AG Barr Sets To Curtail Restrictions Imposed By Local And State Governments; Says Its Time To Roll Back In A ‘Sensible’ Way.

The Attorney General William Barr said Friday he believes that this is the time to start rolling back Covid-19 related restrictions imposed by local and state governments across the country.

A Twitter user asked how he planned to address the local and state officials  infringing on constitutional rights, in response, the attorney general said that while governments had the right to impose reasonable and temporary restrictions during times of emergency, they must make justification to those restrictions as truly necessary and they have to ensure there are not other ways to address the interests that are less burdensome.

Q: Why does DOJ/BOP refuse to release prisoners who pose ZERO threat to society despite the increasing number of deaths happening in federal prisons due to COVID-19? #AskAGBarr
– @RepBobbyRush

A: pic.twitter.com/c3HpxJveEA

— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) May 1, 2020

William Barr rekindled his frequent criticism of rules put in place to alleviate the spread of the deadly disease. He has slammed some of the restrictions as “draconian” and last week directed U.S. attorneys to take legal actions if a state or legal measure violates the country’s constitutional rights.

“Now that the curve has been flattened and the hospital system has not been overwhelmed, it is time to start rolling back some of those restrictions, we will be on the lookout for restrictions that are too widespread, too generalized or unduly discriminatory towards liberty, such as religious liberty or speech, and in the appropriate case we would consider taking action.” Barr said.