Hegseth vows to appeal judge's block on transgender troops ban efforts

• "Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact," added the Biden-appointed judge in D.C.
• "Thus, even if the Court analyzed the Military Ban under rational basis review, it would fail."

Driving the news: President Trump signed an executive order in January, which states that the federal government will recognize only two sexes, male and female, and it calls on the Pentagon to formulate a new policy that would target transgender service members.

• A lawsuit challenging the order contends these efforts are unconstitutional.

Where it stands: Reyes issued a preliminary injunction, which she stayed until Friday morning to give the Trump administration time to appeal.

• Hegseth said on X Thursday, "We are appealing this decision, and we will win."

What they're saying: "This is the latest example of an activist judge attempting to seize power at the expense of the American people who overwhelmingly voted to elect President Trump," a Justice Department spokesperson said.

• "The Department of Justice has vigorously defended President Trump's executive actions, including the Defending Women Executive Order, and will continue to do so."
• Representatives for the Defense Department referred Axios to the Justice Department for comment.
• Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment in the evening.

Read the order in full, via DocumentCloud:

Go deeper: Veterans Affairs phases out all gender-affirming care for transgender veterans

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a Justice Department spokesperson.