10 sources·Politics

Lawsuit Filed by Transgender Service Members Against Trump Administration Over Military Ban

Two transgender men sue the Trump administration for barring them from serving openly in the military due to new executive orders.

10%

40%

50%

The distribution of story sources: left-leaning (blue), center (light gray), and right-leaning (red).

Mostly Reliable

The underlying sources are generally reliable but sometimes include opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.

Balanced

The underlying sources are either a balanced mix of left and right or primarily centrist.

The VA staffer who spoke to Mother Jones said it felt “frustrating that the party that pushes against the idea of government involved in your health care [is] taking the opportunity to define for care providers what they can and cannot treat.”
Department of Veterans Affairs Ends Transgender and Intersex Care Directives
Mother Jones·1M
Mostly Reliable
This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
·
Left
This outlet favors left-wing views.
Trump and administration officials have sought to equate trans identity with deception and cast transgender people in the armed forces as a threat to military readiness and unit cohesion.
Third challenge filed to Trump’s order on transgender troops
The Hill·1M
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The policy change was brought on by President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that there are only two, unchangeable sexes, the VA said.
VA will no longer provide transgender care for some veterans
NBC News·1M
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
It is the latest in a series of actions the department has taken to strip recognition and services away from transgender veterans.
The VA will deny gender dysphoria treatment to new patients
NPR·1M
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey by two transgender men — Master Sgt. Logan Ireland and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bear Bade.
Trans Service Members Sue Trump Admin
Newsmax·1M
Mixed Reliable
This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.
The VA said Monday that the taxpayer money saved from Trump’s policy change will go toward giving injured veterans prosthetic limbs and other traditional functions of the agency.
VA Ends Programs Offering Tax-Funded ‘Gender-Affirming Prosthetics’ To Veterans
Daily Caller·1M
Mixed Reliable
This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.
The VA quietly rescinded a 2018 policy providing transgender-related medical services to transgender and intersex veterans on Friday, aligning the VA with the Trump administration's orders to part ways with "radical gender ideology" within the U.S. military.
VA rescinds 2018 directive on transgender treatments, aligning with Trump 'two sexes' EO
FOX News·1M
Mostly Reliable
This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.
The move came as outside advocates condemned a decision by Veterans Affairs leaders last week to rescind a policy ensuring health care for transgender and intersex veterans, predicting “catastrophic mental and physical health consequences” for patients dependent on the services.
VA leaders announce end to all transgender-related care for vets
Military Times·1M
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

Sort highlights

Updated: Mar 18th, 2025, 12:49 AM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

The Veterans Affairs Department's recent announcement halting medical treatments for gender dysphoria affects new patients, citing compliance with a Trump executive order. Advocates warn of severe mental health risks for impacted veterans. Concurrently, a lawsuit has been filed by two transgender Air Force members, Master Sgt. Logan Ireland and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bear Bade, against the administration for allegedly implementing harmful policies that deny their ability to serve openly. They face involuntary separation due to their transgender status. Critics argue these policies undermine the dignity and health of transgender individuals who have served.

Perspectives

Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced it will phase out medical treatments for gender dysphoria, including hormone therapy, citing compliance with presidential directives and the belief that veterans seeking gender transition should do so through private means.
While VA Secretary Doug Collins claims that this decision is in line with the majority of veterans' opinions, advocates warn of severe mental and physical health consequences for transgender veterans dependent on these services.
The agency insists that all veterans, regardless of gender identity, will still receive healthcare services, but advocates argue that stripping away gender-affirming care is a severe blow to the dignity and well-being of the transgender veteran community.

FAQs

A list of follow-up questions readers often ask about this story.

History

A summary of how this story has evolved over the last 24 hours.