'Don't ask, don't tell': What happens now?
After more legal drama, military recruiters have been told to accept applications from openly gay Americans. Is this the end of the ban?
After a U.S. District judge refused to budge on overturning "Don't ask, don't tell," the Pentagon has ordered military recruiters to accept application from openly gay Americans. President Obama has said DADT "will end on my watch," but he wants to wait for a report from the military on the implications of ending the ban. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice is expected to appeal the ruling by California Judge Virginia Phillips. So, given the conflicting agendas, where do things really stand? (Watch an AP report about the decision)
Behind the headlines are important caveats: This hardly settles the matter, says Marc Ambinder at The Atlantic. The military is warning gay recruits that "their status might be revoked" at any time. And different branches of the armed forces are adopting different rules — the Navy, for example, is putting these new enlistees on "delayed entry" status, meaning they will remain inactive reserves for a year while the court case moves forward. Obviously, it is not yet "safe for gay soldiers to come out."
"Gays allowed to enter the military"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Don't ask, don't tell" is dead: The Pentagon can "hedge" all it wants, says Logan Penza at The Moderate Voice, but "this is the final end of DADT." We have been marching toward this point for years, and the political coalition defending "Don't ask, don't tell" — already a "brittle eggshell" — is bound to crumble now. If the Pentagon changes its mind down the road, it will face a legal nightmare if it tries kicking out the gay soldiers it now is inviting to serve.
The judge left gays in "legal limbo": Given that the Supreme Court could reverse Judge Phillips' decision, she has just created a mess, says Allahpundit at Hot Air. She probably figured she could unilaterally declare an end to the ban on gays serving openly in the military, because the appeals could take a few years and the military may decide to let gays in by then. But all Phillips really did was push openly gay recruits into "legal limbo."
"Pentagon to military recruiters: For now, you must accept openly gay recruits"
Don't expect gay recruits to miss this opportunity: This ruling has changed things already, say the editors of Queerty. Dan Choi, the gay activist and former Army lieutenant, has reportedly reenlisted, leading the way for other troops discharged under "Don't ask, don't tell" who now plan to rejoin. "Good luck to all the other gay soldiers trying to re-enlist."
"Dan Choi wasn't told he's overqualified for service"
Gays should not rush to enlist: Don't expect openly gay Americans to jump at this "strange option," says Ann Althouse at her blog. If the courts reverse course, the military could "kick you right back out again. You'll have given them the evidence to do it." For the time being, gay recruits might still be wise to "not tell" instead of being honest — just in case.
"Pentagon tells recruiters they can accept openly gay and lesbian recruits..."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why is the German government on the verge of collapse?
Today's Big Question The faltering economy triggers a crisis
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
5 engrossing books to read this November
The Week Recommends Haruki Murakami's latest makes it stateside, and Niall Williams delivers a Christmas-time tearjerker
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
What are the risks of online sports betting?
The Explainer It's all fun and games until there are real financial stakes involved
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published