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TX Gov Abbott Visits President Trump, Defends Relaxing Order

Courtesy: White House Press Pool Video

GOV ABBOTT VISITS TRUMP — President Donald Trump praised another Republican governor for rolling back state coronavirus restrictions despite failing to meet the administration's recommended benchmarks as he welcomed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to the White House on Thursday. 

“Texas is opening up and a lot of places are opening up. And we want to do it, and I'm not sure that we even have a choice. I think we have to do it. You know, this country can't stay closed and locked down for years.”                                         

Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Abbott touted the state's ability to reopen while still responding to flare-ups in certain places. He also promoted the action he took hours earlier that prevents Texas business owners  from  being jailed for violating his executive orders by reopening too soon.

"They are suddenly subject to arrest, that is wrong, and that is why I issued another executive order today saying that in the state of Texas, no one can be put behind bars because they're not following an executive order." 

Credit Courtesy: KDFW News-Dallas
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Courtesy: KDFW News-Dallas
DEFYING THE JUDGE - Shelly Luther was jailed for both criminal and civil contempt after opening her Dallas salon against Governor Greg Abbott's executive order.

That decision was prompted by the case of Shelley Luther, a Dallas hair salon owner who was jailed earlier this week for illegally reopening her business. She was freed as Abbott was at the White House.

Abbott’s visit comes as he faces mounting pressure back home to reboot the Texas economy at a faster pace, even as COVID-19 cases in his state are on the rise. Texas Restaurants and retailers in  have been allowed to resume limited service and hair salons and barber shops will be allowed to reopen Friday.     

      

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.