Trump says residents of this state ‘want their freedom now.’ The governor has concerns
After President Donald Trump tweeted that Pennsylvania residents “want their freedom now,” the state’s governor responded to his comments and emphasized keeping his residents safe, media outlets reported.
Trump on Monday tweeted his support of Pennsylvania residents who oppose the state’s coronavirus restrictions.
“The great people of Pennsylvania want their freedom now, and they are fully aware of what that entails,” Trump wrote. “The Democrats are moving slowly, all over the USA, for political purposes. They would wait until November 3rd if it were up to them. Don’t play politics. Be safe, move quickly!”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf responded during a news conference on Monday, according to Action 4 News.
“I don’t know how you stay safe and move quickly. We’re trying to move deliberately,” Wolf said. “In Pennsylvania, I closed down the state, the Commonwealth closed down the state, in a measured, staged manner. We’re reopening in the same measured, staged manner. I think that’s aimed at keeping people as safe as we possibly can in these uncharted waters. I think that’s the responsible thing to do.”
Some Pennsylvania counties have begun to reopen, and Wolf has extended stay-at-home orders in other counties until June 4, according to 69 News and the Associated Press.
Adams, York and Lancaster officials asked Wolf to include their counties in the region that was reopening soon, Reuters reported. Lancaster officials told Wolf they were planning to reopen on May 15, which is before his schedule, according to Reuters.
Earlier on Monday, Wolf threatened leaders in Republican-controlled counties who want to defy his shutdown orders and open their counties earlier than planned with penalties.
“The politicians who are encouraging the people they were elected to lead to quit the fight are acting in a most cowardly way,” Wolf said, Centre Daily Times reported. He also said they are “choosing to desert in the face of the enemy.”
“I won’t sit back and watch residents who live in counties under Stay at Home orders get sick because local leaders cannot see the risks of #COVID19 and push to reopen prematurely,” Wolf tweeted. “Today I am announcing consequences for counties that do not abide by the law to remain closed.”
Wolf threatened to withhold federal coronavirus funds from counties that defy his shutdown order, according to his tweets. Restaurants that open could get citations, risking their liquor licenses.
This story was originally published May 11, 2020 at 5:26 PM with the headline "Trump says residents of this state ‘want their freedom now.’ The governor has concerns."