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A U.S. federal judge has suspended Trump’s ban on transgender military service, calling it discriminatory and unjustified. The ruling, which blocks the policy until March 21, delivers a setback to the administration’s efforts to restrict transgender rights in the military, sparking legal and political debate.

A U.S. federal judge has issued a temporary suspension of the Trump administration’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, citing violations of equality principles. Judge Ana C. Reyes ruled that the policy, which prevents transgender people from enlisting and limits the service of those already in uniform, is discriminatory and lacks justification.

In her strongly worded decision, Reyes criticized the policy as being driven by bias rather than military necessity. “The Military Ban is rooted in prejudice and does not align with the principles of equal protection,” she stated. However, the judge granted the government until March 21 to appeal the ruling before the suspension takes effect.

The ban, introduced via executive order in January, asserts that individuals must serve according to their assigned sex at birth. The administration argues this policy is essential for military standards, but opponents contend it unfairly targets transgender individuals and undermines military diversity.

This legal battle is part of a broader national debate over transgender rights, as various states implement conflicting policies. The military had lifted its transgender service ban in 2016 under President Barack Obama, but policies have since fluctuated under different administrations.

The Pentagon has indicated it may challenge the ruling, setting the stage for further legal and political clashes over the future of transgender service members in the U.S. military.