Kansas governor to meet with Trump at White House

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) will meet with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday to discuss how to protect the U.S. food supply and agricultural sector amid the coronavirus outbreak.
A statement obtained by The Hill indicated that Kelly and Trump would discuss a wide range of topics related to the pandemic, including her own strategy for reopening Kansas’s nonessential businesses. The state is set to enter “phase 1.5” of its plan to reopen the economy this week, which allows fitness centers to reopen with some restrictions in place.
“I look forward to the discussion with President Trump on ways we can continue to work with the federal government on our response and recovery efforts,” Kelly said.
“Our continued emphasis is on protecting Kansans’ health and well-being, and helping the state recover from a public health crisis that has exacted a painful financial toll on many. The economic damage will be long lasting, and will require collaboration at every level. I look forward to discussing how the President and I will continue partnering together in our recovery,” she added.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is meeting with President Trump on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/egpQIB5B2O
— Daniel Strauss (@DanielStrauss4) May 18, 2020
Her visit comes one day before Trump is set to depart Washington and visit Michigan for the first time since the pandemic began, where he will tour a Ford plant manufacturing ventilators.
The president’s meeting with a Democratic governor, Kelly, also comes as Trump has engaged in public feuds with other Democratic state leaders including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo over their own responses to the outbreak.
Updated at 9:50 p.m.