Federal Judge Upholds Block on Trump's Transgender Military Ban
A federal judge appointed by President Joe Biden has denied the Trump administration’s effort to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, based in Washington, D.C., rejected a motion by the Trump administration to dissolve an injunction that has been preventing the enforcement of a policy set to bar transgender individuals from military service. The policy, which was due to take effect, faced immediate legal challenges, resulting in the ongoing litigation.
The Department of Justice, representing the Trump administration, has appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The appeal follows a hearing on March 21, where Judge Reyes requested a delay in the policy’s implementation to allow more time for the appeals process.
In her ruling, Judge Reyes addressed the argument presented by the Trump administration, which claimed that the policy was not a blanket ban but a regulation based on the medical condition of gender dysphoria. Reyes countered this argument by stating that gender dysphoria affects only transgender individuals, making the policy discriminatory in nature.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, named as a defendant in the lawsuit, criticized the judge’s decision, suggesting on social media that she should report to military bases to instruct troops on various military operations.
The legal battle over transgender rights in the military is part of a broader national debate, with the Supreme Court also considering related cases. The outcome of these legal challenges will have significant implications for transgender rights and military policy in the United States.