The logo for the Daily Beast's Obsessed website. It reads: 'Obsessed: What to Watch, Binge, See, & Skip'
DAILY BEAST
Membership call to action crossword iconCrosswordNewsletters
  • Gift Guides
  • Cheat Sheet
  • Obsessed
  • Politics
  • Israel-Gaza
  • Entertainment
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • U.S. News
  • Scouted
CHEAT SHEET
    POLITICS
    • Biden World
    • Elections
    • Opinion
    • National Security
    • Congress
    • Pay Dirt
    • The New Abnormal
    • Trumpland
    MEDIA
    • Confider
    • Daytime Talk
    • Late-Night
    • Fox News
    U.S. NEWS
    • Identities
    • Crime
    • Race
    • LGBT
    • Extremism
    • Coronavirus
    WORLD
    • Russia
    • Europe
    • China
    • Middle East
    INNOVATION
    • Science
    TRAVEL
      ENTERTAINMENT
      • TV
      • Movies
      • Music
      • Comedy
      • Sports
      • Sex
      • TDB's Obsessed
      • Awards Shows
      • The Last Laugh
      CULTURE
      • Power Trip
      • Fashion
      • Books
      • Royalist
      TECH
      • Disinformation
      SCOUTED
      • Sales
      • Reviews
      • New Kids on the Block
      • Beauty
      • Fitness
      • Home
      • Technology
      • Travel
      COUPONS
      • Vistaprint Coupons
      • Ulta Coupons
      • Office Depot Coupons
      • Adidas Promo Codes
      • Walmart Promo Codes
      • H&M Coupons
      • Spanx Promo Codes
      • StubHub Promo Codes
      Products
      NewslettersPodcastsCrosswordsSubscription
      FOLLOW US
      GOT A TIP?

      SEARCH

      HOMEPAGE
      Politicsvertical orientation badge

      Rick Santorum Admits Trump Can’t Force Governors to Reopen States

      NOT SO FAST

      Even one of the president’s most passionate allies can’t defend Trump’s misleading tweets about his power to overrule governors.

      Matt Wilstein

      Matt Wilstein

      Senior Editor

      Updated Apr. 13, 2020 5:25PM EDT / Published Apr. 13, 2020 1:32PM EDT 
      CNN

      On Monday morning, President Donald Trump tweeted, “For the purpose of creating conflict and confusion, some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors decision to open up the states, not that of the President of the United States & the Federal Government.” 

      “Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect,” he continued. “It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons. With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the Governors, and this will continue. A decision by me, in conjunction with the Governors and input from others, will be made shortly!” 

      The claim was so wrong that not even his steadfast defender Rick Santorum could back him up on CNN. 

      “Help me out on this constitutional question here,” anchor John King said. “You are a constitutional conservative and you have different views, maybe, on federal powers. The president tweeted earlier today that it is his call.” After listing the many governors who seem to disagree with Trump’s assertion, King asked, “The president cannot order the reopening of the American economy, correct?” 

      “That’s correct,” Santorum said quickly. “But the president can set a tone.” Speaking over an especially glitchy Webex connection from his home in Virginia, the former senator said that while Trump can urge parts of the economy to reopen, “the president can’t, nor should he try to overrule” the individual governors who want to protect the residents of their states. “It won’t work.” 

      Before signing off, Santorum issued one more warning to his political ally: “Just because the president says to go back to work, they're not necessarily going to go back to work. They’re going to want some level of comfort and putting a plan in place that does that is key.” 

        Matt Wilstein

        Matt Wilstein

        Senior Editor

        @mattwilsteinmatt.wilstein@thedailybeast.com

        Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.

        READ THIS LIST

        DAILY BEAST
        • Cheat Sheet
        • Politics
        • Entertainment
        • Media
        • World
        • Innovation
        • U.S. News
        • Scouted
        • Travel
        • Subscription
        • Crossword
        • Newsletters
        • Podcasts
        • About
        • Contact
        • Tips
        • Jobs
        • Advertise
        • Help
        • Privacy
        • Code of Ethics & Standards
        • Diversity
        • Terms & Conditions
        • Copyright & Trademark
        • Sitemap
        • Coupons
        • Coupons:
        • Dick's Sporting Goods Coupons
        • HP Coupon Codes
        • Chewy Promo Codes
        • Nordstrom Rack Coupons
        • NordVPN Coupons
        • JCPenny Coupons
        • Nordstrom Coupons
        • Samsung Promo Coupons
        • Home Depot Coupons
        • Hotwire Promo Codes
        • eBay Coupons
        • Ashley Furniture Promo Codes
        © 2023 The Daily Beast Company LLC