A federal judge has indefinitely blocked President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
The U.S. District Judge, Ana Reyes, in a ruling on Wednesday, stated that the ban, which was to take effect later this month, is discriminatory and illegitimate.
Reyes, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, held that the policy “is soaked in animus and dripping with pretext,” adding that it unjustly stigmatises transgender individuals as unfit for military service.
She described the ban as “cruel,” stating that thousands of transgender service members have sacrificed and risked their lives to “protect the very rights that this ban seeks to deny them.”
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by active-duty transgender service members and potential recruits who would have been barred under the policy.
The judge held that the ban violated their constitutional rights.
However, she temporarily paused her injunction until Friday morning to allow the administration time to appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Trump first introduced a ban on transgender service members in 2017, arguing that their presence would negatively impact military readiness, cohesion, and lethality.
That policy faced multiple legal challenges, with lower courts blocking its enforcement.
In 2019, the Supreme Court allowed the ban to take effect but did not rule on its constitutionality. However, President Biden later reversed it in 2021.
After returning to office, Trump reinstated the ban through an executive order, directing the Pentagon to implement new policies restricting transgender service.
Last month, the Department of Defence released its updated guidelines, stating that service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria or displaying symptoms would be discharged.
The policy also affirmed the military’s recognition of only two genders, male and female, requiring all personnel to serve according to their sex assigned at birth.
At the time, defence officials estimated that around 4,240 service members across active duty, reserves, and the National Guard had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, though not all transgender individuals experience it.
Since 2014, approximately 1,000 service members have undergone gender-affirming surgery.
Reyes rejected the Trump administration’s argument that the president has broad authority over military policy, emphasising that such power is not unlimited.
She noted that while ensuring military readiness is a legitimate concern, it has historically been used as a justification for policies that discriminate against marginalised groups.
She stated that past attempts to exclude racial minorities, women in combat roles, and LGBTQ individuals, that were initially defended on similar grounds were ultimately overturned.
Reyes argued that the military has since grown stronger and more inclusive, proving that diversity does not compromise effectiveness.
Reacting to the ruling, Advocates for transgender rights hailed the court’s decision, calling it a major victory for service members.
“Today’s ruling speaks volumes,” said Jennifer Levi, an attorney with GLAD Law.
“The Court’s clear findings expose how this ban specifically targets and undermines the service members who have dedicated themselves to defending our country. We are confident this decision will hold up on appeal.”
