the latest azz-covering play has Trumpists blaming impeachment for Trump's lack of early action on the COVID-19 outbreak... blaming Democrats; in particular targeting Speaker Pelosi for 'interfering with Dear Leader's ability to react' - anything to deflect away from Trump's incompetence, dithering and outright refusal to listen to those experts who informed early in late December/early January!
U.S. Senate Majority leader Turtle McConnell had one of the more indirect 'nuanced' statements:
And it came up while we were tied down on the impeachment trial. And I think it diverted the attention of the government, because everything every day was all about impeachment.
somehow, through all that claimed impeachment deflecting period:
- Trump held multi-state rallies on Jan 9, Jan 14, Jan 28, Jan 30, Feb 10, Feb 19, Feb 20, Feb 21, Feb 28
- Trump golfed on Jan 18, Jan 19, Feb 1, Feb 15, Mar 7, Mar 8
- Trump attended large gatherings at his "Winter White House Mar-a-Lago" March 6-March 8: RNC fundraising event; "a working dinner" with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and a birthday party for Junior's girlfriend