WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced that he plans to invoke the Defense Production Act “just in case we need it” as the country continues to enact efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump, now describing himself as a “wartime president,” said the act could be used as the government bolsters resources for an expected surge in cases of the virus.
The wartime legislation enacted in 1950 gives the president a broad set of authorities to shape the domestic industrial base so that it is capable of providing essential materials and goods needed in a national security crisis.
The law allows the president to require businesses and corporations to prioritize and accept contracts for required materials and