President Donald Trump has repeatedly left governors to fend for themselves when it comes to curbing the spread of the deadly virus that's upended daily life in the United States.
He's insisted that the federal government—and its emergency stockpiles of lifesaving medical equipment—should only be relied upon by the states as a backup.
Trump has expressed an eagerness to reopen the hundreds of thousands of businesses forced to close as the virus spreads, in an effort to revive the economy—a crucial talking point in favor of his reelection.
There's just one problem: that decision doesn't lie with Trump.
It's been the governors and other local leaders across the country who—left to their own agency by the President—issued stay at home orders for their states.
Now, Trump is claiming the decision to reopen the economy has been his all along.
For the purpose of creating conflict and confusion, some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors… https://t.co/NzJwzznOyo— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1586789630.0
....It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons. With that being said, the Administration and I… https://t.co/ZETM0p0uGk— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1586789632.0
Surprise! This is false, but we'll get to that in a second.
Trump's tweet marked a reversal from his previous claims that governors—not him—were responsible for their states and subsequently, the blame.
People noticed.
TRUMP: It’s the STATES’ job to get equipment and PPE and figure out how to deal with COVID, not the federal govern… https://t.co/HgFMR0C0Wl— Asha Rangappa (@Asha Rangappa) 1586794294.0
@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/STmImb1sr4— Annie La Resister (@Annie La Resister) 1586789767.0
These tweets are wrong on some many levels. When the tough decisions to close down the country was needed… https://t.co/xeMAXBxKT5— Joe Lockhart (@Joe Lockhart) 1586790134.0
Wrong. It is not the president's decision. 95% of the country is under some form of lockdown. The reason it's not 1… https://t.co/bBE2wc2GOM— John Haltiwanger (@John Haltiwanger) 1586790288.0
In addition to being hypocritical, Trump is just plain wrong.
The 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution—which Trump took an oath to uphold—states:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
The President never issued a national stay at home order, so there's not one for him to repeal.
People pointed out that Trump was incorrect—unless he planned on violating the Constitution, which wouldn't be all that surprising.
The right wing loves the 10th Amendment, until it stops serving their needs. The only way Trump has this power⤵️ i… https://t.co/uh8XyG2Y5w— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1586795217.0
All of the talk about Trump “opening the economy” is ignorance! The President never declared martial law. He neve… https://t.co/uhLguGFWSd— Sophia A. Nelson (@Sophia A. Nelson) 1586783243.0
Kill the 10th Amendment to own the libs. Amiright? https://t.co/dBJt4cYjZ4— reedgalen (@reedgalen) 1586793401.0
The 10th Amendment says otherwise, you stable genius. https://t.co/VrFtRvInuh— Amee Vanderpool (@Amee Vanderpool) 1586800211.0
It will be interesting to see what Trump says if he's confronted with this information at today's press conference.
For a deeper look into Trump's ineptitude, check out A Very Stable Genius, available here.