The Trump White House issued a warning to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021 urging him to enact a mask mandate in the Sunshine State, a letter shows.
The directive, dated January 10, 2021, states that “aggressive mitigation must be used” to combat the virus.
It advised “uniform implementation of effective face masks” and “strict physical distancing.”
DeSantis, 44, released the letter on Thursday, as he accused former President Donald Trump, 77, of being an “out of power” bureaucrat.
“Even in January 2021, the Trump-Fauci White House Coronavirus Task Force attacked Florida for being open and demanded that Florida impose a mask mandate and enact other lockdown policies,” he said during a “Freedom Mandate” press conference in Florida.
“We reject those demands, stand up to power-hungry health bureaucrats, and keep our state free.”
Donald Trump has fought back against criticism of the outbreak from Ron DeSantis, noting that Florida briefly engaged in virus suppression policies.Getty Images
DeSantis had reopened Florida months earlier after briefly imposing several repressive measures to curb contagion — and resisted pressure to revisit the mandate or shutdown.
Florida’s governor has also championed a ban on local fines for individuals who choose not to wear masks.
Here’s the letter the Trump White House Coronavirus Task Force sent to Florida on January 10, 2021. Just days before Trump leaves office, his task force is STILL pushing @RonDeSantis to lock down Florida with “strict physical distancing” and force everyone to wear masks. pic.twitter.com/AtbDrQN2Ml
— DeSantis War Room ? (@DeSantisWarRoom) September 7, 2023
Ron DeSantis has been quiet with his criticism of Donald Trump, but isn’t afraid to go after him in the outbreak.Getty Images
The release of the 2021 letter comes amid a war of words with his 2024 Republican primary rival over COVID-19 and fears of an increase in cases.
Trump took a swipe at DeSantis on COVID-19 during a Wednesday interview with conservative host Hugh Hewitt when pressed about criticism for not firing former COVID czar Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“[DeSantis] have selective memory. He shut down,” Trump said.
“Henry McMaster did not close South Carolina. Kristi Noem doesn’t cover South Dakota,” he continued.
“He shut down Florida. It’s tight as a drum. He has a vax line. He waxed everything. Now, he’s talking about this vaccine and that.”
Florida’s governor has made it clear that mask mandates are not coming to Florida. Getty Images
The former commander-in-chief also defended his decision not to fire Fauci, who has often been criticized by DeSantis.
“First of all, you’re not allowed. He’s a public servant, and you’re not allowed to fire him,” Trump insisted.
“But forget that, because I don’t necessarily go with everything. Dr. Fauci would tell me something, and I wouldn’t, in many cases.”
At some point in 2021, Florida prevents businesses from mandating masks on their customers. AFP via Getty Images
DeSantis, however, wasn’t convinced by that defense.
“It’s important to show for a long time that that’s not the reason,” the presidential candidate said in the Rubin Report Wednesday.
“The reason is that if you fire Fauci, both the Democrats and the media will fight, which is absolutely 100% true.
“Obviously, he can be fired from the White House Task Force. There is no obligation to release him in press conference after press conference, have him do media interviews.”
Florida’s governor has teased a plan to clean house in the federal government.Getty Images
DeSantis’ crusade against the COVID-19 mandate after the first few months of the outbreak helped catapult him to GOP prominence.
It also earned him a warm welcome at home.
In 2018, DeSantis was narrowly edged by Democratic opponent Andrew Gillum 49.6% to 49.2%. But in 2022, he was easily re-elected over Democratic rival Gov. Charlie Crist 59.4% to 40%.
Florida has long been considered a purple state, but it turned red under DeSantis’ leadership.
With hospitalizations rising nearly flat since July, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DeSantis is trying to tap into that political gold mine again.
Donald Trump is the clear 2024 GOP frontrunner in multiple polls. AFP via Getty Images
He vowed on Thursday that Florida would remain a “free state” and a “bulwark” against strict virus suppression measures. On Wednesday, he promised to make a calculation of COVID-19.
“I will begin the reckoning for those who crafted the failed and destructive biomedical policies that wreaked havoc across our country, because until there is accountability they will try to do it again,” the Florida governor promised on Wednesday.
The Post reached out to a Trump campaign spokeswoman for comment.
DeSantis is currently running for second place in the 2024 Republican race, trailing Trump by 38.7 percentage points in the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.
Late last month, he briefly suspended his campaign activities to respond to Typhoon Idalia.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
