In a stunning decision that has reignited a fierce national debate, the US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of allowing Donald Trump to move forward with his long-criticized ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. The 5-4 ruling, announced early Friday, has triggered an immediate wave of protests and condemnation across the country.
The ban, which Trump first announced on Twitter in 2017, prohibits most transgender people from enlisting or continuing their service unless they serve “in their biological sex.” Critics say the policy is a blatant rollback of civil rights and a direct attack on the LGBTQ+ community.
BREAKING: Supreme Court votes 5-4 to allow Trump’s transgender military ban to go into effect. Massive protests erupt across major US cities. https://t.co/PJX6jO4z3c #TransRights pic.twitter.com/23JBrKgRB6— CNN (@CNN) May 11, 2025
“This is a devastating blow to the thousands of brave transgender Americans who put their lives on the line every day,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president of GLAAD. “It’s a dark day for equality.”
Trump wasted no time celebrating the ruling, posting on Truth Social, “We are restoring strength and common sense to the military. Proud of this win!”
Trump cheers Supreme Court ruling on transgender military ban: “We are restoring strength and common sense.” https://t.co/SF6gXpqHgE #SCOTUS pic.twitter.com/7Xj9YZdRym— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 11, 2025
Across the country, activists took to the streets, from New York’s Stonewall Inn to San Francisco’s Castro District. Chants of “Trans rights are human rights” filled the air, with protestors vowing to keep fighting.
“This is far from over,” said Chase Strangio, a prominent ACLU lawyer, in an emotional interview with NBC News. “We will take this fight to every courtroom, every ballot box, and every street corner in America.”
Massive protests in Times Square and across the US after Supreme Court greenlights Trump’s transgender military ban. https://t.co/PEHiWXboKk #TransMilitary pic.twitter.com/KxA3fVzJfB— MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 11, 2025
Military leaders have expressed concern about the impact on unit cohesion and morale. Former Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno warned on CBS News, “This decision undermines trust and threatens to push talented service members out of the force.”
Social media has exploded in response, with hashtags like #TransBan and #TransRightsAreHumanRights trending worldwide. A viral post from @PopCrave read, “History will remember this ruling as a stain on America’s promise of equality.”
“History will remember this moment as a disgrace,” LGBTQ+ advocates slam Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s transgender military ban. https://t.co/4qJ9KmToZL #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/AyV7Miyrvl— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 11, 2025
Meanwhile, legal scholars are warning that the decision could set a dangerous precedent for other civil rights rollbacks. “It opens the door to discriminate against marginalized communities under the guise of military readiness,” said constitutional law expert Melissa Murray.
For transgender veterans like Shannon Scott, the ruling feels deeply personal. “We fought for this country just like anyone else,” Scott told reporters at a protest in Washington, D.C. “We deserve dignity, respect, and the right to serve.”
