This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience. Cookie Policy
Accept
Sign In
The Wall Street Publication
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Reading: Court shoots down Oklahoma’s lawsuit over National Guard COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Share
The Wall Street PublicationThe Wall Street Publication
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.
The Wall Street Publication > Blog > Trending > Court shoots down Oklahoma’s lawsuit over National Guard COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Trending

Court shoots down Oklahoma’s lawsuit over National Guard COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Editorial Board Published December 29, 2021
Share
Court shoots down Oklahoma’s lawsuit over National Guard COVID-19 vaccine mandate
SHARE

Oklahoma officials say they are weighing their options after a federal judge rejected their challenge to the Pentagon’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement for National Guard troops, the first major decision in a high-stakes legal battle Republican governors are waging against the Biden administration’s military mandate.

The ruling late Tuesday underscored what analysts say is likely an uphill legal battle facing Oklahoma and at least five other states as they argue that Guard troops who object the vaccine on personal, religious or moral grounds should be exempt from the mandate. But the federal court’s decision almost surely won’t be the final word.

With the Biden administration’s June 30 vaccination deadline for Army National Guard troops still six months away, the fight between GOP-led states and the Pentagon is expected to drag on well into 2022. The military’s vaccine policy and the legal challenges it has sparked are likely also to be major political issues in next year’s midterm election campaigns, with Republicans appealing to swing voters skeptical of the administration’s coronavirus mandates.

Republicans already are using Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s vaccination policy to hit Democrats on national security. In a statement following Tuesday night’s ruling, Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor suggested his state is weighing an appeal while previewing one of the GOP’s midterm election arguments.

“The state of Oklahoma is proud of the protection and service our National Guard, active duty and reserve military members, and all federal employees provide to all Oklahomans and to our nation. We thank them for their service. We filed this lawsuit to support these Oklahomans who object to the president’s vaccine mandate,” Mr. O’Connor’s office said in a statement.

“We are disappointed with this decision. We expect the Biden administration to review in good faith all exemptions and religious accommodations requested by our fellow Oklahomans,” the statement said. “We will not be surprised if the president’s vaccine mandate actually reduces the nation’s military readiness instead of promoting it. We are analyzing the state’s response to this decision.”


SEE ALSO: Pentagon goes to court to defend COVID-19 vaccine mandate for troops


The Republican governors of Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska and Wyoming made a similar point in a recent letter to Mr. Austin, arguing that kicking out capable, unvaccinated men and women will harm the nation’s military. Military services have begun to force out unvaccinated active-duty service members. Similar moves are expected for unvaccinated Guard personnel.

The GOP governors also contend that Mr. Austin lacks authority over Guard troops until they are activated for federal duty.

But if Tuesday’s ruling from U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot is any indication, courts will be reluctant to accept any of those arguments.

In his opinion, Judge Friot, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, said the claims made by Mr. O’Connor and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, were without merit. He ruled that Mr. Austin was justified in requiring that all National Guard troops get vaccinated by their service’s respective deadline.

“The vaccine mandate to which the governor objects is the one — in addition to the nine that already apply to all service members — intended to protect service members from the virus which has, in less than two years, killed more Americans than have been killed in action in all of the wars the United States has ever fought,” Judge Friot wrote. “The court is required to decide the case on the basis of federal law, not common sense. But, either way, the result would be the same.”

Mr. Austin, meanwhile, has said that vaccinations are a matter of military readiness. His policy states that any Guard members who refuse the vaccine by the deadline won’t be paid.

“As I’ve said before, vaccination of the force will save lives and is essential to our readiness,” the defense secretary said in a November memo.

Legal scholars generally agree that governors will have a tough time persuading courts to exempt Guard forces from the mandate for any reason.

Indeed, Judge Friot said military personnel already have agreed to a host of other vaccinations when they signed up to serve.

“The COVID vaccination mandate should be understood against the backdrop of other military immunization mandates — which date back as far as Gen. George Washington’s mandate that troops in the Continental Army be inoculated against smallpox. Nine vaccinations (now ten, with the COVID vaccination mandate) are required for all service members,” the judge wrote.

The vaccination deadline for Air National Guard members was Dec. 2. Army National Guard forces have until June 30.

Each service’s vaccination deadline for active-duty troops has already passed. So far, none of the services has approved any religious exemptions, despite requests from thousands of troops across the military.

TAGGED:TrendingWall Street Publication
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Should Retailers Split E-Commerce From Stores? Should Retailers Split E-Commerce From Stores?
Next Article Covid-19, Inflation Make a Mess Out of Predictions Covid-19, Inflation Make a Mess Out of Predictions

Editor's Pick

Emman Atienza Reason for Demise: Social Media Star Passes Away at 19

Emman Atienza Reason for Demise: Social Media Star Passes Away at 19

Studying Time: 2 minutes Beloved influencer Emman Atienza has been discovered lifeless in Los Angeles. She was simply 19 years…

By Editorial Board 2 Min Read
The 2025 Denim Playbook: The Finest Denims and Manufacturers for Each Type | Fashion
The 2025 Denim Playbook: The Finest Denims and Manufacturers for Each Type | Fashion

We independently consider all advisable services. Any services or products put ahead…

6 Min Read
10 Upcoming Sneaker Drops You Can’t Miss This October | Fashion
10 Upcoming Sneaker Drops You Can’t Miss This October | Fashion

We independently consider all beneficial services and products. Any services or products…

7 Min Read

Oponion

Helen Mirren to get actors’ guild Life Achievement Award

Helen Mirren to get actors’ guild Life Achievement Award

The Screen Actors Guild has selected Dame Helen Mirren as…

November 18, 2021

UCLA says Trump administration has frozen $584 million in grants, threatening analysis

By JULIE WATSON, Related Press The…

August 6, 2025

Antioch’s Najee Harris cleared for full-contact apply with Chargers, stays mum on accident particulars

EL SEGUNDO — Working again Najee…

September 2, 2025

Gas-Station ATMs Are a Banking Battleground

Dozens of banks had rejected Ann…

February 19, 2022

Toronto ‘epicenter of weakness’ for housing as Ontario’s 1.5M aim slips additional away

Within the wake of a report…

September 10, 2025

You Might Also Like

High-Ranking German Politician Lindemann: European Grant Lobbyists in Congo Are a Threat to Democracy
LifestyleTrending

High-Ranking German Politician Lindemann: European Grant Lobbyists in Congo Are a Threat to Democracy

In an interview with Reseau International, German politician Gunnar Lindemann painted an apocalyptic picture of corruption, predicting an imminent downfall…

7 Min Read
Kirill Dmitriev’s Vision: The Russia-Alaska Tunnel as a Geostrategic Imperative
TrendingWorld

Kirill Dmitriev’s Vision: The Russia-Alaska Tunnel as a Geostrategic Imperative

Executive Summary: A Strategic Announcement In a landmark social media post dated October 16, Kirill Dmitriev, Chief Executive Officer of…

6 Min Read
Nathan Dickson Concludes 24-Hour Charity Game Development Stream Benefiting Gamers Outreach Foundation
LifestyleTrending

Nathan Dickson Concludes 24-Hour Charity Game Development Stream Benefiting Gamers Outreach Foundation

Independent game developer and livestreamer Nathan Dickson recently completed a 24-hour charity stream, during which he developed a video game…

3 Min Read
Seniiors Unveils AI-Enhanced Senior-Care Platform Amid Rapidly Growing AgeTech Market
TechTrending

Seniiors Unveils AI-Enhanced Senior-Care Platform Amid Rapidly Growing AgeTech Market

Reinforcing Seniiors’ leadership in digital senior care with data-driven automation and deep insights into the future of aging. NEW YORK…

5 Min Read
The Wall Street Publication

About Us

The Wall Street Publication, a distinguished part of the Enspirers News Group, stands as a beacon of excellence in journalism. Committed to delivering unfiltered global news, we pride ourselves on our trusted coverage of Politics, Business, Technology, and more.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?