The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to let it begin enforcing a ban on transgender service members, escalating a fight over a controversial policy that has faced numerous legal setbacks in recent weeks.
The emergency appeal thrusts the high court into another politically charged dispute over a key aspect of Trump’s agenda. It comes as the justices have increasingly been pressed by the administration to unlock various parts of his agenda that have been held up by lower courts reviewing the legality of the initiatives.
The military ban was announced by Trump earlier this year and would have taken effect late last month, but several lower courts issued rulings against it before it could be implemented.
In the case at hand, a federal judge in Washington state decided that the policy likely violated the constitutional rights of a number of active-duty transgender service members and an individual who wants to join the military.
Solicitor General John Sauer told the justices that the Pentagon should be allowed to enforce the ban while the legal challenge is resolved, arguing US District Judge Benjamin Settle had overstepped by wading into military policy.
“The district court’s injunction cannot be squared with the substantial deference that the Department’s professional military judgments are owed,” Sauer wrote.
Without Supreme Court action, he added, the military will “be forced to maintain a policy that it has determined, in its professional judgment, to be contrary to military readiness and the Nation’s interests.”
Sauer suggested the justices do one of two things: pause Settle’s ruling in full or narrow it so that it only applies to the individuals who filed the lawsuit.
The Supreme Court has asked the individuals challenging the policy to respond to the emergency appeal by next Thursday.
About the author
Pope Francis laid to rest after 250,000 attend funeral service
Pope Francis’ funeral: More than 250,000 mourners attended a “simplified” service for Pope Francis at the Vatican today, remembering the “people’s pope” for his humanity and humility. Francis has now been entombed at Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re honored the pope’s ability to lead with “an open heart toward everyone” as he conducted today’s service. • World leaders pay respects: The roughly two-hour funeral in St. Peter’s Square featured an elaborate set of rituals and was attended by more than 100 delegations, including world leaders and reigning monarchs. It came six days after the first Latin American pontiff made his final public appearance for Easter. • High-stakes meeting: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump met in St. Peter’s Basilica before the funeral as the White House mounts an increasingly urgent push to strike a deal ending Russia’s war.
Galatasaray interested in signing Ghana striker Inaki Williams from Athletic Bilbao
Galatasaray have set their sights on signing Ghana striker Inaki Williams from Athletic Bilbao. The Turkish giants are desperate on the market for a striker as Victor Osimhen, who is on loan at the club, is expected to leave at the end of the season. According to Fichajes España, Williams has been viewed as a target for Galatasaray once Osimhen’s loan deal ends. Osimhen has been a key for the side, scoring 30 goals and seven assists in 35 games in all competitions for the Turkish Super League’s leading team. Meanwhile, Williams scored his 11th goal in the 2024-2025 season in Bilbao’s 1-0 win over Las Palmas in the Spanish La Liga on Wednesday, April 23. His 11th-minute strike bookended a top performance that had him named as the Man of the Match Award winner. He also has nine assists […]
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let it enforce ban on transgender service members for now
The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to let it begin enforcing a ban on transgender service members, escalating a fight over a controversial policy that has faced numerous legal setbacks in recent weeks. The emergency appeal thrusts the high court into another politically charged dispute over a key aspect of Trump’s agenda. It comes as the justices have increasingly been pressed by the administration to unlock various parts of his agenda that have been held up by lower courts reviewing the legality of the initiatives. The military ban was announced by Trump earlier this year and would have taken effect late last month, but several lower courts issued rulings against it before it could be implemented. In the case at hand, a federal judge in Washington state decided that the policy likely violated the constitutional rights of a number […]
Ashanti Regional Police Command demands release of soldiers involved in Nyinahin shooting
The Ashanti Regional Police is collaborating with the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces for the release of military officers involved in the killing of a civilian at Nyinahin, in the Atwima Mponua District of the region. The soldiers are said to have killed the civilian, identified as Akwasi Lala, also known as Kushivi and injured three others during a confrontation with some mourners who were on their way to bury their friend at the Nyinahin cemetery. This was contained in a press statement signed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Godwin Ahianyo, the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer. DSP Ahianyo noted that the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe, had since visited both the crime scene and the injured victims at the hospital. The Regional Commander had also assured the community that a thorough investigation was […]
There must be serious introspection on petitions to remove Chief Justice – Prof Agyeman-Duah
Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, judicial independence Ghana, petitions against Chief Justice, separation of powers, Ghana judiciary, constitutional governance, executive-judiciary relations, Ghana legal system, democratic institutions Ghana, April 2025 political news, governance reforms Ghana, judicial accountability, Ghana constitutional law. He further emphasised the importance of respecting the constitution. “The constitution provides a clear process for handling such matters, and that process must be followed,” he said. He commended Inusah Fuseni’s presentation on the matter, praising how it rightly highlighted the importance of adhering to constitutional procedures. However, he also explained that while the process must be followed, the president has some discretion. He recalled an incident during former President Akufo-Addo’s tenure when a petition was submitted. “In that case, the president, in consultation with the Council of State, determined there was no prima facie case and declined to proceed,” he […]
Suspects arrested for vehicle theft, gold robbery and galamsey in Western region
The Western Central Regional Police Command is intensifying its fight against crime, recording three major arrests in April 2025 in connection with vehicle theft, gold robbery, and illegal mining activities across the Western Region. In Tarkwa, one Salifu Gariba was arrested for the theft of a Toyota Land Cruiser (PC), registration number GS 1845-23, belonging to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The vehicle was stolen from the residence of an EPA employee in Budo City in the early hours of 15 April. The suspect was intercepted the following day by officers of the Northern Regional Police Command at Kukobila, along the Tamale–Bolgatanga highway. The vehicle was successfully retrieved. Gariba is currently in police custody as investigations continue. In a separate incident, three suspects linked to a gold robbery in Wassa Afransie were arrested through an intelligence-led operation. The suspects—Felix Adjei, […]
Related
Agency Running Meals on Wheels Is Threatened by Trump Cuts
Every Monday, Maurine Gentis, a retired teacher, waits for a delivery from Meals on Wheels South Texas. “The meals help stretch my budget,” Ms. Gentis, 77, said. Living alone and in a wheelchair, she appreciates having someone look in on her regularly. The same group, a nonprofit, delivers books from the library and dry food for her cat. But Ms. Gentis is anxious about what lies ahead. The small government agency responsible for overseeing programs like Meals on Wheels is being dismantled as part of the Trump administration’s overhaul of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Roughly half its staff has been let go in recent layoffs and all of its 10 regional offices are closed, according to several employees who lost their jobs. “I’m just kind of worried that the whole thing might go down the drain, too,” Ms. […]
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in indicted for bribery
Prosecutors argue his former son-in-law, identified only by his surname Seo, had little experience in the aviation industry but was hired in exchange for the airline's CEO leading a state-funded agency. Moon led the country from 2017 to 2022 and is best remembered for his attempts to broker a peace deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He joins a long list of South Korean presidents whose political careers have been marred by scandal, from jail to assassination to suicide. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office this month for his shock martial law declaration, is also facing criminal charges.Besides Moon, former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik has also been indicted, prosecutors say. He is being accused of bribery and breach of trust.In 2022, Lee was sentenced to six years in prison for embezzling company funds.The founder of […]
China sends Boeing planes back to US over tariffs
Kelly Ortberg said two planes had already been returned and another would follow after trade tensions between the two countries escalated. Boeing's chief executive told CNBC that 50 more planes were due to go to China this year but their customers had indicated they will not take delivery of them.The US put 145% tariffs on imports from China and it hit back with a 125% tax on US products. Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said he was optimistic about improving trade relations with China, saying the level of tariffs he had imposed would "come down substantially, but it won't be zero".However, Mr Ortberg said China "have in fact stopped taking delivery of aircraft because of tariff environment".Boeing is America's largest exporter with about 70% of its commercial aircraft sales outside of the US.Mr Ortberg said Boeing was […]
Rubio unveils first stage of major State Department overhaul
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday rolled out the first stage of a major plan to reorganize the US State Department with changes that will eliminate 132 domestic offices, cut around 700 positions in Washington, DC, and close offices focused on war crimes and global conflict, according to a senior State Department official and documents obtained by CNN. The State Department argued the changes are necessary to maintain its efficacy and relevance, with a senior State Department official calling the current department organization chart “bloated” and arguing it has had a “deleterious effect on foreign policy and relevance of the Department.” The senior State Department official said the changes wouldn’t result in immediate layoffs, but signaled that officials will lose their jobs. As part of the reorganization, 700 positions within the Washington headquarters are expected to be eliminated, the official said. […]
Birthrates Languish in Record Lows, C.D.C. Reports
Births in the United States increased by just 1 percent in 2024, still near the record low rates that have alarmed demographers and become a central part of the Trump administration’s cultural agenda, according to data released on Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 3.6 million babies were born in the United States last year, a meager rise from the record-setting low in 2023. The fertility rate, approximately 1.6 births per woman over her lifetime, is well below the 2.1 births needed to maintain the country’s population through births alone. The new data represent “the continuation of a long-term decline of births in the United States that began really with the Great Recession in 2007,” said Ken Johnson, a demographer at the University of New Hampshire. These numbers, and the reasons that they have experienced such a […]
Vatican releases pictures of Pope Francis in open casket, confirms funeral will be on Saturday
Cardinals are meeting to plan the pontiff's funeral, which will be held on Saturday. Pope Francis's funeral will take place outdoors in front of St Peter's Basilica. The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the service. At the end of the funeral, Re will deliver the final commendation - a concluding prayer where the Pope will be formally entrusted to God - and the body moved to St Mary Major for the burial. Pope to be taken to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday - Vatican Pope Francis will be taken to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning at 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT), the Vatican has announced. The Pope's coffin will be there until the burial for the public to pay their respects. The Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday that Pope Francis’ funeral […]
Be the first to leave a comment