Trump warns governors: let places of worship open this weekend

U.S. President Donald Trump onFriday urged states to allow the reopening this weekend ofplaces of worship that have been closed due to the coronavirus,and warned he would override governors who do not do so.

At a short appearance in the White House briefing room,Trump said he was declaring that places of worship churches,synagogues and mosques are providing essential services andthus should be opened as soon as possible.

Places of worship have been closed as part of stay-at-homeorders most states have used to try to control the spread of thecoronavirus. With the infection rate declining in many areas,there is pressure to begin reopening.

Trump issued a warning to state governors who refuse hisappeal but did not say under what authority he would act toforce the reopening of religious facilities.

"If they don't do it, I will override the governors. InAmerica, we need more prayer, not less," he said.

The National Governors Association declined to comment.Trump has gone back and forth throughout the pandemic on whetherhe or the governors have more power to implement measuresrelated to its spread.

"He has no authority to do this. The governors are in nosense subordinates of the president," said Robert Chesney, aprofessor at the University of Texas School of Law.

Trump courted the support of religious groups, particularlyevangelical Christians, in his 2016 presidential race, and iseager to have it again in 2020.

Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task forceco-ordinator, encouraged worshipers who are especially vulnerableto the virus not to go or to wait longer to attend services.

New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention encourage worshipers to bow or wave instead ofshaking hands, hugging or kissing.

WATCH |Donald Trump says he wants all places of worship to reopen:

Donald Trump says he wants all places of worship to reopen

4 years ago

Duration 1:02

U.S. president says churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious sites provide essential services.