President Donald Trump held rallies in both Oklahoma and Arizona in the past seven days, despite spikes in new virus cases in both states. At least six of those who worked on his rally in Tulsa this past weekend have tested positive for the virus and numerous White House staff have tested positive in recent months as well.
Despite this, the White House recently announced that it will scale back its once vigorous testing protocols, except for those in close proximity to the President.
Trump's team is making it clear to local leaders around the country that the President's campaign endeavors won't be impeded by a virus that's killed over 120 thousand Americans.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy—along with Governors Andrew Cuomo of New York and Ned Lamont of Connecticut—announced an order for anyone entering the state who's been in high-risk areas for the virus to self-quarantine for two weeks.
Trump's campaign staff announced he wouldn't be following that order, with White House spokesman Judd Deere saying:
"The president of the United States is not a civilian...Anyone who is in close proximity to him, including staff, guests, and press are tested for COVID-19 and confirmed to be negative."
The President and those who surround him often paint him as an everyman and advocate for the proverbial little guy.
People noticed the description in Deere's statement seemed at odds with that.
Of course...
He is a civilian when it comes to court...
Not a civilian when it suits him
— Bentley (@Mz_Zug) June 24, 2020
Proof doesn't give a damn about
AMERICANS!!
— John Hook (@Johooklo) June 24, 2020
To quote Mel Brooks 'It's good to be the King'
✔️ He gets to #VoteByMail, we don't
✔️ He gets to avoid quarantine, we don't
✔️ He gets to not #WearAMask, we don't #DumpTrump2020
— Freedom Forever 🇺🇸 (@FreedomTVR) June 24, 2020
Trump is above everything?
— Kelley Smith (@kelley2218) June 24, 2020
He calls himself the law & order but he himself won't follow the rules, and is obstinate when he is asked to do so. His poor leadership, divisiveness and hypocrisy has caused more harm than good to this country. Why does his base not see this? Why do they blindly follow him?
— Damian (@Damian55419) June 24, 2020
Trump oversees the United States military, and civilian control of the military is a hallmark of United States government—as people soon pointed out.
If he's "not a civilian" he can't be the Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces. 🤣🥃
— Rod Brubeck (@RodBird) June 24, 2020
Uh, yes he is... civilian leadership of the military is built into our system of government.
— Clark Wieman (@cwieman61) June 24, 2020
Civilian control of the military is one of our big things, right?
— Shannon was (@Shannonwas2) June 24, 2020
The President dodged the draft numerous times.
@LeeMerrittesq/X
@bob_moss/X
@jelanijones/Bluesky
@Aurkayne/X
@sadcommunistdog; @froglok/Bluesky