Florida Senator Rick Scott Says Americans Have Right to Worship No Matter What Government Officials Say

Republican Florida Senator Rick Scott followed President Donald Trump's lead Sunday as he declared all Americans have the right to "worship at a church service," no matter what any government leader may say.

Scott said the Bill of Rights protects people in the United States from having to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic. The former Florida governor said "I trust the American public," and that government leaders from all levels should realize their input is still just guidance rather than law.

"It doesn't matter what a governor says or president or local leaders" when it comes to matters of religion, Scott said on CNN's State of the Union program. "Do I believe that government should be telling us what to do? Do I believe government can tell us we don't have a right to worship? I don't believe they can."

The senator also tweeted alongside his TV interview Sunday afternoon: "As Americans, we all have the right to worship, to practice our religion and to gather with our communities. This must be done safely, but government shouldn't be dictating your Americans. The bill of rights comes first."

Scott's comments come just one day after President Donald Trump declared he was reopening houses of worship across the country as "essential," and vowing to "override the governors" who would try to block such action in their respective states.

The GOP senator repeatedly cited the Bill of Rights as the absolute authority in determining whether lawmakers, health officials or any other government figure could legally force people to social distance or wear protective masks.

"All Floridians, all Americans have a Bill of Rights and we have a right to worship if they want to. I believe people are going to do it safely," Scott said during his CNN appearance.

As of Sunday afternoon, Florida has a total of 50,867 positive coronavirus cases, including 2,237 deaths, according to the state's COVID-19 website.

Earlier Sunday morning, Scott also previewed his upcoming appearance on CNN that included him discussing about China and "protecting Florida's taxpayers from bailing out poorly managed states like NY, NJ, CA & IL." The latter point prompted a retort from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

"Hate to break it to you@SenRickScott, but leaving our frontline heroes - educators, cops, health care workers, and firefighters - out to dry is not an option. Direct state aid is about keeping our first responders on the job to do what they do best," Murphy said.