Elon Musk Joins Pushback Against Over-Zealous Democratic Governors

Many Americans are getting tired of the government’s pandemic restrictions. This has led to a major multi-state pushback against many states' lockdown orders from their governors.

Tesla’s controversial CEO Elon Musk joined the growing list of Americans who are criticizing the government restrictions. Yesterday, Tesla reported better-than-expected profits in its first-quarter earnings report. However, that didn’t stop Musk from bashing the government’s “fascist” restrictions.

Government Meddling?

California ordered Tesla to shutdown its lone U.S. assembly plant in Fremont, California in the early days of the pandemic shutdowns. Originally, the order was scheduled to lift on May 3rd, and Tesla planned to reopen the plant the following day. However, local governments in the Bay Area recently decided to extend the shutdown through May.

Musk, for one, felt tired of the government’s meddling. “If somebody wants to stay in their house, that’s great. They should be allowed to stay in their house and they should not be compelled to leave,” Musk told analysts during a post-earnings release conference call on Wednesday. “But to say that they cannot leave their house, and they will be arrested if they do, this is fascist. This is not democratic. This is not freedom. Giver people back their goddamn freedom.”

Alameda County, where Tesla’s plant is located, only allows people to leave their homes for essential activities. The county has issued more than 2,000 citations to citizens that have violated the government orders.

Governors' Responses

#TheArchers
Today, it’s Year of the Rat
blue tea from #MariageFrères

I am in California lockdown – thanks to our Governor Gavin Newsome,
a San Francisco boy who truly cares about others.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/RlcCJq1uZd

— Patricia Plonsker 🐀 (@pplonsker) March 20, 2020

Democratic-governed states have imposed some of the strictest lockdown orders. Also, many governors have come under fire as of late for restricting the civil liberties of their constituents. Several protests against California Governor Gavin Newsome, who some say has been overly-enthusiastic in his institution of lockdown orders, have taken place.

Newsome said he emphasizes with the protestors’ concerns. Although, he hasn’t made any concessions that seem to indicate he is listening. In fact, just yesterday Newsome broadened his lockdown orders to include all beaches and state parks in California. In what could easily be interpreted as an ultimatum, Newsome called the beach and protest crowds an example of “what not to do” if they wanted the state to ease its lockdown restrictions as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, other governors are rethinking their lockdown orders as a result of the protests. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, another Democrat, rolled back his lockdown orders. This came after a major protest at the state’s capitol drew hundreds of protesters. “Today, I will sign an executive order to: Reopen New Jersey’s state parks [and] allow gold courses and country parks to reopen,” Murphy said on Twitter, “This order will take effect at sunrise on Saturday, May 2nd. Social distancing will continue to be mandated.

Protests Continue

Prior to the move, New Jersey was the only northeastern state to close its parks. Despite the decision to reopen the parks, Murphy says the state is still “a number of weeks away” from reopening entirely.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has received some of the harshest criticisms for her draconian lockdown orders. Whitmer’s lockdown policies have gone as far as to give stores an itemized list of what they can sell. Her orders have forbidden stores from selling seeds and gardening supplies. Abortion clinics, however, can stay open as essential businesses.

Hundreds of protestors recently gathered outside Whitmer’s house to protest her restrictions, and state lawmakers are introducing legislation to limit her powers. One of the protests leading organizers told FOX 2 Detroit, “We didn’t want to surrender our liberties just for a little temporary safety.”

Many governors have been surprisingly quick to embrace emergency powers after the pandemic hit U.S. shores. Now, it seems the lockdowns have taken on political nuances. This is due to the Democratic governors who are publicly pushing back against President Trump’s wishes to reopen the economy quickly. As the U.S. economy continues to fall to pieces, many Americans are starting to question whether the lockdowns are worth the long-lasting economic damage.

Up Next:

• Trump Says He Won’t Extend Social Distancing Guidelines
• Some Countries and US States Move to Ease Virus Lockdowns
• America Rises Up Against Lockdown