Trans Inmate Ruling halted the Trump administration’s attempt to restrict gender-affirming care in federal prisons. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth delivered a clear verdict against the policy.
Lamberth, appointed by Ronald Reagan, sided with three transgender inmates. They challenged Trump’s executive order that stopped gender-related medical treatments. The judge found the administration did not provide a valid reason for the restriction.
He explained that neither the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) nor the executive order offered any serious medical justification. “No proper explanation exists,” Lamberth wrote in his 36-page opinion. “They treat gender dysphoria differently without evidence.”
Therefore, the judge issued an injunction to block the policy’s enforcement. He noted the inmates’ claims would likely succeed under the Administrative Procedure Act. Moreover, he stressed that officials must respect medical staff decisions.
Before Trump’s order, the BOP covered surgical treatments for gender dysphoria. In 2022, Donna Langan became the first federal inmate to receive taxpayer-funded gender surgery. Langan had a criminal history linked to the Aryan Republican Army, a white supremacist group.
Then, Trump’s order forced the BOP to stop all medical procedures that aligned inmates’ appearance with their gender identity. However, Trans Inmate Ruling now reverses that directive and restores access to care.
The BOP declined to comment on ongoing litigation. Meanwhile, the White House condemned the ruling. Officials claimed the decision endangered women’s safety by allowing transgender women in women’s prisons.
Still, the judge emphasized fairness. He wrote, “BOP cannot ignore medical experts when deciding inmate care.” Agencies must not act arbitrarily, especially in healthcare.
The legal battle over transgender rights in prison continues. Yet, this ruling delivers a strong setback to Trump’s policy. Additionally, Trans Inmate Ruling reflects growing judicial support for medical standards over politics.
As this case moves forward, courts will shape the future of prison healthcare policies
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