Trump declares a national emergency after weeks of playing catch-up on COVID
The president formally declared a national emergency on March 13, 2020, unlocking federal powers and funding as the coronavirus crisis accelerated. But the move also underscored how far behind Washington already was, with states, hospitals, and public-health officials scrambling for tests, supplies, and clear guidance while the White House tried to sound as though it had been ahead of the curve all along.
First recorded Mar 13, 2020·Meaningfully updated Mar 13, 2020
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Trump declares a national emergency after weeks of playing catch-up on COVID
The president formally declared a national emergency on March 13, 2020, unlocking federal powers and funding as the coronavirus crisis accelerated. But the move also underscored how far behind Washington already was, with states, hospitals, and public-health officials scrambling for tests, supplies, and clear guidance while the White House tried to sound as though it had been ahead of the curve all along.
The president formally declared a national emergency on March 13, 2020, unlocking federal powers and funding as the coronavirus crisis accelerated. But the move also underscored how far behind Washington already was, with states, hospitals, and public-health officials scrambling for tests, supplies, and clear guidance while the White House tried to sound as though it had been ahead of the curve all along.
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