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Trump Invokes Defense Production Act To Compel GM To Make Ventilators
At a White House coronavirus task force briefing this afternoon. U.S. President Donald Trump announced he has invoked the Defense Production Act, "to compel General Motors to accept, perform and prioritize federal contracts for ventilators." Or, as he put it on Twitter earlier today:
General Motors MUST immediately open their stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio, or some other plant, and START MAKING VENTILATORS, NOW!!!!!! FORD, GET GOING ON VENTILATORS, FAST!!!!!! @GeneralMotors @Ford
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
Trump also announced that he is appointing Peter Navarro to be the policy coordinator for the Defense Production Act. Navarro currently serves as the White House's Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy.
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When asked by a reporter whether current social distancing guidelines will go on for "months," Trump replied, "I hope not. I hope it's going to be sooner. I hope it disappears faster than that."
Note: President Trump usually opens these news conferences with his own remarks. His comments in a number of past briefings have later been contradicted by information provided by other officials. He has also repeatedly used stigmatizing language to describe COVID-19. Following the president's remarks, health experts and other adminstration leaders provide additional updates.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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