Coronavirus and Party in Government

Brett Samuels at The Hill:

President Trump on Friday blasted Democratic governors in Washington and Michigan for criticizing the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, bemoaning that they had not offered appreciation for his efforts.

The president has repeatedly suggested that states should take the leading role in acquiring needed materials to respond to the virus, and on Friday he singled out two governors who have been outspoken in calling on the federal government to do more to facilitate the response: Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.).

Trump derided Inslee as a "failed presidential candidate" who is "constantly chirping." He told reporters Whitmer "has no idea what's going on" and asserted his administration has "taken such great care of Michigan."

Asked what specifically governors could be doing to assuage his concerns, Trump said he expected gratitude for what's been done so far.

“I want them to be appreciative. I don’t want them to say things that aren’t true," he said. "I want them to be appreciative. We’ve done a great job. And I’m not talking about me, I’m talking about [Vice President] Mike Pence, the task force, I’m talking about FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers."

Trump nodded to Pence, who has been in regular contact with governors nationwide. The president said he's told Pence not to call the governors of Washington and Michigan, suggesting the vice president is "wasting [his] time."

"You know what I say? If they don’t treat you right, I don’t call," Trump added.

Trump tweeted, and later deleted, the following:



The deletion of the tweet is a possible violation of the Presidential Records Act -- especially if the White House did not officially archive it.

Breaking with tradition, the president did not invite any Democrats to the signing of the stimulus bill.  At a time of social distancing, the attendees stood too close together (which was risky because several of them are over 60).

He then handed them souvenir pens.  The distribution of pens is customary at signing ceremonies, but in this case, it was dangerous because pens can easily carry the virus.  DON'T SHARE PENS!