Trump-Appointed Judge Strikes Down Federal School Mask and Vaccine Mandate

A federal judge on Wednesday “ruled that the federal government cannot require Head Start program teachers, staff and volunteers be vaccinated against COVID-19, nor can they require that adults and students wear masks.” the Liberty Justice Center announced.

Federal judge issues a PERMANENT INJUNCTION on a federal vaccine and mask mandate for the federal Head Start program that affects 24 plaintiff states

— citing the Federalist Papers in his opening paragraph https://t.co/waGBVTBy5Y pic.twitter.com/7qOgLqhSbX

— Marina Medvin (@MarinaMedvin) September 21, 2022

Terry A. Doughty, a judge on the US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, a Trump appointee, said “the liberty interests of individuals mandated to take the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any interest generated by the mandatory administration of vaccines.”

“The public interest is served by maintaining the constitutional structure and maintaining the liberty of individuals who do not want to take the COVID-19 vaccine. This interest outweighs Agency Defendants’ interests. The public has a liberty interest in not being required to take a vaccine or be fired from their jobs. The public interest must be taken into account before allowing Agency Defendants to mandate vaccines. Although vaccines arguably serve the public interest, the liberty interests of individuals mandated to take the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any interest generated by the mandatory administration of vaccines.”

Last December Louisiana teacher Sandy Brick filed a federal lawsuit to stop the mandates, Liberty Justice Center said.

“Louisiana teacher Sandy Brick has been serving her students through adversity and uncertainty the last two years. Today, this decision vindicates her right to teach without sacrificing her freedom.” – Sarah Harbison, general counsel at the Pelican Institute for Public Policy said.

“Although President Biden recently declared that the ‘pandemic is over,’ the fight to restore Americans’ individual liberties is not,” said Daniel Suhr, managing attorney at the Liberty Justice Center. “We will continue to fight for teachers like Sandy and the low-income students they serve until every illegal and unjustified mandate is wiped from the books. Today’s decision is a significant step toward undoing the injustice perpetrated against everyday Americans throughout the COVID-19 crisis.”

The US government can appeal Judge Doughty’s ruling to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Recall, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals previously blocked Biden’s vaccine mandate for private businesses.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr celebrated the ruling.

“In response to our lawsuit, a federal judge has permanently blocked the Biden administration’s unlawful vaccine & mask mandate for Head Start school programs in GA & 23 other states.” Carr said.

“In part, this mandate would have forced Head Start students 2 years & older to wear a mask.” he said.

In response to our lawsuit, a federal judge has permanently blocked the Biden administration’s unlawful vaccine & mask mandate for Head Start school programs in GA & 23 other states.

In part, this mandate would have forced Head Start students 2 years & older to wear a mask.

— GA AG Chris Carr (@Georgia_AG) September 21, 2022

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