Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
White House Communications: Opening Up America Again
The White House team continues to impress. They have already created a new section on the official White House website on opening the country back up. The contents match the slides presented at the press briefing and the PDF format guidelines. President Trump had Dr. Birx brief the plan, explaining how we got here and how it could be safe for people to come out of their bunkers. Dr. Fauci stepped up briefly to add emphasis and concurrence. The focus was on state and local conditions, not nationwide solutions.
Earlier in the day, the White House team got big rigs and truckers cleared onto the grounds. President Trump showed his firm grasp of logistics, understanding that it is the truckers, not bureaucrats, who got the food and even toilet paper to the store shelves and home delivery distribution centers. He made a point of having these men and women speak.
Remarks by President Trump Celebrating America’s Truckers
[emphasis added]
HEALTHCARE | Issued on: April 16, 2020
South Lawn
2:28 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: That’s beautiful stuff. They are beautiful, beautiful trucks. That’s the real deal. You wouldn’t switch jobs with anybody, would you? Huh?
MR. MADIGAN: No, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: You wouldn’t — I know the truckers. They wouldn’t switch with anybody. It’s what they love, right? That’s why they’re good at it. These are the best too.
Well, thank you all for being here as we celebrate some of the heroes of our nation’s great struggle against the coronavirus: our brave, bold, and incredible truckers. And look at that equipment — they’re the best made — and great companies also, and companies that have really helped us a lot. We appreciate that.
At a time of widespread shutdowns, truck drivers form the lifeblood of our economy — and the absolute lifeblood. For days, and sometimes weeks on end, truck drivers leave their homes and deliver supplies that American families need and count on during this national crisis and at all other times. They’re always there. Their routes connect every farm, hospital, manufacturer, business, and community in the country.
In the war against the virus, American truckers are the foot soldiers who are really carrying us to victory. And they are. They’ve done an incredible job. We’ve had no problems. It’s been just — it’s been just great, and we want to thank you very much. It’s really great. We have a little special — a little special award too.
To every trucker listening over the radio or behind the wheel, I know I speak for the 330 million-plus Americans that we say: Thank God for truckers. That’ll be our theme: Thank God for truckers.
On this special occasion, when we honor the truck drivers of America, I’m grateful to be joined by Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, who’s doing a fantastic job, and the CEO of the American Trucking Association, Chris Spear.
An official statement capped off the day, repeating President Trump’s repeated claims of coordination with Congress and the 50 governors [emphasis added]:
Published in GeneralThis morning, President Donald J. Trump convened two bipartisan dialogues with Members of the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group to discuss the next chapter of the COVID-19 recovery. This afternoon the President celebrated the vital role truckers play in keeping America well-stocked. Later, the President discussed his health-based vision for putting our Nation back to work with America’s Governors. This evening, President Trump continued his unprecedented level of access to the American people at a press conference where he presented his guidelines on the three phases of Opening Up America Again. President Trump remains a tireless fighter for the American people and will continue to take decisive actions to keep our Nation healthy and prosperous.
Learn more about the guidelines at WhiteHouse.gov/OpeningAmerica.
Thank God for Trump
Birx, not Brix
I made the same mistake 1000 times before
Yup.
Best in my lifetime. Not that he had a lot of competition.
I also applaud the President and the White House. It’s important to give people a sense that this is going to end and some sort of date for when that will happen. People need that. Even if the date has to be pushed back, it gives them hope and tells them that the President is pushing for a resolution. Trump’s instincts about this sort of thing are amazing.
I also hope that the President will continue to pay attention to his experts and follow their advice.
I’m afraid you might be incorrect. I have been assured all week by some very important public figures here in Ireland, via broadcast and in print, that President Trump is a monster, that he has blood on his hands, that the USA is the epicentre of the global pandemic, etc, etc ad nauseum.
Who am I to believe?