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It Sure Sounded Like Donald Trump Issued U.S. Governors a Quid Pro Quo If They Want Federal Pandemic Assistance
Since his attempts to use congressionally approved military aid to pressure Ukraine's government into announcing an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, quid pro quos have become synonymous with Donald Trump's presidency.
Just last month, the President appeared to tweet a quid pro quo aimed at New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, pressuring him to drop investigations into the Trump family in exchange for the reinstatement of travel programs.
Trump's latest quid pro quo occurred on Tuesday amid a pandemic that's upended daily life in the United States. This time, it was aimed at the governors of every state.
Watch below.
Trump says if states want the federal government to be a good partner to them in fighting coronavirus, "they have t… https://t.co/cA1EhehXsH— subscribe to my newsletter (@subscribe to my newsletter) 1585078719.0
When speaking about the federal government assisting states in the face of a pandemic, Trump said:
"I think we're doing very well, but it's a two way street, they have to treat us well also. They can't say, 'Oh gee, we should get this we should get that.'"
Trump went on to criticize states like New York for pressuring him to help alleviate its shortage of crucial ventilators to combat the respiratory virus.
Since the pandemic became widespread, Trump has been at odds with governors across the country, urging them to take state measures to curb its spread, relying on the federal government only as a backup.
As a result, bidding wars over medical equipment have emerged between states. Instead of using federal powers to oversee the distribution, Trump has attacked governors on Twitter repeatedly.
Trump's pettiness in the face of a pandemic made this latest quid pro quo all the more exhausting.
YOU ARE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Not some states. Not just of the people who voted for you. Not just of… https://t.co/DIScPbVNHm— Chelsea Clinton (@Chelsea Clinton) 1585084214.0
I’m sorry — what does this mean? The federal government isn’t going to help states in need unless their governors… https://t.co/0pFmpPZBs9— Kevin M. Kruse (@Kevin M. Kruse) 1585079458.0
There is no time to worry about who treats you well. We need you to act unconditionally on behalf of the America… https://t.co/txPvf6RkcK— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1585081186.0
Governors have to bow and scrape to Trump before he'll be willing to provide life-saving assets THAT OUR TAXES PAY… https://t.co/s8qje0VPaK— Tami Burages (@Tami Burages) 1585084364.0
you can get life-saving medical care when your governor coddles Trump's historically fragile ego. https://t.co/89ywbB0BRC— Jesse Lehrich (@Jesse Lehrich) 1585080454.0
The similarities between Trump's latest quid pro quo and the one offered to Ukraine which spurred his impeachment didn't escape anyone.
Trump now treating U.S. states like Ukraine https://t.co/aD35ix3ktJ— Brandon Friedman (@Brandon Friedman) 1585083720.0
Again, he's now doing to the states what they did to Ukraine and previously to Puerto Rico. You have to pass his lo… https://t.co/M2wrMkogLv— Bree Newsome Bass (@Bree Newsome Bass) 1585080567.0
What a pig. I said it. Sorry to pigs. Could there be anything more disgusting than holding lives hostage to gain pe… https://t.co/sqRXgyoDT6— Jennifer Taub (@Jennifer Taub) 1585080427.0
We’re all Ukraine. https://t.co/o3zU3rawhU— Michael Freeman (@Michael Freeman) 1585085072.0
House impeachment manager Adam Schiff (D-CA) warned lawmakers during Trump's Senate trial that if he was willing to extort Ukraine, he'd be willing to extort states and governors as well.
At a chilling time in the United States, it appears that prediction is coming home to roost.