Trump Admin Barred from Removing 20+ Transgender Troops
A federal appeals court temporarily halted removal of 28 transgender service members while their lawsuit proceeds, though the Trump administration argues they cannot meet military standards.
According to Breitbart News, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a 2-1 decision permitting 28 transgender individuals to remain in active service while their lawsuit proceeds. These service members had filed legal action after the Trump administration reinstated restrictions on transgender military participation.
The court’s order currently protects only the 28 named plaintiffs, though they are pushing for the protection to be expanded to cover all transgender troops serving in the armed forces.
In his majority opinion, Judge Robert L. Wilkins noted that President Trump issued an executive order during the opening days of his second term declaring that individuals expressing a false gender identity divergent from their biological sex cannot meet the demanding standards required for military service. The order, issued on January 27, 2025, was later reinforced by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who stated that persons with gender dysphoria are unfit for service due to character traits inconsistent with the high standards of honesty, humility, and integrity expected of military personnel.
Wilkins added that the government has not attempted to defend or provide factual justification for what he characterized as disparaging descriptions of American citizens. He emphasized that the government has not disputed that the serving plaintiffs, who have collectively earned more than 80 commendations, have served honorably and present no national security threat despite identifying as transgender and experiencing gender dysphoria.
President Donald Trump’s January 2025 executive order stated explicitly that expressing a false gender identity divergent from one’s biological sex fails to meet the rigorous standards necessary for military service.
The executive order further explained that beyond the hormonal and surgical interventions involved, adopting a gender identity inconsistent with biological sex conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle. A man’s assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member, the order stated.
In February 2025, the U.S. Army announced it would cease performing medical procedures associated with gender transition, in addition to no longer permitting transgender-identifying individuals to serve in the military.
With information from Breitbart News
