Share
Commentary

Trump Draws Line in Sand as Congress Cuts in Line for Vaccine

Share

President Donald Trump is opposed to White House staffers getting some of the first doses of the recently authorized coronavirus vaccine.

Trump also made it clear this week that he is not planning on taking the vaccine yet.

“People working in the White House should receive the vaccine somewhat later in the program, unless specifically necessary. I have asked that this adjustment be made. I am not scheduled to take the vaccine, but look forward to doing so at the appropriate time. Thank you!” Trump tweeted Sunday.

Trending:
KJP Panics, Hangs Up in Middle of Interview When Reporter Shows He Isn't a Democratic Party Propagandist

However, not everyone in the federal government is following the president’s sentiment.

Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence took the vaccine publicly Friday morning on live TV as part of an effort to show the American people the vaccine is safe.

Congressional leaders are also participating in the effort to increase public trust and awareness.

Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shared photos on Twitter of them getting vaccinated.

Dr. Brian Monahan, the congressional attending physician, said in a letter to members of Congress and Capitol Hill staff that lawmakers and some of their staffers will have vaccines made available to them “to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations,” according to Reuters.

While the logic behind having high-level government officials publicly taking the vaccine makes sense, it also has bad optics.

Related:
Trump Takes Off the Gloves: Says RFK Jr. Will Be Indicted, Slams Him for 'Liberal' VP Pick

Top government officials getting top priority on a vaccine that should probably be going almost exclusively to the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions and front-line workers first reaffirms the narrative championed by many populists that many things are only privileges for the elite.

Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast raised concerns about members of Congress getting early access to the vaccine.

“Leaders eat last; it’s one of the first lessons a solider learns as early as basic training,” Mast said in a statement. “Speaker Pelosi apparently never learned this lesson — asking Americans to wait to get vaccinated while Congress cuts the line is the opposite of leadership.”

Should Congress have early access to the vaccine?

“Congress needs to stop treating itself as a special political class, and the mere suggestion that Members of Congress are in any way more important than the very people who gave us the privilege of serving in Congress is appalling. Being for the people must always mean putting the people before ourselves, which is why every single American should be able to access the coronavirus vaccine before any Member of Congress,” he continued.

There are many vulnerable Americans who would likely want to get the vaccine as soon as possible, but of course, Congress gets their hands on it early.

It’s not a great look, to say the least.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , , , ,
Share
Cameron Arcand is a former writer for The Western Journal.
Cameron Arcand is a political commentator based in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2017 as a school project, he founded YoungNotStupid.com, which has grown exponentially since its founding. He has interviewed several notable conservative figures, including Dave Rubin, Peggy Grande and Madison Cawthorn.

In September 2020, Cameron joined The Western Journal as a Commentary Writer, where he has written articles on topics ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic, the "Recall Gavin Newsom" effort and the 2020 election aftermath. The "Young Not Stupid" column launched at The Western Journal in January 2021, making Cameron one of the youngest columnists for a national news outlet in the United States. He has appeared on One America News and Fox 5 DC. He has been a Young America's Foundation member since 2019.
Location
Phoenix
Languages Spoken
English




Conversation