ISTANBUL

The US defense secretary has vowed to appeal a court decision blocking US President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving openly in the military.

Pete Hegseth said simply on X: "We are appealing this decision and we will win."

After returning to the White House this January, President Trump signed a series of executive orders to reshape the military, including a ban on transgender individuals serving openly.

Following the executive order, the US Army announced that it would no longer allow transgender individuals to enlist or receive gender transition-related medical procedures.

The military said last month that it would begin discharging transgender personnel.

On Tuesday US District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington temporarily halted the enforcement of Trump's executive order that banned transgender individuals from serving in the military.

Reyes' decision, in response to a lawsuit filed by 20 active-duty and potential service members challenging the policy, determined that Trump's directive likely violates the Constitution's ban on sex discrimination.