ATLANTA (AP) – President Donald Trump said he told Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp that he “disagreed strongly” with Kemp’s decision to begin allowing some nonessential businesses to soon reopen.
Speaking at a daily White House briefing Wednesday evening, Trump said he told Kemp he had misgivings over the governor’s plan, but would not stand in his way.
“The people of Georgia … have been strong, resolute, but at the same time he must do what he thinks is right,” Trump said of Kemp, a Republican. “I want him to do what he thinks is right. But I disagree with him on what he’s doing. … But I think (opening) spas and beauty salons and tattoo parlors and barbershops in phase one … it’s just too soon.”
A spokeswoman for Kemp didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
In addition to pushback from Trump, Kemp’s plan to begin cracking open the Georgia economy faces two major hurdles – the state is struggling to increase testing for new coronavirus infections and boost tracking of those in contact with infected people.