Fox’s Brian Kilmeade Calls for Federal Shutdown of Public Gatherings as Trump Dismisses Idea

Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade repeatedly suggested that the federal government introduce rules to shut down public gatherings and spaces on Tuesday. This was in contrast to President Donald Trump, who tweeted this morning that such measures weren’t needed.

“Maybe people are happy the President’s letting governors make the decision, but at one point I’m wondering if Washington’s just gotta make the rules,” the Fox & Friends host said.

Brian Kilmeade on closing businesses & banning social gatherings: "Maybe people are happy the president's letting governors make the decision, but at one point I'm wondering if Washington's just gotta make the rules." pic.twitter.com/ojuFDd8jAi

— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) March 17, 2020

Kilmeade made the point repeatedly over the course of the show, definitively calling for federal rules to introduced along the lines of restrictions introduced in some states to stop the spread of Covid-19. Many countries have shuttered public places like bars and restaurants and banned large gatherings.

Brian Kilmeade argues for federal rules, not guidelines or suggestions, to fight coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/E6jtYGNeaP

— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) March 17, 2020

Despite Kilmeade’s suggestion and in spite of the fact Fox & Friends is reportedly President Donald Trump’s preferred morning show, the President ruled out any such federal rules on Twitter while the show as still broadcasting.

“Cuomo wants ‘all states to be treated the same.’ But all states aren’t the same,” Trump said. “Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus, some are being hit practically not at all. New York is a very big ‘hotspot’, West Virginia has, thus far, zero cases. Andrew, keep politics out of it.”

Cuomo wants “all states to be treated the same.” But all states aren’t the same. Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus, some are being hit practically not at all. New York is a very big “hotspot”, West Virginia has, thus far, zero cases. Andrew, keep politics out of it….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2020

However, the coming days and weeks may prove Kilmeade right and Trump wrong. Some countries, like the United Kingdom, have tried to resist introducing restrictions and enforcing business closures, but it seems there will be little choice if the spread of the disease is to be arrested.