Thread by @kenvogel

NEW: Big-budget national groups including @FreedomWorks & @TPPatriots are helping to organize & drive turnout at protests against state/local coronavirus restrictions around the country.

Other national orgs are funding a legal assault on the restrictions. nytimes.com/2020/04/21/us/…

TRUMP allies are keeping their distance from coronavirus protests to avoid undermining their claim to being organic & local.

“It’s important that no one be under the impression that it’s sponsored or directed by national groups in DC," said @StephenMoore. nytimes.com/2020/04/21/us/…

STEPHEN MOORE, who sits on TRUMP's re-opening task force, helped plan a protest in Wisconsin.

He was invited to attended, but said he was leaning against it — not because of health risks — but because he didn't want to be seen as pulling the strings. nytimes.com/2020/04/21/us/…

TEA PARTY ECHOES: Some TRUMP allies predict coronavirus protests could energize the right like the tea party.
But there are differences:
▶️health & legal risks of protesting
▶️Republicans control DC & many targeted states
▶️the KOCH network is NOT on board nytimes.com/2020/04/21/us/…

NOTABLE: The KOCH network, which still has one of the top ground operations on the right, comes out AGAINST the coronavirus protests.

@AFPhq's CEO says “… what is the best way to get people back to work? We don’t see protests as the best way to do that." nytimes.com/2020/04/21/us/…