A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction against a policy from the Trump-era Pentagon that intended to bar transgender individuals from joining or serving in the United States military without a waiver.
Breitbart reported that the ruling comes after former President Donald Trump issued an executive order forbidding transgender people from enlisting or serving, leading to legal efforts by plaintiffs currently serving or looking to join the military.
The injunction was announced Tuesday by Judge Ana Reyes, who was appointed by President Biden. This decision temporarily halts the implementation of the Department of Defense's policy, spearheaded by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which required waivers for transgender troops to serve.
The legal challenge was brought by twenty plaintiffs who are either currently serving in the military or planning to enlist. Judge Reyes' decision highlighted the importance of equal protection rights in supporting their case.
In her ruling, Reyes noted the "cruel irony" of transgender service members sacrificing for a nation that denies them certain rights. She emphasized the fundamental principle of equality, stating, "In the self-evident truth that 'all people are created equal,' all means all."
Meanwhile, the Trump Justice Department faces a deadline of March 21 to appeal the ruling. The injunction represents a significant obstacle to policies initiated by former President Donald Trump.
President Trump's executive order, issued on January 27, 2025, aimed to prevent individuals from enlisting or serving in the military if they were transgender. The order stipulated that service members must not have medical conditions requiring substantial treatment or hospital stays.
This order also included stipulations about the use of facilities, mandating that they align with a person’s biological sex. Hegseth's directive, dated February 7, 2025, further halted accession processes and medical treatments for transgender service members.
According to a Department of Defense (DOD) memo issued on February 26, 2025, the military was given a 30-day timeline to begin separating troops affected by the absence of waivers, which remain a point of contention in ongoing legal disputes.
Over the years from 2015 to 2024, the Department of Defense spent approximately $52 million on healthcare related to gender dysphoria for service members. This financial aspect is part of the broader context in which the military's policy impacts troop welfare and readiness.
A defense official commented that as of December 9, 2025, around 4,200 service members had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Judge Reyes, in her ruling, emphasized that gender-related treatments play an important role in enhancing "psychological well-being, mental health, and quality of life."
The judgment underscores the complexity of blending fiscal accountability with equitable treatment for all service members, highlighting a critical area of military policy in evolution.
Responses to the ruling have been varied. A representative for the Justice Department characterized the court's decision as an instance of judicial activism, arguing it undermines the will of the American public who supported Trump’s election.
Stephen Miller, a former administration official, expressed dissatisfaction on social media, suggesting that judges are overstepping their authority in military matters. His comments reflect a broader debate over judicial powers and their impact on military policies.
Amidst differing perspectives, the ruling initiates a renewed discussion on the role of transgender individuals in the U.S. military, balancing personal liberties with institutional regulations.
The temporary nature of the injunction means that the final outcome of this legal tussle remains uncertain. Until and unless an appeal is successfully mounted by the Trump Justice Department, the temporary block remains in effect.
