Justices refused James Pietrangelo’s motion without comment, after the White House asked the court not to take the case. The former army captain was appealing a 1993 ruling that upheld his dismissal under the don’t ask/don’t tell law. The law forbids the government from asking members of the military about their sexuality, but it also forbids members of the military from openly acknowledging their homosexuality. President Obama has said that he is in favour of removing the law, but has not yet taken any action, and White House officials have not objected to the court’s decision.