North Carolina Republican Both Dismisses DOJ as ‘Just One Agency’ Yet Claims Sweeping Overreach

Governor Pat McCroryÂ is denouncing the Obama administrationÂ and the U.S. Department of Justice, after being sent a letter explaining that his anti-LGBT law targeting transgender citizens of the Tar Heel state is illegal. The DOJ told the North Carolina GOP governorÂ HB2 violates the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, and he has until Monday, 6 PM, to respond that he will ensure the illegal law is not enforced.

McCrory says DOJ may have taken away NC’s right to make decisions. @wcnc pic.twitter.com/4gW7WGtmTM â€” RadBerky (@RBerkywcnc) May 4, 2016

McCrory: This is being orchestrated by Obama admin. #ncga #hb2 â€” Craig Jarvis (@CraigJ_NandO) May 4, 2016

McCrory, speaking before business leaders Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM dismissed the Department of Justice’s three-page letter detailing why HB2 is illegal by claiming it is theÂ “interpretation of just one agency in the Obama administration.” He apparently also suggested the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not apply to private businesses, which is false.

N.C. Gov. McCrory tonight simultaneously downplayed DOJ letter (said just one federal agency) and accused Obama admin of sweeping overreach â€” Mark Berman (@markberman)Â May 4, 2016

.@PatMcCroryNC says he doesn’t know what the next steps will be. Didn’t feel the state should be “in the bathroom business.” @wsoctv â€” Jenna Deery (@JennaWSOC9) May 4, 2016

The Governor also released a terse statement on his official website, calling the DOJ statement that HB2 is a violation of federal law “a claim by the Obama administration,” suggesting he might choose to not recognize the authority of the Justice Department.Â He also added this fear-mongering conclusion:

â€œThe right and expectation of privacy in one of the most private areas of our personal lives is now in jeopardy. We will be reviewing to determine the next steps.â€

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