Hegseth Slams Judge after Ruling Forcing Pentagon to Allow Transgenders in the Military

Since a federal judge blocked President Trump’s ban on transgender troops, critics say the courts are now making military decisions—and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth isn’t having it.

Key Facts:

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a ruling stopping the enforcement of President Trump’s transgender military ban.
Trump’s January 27 order barred service members from identifying with a gender different from their biological sex.
Reyes called the order “demeaning” and said it likely violates constitutional rights.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the ruling, sarcastically calling Reyes a new “top military planner.”
The order is delayed until Friday to allow the administration time to appeal.

The Rest of The Story:

President Trump’s executive order aimed to restrict military service to individuals whose gender identity aligns with their biological sex.

The administration cited concerns over medical readiness, discipline, and truthfulness as key reasons for the ban.

Judge Reyes disagreed, ruling that the policy unjustly targets transgender individuals and likely violates equal protection rights.

She acknowledged the controversy surrounding the case and emphasized that public debate is a healthy part of democracy.

In response, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took to X with sharp sarcasm: “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.”

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. https://t.co/CNrl252Irs

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) March 22, 2025

The judge delayed her injunction until Friday to give the administration time to appeal, which it says it will.

Commentary:

Secretary Hegseth’s sarcasm may have raised eyebrows, but his frustration reflects a deeper issue—civilian judges stepping into decisions that should belong to military leadership.

Whether or not one agrees with the policy, determining who is fit for military service is a question of readiness, discipline, and cohesion—not courtroom politics.

The military is not a social experiment.

It demands physical and mental stability, teamwork, and structure.

Gender dysphoria is a recognized mental health condition.

It often coexists with depression, anxiety, and even suicidal tendencies.

That alone raises serious questions about whether those struggling with such conditions are prepared for the brutal demands of military life.

There’s also the troubling trend of individuals joining the armed forces not to serve their country, but to gain access to expensive gender transition treatments at taxpayer expense.

That’s not patriotism—it’s opportunism.

And beyond the health concerns, there are practical issues.

Housing and personal privacy in shared quarters like barracks and showers become flashpoints when biological differences are ignored.

Military cohesion and morale can suffer when service members are forced into uncomfortable and avoidable situations.

Judge Reyes may believe she is standing up for fairness.

But fairness in civilian life does not always translate to fitness for combat.

By overriding a commander-in-chief’s directive and imposing her own views on military readiness, she has crossed a line.

The Bottom Line:

A federal judge has blocked Trump’s ban on transgender troops, setting the stage for a constitutional fight.

While the ruling is temporary, it raises serious concerns about judicial overreach into national defense.

Secretary Hegseth’s remarks, though biting, reflect a valid concern—military standards should be set by those who serve, not by activists in black robes.