Thread by @jennfranconews

#HappeningNow: President Trump begins today's coronavirus press briefing speaking about Hurricane Isaias, which is expected to hit the Carolinas tonight before traveling up the East Coast. (Thread)

#NEW: President Trump says nationwide COVID-19 cases are dropping, but urges Americans to continue to be careful:

Says 18 states continue to have low positivity rates

"We must focus on new flare-ups." (Thread)

#NEW: President Trump says he's directing Agriculture Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Communications Commission to "form a task force to break down barriers to rural healthcare." (Thread)

#NEW: President Trump asked to clarify his tweet about Dr. Deborah Birx taking "bait" from Speaker Pelosi:

"I think we're doing very well, I told Dr. Birx ... she's a person I have a lot of respect for -- I think Nancy Pelosi has treated her badly." (Thread)

#NEW: President Trump on possibility of using his executive authority to stop evictions from public housing:

"I don't want people to be evicted... In many cases they go to big shelters with tremendous numbers of other people and the virus will spread."

(Thread)

#NEW: President Trump on calls for mail-in ballot election in Nov. amid pandemic:

"The mail-in ballots.. if you look at some of the small races...congressional race in NY... it should be very easy ... this was about 6 weeks ago and they have no clue what's going on." (Thread)

#NEW: President Trump says "we will be suing in Nevada," after state lawmakers passed a bill that would expand mail-in voting in the November election amid the coronavirus pandemic.