The policy, announced in February, is much more comprehensive ban than a similar proposal implemented during the first Trump term. It "generally disqualifies from military service individuals who have gender dysphoria or have undergone medical interventions for gender dysphoria," Solicitor General D. John Sauer said in court papers.

In implementing the policy, the government relied on a Pentagon report from the first Trump term that said people with gender dysphoria are a threat to "military effectiveness and lethality."