WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Despite President Donald Trump's request to put the transgender policy on hold, a US federal judge has ruled that the military should accept transgender recruits beginning in January 2018.
"The court will not stay its preliminary injunction pending defendants’ appeal," the ruling, issued on Monday, said.
The US District Court for the District of Columbia considered four facts when making the decision, including whether issuance of the stay would harm other parties and the public interest, the document said.
Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said the Court was not convinced by the Trump administration's declaration claiming the defendants would be irreparably injured if the policy is implemented.
In addition, defendants argued they would suffer extra costs and confusion, because they are already preparing to change the transgender policy. The argument has been rejected, according to the ruling.
The US Department of Defense said on Monday that it will obey the orders handed down by the US District Court for the District of Columbia that clear the way for transgender individuals to apply for military service beginning in January.
"As required by recent federal district court orders, the Department of Defense recently announced it will begin processing transgender applicants for military service on January 1, 2018," the Defense Department said.
Trump argued that gender dysphoria is a medical condition that should disqualify people from military service.
In October, a US federal judge blocked enforcement of Trump's transgender ban. A second judge for the US District Court for the District of Maryland issued an injunction that will prevent US military from carrying out the president's action on November 22.
