Episode 111: Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is in the Supreme Court's biggest transgender case ever

The Christian Chronicle Podcast

Jonathan Skrmetti (Harpeth Hills Church of Christ), attorney general for the state of Tennessee, is the defendant in what the national media argue is the biggest case of the term for the United States Supreme Court: United States v. Skrmetti.

In question is a 2023 Tennessee state law that prevents healthcare professionals from providing gender transition procedures to minors. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Biden administration brought suit against Tennessee for violating the 14th Amendment rights of three teens who seek gender transition procedures.

In this episode, Abilene Christian University professor (and practicing attorney) Dr. Kenneth Pybus asks Skrmetti to explain the "what," the "how," and the "why" of his defense of the Tennessee state law.

Skrmetti also talks about how practicing the law is a ministry, the best way (and not best way) to go about that ministry and how he uses his office to protect the rights of ordinary citizens (such as when he takes big companies to court for making products that harm their users).

Skrmetti shares how he came to become a member of the Church of Christ and why he still prioritizes taking his entire family to Wednesday night Bible class every week.

Link to Bobby Ross Jr.'s The Christian Chronicle article about United States v. Skrmetti (December 2024)

Link to Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) case referenced in the interview

Link to the Cass Review (2020) referenced in the interview

Link to news report on the United Kingdom's ban on puberty blockers for minors (referenced in the interview)

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Chapters

1. Episode 111: Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is in the Supreme Court's biggest transgender case ever (00:00:00)

2. Transgender Rights Debate (00:00:03)

3. Media Coverage and Legal Battles (00:17:23)

4. Life and Faith (00:25:32)

5. Challenges and Achievements in Public Service (00:36:04)

6. Faith and Reason in Legal Debate (00:49:11)