President Trump on Friday announced that houses of worship would now be considered “essential services”. He noted that the new Centers for Disease Control guidance will classify houses of worship as “essential,” as he called on governors to allow them to open “right now” after being closed during the coronavirus lockdowns in the US.
Trump announced the policy for churches, synagogues and mosques, during a short briefing at the White House – adding that he would “override” the governors if they refuse to do so. “The 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. “If they don’t do it, I will override the governors.”
“Today, I am identifying houses of worship, churches, synagogues, and mosques, as essential places that provide essential services,” Trump said in a sudden White House briefing.
“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics is essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship, it’s not right. So I am correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential. I call upon governors to allow churches and places of worship to open right now,” the president said, adding that he’d overrule governors who don’t comply.
“If there is any question, they will have to call me, but they are not going to be successful in that call,”’ he said.
“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important, essential places of faith to open right now, for this weekend. If they do not do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less,” Trump concluded before leaving the briefing room without taking questions.