U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sparked controversy over the weekend after publicly attacking a federal judge who blocked former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
The heated exchange unfolded on social media after U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes issued an indefinite injunction against the policy, calling it “soaked in animus and dripping with pretext.”
Judge Reyes Blocks Trump’s Transgender Military Ban
On Tuesday, Judge Reyes delivered a 75-page ruling striking down the ban, arguing that it was based on discrimination rather than military necessity.
“Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact,” Reyes wrote in her decision.
The ruling directly challenges Trump’s executive order, titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” which attempted to bar transgender individuals from serving. Trump’s order argued that “expressing a false ‘gender identity’ divergent from an individual’s sex” was incompatible with military standards.
Hegseth’s Angry Response
Infuriated by the decision, Hegseth took to social media to mock Judge Reyes, posting a sarcastic message on X (formerly Twitter):
“Since ‘Judge’ Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers on how to execute High-Value Target Raids… after that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare.”
The post quickly went viral, drawing both support and backlash. Critics accused Hegseth of misunderstanding the judiciary’s role, arguing that judges do not need military experience to rule on policies affecting the armed forces. Others pointed out the potential transphobic undertones in his statement, as he implied Reyes’ ruling was based on personal identity rather than legal expertise.
Backlash and Legal Fallout
Hegseth’s remarks also fueled controversy due to Judge Reyes’ background. In 2023, she became the first openly LGBTQ district court judge. However, contrary to Hegseth’s implication, she does not use she/they pronouns.
Legal experts and advocacy groups immediately condemned Hegseth’s attack, arguing that it undermines judicial independence. Some even suggested that his comments could damage the military’s credibility in handling sensitive social issues.
Despite the backlash, Hegseth remained defiant, doubling down earlier in the week with another post:
“We are appealing this decision, and we will win.”
What’s Next?
With the Biden administration and civil rights groups backing the judge’s ruling, the fight over transgender rights in the military is far from over. Hegseth’s strong stance suggests that Trump’s team will push the case to higher courts, potentially leading to a long legal battle.
As the debate intensifies, the case raises larger questions about military inclusivity, judicial independence, and the limits of executive power.
