauci more than Trump or their own governors More : Pelosi names seven Democratic lawmakers to committee tasked with overseeing coronavirus stimulus money Kushner said the country was `` on the other side of the medical aspect of this , '' despite cases mounting across the country .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that deaths and cases will `` likely to continue to rise '' in coming weeks , especially if social distancing is n't strongly followed .
The Trump administration has been criticized for the shortages in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing , and its slow response to the pandemic , with reports suggesting President Donald Trump was warned about the threat of the virus from the intelligence community as early as January .
More : U.S. economy shrank 4.8 % in the 1st quarter amid state shutdowns , millions of layoffs Trump called Kushner `` brilliant '' on Wednesday following his comments .
However , some on Twitter seemed to disagree .

Kushner calls the coronavirus response in US 'a great success story'
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: Not responsible for 50K deaths, financial problems at US Postal Service President Trump says he doesn't take any responsibility for the 50,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. Also says he won't bail out the USPS. (April 24) AP
WASHINGTON – White House senior adviser Jared Kushner called the federal government's response to the coronavirus outbreak "a great success story” on Wednesday as cases topped 1 million and the death toll passed 60,000 in the United States.
Kushner, the president's son-in-law who has been serving on the White House coronavirus task force, doesn't often make public appearances.
During an interview on Fox News on Wednesday morning, Kushner said, "I think that we've achieved all the different milestones that are needed. So the government, federal government, rose to the challenge and this is a great success story. I think that's really what needs to be told."
He also claimed that by June "a lot of the country should be back to normal," and that by July, "the country's really rocking again"
'They're playing Russian roulette': As states reopen amid coronavirus, experts warn of risks
Jared Kushner, as the US coronavirus death toll surpasses the Vietnam War and approaches 60,000: "This is a great success story, and I think that's really what needs to be told." pic.twitter.com/ax6ok3cYCV — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 29, 2020
Dozens of states have decided to reopen businesses amid the pandemic, and although they've also established a number of conditions for restarting, public health experts question their ability to monitor and handle any increase in cases that will follow.
If the surge is strong enough, some may have to reimpose the social distancing restrictions that devastated their economies.
Kushner denounced "the eternal lockdown crowd" for making "jokes on late-night television" about the administration's efforts, saying that the "reality is that the data is on our side" regarding testing and reopening the country.
Researchers at Harvard University recently concluded the U.S. would need to conduct 500,000 to 700,000 coronavirus tests a day to begin reopening safely. Last week the country averaged 210,000 daily tests, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
Study: Americans trust Fauci more than Trump or their own governors
More: Pelosi names seven Democratic lawmakers to committee tasked with overseeing coronavirus stimulus money
Kushner said the country was "on the other side of the medical aspect of this," despite cases mounting across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that deaths and cases will "likely to continue to rise" in coming weeks, especially if social distancing isn't strongly followed.
The Trump administration has been criticized for the shortages in personal protective gear, lack of widespread testing, and its slow response to the pandemic, with reports suggesting President Donald Trump was warned about the threat of the virus from the intelligence community as early as January.
More: U.S. economy shrank 4.8% in the 1st quarter amid state shutdowns, millions of layoffs
Trump called Kushner "brilliant" on Wednesday following his comments.
However, some on Twitter seemed to disagree.
GDP had its biggest drop since Great Recession
We surpassed 1M positive COVID-19 cases
We don’t have adequate testing
But a Trump official calls their response “a great success story”
And Sen. McConnell only seems interested in unqualified, right-wing judges & protecting CEOs — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 29, 2020
In wake of 60,000 deaths already, Jared Kushner calls government's Coronavirus response "a great success story." By what possible measure? — Tony Schwartz (@tonyschwartz) April 29, 2020
Jared Kushner called 1m infections, 60k dead, a shuttered economy, 25m+ unemployed, and 3-6% drop in GDP for now with much larger likely to come "a great success story."
If our leaders refuse to see where we're failing, they can't help us get better. — Ian Bassin (@ianbassin) April 29, 2020
Contributing: Jorge L. Ortiz, Paul Davidson


usatoday--2020-04-29--Andrew Yang is suing New York over its decision to cancel its Democratic presidential primary

ALBANY , N.Y. – Andrew Yang , the former presidential candidate , is suing his home state over its decision Monday to cancel its presidential primary in June because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Yang , a Manhattan entrepreneur , sued late Tuesday over the decision by the New York Board of Elections to cancel the Democratic presidential primary , saying the action infringes on voters ' rights .
The `` unprecedented and unwarranted move '' infringes on the rights of Democratic voters because it `` denies them the right to choose our next candidate for the office of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan said .
The state 's Democratic election commissioners voted Monday to remove 10 presidential candidates from the New York ballot except Joe Biden , the only actively campaigning candidate and presumptive nominee .
The move made use of a new measure in state law allowing them to remove candidates from the ballot if a candidate publicly suspends his or her campaign .
China : What the fight between Biden and Trump over China means for the 2020 election But the vote angered supporters of several former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I-Vt. '' No one asked New York to cancel the election , '' said Jeff Weaver , a Bernie 2020 senior adviser .
`` The DNC didn ’ t request it .
The Biden campaign didn ’ t request it .
And our campaign communicated that we wanted to remain on the ballot . ''
The primary election in New York was originally scheduled for April 28 .
Then Gov .
Andrew Cuomo delayed it to June 23 in response to the spread of coronavirus pandemic , which has hit New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic commissioners , Douglas Kellner and former Westchester County Executive Andy Spano , voted Monday in favor of canceling the race – the first state in the nation to cancel its Democratic presidential primary .
More : Andrew Yang 's roots are in the Hudson Valley .
But he said holding the primary would have been `` unnecessary and frivolous '' in the age of COVID-19 , accusing Sanders supporters of wanting to hold a `` beauty contest . ''
`` Senator Sanders has not only announced that he 's suspending his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsement of Joe Biden , '' Kellner said Monday .
`` That has effectively ended the real context for the primary election . ''
On Tuesday , Kellner said in a statement that Yang 's complaint makes no mention that New York law allows for the removal from the ballot of a presidential candidate who suspends his or her campaign .
`` We are confident that once the court reviews the statute and our resolution , it will find that Commissioner ( Andy ) Spano and I acted appropriately in accordance with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' his statement read .
Yang grew up in the Hudson Valley and owns a home in New Paltz .
Primaries for Congress and state legislative offices will still go forward June 23 , and New York is sending out applications so voters can vote by absentee rather than going to the polls – which will still be open .
Yang and Sanders have noted not having the primary contest denies the candidates from having some of the 274 pledged delegates representing New York at the Democratic National Convention this summer in Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity to represent Yang at the convention when duly qualified under the New York Election Law is a denial of their fundamental rights , as well the more than 20,000 New York registered Democrats who signed petitions to nominate Yang '' to be on the New York ballot , Yang 's lawsuit said .
The lawsuit said the goal is not `` to undermine the health and safety of New York voters or election workers , but rather seek to uphold their fundamental rights under the Constitutions of the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More : Voters in New York can vote by absentee ballot for June 23 primaries Joseph Spector is the New York state editor for the USA TODAY Network .
He can be reached at JSPECTOR @ Gannett.com or followed on Twitter : @ GannettAlbany

Andrew Yang is suing New York over its decision to cancel its Democratic presidential primary
Show Caption Hide Caption Andrew Yang drops 2020 presidential bid Andrew Yang, who created buzz for his campaign by championing a universal basic income, suspended his 2020 bid following the New Hampshire primary. AP Domestic
ALBANY, N.Y. – Andrew Yang, the former presidential candidate, is suing his home state over its decision Monday to cancel its presidential primary in June because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Yang, a Manhattan entrepreneur, sued late Tuesday over the decision by the New York Board of Elections to cancel the Democratic presidential primary, saying the action infringes on voters' rights.
The "unprecedented and unwarranted move" infringes on the rights of Democratic voters because it "denies them the right to choose our next candidate for the office of President of the United States," the lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan said.
The state's Democratic election commissioners voted Monday to remove 10 presidential candidates from the New York ballot except Joe Biden, the only actively campaigning candidate and presumptive nominee.
The move made use of a new measure in state law allowing them to remove candidates from the ballot if a candidate publicly suspends his or her campaign.
China: What the fight between Biden and Trump over China means for the 2020 election
But the vote angered supporters of several former Democratic candidates, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
"No one asked New York to cancel the election," said Jeff Weaver, a Bernie 2020 senior adviser.
"The DNC didn’t request it. The Biden campaign didn’t request it. And our campaign communicated that we wanted to remain on the ballot."
The primary election in New York was originally scheduled for April 28. Then Gov. Andrew Cuomo delayed it to June 23 in response to the spread of coronavirus pandemic, which has hit New York harder than any other state.
Both Democratic commissioners, Douglas Kellner and former Westchester County Executive Andy Spano, voted Monday in favor of canceling the race – the first state in the nation to cancel its Democratic presidential primary.
Kellner called the vote "a very difficult decision."
More: Andrew Yang's roots are in the Hudson Valley.
But he said holding the primary would have been "unnecessary and frivolous" in the age of COVID-19, accusing Sanders supporters of wanting to hold a "beauty contest."
"Senator Sanders has not only announced that he's suspending his campaign but he's also announced a public endorsement of Joe Biden," Kellner said Monday. "That has effectively ended the real context for the primary election."
On Tuesday, Kellner said in a statement that Yang's complaint makes no mention that New York law allows for the removal from the ballot of a presidential candidate who suspends his or her campaign.
"We are confident that once the court reviews the statute and our resolution, it will find that Commissioner (Andy) Spano and I acted appropriately in accordance with the governing provisions of the Election Law," his statement read.
Yang grew up in the Hudson Valley and owns a home in New Paltz.
Primaries for Congress and state legislative offices will still go forward June 23, and New York is sending out applications so voters can vote by absentee rather than going to the polls – which will still be open.
Yang and Sanders have noted not having the primary contest denies the candidates from having some of the 274 pledged delegates representing New York at the Democratic National Convention this summer in Milwaukee.
More: New York cancels 2020 presidential primary, angering Bernie Sanders campaign
"Denying each of the plaintiffs the opportunity to represent Yang at the convention when duly qualified under the New York Election Law is a denial of their fundamental rights, as well the more than 20,000 New York registered Democrats who signed petitions to nominate Yang" to be on the New York ballot, Yang's lawsuit said.
The lawsuit said the goal is not "to undermine the health and safety of New York voters or election workers, but rather seek to uphold their fundamental rights under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New York."
More: Voters in New York can vote by absentee ballot for June 23 primaries
Joseph Spector is the New York state editor for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany


usatoday--2020-04-29--Mike Pence appears to violate Mayo Clinic mask-wearing policy during visit

WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence visited the Mayo Clinic on Tuesday to tour facilities supporting research about the coronavirus , but he appeared to violate the hospital 's policy during his tour by not wearing a mask .
Video of his tour shows Pence walking through the Rochester , Minnesota , medical center to meet with staff and patients , but without wearing a mask .
Mayo Clinic policy requires `` all patients , visitors and staff to wear a face covering or mask while at Mayo Clinic to guard against transmission of COVID-19 . ''
The Mayo Clinic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's visit , tweeting that they had `` informed @ VP of the masking policy prior to his arrival today . ''
The tweet has since been deleted .
The Mayo Clinic tweeted later in the afternoon to say it was `` grateful '' for the visit from Pence and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and looked `` forward to continued collaboration to develop essential testing and treatment for our patients and communities . ''
Speaking to reporters following his visit , Pence said he did not wear a mask because he did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines about wearing masks to prevent the spread of the virus by those who are infected with it but might not have symptoms .
`` As Vice President of the United States I 'm tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis , and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus , ” Pence said .
`` And since I do n't have the coronavirus , I thought it 'd be a good opportunity for me to be here , to be able to speak to these researchers , these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the eye and say thank you . ''
Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the wearing of a mask in public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus .
`` I do n't think I 'm going to be doing it , '' he said when the Trump administration rolled out its guidance on masks .
First lady Melania Trump , however , has urged Americans to wear masks and shared posts on her social media accounts of herself wearing a face mask .


usatoday--2020-04-30--Meet the team who will help Joe Biden pick his vice presidential running mate

WASHINGTON — Joe Biden has named the team of people to advise him in his search for a vice presidential running mate .
Biden 's vice presidential selection committee , announced Thursday morning , will include four co-chairs : Former U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd ; U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester ; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti ; and Cynthia Hogan , former White House and Senate counsel to Biden .
“ These four co-chairs reflect the strength and diversity of our party , and will provide tremendous insight and expertise to what will be a rigorous selection and vetting process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malley Dillon said in a news release announcing the committee .
More : Elizabeth Warren says she would be Joe Biden 's running mate against Trump if asked The co-chairs `` will conduct conversations across the party as well as work with a network of vetting teams led by former White House Counsel Bob Bauer , campaign General Counsel Dana Remus and former Homeland Security Adviser Lisa Monaco , '' according to the news release .
Biden has reiterated on multiple occasions that his running mate will be a woman , and myriad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including former rivals Sens .
Kamala Harris , Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren .
At a fundraiser Wednesday , Biden said he hopes to have a vice presidential candidate vetted by July , according to a pool report from the event .
Himself a vice president , Biden reportedly views the selection process that put him on the Democratic ticket as the model for his own search , according to the New York Times .
Then-nominee Barack Obama 's vice presidential committee in 2008 included : Eric Holder , who was later appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the daughter of President John F. Kennedy who was later named by Obama as ambassador to Japan ; and Jim Johnson , who worked for Walter Mondale 's presidential campaign in 1984 and assisted in John Kerry 's search for a running mate in 2004 but eventually stepped down from Obama 's committee .
Here 's more about the four people who will be leading Biden 's search committee : Dodd , a former senator from Connecticut , has been a friend and colleague to Biden for almost 40 years .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 30 years and he endorsed Biden for president in October 2019 .
Dodd , who helped co-author the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act , also played a role in helping pass the Affordable Care Act , a signature piece of legislation for the Obama administration .
The senator joined Biden as a Democratic presidential candidate in the 2008 election cycle , exiting the race on the night of the Iowa caucuses .
He is currently senior counsel at the law firm of Arnold & Porter , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden needs his Joe Biden .
Here 's a look at the women who could be on his shortlist Blunt Rochester , a Democratic representative from Biden 's home state of Delaware , became the first African American and first woman member of Congress to be elected from the state in 2016 .
Blunt Rochester is an assistant whip for House Democrats and was named a national co-chair of Biden 's campaign in March .
She will likely be an important voice as co-chair of the committee , as many Democrats have called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his running mate .
She was born in Philadelphia , but grew up in Wilmington , Del.
, just as Biden did .
Garcetti endorsed Biden in January and has since served as a national co-chair for the campaign .
He was a member of the L.A. City Council before being elected mayor of Los Angeles in 2013 .
He is on the board of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials , a Rhodes Scholar and served as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve .
He also is the co-founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayors committed to the principles of the Paris Agreement , according to the campaign news release .
Climate change is a key issue for many Democratic voters , especially young progressive voters who Biden is trying to woo .
Hogan is a long-time aide to Biden , serving as the deputy assistant to the president and counsel to the vice president from 2009 to 2013 .
She led the administration 's efforts to get Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court , according to the news release , and has held senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She has also served as the staff director and chief counsel of the Senate Judiciary Committee .
In that role , she helped with the passage of the Violence Against Women Act , which was co-sponsored by then-Sen. Biden in 1994 .

Meet the team who will help Joe Biden pick his vice presidential running mate
Show Caption Hide Caption Hillary Clinton endorses Joe Biden with town hall on women and COVID Hillary Clinton joined Joe Biden for a town hall on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting women across the country, and offered her endorsement. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Joe Biden has named the team of people to advise him in his search for a vice presidential running mate.
Biden's vice presidential selection committee, announced Thursday morning, will include four co-chairs: Former U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd; U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; and Cynthia Hogan, former White House and Senate counsel to Biden.
“These four co-chairs reflect the strength and diversity of our party, and will provide tremendous insight and expertise to what will be a rigorous selection and vetting process," campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon said in a news release announcing the committee.
More: Elizabeth Warren says she would be Joe Biden's running mate against Trump if asked
The co-chairs "will conduct conversations across the party as well as work with a network of vetting teams led by former White House Counsel Bob Bauer, campaign General Counsel Dana Remus and former Homeland Security Adviser Lisa Monaco," according to the news release.
Biden has reiterated on multiple occasions that his Democratic running mate will be a woman, and myriad names have circulated as possible options, including former rivals Sens. Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren. At a fundraiser Wednesday, Biden said he hopes to have a vice presidential candidate vetted by July, according to a pool report from the event.
Himself a former vice president, Biden reportedly views the selection process that put him on the Democratic ticket as the model for his own search, according to The New York Times.
Then-nominee Barack Obama's vice presidential committee in 2008 included: Eric Holder, who was later appointed attorney general by Obama; Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy who was later named by Obama as ambassador to Japan; and Jim Johnson, who worked for Walter Mondale's presidential campaign in 1984 and assisted in John Kerry's search for a running mate in 2004 but eventually stepped down from Obama's committee.
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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
Here's more about the four people who will be leading Biden's search committee:
Chris Dodd
Dodd, a former senator from Connecticut, has been a friend and colleague to Biden for almost 40 years. The two served in the Senate together for nearly 30 years and he endorsed Biden for president in October 2019. Dodd, who helped co-author the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, also played a role in helping pass the Affordable Care Act, a signature piece of legislation for the Obama administration. The senator joined Biden as a Democratic presidential candidate in the 2008 election cycle, exiting the race on the night of the Iowa caucuses. He is currently senior counsel at the law firm of Arnold & Porter, according to the campaign's announcement.
More: Joe Biden needs his Joe Biden. Here's a look at the women who could be on his shortlist
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Blunt Rochester, a Democratic representative from Biden's home state of Delaware, became the first African American and first female member of Congress to be elected from the state in 2016. Blunt Rochester is an assistant whip for House Democrats and was named a national co-chair of Biden's campaign in March. She will likely be an important voice as co-chair of the committee, as many Democrats have called for Biden to choose a black woman as his running mate. She was born in Philadelphia, but grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, just as Biden did.
Eric Garcetti
Garcetti endorsed Biden in January and has since served as a national co-chair for the campaign. He was a member of the LA City Council before being elected mayor of Los Angeles in 2013. He is on the board of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, a Rhodes Scholar and served as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve. He also is the co-founder of Climate Mayors, which includes 438 mayors committed to the principles of the Paris Agreement, according to the campaign news release. Climate change is a key issue for many Democratic voters, especially young progressive voters whom Biden is trying to woo.
Cynthia Hogan
Hogan is a longtime aide to Biden, serving as the deputy assistant to the president and counsel to the vice president from 2009 to 2013. She led the administration's efforts to get Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to the news release, and has held senior policy roles at Apple and the NFL. She has also served as the staff director and chief counsel of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In that role, she helped with the passage of the Violence Against Women Act, which was co-sponsored by then-Sen. Biden in 1994.


usatoday--2020-05-01--Protesters, some carrying rifles, crowd into Michigan Capitol to urge an end to state of emergency

LANSING , Mich. – A large group of demonstrators – many not wearing masks and some carrying rifles on their shoulders – crowded into the lobby outside the state House chambers Thursday , shouting to be allowed onto the House floor , during a protest at the Capitol against Michigan 's state of emergency .
Michigan State Police troopers , wearing face masks , formed a line between the demonstrators and the entrance to the House floor , which is off-limits to the general public .
`` Let us in , '' the protesters shouted , in some cases within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' faces .
At least one state senator expressed worry when she saw demonstrators shouting and carrying firearms in the public gallery .
`` Directly above me , men with rifles yelling at us , '' Democratic state Sen. Dayna Polehanki posted on Twitter , along with a photo .
`` Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them .
I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today . ''
Open carry of firearms is allowed both on Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol , said Lt. Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There ’ s always a risk , but we were prepared for it , '' he said .
`` People are allowed to exercise their right to freedom of speech and their right to open carry .
We always kept an eye on it.
” He said `` people were just venting their frustrations in a loud manner '' outside the House chamber , but `` once they were able to do that ... people were pleasant and polite.
” Earlier , a few hundred demonstrators gathered under light rain outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan 's state of emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic .
They carried signs that read `` Impeach Whitmer , '' `` You 're Killing Small Businesses , '' and `` Liberty or Death . ''
Many also wore hats or carried other paraphernalia touting Republican President Donald Trump and his 2020 reelection campaign .
The demonstrators got their wish in that the Republican-controlled Legislature did not vote to extend Michigan 's state of emergency , as requested by Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
However , Whitmer says the state of emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of vehicles blocked most of Allegan Avenue , which runs by the side of the Capitol .
There were also a few counterprotesters .
One man drove a large truck by the Capitol , shouting : `` Go home , rednecks – go home ! ''
into a loudspeaker .
Overall , the rally was considerably smaller than an April 15 event that drew thousands to the Capitol to protest Whitmer 's stay-at-home order , which is currently scheduled to run through May 15 .
House Speaker Lee Chatfield , a Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest and that is what happened Thursday .
He said he was disappointed , though , that not all of the demonstrators observed social distancing guidelines and that a few apparently carried signs advocating violence .
One sign carried by a demonstrator said : `` Tyrants get the rope . ''
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich , a Democrat , said he could not `` condone physical intimidation or causing chaos in the middle of a global pandemic.
” The state of emergency should not be confused with the stay-at-home order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and requires people to stay home except for essential purposes .
Whitmer said Wednesday that Michigan 's stay-at-home order , and the willingness of the vast majority of Michiganders to follow it , has helped the state significantly flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections .
But she warned that reopening the economy too quickly risks a second spike of infections that would be even more economically damaging than the first outbreak .
As of Thursday , more than 41,000 Michigan residents had tested positive for COVID-19 and close to 3,800 had died from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Michigan State Police arrested one protester for assaulting another protester on the Capitol grounds early in the afternoon , Oleksyk said .
Neither was injured , he said .
Dubbed the `` American Patriot Rally , '' Thursday 's demonstration brought together members of conservative groups , militias , proponents of open carry of firearms , people protesting abortion rights , and anti-vaccination protesters , plus many Michiganders who said they were not associated with any group but believe the stay-at-home order goes too far .
`` I 'm basically just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lowry , 24 , of Waterford , who was wearing a cloth mask and carrying a sign that read , `` Liberty or Death . ''
Lowry , an insurance specialist , said she was deemed an essential worker and has remained employed , but does not like the fact she has been unable to visit relatives , for example .
`` I feel strongly about the Constitution , '' Lowry said .
`` It does n't matter what is going on – we always have our liberties . ''
Lowry said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not vote for Trump in 2016 , and does not expect she will vote for him this year , either .
`` I 'm liking Justin Amash , '' she said in reference to the west Michigan congressman who left the Republican Party and is exploring a presidential run , possibly with the Libertarian Party .
John Moehlman of St. Clair , an insulation contractor , said he has lost work as a result of the stay-at-home order and Whitmer 's Wednesday announcement that construction can resume May 7 will not rectify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This is flat-out tyranny , '' said Moehlman , who was not wearing a mask .
`` They 're robbing our freedom right from under our eyes . ''
Moehlman said he will vote for Trump in 2020 and generally approves of the president 's handling of the pandemic .
`` He 's going to allow these governors to hang themselves '' by issuing overly restrictive stay-at-home orders , he said .
`` I think that was a smart move . ''
Tom Scillian , 59 , of Utica , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was guarding the steps that led to the podium in front of the Capitol and said he had been designated by organizers to provide security .
He carried what he said was a loaded AR-15 rifle .
`` Let everybody go to work , '' said Scillian , who cuts lawns for Huron-Clinton Metroparks and said he was called back to his job last week .

Protesters, some carrying rifles, crowd into Michigan Capitol to urge an end to state of emergency
Show Caption Hide Caption Check out the scene at Michigan Capitol during stay-at-home order protest in Lansing Video from the Michigan State Capitol during protest against Gov. Whitmer's stay-at-home order on April 30, 2020, in Lansing. Matthew Dae Smith & Kara Berg/Lansing State Journal, Lansing State Journal
LANSING, Mich. – A large group of demonstrators – many not wearing masks and some carrying rifles on their shoulders – crowded into the lobby outside the state House chambers Thursday, shouting to be allowed onto the House floor, during a protest at the Capitol against Michigan's state of emergency.
Michigan State Police troopers, wearing face masks, formed a line between the demonstrators and the entrance to the House floor, which is off-limits to the general public.
"Let us in," the protesters shouted, in some cases within a few inches of the police officers' faces.
At least one state senator expressed worry when she saw demonstrators shouting and carrying firearms in the public gallery.
"Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us," Democratic state Sen. Dayna Polehanki posted on Twitter, along with a photo. "Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them. I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today."
Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us. Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them. I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today. #mileg pic.twitter.com/voOZpPYWOs — Senator Dayna Polehanki (@SenPolehanki) April 30, 2020
Open carry of firearms is allowed both on Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol, said Lt. Brian Oleksyk of the Michigan State Police.
“There’s always a risk, but we were prepared for it," he said. "People are allowed to exercise their right to freedom of speech and their right to open carry. We always kept an eye on it.”
He said "people were just venting their frustrations in a loud manner" outside the House chamber, but "once they were able to do that ... people were pleasant and polite.”
Earlier, a few hundred demonstrators gathered under light rain outside the Capitol, urging lawmakers not to extend Michigan's state of emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic.
They carried signs that read "Impeach Whitmer," "You're Killing Small Businesses," and "Liberty or Death." Many also wore hats or carried other paraphernalia touting Republican President Donald Trump and his 2020 reelection campaign.
The demonstrators got their wish in that the Republican-controlled Legislature did not vote to extend Michigan's state of emergency, as requested by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. However, Whitmer says the state of emergency continues by executive order.
Coronavirus restrictions: Thousands gather at Wisconsin state Capitol to protest
'We're winging this': Protests tout independence as national groups eye election
A large number of vehicles blocked most of Allegan Avenue, which runs by the side of the Capitol.
There were also a few counterprotesters. One man drove a large truck by the Capitol, shouting: "Go home, rednecks – go home!" into a loudspeaker.
Overall, the rally was considerably smaller than an April 15 event that drew thousands to the Capitol to protest Whitmer's stay-at-home order, which is currently scheduled to run through May 15.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield, a Republican, said every American has the right to protest and that is what happened Thursday. He said he was disappointed, though, that not all of the demonstrators observed social distancing guidelines and that a few apparently carried signs advocating violence.
One sign carried by a demonstrator said: "Tyrants get the rope."
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, a Democrat, said he could not "condone physical intimidation or causing chaos in the middle of a global pandemic.”
The state of emergency should not be confused with the stay-at-home order, which shut down businesses not deemed essential and requires people to stay home except for essential purposes.
Whitmer said Wednesday that Michigan's stay-at-home order, and the willingness of the vast majority of Michiganders to follow it, has helped the state significantly flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections. But she warned that reopening the economy too quickly risks a second spike of infections that would be even more economically damaging than the first outbreak.
As of Thursday, more than 41,000 Michigan residents had tested positive for COVID-19 and close to 3,800 had died from the disease, according to state officials.
The Michigan State Police arrested one protester for assaulting another protester on the Capitol grounds early in the afternoon, Oleksyk said. Neither was injured, he said.
Dubbed the "American Patriot Rally," Thursday's demonstration brought together members of conservative groups, militias, proponents of open carry of firearms, people protesting abortion rights, and anti-vaccination protesters, plus many Michiganders who said they were not associated with any group but believe the stay-at-home order goes too far.
"I'm basically just for common sense,' said Angela Lowry, 24, of Waterford, who was wearing a cloth mask and carrying a sign that read, "Liberty or Death."
Lowry, an insurance specialist, said she was deemed an essential worker and has remained employed, but does not like the fact she has been unable to visit relatives, for example.
"I feel strongly about the Constitution," Lowry said. "It doesn't matter what is going on – we always have our liberties."
Lowry said she is not associated with any group, did not vote for Trump in 2016, and does not expect she will vote for him this year, either. "I'm liking Justin Amash," she said in reference to the west Michigan congressman who left the Republican Party and is exploring a presidential run, possibly with the Libertarian Party.
John Moehlman of St. Clair, an insulation contractor, said he has lost work as a result of the stay-at-home order and Whitmer's Wednesday announcement that construction can resume May 7 will not rectify his problems with permits and other issues.
"This is flat-out tyranny," said Moehlman, who was not wearing a mask. "They're robbing our freedom right from under our eyes."
Moehlman said he will vote for Trump in 2020 and generally approves of the president's handling of the pandemic.
"He's going to allow these governors to hang themselves" by issuing overly restrictive stay-at-home orders, he said. "I think that was a smart move."
Tom Scillian, 59, of Utica, a member of the Michigan Liberty Militia, was guarding the steps that led to the podium in front of the Capitol and said he had been designated by organizers to provide security. He carried what he said was a loaded AR-15 rifle.
"Let everybody go to work," said Scillian, who cuts lawns for Huron-Clinton Metroparks and said he was called back to his job last week.
Contributing: Kara Berg, Lansing State Journal
Follow Paul Egan on Twitter: @paulegan4.