Judge Kollar-Kotelly’s preceding order did not address military funding nor gender transition costs, citing that neither applied to the plaintiffs in that case, and so those portions of Trump’s policy would have moved forward. But the Maryland case involves two plaintiffs who have already begun their transition, and will require additional surgeries in the future. Judge Garbis decided they would be affected by the change in policy, and accordingly, the “Sex Reassignment Surgery Directive” is now blocked as well.
The White House disputed the judge’s finding. “The president’s directive is legal and promotes our national security,” said White House spokesman Hogan Gidley in an emailed statement.
Back in July, Donald Trump tweeted his proposal for banning transgender service members from the U.S. military.
After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
….Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
….victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
But then in August, Defense Secretary James Mattis announced the Pentagon will not implement President Donald Trump’s directive banning transgender people from serving in the military in any capacity, saying that he would first establish a panel of experts to study the ban’s impact. There is even a rare bipartisan effort in the Senate to combat and reverse if need be Trump’s ban.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon paid for an active-duty service member’s gender transition surgery. It was the first such gender-reassignment procedure approved under a waiver allowing the United States military to pay for the operation.
