BREAKING: Judge likely to deny government’s request to delay order halting DADT enforcement

The Associated Press reports:

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—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.