Supreme Court keeps Trump's transgender prison care policy on hold
The Supreme Court on Wednesday would not let the Trump administration end hormone care for transgender people in federal prisons, CNN and the New York Post reported. The short order gave no reason. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito would have sided with the White House.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down a Trump administration request about transgender care in federal prisons, according to CNN and the New York Post. The White House wanted to restart limits on that care. The limits stay on hold while the case goes on in lower courts.
The court issued a one-sentence order that did not explain the decision, CNN reported. The Post said giving no reason is standard practice for emergency requests.
Two conservative justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, would have granted the administration's request, the Post reported. CNN said they dissented but did not say why.
On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order on "biological truth," the Post reported. The Bureau of Prisons later adopted a new policy, CNN reported. It allows therapy for inmates with gender dysphoria, but not hormones or surgery. It also bars "social accommodations," such as clothing and makeup, CNN said.
Three prisoners who had received hormone therapy for years sued, CNN reported. They said the policy would end treatment for nearly 1,000 people in custody. The Post said backers of the lawsuit put the number at about 1,000. The American Civil Liberties Union supported the inmates, the Post reported.
US District Judge Royce Lamberth blocked the policy, the Post reported. He wrote that the government cited "zero evidence" from its own medical staff to back its views, according to the Post. A federal appeals court in Washington also refused to let the policy take effect, CNN and the Post reported.
In its appeal, the administration said the old care raised security concerns that outweighed its "limited benefits," CNN reported. It also said the policy was its own judgment and not based on the executive order, the Post reported.
"This is a critical ruling for our clients and all transgender people in Bureau of Prisons custody," said Li Nowlin-Sohl, an ACLU lawyer, according to CNN. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to CNN.
What we know: The prison policy remains blocked while the lawsuit continues.
What we don't: Why the majority ruled as it did and when the case will be decided.
Where outlets agree CNN and the New York Post report that the Supreme Court refused the Trump administration's emergency request to revive limits on transgender care in federal prisons, with Justices Thomas and Alito on the losing side.
Where they differ CNN and the New York Post don't conflict on the facts, though CNN says the plaintiffs put the number of affected inmates at nearly 1,000 while the Post attributes the figure of about 1,000 to backers of the lawsuit.