Members-Only Article

As The Trump Admin Prepares For A COVID Vaccine, It’s Reinventing The Wheel

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: U.S. President Donald Trump, with HHS Secretary Alex Azar, arrives to sign a bipartisan $8 billion funding bill at the White House to combat the coronavirus outbreak March 6, 2020 in Washin... WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 06: U.S. President Donald Trump, with HHS Secretary Alex Azar, arrives to sign a bipartisan $8 billion funding bill at the White House to combat the coronavirus outbreak March 6, 2020 in Washington, DC. Earlier today the World Health Organization urged governments around the world to unleash their full power to combat the spread of the virus. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) MORE LESS

August 5, 2020 4:42 p.m.

Contrary to what the President and his advisors may think, the United States had a government before January 2017.

And yet, to the extent that the Trump administration is involved at all in the response to COVID-19, it keeps trying to reinvent the wheel, delivering new and occasionally bizarre strategies for managing various elements of the response.

Take the decision to have the Pentagon oversee vaccine distribution.

This is a members-only article

Small Team. Big Results.

We’re proud of what our small newsroom has accomplished and it’s not hyperbole when we say that without our members, none of this would be possible.

Become a TPM Member

Free memberships available for students and those experiencing financial hardship.

Already a member? SIGN IN