Judge Likely To Deny DADT Stay

The federal judge who last week ordered an end to DADT gave indications today that she will not approve the DOJ's request for a stay on her ruling.

A federal judge said on Monday that she is inclined to deny a government request to delay her order that immediately stopped the military from enforcing its ban on openly gay service members. U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips said she would review the arguments from Justice Department lawyers and issue a ruling as early as Monday, or by Tuesday. If she rejects the request, the Justice Department officials say they would appeal to what experts say are likely to be friendlier venues: the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco and, ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court.

Stand by, this is only the beginning. Again.