Trump's National Security Adviser Tests Positive for COVID-19
- fionacsweet
- Jul 27, 2020
- 2 min read
Robert O'Brien, President Trump's national security adviser, has tested positive for coronavirus. His diagnosis marks the highest ranking Trump administration official to have gotten the virus. It is unclear the last time that him and Trump hung out, but their last public appearance together was over two weeks ago during a visit to US Southern Command in Miami on July 10.
O'Brien is experiencing mild symptoms and is "self-isolating and working from a secure location off site," according to an unnamed statement to the press from the White House. Interestingly enough, that statement confirmed O'Brien's positive test results before his staff was informed. Several of his staff told CNN that they had not been informed that O'Brien had tested positive and had learned through media reports. I'm concerned that this points towards the White House not briefing their staff about coronavirus updates. It is especially pertinent that his staff get checked because I would assume he is around them the most.
O'Brien had recently returned from a trip to Europe, where he met with officials from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy. Pictures released on this trip showed O'Brien neither practicing social distancing nor wearing a mask. According to a source familiar with the story, O'Brien was last in the office on Thursday when he abruptly left the White House. A senior administration official confirmed that he is now working from home. The White House statement said there is "no risk of exposure to the President or the Vice President."
I really hope that the officials from Europe and O'Brien's staff are doing okay and stay well, and I hope that O'Brien makes a full recovery and hopefully uses this time to realize how serious the illness is and hopefully start taking it more seriously. Have a good Monday and keep staying safe!
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