TAMPA, FL — Liberty Counsel filed a response to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in opposition to the Department of Defense’s (DOD) attempt to stop the preliminary injunction granted by federal Judge Steven Merryday for two service members in the Navy SEAL 1 case. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel 2 and Navy Command Surface Warfare Officer’s final religious accommodation appeals were denied and they were ordered to receive a COVID-19 shot within days or be subject to discipline for disobeying an order.
Liberty Counsel argues that the Court of Appeals should deny the motion because the DOD cannot satisfy the requirements for obtaining a stay. After Judge Merryday ordered each branch of the military to file a detailed report regarding religious exemptions from the COVID-19 shot every 14 days beginning Friday, January 7, 2022, the documents prove that the military continues to deny religious exemptions while granting medical exemptions.