(ConservativeStar.com) – From protests outside her home to claims of favoritism for allowing marijuana dispensaries to open while denying churches, Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) has faced much scrutiny. Her own House and Senate have aimed a lawsuit in her direction — and theirs isn’t the only one.
On May 6th, Republican members of the Michigan House and Senate filed a lawsuit against Whitmer after she extended the state of emergency declaration. Under the Emergency Management Act of 1976 she invoked, the governor can only declare a state of emergency for 28 days. After that, it’s up to the legislature to grant her request for an extension — a request that was recently denied.
Lawmakers requested a speedy trial, but expect the case to head to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, some citizens and business owners in Michigan are ignoring the governor’s order, saying it violates their constitutional rights.
Beyond Michigan
Michigan isn’t the only state facing lawsuits, however. California, Ohio and Maine citizens have had enough, too. As shutdown orders linger on and some run into the summer months, residents are beginning to consider their leaders in violation of liberties set forth by both the US and their own state constitutions. Many are looking to the overturning of Wisconsin’s stay-at-home order as a sign of what others might accomplish.
These lawsuits tend to focus on Democrat leaders — only two Republicans faced opposition. They, in response to the lawsuits and voices of the people, amended their decisions to reopen.
White House Responds
It would appear both the Justice Department and President Trump are siding with the people. Attorney General William Barr has expressed the Justice Department will be watching to make sure civil liberties aren’t violated. President Trump even urged governors not to be too tough and sent out a Tweet encouraging states to free themselves, including Michigan.
As more people struggle to make ends meet, watch the businesses they dedicated their lives to fall into ruin, and face the daily frustrations of limited freedom, more lawsuits are likely to follow. The question is whether the leaders of the states will act on them or fight them to the end.
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