Advocacy groups are preparing to file a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's recent executive order directing the Pentagon to revise its policy on transgender troops. This move is expected to result in a ban on transgender individuals serving in the armed forces. The legal team involved in this lawsuit had previously fought against Trump's ban on transgender troops during his first administration. The Supreme Court had allowed the ban to take effect while the legal battle continued in the courts, but President Joe Biden later rescinded the ban upon taking office.
Trump's new executive order, signed on Monday, argues that the sexual identity of transgender service members conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, and is detrimental to military readiness. The order mandates Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to issue a revised policy in response.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights and GLAD Law are challenging the executive order in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia. They argue that the government cannot base policies on disapproval of specific groups of people, as that constitutes animus and is presumed to be invalid and unconstitutional. The groups are also contesting the order on the grounds of equal protection.
In its statement, the Pentagon refrained from commenting on the pending litigation but assured that it would fully execute and implement all directives outlined in the President's Executive Orders with professionalism, efficiency, and in alignment with national security objectives.
While there is no official data on the exact number of transgender personnel in the military, it is estimated to be in the thousands. Unlike Trump's initial ban in 2017, the new executive order not only prohibits future transgender individuals from serving but also targets current transgender troops.
