A second federal judge has struck down former President Donald Trump’s executive order banning gender-affirming care, ruling that the policy unlawfully denies federal funds to medical institutions providing such care.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Lauren King, appointed by President Joe Biden, issued a temporary injunction against the ban, preventing its enforcement while legal challenges continue. King’s ruling follows another federal court decision last week that blocked Trump’s order nationwide.
Legal Challenges Against Trump’s Order
Judge King sided with a lawsuit brought by attorneys general from Washington, Minnesota, and Oregon, who argued that Trump overstepped his authority by attempting to regulate healthcare, a matter typically handled by individual states. They also contended that the order violated the constitutional rights of transgender individuals and medical professionals.
In her ruling, King emphasised that Trump does not have the power to unilaterally control federal spending, stating:
“The United States Constitution exclusively grants the power of the purse to Congress, not the President, and the ‘President does not have unilateral authority to refuse to spend the funds’ Congress appropriates,” as reported by The Advocate.
The attorneys general called Trump’s order a “cruel and baseless broadside against transgender youth, their families, and the doctors and medical institutions that provide them this critical care.” They argued that it was an unconstitutional abuse of power designed to openly discriminate against transgender individuals.
Trump’s Defense and Legal Pushback
Lawyers from the Department of Justice (DOJ) attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming that no federal grants had yet been revoked under Trump’s order. However, reports indicate that some hospitals have already begun denying gender-affirming care in anticipation of potential funding cuts.
DOJ lawyers further argued that Trump was within his rights to direct federal agencies to align with his administration’s policies. However, multiple courts have now ruled that his executive order lacks legal standing.
A Growing Legal Rejection of Trump’s Ban
Just a day before King’s decision, U.S. District Judge Brendan Hurson issued a nationwide injunction, stating that Trump’s attempt to restrict funding for gender-affirming care was both unlawful and unconstitutional.
Responding to the rulings, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) attorney Joshua Block said:
“Today’s decision should restore both their access to healthcare and protections under the Constitution. Providers who’ve suspended healthcare for their transgender patients should be left with no doubt that they can lift those suspensions and continue to provide healthcare and act in their best medical judgment without risking their funding or worse.”
With multiple courts now blocking Trump’s order, LGBTQ+ advocates are celebrating the rulings as a major victory in the fight for transgender rights and medical freedom.
A second federal judge has blocked Donald Trump’s executive order banning gender-affirming care, ruling it unconstitutional. This follows another court decision halting the policy nationwide.
