Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump said Sunday that the federal government has activated US National Guard units for three of the states hardest hit by the novel coronavirus -- New York, California and Washington state. "And through (Federal Emergency Management Agency), the federal government will be funding 100% of the cost of deploying national guard units to carry out approved missions to stop the virus while those governors remain in command," the President said at a White House briefing. Trump described the federal government as a "backup" to the state leaders, underscoring the importance of keeping governors "in command." "We'll be following them and we hope they can do the job and I think they will. Trump said.

Source: CNN March 22, 2020 22:24 UTC