Donald Trump’s plan to ban transgender troops from serving in the military has been dealt a crippling blow.

US District Judge Ana Reyes strongly criticized the plan, calling it ‘unabashedly demeaning’ in a 76-page decision. She declared that the administration is not allowed to implement the ban.

The policy was due to come into effect later this month and would have impacted up to 4,200 service members who experience gender dysphoria.

After his return to the White House, President Trump issued an executive order that removed DEI from the military and banned transgender individuals from serving. This move led to widespread protests and a legal challenge arguing its constitutionality.

Reyes has now issued an injunction which prevents the administration from enforcing his ban until the lawsuit has been finalized. 

‘The ban at bottom invokes derogatory language to target a vulnerable group in violation of the Fifth Amendment,’ Judge Reyes wrote.

‘Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact.

The judge pointed out the hypocrisy in the ban, stating, ‘Indeed, the cruel irony is that thousands of transgender servicemembers have sacrificed – some risking their lives – to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the Military Ban seeks to deny them.’

Donald Trump ‘s plan to ban transgender troops from serving in the military has been dealt a crippling blow. Pictured: An Army official during Pride Month

Since Trump returned to the White House, transgender service members have reported that they were forced to revert to the grooming standards and pronouns of their birth sex

Lawyers representing the Justice Department had attempted to argue that Trump had sweeping authority to decide who could serve in the military.

They said allowing transgender troops to continue serving would have negative repercussions on the military’s lethality and cohesion. 

‘Being transgender is ”inconsistent” with ”high standards for Service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity”,’ the government argued.

‘Their expression of sexual identity is not consistent with humility and selflessness. They also cost too much.’

But Reyes noted in her findings: ‘The law does not demand that the Court rubber-stamp illogical judgments based on conjecture.’

She noted that her decision to rally against the Trump administration is not one that she ‘made lightly.’

‘Judicial overreach is no less pernicious than executive overreach,’ she said. ‘The President and Defendants could have crafted a policy that balances the Nation’s need for a prepared military and Americans’ right to equal protection. 

‘They still can. The Military Ban, however, is not that policy. The Court therefore must act to uphold the equal protection rights that the military defends every day. 

Upon returning to the White House, Trump signed an executive order which both eliminated DEI from the armed forces and prohibited transgender people from serving – sparking a wave of protests

US District Judge Ana Reyes described the plan as ‘unabashedly demeaning’ in a fiery 76-page written decision declaring the administration cannot enforce the ban 

‘The Court’s opinion is long, but its premise is simple. In the self-evident truth that “all people are created equal,” all means all. Nothing more. And certainly nothing less.’ 

The lawsuit was brought about by active-duty transgender troops as well as gender diverse people who had hoped to enlist in the military.

Under the new policy, they would be barred from service.

Reyes wrote: ‘Leaders have used concern for military readiness to deny marginalized persons.

‘First minorities, then women in combat, then gays filled in that blank. Today, however, our military is stronger and our Nation is safer for the millions of such blanks (and all other persons) who serve.’

The Pentagon released guidelines in February documenting how Trump’s proposed ban would work.

While the military would ultimately kick out transgender service members, these members were encouraged to ‘voluntarily separate’ with a generous severence package.

In the Navy, troops had a March 28 deadline to request voluntary separation.

Lawyers representing the Justice Department had attempted to argue that Trump had sweeping authority to decide who could serve in the military

‘Service members who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria will be processed for separation from military service,’ the guidance stated.

‘The Department only recognizes two sexes: male and female. An individual’s sex is immutable, unchanging during a person’s life. All service members will only serve in accordance with their sex.’

Since Trump returned to the White House, transgender service members have reported that they were forced to revert to the grooming standards and pronouns of their birth sex. 

Some also claim to have been passed over for promotions, placed on administrative leave and denied medical care.

There are as many as 4,200 service members across all fields who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Between 2014 and 2025, an estimated 1,000 service members have received gender-affirming surgery.  

Lawyer representing the service members Shannon Minter told the New York Times: ‘Their lives and careers are completely disrupted.

‘That’s why getting them immediate relief is so important.’