In a bold move, a second federal judge has taken steps against President Trump’s decisive efforts to bolster America’s military strength. On Friday, Judge Benjamin Hale Settle put a pause on the President’s transgender military ban, marking the second interruption to Trump’s pivotal military policies.
This January, President Trump signed two executive orders aimed at restoring America’s military might: the “Restoring America’s Fighting Force” and the “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness”. These orders set a clear course for the U.S. military, advocating for operations free from race or sex preferences and rooting out the confusion of gender pronouns.
However, Judge Settle, serving in Washington State and appointed by George W. Bush, issued a nationwide preliminary injunction late Thursday. Settle was not swayed by the arguments presented by the Trump Department of Justice, citing a lack of evidence to support the removal of transgender service members—who had served without issues under the previous administration.
A federal judge in Washington state on Thursday blocked enforcement of President Trump’s order to bar transgender troops from serving openly in the military, the second judge to halt the policy from taking effect nationwide.
— The Hill
Judge Settle’s comprehensive 65-page ruling highlighted the absence of persuasive arguments from the government: “The government’s arguments are not persuasive, and it is not an especially close question on this record,” he asserted, underscoring the lack of supporting evidence for the military’s new judgment.
In response to the ruling, Trump’s DOJ promptly filed an appeal on Friday, showcasing a determined effort to maintain the integrity of the President’s military policies.
BREAKING: Trump Administration files appeal from lower court decision that enter an injunction prohibiting military from excluding those with gender dysphoria.
— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland)
March 28, 2025
This is not the first judicial hurdle faced by the Trump administration. Just last week, Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee from Uruguay, issued a temporary nationwide injunction against Trump’s military ban, raising questions about judicial overreach.
