President Trump issued an executive order barring transgender service members from the military as part of a broader attack on transgender rights.
Ann E. Marimow covers the Supreme Court and Dave Philipps writes about war, the military and veterans.
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow the U.S. military to fully enforce its ban on transgender service members, setting up the latest test of the administration’s policy priorities in front of the court.
The justices are expected to consider whether to review the legality of the administration’s ban this fall and, if they accept the case, could schedule oral arguments during the Supreme Court’s term that begins in October.
A few days after returning to office, Mr. Trump issued an executive order banning all trans troops and characterizing transgender identity as a “falsehood” that “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful and disciplined lifestyle.”
The ban was one of a series of actions by the administration targeting transgender rights. The president also directed government agencies to withdraw federal funding from schools that allow transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.
The Defense Department implemented Mr. Trump’s military order in February 2025, effectively forcing trans troops out of the military.
“No more dudes in dresses,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced then.
Transgender service members quickly sued. About 4,200 openly transgender people were in the military last year, according to government court filings — about 0.1 percent of the armed forces. They worked as infantry platoon leaders, pilots, nuclear engineers, doctors, intelligence analysts, police and other key professionals.
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