President Trump is considering issuing an executive order to release elderly, nonviolent offenders from federal prisons amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The president said he was considering the move on Sunday during a press conference on the fight to contain the coronavirus. The virus has proved to be particularly contagious in prisons and jails where large numbers of inmates live in close proximity to each other. Rikers Island in New York City has reported nearly 40 cases of the COVID-19 virus among guards and prisoners.
“We’re going to take a look at it. It’s a bit of a problem,” Trump said when asked about the potential order, later adding, “We’re talking about totally nonviolent prisoners, we are actually looking at that, yes.”
Trump began the meeting by announcing that he had activated the National Guard to bring aid and assistance to New York and Washington and plans to approve a similar request for aid by California soon.
