Key Takeaways:

• Advocacy groups are filing a lawsuit against Trump's executive order banning transgender troops.
• The order claims transgender service members conflict with a disciplined military lifestyle.
• The same legal team previously challenged Trump's 2017 troop ban.
• The Pentagon states it will comply with the new directive while litigation is ongoing.
• Legal experts argue the order violates equal protection rights under the Constitution.

In a significant move, advocacy groups are preparing to challenge President Donald Trump's latest executive order that aims to revise military policies regarding transgender troops. This potential ban could limit their ability to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. The legal team spearheading the lawsuit has a history of fighting against similar policies, having previously campaigned against Trump's 2017 ban, which was ultimately overturned by President Joe Biden when he took office.

Trump's recent order, signed earlier this week, argues that the sexual identity of transgender service members “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle.” This declaration suggests that allowing transgender individuals to serve may threaten military readiness—a claim met with criticism by advocates.

Shannon Minter, the legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), emphasized that the law prohibits policies based on disapproval of specific groups. “That’s animus. And animus-based laws are presumed to be invalid and unconstitutional,” Minter stated, highlighting the constitutional implications of the order.

The challenge, set to be presented in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, will argue that the order infringes upon the equal protection rights guaranteed to all individuals under U.S. law. While specific numbers of transgender personnel in the military remain undisclosed, estimates suggest they number in the thousands.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has stated it will not comment on pending litigation but affirmed its intention to “fully execute and implement all directives” outlined in the executive orders issued by the President, signifying the administration's commitment to its directives amid ongoing legal evaluations.

For further details, refer to the original report by Newsweek.