Fact Check: US judge blocks Trump's passport policy targeting transgender individuals

Fact Check: US Judge Blocks Trump's Passport Policy Targeting Transgender Individuals

What We Know

On June 17, 2025, a federal judge, Julia Kobick, issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration's policy that limited passport sex markers for transgender and nonbinary individuals. This ruling allows these individuals to apply for passports that reflect their gender identity, including the option of an "X" designation, rather than being restricted to the sex assigned at birth (AP News, Reuters). The judge's decision expanded a preliminary injunction that had previously applied only to a small group of plaintiffs, now covering all transgender and nonbinary individuals who are applying for new passports, renewing, or changing their gender markers (ACLU, The Hill).

The ruling was based on the determination that the Trump administration's policy likely violated the constitutional rights of these individuals by denying them equal protection under the law. Judge Kobick noted that the government failed to demonstrate that the policy served an important governmental interest, which is required under judicial scrutiny (CNBC, USA Today).

Analysis

The ruling by Judge Kobick is significant as it not only blocks the enforcement of a policy perceived to be discriminatory but also highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding transgender rights in the U.S. The judge's decision is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argued that the policy imposed unnecessary barriers to transgender individuals seeking to obtain identification that aligns with their gender identity (ACLU).

The sources reporting on this ruling are generally credible, including major news organizations like the Associated Press, Reuters, and CNBC, which have established reputations for journalistic integrity. Each source corroborates the details of the ruling and its implications for transgender rights, providing a consistent narrative that supports the claim that the judge has blocked the Trump administration's passport policy.

However, it is important to note that the Trump administration, through its representatives, argued that the policy did not violate constitutional rights and that the president has broad discretion in setting passport policy (The Hill). This perspective reflects a broader political and ideological divide regarding transgender rights and government policy.

Conclusion

The claim that a U.S. judge has blocked Trump's passport policy targeting transgender individuals is True. The ruling effectively allows transgender and nonbinary individuals to obtain passports that accurately reflect their gender identity, countering a policy that was seen as discriminatory. The judge's decision is backed by constitutional arguments regarding equal protection and the rights of individuals to have identification that aligns with their gender identity.

Fact Check: US judge blocks Trump's passport policy targeting transgender individuals