WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump on Wednesday invoked a Korean War-era law as part of his response to the coronavirus pandemic, aiming to boost private industry production of supplies needed for the health crisis.
The Defense Production Act of 1950 was signed by President Harry S. Truman amid concerns about supplies and equipment during that war.
It's been invoked multiple times since then to help the federal government for a range of emergencies including war, hurricanes and terrorism prevention.
Trump, referring to himself as a “wartime president,” said he would use the law's powers “in case we need it” as the country braces for an expected surge in the number of coronavirus cases and a strain on resources.