Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to End Transgender Prison Medical Care
The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court on Monday to lift a court order blocking a Bureau of Prisons policy that ends hormone therapy, surgeries, and social accommodations for transgender inmates.
- February 2026 BOP policy keeps mental health care but ends hormone therapy and surgeries.
- U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth blocked the policy in June, then again in August.
- The DC Circuit declined earlier this month to restore the policy pending appeal.
- Solicitor General D. John Sauer filed the emergency petition citing institutional security concerns.
Why it matters: The case turns on whether courts must defer to the Bureau of Prisons on medical and security policy for inmates.
- Lamberth ruled the policy was "arbitrary and capricious" because the agency did not adequately weigh its own prior experience providing the care.
- The DC Circuit said the bureau had not "adequately" considered "its own experience providing gender affirming care under its prior policy."
How 14 sources split on this story
Where they split: The core dispute is whether the Bureau of Prisons acted within lawful administrative authority or failed to follow required procedures when it ended the treatments.
Left coverage, 7 sources: The left frames the appeal as the latest in a series of administration actions rolling back legal protections for transgender people, and emphasizes that two courts have already found the policy legally deficient.
CNN3hTrump asks Supreme Court to suspend transgender medical care in federal prisons
MSNBC2hTrump administration asks Supreme Court to approve ban on gender care in prison
CBS News3hTrump administration asks Supreme Court to allow policy ending medical treatments for transgender inmatesOCJOhio Capital Journal3hTrump administration asks Supreme Court to permit quick third-country deportations
Politico2hTrump asks Supreme Court to OK limits on transgender-related care for prisonersTBGThe Boston Globe45mTrump asks Supreme Court to allow transgender care restrictions in prison
The Independent56mTrump administration asks Supreme Court to allow transgender medical care restrictions in prisonRight coverage, 5 sources: The right frames the appeal as a legitimate assertion of executive authority over prison administration, with the district court improperly substituting its judgment for that of agency officials.
Washington Examiner2hTrump asks Supreme Court to let him end transgender surgeries for inmates
The Daily Caller2hTrump Admin Asks SCOTUS To Uphold Trans Surgery Ban In Federal Prisoners
The Epoch Times19hTrump Admin Asks Supreme Court to Revive Ban on Transgender Treatments in Federal Prisons
Just the News19hDOJ asks Supreme Court to allow policy ending medical treatments for transgender inmates
The Washington Times3hTrump takes fight over prisoners' transgender medical treatment to Supreme CourtWhat’s next: Inmates covered by Lamberth's order may respond to the Supreme Court application.
- The Court will likely decide the emergency request within weeks, with no formal deadline set.
- Will the Supreme Court grant emergency relief, and on what legal grounds?
- If the policy takes effect, how will the Bureau of Prisons manage inmates currently mid-treatment?
