The Constitution Requires That the Governor Take His Oath Before the Full Legislature
EAST DERRY, N.H.—Gov. Chris Sununu, now 10 months in to his reign of terror on the citizens of New Hampshire based on trumped-up science, has now violated yet another article of the constitution to avoid facing the citizens he was elected to govern.
Today, the governor announced on Twitter that he would not be physically present for his inauguration before a justice of a New Hampshire court and both houses of the Legislature, which he is required to do by Part 2, Article 85 to take his oath of office. In thwarting his duty to be present for the people he governs, Sununu cited “public safety” concerns based on some imaginary fear of his personal harm. Current statutes already protect the governor and his family from physical threats, and no one to our knowledge has engaged in any such threat.
“With the State House shuttered and locked down to all citizens, and the governor claiming the whole role of government for himself, where exactly is the seat of government where the people can petition their government for a redress of grievances, as the Constitution requires?,” said Andrew J. Manuse, chairman of RebuildNH. “The Legislature ought to return to their rightful role of governing this state, immediately end the State of Emergency that clearly no longer exists, and then change the laws that have enabled the governor’s abuses of power.”
Yesterday, RebuildNH announced a peaceful—but noisy—rally for the governor’s inauguration, which had been scheduled to take place on the State House lawn in front of the constitutionally required audience, and open to the public, as also required. The public has the right to attend all inaugurations, as the House gallery is accessible to the public where such inaugurations typically take place. In an email blast to our 8,000 plus members, we stated the following:
“ReopenNH is taking part in a multi-group effort to protest the governor at his inauguration, which starts at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, on the State House lawn,” we wrote in our email to our supporters. “Be there a little early, bring your pots and pans, megaphones, and protest signs, and be ready to march around to let him know how displeased you are with his usurpation of powers. Please make as much noise as you possibly can to make sure he knows how displeased you are.”
The idea to bring pots and pans to governor’s inauguration was derived from a successful—and importantly, peaceful—pots-and-pans revolution over the 2009 financial crisis in Iceland, which resulted in a removal of the government and replacement with a new government.
“It is indefensible when our elected officials are no longer even willing to show up before the public to be sworn into office as the Constitution requires,” said JR Hoell, treasurer of RebuildNH. “We can no longer continue to trample the rights of individuals, religious organizations and businesses in New Hampshire, and the rule of law needs to be restored today!”
RebuildNH, through various emails, op-eds, social media posts and press releases, have outlined the governor’s long train of abuses of our constitutional rights in New Hampshire. Today’s violation just adds to the list. The most prevalent abuses include the governor suspending law and the Constitution in Emergency Order 76, his restrictions on churches assembling, his creation of a new judicial authority under the attorney general for enforcement and adjudication of his emergency orders, and strong-arming business owners to become agents of the state.
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About RebuildNH
RebuildNH is a PAC made up of concerned individuals devoted to getting New Hampshire back to work through a restoration of balance and reason in state government.
