A federal judge in New Jersey temporarily halted the Trump administration’s effort to remove two transgender members from the Air Force.
This marks the second time a federal judge has ruled against the administration’s efforts to enforce its ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
U.S. District Judge Christine O’Hearn, appointed by the current president, issued a temporary 14-day restraining order on Monday, preventing the administration from carrying out its order to separate Master Sgt. Logan Ireland and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bear Bade from the service. O’Hearn stated that the two service members showed that being removed would negatively affect their careers and reputations.
O’Hearn further noted that the “involuntary loss of decorated military status, military healthcare, and the ability to serve their country under a policy they have followed for years cannot be compensated with monetary damages.”
“The loss of military service under a policy that targets gender identity is not just a loss of employment; it is a significant disruption of personal dignity, continuity of medical care, and public service,” O’Hearn explained in her ruling.
The Department of Defense referred inquiries to the Justice Department, which stated that it had “vigorously defended” the former president’s executive orders, including one declaring that there are only two sexes: male and female.
“This is the latest example of an activist judge overstepping her authority, disregarding the will of the American people who elected the president,” a Justice Department representative said.
In January, the president signed an executive order barring transgender individuals from serving in the military. Following that, the Secretary of Defense issued orders in February requiring each branch of the military to begin separating transgender personnel within 30 days. O’Hearn’s ruling follows a similar decision from U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., who blocked the ban on March 19. Reyes said the administration’s policy was “soaked in animus” and discriminated against transgender individuals.
“Indeed, the cruel irony is that thousands of transgender service members have sacrificed — some risking their lives – to ensure others have the very equal protection rights the Military Ban seeks to deny them,” Reyes wrote in her opinion.
Since January, the president has signed over 90 executive orders, resulting in more than 125 lawsuits against his administration.
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