On March 18, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a temporary injunction against President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender individuals from military service. The injunction prevents enforcement of the ban while a lawsuit filed by 20 current and prospective service members proceeds.
President Trump’s executive order, issued on January 27, barred transgender individuals from enlisting and mandated the discharge of current transgender service members. The administration justified the ban by claiming that transgender identities conflict with military values such as honor and discipline.
The plaintiffs argue that the ban violates the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause by discriminating based on sex. They reference the 2020 Supreme Court ruling that employment discrimination against transgender individuals constitutes illegal sex discrimination.
Judge Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, found that the executive order likely infringes upon constitutional protections and expressed concerns over the lack of evidence supporting the administration’s stance. However, no official statement from the judge specifically criticized the language of the order.
The Department of Defense, following the executive order, had announced plans to prohibit transgender enlistments and initiate discharges of current transgender personnel. Estimates suggest that thousands of transgender individuals currently serve in the U.S. military.
This ruling undermines the Trump administration’s efforts to maintain military readiness and uphold traditional values. The temporary injunction allows transgender service members to continue serving as the lawsuit progresses.
