Judge orders Pentagon to explain testosterone program ban

A federal judge has ordered the Pentagon to explain the apparent contradiction between a new program offering testosterone therapy to troops and the military's ongoing ban on gender-affirming care for transgender service members. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued the order on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in a Washington courtroom, directing both parties in a lawsuit against the transgender military ban to address the issue.

The order comes one week after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new initiative to screen service members for low testosterone and provide voluntary testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Under the program, annual screenings will be conducted for troops aged 30 and older, with younger service members able to volunteer for testing. Hegseth framed the policy as necessary to ensure military personnel can operate at their best.

In her minute order, Judge Reyes took judicial notice of Hegseth's announcement and juxtaposed it with language from the transgender ban, which states the armed forces must maintain high health standards "without the benefit of routine medical treatment or special provisions." She has now demanded the government and the...