A Biden-appointed judge halted Trump’s policy restricting U.S. passports to male and female options, citing harm to transgender Americans.

Federal Court Issues Nationwide Suspension

A Biden-appointed federal judge has issued a nationwide injunction blocking the Trump administration’s order to limit U.S. passports to just two gender options, male and female. The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick of Massachusetts, temporarily suspends the policy for all Americans as a lawsuit challenging the order proceeds.

The Trump administration’s policy, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, eliminated the “X” gender marker for nonbinary, intersex, and transgender individuals. The move reversed earlier provisions allowing applicants to self-identify or choose a gender-neutral option on their passports, and was widely criticized as targeting transgender Americans.

Judge Kobick found that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their challenge, ruling the policy both discriminatory on the basis of sex and “arbitrary and capricious.” She wrote that transgender and nonbinary individuals forced to travel with passports that do not reflect their gender identity face increased risks of psychological distress, harassment, and violence. The decision references studies and medical standards indicating that accurate identity documents are essential to mental health care for transgender people.

According to the court, the administration failed to demonstrate that restricting gender options serves a compelling government interest. Kobick also pointed out the risks to safety and privacy, writing that the policy could “out” individuals against their will whenever they travel or show their passport, potentially exposing them to harm.

Policy and Legal Arguments Remain Contentious

Trump’s executive order, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” instructed agencies to recognize only male and female as legal sexes. The order argued that recognizing two sexes is essential for public safety, dignity, and scientific integrity, and warned that broader gender policies undermine women’s rights and the American system.

The court’s suspension remains in effect as the lawsuit continues. The Department of State is expected to comply with the injunction while further legal arguments are considered. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for federal policy on gender identity and documentation in the U.S.