Appeals Court Rules Trump Administration Policy on Transgender Troops is Illegal

A panel of federal appeal court judges ruled that a policy from the Trump administration unlawfully banned transgender individuals from serving in the military. The ruling, issued by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, supports a previous decision by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who found that the executive order likely violates the constitutional rights of transgender service members. The appeal court's majority opinion narrows a preliminary injunction to only apply to the plaintiffs currently serving in the military, excluding those seeking to enlist. The ruling will not take immediate effect, allowing the administration time to request a review by the full appeals court. The U.S. Supreme Court had previously allowed the ban to remain in place as litigation continues. The executive order, signed by Trump in January 2025, stated that the sexual identity of transgender service members conflicts with military readiness. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth subsequently issued a policy disqualifying individuals with gender dysphoria from military service. Judge Robert Wilkins, who wrote the majority opinion, criticized the policy as being aimed at harming a politically unpopular group. In contrast, Judge Justin Walker, in a dissenting opinion, argued that the judiciary does not have the authority to question military decisions regarding personnel.