Trump signs executive order to extend pandemic relief effort

With talks for a new coronavirus stimulus package stalled, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a package of stimulus measures that he will seek to implement unilaterally by executive action.

“This pretty much takes care of the whole situation,” Trump said before exiting the contentious event.

“We’re coming back very strong,” he added. “We’re doing great with the virus.”

Trump moved to extend scaled-down emergency unemployment benefits and an eviction ban, along with relaxing rules for repaying college loans.

He reduced the extended unemployment benefit to $400 (U.S.), instead of the previous $600, and ordered states to foot 25 per cent of the bill. He also moved to suspend payroll taxes for those making $100,000 per year or less.

He pointedly did not propose sending a new round of $1,200 cheques to all American taxpayers, perhaps the most popular coronavirus stimulus measure.

Before actually signing the measures, Trump went into a rambling campaignstyle speech against Democratic rival Joe Biden and his allies.

He slammed Democrats for proposing billions in aid to hard-pressed states and cities, along with what he derided as a wish list of liberal spending.

“They want to bail out states that have been very badly managed for years, if not decades,” Trump said. “It has nothing to do with the China virus at all.”

He also railed against Democratic proposals to give billions in aid to states to hold elections during the crisis, when millions more want to vote by mail.

“They want to steal the election,” Trump said. “That’s all this is about.”

He signed the measures after summoning reporters to a rare Saturday press conference at his golf resort in Bedminster, N.J. The room was packed with members of Trump’s club, and supporters cheered the president and jeered at reporters.