Trump deems places of worship ‘essential,’ claims he can order their reopening

The president did not say what legal authority he had to force churches to open if governors object.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that places of worship are “essential” and should open this weekend, threatening to override governors who have ordered churches, synagogues and mosques not to reopen in the coming days.

“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship. It’s not right,” Trump said during impromptu remarks to reporters. “So I’m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential. I call upon governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open right now.”

“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important, essential places of faith to open right now, for this weekend,” he said. “If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less.”

Trump did not say what legal authority he had to force governors, who maintain the power to order establishments to remain closed during public health emergencies in their own states, to make such a move if they disagreed.

Article URL: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-guidelines-places-worship-include-face-coverings-avoiding-shared-n1213106