The Justice Department reportedly wants new emergency powers amid the coronavirus crisis to detain people indefinitely without trial

• The Department of Justice is reportedly seeking new emergency powers due to the coronavirus outbreak sweeping across the US.
• The DOJ wants chief judges to be able to detain people indefinitely without trial during emergencies, Politico reported.
• The requests raise major concerns about defendants' constitutional rights and civil liberties.
• Lawmakers from both parties reacted to the report with horror on Saturday.
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The Department of Justice is seeking new emergency powers amid the coronavirus pandemic that would allow for people to be detained indefinitely without trial during emergencies, Politico reported Saturday.

Politico, citing DOJ documents, reported that the department sought a number of requests from lawmakers, including on the statute of limitations, asylum, and court hearings.

Lawmakers from both parties reacted with horror at the Politico report on Saturday.

"OVER MY DEAD BODY," tweeted Republican Sen. Mike Lee.

"Absolutely not," Democratic Rep. Alexandira Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.

"Congress must loudly reply NO," replied the independent Rep. Justin Amash.

The DOJ's requests would give some federal judges the power to pause various court proceedings during emergencies, including "any statutes otherwise affecting pre-arrest, post-arrest, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial procedures in criminal and juvenile proceedings and all civil process and proceedings," Politico reported.

Hypothetically, such a move could violate defendants' constitutional rights to appear before a judge.

The coronavirus pandemic has already provided fuel for the Trump administration to enact various long-wanted policies, including border- and asylum-related policies, as Politico noted.

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