The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration can enforce its transgender military ban—for now. The decision allows the controversial policy to proceed while ongoing legal challenges continue. The justices did not explain their votes, which is standard for emergency decisions.
This policy, pushed early in Trump’s second term, blocks most transgender individuals from military service. Advocates argue that the future of inclusive service is now at risk.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon would soon start identifying transgender service members. The goal is to remove them under the revised rules. Earlier lawsuits had stalled those efforts, but the court’s ruling has cleared the way.
Hegseth posted “No More Trans @ DoD” on social media shortly after the decision. Hours earlier, he told a military conference that the Defense Department is moving away from what he called “wokeness.” He declared, “No more pronouns. No more dudes in dresses.”
Despite the ruling, Pentagon officials confirmed no immediate actions were underway. Still, the ruling is expected to impact thousands of service members.
The case before the justices included decorated officers and veterans. Together, the plaintiffs had earned more than 70 medals in over 115 years of service. Commander Emily Shilling, a Navy pilot, served nearly 20 years and flew 60 combat missions.
Lower courts had blocked the policy. Judge Benjamin Settle, a Republican appointee, ruled that the ban was discriminatory. He noted transgender troops had served openly for years without issues.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups condemned the high court’s move. They warned that the future of inclusive service faces serious threats from biased policies. Legal teams promise to continue challenging the rule in court.
The Trump administration has not provided clear reasons for reintroducing the ban. Lawyers defending the policy claim it helps military readiness. Opponents argue it promotes prejudice under the guise of discipline.
Currently, around 4,200 service members are diagnosed with gender dysphoria. These individuals serve across active duty, reserves, and the National Guard. The Defense Department reported spending $52 million on related healthcare since 2015.
A federal appeals court in San Francisco will now hear arguments against the policy. That process is expected to take several more months. Until then, the future of inclusive service hangs in the balance.
The rules now being enforced closely mirror Trump’s original 2017 directive. President Joe Biden had repealed that earlier ban. But the newly reinstated rules do not include exceptions for those already transitioning.
While the court has allowed the ban to take effect, critics believe the fight is far from over. As lawsuits continue, the future of inclusive service will remain a defining issue for civil rights in the military.
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