MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Trump said calling Gov. Inslee is a waste of time

Mar 27, 2020, 3:59 PM | Updated: 4:01 pm

President Trump praised Vice President Mike Pence’s work with the Coronavirus Taskforce, specifically for keeping open lines of communication with the governors in every state when Trump admitted he would not do the same.

“He calls all the governors,” Trump said. “I tell him, I mean, I’m a different type of person, I say, ‘Mike, don’t call the governor of Washington, you’re wasting your time with him. Don’t call the woman in Michigan.’ … You know what I say? If they don’t treat you right, I don’t call. He’s a different type of person, he’ll call quietly anyway.”

“But he’s done a great job,” Trump added, complimenting Pence. “He should be appreciated for the job he’s done.”

In another remark during the same White House briefing on Friday, Trump called out Gov. Inslee’s presidential campaign.

“I think we’d done a great job for the state of Washington,” Trump said. “And I think the governor is a failed presidential candidate, as you know, he leveled out at zero in the polls. He’s constantly tripping and, I guess, complaining would be a nice way of saying it. We’re building hospitals. We’ve done a great job for the state of Washington.”

These comments come one day after The Washington Post reported that Inslee butted heads with President Trump over the role the White House is taking in the nation’s coronavirus response.

The President had told governors that his administration was operating as “backup” to states dealing with a outbreak on the front lines.

“We don’t need a backup — we need a Tom Brady,” Inslee responded.

Later on Thursday night, President Trump reiterated his stance to Fox News host Sean Hannity, labeling the White House as “a second line of attack.”

“The first line of attack is supposed to be the hospitals and the local government and the states,” he added.

States like Washington and New York have been asking the federal government for additional aid for weeks, calling for tens of thousands of ventilators, protective equipment, and more. That’s despite the President positing Thursday that “a lot of equipment is being asked for that I don’t think they’ll need.”

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize up for grabs after $1.1B Mega Millions ticket sold

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $865 million ahead of Wednesday night's drawing.

6 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

7 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

9 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

10 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

10 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

10 hours ago

Trump said calling Gov. Inslee is a waste of time