GOP governors face local mask rebellions: The Note

Many GOP governors broadly agree that federal leaders shouldn't tell states what they should be doing. But some are asserting authority to overrule local school officials

The TAKE with Rick Klein Last spring saw then-President Donald Trump threaten state and local officials as part of a COVID reopening debate that was sadly premature. This summer has seen pro-Trump Republican governors threaten local officials and private entities in a debate over masks and mandates that remains sadly relevant. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are now both warring with officials in their own states about whether school districts should be able to require mask-wearing, amid case spikes in their states and concern about COVID's spread among unvaccinated children.