Trump declares churches ‘essential,’ calls on them to reopen

TIL Desk/World/Washington/ President Donald Trump has labeled churches and other houses of worship as essential” and called on governors nationwide to let them reopen this weekend even though some areas remain under coronavirus lockdown. The president threatened Friday to override governors who defy him, but it was unclear what authority he has to do so.

Governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now for this weekend,” Trump said at a hastily arranged press conference at the White House. Asked what authority Trump might have to supersede governors, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said she wouldn’t answer a theoretical question.

Trump has been pushing for the country to reopen as he tries to reverse an economic free fall playing out months before he faces reelection. White evangelical Christians have been among the president’s most loyal supporters, and the White House has been careful to attend to their concerns throughout the crisis.