A panel of three judges on a federal appeals court has handed President Donald Trump a huge victory in his agenda to turn America’s military from a social program into a fighting force.
Specifically the judges upheld a ban implemented by Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth against transgenders in the ranks.
“The United States military enforces strict medical standards to ensure that only physically and mentally fit individuals join its ranks. For decades, these requirements barred service by individuals with gender dysphoria, a medical condition associated with clinically significant distress,” the majority in the 2-1 opinion said.
The decision comes from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and reversed an injunction stopping the standard from being applied.
That was from a judge at the entry level of the federal court system.
The ruling, significantly, found: “The Hegseth Policy likely does not violate equal protection. We doubt that the policy triggers any form of heightened scrutiny.”
BREAKING: A US Appeals Court has just UPHELD the Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members
Another L for activist judges
Our military should be focused on STRENGTH — not catering to the mentally ill. pic.twitter.com/fsDfDnvNiz
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 9, 2025
JUST IN
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit panel has ruled IN FAVOR of Secretary Pete Hegseth in the dispute over the transgender military ban.
This 2-1 ruling holds that District Judge Ana Reyes’ effort to halt its enforcement failed to grant the secretary… pic.twitter.com/OiWI8yPjOk
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) December 9, 2025
BREAKING: A federal court just sided with SECWAR Hegseth and UPHELD the ban on transgender people being in the military.
This is HUGE!
Get ready for a MASS TRIGGERING EVENT. pic.twitter.com/Fxnl7LYj1j
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) December 9, 2025
Trump had issued a simple order: “A man’s assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”
The original injunction came from Ana Reyes, but was overturned in the decision by Judges Gregory G. Katsas and Neomi Rao. They said Trump’s order likely is constitutional “because it reflects a considered judgment of military leaders and furthers legitimate military interests.”
They noted it long has been a military standard that those with gender dysphoria are unfit for service.
An Obama judge dissented.
During the lower court hearing, Reyes oddly had inquired about how much the military spends on Viagra every year compared to gender dysphoria treatment.
