On May 6, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow the Trump administration’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military to take effect while legal challenges continue. This decision overturned a previous injunction by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who had blocked the ban, stating it was “soaked in animus” and violated constitutional rights .

The ban, formalized through Executive Order 14183 titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,” directs the Department of Defense to exclude individuals who identify with a gender different from their biological sex from military service. The order cites concerns over unit cohesion, mental and physical readiness, and overall military effectiveness . The Supreme Court’s emergency order allows the policy to proceed pending further review by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, expressing concerns over the policy’s impact on transgender service members .

This ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing legal and political debate over transgender rights and military service.