COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadlines have come and gone, but the U.S. military has still not approved a single religious exemption.
Lawyers representing troops seeking exemptions say the military is violating the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and are urging courts to intervene.
“It’s now the point where I think we can call it what it is. It appears to be blatant religious discrimination when the military has now conceded, both publicly and in court filings I should say, that they have approved multiple numerous medical and administrative exemptions but yet they have refused to approve any religious accommodations,” Mike Berry, an attorney with First Liberty Institute, told The Epoch Times.
“That’s textbook definition of religious discrimination,” he added.
Troops trying to get religious exemptions say they’ve been told it’s pointless to apply. Some have hired lawyers and sued the federal government.
First Liberty Institute brought a suit last month on behalf of dozens of Navy personnel, alleging the Biden administration has violated federal law in its refusal to grant exemptions to troops on the basis of their religion. Another lawsuit was filed by Liberty Counsel on similar grounds.
So far, the suits have not succeeded in blocking the mandate, though judges have questioned why the military has denied hundreds of requests and granted none.
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