A more than a year-old tweet from White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain calling for a more robust federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic has resurfaced after President Joe Biden suggested governors have to take the lead in response to the virus.
In June 2020, Klain tweeted, “I’ve been saying since March that we can’t beat COVID with an ‘Articles of Confederation’ response.”
“We have a national government for a reason. If Donald Trump won’t use it to beat this killer disease, I know someone who will, starting on 1/20/21,” he added.
I've been saying since March that we can't beat COVID with an "Articles of Confederation" response. We have a national government for a reason. If Donald Trump won't use it to beat this killer disease, I know someone who will, starting on 1/20/21. https://t.co/8yb3vTa8na
— Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) June 24, 2020
On Monday, Biden held a video meeting with governors to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and said, “There is no federal solution. This gets solved at a state level.”
Joe Biden, who ran for President on the promise of ending the COVID-19 pandemic: "There is no federal solution. This gets solved at a state level." pic.twitter.com/QE82SXBO49
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 27, 2021
However, he affirmed that the federal government would work to support states in their efforts to combat the pandemic.
“My message to the governors is simple: If you need something, say something,” he continued. “We’re going to have your back any way we can.”
Critics of Biden circulated the video and blasted his response to the pandemic as president.
President Biden: “There is no federal solution.”
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) December 28, 2021
Candidate Biden: "Donald Trump still doesn't have a plan… I do."
What a difference. Discussing this & more on @OutnumberedFNC, @FoxNews at 12pm ET!https://t.co/8MgesocPNa
If Joe Biden believes “there is no federal solution” to COVID, why did he impose federal vaccine mandates?
— Lance Gooden (@Lancegooden) December 28, 2021
If Joe Biden says there’s no federal solution to Covid, I would expect an apology to President Trump in the very next sentence.
— Errol Webber (@ErrolWebber) December 28, 2021
NEWS: Biden gives up.
— Peter Daou (@peterdaou) December 28, 2021
“There is no federal solution. This gets solved at a state level.”#COVID #Omicron
Trump: “Maybe states should also look into acquiring equipment to help fight COVID.”
— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) December 27, 2021
Media: MY GOD, TRUMP IS KILLING PEOPLE!!!
Biden: “There’s no federal solution. States have to solve COVID.”
Media: Sounds reasonable.
Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) tweeted, “Biden says there’s no federal solution to COVID and that this gets solved at a state level. He should immediately end his unconstitutional federal mandates.”
“The Texas solution is no mandates and personal responsibility,” he added.
Biden says there's no federal solution to COVID and that this gets solved at a state level.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 27, 2021
He should immediately end his unconstitutional federal mandates.
The Texas solution is no mandates and personal responsibility. https://t.co/lPlfsy7ioY
Earlier this month, Biden announced a plan for his administration to distribute 500 million free at-home Covid tests.
The administration will also deploy 1,000 military medical personnel to hospitals facing a surging of patients infected with the virus.
