Defending Freedom Act of 2020

To require the Attorney General to report on potential violations of Bill of Rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Defending Freedom Act of 2020 2. Findings The Congress finds as follows: (1) The United States of America was founded to secure individual liberties and its powers are derived from the consent of the governed. (2) In the reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak, many government officials have used the state of emergency to unjustly, and often undemocratically, limit the liberty of their citizens. (3) Article IV section 4 of the United States Constitution guarantees the American people a republican form of government and the prolonged use of executive decrees without legislative authorization will constitute a breach of that guarantee. (4) The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits any State from violating the Bill of Rights. (5) The First Amendment establishes protections for the free exercise of religion, the right to assemble, and freedom of speech. (6) Numerous local governments around the country have restricted the free exercise of religion by mandating closures of church buildings and drive-in church services. (7) Certain government officials have restricted the right of individuals to assemble in public places and government buildings. (8) On April 6, in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Governor Wanda Vázquez signed an Executive order making it illegal for media outlets or social media accounts to transmit or allow the transmission false information (9) The Second Amendment establishes that the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. (10) States demanded the closure of federally licensed firearms dealers, stripping citizens of Second Amendment rights without due process. (11) Local governments are considering accessing Bluetooth and GPS cellular device data, which compromises the American right to privacy and the sanctity of our homes. This is possible because all bank accounts, new vehicles, and FCC regulated devices have embedded government surveillance. The government is ever-present, in violation of the Third Amendment. (12) The Fourth Amendment guarantees the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures. (13) Numerous State governors have issued orders to stop and search vehicles based on an American’s State of residence, rather than the probable cause standard required by the Fourth Amendment. (14) Private-sector telecommunications companies have the capability to track the location of American citizens and share that information with government officials without a warrant issued upon probable cause of a crime. (15) The Fifth Amendment ensures that Americans will not be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. (16) Forty-two states have issued stay-at-home orders or lockdowns which have deprived Americans of their economic liberty without due process. (17) Forcibly shutting down businesses denies business owners the economically viable use of their property and therefore constitutes a taking (18) The Sixth amendment protects our right to a speedy and public trial. (19) On March 21, 2020, it was reported that the Department of Justice requested the ability to pause court proceedings “whenever the district court is fully or partially closed by virtue of any natural disaster, civil disobedience, or other emergency situation.”, thereby preventing speedy trials. 3. Attorney General report The Attorney General shall review the actions of Federal, State, and local government officials taken during the COVID-19 pandemic which may violate the Bill of Rights. One year after the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall report to Congress on the Department of Justice’s efforts to document, remedy, and prosecute infringements of the Bill of Rights. If the Attorney General finds a violation of the Bill of Rights and does not prosecute that violation, then he shall include an explanation of that decision. The Attorney General shall refer cases outside of his jurisdiction to the appropriate prosecutorial body.

Summary: Defending Freedom Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review the actions of federal, state, and local government officials taken during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic that may violate the Bill of Rights. DOJ shall (1) report to Congress on its efforts to document, remedy, and prosecute infringements of the Bill of Rights; (2) explain non-prosecution of any violations; and (3) refer cases outside of its jurisdiction to the appropriate prosecutorial body.