Barr Says DOJ May Act Against Governors With Strict Virus Limits

[TomCADem]

Source: Bloomberg

The Justice Department will consider taking legal action against governors who continue to impose stringent rules for dealing with the coronavirus that infringe on constitutional rights once the crisis subsides in their states, Attorney General William Barr said.

Blunt means to deal with the pandemic, such as stay-at-home orders and directives shutting down businesses, are justified up to a point, Barr said in an interview Tuesday on “The Hugh Hewitt Show.” Eventually, though, states should move to more targeted measures, Barr said. He said he supports the approach laid out by President Donald Trump.

“We have to give businesses more freedom to operate in a way that’s reasonably safe,” Barr said. “To the extent that governors don’t and impinge on either civil rights or on the national commerce -- our common market that we have here -- then we’ll have to address that.”

Barr’s comments come as the Trump administration and states are struggling -- and at times fighting with each other -- over the best approach to deal with the crisis. Trump has stoked tensions with some Democratic governors who are dealing with protests against stringent social-distancing rules, even as his administration backs guidelines that call for states to open up gradually.

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-21/barr-says-doj-may-act-against-governors-with-strict-virus-limits

---

Barr is acting in concert with Trump to force States to end social distancing by May irrespective of casualties so that Trump can point to the artificially generated growth in employment while also blaming the resulting increase in deaths on Governors on the one hand while just denying them outright on the other.

David Frum pretty much called out this strategy in the Atlantic.

[Freethinker65]

1. Good luck with that.

You know Trump needs his properties, resorts, and golf courses open ASAP...and wealthy GOP/Trump donors want the same, especially if those with most exposure risk are the low wage low/no benefit expendable employees whose services the wealthy owners make most of their money off of.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Constitutional rights? YOU DO NOT HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO EXPOSE YOUR...

NEIGHBORS TO A FATAL DISEASE JUST SO YOU CAN HANG OUT AT THE BEACH OR A BAR!

Sorry to yell, but this is heading toward Bizzarro World.

[PatSeg]

12. My first reaction was

"You are all a bunch of murderers!" They know the risks, but are willing to let others take those risks. Pure evil.

[Roy Rolling]

47. My First Reaction Is

Why does this need to be asked and answered? So that Barr can throw his weight around and brag how tough he is?

Another new low for right wing propaganda media and Trump propagandists.

[DENVERPOPS]

58. We are already way into Bizzaro World

Look around you. All I can see is a mixture of Alice in Wonderland, and Twilight Zone.

They NEVER RUN OUT of doing all kinds of shit to screw us all.

Hey, I've got an idea, how about all of the U.S. Taxpayers don't send in their Income Taxes. Hell, the Uber Rich and Corporations don't, why should we????? I bet we could even get his 50 million followers in on doing that!!!!

Could you imagine 150-200 Million people refusing to pay taxes? Holy Shit.
Of course these RepubliCons would just keep borrowing money that our grandchildren's children have to pay. Most recently, they have straddled us with another 5 Trillion, what's not to keep on going.?????

[patphil]

3. By the time this gets to the courts, Trump and Barr will already be gone.

[mahina]

8. But would they still have standing?

And could we, in a class action counter-suit, or could the states he’s threatening, if he does it?

Anyone please chime in. This is really vile, threatening us like this.

Thanks OP.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

37. They'll take it straight to the SCOTUS.

It's Fat Donnie's favorite way to get his cases in front of his packed court.

BTW, how can Trump justify saying "The governors are completely responsible" and then turn his enforcer against them when they exercise their authority? Isn't this an impermissible use of the DOJ for political purposes? Doesn't he know he can be impeached more than once?

[DENVERPOPS]

66. Monopolizing the USSC to the right

was so critical to them for this operation.........

It was imperative that they get extreme right wing candidates Gorsuch and Kavanaugh onto the court.....by hook or by crook. Two of the most nepharious, corruptible individuals in all of America......

[George II]

4. So the hard work is up to the states, the "easy" work (opening the businesses) is the Federal govt..

THIS is the problem with this administration, they don't realize that we all, including them, are in this together.

trump said just days ago yadda yadda is a state responsibility. Which is it, morons?

[bluestarone]

5. Looks like Lots of people gonna die

Probably NOT ONE of the ones that NEED to die!

[TomCADem]

17. Chaos is the Goal. Generate Division

With Fox News egging on the Republican base to protest along with growing casualties this gives Trump and Barr excellent cover to suppress the vote while whipping up excitement with his base.

[gab13by13]

31. The goal is not to test,

reopening too soon doesn't matter to Trump as long as infected people and dead people aren't counted. This is why Trump flipped out over Maryland's governor getting 500,000 test kits from South Korea, Maryland's numbers are going to go up.

It's all about Trump, he needs to keep the "reported deaths" under 60,000-100,000.

[FirstLight]

50. *ding* !!!

The numbers are already skewed...when we hear 40K dead we should just add another 20K or so that were never tested or confirmed.

China did much the same, they would label cause of death as pneumonia or heart failure, etc...

[Mike 03]

6. Young lawyers should consider starting firms that specialize in nothing but

Coronavirus law. Because a blizzard of lawsuits is coming.

[rurallib]

45. you are so right

[tanyev]

7. And then they gonna go after all the individuals who continue to stay at home?

[machoneman]

14. Yes, and they actually have a multitude of ways to do this:

-stop SS payments to those who still work in retirement. Force them to go back to work or forfeit the SS side of their income.
-claw back (I'm not kidding!) their Paycheck Protection payments unless they return to work.
-stop any IRS tax refund not already paid.

There are even more draconian steps they can take btw.

[Thekaspervote]

9. Gov Cuomo and others have already addressed the issue of federal verses states rights

F..K barr

[Newest Reality]

10. Yeah...

Right. Civil rights. Sure. Barr is acting as an agent of El Presidente. He should not be there at all and he is also toxic to the separation of church and state as per his own speeches,

General Trump's Barr slut is on it and smearing the lipstick that the pig is wearing. It is still a pig, (my apologies to our porcine friends out there).

State's rights will be an issue here. However, causing commotion and riling them up is part of the Doncon plan, of course. None of this is without an ulterior motive of Conman & Co. None of it.

[BamaRefugee]

11. How about going after some guy, maybe a kind of orange guy, who REFUSES to facilitate testing??????

[underpants]

13. The Attorney General of the United States was on the Hugh Hewitt radio show

Let that sink in for a minute

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. Barr, go fly to Singapore to see what "once the crisis subsides" means. Exploding 2nd wave worse. nt

[bluestarone]

18. PROOF AGAIN of who BARR is!!

Days go by and these fuckers PROVE to us what they stand for!!

[DENVERPOPS]

67. Many of us didn't need any time to know

what would certainly happen if Barr got into power.

With the RepubliCON senators, the RepubliCON Trump President, Barr's DOJ and the RepubliCON supreme court judges now in place, it is check mate.....

It has been un-fathomable to watch it transform our Democracy on a daily basis.
Sadly, they are still picking up momentum and speed...........

[Traildogbob]

19. Somebody take care of that bloated toad

John Goodman, if your listening, we need you to handle this toad like you did the one in "Oh Brother. You will be greatly rewarded. Let me see, States Rights, Pro Life, Jesus, party of Law, party of Fiscal responsibility, party of morals, party of small gubment, anti socialists, i.e. Give $500 billion of our taxes to non tax paying billionaires without oversight, party for working class, party of first amendment (silence media), true Patriots (under Putin rule), treasonous shit rag of a flag, Pro Nazis, destroy democracy by destroying the vote. The Greed Over People Party seems confused and lost its way, and GOD sent their new leader to direct this path. All those 200 plus years of the God Bless America shit Meant exactly what? Prayers made...Prayers answered. MAGA! Grab yourself a pussy, God approves. (Not really ladies, stand your ground like Florida and shoot a MoFo)

[barbtries]

20. murderous bastard

fascist nazi motherfuckers.

[spudspud]

21. Meh, all hat, not cattle.

The governors can keep this tied up in the courts more than long enough so that Barr and the rest of the neo-Nazi crew have been voted out/dumped. When the Biden admin comes in, they'd drop the legal action. Barr and his cohorts would be subject to investigations and charges. Trump as well, and I'm certain he will face state charges, especially in NY.

[pecosbob]

22. If they somehow imdemnify corporations from liability and make people come back to work

it would be time for a nationwide general strike IMO.

I am still working (in retail) but I'm wondering if it's time to not go back in to work...everyday my chances of contracting Covid increase.

[Blasphemer]

23. Let the litigation begin...

I'm curious to see what this "states rights" Supreme Court would have to say. Trump/Barr don't want it to be made abundantly clear that the states with stay-out-home orders are better off overall than those without them. Once the bodies start dropping, Trump and Republican governors are toast. They want to drag everyone else down with them.

[gab13by13]

33. Trump doesn't care if people die,

as long as they are not counted. The whole scheme is not to test, to keep the numbers down so Trump can give virus rallies.

[blueinredohio]

24. Does that go for republican governors too, I wonder?

I want to see if DeSwine follows their orders or defies them. It will be interesting.

[northoftheborder]

25. Barr can't

force all the sensible people who choose to remain safe. Why would small businesses want to open if people still are staying home.

[KS Toronado]

26. When in the HELL

are we going to see our politicians insist on everyone wear a mask in public? Countries with the lowest infection rates per population require this. Want to get back to work and see all businesses open back up, then call/email all your politicians....city/state/national.

[wryter2000]

51. Welcome to DU

[bucolic_frolic]

27. Using the power of government to enforce open air self-annihilation

This is a .. .... civil right?

[geomon666]

28. Except you can't, you piece of shit

Are they trying to start another Civil War?

[nykym]

29. The big problem Mr. Barr

is that we put restrictions on businesses for a reason.
That is that they cannot be trusted to operate in a safe manner when profits are concerned.

[ElementaryPenguin]

30. F*ck you, Barr!!! He needs to hold a GIANT party at Mar Al Largo!! THAT would open the economy

"With a bang!"

Invite the rightwing superstars - Rush, Hannity, Moscow Mitch... and rich donors - and teams of their most faithful, Pro-Virus rally attendees - make a regular Trump rally!!

Invite as much of their adoring public as possible. No need to take any precautions whatsoever - the Fuhrer has already decided the date that the virus can be fully ignored!

[AllaN01Bear]

32. these jerks really want us dead .

[Vinca]

34. I guess this can be called the "right to die" initiative.

[mopinko]

35. was wondering when the other shoe would drop.

the least they will do is cut fed funds to states who dont obey.
wonder what they will do to peeps who wont go back? cut off their payments, fersher.

[CrispyQ]

36. They incorrectly assume that once they open everything up, people are going to flock to those places

I don't think so. I think the majority of us are more concerned about the health and well being of our family, friends, community, and ourselves. I'm not suddenly going to go to the movies or out to dinner just because the DOJ forces businesses back open. Bunch of dumb fucks, opening up now will just make shelter-in-place last longer.

[SWBTATTReg]

38. And what rights does the feds have in overriding state issues? They don't. If the state sanctions

don't extend to other jurisdictions etc., then what right does the fed have in intervening, especially in view of the fact that the feds don't have a national plan in place, being that idiot in charge TRUMP has failed at everything he touches.

And they can't force us to spend 1 thin dime. Not 1 red cent. If they want to play games, so be it. Just watch the economy go collapsing even further.

[ffr]

39. So be it. Then after tRump's out we'll haul his ass before a war crimes tribunal.

Lock his ass up and throw away the key.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

40. I hope he has a HUGE rally to celebrate.

Shake everyone's hand, Bozo.

[Python boot]

41. Internal DOJ memo

All due to an internal DOJ memo that says you can't arrest a sitting president? Oil industry is sucking wind because they are not cutting production until May 1 and they need us to get out there and start driving our cars to and fro again. Impeach the AG.

[Aristus]

42. Not the first time that I wished Constitutional rights were understood as collective,

rather than individual.

You know that asshole who revs his motorcycle as loudly as possible on Sunday mornings, just because he can? His argument is "It's a free country. I have a Constitutional right."

In Germany, for example, they don't put up with that shit. Your right to make all the noise you want is outweighed by the right of everyone else not to have to hear your stupid fucking motorcycle on Sunday mornings.

Germany has strict no-noise policies in effect in nearly every municipality in the country. From noon Saturday until Monday morning, you keep reasonably quiet, or you get fined.

That sort of thing will never happen here, unfortunately.

[bucolic_frolic]

43. GOP States' Rights Party coercion against States and citizens' health

Don't see how this stands up in court. Living is not a punishment. Except under Trump.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

44. Barr can take it and stick it up his oversized ass

[FirstLight]

46. ...excuuuuse me?

FUCK HIM!

I'm staying home regardless...and I live in CA...Newsom won't even fall for that shit.

GAH! fuckers!

[BlueIdaho]

48. We are going to need a Nuremberg like trial when this is all over. nt.

[RRDrummer]

49. Extremes won't work

OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!

We have to, at some point resume our lives with reasonable precautions. Keeping in mind the need to maintain health and safety along with the obvious imperative to get our economy going. Reckless behavior is no more acceptable then unsustainable shelter in place orders. Prepare to be reasonably cautious and realistic expectations will go further than hair on fire extremes from either perspective.

LET'S PARTAY AT THE BEACH!!!

[TomCADem]

53. We Are Far From the Extreme of Being Overly Protective

Even in California there is talk of how to wind down through June. Of course, if folks start winding down at the height of infections like Georhia this weekend that is insane. At that point, why even bother if you are just delaying the huge spike in deaths that will occur anyways.

[RRDrummer]

59. The problem I see

is the intersection of 2 crises. The punishing unemployment numbers can't be ignored. They represent devastated families and they can't 'hang' until June. I'm a west coaster and native Californian currently living in Vancouver, Washington. We shut down early and its helped. The Left Coast led the nation on proactive measures. I am thankful for that. I am financially solid for now. So I'm fine but we'll only get so far with the shelter in place orders because eventually the hardest hit will become desperate and that will lead to even worse outcomes. The oil market is an example of how deep this cuts. It's cratered, ya fuck oil companies, until you realize that they're just a visible indication of whats taking place across the board with rare exception. I'm betting we're 50,000,000 or more unemployed by the time most of the orders are lifted. Think about the hospitality/tourist/service industry - cruises, airlines, hotels, events, Vegas, concerts, movies, bars, restaurants and all manner of group related social aspects of our economy are beyond hosed. These are so many people's livelihoods, people of limited means to withstand this long term. My son's fiance is a waitress and her mom a lifelong flight attendant. They are terrified and desperate right now, June? Never gonna make it. Eventually nothing but income and survival will matter. Better to be controlled about this before it falls apart. Just my opinion of course. Easy for me as I'm GTG. For now.

[TomCADem]

60. Except You Can't Reason With The Virus...

...if you open too early and cause a second more severe spike, what do you do? For your sister who is a waitress have you helped her if the disease is running rampant, because most folks will not go out to restaurants if deaths start to spike up again.

So, you then end up with a longer more uncertain recession with the government saying suck it up and go back to work.

Historically, with the 1918 pandemic, cities that were more aggressive in imposing social distancing did better economically.

[RRDrummer]

63. It's a great choice

Would you like the shit sandwich or do you prefer the shit sandwich? There is no zero repercussions choice. Society at large will only play along for awhile. I'd prefer a controlled roll out over all manner of crazy ass shit. Your points are valid, as are mine. Striking the balance will be the trick and I'm confident we'll fuck it up.

[procon]

52. Trump only cares about getting Trump elected.

He will lie and kill people to increase his odds of winning. He can try to force states to stop protecting their populations business shutdowns, social distancing and stay home protocols, but will the people allow themselves to be meekly led to the slaughter?

[Initech]

65. This is all about those damn MAGA rallies.

This is exactly where this is headed. He knows he can't win if he can't stir up the MAGAs, and without that ability, he's got nothing. I called it last week and when the first one is booked I will say "CALLED IT!!".

[marble falls]

54. Does Barr have brain damage? He has to know this is an empty threat. Too bad his mutual ...

funds and Oil stocks have plunged. We all are making sacrifices and those with more need to sacrifice more. But I will not break quarantine to support his net worth.

[Ford_Prefect]

55. Governors have quite broad powers and responsibilties under the Constitution. Barr has to know it,

Leaving aside the hype about "State's Rights", Barr's threat is a fig leaf for actions he cannot take with any effect. Congress has some power to discipline the states but only by legislative action. Barr cannot by himself write or enact what Congress didn't authorize and neither can Trump.

[maxsolomon]

56. The Daddy Party vs the Mommy Party

The Daddy Party wants to take you to the Gun Range and the Cheesecake Factory.

The Mommy Party makes you eat your vegetables and do your homework.

Vote Daddy Party!

[beachbumbob]

57. good luck with that

[riversedge]

62. Barr is using the old saying--Is the cure worse than the disease?.................

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-21/barr-says-doj-may-act-against-governors-with-strict-virus-limits


.....................Pressuring Barr

Conservative groups and activists have been ramping up pressure for the Trump administration -- and Barr in particular -- to act against governors taking a hard line.

Alleging “rampant abuses of constitutional rights and civil liberties,” a group led by former Attorney General Ed Meese wrote Barr this week urging him “to undertake immediate review of all the orders that have been issued by the states and local governments across the nation.”

In Tuesday’s radio interview, Barr said “these are very, very burdensome impingements on liberty. And we adopted them, we have to remember, for the limited purpose of slowing down the spread, that is bending the curve. We didn’t adopt them as the comprehensive way of dealing with this disease.”

“You can’t just keep on feeding the patient chemotherapy and say well, we’re killing the cancer, because we were getting to the point where we’re killing the patient,” Barr said. “And now is the time that we have to start looking ahead and adjusting to more targeted therapies.”

[Initech]

64. God these people are out of their fucking minds.