Trump Accuses PA Leaders Of Playing Politics With Coronavirus

PENNSYLVANIA — President Donald Trump on Monday accused Pennsylvania leaders of moving slowly to lift coronavirus mitigation measures for political gain.

In a tweet Monday amid growing tension between Gov. Tom Wolf and some county leaders, Trump said "the great people of Pennsylvania want their freedom now, and they are fully aware of what that entails."

"The Democrats are moving slowly, all over the USA, for political purposes. They would wait until November 3rd if it were up to them. Don't play politics. Be safe, move quickly!" the president's tweet said.

Wolf, speaking at a news conference to address the growing number of counties that have said they plan to defy his stay-at-home orders, responded to the president's assertions, saying: "I don't know how you stay safe and move quickly."

RELATED: Governor, Counties Spar Over Coronavirus Mitigation Measures

"We're trying to move deliberately," Wolf said. "We closed down the state in a measured, staged manner, and we're reopening in the same measured, staged manner. The irresponsible thing to do is willy-nilly pretend we can wave a magic wand and go back to business."

Meanwhile, Wolf warned counties that open prematurely will face consequences, including loss of federal relief funding. Businesses that buck his mitigation measures could lose their licenses and insurance, he added.

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