SEATTLE (AP) 鈥� A second federal judge on Friday paused President Donald Trump鈥檚 executive order for gender-affirming care for transgender youth under 19.
U.S. District Court Judge Lauren King granted a temporary restraining order after the Democratic attorneys general of Washington state, Oregon and Minnesota last week. Three doctors joined as plaintiffs in the suit, which was filed in the Western District of Washington.
The decision came one day after a federal judge in Baltimore in response to a separate lawsuit filed on behalf of families with transgender or nonbinary children. Judge Brendan Hurson鈥檚 temporary restraining order will last 14 days but could be extended, and essentially puts Trump鈥檚 directive on hold while the case proceeds. Hurston and King were both appointed by former President Joe Biden.
Trump signed an executive order last month halting federal funding for institutions that provide the care and directing federally run insurance programs, including Medicaid and TRICARE for military families, to exclude coverage for it. The order also calls on the Department of Justice to pursue litigation and legislation to oppose it.
Medicaid programs in some states cover gender-affirming care. Trump鈥檚 order suggests that the practice could end, and targets hospitals and universities that receive federal money and provide the care.
In the complaint filed in Seattle, the three Democratic attorneys general argue that the executive order violates equal rights protections, the separation of powers and states鈥� powers to regulate what is not specifically delegated to the federal government.
The Trump administration disputed those claims in court filings. 鈥淭he President鈥檚 authority to direct subordinate agencies to implement his agenda, subject to those agencies鈥� own statutory authorities, is well established,鈥� Justice Department attorneys wrote.
A large crowd of people went to the federal courthouse to watch Friday's hearing. Outside, some carried signs with phrases including 鈥淧rotect Trans Kids鈥� or Pride flags with the words, 鈥淵ou are loved.鈥�
鈥淲e had over 100 declarants submit their personal stories about the impact of this illegal and unconstitutional and hateful order, and their bravery allowed for justice to be done today,鈥� Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said after the ruling.
The temporary restraining order is just the first step in a long fight, Brown said, adding that he hopes the order reassures health care providers in the state that they can continue to provide gender-affirming care to their patients.
鈥淭he word I would use is relief, right?" third-year medical student Natalie Koconis said when asked for a response to the judge's ruling. One of a group of medical students and doctors in white coats who held signs outside the courthouse, Koconis said Trump's executive order 鈥渋s something that has already had material impacts on our ability鈥� to treat transgender youth. "All we want is just everybody to get the care that they need and deserve.鈥�
In addition to the orders on health care access and , Trump has also signed orders that open the door to banning transgender people from ; set up new rules about how about gender; and intend to from participating in girls and women鈥檚 sports.
have already been filed on the military order, the plan to move transgender women in federal prisons to men鈥檚 facilities and the recognition only of people鈥檚 , which led to the halting of allowing gender markers to be changed on passports.
Other lawsuits are likely , just as there have been challenges to of .
As transgender people have gained visibility and acceptance in some ways, there鈥檚 been vehement pushback. At least 26 states have passed laws to restrict or ban gender-affirming care for minors. The heard arguments last year but has not yet ruled on whether Tennessee鈥檚 ban on the care is constitutional.
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Associated Press reporter Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon, contributed to this report.
Manuel Valdes, The Associated Press
