Federal Appeals Court Rules on Transgender Military Ban

A federal appeals court ruled on June 1, 2026, that the Trump administration's ban on transgender individuals serving in the military is likely unconstitutional. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, upheld a lower court's ruling that prevents the Department of Defense from removing current service members due to gender dysphoria. Judge Robert Wilkins stated that the policy appears arbitrary and motivated by animus, violating the constitutional right to equal protection. This ruling only affects the service members involved in the lawsuit and does not prevent the Pentagon from barring transgender individuals from enlisting. The court noted that active service members face greater hardships from expulsion compared to prospective members who can seek relief later. Judge Justin Walker dissented, arguing that military personnel may be subject to different rights than civilians and that such decisions should be left to Congress and military leadership.