Gibbs punts to Justice Dept. on DOMA ruling

By Chris Johnson on July 14, 2010

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Wednesday deferred comment to the U.S. Justice Department on President Obama’s support for a recent court ruling overturning part of the Defense of Marriage Act.

In response to a Blade inquiry on whether Obama was supportive of the court decision, Gibbs replied, “Let me — I’ll point you to the Department of Justice on that.”

Last week, the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts determined in response to two legal challenges that Section 3 of DOMA, which prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage, is unconstitutional.

The Justice Department is expected to appeal the decision to the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals within 60 days of last week’s ruling.

Gibbs ended the White House press conference after responding to the Blade inquiry on DOMA.

The exchange between the Blade and Gibbs during the press conference follows:

Blade: Robert, last week, a federal court in Boston determined that part of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. Considering has several times called this law discriminatory, is the president supportive of that decision?

Gibbs: Let me — I’ll point you to the Department of Justice on that.

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Tagged with Defense of Marriage Act, Robert Gibbs, White House