Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins Scores Big Win in Court

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has declared that Gov.Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates violates Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins‘ efforts to direct safety protocols amid the COVID pandemic.

In a written statement late Monday, Jenkins wrote in part “To the lawyers who represent not just me but the interest of public health, I am forever grateful. I will continue to stand for your safety against any threat. the enemy should not be another elected official.”

The appeals court said the governor’s legal team did not show how a temporary injunction issued August would hurt the state.

Governor Abbott responds and comments further on the vaccine mandate ban.

Governor Greg Abbott

Jenkins’ full statement:

The Court of Appeals found in my favor tonight in Jenkins v Abbott: “…section 418.012 does not give the governor carte blanche to issue executive orders empowering him to rule the state in any way he wishes during a disaster.”
I am thankful for this ruling. To the lawyers who…
— Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) November 23, 2021

all follow the science wherever it leads.
— Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) November 23, 2021

Twitter reaction to the ruling was mixed.

Next stop. The Texas Supreme Court…
— Adam Vanek (@adamvaneklaw) November 23, 2021

Kudos to you. We are grateful beyond words. 🙏🏼
— Julia Jernigan Gibson (@juliajgibson) November 23, 2021