Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Transgender Military Ban
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. military from enforcing President Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that the policy likely violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause, calling it “soaked in animus” and lacking any factual justification. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by transgender service members and recruits who argued the ban unfairly targets them.
Reyes criticized the order’s language, which described transgender identities as incompatible with military values. She pointed out that many transgender service members have risked their lives for the country, and asked why they should now be expelled from the military. The military’s new policy, set to take effect later this month, would have barred transgender people from enlisting and removed those with a history of gender dysphoria, except in rare cases. Reyes dismissed these exemptions as meaningless, calling the policy a broad attempt to exclude all transgender individuals.
While the ruling delays the ban’s enforcement, the administration can still appeal. LGBTQ advocates praised the decision, with Jennifer Levi, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, stating that the court “pulled no punches” in recognizing the harm inflicted on transgender troops. The White House and Pentagon have yet to comment.
