Should Donald Trump be criticized for insisting that he does, indeed, have the authority to tell state governors to open their economies, or should he be criticized for deferring that decision to those same governors?
Turns out the answer is, “yes,” to both.
In response to a reporter’s question during the April 13th Coronavirus briefing. President Trump asserted that his authority to reopen the economy was “absolute.”
The press took exception to that remark. One solemn reporter gravely intoned that this was ”the biggest meltdown I have ever seen.” Another saying that the president was “triggering a constitutional crisis.” One even grimly asserted that Trump was grasping for “the dictatorial powers that he always wanted.”
Twenty-four hours later, all that was forgotten. In announcing his recommended guidelines for reopening the economy, President Trump noted that the coronavirus impact varied widely from state to state and that local governors and officials were best positioned to make decisions.
Certain members of the press went ballistic. “Dereliction of duty,” some cried. “A woeful absence of leadership,” others moaned, asserting that the lack of a clear national policy to marshal resources and coordinate initiatives would cost American lives. Still others accused the president of taking the political “safe route” and passing the buck to the state governors.
All of which begs the question: if neither course of action is acceptable, what should President Trump do? Is there anything he could do that would be viewed favorably?
A liberal friend of mine gave a succinct, one-word answer. She smiled and said, “resign.”