US President Donald Trump has backed protesters with several Twitter messages calling for an end to exit restrictions due to the corona virus. “FREE MINNESOTA!” and “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!”, Trump wrote on Twitter on Friday in capital letters, followed by: “LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great second amendment. It’s under siege!”
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The second amendment to the US Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms. The number of confirmed corona infections in the USA meanwhile rose to more than 700,000.
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In all three states there had been demonstrations in the past few days against the exit restrictions imposed because of the corona virus. All three states are also ruled by Democratic Party politicians – Trump, on the other hand, is a Republican.
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Also on Friday, Trump attacked New York State Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. He should “go out and do his job,” he wrote about the head of government of the state hardest hit by the coronavirus with more than 10,000 fatalities. Cuomo responded with the succinct remark that if Trump is “sitting at home and watching TV, maybe he should get up and go to work”.
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Exit restrictions currently apply in more than 40 of the 50 US states. Trump had made it clear several times that he wanted an end to the restrictions in order to stimulate the economy again. However, the decision-making power rests with the governors of the individual states.
Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer responded to Trump’s Twitter messages by saying she hoped they would “not encourage further protests”. Michigan will then let economic life return to normal “if it is safe,” she stressed.
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