The Biden administration has continued its policy of dismissing military personnel who refuse to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Shockingly, that had a group of U.S. Navy SEALs facing the end of their heroic time in the U.S. military after their applications for religious exemptions were turned down. However, a federal judge recently ruled in favor of the SEALs, and in no uncertain terms.
According to Newsmax, an injunction was issued on Monday preventing the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Navy from implementing the Biden vaccine mandate for military troops.
They deserve freedom
The ruling was handed down by Judge Reed O’Connor, an appointee of former President George W. Bush who presides over the Northern District of Texas.
“The Navy servicemembers in this case seek to vindicate the very freedoms they have sacrificed so much to protect,” the judge wrote in his 26-page opinion.
“The COVID-19 pandemic provides the government no license to abrogate those freedoms,” Judge O’Connor added.
Assisting the SEALs in their legal battle is First Liberty Institute, a conservative group that focuses on upholding religious freedom, that has been extra busy over the past year.
Mike Berry, First Liberty Institute’s general counsel, issued a statement welcoming the judge’s decision, declaring, “Forcing a service member to choose between their faith and serving their country is abhorrent to the Constitution and America’s values.”
SecDef tests positive
Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin released a statement last weekend announcing that he had contracted COVID-19 despite having been both fully vaccinated and boosted.
“I tested positive this morning for COVID-19. I requested the test today after exhibiting symptoms while at home on leave,” Austin acknowledged on Sunday. “My symptoms are mild, and I am following my physician’s directions.”
The defense secretary then went on to reaffirm the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate, insisting, “The vaccines work and will remain a military medical requirement for our workforce.”
“I continue to encourage everyone eligible for a booster shot to get one,” Austin said before concluding that the requirement for all service members to get vaccinated “remains a readiness issue,” which is ironic to say the least, as he and Biden continue to kick out troops over a vaccine that doesn’t seem to work all that well.