Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Ban on Transgender Military Service

A federal judge has blocked the enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military. The ruling marks another legal setback for Trump’s policies and highlights the ongoing battle over transgender rights in the United States.

Judge Ana Reyes of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., ruled that the ban likely violates the constitutional rights of transgender service members. This decision came on the same day that another judge ruled against the Trump administration, intensifying a legal clash that prompted Trump to call for the impeachment of a separate judge who had temporarily halted deportation flights.

Reyes, appointed by President Joe Biden, temporarily delayed her ruling to allow the administration time to appeal. In her decision, she acknowledged the controversy her ruling might generate but emphasized the importance of respecting those who serve in the military.

A Victory for Transgender Service Members

Among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit is Army Reserves 2nd Lt. Nicolas Talbott, one of 14 transgender service members who challenged the ban. Talbott expressed immense relief, stating that military service had been his lifelong dream and that he feared losing his career due to the order.

The White House did not immediately comment on the ruling. However, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, criticized the decision on social media, arguing that district court judges should not have control over military policies.

Judge Reyes issued a preliminary injunction requested by attorneys representing not only active transgender service members but also those seeking to join the military. Trump’s executive order, signed on January 27, claimed that the presence of transgender troops conflicted with the military’s core values and could harm military readiness.

In response to the order, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth implemented a policy disqualifying individuals with gender dysphoria from military service. Gender dysphoria refers to the distress experienced when a person’s gender identity does not match their assigned sex at birth, often leading to depression and suicidal thoughts.

Legal and Military Implications

Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that Trump’s order violates the equal protection rights of transgender individuals under the Fifth Amendment. Meanwhile, government lawyers maintain that military officials should have broad authority to determine service eligibility without judicial intervention.

Judge Reyes acknowledged concerns over judicial overreach but emphasized the need for checks and balances in government. She asserted that the court must act to protect the rights of those who defend the nation.

Thousands of transgender individuals currently serve in the U.S. military, representing less than 1% of active-duty personnel. In 2016, a Defense Department policy allowed them to serve openly, but Trump later reversed this decision. The Supreme Court upheld his ban before Biden rescinded it upon taking office.

Hegseth’s policy states that individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are incompatible with the high mental and physical standards required for military service. However, critics argue that the ban unfairly targets transgender service members who have already demonstrated their ability to serve effectively.

Broader Impact on Transgender Rights

This ruling is part of a broader legal battle over transgender rights. Federal judges in Seattle and Baltimore have also blocked Trump-era policies restricting gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Additionally, a judge recently prevented prison officials from transferring transgender women to men’s facilities and denying them access to hormone therapy.

Trump’s administration also implemented policies limiting how schools teach about gender and sought to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

For Talbott and other transgender service members, the ruling represents a significant victory. Talbott, who enlisted in 2024 after years of legal battles, expressed hope that he could now focus on his military duties without fear of being discharged.

“This decision allows me to do what’s really important—serve my country,” he said.