Judge Weighs Deposing Hegseth Over Trans Military Ban Case
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., is considering ordering Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to answer questions under oath about his past statements on transgender service members. Judge Ana Reyes said she may require a one-hour deposition if written responses are insufficient. The Justice Department has asked the court to decide the case without examining Hegseth's social media posts or prior remarks.
Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., is weighing whether Secretary Pete Hegseth must sit for a one-hour deposition in litigation over the military’s transgender service ban. She said she would first allow ten written questions, but if his answers are evasive or overly legalistic, testimony could follow.
The Justice Department has asked for summary judgment and argues the court should assess the policy’s formal terms without considering Hegseth’s social media posts or remarks. Earlier, Reyes blocked the ban temporarily, calling it tainted by animus; a divided appeals court later ruled against it, and the Pentagon seeks Supreme Court review.
The dispute could affect transgender service members facing discharge or continued uncertainty, along with military leadership and lower courts handling similar challenges. A ruling on whether Hegseth’s public statements may be examined could shape how judges assess policy motives and how much scrutiny officials face. It may also intensify public debate over military personnel rules and civil rights, though the legal outcome remains pending.