Six transgender service members and two aspiring enlistees have filed a federal lawsuit against Trump, challenging his executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military. Filed in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, the suit alleges that the ban is unconstitutional and driven by animosity rather than legitimate military concerns.
The lawsuit follows Trump’s executive order, signed Monday, which claimed transgender individuals’ identities “conflict with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle” and harm military readiness. The plaintiffs, however, argue that the ban is baseless and discriminatory.
The plaintiffs include decorated members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Army Reserves, such as Army Major Erica Vandal, Navy Ensign Dany Danridge, Air Force Master Sgt. Jamie Hash, and Army Sgt. First Class Kate Cole, who has served for 17 years, including in combat in Afghanistan. Cole said, “Removing qualified transgender soldiers like me means an exodus of experienced personnel.”
Legal groups representing the plaintiffs, including the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), have called the ban an example of unconstitutional animus. Shannon Minter of NCLR stated, “The law is very clear that the government can’t base policies on disapproval of particular groups of people.”
