The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling in United States v. Skrmetti, which allows Tennessee to ban medical procedures to transition children, is possibly a preview of how other transgender ideology cases could shake out in the future.
Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky general and Republican Senate candidate, spoke exclusively with Washington Examiner on how he believes this case has set a precedent regarding transgender ideology and is a win for protecting children.
“I certainly think what we saw from the Supreme Court was a decision to return to common sense but also following the law,” Cameron, who is running to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), said.
The high court came to the decision that Tennessee’s Protecting Children from Gender Mutilation Act, which bans the use of puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and surgeries on minors intended to help minors identify as the opposite sex, does not violate the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.
“We want kids to maintain and retain the innocence of youth,” Cameron said. “I’m glad to see this radical return to common sense on this front and was delighted by the Supreme Court’s case, particularly because I think of Jonathan Skrmetti as a friend and somebody who’s fighting diligently to protect our kids from what is ultimately nonsense.”
Cameron believes the Skrmetti ruling could shape future decisions in Virginia. Jonathan Zinski, a biological man, got a job at Liberty University, a predominantly Christian University in Lynchburg, Virginia. After waiting for the 90-day probationary period, Zinski told the university of a plan to legally change his name from Jonathan Zinski to Ellenor Zinski and transition to a woman. The university fired Zinski for going against the signed doctrinal statement. Zinski is now suing the school in a case pitting freedom of religion against transgender ideology in the workplace.
“When you think about religious freedom, Liberty University should have every right and ability to say who they want to work for them,” Cameron said. “This sounds like a little bit of a bait and switch, somebody that came in under one set of pretenses, simply to try to make a point. I fully support Liberty University.”
Cameron, who is also the CEO of the 1792 exchange, which is a non profit working to end corporations’ DEI and “woke” polices, said another case might better explain how the Supreme Court justices will rule. In the 6-3 ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Supreme Court sided with a group of parents out of Montgomery County, Maryland, who want to opt their children out of LGBT curriculum on religious grounds.
“The court made a very forceful argument in compelling theory as it relates to religious liberty,” Cameron said. “Parents should be able to opt out of those sorts of learning or educational programs. I think they will say something very similar in the Liberty University case. Religious liberty has to mean something, particularly in the higher education scenario.”
Cameron believes the Supreme Court will ultimately rule in Liberty University’s favor due to the precedent of this season’s cases.
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Cameron unsuccessfully ran for Kentucky governor in 2023, losing out to current Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY). Coupled with his four-year run as attorney general, Cameron has garnered statewide name recognition and experience on the campaign trail. Yet Cameron is suffering from underwhelming fundraising. His primary opponent, Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), has emerged as the early financial front-runner with a war chest 11 times larger than Cameron’s.
Should President Donald Trump choose to weigh in, his endorsement is widely seen as a significant boost in the race. All three contenders are vying to position themselves as Trump’s most loyal ally and the best equipped to advance his priorities.