The Michigan Supreme Court struck down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency orders regarding the coronavirus, effective immediately.
“Executive orders issued under that act are of no continuing legal effect,” the court said. “This order is effective upon entry.”
The ruling comes after the court said on Oct. 2 that Whitmer had no authority to issue or renew executive orders regarding the coronavirus.
Whitmer filed a motion soon after requesting more time before the ruling went into effect so “an orderly transition during which some responsive measures can be placed under alternative executive authority and the Governor and Legislature can work to address many other pandemic-related matters that currently fall under executive orders.”
The court ruled 4-3 on Monday in striking down the request.
“Another big win at the Supreme Court today!” Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield said on Twitter. “The law is the law, and partisan politics can’t change that. The people will finally have their voices heard in this process. The House is in again tomorrow, and I hope the Governor is ready to cooperate. It’s time to work together!”
Another big win at the Supreme Court today! The law is the law, and partisan politics can’t change that. The people will finally have their voices heard in this process. The House is in again tomorrow, and I hope the Governor is ready to cooperate. It’s time to work together!
— Lee Chatfield (@LeeChatfield) October 12, 2020
Michigan became a hotbed of controversy earlier this year because of Whitmer’s extended stay-at-home orders. Protests to reopen formed in Lansing in the spring, including one protest in which people carrying rifles and other long guns gathered in the House chamber and shouted at legislators.
In April, thousands of protesters flooded the state’s capital in their cars while flying “Trump 2020” and U.S. flags to protest coronavirus-focused restrictions that they said were excessive.
