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President Donald Trump on Friday took sides with protesters angry with stay-at-home orders to combat the coronavirus pandemic in three Democratic-run states, tweeting “liberate” about each one, even though he announced guidelines about reopening states on Thursday that left it to governors to tailor their own approaches.
In a series of Twitter posts, Trump said: “Liberate Minnesota!,” “Liberate Michigan!” and “Liberate Virginia,” adding to the final one, “and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!”
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s stay-at-home order, until June 10, is the longest of the three states’ coronavirus restrictions, with Michigan’s lasting until April 30 and Minnesota’s until May 4.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — who has been discussed as a potential running mate for Joe Biden — said that she hopes to loosen restrictions on May 1, but said on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that “it’s hard to predict precisely where we’ll be in a week from now, let alone two weeks.”
On Wednesday, demonstrators drove what USA Today reported was thousands of vehicles to Michigan’s state capitol, loudly protesting Whitmer’s stay-at-home order. Protesters, many wearing Trump paraphernalia, have also congregated in recent days in the capitals of Minnesota and Virginia, writes Politico.
All three states are considered battlegrounds for the fall presidential election.
Trump’s posts come a day after he unveiled new guidelines about reopening states — and said it’s up to governors to tailor their own approaches.
See:Trump announces guidelines to ‘open up’ U.S. economy, ease coronavirus restrictions.
U.S. stocks SPX, +1.60% were higher Friday afternoon after investor sentiment was buoyed by news of a possible treatment for COVID-19 and after Trump’s late-Thursday reopening announcement.
Trump’s mention of the Second Amendment in his Virginia tweet apparently referred to Northam’s recent signing of gun-control measures into law, including a background-check requirement for all firearm sales.
