President Joe Biden has run into criticism for not having his mask on while being in the Lincoln Memorial during the night after signing his executive order mandating that masks be worn on federal property to stop the spread of covid.
“Having a mask on is not a partisan issue – it’s patriotic and it can save many lives. Which is why I finalized an executive order declaring a mask mandate for citizens on federal property. It’s time to wear a mask, people,” Biden said on Twitter.
Wearing masks isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a patriotic act that can save countless lives. That’s why I signed an executive order today issuing a mask mandate on federal property. It’s time to mask up, America.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 21, 2021
Conservatives quickly responded to Biden.
“Does President Biden’s new mask EO not apply to Biden himself? Because here he is with no mask at the Lincoln Memorial just moments after signing the mandate,” Charlie Kirk from Turning Point USA argued on Twitter.
Does Joe Biden’s new executive order mandating masks on federal property not apply to Joe Biden while he’s on federal property?
Because here he is at the Lincoln Memorial with no mask just hours after signing it.
🤔
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 21, 2021
“Biden enacted a mask mandate forcing people on federal grounds to wear masks. Here Biden is tonight walking at the Lincoln Memorial, which is of course federal grounds, with no mask,” Ryan Saavedra from The Daily Wire said on Twitter.
Biden signed a mask mandate requiring everyone who is on federal land to have to wear masks.
Here is Biden tonight at the Lincoln Memorial, which is on federal land, not wearing a mask: https://t.co/Q1T01mrq29
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 21, 2021
Biden’s EO, named the “100-day masking challenge,” will force social distancing and masks in all federal locations, including the grounds and buildings. Also included are airlines and other transit systems.
While a president may not force state officials to follow his EO, the order will push states to create their own rules. Which most have already done.
During his inauguration, President Biden warned that our “worst and most deadly” covid pandemic days could be ahead of us.
