Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Federal appeal court has frozen a judge's order halting the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, even as the Pentagon has announced it will accept openly gay recruits.
A three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily granted the US government's request for a freeze on the judge's order. The court instructed lawyers for the gay rights group that brought the lawsuit successfully challenging the policy to file arguments in response by Monday.
The judges would then decide whether to extend the temporary stay while it considers the government's appeal of US District Judge Virginia Phillips' ruling that the policy was unconstitutional.
The 1993 "Don't ask, don't tell" rule says gays may serve but only if they keep secret their sexual orientation.
President Barack Obama said last week that the law that came into effect under President Bill Clinton "will end on my watch" but added that "It has to be done in a way that is orderly, because we are involved in a war right now." He said he supports repeal of the policy, but only after careful review and an act of Congress.
It was unclear what effect the temporary freeze would have on the Pentagon, which has already informed recruiters to accept openly gay recruits and has suspended discharge proceedings for gay service members. Cynthia Smith, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said "We believe a stay is appropriate."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments