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'The Bill of Rights, as you well know, protects Americans' rights — enshrines their right to practice their religion as they see fit and to congregate together to assemble peacefully," Carlson said. "By what authority did you nullify the Bill of Rights in issuing this order? How do you have the power to do that?"
"That's above my pay grade, Tucker," Murphy responded. "I wasn't thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this ... we looked at all the data and the science and it says people have to stay away from each other. That is the best thing we can do to break the back of the curve of this virus, that leads to lower hospitalization and ultimately fatalities."
"Since you are an elected official, a leader in the government, an executive, how do you have the authority to order something that so clearly contravenes the Bill of Rights of the United States – the U.S. Constitution – where do you get the authority to do that?" Carlson asked again
"Well, here's the thing," Murphy answered. "We know we need to stay away from each other, number one. Number two, we do have broad authority within the state. And number three, we would never do that without coordinating, discussing, and hashing it out with the variety of the leaders of the faiths of New Jersey."
The governor said he spoke about the ban with Joseph Cardinal Tobin, the Archbishop of Newark, as well as other leaders of faith. Murphy said Tobin understood his concerns amid the Easter season and agreed that the diocese would not be holding drive-thru Holy Communion or other services in order to protect congregants.
Murphy added that he was not denying anyone the right to worship but that amid the pandemic, "we have to find a different way to worship."
Tucker confronts NJ gov over lockdown measures: 'I wasn't thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this'
'The Bill of Rights, as you well know, protects Americans' rights — enshrines their right to practice their religion as they see fit and to congregate together to assemble peacefully," Carlson said. "By what authority did you nullify the Bill of Rights in issuing this order? How do you have the power to do that?"
"That's above my pay grade, Tucker," Murphy responded. "I wasn't thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this ... we looked at all the data and the science and it says people have to stay away from each other. That is the best thing we can do to break the back of the curve of this virus, that leads to lower hospitalization and ultimately fatalities."
"Since you are an elected official, a leader in the government, an executive, how do you have the authority to order something that so clearly contravenes the Bill of Rights of the United States – the U.S. Constitution – where do you get the authority to do that?" Carlson asked again
"Well, here's the thing," Murphy answered. "We know we need to stay away from each other, number one. Number two, we do have broad authority within the state. And number three, we would never do that without coordinating, discussing, and hashing it out with the variety of the leaders of the faiths of New Jersey."
The governor said he spoke about the ban with Joseph Cardinal Tobin, the Archbishop of Newark, as well as other leaders of faith. Murphy said Tobin understood his concerns amid the Easter season and agreed that the diocese would not be holding drive-thru Holy Communion or other services in order to protect congregants.
Murphy added that he was not denying anyone the right to worship but that amid the pandemic, "we have to find a different way to worship."
Tucker confronts NJ gov over lockdown measures: 'I wasn't thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this'