The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow the U.S. military to fully enforce its ban on transgender service members, setting up a major legal test. The justices are expected to decide whether to review the policy this fall, with oral arguments possible in October. The ban stems from an executive order issued by President Trump that characterizes transgender identity as a "falsehood" conflicting with military values.

The Defense Department implemented the order in February 2025, forcing transgender troops out. About 4,200 openly transgender individuals serve, representing 0.1 percent of the armed forces. Lower courts have blocked the ban, ruling it discriminatory.

The administration argues that military leaders should determine who serves, emphasizing "military effectiveness and lethality." The case involves 28 challengers, including Army Reserve Lieutenant Nicolas Talbott. A federal appeals court sided with the challengers in June, but the administration seeks reversal. The Supreme Court's conservative majority recently allowed similar dismissals in another case, signaling a potential shift.