FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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Reynolds Praised Trump After He Abandoned Iowans, Denied Aid in Hour of Need After Derecho

Trump refused assistance to homeowners in 26 counties after the derecho, but last night Reynolds shamelessly praised him to score cheap political points 

DES MOINES — Last night during a display of blatant partisanship at the RNC, Governor Reynolds falsely claimed President Trump “had Iowans’ backs” in the wake of the derecho. In reality, Trump denied relief to individuals, homeowners, and farmers in 26 of the 27 counties hit hardest by the storm — and Reynolds’ herself admits aid for these struggling Iowans is not on the way. While Trump’s hour-long visit to Iowa never included leaving the airport and surveying storm damage, hundreds of thousands of Iowans are still picking up the pieces after the derecho. At the same time, coronavirus cases in Iowa are rising dramatically by the day — over 57,000 Iowans have contracted the virus to date — as Trump and Reynolds’ anti-science agenda and failed leadership continues to disregard public safety.

Take a look at the facts on Trump and Reynolds’ failure to contain COVID-19, help Iowans after the derecho, or save the economy from recession:

DMR: Speaking at RNC, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says Trump had Iowans’ backs during derecho recovery

“In a call with press before the RNC’s evening events, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith attacked Trump and Reynolds for an ‘appalling’ response to the coronavirus pandemic. He highlighted the more than 57,000 Iowans who have tested positive for the virus and the more than 1,000 Iowans who have died from COVID-19, the disease it causes.

“Reynolds should be focusing on that and other crises facing Iowans, not seeking the national spotlight, Smith argued.

“‘During a global pandemic, while thousands of Iowans are struggling to recover from the derecho, navigate the compounding economic effects of constant attacks on social security and unemployment benefits, Reynolds is taking time out of her day for partisan politics,’ Smith said. ‘Iowans deserve better.’”

The Gazette: In convention address, Kim Reynolds praises Trump’s response to Iowa storm

“Earlier Tuesday, the Iowa Democratic Party held a news conference call in advance of Reynolds’ speech. State party chairman Mark Smith and state treasurer Mike Fitzgerald criticized Reynolds and Trump for their respective work managing the pandemic.

“Smith alleged Reynolds and Trump failed to contain the virus, follow the advice of federal health experts and offer ‘critical resources.’

“‘No matter what the governor said (Tuesday night), she cannot paper over her failed COVID response,’” Smith said.

DMR: Gov. Kim Reynolds: Feds likely won’t approve derecho aid for homeowners, renters for all requested counties

“Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday it’s likely that some of the 27 counties for which she has requested federal individual assistance for homeowners after the Aug. 10 derecho won’t receive approval for more aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Speaking at a news conference Tuesday in Cedar Rapids, Reynolds didn’t list the counties that she believed wouldn’t qualify.

“‘In some areas, I think, they already have made the determination that they probably don’t (qualify),’ Reynolds said. ‘But some of the more impacted areas like Marshalltown, Benton, Tama — we’re continuing to run the numbers.’”