Frederick Country Delegate Files Amended Lawsuit Against Governor’s Executive Orders

The plaintiffs are also seeking damages due to the COVID-19 shutdowns.                                          

 

Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick County Delegate Dan Cox (R) has submitted an amended lawsuit challenging Governor Larry Hogan’s executive orders to stop the COVID-19 virus. This new lawsuit says the Governor’s orders closing down certain businesses and religious gatherings are overreaching.

In this amended lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking damages from the Governor and state officials resulting from the lockdown.

Delegate Cox spoke about that during a recent appearance on “Success Happens” on WFMD. “Unfortunately, this has been tied into the election.. I think we all know that this is an election issue because of the fact we go President Trump on the ballot,” he says. “Unfortunately, people that would like to see him lose are, I think, misrepresenting this issue and manipulating it to their own advantage, and that’s unfortunate to the children.”

President Trump has come under criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In that same interview, Delegate Cox downplayed the coronavirus issue. “Although everyone wants to be careful and protect one anther, most people do know someone who has even had COVID, more or less died from it,”: he says.

The original lawsuit was rejected in May by US District Judge Catherine Blake, who disagreed  with the plaintiffs’ claims that the Governor’s orders were unconstitutional.

Cox appealed that ruling to a higher court, but that has been withdrawn. He’s submitted an amended case to the District Court.

Governor Hogan has lifted the stay-at-home order, but is encouraging people to stay at home when possible. He’s also lifted executive orders closing some businesses and houses of worships. They are allowed to reopen with certain restrictions. But Marylanders are still prohibited from meeting in groups of more than ten people, and are still  required to wear face masks and practice social distancing.

 

By Kevin McManus