District Judge Benjamin Settle, based in Washington state, ruled that Trump’s ban violated the Constitution’s equal protection clause.
This ruling temporarily blocked the government from enforcing the policy.
The Trump administration then appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, but that appeal was rejected.
Image Credit: Getty
They subsequently took their case to the Supreme Court.
Trump’s legal team argued that the lower court’s decision contradicted military needs and the interests of the nation.
Liberal justices opposed Trump’s ban, but the unresolved ruling allows it to remain in effect.
The Trump administration’s response to the ruling
Following the ruling, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed enthusiasm.
She hailed the decision as a “massive victory” for Trump and Hegseth.
‘Another MASSIVE victory in the Supreme Court!’ she wrote.
‘President Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth are restoring a military that is focused on readiness and lethality – not DEI or woke gender ideology.’
The Department of Defense’s ban, enacted on February 26, highlighted that medical and mental health issues associated with gender dysphoria are incompatible with military service.
‘I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution,’ Schilling said.
US President Donald Trump signs executive orders at the White House. Image Credit: Getty
This reasoning has been a cornerstone of the administration’s policy.
The legal challenge against the ban was led by Commander Emily Schilling, along with six other transgender service members and one person seeking to join the military.
‘That oath requires obedience to lawful orders. But when an order undermines the very principles I swore to uphold, I have the responsibility to challenge it.’
Biden’s executive order and policy changes
After Joe Biden took office in 2021, he signed an executive order that reversed Trump’s ban on transgender military service.
This order aimed to restore rights for transgender individuals in the armed forces.
Undated photo of Commander Emily Shilling, lead plaintiff in lawsuit against transgender military ban. Image Credit: Supplied.
However, Trump and Hegseth backed reinstating the ban, arguing transgender care undermines military effectiveness.
In February, Hegseth issued a memo that paused any gender-transitioning medical procedures for active-duty service members.
The pause blocks new recruits with gender dysphoria and halts planned gender transition procedures.
‘I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution,’ Schilling said.
