President Donald Trump claimed Monday morning that he has the absolute power to decide when to “open up the states” and accused the “Fake News Media” of purposely creating “conflict and confusion” by reporting that it’s up to the governors to lift the “stay-at-home” orders.
“It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons. With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the Governors, and this will continue. A decision by me, in conjunction with the Governors and input from others, will be made shortly!” Trump tweeted.
However, legal experts and lawmakers disagree with Trump’s claim.
While the president can issue federal regulations to prevent the spread of diseases, he doesn’t have the authority to reverse public health restrictions put in place at state or local levels, the experts said.
Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) was among several lawmakers who responded to Trump’s tweet, calling it “flat-out wrong.”
“President Trump is flat-out wrong,” Amash tweeted Monday, in response to Trump’s tweet.
“The president has no authority to ‘close down’ or ‘open up’ the states. He’s the one creating conflict and confusion,” Amash, a former Republican who announced last summer that he would be leaving his party after coming out in support of an impeachment inquiry against Trump, said.
“Put down the authoritarianism and read the Constitution,” he added.
President Trump is flat-out wrong. The president has no authority to “close down” or “open up” the states. He’s the one creating conflict and confusion. Put down the authoritarianism and read the Constitution. https://t.co/3AFqRx7YTX
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) April 13, 2020
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that some states could possibly begin rolling back restrictions beginning next month, but warned that the measures need to be gradual and will differ by region.
