Michigan Congressman Sues Whitmer Over Emergency Orders That ‘Violate Constitutional Rights’

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer listens to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in Clawson, Mich., on March 18, 2019. Paul Sancya/AP

A Republican U.S. congressman has sued Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over her handing of the outbreak of the CCP virus, commonly referred to as the novel coronavirus, saying her emergency actions violate his constitutional rights.

Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.) filed the lawsuit (pdf) in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan on May 4 against Whitmer and state Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon, who also has issued emergency orders in an effort to stem the outbreak.