Justice Department Appeals Transportation Mask Mandate Ruling

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

The Department of Justice is appealing a judgeโ€™s ruling that ended a federal mask mandate on public transportation and planes, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined the mandate was still necessary.

โ€œIn light of todayโ€™s assessment by [the CDC] that an order requiring masking in the transportation corridor remains necessary to protect the public health, the department has filed a notice of appeal in Health Freedom Defense Fund, Inc., et al., v. Biden, et al,โ€ Anthony Coley, an agency spokesman, said in a statement on Wednesday.

The notice of appeal was filed in federal court in Tampa. The departmentโ€™s announcement came minutes after the CDC asked it to appeal a decision handed down by a federal judge in Florida earlier this week.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit will decide whether to grant an appeal or not.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, directed the CDC on April 18 to reverse the policy nationwide. The Trump appointee ruled that the CDC mask mandate on planes, trains, and other public transportation, exceeded the agencyโ€™s statutory authority because its implementation violated administrative law.

Airlines and airports across the nation lifted mandates on masks just hours after the ruling. The Transportation Security Administration also said on April 18 that it would not enforce the mask requirement. Ride-sharing companies including Uber and Lyft had also rescinded mask-wearing requirements.

A day later, the Justice Department said it would appeal the ruling if the CDC determined the mandate was still needed. The CDC said in a statement on the same day it was โ€œcontinuing assessment that, at this time, an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health.โ€

The mask mandate was set to expire on May 3 before the agency recently extended it. It said the extension was to allow it more time to study the BA.2 Omicron subvariant, which now accounts for the vast majority of cases in the United States.

It is unclear whether the Biden administration will ask the appeals court to grant an emergency stay to immediately reimpose the mask mandate on public transportation.

By Gabrielle Stephenson

Read Original Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

The Sacred Honor of the 56

Today we're celebrating the sacred honor of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Alligator Alcatraz: A Bold Step Toward Secure Borders

Alligator Alcatraz funded through FEMA, represents a decisive move by the Trump admin to address illegal immigration with efficiency and resolve.

Is America Broke?

Silicon Valley investor and economic commentator Balaji Srinivasan made...

Hungary: Prideโ„ข Cometh Before the Color Revolution

The EU engaged in a diplomatic siege of the Eastern European nation-state of Hungary pressuring it into embrace global trannyism or face wrath of Brussels.

Understanding the Trump/Musk Feud

The passion Trump and Musk exhibit over the OBBB is not contrived or for show. Each is addressing the problem from completely different approaches.

Noem Waives Environmental Restrictions to Fast-Track Water Barriers in Rio Grande

DHS Sec Kristi Noem waived federal environmental laws to fast-track construction of 17 miles of waterborne barriers in the Rio Grande in South Texas.

Federal Officials Warn of โ€˜Lone Wolfโ€™ Terror Threats on July 4, NY Governor Says

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed that federal officials informed her about a possible terrorist threat ahead of the July 4 Independence Day holiday.

Record 1 in 5 Buyers of New Cars Committing to $1,000-Plus Monthly Payments: Edmunds

The share of new car buyers committing to make monthly payments of $1,000 or more hit an โ€œall-time highโ€ in the second quarter of 2025.

US Economy Adds 147,000 New Jobs, Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent in June

The U.S. job market remained strong in June, as labor conditions continued to hold up amid economic uncertainty.

US Keeps Pressure on Chinese Goods Amid Vietnam Trade Deal

Transshippingโ€”rerouting goods through a third country to disguise the origin of the productsโ€”is a focal point of trade negotiations with Asian markets.

White House Report Reveals Top Earners, Staffers Working for No Salary

The Trump admin released its yearly report that shows the salaries for White House staffers, also revealing officials who arenโ€™t accepting salaries at all.

Transportation Secretary Urges Governors to Remove Political Messages From Crosswalks, Intersections

Duffy sent letters to governors, mayor of D.C., and gov of Puerto Rico urging them to remove political messaging from intersections and crosswalks.

Bessent: US, India Near Agreement to Lower Tariffs

The United States and India are โ€œvery closeโ€ to a trade agreement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday.
spot_img

Related Articles