- A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., blocked the administration's policy to remove transgender service members from the U.S. military.
- The 2-1 ruling found the policy to be “arbitrary” and “fueled by animus,” driven by a desire to harm a “politically unpopular group.”
- This decision largely upholds a previous district court ruling that deemed the policy “unabashedly demeaning” and without factual basis.
- While blocking the removal of current trans troops, the ruling permits the Pentagon to continue denying new transgender recruits during ongoing legal challenges.
- The administration's directive, issued shortly after the president took office, claimed gender identity conflicts with a soldier's commitment, leading to orders for removal.
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