AG Barr has taken an interest in the possibility that states may be violating their citizens’ rights with Stay-At-Home orders. And it is more than just a passing interest. On Monday Barr ordered federal prosecutors across the U.S. to identify coronavirus-related restrictions from state and local governments that may exceed constitutional bounds. Interestingly enough, along with the head of the Civil Rights Division, he assigned the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan to coordinate these efforts. Governor Whitmer of Michigan has been one of the most dictatorial ones in restricting her citizens’ rights of speech and association. Was Barr sending a message?
Barr noted,
“If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID-19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections, the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court.”
Two weeks ago the DOJ filed a statement of interest in a case in Greenville, Mississippi. The local mayor tried to stop religious services being broadcast to church members who were parked in their cars in the parking lot. Each person present was issued a $500 citation. This was despite the fact that the service was following all CDC and state recommendations for social distancing. This was a clear infringement of the First Amendment. The mayor backed down and voided the citations.
There have been more and more cases where wannabe tyrants have been exceeding their authorities. Barr noted that the Constitution also forbids in certain circumstances, discrimination against disfavored speech and undue interference with the national economy. Barr said,
“The Constitution is not suspended in times of crisis.”
It is good to know that Attorney General Barr is stepping up to stop arbitrary diktats that increase government power and control.
This comes as more and more evidence surfaces that the “experts” have been wrong over and over again regarding this disease. The vast majority of people have no or mild symptoms. Those who display mild symptoms recover in a week or two. Some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, are more vulnerable. This is similar to the effects of the flu.
It is time to get the country back to work. Barr noted that America must find a way to allow business to adapt and re-open. I agree.