Federal Court Halts Trump's Gender-Affirming Care Restrictions
In a significant legal development, Federal Judge Lauren King has issued a temporary injunction against a policy enacted by former President Donald Trump that sought to restrict gender-affirming care. This policy aimed to deny federal funding to medical institutions providing such care. Judge King’s injunction marks the second legal blockage of Trump’s initiative, remaining active as further legal challenges unfold in the judicial system.
Judge King, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, ruled in favor of a lawsuit brought forth by attorneys general from Washington, Minnesota, and Oregon. These attorneys argued that Trump’s executive order exceeded his presidential authority, attempted to regulate medical issues traditionally handled by states, and infringed upon the constitutional rights of transgender individuals and healthcare professionals.
Trump’s executive order aimed to withdraw federal support from hospitals and educational institutions that offer or educate about gender-affirming care. However, in her ruling, Judge King emphasized that the President does not have the unilateral power to alter federal spending decisions that Congress has already established.
"The United States Constitution grants the power of the purse exclusively to Congress, not the President," Judge King stated, as reported by various news outlets. "The President cannot independently decide how to allocate funds that have been appropriated by Congress."
The lawsuit filed by the attorneys general labeled Trump’s policy as a "cruel and baseless attack on transgender youth, their families, and the medical institutions that provide them with essential care." They argued that it was an official act of discrimination against vulnerable transgender youth, exploiting executive power in ways that violate constitutional and state rights.
Despite the Department of Justice's (DOJ) assertion that no specific federal grants had been threatened with revocation under Trump’s order, some healthcare institutions have begun to deny gender-affirming treatments out of concern for potential federal repercussions.
Last week, another federal judge, Brendan Hurson, also blocked Trump’s order on a national level. Judge Hurson's injunction prohibited federal agencies from withholding or conditioning funding to medical institutions and universities that provide gender-affirming services. His ruling critiqued Trump's order as lacking legal authority and constituting unlawful discrimination.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) attorney Joshua Block responded positively to these rulings, suggesting that these legal decisions should reassure healthcare providers that they can continue offering transgender patients the necessary care without fear of jeopardizing their federal funding or facing other punitive actions. He emphasized that these rulings help restore both healthcare access and constitutional protections for transgender individuals.
These legal developments are pivotal in safeguarding the rights of transgender individuals and ensuring that medical professionals can operate based on their best medical judgment. The rulings underscore the importance of maintaining separation between federal executive powers and the legislative responsibilities of Congress, especially concerning healthcare and constitutional rights.
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Related: Legal Experts Criticize Trump’s Policies
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