Barr’s memo is directed, in large part, at restrictions that impact our rights under the First Amendment. He reminded states and localities that they have to be mindful when crafting temporary rules to fight COVID-19 and that “the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers.”
We have already seen lawsuits by church leaders who claim that local laws discriminate against them during the pandemic. Some of those lawsuits have been successful.
The attorney general, who is charged with enforcing federal civil rights laws, is reminding everyone, and local and state officials in particular, that “the Constitution also forbids, in certain circumstances, discrimination against disfavored speech and undue interference with the national economy.”
Barr reiterated that while the Justice Department will not “unduly interfere with the important efforts of state and local officials to protect the public,” the Constitution is “not suspended in times of crisis.”
ConservativeChick
Article URL : https://www.heritage.org/the-constitution/commentary/constitution-isnt-suspended-covid-19-attorney-general-barr-warns-public