President Donald Trump landed in the battleground state of Arizona on Tuesday as part of his most extensive trip since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.

His first cross-country trip involved a visit to an Arizona plant that manufactures N95 masks essential to doctors, nurses, and other front-liners fighting against the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Kellyanne Conway-the counselor to the president-praised the Honeywell International facility located in Phoenix for being one of the many private-sector partners who stepped up in the country's rally to eradicate the virus. She said they committed to producing high-quality face masks and respirators-a promise they delivered.

Trump's visit may be the first in a long line of trips made to highlight the administration's efforts in curbing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rick Gorka, the president's spokesperson for his reelection campaign, said the trip gave Trump the opportunity to personally thank those directly helping in the battle against the deadly virus.

Gorka said a presidential visit is the ultimate show of respect and gratitude to individuals who continue to perform their jobs in times of crisis.


Political Game

While Trump's trip to Arizona was part of an official White House visit, it also involved politics.

Arizona is considered as one of six crucial battleground states during general elections. The trip is Trump's second to the state in three months. In February, he headlined a large campaign rally where he touted the country's robust economy.

The state has long since been a safe bet for Republican presidential candidates. However, in 2016, it joined the ranks of states where the outcome is unpredictable.

Trump garnered a 3.5 percent win in Arizona in 2016-a stark difference to Mitt Romney's nine-point victory over former President Barack Obama in 2012.

Political analysts credit the shift with new people moving in and affecting the state's demographics. Arizona has a growing politically-engaged Latino community. Many Americans from different parts of the nation have also migrated to the state.


Winding Down

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany addressed concerns following Vice President Pence's announcement that the administration will no longer involve medical experts in the coronavirus task force.

In a tweet, she said the government would use a data-driven approach to reopen the country's economy safely.

Pence recently told reporters that the administration is making plans about restarting the economy and when the proper time is for the COVID-19 task force to complete its work.

A White House official said the administration is taking steps to ensure that medical guidelines are updated. White House spokesman Judd Deere said the government will prioritize the health of the American people and will continue to monitor the efforts by states to ease coronavirus restrictions.

Trump vowed to restore the U.S. economy, which he says was the world's most outstanding economy. He said they are prepared to stop the restart of U.S. commerce when "they see something wrong."

The coronavirus task force has provided COVID-19 guidelines and regulations to states hoping to reopen their economies.


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