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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mocked U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes after she blocked President Donald Trump's ban on transgender military service, intensifying tensions between the administration and the federal judiciary. Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, ruled that Trump’s executive order likely violated the Constitution’s equal protection clause.
Hegseth, a military veteran and former Fox News host, ridiculed Reyes on social media platform X, calling her “Commander Reyes” and sarcastically suggesting she report to military bases to train elite forces. His remarks came as Trump and allies—including Elon Musk and Attorney General Pam Bondi—continue to criticize federal judges who challenge their policies.
Trump recently called for the impeachment of another judge overseeing a deportation case, prompting a rare rebuke from the U.S. Chief Justice. More than 100 lawsuits have been filed against various Trump policies, including efforts to end automatic birthright citizenship.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has reshaped the Pentagon, replacing top military leaders, including General C.Q. Brown, the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the Navy’s first female top admiral. Hegseth had previously questioned whether Brown’s appointment was based on race.
The administration’s transgender troop ban—effective since February—bars new transgender recruits and halts gender transition procedures for current service members. The Pentagon also plans to discharge transgender personnel. Plaintiffs argue the policy violates a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that prohibits sex-based discrimination against transgender individuals.
Government attorneys argue that transgender individuals, like those with bipolar or eating disorders, are medically unfit for service. In a March hearing, they urged Judge Reyes to defer to the administration’s judgment.
This escalating conflict underscores the growing culture war between Trump’s administration and the judiciary over LGBTQ+ rights and military policy.
