A federal judge has halted the Trump administration's plan to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military, citing a violation of their rights. This decision came just days before the ban was set to be implemented.
In other news, President Trump described his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "very good and productive," as both leaders explore possibilities for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
The White House is also embroiled in a legal dispute over its application of the Alien Enemies Act, an old law being used to deport Venezuelans allegedly involved in organized crime. Trump has called for the impeachment of the judge who blocked these deportations, a move criticized by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a preliminary injunction against the Department of Defense's policy, arguing it infringes on the constitutional rights of transgender service members. "Ironically, many transgender service members have risked their lives for the very rights the ban seeks to deny them," Reyes noted.
In a separate interview, Trump criticized a federal judge who temporarily stopped deportation flights of noncitizens, stating that such decisions should not be made by local judges. He also commented on a statement from Chief Justice Roberts, noting that his name was not mentioned.
Additionally, Trump signed two executive orders. One removes diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations from State Department hiring practices, emphasizing that factors like race, religion, and gender should not influence recruitment or promotions. The other order introduces a "National Resilience" strategy to enhance preparedness against cyber threats and extreme weather.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans for stricter sanctions on Venezuela unless the Maduro government accepts deportation flights without delay. This follows the deportation of Venezuelans allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador.