Headline RoundupMay 23rd, 2020

Trump Deems Places of Worship Essential

Public Health, Coronavirus, Culture, Religion And Faith

Summary from the AllSides News Team

President Donald Trump said at a press briefing Friday that places of worship are essential, following new federal guidelines that offer recommendations on how places of worship should go about reopening. The president threatened to "override" governors who don't comply with the guidance, and said America "needs more prayer, not less." Many left-rated outlets framed the announcement as a direct play to Trump's base, and focused on the fact that Trump had no apparent legal authority to override governors, especially in regards to voluntary recommendations; coverage from left- and center-rated outlets often painted the president's statements as "demands" and "warnings", while some coverage from right-rated outlets gave the impression that Trump was deferring to the CDC, and not necessarily making demands. Some evangelical voices criticized the president's purported ignorance of the state of public health; some right-leaning voices celebrated the president's supposed support of religious freedom, and questioned how that freedom may look post-Trump.

Featured Coverage of this Story

From the Left

Trump stokes base with call to reopen churches as Americans head into uncertain holiday weekend

CNN Digital

See rating details

CNN Digital

Analysis

President Donald Trump made another play to his base Friday, declaring churches and houses of worship "essential" and sharply warning the nation's governors that he would "override" any actions they take that interfere with the resumption of religious services.

It was a move meant to shore up the support of his core supporters at a time when Trump's reelection prospects look uncertain in the midst of declining approval of his handling of the virus and the economic meltdown. Adding fuel to the latest controversy on the right -- just as...

Open on CNN Digital

From the Left

Trump Demands States Let Places of Faith Open, Chafing at Limits

Bloomberg

See rating details

Bloomberg

News

President Donald Trump demanded on Friday that states allow houses of worship to reopen from stay-at-home restrictions imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak, yet his authority to override governors’ orders is restrained by constitutional limits.

“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now,” Trump said Friday in a statement to reporters at the White House. “For this weekend.”

“If they don’t do it I will override the governors,” he added.

Trump cited no legal grounds that would...

Open on Bloomberg

Possible Paywall

From the Right

Trump announces that houses of worship are ‘essential,’ calls on governors to open them up

Fox News Digital

See rating details

Fox News Digital

News

President Trump on Friday announced that 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.

Trump announced the policy for churches, synagogues and mosques, during a short briefing at the White House.

"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."...

Open on Fox News Digital

More headline roundups