COVID-19, or coronavirus, continues to spread across the United States and the globe, with many American towns and cancelling large gatherings, including college classes, church services, plays, and concerts.
Some on the right continue to make light of the pandemic in an effort to distract from the Trump administration's bungling of the health crisis so far, including portraying mitigation measures as the Left restricting Americans' freedoms.
Among them is Sheriff David Clarke, a Trump ally reportedly considered for an administration position, who floated the possibility of postponing the upcoming presidential election until 2024.
The former Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Sheriff took the idea to Twitter.
We are AMERICANS. Past generations dealing with adversity, stared it down went after it. They were tough. After sev… https://t.co/W7s1q9biUo— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@David A. Clarke, Jr.) 1584297752.0
Pause for a second and think about how we have responded to COVID19. We closed America, we crashed the economy not… https://t.co/UCWSUtUgra— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@David A. Clarke, Jr.) 1584298014.0
When a LEFTY says they favor shutting down society for the rest of the year I say OK lets do it, that includes the… https://t.co/M2BgIWRwl2— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@David A. Clarke, Jr.) 1584299741.0
Clarke accused the media of hysteria over the virus based on a lack of factual information, claiming that they "shut down America."
There are thousands of cases of COVID-19 across the United States as the pandemic grows more and more serious.
People scoffed at Clarke's idea of cancelling the election.
I haven't heard from this numbskull in some time. Sorry he decided to emerge at this time but it's clear he's just… https://t.co/XuP4YqLekq— Raising Kane (@Raising Kane) 1584305316.0
This idiot proves he knows nothing of the US Constitution. The orange garbage bag's term ends January 20, 2021 with… https://t.co/eOD58fHEaj— o'neill (@o'neill) 1584362472.0
Oh good, completely irrational people are indulging in their fantasies about canceling elections. https://t.co/3eZ43fgEsm— James Wigderson (@James Wigderson) 1584304781.0
@SheriffClarke @realDonaldTrump Always fun when shameless hacks broadcast that every concern they had abt the sanct… https://t.co/Au8e0wMoZm— Ben Leary (@Ben Leary) 1584366258.0
However. because a presidential term can't be extended without an election, people began pointing out that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) would ascend to the presidency if the election were cancelled.
@SheriffClarke @realDonaldTrump Dude doesn't realize that Pelosi would just become President if that were the case.— Pavlov's Lore (@Pavlov's Lore) 1584323629.0
@SheriffClarke @realDonaldTrump No, it doesn’t. There’s no mechanism for extending a presidential term. Hello Presi… https://t.co/Oq0NdXzO29— Reborn Unicorn 🦋🦄 (@Reborn Unicorn 🦋🦄) 1584356666.0
Clarke claimed in 2017 that he would be joining the Trump administration as Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Partnership and Engagement, but that never came to light. He continues to campaign on behalf of the President, despite calling for the 2020 election's cancellation.
Until recent days, President Donald Trump has made similar remarks decrying the virus as a "hoax" and accusing the media of deliberately overblowing the precautions as an attempt to undermine his presidency.