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U.S. NEWS Thursday 2 July 2020
Republicans, with exception of Trump, now push mask-wearing

Continued from Front he said included about
eight White House staffers,
Both Vice President Mike only national security ad-
Pence and Senate Majo- viser Robert O’Brien wore
rity Leader Mitch McCon- a mask, Sherman said. He
nell in recent days have added that no one in the
urged Americans to wear secure briefing room was
one when they are unable able to maintain 6 feet
to maintain social distance. (1.8 meters) of social dis-
Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah tancing, as recommended
Republican, told reporters it by the Centers for Disease
would be “very helpful” for Control and Prevention.
Trump to encourage mask “I learned something major,
usage. and that is the White House
Last week, Republican is a mask-free zone,” Sher-
Rep. Liz Cheney of Wy- man told The Associated
oming tweeted a photo Press. “The president is con-
of her father, former Vice sistent. He’s fine with peop-
President Dick Cheney, le not wearing masks.”
wearing a disposable mask Polls show how the partisan
and a cowboy hat. She in- divide on masks has see-
cluded the message: “Dick ped into public opinion.
Cheney says WEAR A MASK The vast majority of Demo-
#realmenwearmasks,” crats think people in their
a hashtag that echoed Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, left and community should wear a
words spoken earlier by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield, talk with Sen. Lamar Alexander, mask when they are near
Democratic House Spea- R-Tenn., right, as they prepare to testify before a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions other people in public pla-
ker Nancy Pelosi. Steve Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Associated Press ces at least most of the
Doocy, co-host of a Trump- time, including 63% who
friendly morning show, “Fox candidate in August, an- that he is regularly tested one when necessary. say they should always, ac-
& Friends,” said during an nounced a mask requi- for the coronavirus, as are But even with safeguards, cording to a Pew Research
interview with House Mino- rement for indoor public his aides. Those outside the the virus has found its way Center poll published in
rity Leader Kevin McCar- spaces this week. The pre- administration — including into the White House. A top early June. Among Republi-
thy that he doesn’t “see sident’s eldest son said the White House visitors and aide to Pence, as well as a cans, 29% say masks should
any downside in the presi- new requirements were no members of the media military valet to Trump, in be worn always, and 23%
dent being seen more of- big deal. who are in close proximity May tested positive for the say they should be worn
ten wearing it.” McCarthy, “You know, I don’t think to him and Pence — are virus. most of the time. Another
R-Calif., responded that, that it’s too complicated to also tested. Still, mask usage remains 23% say masks should rarely
for the upcoming holiday, wear a mask or wash your White House press secreta- rare in the West Wing, said or never be worn.
“we could all show our pa- hands and follow basic hy- ry Kayleigh McEnany didn’t Rep. Brad Sherman, a Ca- Trump has been caught on
triotism with a red, white giene protocols,” Donald directly address Republi- lifornia Democrat who at- camera once wearing a
and blue mask.” Jackson- Trump Jr. told Fox Business can calls for Trump to wear tended an intelligence mask. But Pence and mem-
ville, the Florida city where on Tuesday. a mask in public more of- briefing at the White House bers of the White House
Trump is scheduled to ac- Trump aides have defen- ten, but noted that the pre- on Tuesday with senior coronavirus task force fre-
cept his renomination as ded the president’s refusal sident has said in the past members of the president’s quently appear in public
Republicans’ presidential to wear a mask by noting he has no problem wearing staff. At the briefing, which wearing masks. q

Ex-Bush officials launch super PAC backing Biden over Trump

By ALEXANDRA JAFFE incumbent. They're plan- have to agree with a presi-
Associated Press ning to roll out supportive dent on all of his policy de-
WASHINGTON (AP) — A testimonial videos featur- cisions or agenda. We ask
group of former George ing high-profile Republi- them to go to the White
W. Bush administration cans and launch a voter House and do what they
and campaign officials turnout effort in key states, think is in the best interest
have launched a new aimed at turning out disaf- of the country. That's what
super PAC supporting fected Republican voters. we as alumni of George
Democratic presidential News of the group was first W. Bush did, and we think
candidate Joe Biden, the reported by Reuters. Joe Biden will deliver that
latest in a growing num- Kristopher Purcell, who as well," he said. The group
ber of Republican groups worked in the Office of has been in touch with the
to come out in support of Communications in the Biden campaign and oth-
Biden over President Don- White House and in the er GOP groups opposed
ald Trump. The group, 43 State Department during to Trump to coordinate
Alumni for Biden, has re- the Bush administration, some of its activities going Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe
cruited at least 200 former said many of the members forward, and it's alerted Biden departs after speaking at Alexis Dupont High School in
Wilmington, Del., Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
White House officials, cam- of the group still consider Bush's office of their ac- Associated Press
paign aides and Cabinet themselves Republicans tivities, though it remains
secretaries who worked but see the need to defeat unaffiliated with the for- the Trump campaign's swamp — yet again — try-
under Bush to join the push Trump as beyond their per- mer president directly. In director of press commu- ing to take down the duly
against the Republican sonal politics. "You don't a statement, Erin Perrine, nications, said "this is the elected president." q