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Trump's Critics Won't Forget His Previous Dismissals Of Coronavirus

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While President Trump has been taking the coronavirus pandemic more seriously recently, critics – including an Oregon Democratic Congressman - say his earlier nonchalance will cost him come Election Day. 

With social distancing and limits on public gatherings in place, Campaign 2020 will be greatly dialed back for everyone. But 4th District Representative Peter DeFazio says he’s not going to let the president gloss over past statements on coronavirus, including this remark in January.

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Novel coronavirus.

“We have it totally under control, it’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control, it’s gonna be just fine,” Trump told a CNBC reporter, then.

"I’m not going to let anybody forget once the pandemic has passed, that this guy made fun of it, encouraged people to go to work sick, and a whole host of other things that did not help us,” DeFazio tells KLCC.

Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
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Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR)

He adds that the president called coronavirus a "hoax" perpetuated by the media and Democrats during rallies.

DeFazio says Congress should mandate that all states use mailed-in paper ballots to ensure safety and credibility to November’s elections.

Copyright 2020, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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