Federal Judge Blocks Biden-Admin Gender Identity Healthcare Protections Nationwide

A district court judge in Seattle blocked the Trump administration Justice Department's subpoena on QueerDoc, a provider of gender-affirming care, ruling that the subpoena was not part of a legitimate law enforcement investigation but aimed at ending gender-affirming care, reflecting the administration's explicit agenda. The judge, Jamal Whitehead, a Biden appointee, stated the government’s actions demonstrated an improper purpose aligned with President Trump's goal to eliminate such care. Separately, a federal judge in Mississippi struck down a Biden-era Department of Health and Human Services rule that included gender identity under sex discrimination protections, ruling that HHS exceeded its authority by redefining sex discrimination beyond biological sex as contemplated in Title IX. Fifteen GOP-led states challenged the rule, arguing it forced healthcare providers to perform gender transition procedures against their medical judgment. In a related ruling, the HHS was ordered to pause grant conditions that required removing references to "gender ideology" from educational materials amid legal challenges. These cases highlight ongoing legal battles over the scope of transgender rights and gender-affirming care policies under the current administration and courts.