Coronavirus ‘tipping point’ primed to have economy, sports returning soon
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and the Coronavirus Task Force returned to the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House Monday to provide American citizens an update of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump was asked about when states could reopen from shelter at home orders due to being at war with an invisible enemy, and how the Commander in Chief can play a role in lifting such mandates.
“The president of the United States has the authority to do what the president has the authority to do, which is very powerful,” Trump said. “The president of the United States calls the shots. If we weren’t here for the states, you would have had a problem in this country like you’ve never seen before.
“We were here to back them up, and we’ve more than backed them up. We did a job that nobody ever thought was possible. It’s a decision for the president of the United States.”
Trump made it clear that he will “work with the states” going forward as it is “very important” in a process of reopening the economy and having citizens return to work.
“You have local governments, they’re pinpointed,” Trump said. “It’s like a microchip. They’re pinpointed. We have local government that hopefully will do a good job.
“If they don’t do a good job, I’d step in so fast, but no, they can’t do anything without the approval of the president of the United States.”
On April 8, Trump initiated wartime powers for equipment in ordering General Motors to produce 30,000 ventilators. Trump’s wartime equipment measures followed as some state governors were short on lifesaving units.