A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military.
U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, preventing the Department of Defense from enforcing the policy while legal challenges continue. In her ruling, Reyes strongly criticized the administration, arguing that the ban violates transgender service members’ constitutional rights.
“The cruel irony is that thousands of transgender service members have sacrificed—some risking their lives—to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the Military Ban seeks to deny them,” Reyes wrote.
The lawsuit was filed by six current transgender service members and two individuals hoping to enlist, challenging a Trump executive order from January 27 that aimed to remove transgender troops. The order had directed the Pentagon to create a plan for implementing the ban within 30 days.
This ruling is the latest in a series of court decisions blocking Trump’s executive orders, leading to concerns that the administration may eventually defy a federal court ruling. Trump has promised to appeal but has also openly criticized judges who rule against him.
For now, transgender troops can continue serving while the legal battle plays out.
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