Trump: U.S. States, Not Federal Government, Must Improve Testing

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters


By Reuters, Wire Service Content April 17, 2020, at 7:37 p.m.

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has faced criticism over a shortfall in coronavirus testing capacity, said on Friday that individual states were responsible for developing testing capabilities.

"It's going to be up to the states to use that capability," Trump told reporters at a White House briefing.

"The states have local points where they can go and the governor can call the mayors and the mayors can call representatives and everything is perfect and that's the way it should work and always should work," Trump said.

Trump has repeatedly said that states - not the federal government - need to step up testing against the novel coronavirus, as the nation battles an outbreak that has sickened nearly 700,000 people and killed more than 35,000 people in the United States alone.



Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2020-04-17/trump-us-states-not-federal-government-must-improve-testing

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

1. Trump in 2016 "Only I can fix it"

Trump in 2020 "Not my responsibility"

[SWBTATTReg]

8. A good slogan for 2020 ('not my responsibility') for rump...also maybe 'Only I can break it',

which he did, actually.

Why are we paying federal taxes? Each state should require that businesses hold onto federal taxes paid, by state residents, and instead of remitting them to the feds, remit the paid federal taxes to the states. Let the states handle the transfer of money instead.

[murielm99]

2. When are they going to do that?

Before or after they are liberated by the right-wing idiots milling around with no masks?

[EarthFirst]

4. So follow me here...

So follow me here...

Trump has repeatedly stated that the response is up to the states; that the federal government wants to wash it’s hands of any responsibility for combating the pandemic.

Protesters clad in “Live Free it Die” apparel with firearms in recent days have shown up en masse to protest the measures put in place by state governments to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Trump then takes to Twitter to demand that the citizens of these states LIBERATE themselves; followed by a call by conservatives to openly engage in lawsuits; effectively blessed by Trump himself to end these measures.

There cannot be two ways about this. It’s either the federal government or the states; and he’s repeatedly laid the burden upon the states; yet is actively working against their efforts.

Daily.

We cannot combat a pandemic while the government is fomenting an insurrection among it’s citizens.

[duforsure]

5. Why is he needed in office

If he refuses to do his job? He's not.

[Kaiserguy]

6. That is the first time Trump told the truth

Since he will do nothing to help and everything to hinder the Blue states. Instead of even trying to help he is busy stirring up hate against anyone who isn't willing to die for the economy which Trump believes is the key to his stealing the election again. We are on our own as long as that is President.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Then, maybe, the "Federal Government" should stop buying test kits and/or

confiscating them from states' hospitals.

[targetpractice]

9. I wish a reporter would simply ask...

"So, what do you think your role is? And what value are you adding for us in your role? Be specific."

I speak from experience... This is the type of question that will cause a malignant narcissist to melt down in a rage.

Also, another good question... "What's wrong with you?" But, that is too aggressive and not appropriate for a journalist to ask.

[treestar]

10. Then he does not need to do his briefings

aka campaign appearances every night. Leave it to governors.

[tanyev]

11. Fine, then STOP INTERFERING WITH THEIR EFFORTS, you despicable worm.

[KPN]

12. "The Buck Stops Anyplace But Here ... or My Pocket" nt