Five transgender active duty service members have sued the federal government over President Trump's initiative banning transgender people from serving in the armed forces. The members argue that Trump's initiative is unconstitutional because its potential for early-termination has jeopardized their careers and benefits, including post-military benefits.
The initiative reversed by Trump was approved by the Defense Department under the previous administration, which allowed transgender individuals to serve openly. The service members argue that Obama's policy 'created an expectation' they relied on, often informing superior officers.
Attorneys for the service members had this to say in the court filing:
"Because they identified themselves as transgender in reliance on (the Obama-era) earlier promise, Plaintiffs have lost the stability and certainty they had in their careers and benefits, including post-military and retirement benefits that depend on the length of their service. Plaintiffs have served honorably and successfully in the military since coming out as transgender, and their transgender status has not had any detrimental effect on their ability to serve or to fulfill their duties."
Source: cnn.com