President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is not willing to leave the decision to wear masks in the hands of Americans and governors.
During his press briefing on Thursday, Trump criticized Biden for calling for a nationwide mask mandate.
“We do not need to bring the full weight of the federal government down on law-abiding Americans to accomplish this call. Americans must have their freedoms and I trust the American people and their governors very much,” Trump said.
He added, “I trust the American people and the governors want to do the right thing to make the smart decisions, and Joe doesn’t, Joe doesn’t know too much.”
Watch his comments below:
President Trump on masks: "I trust the American people and the governors want to do the right thing to make the smart decision — and Joe doesn't." pic.twitter.com/6RgaIAWkUz
— The Hill (@thehill) August 13, 2020
Trump claimed “unlike” Biden’s approach, his approach is “guided” by science.
During a press conference in Wilmington, Delaware, on Thursday, Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) called on lawmakers to join forces and implement mask mandates, as IJR previously reported.
According to Biden, if governors could save over 40,000 lives in the next three months if they issue mask mandates.
Harris applauded Biden for his leadership.
She argued Biden’s leadership has always “been about doing what’s best for the people of our country, best for their health, their well being, and their families.”
The nation continues to face surges in coronavirus cases.
On Aug. 12, at least 1,478 new coronavirus related deaths and 54,187 new cases were reported.
There have been an average of 53,811 cases per day over this past week.
Since the onset of the pandemic, more than 5 million Americans have been infected and nearly 167,000 have died.
According to the National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins, it is unlikely any potential COVID-19 vaccine will be approved by regulators any earlier than November or December, as IJR previously reported.