White House touts federal coronavirus efforts

McEnany received questions about Trump's Michigan comments

Published: May 20, 2020 3:34pm

Updated: May 20, 2020 6:00pm

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday criticized a provision in House Democrats' $3 trillion stimulus bill for a "medical supplies response coordinator," arguing the administration already has such post, which has been successfully filled.

"Since March 29,  Rear Adm. John Polowczyk, vice director for Logistics for the Joint Chiefs, has been on the job as the head of FEMA's Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force," McEnany said of the public-private endeavor. "Under the leadership of President Trump, FEMA has directed the greatest mobilization of the private sector since World War II."

McEnany also defended a Trump tweet earlier in the day that suggested Michigan and Nevada's efforts toward mail-in voting were illegal and ripe for voter fraud and that he would attempt to 'hold up" federal funding in an attempt to stop them. 

"I would note that his tweets were meant to alert (Treasury) Secretary Mnuchin and (White House budget czar Russ) Vought, about his concerns with trillions of dollars going to these states and his noted concerns about a lot of fraud that is potentially at play when you have mass mail-in voting," she said. 

"With regard to the illegality and legality of it, that's a question for the campaign as to their voting and ballot practices. But I would just note that his tweet was meant to alert (the Office of Management and Budget.) He wanted to be very careful as we send trillions of dollars to states that we keep this important point in mind and we ensure that there is fairness in our voting system and absolute accuracy."

Watch the press briefing below:

 

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News