The Justice Department to appeal the ruling that struck down the mask mandate on public transportation after CDC says masks remain necessary

• The DOJ said it would appeal the federal court ruling striking down a CDC indoor travel mask mandate.
• The announcement came after the CDC asked the Biden administration to step in.
• Several US airlines dropped their mask requirement immediately following the ruling

The Department of Justice said Wednesday that it would appeal a controversial ruling from a Florida judge that struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s indoor travel mask mandate earlier this week.

The move came after the CDC on Wednesday asked the Biden administration to step in, arguing that masking “remains necessary for public health.” 

“CDC believes this is a lawful order, well within CDC’s legal authority to protect public health,” the agency said in a press release.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed that the agency filed a notice of appeal in a Wednesday tweet. 

On Monday, a Trump-appointed federal judge struck down the CDC’s mask mandate on airplanes and other modes of public transportation, deeming the order unlawful. 

The Biden administration previously said it would only appeal the judge’s decision if the CDC assessed that the mandate should remain. The CDC had previously extended the mask mandate until May 3. 

Several US airlines dropped their mask requirement immediately following the ruling. Some passengers were even informed of the policy change mid-flight. 

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