Cuomo says he will sue Trump over vaccine distribution if needed

'I'm not going to allow New Yorkers to be bullied or abused,' said Gov. Cuomo at a Manhattan church.

Nov 16, 2020

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he will consider suing the administration of outgoing President Donald Trump if the process to distribute a coronavirus vaccine is not accessible for all Americans.

“I tell you today, if the Trump administration does not change this plan and does not provide an equitable vaccine process … we will bring legal action to protect New Yorkers,’’ the governor said while speaking at a Sunday morning service at Riverside Church in Morningside Heights in Manhattan.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks at a Sept. news conference in New York City, at which he criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in America. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

“I’m not going to allow New Yorkers to be bullied or abused,’’ said Cuomo.

The escalation between the two began after Trump said in a speech in the Rose Garden of the White House Friday that the COVID-19 vaccine would be available to the entire general population as early as April, “with the exception of places like New York state where, for political reasons, the governor … wants to take his time.”

Cuomo immediately appeared on several networks, where he softened his opposition to the White House rollout of the vaccine, which he originally viewed as “flawed.” He sought to have a second “review” by his own state experts.

In an interview Friday night, Cuomo said, “As soon as Trump delivers me a dose, I will be ready to administer it.”

Saturday, Trump tweeted, “I LOVE NEW YORK! As everyone knows, the Trump Administration has produced a great and safe VACCINE far ahead of schedule. Another Administration would have taken five years. The problem is, @NYGovCuomo said that he will delay using it, and other states WANT IT NOW…”

He continued: “We cannot waste time and can only give to those states that will use the Vaccine immediately. Therefore the New York delay. Many lives to be saved, but we are ready when they are. Stop playing politics!”

From the church podium Sunday, Cuomo had his say.

“President Trump must learn the lesson: Stop the abuse. Stop the division,” the governor intoned. “Stop the anger. Stop the hatred. Stop the narcissism. And spend your last months trying to help people and repair the damage you have done.”

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