Judge cites ban’s ‘without routine medical treatment’ language in order on testosterone therapy
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes on Wednesday questioned a new Pentagon initiative to test and treat service members for low testosterone, ordering both sides in a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops to explain the similarities and differences between testosterone replacement therapy for transgender men and for other service members.
Reyes ordered the parties to address “the similarities and differences in administering TRT, both medically and logistically, for trans men compared to other service members, including cis individuals.” She issued the directive during a hearing in the legal challenge to the administration’s policy banning transgender troops.
The judge pointed to language in Trump’s ban stating that the armed forces must adhere to “high mental and physical health standards” and do so “without the benefit of routine medical treatment or special provisions.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently announced a Pentagon initiative to screen troops for low testosterone levels and provide treatment.
Reyes did not rule on the lawsuit Wednesday. The order instead asks both sides to brief the court on the medical and logistical distinctions between TRT provided to transgender men and TRT offered to cisgender service members under the new program.
The hearing marks the latest turn in the legal fight over the military’s transgender policy.