WASHINGTON, DC—The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a decision in Talbott v. USA upholding a preliminary injunction halting the discharge of transgender service members. The preliminary injunction was issued by District Court Judge Ana Reyes on March 18, 2025. In a forceful order in which Reyes held that the ban undermines national security and is likely unconstitutional, she called it “soaked with animus and dripping with pretext.”
However, Judge Reyes’ order was temporarily stayed by the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit pending the outcome of today’s decision on the merits. As the result of the decision, the preliminary injunction will take effect — blocking the government from discharging the transgender servicemember plaintiffs in Talbott.
National Center for LGBTQ Rights Legal Director Shannon Minter and GLAD Law Senior Director of Transgender and Queer Rights Jennifer Levi responded to the win for transgender troops:
“This is a dramatic shift in the status quo. Before today, the Trump administration was actively taking steps to discharge these courageous plaintiffs. Today’s decision stops this administration from doing so,” Minter said. “Servicemembers were preparing to be hauled before review boards and discharged — despite years of honorable service. The court today affirmed the District Court’s careful findings that this administration’s ban on transgender military service has no legitimate basis.”
“Today’s decision is a powerful vindication of the plaintiffs’ extraordinary courage and unwavering commitment to their country,” Levi said. “This decisive ruling confirms that the Trump Administration has no legitimate basis to discharge transgender servicemembers who have met every demanding standard and proven, time and again, their fitness and dedication to serve.”
— David Taffet