Justice Department to Consider Legal Action Against Governors Over Coronavirus Restrictions

Attorney General William Barr said on Tuesday that the Justice Department will support taking legal action against governors who continue to impose social distancing guidelines after coronavirus cases begin to decline in their states. The American economy has changed significantly due to the restrictions imposed by the states in order to protect citizens from the dangers of the coronavirus, which prompted the announcement from the Justice Department. A number of states have announced plans to reopen their economies in order to help businesses begin operating once again.

The announcement by Attorney General Barr has been criticized by a number of officials as a political move to improve the economy despite significant health and safety concerns. Washington Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, accused President Trump of “fomenting rebellion” and “spewing dangerous, anti-democratic rhetoric” while others have called the move “weaponizing the DoJ”.

States risk starting a second wave of coronavirus infections by reopening businesses too quickly. By allowing people to interact instead of asking them to stay home, the risk of transmitting the coronavirus increases significantly. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned that a second wave of coronavirus infections could be far more deadly because it is likely to coincide with the start of flu season.

In order to improve the chances of thwarting a second wave of infections and quickly identify centers of coronavirus outbreaks, the Senate approved a $480 billion package today to help expand testing capabilities in the US and help hospitals financially.