The Justice Department has expressed support for businesses that are challenging Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s pandemic measures, arguing that many of the orders could violate the constitution.
The department filed a statement of interest on Friday in a lawsuit filed by a number of businesses who are alleging Whitmer’s executive orders might be violating the Commerce Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The suit was brought by several businesses including a real estate brokerage, a lawn and property maintenance company, an automotive glass exporter, an engine oil and auto parts distributor, a small jewelry store, a dental office, and an association of car washes.
Whitmer’s executive orders contain “arbitrary and irrational limits” that are discriminating against some businesses by treating them differently to other comparable businesses, the DOJ argued in its brief.
“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor of Michigan has, over the past two months, issued over 100 executive orders that impose sweeping limitations on nearly all aspects of life for citizens of Michigan, significantly impairing in some instances their ability to maintain their economic livelihoods,” the department said in a statement.
The department also said the orders also raise serious questions on whether the supposed benefit of imposing restrictions on these businesses outweigh the harms to interstate commerce.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/justice-department-backs-businesses-challenging-michigans-pandemic-restrictions_3370615.html