A federal judge has blocked Donald Trump’s order banning transgender individuals from enlisting or serving in the U.S. military. The policy, introduced just one week after Trump returned to office in January, claimed that allowing transgender service members diluted military excellence and discipline. It also stated that individuals identifying as a gender different from their assigned sex were inconsistent with military values.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that the order was unconstitutional, stating that it discriminates based on sex and transgender status. She called the ban “soaked in animus” and criticized its language as demeaning, noting that many transgender service members have risked their lives defending the very rights the policy sought to deny. Reyes also argued that a more balanced policy could have been created without outright banning transgender personnel.
The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by LGBTQ legal organizations on behalf of six active-duty transgender service members and two individuals seeking to enlist. While the judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the policy, she delayed its effect until March 21, giving the Trump administration time to appeal.
For now, the future of Trump’s policy remains uncertain. If the administration moves forward with an appeal, the case could make its way to higher courts, potentially shaping military policy for years to come.
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