Appeals Court Denies Trump Administration’s Request to Enforce Military Transgender Ban

In a recent judicial decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has denied a request from the Trump administration that sought to reinstate a ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military. This decision upholds a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle, which temporarily halted the military’s policy aimed at identifying and discharging transgender service members.

Background of the Appeal

The Trump administration, dissatisfied with Judge Settle’s injunction, escalated the matter to the Ninth Circuit, hoping to put Settle’s ruling on pause and enforce the ban while the appeal was under consideration. The administration’s request was reviewed by a panel consisting of Judges Wallace Tashima, John Owens, and Roopali Desai, who were appointed by former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, respectively.

The rejection by the Ninth Circuit is a setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to prioritize what it views as military readiness and discipline over the inclusion of transgender individuals in the armed forces.

Legal Challenges and Opposition

The legal challenge against the Trump administration’s policy was spearheaded by Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation on behalf of seven active-duty transgender service members. Additionally, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee, issued a separate ruling that blocked the Pentagon from implementing a policy that would prevent transgender troops from serving without a waiver.

Trump’s Executive Order on Military Readiness

In January, former President Trump issued an executive order titled, “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness.” The order argued that expressing a gender identity different from one’s biological sex does not meet the stringent standards required for military service. It emphasized that military service demands a high level of honesty, discipline, and selflessness, which the administration believes is compromised by the assertion of a gender identity at odds with biological sex.

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Following this directive, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth implemented a policy pausing all new military accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria and halting medical procedures related to gender transition for service members.

This ongoing legal battle underscores the tension between the Trump administration’s pursuit of what it perceives as essential military standards and the judicial system’s checks on executive power concerning individual rights and equality in the military.