A federal judge in Washington state has thrown a wrench into Donald Trump’s effort to push transgender service members out of the U.S. military, slamming the policy as baseless and discriminatory. In a fiery 65-page ruling, Judge Benjamin Settle, a George W. Bush appointee and military veteran himself, delivered a scathing rebuke of the administration’s lack of evidence justifying the abrupt ban.
Settle didn’t mince words. He ruled that the government failed to prove why transgender individuals, who have been serving openly for years, should suddenly be deemed unfit. “It is not an especially close question,” he wrote, challenging the Trump administration’s claim that transgender identity is somehow incompatible with military service. The judge called out the “unrelenting reliance” on military judgment as “unjustified,” especially without hard data or proof that readiness or cohesion had been compromised.
Among the plaintiffs is Commander Emily “Hawking” Shilling, a transgender Navy officer who has served nearly two decades, including 60 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The court highlighted that there is no indication she — or any other transgender troop — had ever hindered unit cohesion or military effectiveness. “There is no claim and no evidence that Shilling herself is dishonest or selfish, or that she lacks humility or integrity,” Settle wrote. Yet under the ban, she would be discharged solely because of her gender identity.
A Policy With No Legs
This is not the first time Trump’s anti-trans military policy has been smacked down. Another judge in Washington, D.C., also ruled against it recently, although her decision is currently on pause pending appeal. Meanwhile, a separate court in New Jersey blocked the Air Force from discharging two transgender men, noting the irreparable damage such action would cause.
What’s clear is that the Trump administration’s arguments have not held water. Despite claiming concerns over military readiness, government lawyers were unable to point to a single instance where trans service disrupted operations. The numbers also speak volumes: thousands of transgender individuals serve in the military today — a small fraction of the total force, but a resilient and capable one nonetheless.
For the LGBTQ Community, It’s More Than a Win — It’s Recognition
For the LGBTQ community, especially transgender Americans, this ruling is a major affirmation. It sends a message that patriotism and professionalism should never be overshadowed by prejudice. The attempt to frame transgender identity as a moral or operational liability was, quite frankly, a slap in the face to those who have sacrificed for their country. That slap has now been returned, with legal force.
Sasha Buchert, a civil rights attorney involved in the case, summed it up best: “They can do the pullups. They can shoot straight. Yet they’re being told to leave because of who they are.” Thanks to this ruling, that injustice has been paused — and hopefully stopped for good.
This isn’t just a policy battle. It’s a fight for visibility, dignity, and equality — and the courtroom just served up a strong reminder that the law can still be on the side of justice.