Trump cited Pence’s experience as governor of Indiana as qualifying him to spearhead the growing threat of the global outbreak.
President Donald Trump appointed his Vice President Mike Pence to lead a task force to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the president announced Wednesday.
Speaking during a news conference, Trump cited Pence’s experience as governor of Indiana as qualifying him to spearhead the growing threat of the global outbreak. The White House had been weighing the appointment of a coronavirus czar in the lead up of the announcement as it faced criticism over its inconsistent messaging during the emerging crisis. Still, Trump said Pence would not be a “czar” because “he is a part of the administration.”
Trump said of the decision, “look at the Indiana model, they have been very successful there.” He added that the White House is “using Mike because he’s very good at doing what he does.”
Trump said that other states “really looked to” Indiana for guidance on health care “and changed their systems.”
Trump then called Pence to the podium. The vice president talked about his experience as governor of Indiana, where the first case of MERS, a viral respiratory illness, emerged in 2014. Pence said he would be working with the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, State Department and White House advisers to combat coronavirus. Pence added that he would continue coordinating with state and local officials to curb the spread of the virus.
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President Trump today appointed his VP Mike Pence to lead a task force to combat the spread of the coronavirushttps://t.co/zlV3CTFkRE
— POLITICO (@politico) February 27, 2020
No no, it’s all under control pic.twitter.com/FJIkmAweSe
— Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History (@pitbullesqette) February 26, 2020
Hey @TheRickWilson do you think Pence gets tasked with the corona virus because if it goes badly Ivanka gets the 2020 VP slot?
— RRB (@havefuninlife77) February 27, 2020
This is solely to provide a fall guy when it all hits the fan. It won’t be Trump’s fault.
Epidemics are one reason you want a meritocratic, apolitical civil service staffing your government, instead of a bunch of toadies, quislings and yes men. This applies to other serious crises as well, and the country has been deeply fortunate not to encounter more of them.
— Adam Serwer🍝 (@AdamSerwer) February 27, 2020
After Trump—who just tapped Pence to lead the effort—turns his back, Sec. Azar seizes the room's attention to insist that HE remains the "chairman" but is glad to have the Veep "helping," while Pence stands motionless with a vacant middle-distance stare. So that happened. (yikes)
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 27, 2020
Trump tweet 3 months from now if #coronavirususa #coronavirus #COVID19 is gravely threatening his re-election chances…
“Mike Pence was always a LOSER. So dumb! Probably even a ‘Deep-State’ sympathizer. Where is his Jesus now?! America is better off without this do-nothing VP!” https://t.co/PgNvV6suX6
— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) February 27, 2020
Trump has always seemed like he was unhappy with Pence as VP. There have been rumors he was looking for a replacement running mate in 2024. Don’t know if any of that is true, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he handed off responsibility to Pence in an effort to ruin him if things go wrong.
It’s a shame because Pence has been a loyal supporter of Trump and a good lapdog. And I can tell you that several of my liberal friends said during the impeachment farce that if Trump was removed from office, they would be ok with Pence as president. He’s certainly far more agreeable to most people than the orange guy currently occupying the White House. Far smarter too.
I meant 2020, not 2024.
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