(Rightallegiance.com) – A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military. The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes, asserts that the policy likely violates constitutional protections against sex-based discrimination.
On January 27, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14183, titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness.” The order directed the Department of Defense to revise its policies to exclude individuals who identify with a gender different from their biological sex from military service. The administration justified the policy by citing concerns over unit cohesion, mental and physical readiness, and overall military effectiveness.
The executive order faced immediate legal challenges. In the case of Talbott v. Trump, six active-duty transgender service members and two individuals seeking to join the military filed a lawsuit arguing that the ban violated their constitutional rights.
Judge Reyes, appointed by President Biden, found that the policy was rooted in bias and lacked factual justification. In her 80-page ruling, she stated that the ban stigmatized transgender service members and was not supported by credible evidence. She emphasized that the policy’s waiver provisions were so narrowly tailored that they effectively excluded virtually all transgender individuals from service.
“The court knows that this opinion will lead to heated public debate and appeals. In a healthy democracy, both are positive outcomes,” Reyes wrote. “We should all agree, however, that every person who has answered the call to serve deserves our gratitude and respect.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision. He expressed confidence that the administration would ultimately prevail in upholding the executive order.
Advocacy groups, including the Human Rights Campaign and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, praised the ruling as a significant victory for transgender rights and military inclusivity.
The preliminary injunction is set to take effect on Friday, allowing time for the administration to file an appeal. The case is expected to proceed through the courts, potentially reaching the Supreme Court for a final decision.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles over transgender rights in the United States, particularly concerning military service and equal protection under the law.