Transgender Soldiers Files Lawsuit Against Trump’s Military Ban

A group of brave transgender soldiers have stepped forward to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump’s ban on trans individuals serving in the military. With the support of two national LGBTQ legal organizations, they have filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the policy is not only discriminatory but also undermines the principles of fairness and meritocracy in the armed forces.

Trump’s executive order, issued just hours after his inauguration, didn’t stop at banning transgender military service. It also took aim at what he called “gender ideology,” declaring that the U.S. government would recognize only two sexes—male and female—without room for change. As a result, the State Department froze all passport applications requesting a gender marker update, leaving many transgender individuals in limbo.

Determined to fight back, six active-duty trans service members and two hopeful enlistees took legal action on January 28, with the help of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

“This ban betrays fundamental American values of equal opportunity and judging people on their merit,” said Jennifer Levi, GLAD Law’s senior director of transgender and queer rights. “It slams the door on qualified patriots who meet every standard and want nothing more than to serve their country, simply to appease a political agenda. That’s not just un-American—it makes our country weaker.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenges Trump’s order titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness.” The policy reinstates the same restrictions from Trump’s first term, undoing a 2021 order by then-President Joe Biden that had allowed transgender individuals to serve openly.

For many, this legal battle is about more than just military service—it’s about dignity, recognition, and the right to be judged based on ability rather than identity. As the case unfolds, it will test not only the future of transgender service members but also America’s commitment to the ideals of equality and justice.