Attorney General William Barr's Justice Department is making good on its vow to side with the people against governmental overreach in keeping America shut down, admonishing Nevada on its ban on religious gatherings of 10 or more people.
"The flat prohibition against 10 or more persons gathering for in-person worship services — regardless of whether they maintain social-distancing guidelines — impermissibly treats religious and nonreligious organizations unequally," U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada Nicholas Trutanich and Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband wrote in a letter to Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, Fox News reported.
"These directives may violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, unless the government can prove a compelling interest and pursued the least restrictive means possible."
The letter called on Gov. Sisolak to address "unequal treatment of places of worship," per the report.
The letter also comes after President Donald Trump on Friday declared faith gatherings "essential" during the coronavirus pandemic, threatening action against governors restricting religious activity.
"The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now – for this weekend," Trump said. "If they don't do it, I will override the governors.
"In America, we need more prayer, not less."
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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