Do Governors Have Authority to Shut Down State Economies and Commerce?

   On April 14, President Trump posted on social media: “…some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors’ decision to open up the states, not that of the President of the United States and  the Federal Government. Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect. It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons...” 

   To clarify, nowhere in the Constitution is the President given the authority to regulate commerce, let alone intrastate commerce. An American President is not an autocrat. To put a finer point on it, the media he is criticizing are also incorrect because Governors are not the autocrats of their states either. 

   However, as of last week eight Minnesotans have been charged with violating Governor Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order, an offense that could earn them up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

   To make matters worse, the Walz administration currently maintains a hotline that citizens can use to report each other for disobeying his orders. 

   David M. Schuster, was arrested after police discovered him playing cards with three friends in the closed bar that he owns with the doors locked, according to the Star Tribune.

   Residents in Riverside County, California, are now required to wear face coverings and could face a fine of $1,00 ...