A judge who elected Reagan blocked Donald Trump’s transgender order
US: In accordance with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, a federal court on Tuesday temporarily barred prison authorities from moving transgender women to men’s institutions and denying them access to hormone treatment.
A case filed on behalf of three transgender women who were confined in women’s facilities prior to Trump signing the order on his first day back in the White House on January 20 is being heard by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who was selected by previous Republican President Ronald Reagan.
Hours after a hearing in which an attorney claimed that Trump’s directive discriminates against transgender persons and violates their constitutional rights, he granted the prisoners’ request for a temporary restraining order, according to The Associated Press.
“The request for a temporary restraining order is granted on the narrow grounds of the plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment claims,” Lamberth stated in his decision.
“Because the plaintiffs’ Eighth Amendment claims are sufficient unto themselves to sustain a TRO, this Court will take no position on the merits of the plaintiffs’ equal protection or [Administrative Procedure Act] claims at this time.”
