All 50 states have declared a state of emergency. President Trump has declared a national emergency. Why is this significant? Is it because Trump can assert federal authority over the states, more specifically, as it relates to reopening the economy?
“In times of crisis, presidents can declare that the Constitution authorizes them to exercise powers usually granted to the legislative or judicial branches of government, thus fusing all governmental power in the executive branch for the duration of the crisis.”
Trump declared the national emergency under the Stafford Act:
"This pandemic has the potential to cause severe consequences for our country's NATIONAL and ECONOMIC SECURITY," the president said in announcing the decision.
"This pandemic has the potential to cause severe consequences for our country's NATIONAL and ECONOMIC SECURITY," the president said in announcing the decision.
