Donald Trump says the White House plans to issue guidance for reopening places of worship, which he deems “essential” to the people of the U.S.
He said during a press conference Friday that churches, synagogues and mosques should be immediately reopened, threatening to override governors who have ordered houses of worship to remain closed in the coming days.
“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship. It’s not right,” Trump said. “So I’m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential. I call upon governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open right now.”
Trump continued, “The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important, essential places of faith to open right now, for this weekend,” he said. “If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less.”
Although Trump flexed his presidential power, he did not exactly say what legal authority he actually has to force governors to make such a move if they disagreed.
As far as we know, governors maintain the power to order establishments to remain closed during public health emergencies in their own states.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany declined to say how Trump could force governors to take such action when pressed repeatedly by reporters shortly after Trump spoke on the matter, according to NBC News.
“The president would like churches to reopen and do it in accordance with the guidelines,” McEnany said, adding that Trump “will strongly encourage every governor to allow their churches to reopen.”Want tea directly in your text inbox? Hit us up at 917-722-8057 or click here to join!
