Mileage Psycho Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 (edited) I bolded some of the things that just don't seem right, why would the president A. Be concerned about contradicting himself? B. Rely on Jared Kushner for research? C. Why is it about the election now? Quote Trump fears emergency declaration would contradict coronavirus message President Donald Trump is reluctant to declare an expansive emergency to combat the escalating coronavirus outbreak, fearful of stoking panic with such a dramatic step, according to three people familiar with the situation. Instead, the president is expected to sign within days a more limited designation to allow the federal government to cover small business loans, paychecks for hourly workers and delay tax bills, the White House said Wednesday. A emergency declaration would go significantly beyond that move, bringing in the Federal Emergency Management Agency and freeing up funding and resources for states struggling to contain the rapidly spreading virus. Trump’s concern at this point is that going further could hamper his narrative that the coronavirus is similar to the seasonal flu, said the three people familiar with the discussions. The administration is also negotiating with Congress over a stimulus package designed to cushion the coronavirus-hampered economy. That calculation could change in the coming weeks, though. “The president isn’t persuaded because [an emergency declaration] contradicts his message that this is the flu,” said a Republican who speaks to Trump. Trump is walking a fine line as coronavirus cases in the U.S. sail past 1,000. As the president ramps up for a 2020 reelection campaign, he is trying to simultaneously signal calm to the American public, comfort businesses whose customers have disappeared amid self-isolation directives and ensure there is enough money to combat the still-new disease. At the White house, some of Trump’s closest aides have debated whether an emergency declaration is needed to ensure those resources are available. But they have yet to make a recommendation to Trump, according to the people familiar with the situation. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar is pushing for the designation but Vice President Mike Pence, who Trump tapped to lead the administration’s coronavirus response, doesn’t want Trump to act until Congress passes a stimulus package, according to two of the people. There’s no deadline for a decision, but one of the people familiar with the talks said the task force will not give Trump its final verdict until Jared Kushner, the president’s senior adviser and son-in-law, finishes his research and comes to a conclusion himself. Trump has spent weeks trying to reassure the public about the outbreak, even as stock markets have tumbled at rates not seen since the 2008 recession. “We’re prepared and we’re doing a great job with it,” Trump told reporters Tuesday. “And it will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away.” To try and offset these losses — and a broader economic recession — Trump on Monday said he would propose a stimulus package that could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars. Trump is especially sensitive to variations in the stock market, seeing it as a key talking point in his reelection campaign. “Everything is about the election now,” said a former Trump adviser. “The economy is strong underneath but the market is the superficial barometer people watch. And if it’s all over the place, people lose confidence.” HHS has taken the lead on the coronavirus response, making an agency-specific emergency declaration to unlock funding. The department declared a public health emergency in late January, allowing federal officials to tap money and other resources. But that measure was limited in scope compared to a potential Trump-declared emergency. Such a declaration, made under the Stafford Act, would allow federal officials to help with numerous virus-related issues — transportation, shelters, mobile hospitals, public safety. It would also allow money to be used from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund, which has a balance of more than $34 billion. Craig Fugate, a FEMA administrator under President Barack Obama, said the Trump administration should be preparing to make the designation if the situation worsens, and eschew any optics concerns. While the White House usually waits until governors ask for a emergency declaration and explain what help is needed, the president can act on his own. “You want to make sure you all have all the tools in your toolkit,” he said. “They shouldn’t be wringing their hands and worrying about what people think. I think the American public prefers to get bad information upfront and all the details, [rather] than this tendency to downplay and worry about the economy.” Across the U.S., the coronavirus has now killed more than 30 people and health officials have warned that the situation will worsen. Elderly people and those with preexisting conditions have been the most likely to suffer serious consequences. Trump has authorized some initial emergency coronavirus funding, signing a congressionally-approved $8.3 billion package last week. But that money will inevitably run out. Brock Long, a former FEMA administrator under Trump, said it’s too early to declare a emergency. Such a move, he said, could confuse Americans. To this point, leaders from HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been the everpresent faces on television, telling Americans how to act. But a emergency would bring FEMA — and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security — into the fold, potentially complicating communication efforts. But that all changes, Long said, if Americans start to face a shortage of food or water, or can’t travel or communicate with each other or lose other basic needs. Last week, in response to a question by a reporter, Trump said he didn’t see an immediate need to declare an emergency. "I don't think you'll need that, because I really think we're in extremely good shape," he said. "We're prepared for anything. And we can always do that at a later date if we need it." Gabby Orr contributed to this report. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-fears-emergency-declaration-would-contradict-coronavirus-message/ar-BB113G4t Edited March 11, 2020 by Mileage Psycho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redheaded Stepchild Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Mileage Psycho said: I bolded some of the things that just don't seem right, why would the president A. Be concerned about contradicting himself? B. Rely on Jared Kushner for research? C. Why is about the election now? Would you have this much skepticism if it were a democrat in control? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mileage Psycho Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Redheaded Stepchild said: Would you have this much skepticism if it were a democrat in control? If the dem was a liar like Trump, absolutely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redheaded Stepchild Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Just now, Mileage Psycho said: If the dem was a liar like Trump, absolutely. Bullshit. Hillary is a liar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, Redheaded Stepchild said: Bullshit. Hillary is a liar. Don’t forget the Kenyan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin_dry Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 The entire world already knows he’s an idiot. Why should that stop him now. Bottle meet Genie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 I think it’s time for some sensible virus laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecat Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Trump only cares about himself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redheaded Stepchild Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 6 minutes ago, Mainecat said: Trump only cares about himself Wouldn't he collect his pay if that was true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 26 minutes ago, Mileage Psycho said: according to three people familiar with the situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 23 minutes ago, Mileage Psycho said: If the dem was a liar like Trump, absolutely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mileage Psycho Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Redheaded Stepchild said: Bullshit. Hillary is a liar. Lock her up How many investigations, and nothing, as much as Trump wanted something on her his DOJ found nothing, yet the truly stupid prattle on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redheaded Stepchild Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, Mileage Psycho said: Lock her up How many investigations, and nothing, as much as Trump wanted something on her his DOJ found nothing, yet the truly stupid prattle on. Likewise for Trump. Suck it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.