The Trump Administration has asked the US Supreme Court to allow enforcement of a new Department of Defense policy that bars individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria, or those living as a gender different from their biological sex, from serving in the US military.
The emergency appeal comes after US District Judge Benjamin Settle issued an injunction on March 27 blocking the policy from taking effect. Judge Settle ruled that the new restrictions likely violated constitutional protections, siding with plaintiffs who challenged the administration’s actions.
Now, America will discover if the president is, in fact, the commander-in-chief, or if the judicial system is actually in charge of the armed forces.
The Supreme Court instructed lawyers representing the challengers of the Trump Administration to file their response by Thursday, May 1, setting up a legal debate that will determine the near future, at least, of transgender military service. Trump’s decision to exclude transgenders from the military could be reversed by another administration, most probably by a Democrat.
On his first day in office, Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order revoking a 2021 order issued by then-President Joe Biden, which had allowed transgender individuals to serve openly in the armed forces. Shortly afterward, Trump directed newly appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and he is implementing the ban.
People with gender dysphoria experience psychological distress due to incongruence between their actual biological sex and how they feel about their identity. It is a mental disorder. Transgenders take medication and have surgeries to alter their appearance so that the world will mistake them for the opposite sex.
Others who have medical and mental conditions are routinely denied enlistment into military service. Other disorders that prevent people from serving include things like bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, or PTSD requiring treatment or medication, eating disorders, attention deficit disorder, suicide attempts and history of self-mutilation.
In February, the Department of Defense formalized a new policy that, with limited exceptions, disqualifies anyone diagnosed with gender dysphoria or anyone who has undergone medical procedures to switch genders.
The lawsuit challenging the policy was brought by seven transgender service members in the military and one transgender individual seeking to enlist.
The lead plaintiff is Commander Emily Shilling, a naval aviator for 19.5 years who has completed more than 60 combat missions, and has worked as a Navy test pilot. Shilling began his transition in late 2021, during the Biden administration’s inclusive policy era. In court filings, he, now living as a she, emphasized that the Navy has invested over $20 million in his/her training and experience.
The plaintiffs argue that the Trump administration’s policy violates the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause, among other legal protections.
The case represents the first major legal test of Trump’s military policies since his return to the White House and will determine who is actually in charge of the military and determining the policies thereof.
This is beyond stupid. As CIC Trump can set almost any conditions he wants regarding military service.
Funny how the left respects elections.
By ignoring the will of the electorate.
Support this fully. Mental illness is grounds for “ red flag laws “ ( where applicable)
Putting weapons in the limp, wristed hands of someone who obviously has issues is never a good thing
The purpose of the military of the United States is to protect our country from foreign enemies. Despite what certain people might think, it is not a social experiment. The mission of the various branches of our military differ depending upon equipment and specific duties but what is universal is training and readiness. Physical fitness and personal health is of utmost importance. Anyone who has been deployed to a combat theater can tell you how important that is. President Trump is on the right track. Our military personnel get the urgency of rebuilding and taking our military to a new level. They are behind our president 100 percent.
Amen, Brother (hope I didn’t misgender you ha ha). I have argued with all sorts of liberals who blindly support the notion anyone should be able to join the military. All they focus on is one word: “Discrimination”
That’s the trigger word for libtards who don’t care that the military has and always should discriminate on mental and physical health.
The ability to do the work of a soldier isn’t the point. Personal “rights” isn’t the point or even applicable. Commander-in-Chief issued an order – end of discussion. Courts do not have jurisdiction – SCOTUS should acknowledge this and rein in rogue judges who are usurping power from the other branches of government.
He should have just ignored it. The President is Commander.
The mentally ill should not be allowed to serve in the US military.
Choices have consequences. Your choices shouldn’t impede on the rights of others.
What “rights” specifically are you referring to?
Exactly! The last people we need or WANT in the military are people who are so mentally unhinged they can’t figure out what gender they are!
We must shun the insane. Hormones a flutter are incapable of winning wars. Makes sense for the people’s executive to keep their best interest in mind.
Didn’t work when SecDef McNamera tried to integrate the mentally retarded into the military during Vietnam.
Won’t work now. Mentally ill have no place in the military where failure means lethal consequences.
Hoorah!!