​Internet drags Pete Hegseth after he mocked judge who blocked Trump's trans military ban

The internet isn’t having it.

After U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegsethmocked a federal judge who temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s ban on transgender military service, the blowback was swift and blistering. In a Saturday afternoon post on X (formerly Twitter), Hegseth referred to U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes as “Commander Reyes” and suggested she report to military bases to train elite troops in an attempt to belittle her authority following her ruling against the Pentagon.

The post has been viewed more than 7 million times — and ignited a firestorm of condemnation.

"Since “Judge” Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers on how to execute High Value Target Raids…after that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare,” he wrote.

What may have seemed like a throwaway post to score political points has become a liability. Reyes herself cited Hegseth’s statements in open court recently, noting that his repeated public references to banning “transgender” individuals — rather than those with gender dysphoria — undercut the administration’s claim that the ban is based on deployability and medical standards. “The policy’s impact is the same,” she said from the bench. “This is still a ban on transgender service members.”

The public wasn’t fooled either. Hegseth’s post was immediately met with biting criticism from veterans, legal scholars, LGBTQ+ advocates, and everyday users who accused him of dishonoring his oath and undermining the rule of law. Many noted the irony of his mocking tone, given his refusal to testify in court or provide evidence supporting the policy. Others called attention to his past as a Fox News personality and questioned his qualifications for the post.

Importantly, Hegseth’s outburst is not an isolated incident. It follows a broader pattern by the Trump administration to delegitimize the judiciary when rulings don’t go its way. Earlier this month, Trump called for the impeachment of a judge overseeing a separate case — prompting an extraordinary rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, who reminded the nation that political disagreement is no basis for removing judges.

Taken together, the administration’s strategy — attack, discredit, distract — is playing out in full view. But this time, the tactic may have backfired

The timing of his outburst is interesting because just Friday, the Justice Department asked Reyes to reinstitute a stay she had lifted on her injunction against the order. After a last-minute hearing, she reluctantly agreed to temporarily reinstate her stay, allowing GLAD Law and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, representing the plaintiffs, to respond to the DOJ request in writing.

Her Tuesday ruling called the policy “soaked in animus and dripping with pretext.” She also accused the Justice Department of trying to “gaslight” the court and failing to present any data to justify the ban.

What follows is a gallery of searing responses — a public drag of a defense secretary who helped unravel his own case, one post at a time.

"At least Judge Reyes doesn't share confidential information or release classified intelligence in a group chat. Crack open that bottle of gin you are going to need it"

"What qualification do you have for the position of Secretary Of Defence? Reading from a cue card, while swigging from a bottle of Jack Daniels?"

"Hard to imagine anything less American than denigrating judges every time you get a ruling you don’t like."

"You're potentially trying to discharge over 15k active service members who are voluntarily serving us all honorably. Thousands of veterans served who were likely forced to hide who they were while millions more fought & died beside them so that one day no one would have to hide."

"Never miss an opportunity to project weakness."

"Since "Secretary" Hegseth is shooting his mouth off between gin and tonics, it's worth noting his is also unqualified to do everything he listed and only got the job because a senile billionaire liked him on TV."

"I don't think a judge needs to know much about military tactics to be able to rule that firing people for their gender identity is fucking cruel, unjust, and illegal."

"The Secretary of Defense here attacking a judge. When will America see they’ve voted in and are facilitating autocracy and dictatorship."

"For the record, top military planners don't instruct Army Rangers on how to execute raids on HVT...but he wouldn't know that because he's never been one."

"The TV host faking it as a competent administrator seems to think you respond to a court ruling you disagree with by tweeting. You don't. Just appeal."

"Pete is so much worse than the soldiers he is trying to discharge."

"Pro tip: if you follow the rules and obey the law you will have far fewer problems with judges."

""Secretary of Defense" Hegseth could probably learn a thing or two from Judge Reyes on secure communications."

"Please stop drunk texting war plans."

"You’re not a top military planner either, Pete."

"They don’t take orders from you man."

"You have the anger control of a toddler."