Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a tweet Monday that he spoke with newly appointed White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to help him push President Trump to appoint a coronavirus czar.
Politico Playbook reported Monday that Schumer called up Meadows the night before to help him convince Trump to fully invoke the Defense Production Act and to appoint a czar who would be in charge of the production and distribution of medical supplies and equipment to help combat the coronavirus outbreak.
Hours later, Schumer confirmed Politico’s report in a tweet, which included his shortlist of coronavirus czar candidates.
Last night, I spoke with the WH Chief of Staff
I urged him to have Pres. Trump appoint a senior military officer to lead gov-wide production & distribution of critical medical supplies
Lives are at stake
I suggested:
Gen. Paul Selva
Adm Sandy Winnefeld
Vice Adm Mark Harnitchek https://t.co/CDiRuM8opX— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 6, 2020
Schumer’s Sunday night call with Meadows comes on the heels of his public plea to Trump regarding the appointment of a military leader to address the shortage of medical supplies amid surging COVID-19 cases.
During the White House coronavirus task force’s briefing Thursday evening, news broke of Trump sending Schumer a scathing letter following their phone call when the New York senator attempted to make his case.
