A federal judge has delivered a significant setback to U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to prohibit transgender individuals from serving in the military, ruling that the policy violated the Fifth Amendment.
Shortly after taking office, Trump issued an executive order aimed at expelling thousands of transgender service members as part of his broader push against what he termed “radical gender ideology” in federal institutions.
The directive faced immediate legal challenges, with several service members filing lawsuits.
They argued that the ban, which threatened the careers of approximately 4,200 personnel, constituted unlawful discrimination and infringed on their constitutional right to equal protection.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled against the policy on Tuesday, condemning it as “derogatory” and issuing an injunction that ensures transgender personnel can continue serving.
“The ban, at its core, employs disparaging language to single out a vulnerable group in violation of the Fifth Amendment,” Reyes stated in her decision.
Although the government contended that military decisions should be left to the armed forces, Reyes rejected this argument, asserting that the Trump administration failed to provide any legal basis for the ban.
“The law does not require courts to uncritically endorse irrational policies based on speculation,” she wrote.