Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Order Restricting Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
A federal judge on Thursday issued a temporary restraining order blocking President Donald Trump’s recent executive order that sought to limit gender-affirming health care for transgender individuals under age 19.
Lawsuit Challenges Trump’s Executive Order
The ruling follows a lawsuit filed earlier this month on behalf of families with transgender and nonbinary children who argue that their access to critical medical care has already been disrupted. A national advocacy group for LGBTQ+ families and a doctors’ organization are also among the plaintiffs challenging the directive, one of several executive orders Trump has signed in an effort to roll back policies enacted under former President Joe Biden.
Judge Brendan Hurson, a Biden appointee, granted the plaintiffs’ request for an emergency injunction following a hearing in federal court in Baltimore. The ruling, which remains in effect for 14 days, puts Trump’s order on hold as the case moves forward. The restraining order could be extended depending on further court proceedings.
Trump’s executive order “seems to deny that this population even exists, or deserves to exist,” Hurson said during the hearing.
Trump Order Targets Federally Funded Health Programs
Shortly after returning to office, Trump signed an order directing federally administered health programs to exclude coverage for gender-affirming care. This affects Medicaid, which covers such services in some states, and TRICARE, the military health care program. His directive also instructs the Department of Justice to aggressively challenge gender-affirming treatments through litigation and policy measures.
Since the order was issued, several medical institutions have already canceled appointments for transgender patients, citing uncertainty over federal funding and compliance.
Legal Arguments: Discrimination and Overreach
Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that Trump’s order is “unlawful and unconstitutional” because it attempts to withhold federal funds already approved by Congress. They also contend it violates anti-discrimination protections and infringes on parental rights.
Similar to challenges against state-level bans, the lawsuit alleges the policy is discriminatory because it allows federal funds to cover the same treatments when used for other medical conditions but prohibits them for gender transition care.
In response to the directive, some hospitals have temporarily suspended gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, as they assess the legal implications.
Medical Experts and Advocates Condemn the Order
Trump’s stance on gender-affirming care marks a sharp reversal from the Biden administration, which sought to expand civil rights protections for transgender individuals. Trump has repeatedly criticized gender-affirming treatments, falsely claiming that doctors are “maiming and sterilizing” children under the “radical and false claim that adults can change a child’s sex.”
However, major medical organizations—including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics—strongly support access to gender-affirming care. They emphasize that treatment is highly individualized, beginning with professional evaluations and often including social transitions, such as changes in pronouns or hairstyles. Medical interventions like puberty blockers or hormone therapy are considered only in later stages, and surgery for minors is extremely rare.
What’s Next?
As the legal battle unfolds, the temporary restraining order prevents the immediate implementation of Trump’s directive. The case is expected to advance to higher courts, setting the stage for a prolonged legal fight over transgender health care rights and federal authority in regulating medical treatments.
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