Steven Douglas Merryday
Updated: 12/10/2025, 11:04:13 AM Wikipedia source
Steven Douglas Merryday (born November 2, 1950) is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Merryday issued rulings that blocked the CDC from enforcing its public health rules regarding cruise ship operations and blocked the Navy from removing an insubordinate commander of a $1.8 billion warship who refused to comply with COVID-19 precautions and exposed others to COVID-19 while experiencing symptoms.
Infobox
Preceded by
Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Succeeded by
Jordan Pratt
Appointed by
George H. W. Bush
Born
(1950-11-02) November 2, 1950 (age 75)Palatka, Florida, U.S.
Education
University of Florida (BA, JD)
Tables
· Sources
Preceded bySeat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Preceded bySeat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Legal offices
Preceded bySeat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Legal offices
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida 1992–2025
Legal offices
Vacant
Preceded byAnne C. Conway
Preceded byAnne C. Conway
Legal offices
Preceded byAnne C. Conway
Legal offices
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida 2015–2020
Legal offices
Succeeded byTimothy J. Corrigan
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded bySeat established by 104 Stat. 5089 | Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida 1992–2025 | Vacant |
| Preceded byAnne C. Conway | Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida 2015–2020 | Succeeded byTimothy J. Corrigan |
References
- "BIOGRAPHIES OF FEDERAL COURT JUDGES SITTING IN FLORIDA"https://web.archive.org/web/20170730052812/http://www.lawdiary.com/docs/subscribers/FL_Judicial_Biographies.pdf
- www.fjc.govhttps://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/merryday-steven-douglas
- "The Middle District of Florida Welcomes the Honorable Timothy J. Corrigan as Chief Judge"https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov/announcements/middle-district-florida-welcomes-honorable-timothy-j-corrigan-chief-judge
- The Miami Heraldhttps://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article252215988.html
- "CDC's Cruise Safety Regulations Thrown Out By Federal Court, Delivering Victory For Gov. Ron DeSantis"https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/06/18/cdcs-cruise-safety-regulations-thrown-out-by-federal-court-delivering-victory-for-gov-ron-desantis/
- Slate Magazinehttps://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/03/covid-vaccine-judge-navy-warship-religious-freedom.html
- The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/09/19/judge-strikes-down-trumps-15-billion-suit-against-new-york-times/
- "Florida federal judge tosses Trump's $15B defamation lawsuit against The New York Times"https://apnews.com/article/trump-lawsuit-new-york-times-3141806904f4f70e9a986b787599c6a8
- CNN Businesshttps://www.cnn.com/2025/09/19/media/trump-new-york-times-lawsuit-dismissed-merryday