Judge rules Trump administration must continue transgender inmate treatments
A recent federal court ruling has ordered the Trump administration to continue providing accommodations and care for transgender inmates in federal prisons. The decision, made by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, a Ronald Reagan appointee, comes in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to halt medical procedures related to gender dysphoria for inmates.
Judge Lamberth’s 36-page opinion criticized the lack of a serious explanation for treating medical treatment for gender dysphoria differently from other mental health interventions. The ruling blocks the implementation of Trump’s executive order and ensures that transgender inmates diagnosed with gender dysphoria receive the medical care they need.
The injunction was granted in response to a lawsuit filed by three transgender inmates who argued that denying them medical treatment for gender dysphoria violated their rights under the Administrative Procedure Act. The judge agreed, stating that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) cannot arbitrarily deprive inmates of medically necessary treatments without proper consideration.
The Trump administration’s executive order sought to stop the BOP from providing any medical procedures, treatments, or drugs aimed at aligning an inmate’s appearance with the opposite sex. Prior to this reversal, the BOP had begun funding gender reassignment surgeries for transgender inmates, with one inmate becoming the first federal prisoner to undergo taxpayer-funded gender surgery.
The ruling has sparked controversy, with a White House spokesperson expressing concern over the decision to allow transgender women in women’s prisons, calling it a safety issue and emphasizing the biological distinction between genders. The administration remains committed to fighting the ruling in court.
This decision is part of a larger trend of judges blocking aspects of the Trump administration’s agenda. It reflects ongoing debates around transgender rights and healthcare access in correctional facilities. As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how the issue of medical care for transgender inmates will be resolved.
