Lawsuit Challenges Trump's Renewed Transgender Military Ban

Advocacy groups and transgender service members argue the ban violates constitutional protections and undermines military readiness.

The Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal have filed a lawsuit against President Trump's executive order reinstating a ban on transgender military service.
The order, issued on January 27, directs the military to prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting and serving openly, citing claims of incompatibility with military standards.
The lawsuit argues the ban violates the Fifth Amendment's equal protection and due process clauses, as well as the First Amendment's free speech protections.
Critics, including active-duty transgender personnel, warn the policy will harm military readiness by removing experienced service members and creating leadership gaps.
Advocacy groups and plaintiffs emphasize that transgender individuals have met rigorous military standards and call the ban discriminatory and baseless.