While the coronavirus has upended life in the United States, the partisan gap in responding to the virus is not only concerning, but looking back, peculiar, given the time frame. Against the backdrop of countless biased news stories, the unfolding of the events surrounding the coronavirus and the impeachment hearings of President Donald Trump tell a divisive story of disparities between the two major political parties. (See a comparison of party platforms HERE.)
Recently, the panel from the VICTORY Channel™ America Stands program discussed this timeline of events, noting marked differences in how the coronavirus was handled by both major political parties. The two differing responses, in turn, stand to highlight the greater differences in each party’s approach to serving the American public.
Watch the America Stands team break down the Coronavirus-Impeachment timeline in the Aug. 20, 2020 episode here (fast forward to 1:38:40) HERE.
The following is the timeline of events in the coronavirus-impeachment timeline:
- Dec. 30 – The WorldHealth Organization discovers an unknown virus with pneumonia-like symptoms, first observed in the Wuhan province of China.
- Jan. 7 – The coronavirus is first identified.
- Jan. 11 – Chinese state media reports the first known death from an illness originating in the Wuhan market.
- Jan. 15 – Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) holds a vote to send articles of impeachment to the Senate. Pelosi and House Democrats celebrate the occasion with a signing ceremony, using commemorative pens.
- Jan. 21 – The first person with the coronavirus arrives in the U.S. from China.
- Jan. 23 – The House impeachment managers make their opening arguments for removing President Trump.
- Jan. 23 – China closes the city of Wuhan completely, to slow the spread of the coronavirus to the rest of China.
- Jan. 30 – Questioning begins in the president’s impeachment trial.
- Jan. 30 – The World Health Organization declares a global health emergency as the coronavirus continues to spread.
- Jan. 31 – The Senate holds a vote on whether to allow further witnesses and documents in the impeachment trial.
- Jan. 31 – President Trump declares a national health emergency and imposes a ban on travel to and from China. Former Vice President Joe Biden calls President Trump’s decision “hysterical, xenophobia and fearmongering.”
- Feb. 2 – The first death from the coronavirus outside of China is reported in the Philippines. President Trump orders a temporary travel ban for all non-U.S. citizens who recently visited China.
- Feb. 3 – House impeachment managers begin closing arguments, calling President Trump a threat to national security.
- Feb. 4 – President Trump addresses the coronavirus in his State of the Union address; Pelosi rips up every page of the State of the Union address.
- Feb. 5 – The Senate votes to acquit President Trump on both articles of impeachment, 52-48 and 53-47.
- Feb. 5 – House Democrats finally take up the issue of the coronavirus in the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia.
What is notable about the above timeline is that for 20-plus days following the first coronavirus-related death, Democrat leaders did nothing in response. So consumed with the impeachment trial, one Nancy Pelosi delayed unnecessarily for several weeks, they failed to consider the welfare of the American people.
To the extent that they commented on the coronavirus at all, it was only to tear up the president’s remarks on the pandemic or to call him a racist. They told the nation that he, not the coronavirus, was a threat to the national security of the United States and that the president’s precautions were “hysterical” and “fearmongering.” Yet, today, candidate Joe Biden, as well as Nancy Pelosi, continually criticize President Trump’s handling of the pandemic.
As we approach this critical upcoming election, it is pertinent that we analyze recent events through a lens unadulterated by news media biases and public opinion. May we be led by the Spirit into all truth and unite together as believers in prayer AND in the voting booth. Be sure you REGISTER TO VOTE, and cast your vote for biblical values in the 2020 election!
We here at American Stands will continue to keep you apprised of the latest news and political analysis—all in a spirit of faith. We are covering the 2020 election results in several upcoming broadcasts that you can watch on VICTORY Channel.
For a full schedule of America Stands broadcasts and ways to watch, visit us HERE.