Kind of harsh considering he was just following the punishment laid out in Abbot's original EO.
Abbot retroactively modified the EO to eliminate confinement as a punishment.
Would it have been better if the judge just said "screw the law, I don't think this is fair"?
Definition: Executive Order - a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.
I dont think a president or governor can willy-nilly make an executive order that applies to the citizens. That is what the legislatures are supposed to be for.
Now if a law has been passed ahead of time that defines the powers of the executive officer (president or governor) then he can issue orders within those bounds.
MHO
So did the executive order specifically define the punishment? It was my understanding that the sentence was presented as a choice by the judge that she must apologize and admit she was being selfish or go to jail for 7 days. Never heard of such a sentence before, have you?
Maybe Gov Abbott never dreamed a judge would misconstrue the intention of the order in such a perverse fashion.
Yeah, upon reflection perhaps it was kind of harsh, but he most certainly had other options than to jail this woman. Moreover, as part of his sentencing he wanted her to grovel and ask for forgiveness from him (the court) along with an her personal admission that she acted out of selfishness.
That type of arrogant attitude and high-handedness from a state official is reminiscent of the old East German government. I see no reason he felt compelled to act in this manner towards this woman other than out of some personal or political malice.