UMVA has learned that a federal appeals court has delivered a stunning blow to the Pentagon, ruling that the ban on transgender troops is illegal.
In a 2-1 decision, the DC Circuit Court Appeals sided with a judge who argued that the Trump Administration's policy violated the Constitution. This ruling marks a significant victory for transgender troops and a major setback for the Pentagon.
The court's majority opinion largely upheld a previous ruling by a US District Judge, who concluded that President Trump's executive order to exclude transgender troops from military service likely violates their constitutional rights. The administration had appealed the injunction, but the appeal court's majority decided to narrow it to plaintiffs currently serving in the military.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the Trump Administration's policy was introduced in January 2025, with executive orders aimed at rooting out "gender insanity" and "made-up pronoun usage" in the military. However, Judge Ana Reyes issued a temporary nationwide injunction blocking the ban, sparking a heated battle between the administration and the judiciary.
The Secretary of War has fired back at Judge Reyes, saying "See you at SCOTUS." This comes after the judge previously blasted DOJ lawyers, questioning their understanding of military spending on healthcare. The Secretary has also taken to social media to mock Judge Reyes, suggesting she should report to military bases to train Army Rangers and Green Berets.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the ruling has sent shockwaves through the military and the Trump Administration, with implications for the rights of transgender troops and the future of military policy. The decision is a significant step forward for transgender individuals serving in the military, but the battle over their rights is far from over.
