Supreme Court clears path for Trump’s transgender military ban

The U.S. Supreme Court has approved President Donald Trump’s request to enforce a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, lifting a previous nationwide injunction while legal proceedings continue. The emergency appeal by the Trump administration was granted despite opposition from the court's three liberal justices.

Following the announcement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made controversial remarks on social media, emphasizing the end of transgender participation in the military. According to the Defense Department, over 4,000 transgender individuals currently serve in the U.S. military, though advocacy groups believe the actual number may be higher. The total number of active service members is approximately 2.1 million.

The policy impacts several transgender service members, including Navy Commander Emily Shilling, the lead plaintiff in a legal challenge against the ban. In a statement, Shilling emphasized the dedication and capability of transgender personnel, highlighting their contributions in combat and leadership. She encouraged those affected to remain resilient, assuring them of community support.

LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations like Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation called the Supreme Court’s decision a severe setback, arguing the policy stems from bias rather than any legitimate concern about military readiness.

Though another judge in Washington, D.C., also issued a nationwide block on the ban, the appeals court temporarily paused that decision pending further review.

Originally announced in February, the revised ban excludes individuals with gender dysphoria or those who have undergone related medical treatments. The Trump administration cited a Pentagon report that deemed such individuals a potential threat to military effectiveness.

Opponents argue that the policy violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause under the 14th Amendment. They maintain that transgender troops have consistently demonstrated competence and commitment. The Biden administration had previously reversed similar restrictions, but Trump’s renewed policy marks a broader exclusion.

A federal judge in Washington state previously ruled against the ban, declaring the legal question was not close. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to stay that decision, leading the administration to seek intervention from the Supreme Court.