White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner is facing backlash for his remarks about the federal government’s stockpile of medical supplies.
Kushner discussed during Thursday’s press conference how he has been working with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure supply chain management for the coronavirus response efforts.
While discussing the supply chain, Kushner offered details about the federal stockpile, insisting that supply is not to be the “states stockpiles.”
“The notion of the federal stockpile was it’s supposed to be our stockpile,” Kushner said. “It’s not supposed to be states’ stockpiles that they then use.”
The senior advisor went on to say that the coronavirus crisis has shed light on the leaders that are “better managers than others.”
He went on to criticize some of the governors as he questioned if they are aware of the medical supplies they already have in their states.
“When you have governors saying that the federal government hasn’t given them what they need, I would encourage you to ask them, have you looked within your state to make sure you haven’t been able to find the resources?”
Check out Kushner’s remarks below:
Kushner’s stockpile remarks have drawn criticism and confusion from many Twitter users who disagree with his stance on who should be allowed to use supplies in the federal stockpile.
Check out some of the reactions to Kushner’s remarks:
Who exactly is the federal stockpile for if not the states that comprise the Union? https://t.co/HiOfP00dKw
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 3, 2020
Hey @jaredkushner The website for the federal stockpile says it’s for states to use when they need it…. Might check it out so you understand more about what it is. Or read the Wikipedia on it. That could help too pic.twitter.com/fFP2LnFKTV
— Sarah Burris 🌻 (@SarahBurris) April 3, 2020
Jared Kushner is so insufferable. Who the hell is the stockpile for, you moron? Last I looked, Americans lived in [wait for it] states!pic.twitter.com/IroXuFpaa0
— Mark Elliott (@markmobility) April 3, 2020
Our Stockpile? Does Jared Kushner understand that the taxpayer funds the federal government? https://t.co/T0t7mVkBFv
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) April 3, 2020
On multiple occasions, President Donald Trump has also blamed states for supply shortages. Despite the federal government having a stockpile, Trump and Kushner both agree local health departments should look to their state officials for supplies first — not the federal government.
During a previous coronavirus press briefing, Trump criticized governors, insisting the federal government isn’t a “shipping clerk.”
“Governors are supposed to be doing a lot of this work, and they are doing a lot of this work,” Trump said. “The Federal government is not supposed to be out there buying vast amounts of items and then shipping. You know, we’re not a shipping clerk.”