The US Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to lift a lower court’s order blocking restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender inmates in federal prisons. The request, filed on 28 September 2026, seeks to revive a February policy that would bar surgery, hormone therapy and social accommodations for transgender prisoners, while retaining access to psychiatric services.

Judge Royce Lamberth had earlier blocked the policy, ruling that it was likely to cause serious harm to inmates. The administration argues the restrictions are needed to maintain safety, security and order within the federal prison system.

LGBTQ advocacy groups counter that denying medically recommended care amounts to cruel treatment and violates constitutional protections. The case is one of several in which the Trump administration has sought Supreme Court intervention to implement contested policies while litigation continues. The court has not yet said when it will decide on the emergency request. Its ruling could affect how federal prisons treat transgender inmates nationwide.