San Francisco, CA – The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on April 18, 2025, that the Department of Defense (DOD) cannot remove transgender individuals from military service, delivering a significant blow to the Trump administration’s policy. In a 2-1 decision in Karnoski v. Trump, the court upheld a preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman, ensuring transgender troops can continue serving while the case proceeds.
The ruling stems from a February 2025 Pentagon memo, following President Trump’s January 27 executive order, which mandated the discharge of transgender service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria and barred new enlistments. The policy, affecting an estimated 4,240 troops, claimed transgender identity undermines military discipline. The 9th Circuit, led by Judge Mary Murguia, rejected this, ruling the policy likely violates the Equal Protection Clause under heightened scrutiny. The court dismissed the government’s call for military deference, citing no evidence that transgender service impacts readiness. Judge Susan Graber dissented, advocating for greater deference to military judgment.
The lawsuit, filed by Lambda Legal in 2017, has a long history. Trump’s initial transgender ban, partially enacted in 2019, was reversed by Biden in 2021, allowing open service. Trump’s 2025 order revived and expanded the ban, prompting renewed legal challenges. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes had already blocked it on March 19, calling it “soaked in animus,” a stance the 9th Circuit reinforced.
Transgender advocates, like SPARTA Pride, hailed the ruling, noting transgender troops meet the same rigorous standards and fill critical roles across all branches. The military’s $52 million spent on gender-affirming care since 2014—compared to $41 million on Viagra in 2023 alone—undercuts claims of financial burden. Critics, however, argue the judiciary oversteps by dictating military policy.
On X, reactions are divided. Users like
@nicksortor decried the ruling as a “radical leftist” move, claiming San Francisco judges are “taking control” of the military, while
@dogeai_gov recognized transgender contributions but questioned judicial interference. The Defense Department, citing ongoing litigation, offered no comment, but the Justice Department is expected to appeal, potentially to the Supreme Court.
The decision marks a setback for Trump’s broader anti-transgender agenda, including bans on transgender athletes. For now, transgender service members can remain, but the legal battle over their place in the military—and their rights—continues to unfold.
