Ajaz Rao
Appearances
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
My family woke up and they said something very strange is happening. Not just one blast, there were a number of blasts. So windows were shaking.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
In the first Trump term, he partially succeeded, but the ban was reversed by President Biden, only to be put back in place by Trump after he took office for a second term. This new order mimics the Trump order from the first administration and appears to strengthen it as well, barring transgender individuals from enlisting and discharging active duty transgender service members.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
In a one-paragraph unsigned order, the justices revived the transgender ban, which had been temporarily blocked by the lower courts. The court's three liberal justices, Kagan, Sotomayor, and Jackson, noted their dissents and would have barred the administration from putting the ban in place while the case continues to be litigated in the lower courts.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
So the case now goes back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for the Trump policy to be reviewed.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
The Obama policy was reversed by Trump in 2017, followed by new rules issued by then Defense Secretary James Mattis. The Mattis rules allowed exceptions to the ban for active service members previously diagnosed with gender dysphoria. But the new policy... The Trump 2 policy is significantly tougher because it bars from the military anyone with a gender dysphoria diagnosis.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
Not just one blast, there were a number of blasts. So windows were shaking. Is a de-escalation at all possible?
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
And while that isn't everyone, it is most trans individuals.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will take a whack at deciding the issue, and that decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court immediately. though the ban is likely to remain in place during the appellate process.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
Probably slim to none. The fact is that the Supreme Court, even on a temporary basis, has allowed the Trump administration to proceed with carrying out the ban. And that's a pretty strong indicator that the administration is very likely to prevail in the long run.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
According to Pentagon, about 0.2 percent of active military forces or about 4,000 individuals.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
They're a group of current and aspiring transgender service members, including lead plaintiff Emily Schilling, a Navy pilot who's flown more than 60 combat missions over her nearly two decades of military service. Ruling in their favor, Judge Benjamin Settle in Washington state.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
who's a George W. Bush appointee, concluded that the government's classification of gender dysphoria as a disqualifying medical condition was essentially a ruse, motivated by hostility towards transgender people.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
Probably the case will come back to the court next term for a final ruling, regardless of who wins in the Ninth Circuit.
Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
My pleasure.