Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Historian Savagely Schools GOP Rep Who Wonders 'What the Founders Would Say' About Stay at Home Orders

Historian Savagely Schools GOP Rep Who Wonders 'What the Founders Would Say' About Stay at Home Orders
Graeme Jennings-Pool/Getty Images // VPM/YouTube

Echoing outgoing President Donald Trump's rhetoric, many Republican lawmakers have voiced opposition to precautions designed to slow the spread of the virus that's killed over 300 thousand Americans.

One of the most major points of contention has been regarding community shutdowns and stay-at-home orders requiring non-essential businesses to close their doors or limit capacity and urging private citizens to only leave their homes when necessary.


While no one wants to shut down businesses frivolously, these measures have been components of the most effective strategies for slowing the spread of the virus. Nevertheless, Republicans say these measures are draconian efforts to control Americans and deny them freedoms.

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH)—one of Trump's most ardent followers in the House of Representatives—is one such politician.

On Tuesday, Jordan pointed to those affected by shutdowns and implied the founding fathers would have disapproved.

Jordan asked "What would the Founders say?" about issuing stay-at-home measures.

Historian Kevin Kruse had an answer.

Kruse pointed out that American soldiers in the Revolutionary War were fighting the spread of smallpox just as urgently as they were fighting the British, who were largely immune to the disease due to its endemic nature in Europe and the immunity enjoyed by its survivors.

Washington initially quarantined his troops amid the Siege of Boston in 1775 before eventually enforcing mandatory inoculations, writing to future President John Hancock in 1777:

"This Expedient may be attended with some inconveniences and some disadvantages, but yet I trust in its consequences will have the most happy effects. Necessity not only authorizes but seems to require the measure, for should the disorder infect the Army in the natural way and rage with its usual virulence we should have more to dread from it than from the Sword of the Enemy."

People echoed Kruse's point that quarantines and stay-at-home orders are nothing new, even among those living in the times of the Revolution.







People were grateful for Kruse's and other historians' fact checking.



Meanwhile, Jordan's original question was turned on its head by his critics.



For the past eight days, the nation has seen over 100 thousand new positive tests a day.


More from News

Hillary Clinton
Kimberly White/Getty Images for Common Sense Media

Hillary Clinton Has Iconic Reaction To Trump Administration's 'Atlantic' Text Scandal

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a succinct response after Jeffrey Goldberg—the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic—revealed he was invited into a Signal chat with high-level Trump administration officials discussing military strategy surrounding their war strikes in Yemen.

Goldberg revealed a highly unusual and concerning situation where senior Trump administration officials were allegedly discussing war plans over a group chat on Signal. Goldberg recounted that Representative Mike Waltz added him to an 18-person group chat, which he initially suspected was a hoax or disinformation campaign.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vivian Jenna Wilson; Elon Musk
@vivllainous/TikTok; Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Elon Musk's Trans Daughter Epically Claps Back After Musk Claims His Child 'Died'

Elon Musk's estranged trans daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, used an iconic soundbite from RuPaul's Drag Race to clap back at Musk's claim that his child had "died."

The SpaceX co-founder responded to a post on X (formerly Twitter) defending Musk for appearing to give the Nazi salute twice at Republican President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Mike Myers and Mark Carney
@MarkJCarney/X

Mike Myers Joins Canada's New Prime Minister For Epic Jab At Trump In Viral Video

Actor and comedian Mike Myers has gone viral after joining Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for a video message that mocks President Donald Trump and his plan to make Canada the 51st state of the United States.

In the Liberal Party skit, Mike Myers and Mark Carney—both dressed in red Canada jerseys—share a moment at a hockey practice. Carney starts off skeptical of Myers, questioning his Canadian credentials since he now lives in the United States, despite being born and raised in Canada.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pete Buttigieg
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Pete Buttigieg Drops F-Bombs After Trump Administration Invites Journalist Into High-Level Military Group Chat

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg passionately spoke out after Jeffrey Goldberg—the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic—revealed he was invited into a Signal chat with high-level Trump administration officials discussing military strategy surrounding their war strikes in Yemen.

Goldberg revealed a highly unusual and concerning situation where senior Trump administration officials were allegedly discussing war plans over a group chat on Signal. Goldberg recounted that Representative Mike Waltz added him to an 18-person group chat, which he initially suspected was a hoax or disinformation campaign.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump with Easter bunny at 2017 Easter egg roll
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Blasted After Turning Annual White House Easter Tradition Into Corporate Grift

President Donald Trump has sparked concerns from ethics experts after soliciting corporate sponsors for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

Potential sponsors of the April 21 event were presented with three sponsorship options ranging from $75,000 to $200,000, according to a nine-page guide reviewed by The New York Times.

Keep ReadingShow less