Trump Signed Off on Georgia Governor’s Reopening Plan Before Coming Out Against It: VIDEO

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Trump Signed Off on Georgia Governor’s Reopening Plan Before Coming Out Against It: VIDEO

As nonessential businesses in Georgia reopen Friday despite federal coronavirus guidelines, the Associated Press is reporting that President Donald Trump signed off on GOP Governor Brian Kemp’s ill-advised plan before publicly coming out against it.

President Trump: “I could’ve stopped him… I said you do what you think is best. But if you ask me am I happy about it? I’m not happy about it and I’m not happy about Brian Kemp.” pic.twitter.com/uEWjee1XXr

— The Hill (@thehill) April 23, 2020

The AP reports that both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence repeatedly told Kemp they approved of his decision to allow gyms, barber shops, hair salons, tattoo parlors and bowling alleys to reopen. According to one coronavirus model frequently cited by the White House, Georgia should not allow those businesses to reopen for nearly two more months, on June 22.

Asked to say more about his disagreement with Gov. Kemp about his move to reopen businesses, Trump changes the topic to talking about how Kemp’s victory represented a win in his proxy war against the Obamas pic.twitter.com/w1DEJzkSVk

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 22, 2020

From the AP: The green light from Pence and Trump came in separate private conversations with the Republican governor both before Kemp announced his plan to ease coronavirus restrictions and after it was unveiled on Monday, the officials said. Trump’s sudden shift came only after top health advisers reviewed the plan more closely and persuaded the president that Kemp was risking further spread of the virus by moving too quickly. … The extraordinary reversal — and public criticism of a GOP ally — is only the latest in a series of contradictory and confusing messages from the president on how and when he believes governors should ease stay-at-home orders intended to stop the spread of the deadly virus. It demonstrates the political risk for governors in following the unpredictable president’s guidance.

Earlier today, I discussed Georgia’s plan to reopen shuttered businesses for limited operations with @POTUS. I appreciate his bold leadership and insight during these difficult times and the framework provided by the White House to safely move states forward. (1/3) #gapol

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) April 22, 2020

This is so alarmingly well done: Why Georgia Isn’t Ready to Reopen, in Charts t.co/OQk1Wrhgfh #COVID19

— Deborah Blum (@deborahblum) April 24, 2020

When your states should really open per Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
(Ahem, Georgia, June 8 or later)… pic.twitter.com/8VcnxEhOav

— NeuroPsychoPhD (@SethN12) April 22, 2020

Fearless Leader Speaks!
4/13: “I have total authority”
4/15: “Never mind. You’re in charge”
4/17: “Liberate your state”
4/22: “Don’t open up your state” t.co/kgnvk6pKx1

— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) April 23, 2020