Oklahoma Supports Religious Liberty of Navy SEALs

Oklahoma City –– Oklahoma this week joined a coalition of 21 other State Attorneys General in support of a group of Navy SEALs who object to mandatory COVID vaccinations on religious grounds. The coalition’s brief was filed in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday (August 29) in opposition to the Biden Administration’s continued pursuit of universal COVID vaccination regardless of legal authority or civil rights.

“Once again, President Biden is abusing his authority,” Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor said.

“We will not turn our backs on our patriots. It is our turn to protect their individual and religious liberties. The Navy is canceling their voices by grossly delaying consideration of their exemptions. I will continue to protect Americans’ rights to make their own healthcare decisions.”

The Attorneys General of Mississippi, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming signed the amicus brief in U.S. Navy SEALs 1-26 v. Biden, which can be found here:

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/OKAG/2022/08/29/file_attachments/2256195/U.S.%20Navy%20SEALs%201-26%20v.%20Biden–CA5%20Amicus%20Brief%20%5Bas%20filed%5D.pdf

According to U.S. Department of Defense data, only 47 religious accommodation requests have been approved within the U.S. Navy, and 4,251 requests remain pending. All 47 of the approvals occurred after this case was filed and the Navy’s delays met with criticism from the federal judiciary.