Supreme Court rejects Trump policy restricting treatment for transgender prison inmates - NBC News
The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked a Trump administration policy that sought to restrict gender-affirming medical care for transgender inmates in federal prisons. The court's brief order allows the existing lower court injunction to remain in place while litigation continues.
Why it matters
This ruling highlights the ongoing legal and political battle over transgender rights and the extent of executive authority in federal correctional facilities.
WASHINGTON — In a blow to President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court said Wednesday that his administration cannot enforce a new policy that restricts treatment for transgender inmates in federal prison. The justices in a brief order rejected an emergency application filed by the administration that sought to block a lower court injunction against the proposal. The court order included no explanation, saying only that two conservative justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, would have granted it. There are about 1,000 transgender inmates in federal custody. “This is a critical ruling for our clients and all transgender people in Bureau of Prisons custody,” Li Nowlin-Sohl, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement. “The denial of medically necessary health care, including gender-affirming health care, to people in prison is a violation of their fundamental constitutional rights,” she added.
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