Governor Inslee Defends Emergency Declaration

Governor Jay Inslee is refusing to lift the state's emergency COVID-19 declaration, citing people's right to wear a mask, hospital safety and the need for federal emergency funds as the reasons.

Inslee asserts that he can't involve state Republicans in the process because all they want to do is follow Donald Trump.

"(Donald Trump) first said this was going to be over by Easter. Then he told us you can take horse de-worming products. (He) refused to help the State of Washington when I asked him to help. The Republicans in this state follow him and continue to follow him and continue to refuse to stand up to his coup attempt."

Inlsee added that state Democrats "have a difference of opinion with Republicans; we respect working people and sometimes they don't."

Exactly half of all U.S. states still have an emergency COVID-19 order in effect. Only a handful of states, including Washington, entrust the governor with all of its emergency order powers.