Defense

Trump appeals court’s decision to partially block transgender military ban

by Brett Samuels - 11/21/17 7:54 PM ET

The Trump administration on Tuesday appealed an October court ruling partially blocking the president’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, according to a court filing.

A judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled last month that Trump’s directive changing the transgender policy back to what it was before June 2016 and banning new transgender recruits from enlisting cannot be enforced while the case is being reviewed in court.

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LGBT advocacy groups representing the plaintiffs in the case condemned Tuesday’s appeal, saying it demeans and stigmatizes transgender service members. The groups have argued that preventing transgender people from serving in the military is “irresponsible and discriminatory.”

Trump tweeted in July that he would ban transgender people from serving in the military in any capacity.

He made good on the tweets in August, signing a presidential memo that prohibits the military from enlisting transgender people and from using funds to pay for gender transition-related surgery. The memo also gave Defense Secretary James Mattis six months to determine what to do with transgender troops who are currently serving.

A second federal judge blocked the ban in a ruling on Tuesday, saying transgender service members have “demonstrated that they are already suffering harmful consequences” due to Trump’s policy.

Tags James Mattis U.S. Military