March 13, 2020
Trump to declare national emergency to speed up coronavirus response
President Donald Trump plans to declare a national emergency on Friday over the coronavirus outbreak. This will invoke the Stafford Act to open the door to more federal aid for states and municipalities, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Trump is under increasing pressure to act as governors and mayors nationwide step up actions to mitigate the spread, closing schools and cancelling public events.
The president said he will hold a news conference at 3 p.m. Washington time.