Ohio Republicans have officially filed articles of impeachment against Gov. Mike DeWine. Apparently, the GOP is not a fan of the governor’s coronavirus orders.
DeWine was the first governor to close schools in response to COVID-19. The actions he has taken against the virus have gained him widespread popularity. According to a poll from Quinnipiac University, he received a 75% approval rating from Ohioans. This includes 81% of Democrats, 76% of independents, and 74% of Republicans in the state.
The GOP is now accusing DeWine’s administration of implementing unconstitutional orders.
Twelve articles of impeachment have officially been filed against DeWine. The effort to restore the rule of law is led by GOP state Rep. John Becker, Nino Vitale, Candice Keller, Paul Zeltwanger, and several other members. According to the GOP, the governor’s stay-at-home order and mask requirement are a violation of civil liberties. The argument is that it “promotes fear and damages the economy.”
Becker’s office has been doing a great deal of bashing of the media. They have publicly accused DeWine of “mismanagement, abuse of power, and meddling in the presidential election.”
The articles of impeachment were drafted in August. “As governor, my priorities are to keep people safe and to get our economy moving faster. If there are others in the legislature who want to spend their time drawing up resolutions and filing articles … I’d just say to them, ‘Have at it,’” DeWine previously said.
The GOP will need a majority of Ohio’s House of Representatives to approve the resolution and two-thirds of the Ohio Senate to convict the governor.
