U.S. Top Court Refuses To Let Trump Immediately End Hormone Treatment For Transgender Inmates
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the Trump administration's request to enforce restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for transgender inmates in federal prisons, leaving a lower court's injunction in place while a legal challenge continues.
The decision prevents the Federal Bureau of Prisons from implementing a policy that would restrict hormone therapy, surgeries and certain accommodations for transgender prisoners.
The court issued a brief order without explaining its reasoning, while conservative Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas publicly dissented.
Trump's Legal Push Falls Short
In February, Trump’s executive order directed federal agencies to revise its medical care policies to ensure federal funds were not spent “for the purpose of conforming an inmate’s appearance to that of the opposite sex”.
Under the new rules, federal prisons would discontinue certain gender-affirming medical treatments and accommodations, including access to clothing, makeup and other items associated with inmates' gender identities. Mental health services would remain available.
Three transgender prisoners held in federal facilities in New Jersey, Florida and Minnesota challenged the policy through a class-action lawsuit.
In June, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth blocked the restrictions, finding that the policy was likely unlawful under federal administrative law. A federal appeals court subsequently declined to lift the injunction in September, prompting the administration to seek emergency intervention from the Supreme Court.
White House Defends Controversial Prison Policy
The Trump administration defended the policy by arguing that certain gender-affirming treatments were medically disputed and raised concerns about prison security and administration.
The Justice Department maintained that the Bureau of Prisons had reasonably reconsidered its previous approach and should be allowed to prioritise mental health treatment.
Lawyers representing the prisoners disputed those arguments, warning that interrupting medically necessary treatment could cause serious psychological harm, including depression, anxiety and an increased risk of self-harm.
According to court records cited by the Bureau of Prisons, approximately 600 federal prisoners were receiving hormone therapy in 2025. The federal prison system has provided hormone treatment for gender dysphoria for decades.
Rights Groups Praise Court Order
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represents the prisoners, welcomed the ruling as a safeguard against potential harm while the legal challenge continues.
The decision comes as the conservative-majority Supreme Court has allowed other Trump administration measures affecting transgender people, including restrictions on military service and passport gender markers, to proceed. However, it has not ruled on the merits of this case; the lower court’s injunction remains in effect while litigation continues.
Ruling Leaves Case Unresolved
The ruling leaves the Trump administration unable to enforce the restrictions while the legal challenge continues.
The courts must still determine whether the policy complies with federal law, with the final outcome potentially shaping transgender prisoners’ access to medical care across the U.S federal prison system.
