Rep. Doug Collins. | Patrick Semansky-Pool/Getty Images
Georgia Rep. Doug Collins on Thursday criticized Gov. Brian Kemp’s aggressive plan to reopen their state’s economy, accusing Kemp of “not communicating clearly” amid the coronavirus outbreak and failing to solicit input from local leaders.
The GOP congressman’s harsh assessment represented a rebuke of his Republican governor and signaled Collins’ intention to instead side with President Donald Trump — who disavowed Kemp’s plan Wednesday after previously expressing support for states reopening for business.
“The president wants the country open. I want the country open. The governor wants the country open. The problem is how do you do it? And I think that’s the problem with leadership,” Collins told “Fox & Friends.”
“Leadership is about communicating,” he continued, “and when you are not communicating clearly — look, the governor did not take away the stay-at-home order, but yet selectively decided certain businesses are going to open up.”
Kemp said Monday some establishments in Georgia shuttered by the outbreak — including bowling alleys, gyms, hair salons and tattoo parlors — could reopen as early as Friday if owners adhere to stringent social-distancing and hygiene requirements. Next Monday, movie theaters may also reopen and restaurants will be allowed to return to limited dine-in service.
But the governor’s plan seemingly contradicts his own statewide stay-at-home order, which expires April 30, as well as federal social-distancing guidance in effect until the end of the month.
Georgia also has yet to confirm a two-week downward trend in coronavirus symptoms and documented cases — one of the basic benchmarks states and localities should meet before easing restrictions, according to the White House’s guidelines for a phased reopening of the economy.
Adding to the confusion across the state, several mayors have claimed they were not informed of Kemp’s plans prior to his announcement, and have suggested they will urge their constituents not to follow the governor’s advice for reopening.
“I will tell you this: My concern was not having the local input into that,” Collins said Thursday, echoing those local frustrations and arguing that Kemp’s rollout of a reopening plan “made people nervous.”
“I think clear communication is what has to happen,” he said. “But when you’re telling people to still stay at home, but yet we’re going to open certain businesses, that creates a problem in which people are not sure what to do.”
The president joined Wednesday in piling on Kemp’s plan, saying he made his dissatisfaction clear during a conversation with the governor.
“I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities,” Trump said at a White House coronavirus news conference.
Earlier Wednesday, however, the president applauded states for taking steps over the past week to begin reopening their economies, tweeting: “States are safely coming back. Our Country is starting to OPEN FOR BUSINESS again.”
Kemp acknowledged Wednesday evening that he had spoken with Trump about Georgia’s reopening plan. “I appreciate his bold leadership and insight during these difficult times and the framework provided by the White House to safely move states forward,” the governor wrote on Twitter.
Collins’ attack Thursday on his fellow Georgia Republican was not entirely surprising, given his defiance in recent months of Kemp and party leadership.
In late January, Collins announced he would challenge Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler for her seat — which Kemp appointed her to last December despite pressure from Trump, who had lobbied on behalf of Collins.
