Judge finds no authority to reinstate Yosemite ranger fired for trans flag
The judge said the court could not reinstate Shannon Joslin or block a possible criminal investigation after the ranger was fired for the flag display.
- On Friday, U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston dismissed a lawsuit from former Yosemite National Park ranger Shannon SJ Joslin, ruling the court lacked authority to reinstate the employee or address the termination claims.
- The National Park Service fired Joslin last year for unfurling a 55-foot by 35-foot transgender pride flag across El Capitan, which Joslin maintains was protected by the First Amendment.
- Joslin argued the government "enforced its rules selectively based on the message that the pride flag sends," while the Interior Department countered the firing was based on conduct, not speech.
- Thurston directed Joslin to pursue claims through the Office of Special Counsel, noting the court cannot review the termination or block potential criminal investigations the former ranger faces.
- This legal challenge follows a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and "gender ideology" across the federal government, with The Civil Service Law Center representing Joslin.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Judge Says She Has No Authority to Reinstate Trans-Identifying Park Ranger Fired For Unfurling Trans Flag at Yosemite National Park
A federal judge on Friday said she had no authority to reinstate a trans-identifying park ranger who was fired last year for unfurling a trans flag at Yosemite National Park.
Judge Refuses to Reinstate Yosemite Ranger Fired Over Trans Flag
A federal judge on Friday refused to order the reinstatement of a Yosemite National Park ranger fired last year for unfurling a transgender pride flag from El Capitan, ruling that the court has no power to second-guess the termination.
Judge finds no authority to reinstate Yosemite ranger fired for trans flag
A federal judge ruled Friday that she has no authority to reinstate a Yosemite National Park ranger who was fired for unfurling a transgender pride flag at the El Capitan rock formation last year. The decision doesn’t address Shannon “SJ” Joslin’s allegation that the firing selectively targeted them for speech protected by the First Amendment.
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