The United States Supreme Court has allowed former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people in the military to take effect, raising fears that thousands of serving troops could be removed.
The ruling, given on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, was divided, with the three liberal justices opposing the decision. This marks a major win for Trump, who returned to power last year and has focused on cutting back transgender rights during his second term.
The court’s decision means that the military can now remove transgender troops unless they receive a special waiver. The Pentagon had already issued a memo earlier this year stating that transgender individuals, especially those diagnosed with gender dysphoria, would no longer be allowed to serve unless approved on a case-by-case basis.
According to a senior defense official, about 4,240 transgender personnel were serving in the military as of late 2024.
Reacting to the court ruling, civil rights groups who had earlier challenged the ban expressed disappointment. Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation said in a joint statement, “This is a devastating blow to transgender service members who have shown their ability and dedication to defend the country. We still believe this ban goes against the Constitution and will be overturned eventually.”
The White House, however, celebrated the decision. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X, “Another MASSIVE victory in the Supreme Court. President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are bringing back a military that is focused on strength, not gender politics.”
Secretary Hegseth also posted, “No More Trans @ DoD,” clearly showing support for the ban.
Trump had signed an executive order on January 27, 2025, stating that “claiming a gender identity different from one’s biological sex” was not acceptable in the armed forces.
This move has brought back a policy that was first introduced during Trump’s first term. In 2016, under former President Barack Obama, transgender troops were allowed to serve openly. But Trump delayed and later reversed that decision. Although his policy faced legal battles, it eventually took effect in April 2019.
When Joe Biden became president in 2021, he quickly reversed Trump’s ban and allowed transgender people to serve again. However, with Trump’s return to the White House, the ban has come back.
Transgender issues remain a hot topic in the United States, dividing Republicans and Democrats on everything from medical treatment to education policies.
For now, the Supreme Court’s latest ruling gives Trump the legal backing to continue enforcing the ban while the main court case continues.
