Federal judge will hear last-minute Trump admin request to undo block on trans military ban
The hearing comes as Judge Ana Reyes's injunction was scheduled to take effect.
March 21, 2025
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The hearing comes as Judge Ana Reyes's injunction was scheduled to take effect.
"We are going to continue to show up every single day, put on our uniforms, and do the absolute best that we can to lead troops, our country, and do our jobs,” Second Lt. Nicolas Talbott said.
“All servicemembers will be treated with dignity and respect at all times,” the memo denying transgender soldiers of their existence states.
“The Department of Defense does not track service members or applicants by gender identity,” DOJ lawyers told a judge in a Saturday filing.
Judge Ana Reyes rejected the Pentagon policy, saying it was "soaked in animus and dripping with pretext.”
With Trump's military ban blocked for now, Nicolas Talbott is enlisting, and he's optimistic his dream will come true.
While a federal judge considers blocking the policy altogether, the Pentagon is moving forward.
"It's a trap," one legal expert told The Advocate.
The policy explicitly bans transgender service members from receiving gender-affirming medical care, including hormone therapy and gender-confirmation surgeries.
New enlistments for transgender people are stopped, care for existing service members paused and promotions held up, according to the defense secretary’s latest memo.
With Trump's military ban temporarily blocked, trans Americans begin signing up, with cautious optimism that the ban will fall for good.
The judge directed the federal government to notify both the court and plaintiffs if the Department of Defense issues any policy or guidance enforcing the challenged executive orders impacting transgender service members.
The department is accusing U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes of bias and misconduct.
The Army “will no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military and will stop performing or facilitating procedures associated with gender transition for service members,” the post states.
The Air Force says transgender service members have to leave before the end of March or face an uncertain future.
The Trump administration directive looking to discharge trans service members was tucked away in a court filing.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes was not having it.
History for equality will be made on Tuesday, even if it's an advance that is immediately in jeopardy.