Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness
Bans transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military, reversing Biden-era policies. Directs the Department of Defense to revise policies to exclude individuals who identify with a gender different from their biological sex, citing concerns about unit cohesion and readiness. This is a companion to EO 14168 (biological sex definitions).
Linked Court Cases (3)
***Talbott v. United States***, No. 1:25-cv-00240 (D.D.C.) -- Lead D.C. case. Judge Reyes issued a nationwide PI March 18, 2025, calling the policy "soaked in animus and dripping with pretext." On appeal at D.C. Circuit; oral argument January 2026.
***Shilling v. United States***, No. 2:25-cv-00241 (W.D. Wash.) -- Parallel 9th Circuit case. SCOTUS allowed the ban to take effect during litigation with no reasoning.
Related Executive Orders
Litigation Summary
***Talbott v. United States***, No. 1:25-cv-00240 (D.D.C.) -- Lead D.C. case. Judge Reyes issued a nationwide PI March 18, 2025, calling the policy "soaked in animus and dripping with pretext." On appeal at D.C. Circuit; oral argument January 2026.; ***Shilling v. United States***, No. 2:25-cv-00241 (W.D. Wash.) -- Parallel 9th Circuit case. SCOTUS allowed the ban to take effect during litigation with no reasoning.; Air Force memo (Aug. 14, 2025) requiring transgender service members to attend their own separation hearings in birth-sex uniform produced a separate due-process flashpoint.