Judith W. Rogers

A federal appeals court ruled that a Trump administration policy banning transgender military members violated their constitutional right to equal protection, allowing some plaintiffs to continue service. The 2-1 decision, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia, upheld a lower court ruling and found the policy arbitrary and based on animus. The case, Talbott et al v. Trump, involves eight active-duty service members and others seeking enlistment.

A federal appeals court ruled that a Trump administration policy banning transgender military members from service violates their constitutional right to equal protection, allowing some plaintiffs to continue serving. The 2-1 decision found the policy 'arbitrary and based upon animus,' while a dissent argued the military can restrict rights differently than civilians. The preliminary injunction applies only to the case's plaintiffs and does not block the policy for all transgender service members or enlistees.

An appeals court ruled that President Donald Trump's transgender military ban, implemented via an executive order in January 2025, violates constitutional equal protection rights due to being 'driven by the bare desire to harm' transgender individuals. The 2-1 decision upheld a lower court's preliminary injunction allowing case plaintiffs to continue service, though the ruling does not universally apply to all transgender service members or those seeking enlistment. Judge Justin R. Walker dissented, arguing the military has unique authority over its members.

A U.S. appeals court ruled that a Trump administration policy banning transgender military members from service violates their constitutional right to equal protection, allowing involved plaintiffs to continue serving. The decision, a preliminary injunction, found the policy 'arbitrary and based upon animus,' while a dissenting judge argued the military has authority to restrict service members' rights.

A U.S. appeals court ruled that a Trump-era policy banning transgender military members from service violates constitutional equal protection rights, allowing some plaintiffs to continue serving. The 2-1 decision temporarily halts the policy but does not apply universally to all transgender service members or enlistees.

A U.S. federal appeals court ruled that a Trump administration policy banning transgender military members from service violates their constitutional right to equal protection. The 2-1 decision allows eight plaintiffs to continue serving but does not extend to all transgender service members or those seeking enlistment. The policy, issued via executive order in 2025 and enforced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, was deemed arbitrary and driven by animus toward transgender individuals.