Court Ends ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

While the Pentagon and White House were slowly dismantling “don’t ask, don’t tell,” a federal appeals court today acted more swiftly, immediately striking down the policy that bars gays from openly serving in the military. Previously, Congress had voted to repeal the policy but was allowing time for President Obama and the Pentagon to confirm that it wouldn’t harm the military’s operations. Citing Congress’ vote well as the Obama administration’s February decision to stop supporting a federal law denying benefits to gay couples, the court lifted a previous stay that had kept DADT in place. Obama’s team is appealing the ruling, saying Congress should be the one to make the decision.