US judge halts Trump’s order seeking to ban transgenders from serving in the military
A federal judge in the United States (US) has halted the enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military.
This was revealed during a court ruling by US District Judge Ana Reyes on Tuesday, March 18.
She said, “The court knows that this opinion will lead to heated public debate and appeals. In a healthy democracy, both are positive outcomes.
“We should all agree, however, that every person who has answered the call to serve deserves our gratitude and respect.”
Reyes stated that she did not make the decision to issue an injunction blocking Trump’s order lightly.
Adding that, “Judicial overreach is no less pernicious than executive overreach.
“It is also the responsibility of each branch of government to provide checks and balances for the others, and the court, therefore must act to uphold the equal protection rights that the military defends every day.”
Upon taking office, Trump had ordered that all US government employees involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives be placed on immediate paid administrative leave.
Trump referred to these programs as ‘dangerous, demeaning, and immoral.’
The order also impacted transgender individuals serving in the military.
As part of this directive, the US Army announced last month that it would no longer accept applications from transgender people.
Trump had earlier issued an order barring transgender individuals from serving in the military during his first term in 2017.
However, Biden his successor reversed it.
Source: The Street Journal
