Eviction Ban Reflects Government ‘Gamesmanship,’ Judge Says
- Judge has yet to rule on bid by landlords to overturn the ban
- U.S. says spread of variant requires longer renter protection
Photographer: John Moore/Getty Images
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A federal judge in Washington said the Biden administration engaged in “gamesmanship” last week by extending an eviction moratorium in areas hit hard by Covid-19 even after the Supreme Court indicated that only Congress could do so.
At a hearing on Monday, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich expressed skepticism over the new ban, which was designed to curb the spread of the Delta variant. Landlord groups have challenged the policy, arguing that the administration bowed to political pressure even though it knew the eviction freeze wouldn’t pass muster with the courts.