Friend,

I want you to know that although things are difficult, there is light at the end of the tunnel. One day this coronavirus pandemic will end, and we're taking hard measures now to ensure we get there.

But this pandemic has made crystal clear what we've known for some time: We have a serious crisis of leadership in the Trump administration – and the president has continued to make a bad situation much worse.

During the impeachment trial, I said: Habitual offenders don't sneak up on you or shock you. They telegraph their intentions. And during this very tragic crisis we're in the middle of, the president has repeatedly downplayed the threat of the coronavirus, sidelined medical experts and insulted state leaders who are trying to get their health care workers and constituents the resources they need.

The bottom line is that in the absence of good leadership, bad things happen because good things don't happen quickly enough. 

We can do this, friend. We can save lives and prevent the worst of this pandemic if we make smart, strategic decisions. But so far, we haven't seen that from President Trump. That's why I'm so thankful for our Democratic leadership that has pushed back and fought hard for emergency relief to working families and those local businesses hardest hit by this pandemic. 

I want you to know that I'm fighting for the people of Florida's 10th District – and Democrats are working for families and making sure this administration is held to account for keeping all Americans as safe and secure as possible during this time of crisis. 

Stay safe and healthy, friend. 

Congresswoman Val Demings