Hillary Clinton joined a growing chorus of Democrats outraged over remarks made by President Trump’s son-in-law and White House adviser Jared Kushner about the possibility of delaying the 2020 presidential election due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m not sure I can commit one way or the other, but right now, that’s the plan,” Kushner told Time when asked if the general election could be postponed.
In separate comments to Time magazine, Kushner said of the November election: “Hopefully, by the time we get to September, October, November, we’ve done enough work with testing and with all the different things we’re trying to do to prevent a future outbreak of the magnitude that would make us shut down again.”
Kushner said, “Once America opens up, it’ll be very hard for America to ever lock down again.”
Clinton responded to the comments, saying, “I can’t believe I have to write this sentence, but the president’s son-in-law doesn’t get to decide when the election is.”
Several media outlets noted the opinion of a top White House staffer has no bearing on whether or not an election is held, and the president cannot move or delay any presidential election, which law dictates is held every four years on the first Tuesday after Nov. 1.
I can’t believe I have to write this sentence, but the president’s son-in-law doesn’t get to decide when the election is. https://t.co/7CrpHny6TF
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 13, 2020
Other Democrats also weighed in on the comments.
They’ll seemingly stop at nothing—more compelling reason for prompt legislation on election security. This serious specter of corrupt interference demands action, on both sides of the aisle. https://t.co/D8XiSOHNwr
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) May 13, 2020
Today Jared Kushner acted like the November election date could be moved, because he has no idea what he’s talking about.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) May 13, 2020
Jared Kushner (and for that matter the Executive Branch) has no legal authority to determine the timing of the election.
Kushner shouldn’t be commenting on this, or really much of anything. He also shouldn’t have a security clearance. https://t.co/2ebveXoLWO
— Mike Levin (@MikeLevin) May 13, 2020
Several states have either suspended or held primaries by mail in response to the pandemic, which has killed more than 80,000 people in the United States and sickened over 1 million people nationwide.
