Kushner: Not aware of any ‘discussions’ about changing November election date

President Trump’s son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner in an interview published Tuesday said that he could not “commit” to the general election happening on its scheduled date of Nov. 3, but added he was not involved in nor aware of any “discussions” about plans to change the voting date. 

“It’s not my decision to make, so I’m not sure I can commit one way or the other. But right now that’s the plan,” Kushner told Time magazine about moving forward with the Nov. 3 date.

In the same interview, he also discussed reopening the country following the coronavirus pandemic, acknowledging there is a “risk” to moving too quickly while pointing to the devastating economic consequences of the outbreak.

Kushner later issued a clarification to his election date comments after widespread reactions on social media: “I have not been involved in, nor am I aware of, any discussions about trying to change the date of the presidential election.”

Neither the White House adviser nor Trump has the authority to postpone Election Day, which under a federal statute is to be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. His comments led to criticism by some who suggested he was unaware of the statute. 

“Kushner’s statement reveals amazing ignorance of the Constitution and law,” conservative commentator and frequent Trump administration critic Bill Kristol tweeted. “It reveals startling arrogance in taking for granted he gets to have some say about when the election is held. It also reveals an utter lack of understanding of his very subordinate role in our democracy.” 

Kushner’s statement reveals amazing ignorance of the Constitution and law. It reveals startling arrogance in taking for granted he gets to have some say about when the election is held. It also reveals an utter lack of understanding of his very subordinate role in our democracy. https://t.co/3omqhZYNsM

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) May 13, 2020