U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia
Coverage of U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia in the Nexus archive.
- Some trans military members banned by Trump allowed to continue service under ruling
A federal appeals court ruled that a Trump administration 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 those seeking enlistment.
- Trump’s transgender military ban driven by ‘desire to harm,’ appeals court rules
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.