Fact check: Trump claims it’s his call on when to ‘reopen’ the country. He’s wrong.

Donald Trump
Donald Trump

President Donald Trump has been under the misconception that the power to reopen the country, once the pandemic is over, completely lies with him. In fact, he believes this to be his “toughest”-ever decision. This is despite the repeated insistence of Governors and legal scholars alike, that he has been given no such power.

Trump in a White House news briefing claimed, “I’m going to put it very simply: the president of the United States has the authority to do what the president has the authority to do, which is very powerful. The president of the United States calls the shots.”

During the Monday briefing, he even referred to the “numerous provisions” recorded in the constitution on the basis of which the President can overrule Governors. Trump believes that the President’s powers are absolute and unquestionable.

However, despite Trump’s confidence in his legal knowledge, the Constitution as well certain experts have proved him wrong. “Police power,” which allows the authorities to shut down businesses during a health-related crisis, belongs to the states. The federal government has no such powers.

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