A US District Court judge in Washington state has issued a ruling to block President Donald Trump’s policy that bans transgender individuals from serving in the military. This decision marks the second nationwide injunction against the ban in just two weeks.
On Thursday, US District Court Judge Benjamin Settle ruled in Tacoma, Washington, that the ban was unjustified. Benjamin Settle, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush, criticized the government’s failure to provide evidence that transgender service members negatively impact military readiness. He also pointed out that transgender troops had been serving openly for four years without any issues.
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Benjamin Settle’s 65-page ruling described the government’s reasoning as “unpersuasive.” He emphasized that the military’s new policy lacked substantive evidence to justify the ban.
Impact on Transgender Service Members
The lawsuit, filed by transgender military members, argues that the policy harms their careers and reputations. One prominent plaintiff, Navy Cmdr. Emily “Hawking” Shilling, a transgender woman who has served for nearly 20 years, was highlighted in Settle’s ruling. The judge noted that there was no evidence suggesting Shilling, or any other transgender service member, had harmed military cohesion or readiness.
This ruling follows a similar decision from US District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., last week. While she temporarily halted the policy’s implementation, she allowed the government time to appeal. Additionally, a New Jersey judge recently barred the Air Force from discharging two transgender service members, citing potential career and reputation damage.
Trump’s Executive Order and Military Policy
President Trump’s executive order, signed in January 2017, claims that transgender service members pose a risk to military readiness and violate an “honorable” commitment to the military. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed with a policy that presumes transgender individuals are disqualified from military service.
However, advocates like Sasha Buchert, a Lambda Legal attorney, argue that transgender troops meet all physical requirements and are being discriminated against for their identity. According to Buchert, the physical fitness of transgender troops has never been in question.
Broader Debate on Discrimination
The case brings attention to a broader debate on discrimination and the rights of transgender individuals in the military. This ruling is yet another chapter in the ongoing struggle over Trump’s military policy, which has faced resistance from civil rights groups and activists.
As a result, the case is expected to continue moving through the legal system, with appeals courts now considering the future of the policy. Legal experts predict that the ongoing legal battles will shape the future of transgender service members in the US military.
The legal and political fight over the transgender military ban is far from over. With multiple court rulings blocking the policy, the case will continue to spark debate and affect the future of both transgender service members and the US military’s stance on inclusivity.
