Liberty Council Issues Motion, Davis Returns to Work Monday

(Editor's note: The following statement is a press release issued by Liberty Council)

Liberty Counsel filed an emergency stay motion on Friday (September 11) in federal appeals court. At the same hearing where Judge David Bunning ordered Kim Davis to be sent to jail for refusing to violate her conscience, Judge Bunning, without notice, expanded the injunction against Kim Davis while it was already on appeal.

The emergency stay motion argues that the expansion of the order beyond the original plaintiffs without notice violated a fundamental rule of due process.

Judge Bunning’s initial order (Injunction) covered only the four named plaintiffs that sued Kim Davis. In the Expanded Injunction, Judge Bunning impermissibly broadened it to cover anyone in the world who seeks a license for same-sex marriage.

Once the initial Injunction was appealed by Kim Davis to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Bunning had no jurisdiction over it, and thus no authority, to expand the Injunction. Therefore, today Liberty Counsel filed for an emergency stay of the expanded Injunction in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The original Injunction ordering Kim Davis to issue marriage licenses should be moot because the plaintiffs who sought such licenses received them last Friday after Judge Bunning told the Deputy Clerks he summoned to court that they must issue the licenses or be sent to jail.

One plaintiff has not sought a license, but it appears this plaintiff never intended to get a license and does not want a license. Thus, the original Injunction against Kim Davis should be moot and dismissed because it applied only to the named plaintiffs who have no further claim.

“The injunction against Kim Davis ordering her to issue marriage licenses cannot, without proper notice and briefing, be expanded to cover the entire world. That original injunction is moot and should be dismissed. We are asking the court of appeals to stay its enforcement now that plaintiffs received what they sought,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.

From her home in Rowan County where she is enjoying time with her family after spending six days in jail, Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis said, “I am deeply moved by all those who prayed for me. All I can say is that I am amazed and very grateful. I am enjoying spending time with my husband, my family, and my three dogs.  I have also been spending time reading boxes of letters expressing support and prayers from people around the country.”

Kim has been going through the hundreds and hundreds of letters sent to her at the jail. “I haven’t even made a dent in the piles of letters,” she said.

Kim continued, “I am overwhelmed that people took the time out of their busy lives to write and tell me that they are standing with me.  Every letter has been kind and encouraging. I am heartened that God’s people are not huddled up in a corner, but they are standing strong. Standing begins on our knees. I have no doubt that God answers prayer. God is so real to me. He has transformed my life.”

Mrs. Davis concluded, “I love God, love people, and love my work. I hope we will continue to respect these values and that America remains a place where all three can live in harmony.”

Kim Davis will rest with her family and return to work on Monday.