Fauci’s decision to forgo Washington’s biggest night came hours after VP KAMALA HARRIS tested positive for the coronavirus and press secretary JEN PSAKI announced that the president still intends to attend the dinner. “[J]ust like many Americans, he makes risk assessments,” Psaki told reporters. “It’s possible the president could test positive.”
The view inside the White House is pretty simple: They feel like they have the tools necessary to keep Biden safe. Covid-19 isn’t over, but they’ve clearly calculated that if the administration is telling the American people that we’re turning a corner, Biden’s behavior should reflect that.
That helps explain why Biden’s public schedule is so busy these next few days. Today, he plans to attend the funeral for former Secretary of State MADELEINE ALBRIGHT. (Sources tell Playbook that her family has asked all attendees to wear masks.) On Saturday, he has the WHCD, which is currently clocking in at 2,620 attendees. And Sunday, he’s headed to Minnesota for the memorial service for former VP WALTER MONDALE. All three gatherings are indoors.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member