Federal Judge Blocks Trump Order on Transgender Inmates in Prisons

A federal judge issued a ruling on Monday protecting more transgender women incarcerated in federal prisons from an executive order that sought to transfer them to male units and halt their hormone therapy.

Legal Victory for Transgender Inmates

In January 2023, President Trump signed an order directing the federal Bureau of Prisons to house all transgender women according to their sex assigned at birth and cease gender-related medical treatments. This order was part of a series targeting transgender Americans.

However, the order faced legal challenges after several transgender prisoners filed lawsuits, asserting that transfers would expose them to heightened risks of physical and sexual violence. They also argued that discontinuing hormone therapy would be physically detrimental and increase their suicide risk.

Injunction Against the Executive Order

Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia initially issued an injunction against the executive order, preventing the transfer of three inmates this month. On Monday, he expanded the injunction to encompass 10 additional transgender plaintiffs.

This legal victory provides crucial protection for transgender women in federal prisons, safeguarding their well-being and recognizing the importance of gender-affirming care.