US President Donald Trump Declares ‘National Emergency’ To Confront Coronavirus Pandemic

US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to combat the spread of novel coronavirus pandemic, a movie that would release billions of dollars in federal funding to help the country fight the virus.

President Trump, speaking in the White House’s Rose Garden on Friday, said the national emergency declaration would open up access to up to $50 billion in financial assistance for states, localities and territories.

“I am officially declaring a national emergency. Two very big words,” Trump declared. “The action I am taking will open up access to up to $50 billion dollars in our shared fight against this disease.”

“Our overriding goal is to stop the spread of the virus,” he added. “. . . No resource will be spared, nothing whatsoever.” He revealed that tests will be available “in the millions” in coming weeks, but said “we don’t want everyone running out and taking [tests].”

President Trump said US will scale up to make at least half-million additional tests available by early next week while 5 million tests available within a month.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, later announced that CDC’s past testing regulation have been revised to accommodate widespread screening.

More than 25 states and Washington, D.C., have made emergency orders over the past two weeks, as state governors have taken measures to combat the virus’s spread.

President Trump also announced other measures including waiving off interets on student loans as universities and colleges across the country shut their doors in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

"I've waived interest on all student loans held by federal government agencies, and that will be until further notice," President Trump announced.

A Department of Education spokesperson said that under the new policy, any borrower with a federal loan -- including those in income-driven repayment and in forbearance -- will have interest waived until the temporary policy ends.