Idaho lt. governor issues order banning COVID-19 testing at schools after governor leaves state

While serving as acting governor on Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin issued a new executive order banning public schools and the State Department of Education from requiring COVID-19 testing or vaccinations.

McGeachin issued the executive order while Gov. Brad Little was out of state traveling to Texas to visit the U.S. border with Mexico along with nine other governors from the West.

The Idaho Constitution states that the lieutenant governor serves as acting governor while the governor is out of state.

McGeachin also unsuccessfully attempted to deploy Idaho National Guard troops to the country's southern border, the Associated Press reported. Major General Michael J. Garshak responded to McGeachin that he was “unaware of any request for Idaho National Guard assistance" from Texas or Arizona. He also told McGeachin the National Guard is not a law enforcement agency, the AP reported.

In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Little vowed to rescind and reverse any actions McGeachin takes in his absence.

“I am in Texas performing my duties as the duly elected governor of Idaho, and I have not authorized the Lt. Governor to act on my behalf," Little wrote in a written statement released by his office to the Idaho Capital Sun. “I will be rescinding and reversing any actions taken by the Lt. Governor when I return."

McGeachin's executive order marks the latest clash in the battle between the two political rivals ahead of next spring's anticipated showdown in the Republican gubernatorial primary election.

“Today as acting governor I fixed Gov. Little's executive order on 'vaccine passports' to make sure that K-12 schools and universities cannot require vaccinations or require mandatory testing," McGeachin wrote on social media. “I will continue to fight for your individual liberty."

Little also took to social media to respond to McGeachin on Tuesday.

“Attempting to deploy our National Guard for political grandstanding is an affront to the Idaho Constitution and insults the men and women who have dedicated their life to serving our state and the country," Little wrote.

In May, while Little was out of state on a different trip, McGeachin issued an executive order banning mask mandates — even though the state never has had a mask mandate in place. Little responded the next day by rescinding the executive order retroactively and calling McGeachin's actions a “irresponsible, self-serving political stunt."

In 2019, during yet a different instance where Little was out of state, McGeachin presided over a rally of the Real 3%ers of Idaho militia group and administered an oath to the group's members.

McGeachin has already announced her candidacy for governor in 2022. Little has yet to officially announce whether he will run for re-election next year, but he has appointed a campaign treasurer and is raising campaign funds. Although he has not announced a campaign, Little reported raising $18,500 in campaign contributions on Monday alone.

McGeachin's executive order went into effect at 2 p.m. Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when Little would rescind it. His office announced he will still be out of state Wednesday visiting the border.

Reaction to McGeachin's executive order was mixed among Republicans.

“While the Lt. Governor has an important role to serve as president of the Senate and follow the guidance of the Governor, her actions today are the exact kind of overreach that does not represent Idaho and Idahoans," Speaker of the Idaho House Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, said in a written statement. “This is a complete grandstand and abuse of her political office in an attempt to influence voters."

Rep. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, tweeted “Awesome! So glad she's standing up for the people of Idaho."

Rep. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, tweeted concerns that a banning COVID-19 testing requirements could force Boise State University to forfeit its upcoming nationally televised football game on Saturday due to Mountain West conference rules.

As of Monday, COVID-19 has killed 2,982 Idahoans since Little announced the state's first case of COVID-19 on March 13, 2020, according to Idaho's official COVID-19 dashboard.

Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christine Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com. Follow Idaho Capital Sun on Facebook and Twitter.