Federal Judge Challenges Trump's Passport Policy for Transgender Americans

A federal judge questioned the Trump administration's policy of refusing passports to transgender and nonbinary individuals reflecting their gender identity. The policy, reinstated by Trump, limits passports to binary sex designations. The ACLU argues it risks harm for passport holders traveling abroad. Judicial scrutiny continues.

In a pivotal courtroom exchange, a federal judge demanded clarity from the Trump administration over its passport policy that denies transgender and nonbinary Americans documents that reflect their gender identity.

U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick queried the legality of a State Department directive, established under President Trump's orders, which limits passports to male or female designations, a decision challenged as discriminatory by attorneys for seven plaintiffs.

The American Civil Liberties Union raised concerns over potential foreign travel dangers for individuals forced to use passports with inaccurate sex markers, while the Justice Department maintained Trump's presidential authority to set passport policies.

(With inputs from agencies.)