WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he’s open to some states “reopening” before federal social distancing guidelines expire at the end of month, as he appeared to back off his claim of absolute authority to decide when the time was right to act.
Hours after suggesting that the bipartisan concerns of governors about his assertion of power would amount to an insurrection, Trump abruptly reversed course Tuesday, saying he would leave it to governors to determine when and how to revive activity in their states. He said he likely would discuss his plans with governors on Thursday.
“The governors are responsible,” Trump said. “They have to take charge.”
Still, he insisted, “The governors will be very, very respectful of the presidency.”
Democratic and Republican governors had objected after Trump asserted Monday that he alone would determine when and how to reopen the economy, despite clear constitutional limitations on federal powers.
Trump said Tuesday he would authorize governors “of each individual state to implement a reopening — and a very powerful reopening — plan of their state at a time and in a matter as most appropriate.” Trump added that he would support moves by states that haven’t been hit hard by the outbreak to ease restrictions even before federal guidelines on social distancing expire April 30.
Trump said the country would open up “in beautiful little pieces,” adding that some states with low rates of infection “have fewer people and they have lots of room.”
It’s unclear if any states are actively considering reopening their economies before May 1.
In a departure from recent tradition, Trump ended his daily briefing without turning the mic over to federal health experts, who have cautioned against moving too quickly to restart economic activity.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, told The Associated Press earlier Tuesday that the country is “not there yet” when it comes to the kind of testing and tracing needed for the economy to reopen. But Trump made clear Tuesday he is intent on proceeding with his plans.
Trump outlined a vision in which workers would be tested, perhaps weekly, and governors would test travelers arriving at their states’ borders. But the U.S. is nowhere near having that kind of infrastructure, with testing still largely reserved for those with serious symptoms and results taking days to learn.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been working with other federal officials to develop detailed plans for how reopening should occur, including determining what measures will need to be tracked and what conditions met before such steps occur. The plans include separate steps for schools, businesses and other entities, the CDC’s Dr. Anne Schuchat said. The proposals are currently under review, she added.
Kellyanne Conway, a top adviser to Trump, said Wednesday that reopening could occur in areas where testing is available, infection and death rates are low, hospitals have enough beds and equipment. She told Fox News Channel that about 29 states would meet some of the criteria.
‘“The president has made clear from the beginning that he’s not looking at a date, he’s looking at data,” she said, adding that he is listening to the health and medical experts.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Trump for trying to lift social distancing without adequate testing. “The failure to test is dangerous and deadly, and without testing, we cannot resume our lives,” she said in a letter to lawmakers.