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Tag Archives: pandemic

Have you tried suing school districts in New Zealand yet?

21 Saturday Jan 2023

Posted by Michael Bersin in Eric Schmitt, social media, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Corona virus, COVID-19, Eric Schmitt, Fascist pig, flaming half-wit, missouri, New Zealand, pandemic, right wingnut, shit stirring, social media

Eric Schmitt (r) [2022 file photo].

Eric Schmitt (r) had a “busy” Thursday:

[image cropped]

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
New Zealand PM, Covid tyrant and authoritarian Jacinda Ardern i is calling it quits. Good.
[….]
9:05 PM · Jan 18, 2023

Some of the responses:

New Zealand has a population of 5 million people and has had 2,400 Covid deaths. Missouri has a population of 6 million and has had 23,500 Covid deaths.

So, again, who is “pro-life”?

Can’t handle a woman who’s achieved more success than you Eric?

Heh.

Still hasn’t shown proof of CRT in Missouri schools…

Another tweet, another typo.

Another day of not helping Missourians. Congratulations.

Well, to be fair, he can only name Post Offices and shit post on social media.

Who cares? It’s New Zealand. Focus on Missouri and the US, damn

It’s all he’s got. That and naming Post Offices.

Caring for the people of New Zealand through 2 terms as PM during the last 6 years is quite an accomplishment. She’s an accomplished leader

Everyone hates you

No one will remember you.

Imagine being human enough to step down from such a huge position of power because you know when to step down? Ask your colleagues that question. What a terrible comment.

As much as Hawley is an embarrassment you are much worse.

Good lord – now he thinks he has an international platform. #NewZealand had 2400 deaths with 90% of their population vaccinated. You, on the other hand, sued school districts who were keeping kids safe. #StopThisSchmitt

Did she try to overturn an election like you?

Tyrant?? Haha. Sort your own country out brah.

Finally addressing MO’s greatest concerns. Our hero!

Glad to see you’re hard at work on behalf of the people of Missouri.

You’re a joke and embarrassment to #Missouri

The nerve, trying to keep her people alive

You don’t know where New Zealand is on a map.

Next to Old Zealand.

Eric confirms. He will never be as great as a woman leader.

She is an amazing leader, what is your issue?

So, strong, capable, effective leadership causes you anxiety.

She’s educated and made smart decisions that saved thousands of lives.
[….]

Are you a politician in NZ too?

Well, the other guy lives in Virginia.

Focus Eric you work for the US and people of Missouri, no one cares about the PM of another country. Zero of her decisions affected Missourians.

She’s achieved more than you ever will.
Go suck your thumb in the corner you little baby.

But, did she get to name Post Offices?

Jacinda Ardern led a whole country (pop: 5.123 million) valiantly and competently, suffered a total of 2,437 COVID deaths.

Under your rotten Republican regime, JUST MISSOURI (pop: 6.168 million) has 22,420 deaths.

ALMOST 10 TIMES THE AMOUNT.

@Eric_Schmitt sucks. Ardern rocks.
[….]

I suggest you go away and learn what both tyrant and authoritarian actually mean, then come back and try this again, you flaming half-wit.

You could not be a bigger idiot.
#foxfriedbrains #lies

Hold his beer.

Previously:

Empty suit says what? (January 21, 2023)

If Title 42 falls in the forest, does COVID-19 make a sound?

27 Tuesday Dec 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

cognitive dissonance, Corona virus, COVID-19, immigration, pandemic, right wingnuts, stay, Title 42, Trump administration, U.S. Supreme Court

Wait, if COVID-19 is a hoax, then Title 42 has always been moot.

Today:

Supreme Court allows border restrictions for asylum seekers to continue for now
December 27, 20224:30 PM ET

EL PASO, Texas – The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling Tuesday, granted a GOP request to prevent the winding down of the Title 42 immigration policy – and agreed to decide in its February argument session whether 19 states that oppose the policy should be allowed to intervene in defense of it in the lower courts.

[….]

Under Title 42, immigration authorities were able to quickly remove many of the migrants they encountered – without giving them a chance to ask for asylum protection or other protections under U.S. law. The restrictions were put in place as a public health order by former President Donald Trump’s administration in March 2020 when COVID-19 was just beginning to surge in this country.

[….]

From the dissent:

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
No. 22A544 (22–592)
ARIZONA, ET AL. v. ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS,
SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
ON APPLICATION FOR STAY
[December 27, 2022]

[….]

Reasonable minds can disagree about the merits of the D. C. Circuit’s intervention ruling. But that case-specific decision is not of special importance in its own right and would not normally warrant expedited review. The D. C. Circuit’s intervention ruling takes on whatever salience it has only because of its presence in a larger underlying dispute about the Title 42 orders. And on that score, it is unclear what we might accomplish. Even if at the end of it all we find that the States are permitted to intervene, and even if the States manage on remand to demonstrate that the Title 42 orders were lawfully adopted, the emergency on which those orders were premised has long since lapsed.

[….]

The only plausible reason for stepping in at this stage that I can discern has to do with the States’ second request. The States contend that they face an immigration crisis at the border and policymakers have failed to agree on adequate measures to address it. The only means left to mitigate the crisis, the States suggest, is an order from this Court directing the federal government to continue its COVID-era Title 42 policies as long as possible…

[….]

But the current border crisis is not a COVID crisis. And courts should not be in the business of perpetuating administrative edicts designed for one emergency only because elected officials have failed to address a different emergency. We are a court of law, not policymakers of last resort.

Even Neil Freakin’ Gorsuch got that much.

Stupidity may be inherited, ignorance is a personal choice, expoitation of either for power is evil

10 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Corona virus, COVID-19, Eric Schmitt, Fascist pig, missouri, pandemic, right wingnut, social media, U.S. Senate

Eric Schmitt (r) [2022 file photo].

Earlier this week:

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
Dr Fauci was the high priest of COVID tyranny. The smoke signals from his Fauci candles destroyed the lives and livelihoods of millions. I joined @Varneyco to talk about our 7 hour deposition of Fauci.
[….]
12:19 PM · Dec 6, 2022

Faux News? Really?

“Faux News channel, fascist groupies” – protest sign, circa 2003- 2004.

Some of the responses:

You’re bad for Missouri

Who has been paying your travel expenses?

Apparently winning the election has further encouraged you to embarrass both Missouri and yourself. [….]

My friend was 43. She died 14 days after returning from the Covid infested swamp that is Florida. But her 7 and 5 yr old have great pictures to remember her by. I blame ppl like you. Trump admitted to Bob Woodward, on tape, that he downplayed the virus. Ppl died bc of you ppl.

Wait – don’t tell me: you leave out cookies for Santa Claus?

Quite the Fox regular.

Without a hint of irony, Schmitt says Fauci used his “signature condescension.” What a fricking hypocrite. He deposed Fauci for 7 hours and came away with nothing. Heckuva lawyer.

“high priest of COVID tyranny”
You are such a joke.

nah! Dr Fauci is a true HERO. BTW Q did u meet POLIO?

What a joke you are, and what a joke Missouri is for electing such a ridiculous clown. You should be sued for all the taxpayers’ money you’ve blown on your antics.

You’re a d disgrace and wasting time and money for this dumb political theater.

Why don’t you do something that will actually improve people’s lives?

Says noted medical expert. Oh wait

U r a frkn moron…get bent!

Most would say YOU were the high priest of Covid tyranny!! YOU sir, a “lawyer” attempted to override the advice of MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS during a GLOBAL pandemic to boost YOUR senate run. It was your ONLY platform. You’re a freaking disgrace. Get lost.

It’s hard to find descriptors for what a terrible person you are

Many come to mind.

Oh, you mean the scientist who served under 7 presidents but you somehow believe you’re better informed? [….]

What an embarrassment to Missouri.

You, Hawley and Trump are the high priests of fascist Constitution canceling.

This is really kooky rhetoric.
Sheesh…
High priest of covid tyranny..
Just nutty.

Actually, buddy, I wonder if it’s possible to figure out how many Missourians died or developed long COVID as a result of your ridiculous lawsuits. Unlike you, Fauci saved lives.

To Dems, Dr. Fauci is just a respected doctor and scientist. It’s Republicans who throw religion and politics into the discussion to obscure the truth. “High priest” ??? It’s SCIENCE, not voodoo. Stop being an embarrassment to our state.

Dr Fauci saved millions of lives. You are a disgusting human being and I’m ashamed you will be my senator

I’m sorry you’re so stupid

Who was running the country at the time, you morons?

Oh, fuck every single way off with this horseshit.

You do realize that science evolves right and so do recommendations. Just think of all the families that could have been affected by death and Dr Fauci saved them. You are a fool and prove it daily.

What an irrelevant idiot you are. Clearly you have no idea about medicine or actual responsibility

You’re a fcking moron and an embarrassment to Missouri

Previously:

We could have had six years of Valentine (D), instead we all get a pile of Schmitt (r) * (November 9, 2022)

On the ballot: This person is voting. Are you?

07 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

anti-mask, Corona virus, COVID-19, election, missouri, pandemic, Warrensburg

August 2, 2021 – Johnson County Community Health Board of Trustees meeting in Warrensburg, Missouri:

“No mask”

Vote.

Previously:

Johnson County Community Health Services – Board of Trustees – August 2, 2021 – This is why we can’t have nice things
(August 2, 2021)

Idiot

20 Thursday Oct 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri Governor, social media

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

anti-vax, Corona virus, COVID-19, Kevin Stitt, Mike Parson, missouri, Oklahoma, pandemic, right wingnuts, Twitter

Governor Mike Parson (r) [2018 file photo].

RSMo § 167.181. Immunization of pupils against certain diseases compulsory — exceptions — records — to be at public expense, when — fluoride treatments administered, when — rulemaking authority, procedure. — 1. The department of health and senior services, after consultation with the department of elementary and secondary education, shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the immunization against poliomyelitis, rubella, rubeola, mumps, tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, and hepatitis B, to be required of children attending public, private, parochial or parish schools. Such rules and regulations may modify the immunizations that are required of children in this subsection. The immunizations required and the manner and frequency of their administration shall conform to recognized standards of medical practice. The department of health and senior services shall supervise and secure the enforcement of the required immunization program. [….]

Today:

Governor Mike Parson @GovParsonMO
As long as I am Governor of Missouri, I will do everything under my authority to never let the federal government mandate COVID vaccines in our schools.
3:03 PM · Oct 20, 2022

Also today, in Oklahoma:

Governor Kevin Stitt @GovStitt
Regardless of what the CDC says, as long as I am governor, we will never force kids to get a COVID vaccine to go to school.
2:41 PM · Oct 20, 2022

It took twenty-four minutes for the talking point of the day to register with the sock puppet.

It ain’t over ’til it’s over

10 Saturday Sep 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

booster, Corona virus, COVID Vaccine, COVID-19, Omicron, pandemic

Get it done.

21,335

09 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Corona virus, COVID-19, Eric Schmitt, Fascist pig, missouri, pandemic, right wingnut, social media, Twitter

From the CDC:

Eric Schmitt (r) {2022 file photo].

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt

US Senate candidate, MO
Every step of the way I fought for FREEDOM over Fauci for the people of Missouri.

And we were right. […]
7:19 PM · Sep 9, 2022

21,335.

What do you mean by we?

Some of the responses:

AND you helped Missourians die of COVID by fighting
public health orders.

BTW, Where do you stand on democracy and the rule of law?

Exactly what is this supposed to be in reference to? New @GOP Hail Mary cause y’all are losing?

Do you even give a Schmitt for the over 25,000 MO residents who have died from Covid?

As of yesterday, the official count of Missourians dead from #covid19 is 21,514. I respect you for fighting for Freedom, but you may have been wrong. Who knows how much worse it would have been, if we hadn’t masked, or vaxed? People are still dying today. How about next time?

You have a strange concept of freedom. How much freedom does a person have when they’re confined to a hospital bed with covid? Hooked up to a ventilator? Buried six feet under? Disabled because of long covid?

This guy immediately turned women into 2nd class citizens in MO when Roe was overturned. The government has control over your body not you. If you put him in the senate his views will go nationwide. Women deserve respect and this guy is just not it. He already showed you.

Why do maga cult candidates like you always espouse false narratives?

Fauci isn’t against freedom, he’s an expert professional who was trying to save lives

And you got in the way of saving lives!

The sick thing is that people died needlessly because of the political game you wanted to play. And they were your voters, but you’re so confident that you’ll win, you figured you had voters to spare. Disgusting.

You’ve never been right, quit lying

You fought against the will of the people & did what your donors told you to do

Freedom from science. Eric can only say this because he actively fought documenting the impact of Covid in MO.

No. You weren’t about anything.

No. You were political.

And people died because of it. Can’t believe you’re proud of this statement.

I’m confused. You’re a hillbilly from Bridgeton with a GED. Fauci is an expert infectious disease medical professional. How did you win??? [….]

Every step of the way you fought against the common sense of local parents and school boards

and you were wrong.

People died because of people like you in positions of power and influence who spread false information. May you be granted Grace when your ambitions allow.

You sued China for hoarding masks and keeping them from Missourians, then you sued Missouri schools for requiring masks to protect our students.

You fought for COVID. You fought for Trump. You fought for @GOP propaganda.

You never fought for freedom.

Ah anti-intellectualism. Lies are the MAGA Trumpster’s battlecry.

How many Missourians died because of your “freedom”. It’s sick that you are proud of it.

The dead Missourians can’t share their side.

Schmitt is too extreme for Missouri. 21,500 dead Missourians aren’t free, they’re dead.

It’s exactly what quack would do, fight against Science.

There are thousands of Missourians who would disagree with you if they weren’t dead.

You’re truly a moron.

Nah, you’re a political hack. Just doing stuff to engage your psycho base and scare ppl, you didn’t do anything to help, you fought and wasted our money to actively make stuff worse. Resign idiot.

Previously:

Who is paying for what, Eric? Do tell. (September 7, 2022)

Looking to lock up the sociopath vote

30 Tuesday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

anti-masking, Corona virus, COVID-19, Eric Schmitt, Fascist pig, pandemic, right wingnut, social media, Twitter, U.S. Senate

A nurse is currently living rent-free inside of Eric Schmitt’s (r) head.

Eric Schmitt (r) [2022 file photo].

This morning:

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
I’m proud to have led the country in the fight against Covid tyranny at all levels of government — fighting for parents, kids, small business owners and workers.

The Heiress Valentine is just another liberal Lockdown Queen.
9:44 AM · Aug 30, 2022

Eric Schmitt (r) left a group off his list:

Some of the reponses to Eric Schmitt (r):

I remember that time well.
My friends and neighbors were making small but important personal sacrifices for each other’s welfare.
And you were screaming “you can’t make me!”
I don’t vote for toddlers.

You have nothing to be proud of, you fought against parents, kids, & common sense. “Shame” that is the word for what you are feeling, it is the opposite of pride.

You have never lived under nor suffered real tyranny, though you try to invoke it over others. #JustMoreBullSchmitt

So explain to us how your logic works here Eric, because it doesn’t track in the real world where the rest of us are. @buschvalentine was not in office at the time of TFG’s lockdowns, but you were. You sued public schools while purposely omitting private schools. Why is that?

We remember.

You’re part of the reason why one million Americans have died from COVID, when we could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

My friend was one of those you helped kill. Go to hell.

COVID tyranny is funny way of saying “public health.”

I will support @buschvalentine all day and every day.

So many propaganda buzzwords in here!

You missed “woke” and “cancel culture,” though.

If you hit all six in one tweet, you earn a free swastika tattoo.

Eric Schmitt: making frivolous lawsuits great again

Does your disinformation campaign ever get old for you? It does for us [….]

You sued elementary schools to prevent kids from wearing masks, even as students were either dying from COVID, or getting long-covid symptoms. Not gonna elect a guy who sues kindergartners

Do… Do you mean public health?

Unlike you, she may actually care about the health of Missourians.

Yet you didn’t sue your children’s private school.

Do you know who the winner in the fight against “Covid tyranny” is? Death. And crippling illness. And grief. And loss. You are a ghoul.

7th highest Covid deaths per capita in the country, and that is for numbers actually reported. Some would argue your fight against public health was a failure. Not to mention the divisive politicization of a health emergency.

Lockdown Queen? What the f are you even talking about? You are the Wasteful Losing Lawsuit King

Do you know how many people I know that have died because of Covid-19? Too freaking many! I blame you and the other MAGA Republican fascists for those deaths! Are you going to waste Missouri taxpayer money to sue me for saying the truth?

So you wish more people had died from COVID19? Almost 22,000 Missourians dead wasn’t enough for you?

Eric Schmitt (r) [2022 file photo].

One million dead Americans could have probably provided us with a different definition of “pro-life” – if they were still alive

16 Monday May 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Corona virus, COVID-19, General Assembly, Mary Elizabeth Coleman, pandemic, right wingnut, social media, sociopath, Twitter

Mary Elizabeth Coleman (r) [2019 file photo].

Late last night:

MaryElizabethColeman @meaccoleman
The best reason I’ve heard to vote Trump ‘24 #MAGA
[….]
9:39 PM · May 15, 2022

Sociopath. You deserve each other.

Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…

Missouri gets what it votes for

20 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

anti-science, border, Corona virus, COVID-19, dumbass, Dumbassery, governor, Mike Parson, missouri, pandemic, right wingnut, supremacy clause

Governor Mike Parson (r) [2018 file photo].

On March 30th:

GOVERNOR PARSON ANNOUNCES END TO COVID-19 CRISIS IN MISSOURI
Press Release
MARCH 30, 2022

JEFFERSON CITY – Today, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson announced an end to the COVID-19 crisis in Missouri and that the state will be shifting to an endemic phase of the pandemic on Friday, April 1, 2022.

A whole-of-government COVID-19 emergency response was taken for more than two years, an effort that responded to the needs of all Missourians during the global pandemic and sustained state operations as more was learned about the novel virus. Vaccines, testing resources, and treatments are now readily available for all Missourians, and much of the population now has some immunity to the virus. [….]

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is expected to continue to circulate in communities, meaning it will be considered endemic like many other diseases. The endemicity also means that surveillance priority will change from monitoring case numbers to monitoring disease severity and societal impact as new waves of infection come and go. This transition does not minimize the continued importance of public health surveillance, investigation, and response activities, as is necessary to mitigate any disease.

[….]

“…Vaccines, testing resources, and treatments are now readily available for all Missourians, and much of the population now has some immunity to the virus…”

That’s not particularly reassuring.

“…it will be considered endemic…”

It will be? If it isn’t yet, then why state it? By the way, we’re pretty sure the Governor of Missouri doesn’t get to make that determination.

[CDC – national data]
Interpretive Summary for April 15, 2022
[…]
Reported Cases
As of April 13, 2022, the current 7-day moving average of daily new cases (31,391) increased 19.1% compared with the previous 7-day moving average (26,357)…
[….]
New Hospital Admissions
The current 7-day daily average for April 6–April 12, 2022, was 1,446. This is a 1.3% increase from the prior 7-day average (1,427) from March 29–April 4, 2022…
[….]
Testing
The percentage of COVID-19 NAATs (nucleic acid amplification tests)* that are positive (percent positivity) is increasing in comparison to the previous week. The 7-day average of percent positivity from NAATs is now 4.1%.
[….]

Definitely not reassuring.

And then yesterday, there’s this priority:

GOVERNOR PARSON JOINS 25 GOVERNORS IN FORMING AMERICAN GOVERNORS’ BORDER STRIKE FORCE
Press Release
APRIL 19, 2022

JEFFERSON CITY – Today, Governor Mike Parson joined 25 other Governors in signing a memorandum of understanding establishing the American Governors’ Border Strike Force. The strike force will help increase collaboration and improve intelligence sharing and analyses across participating states to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations and cartels, combat human smuggling, and stop the flow of illegal drugs to states.

“The Biden Administration has failed to secure our nation’s Southern Border, allowing millions of migrants and hundreds of thousands of pounds of illegal drugs to pour into the United States,” Governor Parson said. “Time and time again, Governors have tried to work with the White House to discuss real solutions to secure the border. Instead, our concerns have been ignored, crime is out of control, and illegal drugs continue to infect our communities and harm our kids. Today, Governors are stepping up once again to do what the federal government refuses to do: secure our communities and protect our citizens.”

The American Governors’ Border Strike Force will coordinate participating states’ efforts to partner at the state fusion center level and amongst state law enforcement around the following actions:

Share criminal justice information to improve investigations in the border region and nationwide, especially in communities adjacent to or crossing state boundaries.
Coordinate and improve interdiction on interstates to combat drug trafficking and human smuggling.
Co-locate intelligence analysts in border states to improve collaboration, real time response, intelligence sharing, and analysis connected to border security.
Assist border states with supplemental staff and resources at state fusion centers, such as on rotation assignments and to share information obtained both on the border and/or in other states.
Send law enforcement to train in border states to detect, track, and curb border-related crime.
Target cartel finances that fund criminal activity in the border regions to seize the tools used to assist the cartels.
Monitor cybersecurity issues that may increase vulnerability along the Southern Border, such as criminal networks that operate on social media to recruit traffickers.
Review state criminal statutes regarding human trafficking, drug trafficking, and transnational criminal organizations to ensure the laws deter, disrupt, and dismantle criminal activity.
Review state criminal justice statistics and information to determine crimes that can be traced to the Southern Border.
Develop interstate procedures to fill any identified gaps or identified inconsistencies in existing plans to address border crime.
This action by Governors comes as more than 221,000 migrants were encountered at the Southern Border in March 2022 – the highest number in 22 years. Additionally, next month, the Biden Administration is preparing to revoke Title 42, which is expected to lead to 18,000 or more migrant encounters per day at the border.

Under the Biden Administration, more than 2.3 million migrants have been encountered at the Southern Border. In the past six months, reports indicate that there have been 300,000 known “gotaways” – migrants who were not apprehended by border agents and did not turn themselves in – at the Southern Border.

“The crisis at our Southern Border is out of control. In the absence of federal leadership, we will do what is required to help solve this growing problem and protect the people of Missouri,” Governor Parson said.

The Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety will be Missouri’s designee on the American Governors’ Border Strike Force. The agreement does not obligate states to expend funds.
[….]

“…allowing millions of migrants and hundreds of thousands of pounds of illegal drugs to pour into the United States…”

This just started now?

“…more than 2.3 million migrants have been encountered at the Southern Border…”

Uh, that’s a cute turn of phrase. “Encountered”? What does that mean, specifically?

“…reports indicate…”

What specific reports? Cite source(s).

“…The agreement does not obligate states to expend funds…”

So, it’s a publicity stunt.

All this for Arkansas?

What happens if guns get smuggled across the border?

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Justice Department Files Suit to Prevent Missouri from Restricting Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws

Missouri House Bill 85 Makes Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws More Difficult, Thereby Impeding Law Enforcement Efforts to Combat Violent Crime
The Department of Justice has today filed a lawsuit to prevent the State of Missouri from enforcing House Bill 85 (H.B. 85). Signed into law in June 2021, the Missouri law declares five categories of federal firearms laws “invalid” and deters and penalizes their enforcement by federal, state and local law enforcement officers. The government’s complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief prohibiting enforcement of H.B. 85 and further clarifying that state and local officials may lawfully participate in joint federal task forces, assist in the investigation and enforcement of federal firearm crimes, and fully share information with the federal government without fear of H.B. 85’s penalties. Specifically, the complaint alleges that H.B. 85 is invalid under the Supremacy Clause, is preempted by federal law, and violates the doctrine of intergovernmental immunity.

“This act impedes criminal law enforcement operations in Missouri,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The United States will work to ensure that our state and local law enforcement partners are not penalized for doing their jobs to keep our communities safe.”

“A state cannot simply declare federal laws invalid,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This act makes enforcement of federal firearms laws difficult and strains the important law enforcement partnerships that help keep violent criminals off the street.”

The complaint alleges that the restrictions imposed by H.B. 85 have hindered cooperation and other activities that assist federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts. Federal law enforcement agencies within the state report that enforcement of federal firearms laws in Missouri has grown more difficult since H.B. 85 became effective. The penalties associated with H.B. 85 have prompted state and local agencies and individuals within those entities to withdraw support for federal law enforcement efforts, including by not sharing critical data used to solve violent crimes and withdrawing from joint federal task forces. The complaint challenges the constitutionality of the law and seeks to enforce the supremacy of federal law. Dozens of state and local officers have resigned from federal joint-task forces in the state as a result of the law. According to Missouri’s own statistics, nearly 80% of violent crimes are committed with firearms.

According to the complaint, Missouri enacted H.B. 85 despite its conflict with the fundamental constitutional principles of supremacy of federal law, preemption, and intergovernmental immunity. The restrictions imposed by the statute are premised on a declaration that several categories of federal statutes are “invalid,” but a state may not lawfully declare federal law invalid under the Constitution. In addition to penalizing individuals for working on joint federal-state law enforcement task forces, the statute penalizes current federal employees by barring them from state employment if they enforced the purportedly invalid laws. The statute further directs the state judiciary to “protect” against the federal laws declared invalid.

[….]

“…the restrictions imposed by H.B. 85 have hindered cooperation and other activities that assist federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts…”

Missouri.

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