A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s ban on transgender troops in the U.S. military Tuesday evening.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that the ban violated the constitutional rights of transgender members of the military. It will almost certainly provoke a swift appeal from the Department of Justice.
The decision originates from a civil lawsuit first brought against the Trump administration in January by a group of trans military service members, many of whom are decorated. They say President Donald Trump’s ban violated their rights and was inherently discriminatory.
As the judge noted in her opinion Tuesday, the plaintiffs have served in roles ranging from senior military science instructor, artillery platoon commander, intelligence analyst, satellite operator, operations research analyst, naval flight officer and weapons officer. They have deployed around the world including to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Poland and Korea and have served aboard the USS Ronald Reagan and USS George W. Bush. Among them, they have earned over 80 commendations including a Bronze Star, two Global War on Terrorism Service Medals and more.
“No More Trans @ DoD,” Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, posted after the supreme court...
