A week after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, he signed an executive order titled “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness.” The order banned transgender individuals from joining the U.S. military and called for the removal of those already serving.

The move sparked immediate backlash. Two LGBTQ legal groups filed a federal lawsuit, arguing the ban was unconstitutional. In March 2025, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes temporarily blocked the order, stating it “violates the Equal Protection Clause and stigmatizes transgender people.” The court’s decision was seen as a temporary victory for transgender service members and LGBTQ advocates.