Horrified Walter Reed Attending Physician Slams Trump's Drive-By Risk To Secret Service
An attending physician at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center blasted the “astounding irresponsibility” of President Donald Trump, saying he put the lives of Secret Service agents at risk to wave atto his fans from his motorcade on Sunday.
Trump made a spur-of-the-moment decision to briefly leave the hospital where he was being treated for COVID-19 to do a “surprise” drive-by in the presidential SUV to wave to supporters — whom he called “great patriots” — gathered outside.
“Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days,” Dr. James Phillips tweeted.
Two Secret Service agents could be seen inside the presidential SUV with Trump. All three wore masks.
“They might get sick. They may die. For political theater. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity,” Phillips said of the agents accompanying Trump.
Phillips — the head of Disaster and Operational Medicine in the Emergency Medicine Department of the George Washington University School of Medicine — noted that the SUV is hermetically sealed to protect against chemical attacks.
“The risk of COVID-19 transmission inside is as high as it gets,” other than during medical procedures, he added.
Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential “drive-by” just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die. For political theater. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity.
— Dr. James P. Phillips, MD (@DrPhillipsMD) October 4, 2020
That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of COVID19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play.
— Dr. James P. Phillips, MD (@DrPhillipsMD) October 4, 2020
The White House confirmed that the trip was a “last-minute” decision. Reporters weren’t told it was happening.
“President Trump took a short, last-minute motorcade ride to wave to his supporters outside and has now returned to the Presidential Suite inside Walter Reed,” deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement.
The president tweeted a video message about his “surprise,” and insisted that he had “learned a lot about COVID,” adding: “I get it.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 4, 2020
His motorcade photo-op was also harshly criticized by the White House Correspondents Association, which called for transparency amid a medical crisis threatening the president.
“It is outrageous for the president to have left the hospital — even briefly — amid a health crisis without a protective pool present to ensure that the American people know where their president is and how he is doing,” association President Zeke Miller said in a statement.
“Now more than ever, the American public deserves independent coverage of the president so they can be reliably informed about his health.”
Trump has run a high fever and his oxygen levels have dropped twice while battling the coronavirus, White House Dr. Sean Conley revealed Sunday. “He’s not out of the woods,” Conley warned.
Trump drives by the press and supporters outside Walter Reed hospital. pic.twitter.com/3phtKthqTH
— Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) October 4, 2020
Other observers were also stunned that Trump put Secret Service agents’ lives at risk for a stunt.
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Why is a sick President riding in an SUV waving to supporters outside Walter Reed, jeopardizing the Secret Service agents inside the car with him?
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) October 4, 2020
Trump risked the lives of the Secret Service personnel who were in the drive-by SUV with him. Lives risked for a publicity stunt. They will need to quarantine for 14 days, doctors say.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 4, 2020
Will no high ranking official in this administration resign in protest to focus public attention on Trump’s lunacy? Secret Service Dir. Murray started as an agent & ran the Washington Field Office before becoming Director. He owes his people better leadership than this. https://t.co/6H1DA7R5Jt
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) October 4, 2020
The Trump stunt of driving out of the hospital is so reminiscent of the Lafayette Park stunt with Bible. Recklessly endangering others for a narcissistic photo op. Think of the endangered Secret Service agents in the car with him putting their lives on the line for a photo op!
— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) October 4, 2020
The secret service being put in danger for no reason at all. https://t.co/4BsCFUH1zF
— Sara Sidner (@sarasidnerCNN) October 4, 2020
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.