Judge Blocks Trump’s Ban On Transgender People In The Military

Topline

A judge Tuesday blocked the military from enforcing an executive order signed by President Donald Trump seeking to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military, delivering the latest legal blow to Trump over his executive orders.

Key Facts

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes granted a preliminary injunction to the transgender plaintiffs suing the government over Trump’s executive order in a 79-page ruling Tuesday, saying the plaintiffs and any other transgender military members would be “subject to irreparable harm” if an injunction wasn’t granted.

The ruling was in response to a lawsuit over an executive order Trump signed on Jan. 27 that stated “adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual's sex conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one's personal life.”

Reyes said the judgment will be stayed until Friday “to provide Defendants time to consider filing an emergency stay with the D.C. Circuit” court.

This story is developing and will be updated.

Crucial Quote

“Plaintiffs’ service records alone are Exhibit A for the proposition that transgender persons can have the warrior ethos, physical and mental health, selflessness, honor, integrity, and discipline to ensure military excellence,” Reyes wrote in her ruling. “So why discharge them and other decorated soldiers? Crickets from Defendants on this key question.”

What To Watch For

Trump’s response to the judgment. He had not publicly commented on the injunction as of 7:25 p.m. EDT.

Further Reading

Trump Expected To Sign Executive Orders Banning DEI, Transgender Service Members From Military (Forbes)