Trump Urges Supreme Court to Reinstate Transgender Military Ban/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump asks Supreme Court to allow his transgender military ban during ongoing lawsuits. Lower courts blocked the ban; the administration says it’s necessary for military discipline. Thousands of transgender troops currently serve openly under Obama-era protections.
Trump Pushes Supreme Court to Reinstate Transgender Military Ban — Quick Looks
- High Court Appeal: Trump administration petitions Supreme Court to lift legal block on military transgender ban.
- Lower Court Rulings: Federal judges previously ruled against the ban, calling it discriminatory and damaging.
- Defense Department Policy: Transgender identity labeled incompatible with military discipline and readiness.
- Legal Landscape: The issue is tied up in multiple appeals courts, including a case heard Tuesday in D.C.
- Historical Context: Obama allowed open service, Trump banned it, Biden reversed the ban, Trump reinstated.
- Military Impact: Thousands of transgender individuals currently serve, but represent under 1% of active duty.
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Revive Transgender Military Ban
Deep Looks
April 24, 2025 | WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration has formally asked the Supreme Court to allow the reinstatement of its ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military, even as multiple legal challenges against the policy continue in lower courts.
In a filing submitted Thursday, Trump’s legal team requested permission to enforce the controversial executive order issued during the first week of his second term. The ban, according to the administration, is vital to preserving military readiness and maintaining what it calls “a disciplined, honorable service culture.”
The Legal Battle So Far
The request follows a decision from a federal appeals court to maintain a nationwide block on the policy while legal disputes are unresolved. U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma, Washington, ruled in March in favor of several transgender service members, saying the Trump directive lacked justification and inflicted irreparable harm on long-serving troops.
“There’s been no credible evidence that open service by transgender troops has harmed the military,” wrote Settle, a George W. Bush appointee and former U.S. Army JAG Corps captain.
The Trump administration’s ban reverses a 2016 Obama-era policy that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly. When President Joe Biden took office, he rescinded Trump’s original ban — only for it to be reinstated again after Trump’s re-election.
Defense Department’s Position
Following Trump’s executive order, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a strict policy effectively barring transgender individuals from enlisting or continuing to serve, with no carve-outs for those already serving or undergoing transition. This version is more sweeping than Trump’s first-term ban, which allowed some exceptions.
A parallel case in Washington, D.C., also resulted in a judicial block, though that ruling was temporarily paused this week by a federal appeals court featuring two Trump-appointed judges. A hearing was held Tuesday to determine whether the injunction will remain.
Another federal judge in New Jersey issued a more targeted ruling preventing the Air Force from discharging two transgender men, citing the irreparable professional harm that would result from their removal.
Military and Social Impact
Transgender individuals currently serving in the military number in the thousands, but they comprise less than 1% of the total active-duty force. Critics of the ban argue it threatens both military cohesion and the civil liberties of LGBTQ+ Americans.
The Trump administration maintains that the presence of transgender personnel is incompatible with military discipline and honesty, especially during combat and high-stress scenarios. Critics see this position as a political move with little basis in data or military experience.
The Supreme Court previously allowed Trump’s narrower first-term ban to take effect in 2019. The new petition effectively asks the justices to reinstate a broader, more restrictive version.
What’s Next?
The legal fight continues on multiple fronts. Lower court rulings will likely guide whether the Supreme Court takes immediate action or allows the cases to play out. Meanwhile, the Pentagon faces pressure from both sides — with advocates pushing for inclusion and hardliners demanding enforcement.
As one of the most visible civil rights battles in the current administration, the final outcome could have profound implications for military policy, LGBTQ+ rights, and the broader debate over identity and national service.
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