Barr tests negative for COVID-19

Attorney General William Barr tested negative for COVID-19 on Friday morning, hours after President Trump and first lady Melania Trump announced they tested positive for the virus, a Department of Justice spokesperson told MSNBC.

Barr was tested “out of an abundance of caution,” though he hadn’t been in the same room as Trump since Saturday, at a reception for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, the president’s nominee to the Supreme Court. 

Other key administration officials such as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar have also tested negative. 

New of the Trumps’ coronavirus diagnosis came just hours after reports of a positive test for longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks.

The first couple indicated that they are “feeling good” and will quarantine, though the White House confirmed Friday morning that they are experiencing mild symptoms. 

Hicks and Trump recently traveled to New Jersey and Minnesota for campaign events. 

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel also tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday but did not reveal the diagnosis until Friday.