Supreme Court Leaves Injunction on Transgender Prison Policy in Place

The Supreme Court declined the Trump administration’s emergency request to enforce a policy barring hormone therapy, certain surgeries and social accommodations for transgender people in federal prisons, leaving a lower-court injunction in place while the case proceeds. The policy reversed earlier Bureau of Prisons practices and would have limited treatment largely to mental health services, potentially affecting about 1,000 incarcerated people. The administration cited prison security and management concerns, while transgender inmates backed by the ACLU argued the change was inadequately justified, unlawful and could violate constitutional protections; advocates also warned that cutting off care could worsen gender dysphoria and risk self-harm. The court gave no explanation, and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented. The ruling was a setback for the administration’s agenda at the Supreme Court, which has recently allowed other restrictions affecting transgender people to take effect.