Trump Administration Appeals to Supreme Court for Transgender Military Ban

The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow its ban on transgender people serving in the military to take effect while legal challenges proceed, arguing that service by individuals with gender dysphoria undermines military effectiveness. The administration contends the policy is based on expert panel findings and is comparable to longstanding restrictions on other medical conditions. Federal judges have issued nationwide injunctions blocking the ban, with some courts finding it likely violates constitutional equal protection guarantees and calling it unfair due to a lack of evidence that transgender troops harm readiness. Critics, including advocacy organizations and appeals judges, argue the government has not demonstrated any problems from four years of open transgender service and question the rationale for the sudden reversal. The Supreme Court previously allowed a similar ban to take effect, but lower courts continue to block the current policy as litigation moves forward. The Biden administration had previously reversed the Trump-era ban, allowing transgender people to serve openly.