On June 30, 2026, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes certified a class of transgender service members and recruits in Talbott v. Trump, expanding the lawsuit against the Trump administration’s military ban. The decision allows the case to move forward on behalf of thousands of individuals, not just the named plaintiffs.

Judge Reyes set a trial date for January 4, 2027, marking a major procedural victory for the plaintiffs. This ensures that any ruling will apply broadly to all transgender troops impacted by the policy.

The administration’s ban has barred many transgender people from serving or joining the armed forces. For those already in uniform, the ruling represents the difference between continuing careers built over years of service or being forced out by government policy.

• Reyes noted that the ban affects transgender service members in similar ways — either preventing enlistment or forcing discharge.
• She narrowed the proposed class definition to align more closely with the policy’s language, but rejected arguments that overlapping lawsuits elsewhere should block certification.
• The judge pressed attorneys to move the case forward more quickly, criticizing delays in litigation.
• Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for LGBTQ+ Rights, called the ruling “an important step” that ensures all transgender troops benefit from any favorable decision.
• SPARTA Pride, a nonprofit supporting transgender service members, celebrated the ruling as a source of hope for thousands of troops, veterans, and families living in uncertainty.

Judge Reyes has previously blocked parts of the ban, finding its justifications rooted in bias rather than military necessity. The case now moves into discovery and trial preparation, with plaintiffs’ attorneys aiming to prove the policy unconstitutional.

By certifying a class, Judge Reyes has ensured that the voices of thousands of transgender service members will be heard. The upcoming trial will be a defining moment in the ongoing struggle for equality in the U.S. military.