The order was temporarily delayed in March 2025 by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., who said it violated the equal protection provision of the Constitution and used wording that.
“Stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit.” Judge Reyes said that a balanced strategy that respects both civil rights and national security might still be developed,
Criticizing the administration’s reasoning as insulting and factually baseless. However, the Supreme Court backed with the Trump administration.
In a divided ruling on May 6, removing the injunction and allowing the policy to go into force. The three liberal justices of the Court openly dissented from the order, which was not signed.
Human rights activists quickly criticized the decision. In a joint statement, Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation denounced the ruling, saying,
“The Court has temporarily sanctioned a policy that has nothing to do with military readiness and everything to do with prejudice by allowing this discriminatory ban.
To take effect while our challenge continues.” They went on: “Transgender people exhibit the same values and meet the same standards as everyone who serves.”
