DOJ Looking For More Unconstitutional Power

Reports are circulating about the recent move of the DOJ to allegedly secretly ask Congress for new powers, giving them the ability to detain people indefinitely during health emergencies like the current coronavirus.

It used to be that they needed to suspend your Constitutional rights because it was for 'national security' over terrorist threats, but they want to broaden that. It's a move that you could arguably say is seeking to further violate due process of law in the country and strip Constitutional rights from all individuals.

The DOJ has requested that any chief judge pause court proceedings whenever there is a closure due to a natural disaster, emergency situation, or even because of civil disobedience.

"You could be arrested and never brought before a judge until they decide that the emergency or the civil disobedience is over. I find it absolutely terrifying," -- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers exec director N. Reimer.

During times of uncertainty is when we need to be the most vigilant about any new power the government is seeking to afford itself. They are supposed to be restrained by the Constitution, rather than seek to continually squeeze protections for individual liberty out, one violated right after another. Already, there is the ability to pause judicial proceedings but this would enable them to do it in more of a swift manner. Ultimately it would suspend habeas corpus until the emergency ended. And that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

The justice system should seek out alternative methods through available technology and other means, to try in any way possible to continue with business as usual, without having to seek the power to strip every individual in the country of their basic rights.