Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the administration officials President Trump had tasked with the distribution of coronavirus medical supplies are “not up to the job” and “not in charge,” which has turned the local effort to secure masks, ventilators, and other equipment “into a scavenger hunt.”
Schumer, a New York Democrat, told reporters in a Monday conference call he wanted Trump to appoint one person to serve as a “czar” that would oversee the distribution of equipment.
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Schumer criticized as unqualified for the job top Trump aide Peter Navarro, who is directing the use of the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of supplies.
“He’s never done anything like this, and frankly, he’s not up to the job,” Schumer said.
Schumer also criticized Rear Adm. John Polowczyk, who Trump appointed to run the purchasing and distribution of medical equipment, as someone who has no experience for the job.
Schumer described Polowczyk as “a one-star admiral,” who told the news outlet Axios he was “blind to where all the product is.”
Schumer said he did not know Polowcyzk.
“I don’t know him, and I don’t know his capability, but I know one thing; he’s not in charge of manufacturing supply line and distribution. There are multiple people at the White House who seem to be doing that job,” Schumer said.
Schumer called White House chief of staff Mark Meadows Sunday to recommend three Obama-era vice chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as possible czar candidates for Trump to consider.
Administration officials have not endorsed Schumer’s plan and instead point to Trump’s April 2 letter rejecting Schumer’s call for the appointment of a czar.
Schumer told reporters Monday Trump does not need to pick from his list but should choose someone with similar oversight capabilities.
Schumer said hospitals were spending the day hunting for equipment and suggested the federal government should be doing the job instead.
“It’s just not working,” Schumer said. “It’s like a scavenger hunt for their lives.”
Schumer said the Trump administration should have been taking an inventory of needed medical supplies and intervening to obtain them months ago.
“All are saying there has to be much more coordination,” Schumer said. “It can’t be helter-skelter. It can’t be catch-as-catch-can.”
