Patrick Chewing
10-05-2020, 02:29 PM
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/michigan-ag-says-she-will-not-enforce-gov-whitmers-executive-orders-concerning-the-coronavirus
The Democratic attorney general of Michigan will not enforce Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's executive orders regarding the coronavirus following a state Supreme Court ruling.
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled late last week that Whitmer can not extend emergency orders under two laws passed in 1976 and 1945.
"Accordingly, the executive orders issued by the Governor in response to the COVID-19 pandemic now lack any basis under Michigan law," the ruling read.
Whitmer’s office argued that the emergency orders will remain in place for 21 days following the ruling, the amount of time a party has to ask for a case to be reconsidered, according to the Detroit News.
However, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office said over the weekend that it will not enforce the governor’s orders by criminal prosecution.
The office added that it hopes Michiganders will follow coronavirus advisements, and lauded Whitmer for saving lives in the state.
“If it weren’t for the governor’s actions, countless more of our friends, family and neighbors would have been lost to COVID-19,” the statement said. “We can respect both the court’s decision and the advice of medical experts by continuing with these important measures voluntarily.”
Michigan became a hotbed of controversy earlier this year because of Whitmer’s extended stay-at-home orders. Protests to reopen formed in Lansing in the spring, including one protest in which people carrying rifles and other long guns gathered in the House chamber and shouted at legislators.
In April, thousands of protesters flooded the state's capital in their cars while flying "Trump 2020" and American flags to protest coronavirus-focused restrictions they said are excessive.
The Democratic attorney general of Michigan will not enforce Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's executive orders regarding the coronavirus following a state Supreme Court ruling.
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled late last week that Whitmer can not extend emergency orders under two laws passed in 1976 and 1945.
"Accordingly, the executive orders issued by the Governor in response to the COVID-19 pandemic now lack any basis under Michigan law," the ruling read.
Whitmer’s office argued that the emergency orders will remain in place for 21 days following the ruling, the amount of time a party has to ask for a case to be reconsidered, according to the Detroit News.
However, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office said over the weekend that it will not enforce the governor’s orders by criminal prosecution.
The office added that it hopes Michiganders will follow coronavirus advisements, and lauded Whitmer for saving lives in the state.
“If it weren’t for the governor’s actions, countless more of our friends, family and neighbors would have been lost to COVID-19,” the statement said. “We can respect both the court’s decision and the advice of medical experts by continuing with these important measures voluntarily.”
Michigan became a hotbed of controversy earlier this year because of Whitmer’s extended stay-at-home orders. Protests to reopen formed in Lansing in the spring, including one protest in which people carrying rifles and other long guns gathered in the House chamber and shouted at legislators.
In April, thousands of protesters flooded the state's capital in their cars while flying "Trump 2020" and American flags to protest coronavirus-focused restrictions they said are excessive.