LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is threatening to sue Gov. Andy Beshear unless he rescinds his order prohibiting in-person church service.
Cameron, a Republican, said that Beshear, a Democrat, should allow in-person church service to resume consistent with Centers for Disease Control guidelines and the constitution.
“And if he doesn’t then we will be forced to file a lawsuit and allow a judge to determine whether (Beshear’s) order, as it pertains to religious groups, is constitutional,” Cameron said at a news conference Tuesday.
Beshear issued the order banning church and other mass gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has infected more than 4,100 Kentuckians and contributed to the deaths of more than 200.
Cameron said the order violates both the U.S. and Kentucky constitutions allowing for freedom of religion, and that the governor's order against mass gatherings unfairly targets churches.
"I'm reminded of this every time I drive by a big box store and see dozens of cars," he said. "I'm also reminded of this every time I read the governor has ordered law enforcement to record the license plates of people who simply want to worship and practice their faith."
This comes two weeks after three Kentuckians who defied the governor's order on mass gatherings and attended an Easter service in Bullitt County filed a federal lawsuit against Beshear, making similar claims.
Cameron said he's not saying churches should resume in-person services immediately, but, the decision should not be up to the governor.
"I have faith that Kentucky's religious leaders will listen to healthcare experts and when it's the appropriate time, manage and resume in-person services," he said.
Beshear said his order prohibits all mass gatherings, not just in-person church services, and he's confident the law is on his side.
"We've had early rulings by a judge indicating they are likely to rule that everything we have done is legal," Beshear said, adding that he thinks he has been very fair when it comes to churches, allowing drive-in services that other states have banned.
Cameron said that he understands the difficult decisions facing the president, governors and other elected leaders in an unprecedented crisis. Nonetheless, he said, as attorney general, he must do everything in his power to defend and protect the constitution.
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