Council President Calls on President Trump to Cancel Memorial Day Trip to Baltimore

Council President Calls on President Trump to Cancel Memorial Day Trip to Baltimore

In Letter, Council President Scott Encourages the President to Bring Needed Tests and Funding for Baltimore's Recovery

BALTIMORE, MD (May 25, 2020) ⁠— In response to the President of the United States' planned trip to Baltimore on Memorial Day, Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott penned a letter to President Trump Monday morning urging him to set the right example and stay home during this pandemic. 

“Less than one year ago, you called the late Congressman Elijah Cummings a 'brutal bully' and said that Baltimore was 'a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess,'” writes the Council President Scott. “As a proud son of our great city, I am stating in the strongest terms that you should cancel your trip, out of respect to Congressman Cummings and to all the people of Baltimore.”

Council President Scott continues, “Respectfully, I request that you not visit Baltimore. However, if you choose to do so, I ask that you consider bringing the following with you: 100,000 tests for COVID-19; $25 million to support Baltimore small businesses impacted by COVID-19; $150 million to help Baltimore close the projected fiscal gap resulting from this pandemic; and $30 million to jump start the build out of Baltimore's municipal broadband network to close the digital divide.”

The Council President also stressed the need for leaders to take responsibility and keep people safe, citing the disproportionate racial health impact of COVID-19 on African Americans both locally and nationally. 

To date in Baltimore, there have been 222 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19. While 63% of Baltimore's population is Black, African Americans account for 69% of those deaths. Nationwide, that disparity is even greater. Data from 40 states and the District of Columbia show a mortality rate for Black Americans that is 2.4 times greater than that of whites. 

Read the Council President's letter here.