President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that Pence's spokeswoman, Katie Miller, had tested positive for the virus, a day after news that Trump’s personal valet also had tested positive. Trump said he himself had not been in contact with the spokeswoman, who is married to White House senior advisoe Stephen Miller, but that she had spent time with the vice president.The Tweet followed earlier reports that the Trump administration had no plans to keep Trump and Pence apart, according to a person familiar with the matter. The New York Times first reported the lack of plans to keep Trump and Pence separated despite concern they both could be incapacitated by the disease, citing two senior administration officials.Both Trump and Pence have drawn criticism for not donning face coverings despite a recommendation from the US Centers for Disease Control to do so in certain public settings.Trump himself has said he would not wear a mask and has not publicly worn one to any of his events amid the pandemic, but told reporters last week he tried some on behind the scenes during his visit to a Honeywell International Inc face mask factory in Arizona.White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany sought on Friday to defend administration efforts to protect Trump and Pence, pointing to new measures taken by the White House including contact tracing and putting in place all guidelines recommended for essential workers. The White House has also instituted daily coronavirus tests for Trump and Pence.Anthony Fauci, a high-profile member of the White House coronavirus response team, Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn, were in self-quarantine on Saturday after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for the disease.If Republicans Trump and Pence were both to become incapacitated, Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi would assume presidential duties under US law.BREAKING scoop: Vice President Mike Pence is self-isolating away from the White House after an aide was diagnosed with coronavirus on Friday, per several people familiar with the situation. Pence has repeatedly tested negative for Covid-19, including today, I’m told.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 10, 2020
Pence spokesman quashes rumors vice president is self-isolating
If Republicans Trump and Pence were both to become incapacitated, Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi would assume presidential duties under US law.
