In a striking display of judicial overreach, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee, recently erupted in a courtroom tirade that has drawn widespread scrutiny. Presiding over a case challenging President Trump’s executive order on transgender troops, Reyes tore into Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers and issued an outrageous demand: a written retraction from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a social media post. This episode, detailed by The Gateway Pundit on March 27, 2025, exposes the judge’s alarming bias and raises serious questions about her fitness for the bench.
The controversy stems from Hegseth’s post on X, which stated, “Pentagon says transgender troops are disqualified from service without an exemption,” linking to a Fox News article about a Pentagon memo. Reyes seized on this, claiming it falsely implied all transgender troops were barred—a misrepresentation of the policy, in her view. She berated DOJ attorney Jason Manion, dismissing his defense of the post as “shorthand” for a complex issue. “Do you really think you can say one thing in public and then come here to court and say something else entirely?” she snapped, before ordering Hegseth to submit a clarification by Monday.
This isn’t Reyes’ first clash with Trump-era policies. She’s previously signaled support for transgender soldiers challenging the executive order, even questioning the biological reality of two genders—a stance that reeks of ideological overreach. The Gateway Pundit aptly labels her “crazed,” highlighting her aggressive tactics and apparent disdain for impartiality. Her demand that a Cabinet official retract a public statement is unprecedented and smacks of judicial tyranny, far exceeding her authority to interpret law.
The facts are clear: Reyes is wielding her gavel as a political weapon, shredding courtroom decorum to push a personal agenda. Her outburst undermines trust in the judiciary, turning a legal proceeding into a circus. Critics, including conservative outlets, rightly see this as activism masquerading as justice. Whether Hegseth complies with her absurd ultimatum remains uncertain, but one thing is undeniable: Judge Reyes’ conduct is a disgrace to the bench, and her actions deserve every bit of the condemnation they’ve received. This case is a battleground, and she’s chosen her side—reason and neutrality be damned.
