Donald Trump tweets support for coronavirus lockdown protests as he calls for three states to be 'liberated'

US President Donald Trump
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Katy Clifton17 April 2020

Donald Trump has tweeted his support for coronavirus lockdown protests in parts of the US as he called for three states to be "liberated" from stay-at-home orders.

The US president posted "LIBERATE Minnesota" on Friday, which he quickly followed up with tweets calling for Michigan and Virginia to be liberated from their stay-at-home orders.

The states tweeted about have seen protesters gather this week to demonstrate against lockdowns issued by Democratic governors.

Posting on Friday, he said that Virginia, along with Minnesota and Michigan, should be liberated and its citizens should "save your great Second Amendment", adding: "It is under siege."

Thousands of protesters have gathered in the capitals of Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia against the restrictions in place.

Protesters say that the severe economic impact of the restrictions is hurting citizens, while health officials warn lifting the measures could spread infection.

One sign held up at a protest in Virginia read: "Stop this madness. It is just a cold virus. End the shutdown for the good of us all."

Mr Trump's tweets appear to go against his decision to hand power to ease restrictions to the individual state's governor.

The US president faced a backlash for the tweets, with Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan branding the comments "insanely dangerous".

It comes after the US saw its highest daily death toll on Thursday, with 4,591 deaths recorded in a single day.

Protesters rally against stay-at-home orders at Capitol Square in Richmond, Virginia
AFP via Getty Images

On Thursday, the president unveiled guidelines to give US governors a road map for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic.

The plan outlined on Thursday set out “a phased and deliberate approach” to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in Covid-19 cases.

A demonstrator holds a sign at a protest in Virginia's capital
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“We’re starting our life again,” the president said during his daily press briefing. “We’re starting rejuvenation of our economy again. This is a gradual process.”

The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while holding the line in harder-hit locations.

They make clear that the return to normality will be a far longer process than he had initially envisioned.

People take part in a protest for "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine"
AFP via Getty Images

Federal officials warned that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak.

They largely reinforce plans already in the works by governors, who have primary responsibility for public health in their states.

“You’re going to call your own shots,” Mr Trump told the governors in a conference call. “We’re going to be standing alongside of you.”

Demonstrators hold signs at a protest in Virginia
REUTERS

Mr Trump said recent trends in some states were so positive they could begin phase one almost immediately.

“They will be able to go literally tomorrow,” he said. “We have a very large number of states that want to get going and they’re in very good shape. That’s good with us, frankly.”

The guidelines recommend that states pass checkpoints that look at new cases, testing and surveillance data over the prior 14 days before advancing from one phase to another.

Governors of both parties made clear they will move at their own pace.

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