The state of Oklahoma has sued the Biden administration over a Defense Department mandate that its National Guard forces must get the COVID-19 vaccine, …
The state of Oklahoma has sued the Biden administration over a Defense Department mandate that its National Guard forces must get the COVID-19 vaccine, calling it an unconstitutional and dangerous overreach by the federal government. The lawsuit, filed late Thursday, seeks a temporary injunction and a permanent restraining order against the mandate. It also asks the court to block a threat this week by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to effectively withhold funding and salaries for the Oklahoma National Guard and Guard members in the state. The suit escalates what was already an extraordinary clash of will between Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Pentagon leadership. Mr. Austin has said getting all active-duty, reserve and Guard personnel protected from COVID-19 is a readiness issue and that unvaccinated Guard members will be barred from the federally-funded training and drills they need to maintain their status in the Guard. Oklahoma state Attorney General John O’Connor called the Pentagon vaccine mandate “reckless and unlawful,” and warned it could affect public safety as well. “Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate ensures that many Oklahoma National Guard members will simply quit instead of getting the vaccine, a situation that will irreparably harm Oklahomans’ safety and security,” Mr.
