DOJ Backs Away From Supreme Court Challenge to Tennessee Ban on Transgender Procedures for Minors

The Epoch Times Header

The DOJ under the Biden administration argued in December that the state law was unconstitutional, but it no longer supports that position.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) changed sides on Feb. 7 in a Biden-era Supreme Court challenge to a Tennessee law banning transgender procedures for minors.

The DOJ has disavowed its prior position and now argues that state law is constitutional.

Although the department had previously argued the state law was unconstitutional, it said in a new High Court filing that it is not requesting dismissal of the case, United States v. Skrmetti.

Oral argument was already heard in the case, on Dec. 4, 2024. Respondent Jonathan Skrmetti is the attorney general of Tennessee.

During the hearing, several justices seemed skeptical of the challenge, raising concerns about the evolving nature of the debate in this policy area, as well as the level of scrutiny that courts should apply to laws such as Tennessee’s.

Some justices seemed hesitant about applying the U.S. Constitution in the way that the DOJ suggested the court should, while others indicated that some children legitimately need these treatments.

Position changes in high-profile Court cases have often taken place in recent years when a new party assumes the presidency.

After President Joe Biden was inaugurated in January 2021, the DOJ similarly changed its position on several court cases that were pending at the time.

President Donald Trump was inaugurated on Jan. 20 and Pam Bondi, his nominee for attorney general, who oversees the DOJ, was sworn in on Feb. 5.

Deputy U.S. Solicitor General Curtis Gannon said in a new letter addressed to the court clerk that the government no longer supports the position the DOJ argued last year regarding the state law known as Tennessee Senate Bill 1, or SB1.

Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris, who is currently the Trump administration’s top lawyer at the Supreme Court, is recused from the case. The letter did not explain the recusal.

By Matthew Vadum

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

I Refuse To Be A Serf

“How are people not furious about property taxes?” President Trump...

Putting it to rest

As the nation hits its taxation stride on its way to April 15th and DOGE continues to reveal waste and fraud, a review of the nation’s finances is overdue.

Lefty Activist Judges are Obstructing Trump’s Presidency

Activist judge’s ruling to block President Donald Trump from being able to execute his Constitutional Article 2 Powers pose a real “Constitutional crisis”.

France’s Next Quarterly Nuclear Drills Might Become Prestige-Building Exercises With Poland

Europe wonders what form Macron’s plans to extend his nuclear umbrella over the continent could take, considering risks entailed after Moscow’s negative reaction.

RFK Jr. Nukes HHS ‘Research’ Grants Designed to Stamp Out ‘Vaccine Hesitancy’

RFK Jr. must be waiting to get data firmly on his side before yanking COVID shots off the market and delivering pharmaceutical criminals to the DOJ.

News

US to Pay El Salvador $6 Million to Imprison 300 Illegal Immigrant Gang Members for a Year

Trump admin is set to pay El Salvador $6 million to hold 300 members of Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang and 2 alleged members of MS-13 in prison for a year.

DOJ Investigates Columbia University for Potential Terrorism Offenses

A separate Homeland Security probe is looking into whether...

Voice of America Cuts Contracts With AP, Reuters, and AFP

Voice of America, under leadership appointed by Trump, is terminating contracts with The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.

Retirees Must Make Obligated Withdrawals From IRAs, 401(k) Accounts by April 1: IRS

IRS issued alert reminding retirees that some of them are obligated to withdraw money from their retirement accounts by beginning of next month.

Johns Hopkins University Laying Off Over 2,000 Workers After Federal Funding Cut

Johns Hopkins University will lay off over 2,000 workers worldwide following Trump admin’s termination of $800 million in federal funding for institution.

American Airlines Plane Catches Fire at Denver Airport, Forces Evacuation

Passengers were forced to evacuate from an American Airlines plane that caught fire on March 13 at Denver International Airport.

Columbia University Expels Some Students Involved in 2024 Hamilton Hall Takeover

Columbia University said its judicial board levied a range of sanctions against students who occupied the building while protesting the Israel-Hamas war.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central