WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s hospital discharge and the president’s message to the American people dismissing the danger of COVID-19:

“I am heartened to hear President Trump is feeling better. I continue to hope he, the First Lady and all White House workers who’ve contracted the virus, including any residence staff, soon recover.

“That said, I am deeply troubled and angered by the reckless rhetoric promoted by the president today.

“To suggest that we shouldn’t be ‘afraid’ dishonors every single American who has lost someone to this pandemic. More than 210,000 lives have been tragically lost to COVID-19 – parents, children, husbands, wives, family and friends lost forever. Those families are devastated and the rest of us are indeed afraid of similar loss.”

“The president received the highest-quality care in the world and is feeling better. That does not mean we can disregard the gravity of this disease. Most people can’t fly via helicopter to a specially dedicated, state-of-the-art hospital suite, nor can they acquire multiple experimental drugs when things take a turn.

“I encourage San Diegans to trust the science that tells us to continue to be vigilant.”