Supreme Court allows Trump administration’s military ‘transgender’ ban to take effect

The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration Tuesday, allowing enforcement of its military policy banning “transgender” individuals from service by lifting a federal judge’s order that had blocked its implementation.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hailed the ruling as a “MASSIVE victory.” 

“President Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth are restoring a military that is focused on readiness and lethality – not DEI or woke gender ideology,” Leavitt wrote on X.

The decision follows a request from the Trump administration last month urging the Court to intervene. US District Judge Benjamin Settle of Washington had issued an injunction against the policy in March, citing constitutional concerns and arguing the administration failed to justify the ban.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) warned that without the Court’s intervention, the injunction could remain in place for months, obstructing military operations and undermining national security.

“Absent a stay, the district court’s universal injunction will remain in place for the duration of further review in the Ninth Circuit and in this Court – a period far too long for the military to be forced to maintain a policy that it has determined, in its professional judgment, to be contrary to military readiness and the Nation’s interests,” U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in a filing. 

The contested policy was issued through a January executive order and developed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. It bars “transgender” individuals from enlisting, halts so-called “gender-affirming” procedures for service members, and authorizes the discharge of personnel diagnosed with gender dysphoria. 

A February Pentagon memo defended the policy, arguing that individuals with gender dysphoria often face medical and psychological limitations incompatible with the demands of military service.

“It is the policy of the United States Government to establish high standards for Service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity,” the memo states.

“This policy is inconsistent with the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria or who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria.” 

The Supreme Court’s ruling enables the administration to reinstate its policy, while broader legal challenges continue in lower courts.