Trump says PA's governor needs to 'start opening up a little bit' in visit to manufacturing plant
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump told a group of Pennsylvania factory employees Thursday their Democratic governor, Tom Wolf, should "start opening up a little bit," continuing to press an end to social distancing restrictions as he eyes reopening the struggling U.S. economy.
“We have to get your governor of Pennsylvania to start opening up a little bit. You have areas of Pennsylvania that are barely affected, and they want to keep them closed. You can’t do that," Trump told the employees of Owens and Minor Inc. in Allentown.
Trump toured the medical equipment factory, which makes masks, gloves, and surgical gowns, to highlight federal efforts to replenish the Strategic National Stockpile of critical supplies needed to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The visit came as the president has fanned the flames over anti-lockdown protests in Pennsylvania, a state crucial to his re-election bid in November, and openly feuded with Wolf, who has faced pushback for his plans of a phased reopening of the state’s economy.
Wolf has threatened penalties for counties that refuse to comply with the state's gradual "red, yellow and green" reopening plan. More than 30 counties are set to be in the "yellow," or second phase of reduced restrictions, by Friday.
Trump was notably among the few people not wearing a mask during the factory tour. Aides including Jared Kushner and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Secret Service members and employees seated in the audience were all seen wearing face coverings during the visit.
The president has come under scrutiny for largely ignoring the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, which says Americans should wear masks in public .
Shortly after a bare-faced Trump arrived in Pennsylvania on Thursday, Wolf appeared to take a shot at the president in a tweet on the importance of wearing face coverings in public.
"Masks add another layer of protection to help stop the spread of #COVID19," Wolf tweeted. "It's important that as many people as possible wear masks when leaving home."
Masks add another layer of protection to help stop the spread of #COVID19.
It's important that as many people as possible wear masks when leaving home.
And if you're going to a supermarket, pharmacy or other life-sustaining business, you must wear a mask to enter the store. pic.twitter.com/VJ2oXO2TWY— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) May 14, 2020
During Thursday's visit, the president also invoked his powers under a Korean War-era law to compel the U.S. International Development Finance Corp., which funds development projects in underserved parts of the world, to finance American companies to "ensure that our country has the capacity, capability, and the strong and resilient domestic industrial base necessary to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak," according to the executive order.
"Under my order it will now also invest in our country, helping to bring vital factories, pharmaceuticals, producers and most importantly jobs back home where they belong," Trump said during remarks after the tour.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 59,636 cases of COVID-19 and 4,218 deaths as of Thursday. The Keystone State has the sixth-most confirmed cases in the U.S.
The president has targeted Pennsylvania in his latest push to restart economic activity and allow residents to return to work. Earlier this week he tweeted the state should "Be safe, move quickly!" as he cheered on local protesters who have threatened to defy Wolf's orders.
Poll: Most voters say Trump and Pence should wear masks in public
Trump has praised states that have taken early steps to roll back social distancing measures even as members of his own coronavirus task force warned against lifting restrictions too fast. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told a Senate panel on Tuesday that he's concerned about states easing social distancing orders without taking adequate precautions, which could trigger a new deadly outbreak.
A growing chorus of protesters and Republican local officials in some Pennsylvania counties still designated as "red," or areas still subject to stay-at-home orders, have said they will begin reopening businesses without Wolf's approval. The governor said counties that flout the system risk losing discretionary federal stimulus funding, liquor licenses and insurance.
The great people of Pennsylvania want their freedom now, and they are fully aware of what that entails. The Democrats are moving slowly, all over the USA, for political purposes. They would wait until November 3rd if it were up to them. Don’t play politics. Be safe, move quickly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 11, 2020
Trump said he "totally" disagrees with Fauci's concerns over lifting restrictions and his hesitation on reopening schools in the fall.
More: Anti-quarantine protests, Trump pressure put governors on political tightrope over coronavirus
In response to the president's comments, Wolf said he didn't "know how you stay safe and move quickly." He said he is looking at a more "measured" approach and those defying state orders are acting "in a most cowardly way."
"I would urge anybody coming to Pennsylvania to respect our efforts to stay safe, to keep people safe and businesses, wherever he visits," Wolf said. "I hope he does everything in his power to keep employees safe."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus: Trump says Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf needs to start reopening
