AG Schmitt Sues Kansas City over Mask Mandate

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to halt the recently imposed mask mandate in Kansas City. The suit, which was filed in Jackson County, argues that the mask mandate imposed is unreasonable, unconstitutional, and arbitrary and capricious.

The suit names Mayor Quinton Lucas, the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department, and the Director of the Kansas City, Missouri Regulated Industries Division Jim Ready.

This continued unconstitutional and unreasonable government overreach must stop - Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt

“Today, I filed suit against Kansas City to stop the imposition of a mask mandate on the people of the Kansas City region. This continued unconstitutional and unreasonable government overreach must stop, especially in the face of a widely available vaccine. Requiring schoolchildren to mask all day while in school is not based in science and is completely ridiculous,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “I will always stand up for the liberties of the people of Kansas City and Missouri.”

The lawsuit incorporates seven counts, and asks the court to invalidate the mask mandate and issue injunctive or other appropriate relief.

The lawsuit argues that the Kansas City mayor, on July 25, 2021, previously stated that no mask mandate was needed, but then reversed course and in a July 27, 2021 tweet and a July 28, 2021 press release announced that Kansas City would be imposing a mask mandate. 

The lawsuit notes that in that two-day interim, there were no major changes in data for Kansas City, and no material change in any of the reasons listed by Kansas City for imposing a mask mandate, underscoring the lack of justification for the reversal and imposition of the mandate. 

Schmitt also argued Lucas did not have the authority to implement the order, asking the court to find its authorization “invalid and unlawful.” 

Kansas City’s mask mandate began Monday and is in effect until Aug. 28. It states that all individuals 5 years and older regardless of vaccination status must wear face coverings inside public buildings. 

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story