(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – The U.S. Department of Justice has now said it will file an appeal against the federal judge’s ruling that eliminated COVID-19 mask mandates for public transportation.
The filing will only occur if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes it is necessary.
“The Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disagree with the district court’s decision and will appeal, subject to CDC’s conclusion that the order remains necessary for public health,” the statement published by the DOJ read. “The Department continues to believe that the order requiring masking in the transportation corridor is a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. That is an important authority the Department will continue to work to preserve.”
The DOJ’s statement was released shortly after the ruling that stopped the mandate for face coverings on planes and public transport, including transit hubs.
Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said that the mandate was “a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health.” He added it was “an important authority the Department will continue to work to preserve.”
Coley also said that the CDC would continue to assess public health conditions. If they determine that a mandate is necessary, the Justice Department will file an appeal.
In the lawsuit ruling, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa stated that the mandate was a clear overstep of Biden’s and the CDC’s authority. She also noted that the CDC had not followed proper procedures for implementing the mask order.
The mandate that forced travelers to have face coverings on public transport was one of the last pandemic restrictions.
