
Talbott v. Trump
Status: Pending
On February 3, 2025, we filed a motion for preliminary injunction asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block enforcement of President Trump’s January 27, 2025, order banning transgender people from serving in the U.S. military, while litigation against the ban proceeds. Learn more.
About the Case:
On January 28, 2025, GLAD Law and NCLR filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging President Trump’s January 27, 2025, order banning transgender people from serving in the U.S. military.
Talbott v. Trump, was filed on equal protection grounds on behalf of six active service members and two individuals actively seeking enlistment. Plaintiffs serve across all branches of the military and are contributing among the highest levels, including a Major, a Captain, a Sergeant, and a Navy Pilot. They bring decades of experience, training, and education, including a West Point education and several master’s degrees. They have decorated careers, with commendations ranging from Sailor of the Year and Meritorious Service Medals to Joint Service Commendations and a Bronze Star. Some have been a part of decorated military families spanning generations and have served honorably throughout the country and the world on many deployments.
GLAD Law and NCLR led the legal challenge to Trump’s first transgender military ban, issued in 2017. Multiple federal courts found that ban to be unconstitutional, blocking it from taking effect for nearly two years. President Biden reversed the ban in 2021.
In addition to GLAD Law and NCLR, plaintiffs are represented by Joseph Wardenski, Principal Attorney, Wardenski P.C.
Learn more about the plaintiffs
Supplemental Exhibits to Memo in Support of Preliminary Injunction:
- Remarks on Ending the Ban on Transgender Service in the U.S. Military as Delivered by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
- Transgender Service in the U.S. Military: An Implementation Handbook
- Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana W. White on Transgender Accessions
- Laurel Wamsley, “Trump Says Transgender People Can’t Serve in the Military,” July 26, 2017
- Palm Center, “Fifty-Six Retired Generals and Admirals Warn That President Trump’s Anti-Transgender Tweets, If Implemented, Would Degrade Military Readiness,” August 1, 2017
- Presidential Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security, “Military Service by Transgender Individuals,” August 25, 2017
- Memorandum for the President, “Military Service by Transgender Individuals,” February 22, 2018
- Department of Defense Instruction 6130.03, “Medical Standards for Military Service: Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction,” May 28, 2024
- Jonathan J. Cooper, “A List of Government Web Pages That Have Gone Dark to Comply With Trump Orders,” January 31, 2025
- United States Office of Personnel Management Memorandum, “Initial Guidance Regarding President Trump’s Executive Order Defending Women,” January 29, 2025
- Clare Sears, “This Isn’t the First Time Conservatives Have Banned Cross-Dressing in America,” March 15, 2023
- Paisley Currah, “What Sex Does,” May 27, 2022
- Movement Advancement Project, “Healthcare Laws and Policies: Medicaid Coverage for Transgender-Related Health Care,” January 6, 2025
- Adeel Hassan, “States Passed a Record Number of Transgender Laws. Here’s What They Say,” March 21, 2024
- 2024 GOP Platform: Make America Great Again!
- Meredith Deliso, “As Trump Returns to Office, What He’s Promised to Do On Day 1,” January 19, 2025
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