As US defense minister Pete Hegseth mocked a federal judge who imposed a ban on transgender soldiers in the military, tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the courts grew.
The US Constitution’s equal protection clause was likely violated by Trump’s 27 January executive order, one of several that targeted transgender Americans ‘ constitutional right, according to US district judge Ana Reyes. Hegseth took to social media to mock Reyes, rudely refer to her as” Commander Reyes” and accuse her of overstepping her authority, which sparked anger within the leadership.
Since” Judge” Reyes is then a major military manager, he wrote on social media platform X that” Commander Reyes does report to Fort Benning at 0600 to guide our Army Rangers on how to implement High Value Target Raids.”
Torres is one of several magistrates facing animosity from Trump and his supporters, and was chosen by former Democrat president Joe Biden. The president has repeatedly attacked magistrates who have ruled against his policies, according to The Guardian, along with Elon Musk, attorney general Pam Bondi, and other leaders.
Trump called for the prosecution of a prosecutor overseeing a constitutional challenge to his imprisonment airlines just last week, calling him a” Radical Left Maniac” and” nuisance and agitator,” which sparked a eminently rare rebuke from the US Supreme Court’s chief justice.
The Trump administration has been the subject of more than 100 claims challenging its plans since taking office in January. Several judges have quashed significant initiatives, including Trump’s efforts to impose a ban on involuntary heritage citizenship, across the country.
Hegseth, a veteran of the defense and past Fox News host, has given so-called” culture battle” issues in the military a place, including banning transgender members and putting an end to programs for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The administration argued that the government has the right to refuse service to people with problems deemed unsuitable for services, such as bipolar illness and eating disorders. Transgender people are not fit for military service, according to federal lawyers who urged determine Reyes to delay their decision.
