On Monday, President Donald Trump said he would make a decision on when and how to reopen the economy “shortly.”
The President said he would make his decision “in conjunction” with governors and other officials. The White House is currently forming a task force focused on re-opening the country.
According to Fox News, the “Opening Our Country” task force will be formally introduced on Tuesday and will include White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Treasure Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, Labor Secretary Gene Scalia, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, and acting director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought.
The task force is also expected to include acting chair of the Council of Economic Advisors Tom Philipson and White House advisers Larry Kudlow, Peter Navarro, Chris Liddell, Jared Kushner, and Ivanka Trump.
On Friday, President Trump vowed to listen to experts before making any decision on re-opening the country and easing social distancing guidelines.
”We’re not doing anything until we know that this country is going to be healthy. We don’t want to go back and start doing it over again.” – President Donald Trump
….It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons. With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the Governors, and this will continue. A decision by me, in conjunction with the Governors and input from others, will be made shortly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2020
On Twitter, the President clarified that the decision is up to him, but he will still be working closely with Governors.
