Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday criticized President Donald Trump’s leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic and recent protests against police violence roiling the country over the past week.
“At so many times during these past several weeks when the country needed compassion and leadership the most it was nowhere to be found,” he said. “Instead we got bitterness, combativeness and self-interest.”
In a call with governors from across the country earlier Monday, Trump told them they "have to get much tougher. ... Most of you are weak. You have to arrest people."
Baker said he was not on the call with Trump, as he was busy working on preparations to further reopen the state this week.
“I heard what the president said today about dominating and fighting,” Baker said. “I know I should be surprised … but I’m not.”
Baker's comments against the president were unusual, as the governor has typically not been so outspoken against Trump.
“That’s not what we need in Boston. It’s not what we need right now in Massachusetts. And it’s not what we need in this country of ours, either,” Baker said, referring to Trump's handling of protests against police brutality.
Earlier in his address, Baker condemned violent protesters in Boston Sunday night while acknowledging legitimate grievances about racial bias in policing.
“I want to thank everyone who marched and exercised their right to free speech safely last night,” Baker said. “To the men and women of law enforcement, fire, EMS and the National Guard who were on the streets last night, thank you.
“To the criminals and cowards who tarnished last night’s peaceful protest, I expect your day in court will come soon,” he continued. “The people of Massachusetts cannot allow these individuals to succeed in their goal to sow chaos.”
The governor swiftly followed those comments with an acknowledgement of the grievances of communities of color and their treatment at the hands of police.
“Injustice experienced at the hands of a public institution that is supposed to be rooting this out can often be the most despicable [injustice] of all,” Baker said. “It all adds up, the sleights and the injustices. … The cumulative effects of these moments, whether they’re caught on camera or not, they add up.”
Baker also announced that summer camps and child care facilities will be allowed to reopen in the commonwealth over the summer and that they will be required to submit a plan to address COVID-19 fears at their facilities.
At summer camps, the governor said that activities would be restricted to groups of 12 campers a piece, though each camp would be permitted to have multiple groups of 12.
The state's coronavirus task force also submitted a plan on how to spend $374 million in federal funding for virus preparedness. Baker said that the funds would be used to increase testing capacity statewide to 45,000 tests daily and prepare for a possible second wave of illnesses in the fall.
