March 24 – Five transgender U.S. military service members have petitioned a federal judge to prevent enforcement actions against them under President Donald Trump’s transgender military ban. These actions include being placed on administrative leave, denied participation in training exercises, and facing career roadblocks that could jeopardize their military futures.
The motion was filed in a Washington federal court at a time when the Trump administration is urging U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes to overturn her previous ruling that had temporarily blocked the enforcement of the ban nationwide.
Last week, Judge Reyes issued an order halting the ban, citing constitutional concerns. However, on Friday, she temporarily paused her ruling while reviewing the government’s request for reconsideration. Despite this, she noted that individual service members experiencing immediate harm could file for emergency relief.
The five plaintiffs in this case argue that they face “immediate, serious, and irreparable harm” if the ban remains in effect. Three of them have already been placed on administrative leave, preventing them from fulfilling career progression requirements and damaging their reputations among fellow service members. Another has been barred from training with other cadets, and a fifth is unable to complete officer candidate school due to the restrictions.
Meanwhile, in a separate legal battle, a federal judge in New Jersey has blocked the military from expelling two transgender service members. However, this ruling does not extend to other individuals affected by the policy.
The White House and Department of Defense have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the ongoing legal challenges.
Judge Reyes, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, initially ruled on March 18 that the ban likely violated the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on sex-based discrimination. She wrote that “transgender persons are fully capable of embodying the warrior ethos, maintaining strong physical and mental health, and demonstrating selflessness, honor, integrity, and discipline—all qualities essential for military excellence.”
In contrast, President Trump defended the policy by arguing that “adopting a gender identity inconsistent with one’s biological sex is incompatible with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in their personal life.”
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military remains uncertain. With courts divided on the issue, the final outcome will shape the rights and careers of transgender service members for years to come.
