Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth slammed an activist judge who has sought to reverse President Trump’s ban on transgenders serving in the military, claiming she exceeded her authority as a judge.
US District Judge Ana Reyes, who was appointed by Joe Biden, ruled that Trump’s Executive Order of 27 January, in which he targeted the legal rights of transgenders, was a violation of the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law.
In a post on X, Secretary Hegseth mocked Reyes, calling her “Commander Reyes” and saying she should take a more active role in military decision-making.
“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,” Hegseth wrote.
“After that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare.”
The DoD declared on 11 February that it would no longer allow transgenders to join in the military and would stop performing or funding gender transition procedures for service members. Later last month, the military said it would begin to expel serving transgender personnel.
The plaintiffs in the case before Judge Reyes argue that the President’s order of 27 January is illegal, citing a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that discrimination against transgenders in the workplace is illegal sex discrimination.
Lawyers for the Trump admin have countered by arguing that the military is allowed to prohibit individuals with conditions that make them unfit for service, including eating disorders and mental conditions.
The clash with Judge Reyes is part of a broader ongoing conflict with activist judges who are seeking to stifle President Trump’s agenda, especially his campaign promise of “the largest mass deportation operation in American history.”
On Tuesday, President Trump called for the impeachment of Judge James Boasberg, who issued an order preventing the deportation of Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act.