The Trump administration has ordered that all top-level coronavirus meetings be treated as classified by federal health officials.
The unusual restriction has resulted in the exclusion of health staffers and government experts without security clearances from interagency meetings.
Officials inside the Trump administration spoke with Reuters, claiming the restrictions have hampered efforts to contain the coronavirus.
“We had some very critical people who did not have security clearances who could not go,” an official said. “These should not be classified meetings. It was unnecessary.”
The sources claim the National Security Council ordered the classification.
John Ullyot, an NSC spokesman, claimed any allegations of obfuscation by the agency were incorrect.
“From day one of the response to the coronavirus, NSC has insisted on the principle of radical transparency,” he said.
He maintained that the administration “has cut red tape and set the global standard in protecting the American people under President Trump’s leadership”.
According to the Associated Press, Mr Trump suggested Americans would keep travelling and continue to stimulate the economy regardless of the pandemic.
“You know, a lot of people are staying here and they’re going to be doing their business here,” he said. “They’re going to be travelling here. And they’ll be going to resorts here.”
An ethics lawyer interviewed by the AP, Kathleen Clark, suggested Mr Trump’s focus on economic stability is motivated by self-preservation.
“If there is any public health shutdown of restaurants, conventions, and meetings, that will impact his property and his finances,” she said. “I think a reasonable person can conclude that he is motivated by personal interests.”
In a story by Vanity Fair, Noah Bookbinder, the executive director for the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics watchdog group in Washington, suggested it was especially difficult to place Mr Trump’s priorities since he refused to sell his businesses when he became President.
“We have to ask with almost every major policy decision whether he’s acting in the country’s interest or his own interest. In a time of crisis like this, being able to trust our institutions, that our government is making the right decision for our health, economy, and security, is incredibly important,” Mr Bookbinder said.
Arthur Julien
Article URL : https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-accused-coronavirus-cover-president-211936457.html