Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam just completed a press conference on COVID-19, etc., and at the end, he rightfully ripped the s*** out of Trump, both for disparaging veterans as “losers” and “suckers,” and also for his irresponsible campaign rallies, which Northam called “frustrating,” “regrettable.” See below for video and a transcript (also see here for highlights for the entire press conference), and note that Northam is a Army veteran who treated soldiers wounded in Operation Desert Storm. So yes, he takes Trump’s smears personally...and for good reason!
- On Trump downplaying the risks of COVID, Northam says he’s always said we’re fighting a “biological war,” that the first case was on March 7, “half a year ago,” and states have fought this war “without the supplies that we need.” Says governors have really taken a responsible leadership position, been upfront with citizens. Unfortunately, it’s become politicized, just look at a couple rallies that have taken place with the president in the last couple days, with people close together, minimal facial protection, “and it just goes against the science and the grain of what we’re trying to do as Americans and…as states.” It’s “frustrating” and “regrettable” that’s happening. When we have a president who ignores the science, then goes against what even his consultants are telling him to do is just defeating the purpose and it’s very frustrating.”
- Northam also says, as a veteran and a doctor who cared for a lot of wounded soldiers, they are heroes, and “when we have the leader of our country referring to people like me and other men and women who have worn the uniform and some who have ultimately paid the sacrifice of death to refer to them as ‘losers’ and ‘suckers’, it just turns my stomach….As an American, as a Virginian, I have trouble looking up to a leader, I have trouble respecting a leader that refers to my fellow veterans in that manner.” “This is why we have elections”; encourages everyone to vote and to make their voice heard.