Kushner Clarifies After He Does Not Rule out Delaying the 2020 Election
Hillary Clinton is among those who shot back at President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner after he said that postponing the presidential election is not off the table.
Asked by a Time Magazine reporter if there was any scenario in which the November elections might be delayed, Kushner said, “That’s too far in the future to tell, nothing that I’m aware of now.”
Asked if he would commit to holding the elections on November 3, Kushner said, “It’s not my decision to make so, I’m not sure I can commit one way or the other, but right now, that’s the plan.”
He continued, “Again, hopefully, but the time we get to September, October, November, we’ve done enough work with testing and with all the different things we’re trying to do to prevent a future outbreak of the magnitude that would make us shut down again.”
When asked if there was a chance the presidential election could be postponed past November 3 due to the pandemic, Jared Kushner said that isn’t his decision. “I’m not sure I can commit one way or the other, but right now that’s the plan” https://t.co/cyqN8VpHbk #TIME100Talks pic.twitter.com/SrzDbUAcwz
— TIME (@TIME) May 12, 2020
Kushner later issued a statement to NBC clarifying his remarks from his discussion with Time, saying, “I have not been involved in, nor am I aware of any discussions about trying to change the date of the Presidential election.”
As a senior administration official told CNN on Wednesday, it is Congress’ decision to make regarding delaying an election and there are currently no discussions to delay within the White House.
However, Kushner’s remarks were immediately seized upon by critics and former Senator Clinton quickly shot back, “I can’t believe I have to write this sentence, but the president’s son-in-law doesn’t get to decide when the election is.”
I can’t believe I have to write this sentence, but the president's son-in-law doesn't get to decide when the election is. https://t.co/7CrpHny6TF
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 13, 2020
A number of members of Congress also criticized Kushner’s remarks. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) wrote on Twitter, “Jared Kushner is not in charge of when U.S. elections are held.”
Jared Kushner is not in charge of when U.S. Elections are held.
— Carolyn B. Maloney (@CarolynBMaloney) May 13, 2020
Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) added, “Jared Kushner (and for that matter the Executive Branch) has no legal authority to determine the timing of the election. Kushner shouldn’t be commenting on this, or really much of anything. He also shouldn’t have a security clearance.”
Jared Kushner (and for that matter the Executive Branch) has no legal authority to determine the timing of the election.
Kushner shouldn’t be commenting on this, or really much of anything. He also shouldn’t have a security clearance. https://t.co/2ebveXoLWO
— Mike Levin (@MikeLevin) May 13, 2020
Kushner’s remarks come after former Vice President Joe Biden speculated in late April that Trump might try to move the election. However, Trump said that he is not thinking about moving the election during a press conference soon after.
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