A federal judge ruled Monday that transgender individuals can begin enlisting in the military on Jan. 1, denying a request by the Trump administration for a delay.
The decision is the latest hurdle in President Donald Trump’s effort to ban transgender people from serving in the military. The administration argued that transgender recruits would have to overcome a lengthy and strict set of physical, medical and mental conditions, and that the Pentagon is not prepared to begin accepting transgender applicants.
But U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly rejected that argument, noting how much time has passed since the initial ruling in October.
What do you think? Do you agree with the judge’s ruling?
Puja Murgai is Special Projects Editor for Military Times.
