Northam has been put on notice that there are questions re: his authority to declare this particular emergency.
"Virginia General Assembly
January 16, 2020
The Honorable Ralph S. Northam
1111 E Broad St
Richmond VA 23219 VIA EMAIL
Dear Governor Northam: We respectfully write to you today regarding your Executive Order of Wednesday, January 15, 2020, declaring a State of Emergency on and around Capitol Square. Chapter 44-146.15 of the Code of Virginia states that the Governor does not have the “authority to in any way limit the right of the people to keep and bear arms…except to the extent necessary to ensure public safety…in any place or facility used… as an emergency shelter or for the purpose of sheltering persons.”Law enforcement officials have indicated they have identified “credible” threats against the events scheduled for Monday, January 20, and you have stated these as justification for your declaration. While the safety of those on Capitol Square is paramount, the restrictions you have enacted place significant burdens on the First and Second Amendment rights of Virginians. We have concerns about your authority for declaring this emergency.
We, as members of the General Assembly, have received none of the information you have referenced to justify these restrictions. As such, we request that your office conduct a secure briefing on the threats identified by the Virginia Fusion Center and the Unified Command for the leadership of the General Assembly at the earliest possible time."
So the threat assessment was determined by the Virginia Fusion Center. What exactly is that? A 'cooperative' group sharing threat information. However, some of the same groups helping to make the assessment will likely be engaged in being called in to enforce the 'emergency'. Seems rather - circular. "We" say there is a threat and then 'we' call each other up to put down the threat.
https://virginiahouse.gop/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2020/01/20200116-VHRC-VSRC-Letter-to-Governor.pdf
https://www.vsp.virginia.gov/FusionCenter/