The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reportedly dismissed New York Administrative Judge Karen Ortiz after she challenged White House guidance on defining sex and criticized the agency’s delays in transgender discrimination cases. Her firing has sparked controversy over the EEOC’s approach to LGBTQIA+ issues. The incident comes amid rising tensions between free speech and federal policy enforcement.
Administrative law judges should work under the supervision of the circuit courts and not be subjected to the whims of political appointee. As it is, Trump is turning administrative law judges into biased political hacks.
EEOC Chief Administrative Judge Regina Stephens called Ortiz’s public criticism unprofessional and damaging to the agency’s reputation. Ortiz maintained she was fulfilling her duty by highlighting EEOC mistreatment of LGBTQIA+ complainants.
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Ortiz is challenging her firing, alleging a hostile environment for LGBTQIA+ workers and a departure from the EEOC’s civil rights mission. She plans to continue civil rights advocacy and volunteer work.
Ortiz stated, “The news of my termination is very sad, although not surprising.” She added, “I think the agency has now become something that, I don’t know if I’d even really want to work there anymore. They’ve lost their way.”
Ortiz added, “It takes courage to take a stand, and be willing to be fired, and lose a six-figure job, and health insurance, and the prestige of the title of ‘judge,’ but I think it’ll also serve an example to future lawyers and young lawyers out there that a job title isn’t everything, and it’s more important to stay true to your values.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/not-surprising-judge-responds-to-trump-admin-s-firing/ss-AA1JCH6M