Tensions between the Trump administration and federal judges escalated as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined President Donald Trump and other officials in criticizing a federal judge who blocked a ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military. Hegseth mocked U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who ruled that Trump’s January 27 executive order likely violated the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law.
In a social media post, Hegseth sarcastically referred to Reyes as “Commander Reyes” and suggested she had overstepped her authority by making decisions related to military operations. He wrote, “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.”
Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, is among several judges who have issued rulings challenging Trump’s policies since he returned to office in January. The administration has increasingly clashed with the judiciary, with Trump, his advisers, and other officials publicly criticizing judges. For example, Trump recently called for the impeachment of a judge overseeing a case related to deportation flights, labeling him a “Radical Left Lunatic” and prompting a rare rebuke from the Chief Justice.
Federal courts are currently handling over 100 lawsuits challenging various Trump administration initiatives, with some judges issuing nationwide injunctions to block policies such as efforts to limit automatic birthright citizenship.
Hegseth, a military veteran and former television host, has prioritized culture war issues, including banning transgender troops and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the military. Since taking over the Pentagon, Hegseth has overseen significant changes, including the removal of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C.Q. Brown, and the Navy’s top admiral, the first woman to hold the position. Hegseth had previously questioned whether Brown’s appointment was based on merit or his race.
While Trump and Hegseth have the authority to relieve military officers, their efforts to ban transgender service members have sparked multiple legal challenges. The ongoing conflict between the administration and the judiciary highlights broader concerns about the independence of the courts and the safety of judges.
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