The Pentagon is allowed to continue enforcement of the ban on transgender military service as the lawsuit proceeds.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled this past week that the Pentagon is allowed to enforce its ban on personnel dealing with gender dysphoria serving in the military. Under this ruling, the policy passed by President Trump earlier in 2025 to ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. Armed Forces will continue to be in effect.
According to the majority opinion, the policy is “likely constitutional because it reflects a considered judgment of military leaders and furthers legitimate military interests.” They also stated the policy would advance “important military interests of combat readiness, unit cohesion, and cost control.”
“The United States military enforces strict medical standards to ensure that only physically and mentally fit individuals join its ranks,” the judges wrote. “For decades, these requirements barred service by individuals with gender dysphoria, a medical condition associated with clinically significant distress. This bar was partially relaxed in 2016, revived in 2018, partially relaxed again in 2021, and revived again in 2025.”
This case will be returned to the district court for full consideration and is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court in the future.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for the judges in the district court who will hear more arguments in this case.
- For discernment for the president and the defense secretary to make decisions in the best interest of the Armed Forces.
Sources: Fox News, Townhall
