DOJ emergency powers report raises ire among conservatives and liberals

[babylonsister]

https://www.axios.com/report-doj-seeks-emergency-powers-criticized-9703e85b-cc22-4899-a17c-1deefa378cdf.html

DOJ emergency powers report raises ire among conservatives and liberals
Rebecca Falconer


Republican and Democratic lawmakers reacted with concern Saturday to a Politico report that the Department of Justice is seeking new powers to ask judges to detain people indefinitely without trial in emergency situations.

The big picture: Politico reports the DOJ documents for Congress it reviewed "detail the department’s requests to lawmakers on a host of topics, including the statute of limitations, asylum and the way court hearings are conducted." The unconfirmed report prompted Doug Stafford, the chief strategist for Rand Paul (R-Ky.), to tweet his agreement with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who criticized such a measure.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
✔
@AOC
· 14h

Absolutely not.

Link to tweet

…
Tim Mak
✔
@timkmak

ALERT: "The Justice Department has quietly asked Congress for the ability to ask chief judges to detain people indefinitely without trial during emergencies — part of a push for new powers that comes as the coronavirus spreads through the United States." https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/21/doj-coronavirus-emergency-powers-140023 …

Doug Stafford
✔
@dougstafford

Agree
30
4:16 PM - Mar 21, 2020

What they're saying: Several other members of Congress spoke out against the reported proposals, which come amid the novel coronavirus outbreak and include for Congress to grant Attorney General Bill Barr "power to ask the chief judge of any district court to pause court proceedings 'whenever the district court is fully or partially closed by virtue of any natural disaster, civil disobedience, or other emergency situation.'"

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) tweeted, "OVER MY DEAD BODY."
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) tweeted, "This is wrong and must not be allowed to happen."
Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) tweeted, "Congress must loudly reply NO."
Arizona state Sen. Martín Quezada (D) tweeted, "That would be a hard no."

Axios has contacted the DOJ for comment, along with the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), about the report.

[ProfessorGAC]

1. With Barr As AG, No x A Million

Bad idea, made worse by the people involved.

[malaise]

2. Detain Barr and Don the Con

That is all

[DFW]

3. Libertarians should be going apoplectic at the thought

Just take the strong comments from libertarian Senator Rand Paul, R-Kentucky.

Like Senator Paul said:

uh? Senator?

Yoo hoo? Are you there? A guy from your staff said something. What say you?

Hello?

[durablend]

11. Give his neighbor a call

Maybe he can send him the message

[The Genealogist]

4. This administration has certainly changed its tune quickly

We've gone from "Democrat Hoax" to "Think we've been authoritarians to this point? Hold my beer" in a matter of a couple of weeks.

[duforsure]

5. Just another move closer for trump

To have absolute power, which he'll use against all those in his way , including republicans, and be able then to lock up his opposition like Putin does, or anyone who could expose him. Congress should reply back that they will not let him discuss getting the power from a Chief Justice, ever. I'd bet trump has been pressuring and threatening Roberts already. Or trying to bribe him.

[Scarsdale]

9. Roberts proved what kind of

a "chief justice" he is during that laughable impeachment trial. No witnesses, no evidence from the (R) side. Foregone conclusion for a verdict. Yes, Roberts would bow to this request in a heartbeat.

[EllieBC]

6. Remember back when we were alarmed over the Patriot Act

and expanded NSA powers? And a lot of people said it’s temporary.

I do. Almost 20 years later sure seems long for temporary.

[intheflow]

10. Yep.

The Patriot Act paved the way for this to even be considered.

[OhNo-Really]

12. As did the National Defense Authorization Act 2012 & renewer each year

[TheRealistRealist]

7. I believe Barr is preparing to arrest reporters

Trump and his minions are preparing to go into blame China mode for Covid-19 infection increase and deaths. In reality we know that Trump's refusal to test, insistence on calling it a hoax and downplaying the severity of the illness is the real reason.

I now believe Trump will have reporters arrested if they contradict the 'blame China' narrative and report the truth. This is why he's been going on a tear in attacking reporters. He wants the WH briefing full of reporters nodding their heads and praising him.

Why have Dems like Schiff and Pelosi been quiet these past few weeks? They should have been shouting from the rooftops about the lack of testing and equipment for hospitals. Why are you so silent when we need you most? A tweet does not equal a press conference.

[OhNo-Really]

13. Guessing the need for Trumplandia to help California w/ med supplies? Kowtowing

[johnthewoodworker]

8. The republican coup was initiated on 02/05/2020 with the cat grabber's acquittal.

It will be cemented with the republican led response to the coronavirus. This was another foray to soften up the masses for the next attempt. Soon, even the moderate republicans will be talking about the need to tow a tougher line in the face of this crisis.
The loss of what was once a decent and good country will be met with some vocal criticism, but very little actual effective demonstration.
The Americans who are not trumptards might sign some online petitions and write some angry posts, but there will be little resistance. This is the crisis that will complete the rewiring of America that was the response to 9/11.