Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Friday called President Joe Biden’s decision to issue a broad vaccine mandate a “mistake.”
The tweet from DeWine follows Biden’s announcement on Thursday that his administration will require all businesses with more than 100 employees to require COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing, potentially affecting approximately 100 million Americans.
“I think the President made a mistake by announcing federal vaccine mandates. We should be focused on the science of preventing virus spread – the vaccine is our best tool to stop COVID – but people and business owners should make their own decisions about vaccination,” DeWine wrote in the tweet.
I think the President made a mistake by announcing federal vaccine mandates. We should be focused on the science of preventing virus spread – the vaccine is our best tool to stop COVID – but people and business owners should make their own decisions about vaccination.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) September 10, 2021
Republicans have slammed Biden for the decision, pointing out that he pledged to not create a vaccine mandate before becoming president. In December, Biden stated that he didn’t “think it should be mandatory” and “wouldn’t demand it to be mandatory.”
While DeWine did not, many critics of Biden’s decision questioned the constitutionality of the new regulation, including DeWine’s primary challenger Jim Renacci.
“This unconstitutional mandate will not hold up in a court of law, but Biden has shown he is not worried about the lawfulness of his policies,” Renacci said in a statement.
Multiple Republican governors across the country have pledged to fight Biden’s government mandate. Governor Henry McMaster promised his constituents that he would “fight them to the gates of hell to protect the liberty and livelihood of every South Carolinian.”
“The Constitution won’t allow this power grab, and in the meantime, I will stand up for all Tennesseans,” added Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
The Constitution won’t allow this power grab, and in the meantime, I will stand up for all Tennesseans.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) September 9, 2021
However, DeWine did not make such a pledge.
DeWine’s more moderate approach led Renacci to question DeWine’s commitment to “fight back.”
“We know that Mike DeWine does not have the courage or commitment to protect Ohioans and fight back against the Left’s radical agenda. That is why we need new leadership in Columbus and it starts with electing a true conservative who will fight for the people,” he added in the statement.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
