Fox News legal analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano appeared on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on Monday, where he called Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s recent statement about the Bill of Rights “deplorable.”
Gov. Murphy said he ‘wasn’t thinking of the Bill of Rights’ – Judge Napolitano: ‘Deplorable’
When Gov. Murphy was interviewed on Carlson’s program last week, he told the host he “wasn’t thinking of the Bill of Rights” when imposing heavy-handed social distancing measures in his state that included banning church gatherings.
Judge Napolitano lays into NJ Gov. Phil Murphy for minimizing the Bill of Rights:
"It absolutely wasn’t funny. It was deplorable, and if he meant it he has no business being the governor of a state.”
"There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution."https://t.co/2I5z2RhXBV pic.twitter.com/UqdsUZT6Yl
— Scott Morefield (@SKMorefield) April 21, 2020
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Discussing the widespread condemnation of the nationwide anti-social distancing measures protests by the mainstream media, Napolitano noted the irony of an institution that “could not exist in this country without the First Amendment” applauding it “being crushed because they disagree with the message of those who are being crushed.”
Spoiler alert: King @GovMurphy has NEVER thought about the Bill of Rights. "I wasn't thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this…" Good work @TuckerCarlson pic.twitter.com/OeASRYK5cC
— Rich Zeoli (@Richzeoli) April 16, 2020
‘There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution’
“The Constitution applies in good times and in bad,” said Napolitano. “There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution. There is no emergency provision or trigger in the Constitution. The rights articulated in the Constitution are guaranteed, so the rights of everyone listening to us now to tell the government to go to hell is an absolute personal fundamental liberty that the government cannot punish you for exercising, and your right to peacefully gather with others to deliver the same type of message is similarly guaranteed.”
Stunning moment on @TuckerCarlson interviewing @GovMurphy. When asked under what authority doe he have the power to nullify the Bill Of Rights? Actual answer: “That’s above my pay grade. I wasn’t thinking about the Bill Of Rights when we implemented these bans.” cc:@MattRooneyNJ
— Chris Stigall (@ChrisStigall) April 16, 2020
Napolitano questioned Murphy’s dedication to his constitutional oath he took upon being sworn. The Fox News personality noted that every politician has to take “the same oath” he did when he became a judge.
.@GovMurphy on @TuckerCarlson discusses his shutdown orders:"I wasn't thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this…" The Governor, who seems well-meaning, reconfirms there is little rhyme, reason, science, or constitutional basis behind draconian shutdowns over #coronavirus.
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) April 16, 2020
“Now he either thought that was funny or he was being serious,” said Napolitano. “It absolutely wasn’t funny. It was deplorable, and if he meant it he has no business being the governor of a state because it’s violating the oath he took when he became governor.”