Letter from President Donald J. Trump to America's Governors

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2020 Letter from President Donald J. Trump to America's Governors

West Wing Reads Time for Democrats to Unite on Coronavirus Aid Bill

Time for Democrats to Unite on Coronavirus Aid Bill “Our country, you might have noticed, is in a crisis caused by a virus that started in China and has circled the world,” John Crudele writes in the New York Post. Americans have made clear the one thing they need quickly: financial relief from Washington. “The Senate has already passed a $2 trillion bailout after an agreement with the White House. The House could have voted on the bill Wednesday but it didn’t. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Speaker of the House, might get around to it today. Or maybe not.” The Senate did its job. So has the President. It’s time for House Democrats to do theirs. Click here to read more. “The China-caused coronavirus is sweeping the globe, and America's journalists are losing their minds . . . CNN and NBC, for example, were recently cited by Chinese state-run media in an effort to downplay China's responsibility for the pandemic,” Andrew Stiles writes in The Washington Free Beacon. “People across the United States are taking steps to help one another amid the coronavirus pandemic. From companies donating masks and ventilators to hospitals, to everyday people helping their neighbors, there are countless examples of people trying to do the right thing during an extraordinarily difficult time.” Read more in The Hill. “Talk about a lack of self-awareness. In a report this week acknowledging China’s disinformation campaign to absolve the Chinese Communist Party of any culpability for its mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, CNN also repeated the Beijing-approved talking point that it is racist to refer to the disease by its city and country of origin,” Becket Adams writes in the Washington Examiner.

1600 Daily The White House • March 25, 2020 Real Leaders vs. The Pundits

The White House • March 25, 2020 Real leaders vs. the pundits A global crisis like the Coronavirus pandemic separates the real leaders from the pundits. Real leaders know that every decision in Washington affects millions of Americans. Pundits, on the other hand, aren’t accountable to anyone except the media execs who sign their paychecks. They don’t have real jobs, so they don’t suffer when Democrats in Congress block a relief bill—or when politicians say it’s OK to shut down our entire economy indefinitely. President Trump understands that when officials close down businesses to safeguard public health, there must be an ambitious recovery plan ready. Part one of that plan is immediate relief for millions of affected American workers. Part two is aggressive action to make sure America can open for business again the moment it is safe to do so. Part one is nearly complete. Working late last night and into the early morning hours, Trump Administration officials and Senate lawmakers came together on a deal. “The legislation developed in the Senate is the first step to restoring confidence and stability to America’s economy,” the President said yesterday.  Larry Kudlow: “This legislation is urgently needed to bolster the economy.” The next step is preparing to get America back to work as soon as possible. Once again, the pundit class lined up to attack common sense—they say it’s too soon to even think about how our economy recovers once the threat passes. Easy for them to say, of course. A mass quarantine doesn’t risk their paychecks, their families’ futures, or their ability to retire the same way it threatens millions of small businesses and workers. Most pundits don’t know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck; they don’t have to fear not being able to put food on the table. Leaders, however, don’t have the “luxury of being one-dimensional,” as Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) said this week. Public health is essential, but “we also have to start to plan the pivot back to economic functionality. You can't stop the economy forever.”  President Trump: The best thing for our economy is victory over this virus Gov. Cuomo also thanked President Trump and his team for their full cooperation and creative private-sector involvement during the outbreak. As President Trump says, bipartisan cooperation right now is crucial to get every American the support they need. America’s future shines bright. No country on Earth is better prepared to handle this pandemic than we are. We will beat this virus together. And when we do, our economy will pick up right where it left off—with high wages, job growth, and rising 401(k)s. Maybe that’s what the pundits are really worried about. “List: 74 actions taken by Trump to fight virus and bolster economy”  Together, we will prevail! The American people are showing each day that unity and resolve define our nation. “In the selfless actions of our amazing citizens, we’re seeing enduring strength of our magnificent nation, a spirit that can never be broken, and a victorious future that can never be denied,” President Trump said. Incredible stories keep rolling in from across America that prove the point: Kids in New York “paint rainbows to help spread cheer”   WATCH: Calif. National Guard loads boxes for local food bank   Florida distillery “produces free hand sanitizer”   North Carolina waitress “was ‘perfect person’ for this random act of kindness” MUST READ: “As Coronavirus sweeps the nation, Americans come through with endless acts of kindness” Photo of the Day President Trump, Vice President Pence, and members of the Coronavirus Task Force brief the press in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room | March 24, 2020

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2020 President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts   Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key positions in his Administration: Michael B. Stoker, of California, to be the Federal Representative on the Western Interstate Nuclear Board. Alexei Woltornist, of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Public Affairs). Michael A. Weiner, Ph.D., of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Presidio Trust for a term expiring May 4, 2023.

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2020 President Donald J. Trump Approves New Jersey Disaster Declaration Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of New Jersey and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020, and continuing. The President's action makes Federal funding available for Crisis Counseling for affected individuals in all areas in the State of New Jersey. Federal funding is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for all areas in the State of New Jersey impacted by COVID-19. Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Mr. Robert Little III as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further assessments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.