Following a call with governors nationwide concerning the coronavirus crisis, President Donald Trump sent out a tweet on Monday saying that Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo "has to do more.”
"Just had a very good tele-conference with Nation’s Governors," Trump wrote. "Went very well. Cuomo of New York has to 'do more.'"
Cuomo shot back at the criticism with a tweet of his own, stating “I have to do more? No - YOU have to do something! You’re supposed to be the President.”
The New York Times reported that, during the call, Trump surprised governors by saying that they should try getting all of the relevant equipment to battle coronavirus themselves, stating "We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Points of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself."
The governors had been hoping for federal aid in their struggle to contain the virus.
Governors have so far led the way in setting policy in the U.S. in the fight against the outbreak by shutting school and ordering bars and restaurants to close, according to The Hill.
Cuomo has been particularly prominent in taking steps to control the coronavirus by appearing regularly on television to explain his state’s policies. He also has criticized the Trump administration for what he said was the federal government’s slow response to the crisis and called on the president to take more decisive action, including in a New York Times op-ed on Sunday.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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