One week following Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, he enacted an executive order named ‘Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,’ which prohibited transgender individuals from joining the military and mandated the discharge of existing transgender service members.
In March 2025, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a ruling that blocked an order filed by two LGBTQ legal organizations, stating that it infringed upon the Equal Protection Clause and contributed to the stigmatization of transgender individuals.
On May 6, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that supported the Trump administration, permitting the implementation of the ban despite persistent legal disputes. The policy asserts that a gender identity that does not align with biological sex jeopardizes military discipline and preparedness.
Human rights organizations, such as Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign, have denounced the ruling, labeling the ban as discriminatory and not pertinent to military efficacy. They assert that it will ultimately be reversed.
