Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said Tuesday that the Department of Justice should investigate Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, after de Blasio sent out another tweet targeting the Jewish community for allegedly violating coronavirus restrictions.
“Earlier today the NYPD shut down a Yeshiva conducting classes with as many as 70 children. I can’t stress how dangerous this is for our young people,” de Blasio tweeted Monday. “We’re issuing a Cease and Desist Order and will make sure we keep our communities and our kids safe.”
Cruz responded with a tweet of his own, questioning whether or not de Blasio is “violating constitutionally guaranteed religious liberties.” (RELATED: Ted Cruz Urges Bill Barr To Investigate Crack Downs On Religious Freedom)
The next time NYC’s mayor sends out a gleeful tweet about sending cops after Jews, the DOJ should investigate to make sure he’s not violating constitutionally guaranteed religious liberties. Actually, they should have done it after the last one. https://t.co/BU61pkh27y
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 19, 2020
De Blasio’s latest comments come weeks after he threatened to arrest members of the Jewish community, who attended a rabbi’s funeral.
“My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed,” de Blasio said late last month. “I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups.”
Attorney General Bill Barr sent a memo to U.S. attorneys late last month, urging them to be on the “lookout” for religious discrimination as states implement restrictions to manage the coronavirus pandemic.
“As the Department of Justice explained recently in guidance to states and localities taking steps to battle the pandemic, even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers,” Barr wrote.