Baltimore mayor asks Trump to cancel visit due to stay-at-home order

Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young (D) has urged President Trump to cancel an upcoming visit to the city amid the coronavirus outbreak, saying that he’s worried the trip will send the “wrong message” to residents currently under a stay-at-home order. 

Trump is slated to visit the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine on Memorial Day and participate in a ceremony honoring U.S. armed forces.

“That President Trump is deciding to pursue non-essential travel sends the wrong message to our residents, many of whom have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus,” Young said in a statement. “I wish that the president, as our nation’s leader, would set a positive example and not travel during this holiday weekend.”

Dear Mr. President @realDonaldTrump, please stay home! The City of Baltimore is currently under a Stay at Home order for the safety of our residents, who have been hit hard by #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/7FwrHIHyeX

— Mayor Bernard C. Jack Young (@mayorbcyoung) May 21, 2020

Young added that in addition to sending a “conflicting message” to residents, Trump’s trip would require a financial obligation that the city is not in a position to handle right now. Young said that Baltimore is losing on average $20 million per month and that it can’t “afford to shoulder” costs associated with personnel and equipment. 

However, the mayor acknowledged that the city would be prepared for the president’s visit if he elected to move forward with the scheduled trip. 

“The brave men and women who have preserved our freedoms for generations did not stay home and the President will not either as he honors their sacrifice by visiting such a historic landmark in our Nation’s history,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement to The Hill. 

Maryland moved into the first phase of its reopening earlier this month. Under the plan, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has allowed certain businesses and churches to reopen under modified conditions. But, stricter requirements have remained in place in Baltimore. 

Hogan and Young are not expected to attend the event. A spokesperson for Hogan told The Baltimore Sun that his office is “honored that the president and first lady have chosen to spend Memorial Day at Fort McHenry.”

Updated 6:02 p.m.