Trump administration asks Supreme Court to reinstate transgender prison care restrictions

President Donald Trump’s administration has asked the US Supreme Court to allow federal prison officials to restrict certain medical treatments for transgender inmates while litigation continues.

According to CNN, the Bureau of Prisons policy permits psychotherapy and psychiatric services for inmates with gender dysphoria but bars hormone therapy, surgeries and “social accommodations.”

“The public interest substantially outweighs any irreparable harm to respondents,” the Justice Department told the Supreme Court. “The 2026 policy provides appropriate, individualized treatment for gender dysphoria, while disallowing only interventions that are medically unnecessary.”

Federal courts in Washington, DC, have temporarily blocked the policy. The DC Circuit said the Bureau had not “adequately” considered “its own experience providing gender affirming care under its prior policy.”

The administration is now seeking emergency intervention from the Supreme Court, which is expected to consider the request within the coming weeks.

The dispute is among several emergency appeals recently brought before the justices by the Trump administration.