A federal judge ruled Friday that she lacks jurisdiction to reinstate a park ranger dismissed from Yosemite National Park following the display of a trans pride flag during off-duty hours. Shannon “SJ” Joslin, who identifies as nonbinary, filed a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior earlier this year after being terminated for hanging the flag across the iconic El Capitan rock formation in California. The former wildlife biologist sought both reinstatement and protection from potential criminal prosecution through the legal action.
U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston, appointed during the Biden administration, concluded that federal law does not grant her court the authority to review the termination decision or block hypothetical criminal proceedings. The ruling represents a significant setback for the former ranger, who maintained the firing violated constitutional protections for free speech.
Legal arguments centered on selective enforcement claims
Joslin argued in court documents that park officials enforced regulations selectively based on the message conveyed by the pride flag. The lawsuit characterized the termination as vindictive and retaliatory, claiming it was designed to express disapproval of a specific viewpoint. The former ranger emphasized that the 55-foot by 35-foot flag was displayed for approximately two hours in May 2025, entirely during personal time with no connection to official duties.
The government countered that the dismissal had nothing to do with speech content. Judge Thurston acknowledged this dispute but focused on a more fundamental issue in her written decision. She explained that under congressional statutes and binding legal precedent, federal trial courts lack authority to determine whether a termination violated constitutional or statutory protections in cases involving federal employees.
Decades of tradition ended with controversial firing
In a social media post following the termination, Joslin revealed that hanging flags across El Capitan had been a longstanding practice among climbers and park visitors. The former ranger stated that over decades of this tradition, no individual had ever faced disciplinary action for the activity prior to this incident. The temporary Deputy Superintendent cited failure to demonstrate acceptable conduct as the reason for dismissal, despite the activity occurring entirely on personal time.
- The flag measured 55 feet by 35 feet and was displayed across El Capitan.
- Joslin worked as a wildlife biologist for the National Park Service.
- The display lasted approximately two hours before removal.
- No work time or resources were used for the flag installation.
- The incident occurred in May 2025 during off-duty hours.
Joslin emphasized wanting both restoration of employment rights and return to a career dedicated to wildlife conservation. The former ranger maintained that the First Amendment protects the expression displayed through the flag, regardless of park regulations.
Department of Interior defends visitor experience protection
Following the court decision, the Interior Department issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to protecting park resources and visitor experiences. Officials stressed that violations of laws and regulations impacting these priorities would not be tolerated, regardless of the cause or message involved. The department noted that Congress designated Yosemite National Park specifically to highlight natural and cultural features of the region.
Department representatives explained that demonstrations outside designated First Amendment areas require permits to safeguard visitor experiences and park resources. They emphasized that unpermitted displays detract from the visitor experience regardless of the cause being promoted. The statement made clear that many forms of demonstration within the park require advance authorization through the permitting process.
Court dismisses case while denying preliminary injunction
Judge Thurston granted the government’s motion to dismiss while simultaneously denying Joslin’s request for a preliminary injunction. The ruling emphasized jurisdictional limitations rather than addressing the merits of the constitutional claims raised by the former ranger. Legal experts note that federal employees face unique challenges when challenging termination decisions, particularly regarding speech-related claims.
The Civil Service Law Center, which represents Joslin in the matter, has not yet commented publicly on the ruling or potential next steps. The case highlights ongoing tensions between employee expression rights and government workplace regulations, particularly in settings like national parks where visitor experience and resource protection carry statutory weight. The dismissal leaves unresolved questions about whether park officials applied rules consistently across different types of displays at El Capitan over the years.
