Does the federal government have constitutional authority to "reopen states"? Or is this...

[blitzen]

more Trump shitshow smoke and mirrors?

[drray23]

1. They dont. The governors decide that.nt.

[Sherman A1]

2. No

Not to my knowledge

[gibraltar72]

3. Just another bullying tactic.

He thinks he can make them bend by withholding crucial aid.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. I'm not a Constitutional Expert

but I'm not aware of any constitutional authority he would have to do this. And it's not even a question of whether he CAN do it but rather that him just saying it would have the effect of creating mass confusion and conflicting guidelines and people wondering whether or not it's safe to go back to work or not. All of our leaders, esp. the President should be speaking with ONE VOICE/MESSAGE/GUIDELINES and they're not right now.

[DeminPennswoods]

5. No

and even he could, it doesn't mean businesses will want to re-open or that employees will want to return to work right away.

[DURHAM D]

6. No.

He can not open what he did not close.

[dalton99a]

7. No.

[pat_k]

8. When closures are effective, Trump will say "see, wasn't so bad" and blame evil governors for...

... unnecessarily killing the economy.

He doesn't actually expect any sane governor to lift closure and shelter in place orders. However, he is saying it now so that when the measures work to keep the deaths in the tens of thousands, rather than hundreds of thousands, he'll be able to say "See, I told you it wouldn't be as bad as the fearmongers said" and then claim we could have safely gone back to business as usual earlier. He'll say the states that stayed closed are the ones that ruined the economy by ignoring him.

[blitzen]

10. Certainly he wiil, that's his go-to play. n/t

[GeorgeGist]

9. When you're dealing with a lunatic in charge ...

it's entirely possible he'll hold those states hostage that don't comply.

[Chainfire]

11. Even the governors don't have that kind of power

The governors can say that it is OK to go back to work, but it will be up to the company to make the final decision.

[FiveGoodMen]

12. Who knows what the defacto rules are?

The laws haven't meant anything for a while.

[blitzen]

15. Good point. n/t

[Wellstone ruled]

13. No,no and no.

[Thekaspervote]

14. No!

[2naSalit]

16. Trump shitshow smoke and mirrors. ...nt