Pentagon Considering Appeal of Order Blocking Enforcement of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 3, 2021. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Department of Defense officials are reviewing their options after a federal judge this week blocked the military from punishing a group of Navy SEALs who are seeking religious exemptions to the Pentagon’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

“We are aware, of course, of the injunction and we’re reviewing it and in discussions with the Department of Justice as to what options might be available to us going forward,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters in Washington on Tuesday.