Gov. Wolf To Appeal Judge's Ruling On Pandemic Shutdown Orders

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday sharply struck back a day after a federal judge's ruling that many of his coronavirus shutdown orders were unconstitutional. The Democratic governor criticized President Trump and Republican state lawmakers, accusing them of spreading conspiracy theories and falsehoods about the virus and the state's economic condition during the pandemic.

The judge wrote in his ruling that the Wolf administration's policies were arbitrary and violated the constitutional rights of state residents. The governor's lawyers are preparing an appeal to the ruling.

"Would we, in hindsight, do some things differently? Of course," Wolf said in a statement. “Would I follow the irresponsible demands of the president or the Republican legislature? Absolutely not.

“And that’s the choice we all have to make: do we want to be responsible - to our own families and others - and take steps to mitigate the spread of this virus that’s taken 200,000 American lives? Or do we not?"

RELATED: Gov. Wolf's Coronavirus Restrictions Unconstitutional: Judge

Judge William Stickman IV of the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh ruled on Monday against Wolf and state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine in a lawsuit by multiple parties that included hair salons, drive-ins and several Republican elected officials.

Stickman was appointed by President Donald Trump.

Shortly after the ruling was announced Monday, President Trump retweeted several news articles pertaining to the judge's decision.

Wolf said at a news conference in York that he believes a majority of Pennsylvanians understand that his administration did what was needed in the early stages of the outbreak before the state could safely reopen.

“And the vast majority don’t buy into conspiracy theories or fear mongering from the president or Harrisburg Republicans about this virus. They wear masks. They keep distance. They are smart about how they interact with others. They are responsible.

“And contrary to the misinformation from the legislature, we are reopened. And we’ve been able to manage outbreaks and mitigate risk successfully, while trying to bring some normalcy to our lives."

Watch the governor’s remarks here.