Overview

• U.S. District Court Judge Lauren King issued a preliminary injunction blocking two Trump executive orders targeting gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth under 19.
• The orders sought to strip federal funding from institutions providing gender-affirming care and mandated recognition of only two biological sexes in federal policies.
• The judge ruled that the orders violated the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection clause and Congress' authority over federal funding appropriations.
• Medical professionals and state attorneys general argued that the orders endangered transgender youth, potentially increasing risks of depression and suicide by restricting access to necessary care.
• The case involves four Democratic-led states—Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado—while similar legal challenges are underway in other states.